Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar » Politics and the budget mess *** UPDATED x1 Giannoulias refuses some contributions ***
SUBSCRIBE to Capitol Fax      Advertise Here      About     Exclusive Subscriber Content     Updated Posts    Contact Rich Miller
CapitolFax.com
To subscribe to Capitol Fax, click here.
Politics and the budget mess *** UPDATED x1 Giannoulias refuses some contributions ***

Monday, Mar 30, 2009 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Laura Washington takes a look at what happens if Lisa Madigan and others decide to move up or off the political ladder, or stay right where they are…

Evanston-based State Rep. Julie Hamos, who represents the 18th District along Chicago’s North Side and North Shore, is already raising money and taking names for a run for attorney general. Hamos may have Madigan’s blessing, but until the AG jumps, there’s nowhere for Hamos to land.

Talk about jumping the ladder. Media outlets across the nation have been touting Chicago Urban League CEO Cheryle Jackson’s anticipated run for Burris’ seat, though all they seem to know is how to spell her name. Her backers, particularly in the black community, are waiting to see if multiple investigations by Fitzgerald, the U.S. Senate and the Sangamon County prosecutor will knock Burris off the ladder.

Jackson doesn’t have a prayer if Burris stands for election. The two will split the black vote and not much else. Things will be even more hopeless if U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky decides to take a shot at the seat. Schakowsky is a powerhouse fund-raiser with a bullet-proof base among female, progressive and Jewish voters.

Ald. Joe Moore (49th) is said to be salivating over a Schakowsky bid, as that would give him a shot at her 9th Congressional District seat. The national thrill of his foie gras crusade is long gone, and he wants it back. Still, since the Rogers Park pol barely won reelection in 2007, he may not be in the best shape to muscle another rung up the ladder.

At 32, Giannoulias may be the youngest straddling his way up the ladder, but he’s moving up fast. He’s formed a Senate exploratory committee, is raising funds nationally from Greeks and Obama-ites, and is turning up regularly on the business channel CNBC. His own chief of staff, former state Rep. Robin Kelly, is gearing up to take his spot. The 52-year-old resident of Matteson is looking to become Illinois’ first African-American treasurer.

* Speaking of Giannoulias, he was asked by the Kankakee Daily Journal’s edit board to say what he’d do if he was in charge of Illinois’ budget

I think your first step is to find ways to cut waste, to cut your budget, to find ways to do more with less, to make government more efficient, to streamline services, to technologically advance the way you conduct business.

If there is an income tax increase there needs to be a decrease in property taxes. People are getting decimated by property taxes. And also you can maybe make the school system more equitable. That being said, right now in a recession — and almost any economist can tell you - is not the right time to increase taxes on people. There is never a good, right time.

That’s not a bad political position: Cut more waste, streamline, cut property taxes, improve education, income tax hikes bad. It doesn’t get us very far in this debate, however.

*** Sigh. *** Screwed up something and so I deleted this part of the post. Oops. Gotta slow down. Less coffee.

*** UPDATE *** Giannoulias just announced that he won’t accept contributions from corporate PACs or federal lobbyists

…I am taking a step that no major Illinois candidate from either party has ever taken in a run for the U.S. Senate. It is a decision that advances us one step closer to that change that we all fought for and believed in last November. I will simply say “NO” to contributions from all federal lobbyists and corporate PACs.

These special interests do not represent the interests of most Americans, and they should not be allowed to buy a seat at the table when it comes to deciding critical issues or determining the direction of our nation, especially in the midst of our current financial crisis.

[Hat tip to a Giannoulias supporter who referenced a Daily Kos piece which contained the link to the above press release.]

* Related…

*** ADDED *** What does tax plan mean to jobless ex-governor?: In short, if Pat Quinn gets his way, Rod Blagojevich will soon be paying an extra $13.50 to the state every week.

* Governor Quinn said ‘cut, cut, cut,’ so what’s up with all of this?

* An extravagant holiday

* Clock ticks on one of Quinn’s first big plans

* Transit and taxpayers

* Smokers face a hit as federal tobacco taxes spike

* Planned Merger May be Good News for Illinois’ Historic Sites

* Quinn believes agency merger within his bounds

* Toll reforms tardy, but welcome news

       

18 Comments
  1. - dave - Monday, Mar 30, 09 @ 11:24 am:

    That being said, right now in a recession — and almost any economist can tell you - is not the right time to increase taxes on people.

    This is blatantly false. Alexi should check-in with his friend in the White House to see what his economists say.


  2. - Shore - Monday, Mar 30, 09 @ 11:46 am:

    Without violating the terms of the red writing and getting banished from CFB, I must say how ridiculous that column from Laura Washington is. I’ve long since given up on the sun-times covering anything Republican but for her to write about these people ignoring what an awful job the democrats have done in this state is a sad.

    As for all the cheerleading for Alexi, the last 3 democrats -braun,obama,burris- they’ve given us for that seat have been one horrible one termers, and I’m not so sure a guy who thinks a junket to greece gives him foreign policy smarts is going to break that cycle.


  3. - Yellow Dog Democrat - Monday, Mar 30, 09 @ 11:51 am:

    === right now in a recession — and almost any economist can tell you - is not the right time to increase taxes on people ===

    Sure, because its so much easier to justify a tax-increase during an economic boon when the state coffers are overflowing, right?

    I HATE this argument. And here’s just a few more reasons.

    Economists are idiots, and if you want to get three different opinions on the economy, just get three economists in the same room.

    It asks the WRONG question. Even a nincompoop economist should know that you need to do a COMPLETE cost-benefit analysis.

    The right question is:

    “What is the cost to our economy of raising some taxes to pay for certain government programs versus the cost to our economy of keeping the tax burden the same and reducing or eliminating those programs?”

    For example, instead of raising taxes, we COULD cut $11.5 BILLION in spending from the General Revenue Fund.

    Proposed state GRF funding by Gov. Quinn totals $23.6 Billion, so it wouldn’t be easy. BUT, if you eliminate ALL state support for the following agencies, you CAN close the budget hole by cuts alone:

    - State Board of Education: $7.6 BILLION
    - Higher Education operations (includes university funding, student assistance, etc.): $2.3 BILLION
    - Dept. of Corrections: $1.2 BILLION
    - Dept. on Aging: $600 MILLION

    Want to imagine what the short and long-term damage to our economy would be if the state cut off all funding for K-12 education, all support for state universities and community colleges, closed every state prison, and eliminated programs for seniors like meals-on-wheels?

    If you think the public doesn’t like tax increases, try proposing THAT — or whatever plan you like — that trims GRF by $11.5 billion through cuts alone. (for my friends on the Republican side of the aisle, this is a direct challenge.)

    Try as you might, there is NO WAY to balance the budget by cuts alone — when $11.5 billion in cuts are needed and GRF is only $23.6 billion — without doing SIGNIFICANT short and long-term damage to our economy.

    And my final point is this: even a FULL economic cost-benefit analysis is incomplete, because $11.5 BILLION in cuts to state programs has significant social AND moral costs as well.

    What does it say about us as a state that Gov. Quinn proposes balancing the state budget by cutting funding for homeless youth programs, drug assistance for people with HIV/AIDS, and other core services for people in need?

    What is the impact on families, communities and our state of cutting programs like those that prevent drug abuse - not because they don’t work or aren’t cost-effective - because we’re trying to squeeze a relatively few more nickels out of state spending?


  4. - wordslinger - Monday, Mar 30, 09 @ 11:56 am:

    –I think your first step is to find ways to cut waste, to cut your budget, to find ways to do more with less, to make government more efficient, to streamline services, to technologically advance the way you conduct business.–

    I guess if you’re running for U.S. Senator you can talk like that. If you’re running for governor, it’s just a bunch of “out-of-the-box, synergistic” nonsense.

    They print a state budget every year. You’re allowed to be specific.


  5. - Amuzing Myself - Monday, Mar 30, 09 @ 12:27 pm:

    Giannoulias is right that it moves us “one step closer”….one step closer to the day when only the wealthiest individuals can run for public office.

    Under his idea of “reform”, Obama would likely never have won the primary for U.S. Senate.

    The evils of PAC money and corporate donors may be partially true, but blaming corruption entirely on them is making a straw man to distract from the real problem… dishonest politicians that continue to get elected and re-elected because their districts are never competitive.

    His change would only change the income level of those politicians….they’d all have to be wealthy to compete.


  6. - Ghost - Monday, Mar 30, 09 @ 1:04 pm:

    /Copy YDD statement
    /paste

    ALong with what YDD stated, there are social consequences, such as increased crime and health care expense, to cutting social programs. Short term finacial gains may be long term losses as the costs of emergency care increases from people unable to ghet treatment or preventative care, and as crime increases. Penny wise pound foolish should drive much of the cost benefit analysis.


  7. - Captain America - Monday, Mar 30, 09 @ 2:11 pm:

    If Jan S runs for Senate, then I would expect Julie Hamos to run for/win Jan’s seat in the House of Representatives, instead of running for AG.


  8. - Farberware - Monday, Mar 30, 09 @ 2:43 pm:

    Interesting to note the modifiers Alexi put on his new “reform” initiative. He won’t take “corporate” PAC money and he won’t take money from “federal” lobbyists. So big unions, trial laywers and state lobbyists will be OK?

    Apparently IL GOP has responded: http://www.weareillinois.org/connect/newsDetail.aspx?newsID=6547


  9. - Abe Froman - Monday, Mar 30, 09 @ 3:07 pm:

    Is Alexi going to swear off using the proceeds of his daddy’s shady bank dealings to fund his delusions of grandeur? Money from PAC’s, voluntarily contributed by company employees (you know, voters) is evil, but mob money and funds from deals with Tony Rezko are just fine?


  10. - Farberware - Monday, Mar 30, 09 @ 3:09 pm:

    “I don’t see a mention of non-corporate PACs. Does this mean he is not willing to go as far as Obama on the issue of campaign finance?” Alexi’s base figured it out on its own.
    http://www.dailykos.com/comments/2009/3/30/1122/76660/13#c13


  11. - Farberware - Monday, Mar 30, 09 @ 3:26 pm:

    Here’s the language from Obama’s pledge: http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/06/05/obama-camp-sets-new-money-guidelines/

    Obama pledged now “special-interest” PAC money — a general ban on PAC contributions. Alexi said he’d only refuse “corporate” PAC contributions. Is someone going to press Alexi whether he will refuse all PAC $ like Obama did? Or is he making exceptions?


  12. - Flip Flop - Monday, Mar 30, 09 @ 3:28 pm:

    As Jimmy Buffet would say, I just blew out my flip flop. I stepped on Alexi’s record.

    Alexi has already taken nearly $500,000 in PAC money from big labor unions, corporate PACS and other special interest groups during his campaigns for State Treasurer.

    * 500K in Labor/Corporate/Special Interest PAC Money
    * 1.6 Million from Businesses
    * ZERO Credibility!


  13. - bob - Monday, Mar 30, 09 @ 3:41 pm:

    Will Alexi return his contributions from state lobbyists? We can start with $3,000 from:

    Stone, Christopher
    1121 S Walnut St
    Springfield, IL 62704
    Occupation: Government Relations
    Employer: IGCG

    http://www.ilsos.gov/lobbyistsearch/registrationpdf?procID=EXC&transType=ANNUAL&year=2009&lobbyistID=2763&webDataXmlId=21965


  14. - grant39 - Monday, Mar 30, 09 @ 3:49 pm:

    Re: Lexi — What a courageous stand for a kid from millionaire family to take. He’s a regular Ross Perot. Note also that he has not sworn off money from Labor PACS. Hollow, hollow rhetoric.


  15. - Farberware - Monday, Mar 30, 09 @ 3:54 pm:

    Corporate PAC money. Give me a break. Let’s talk about straight up CORPORATE money! Alexi has taken more than $600,000 from contributors with “inc.” in their name. I’d assume if you add up LLCs and Cos. you may get above a million!

    http://www.elections.state.il.us/CampaignDisclosure/ContribListSearches.aspx


  16. - VanillaMan - Monday, Mar 30, 09 @ 4:24 pm:

    If Giannoulais doesn’t want to continue looking like a lightweight, he should avoid answering rhetorical questions or propose closing barn doors after his horses have left the building.

    His gubernatorial suggestion doesn’t sound as though it comes from a guy who wants to be taken serious. While it may be correct politically, someone who is the actual Treasurer of Illinois ought to say something that demonstrates an understanding of the office he currently occupies.

    What’s he been doing, reading my postings?


  17. - 4 percent - Monday, Mar 30, 09 @ 7:16 pm:

    I have lost respect for Alexi. With all due respect, employers who create jobs and pax taxes have an absolute right to participate in the political process. So do unions, trial lawyers, and citizens.

    stop the pandering and try to steal ideas from Obama. Become your own person.


  18. - anon - Monday, Mar 30, 09 @ 11:33 pm:

    I have relatives that live in the South Suburbs Orland Park area. They don’t even recognize Giannoulias’name!! Outside of the city of Chicago and that’s a stretch, this guy in my opinion, has absolutely no name recognition. He’s going to go from a one term Treasurer to US Senator? I guess after what Obama accomplished anything is possible. I just don’t see it. Good thing he has plenty of his own money to spend. He will need it.


Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.


* Showcasing The Retailers Who Make Illinois Work
* Reader comments closed for the holidays
* And the winners are…
* SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Update to previous editions
* Isabel’s afternoon roundup
* Report: Far-right Illinois billionaires may have skirted immigration rules
* Question of the day: Golden Horseshoe Awards (Updated)
* Energy Storage Brings Cheaper Electricity, Greater Reliability
* Open thread
* Isabel’s morning briefing
* SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Today's edition of Capitol Fax (use all CAPS in password)
* Live coverage
* Selected press releases (Live updates)
* Yesterday's stories

Support CapitolFax.com
Visit our advertisers...

...............

...............

...............

...............

...............

...............

...............


Loading


Main Menu
Home
Illinois
YouTube
Pundit rankings
Obama
Subscriber Content
Durbin
Burris
Blagojevich Trial
Advertising
Updated Posts
Polls

Archives
December 2024
November 2024
October 2024
September 2024
August 2024
July 2024
June 2024
May 2024
April 2024
March 2024
February 2024
January 2024
December 2023
November 2023
October 2023
September 2023
August 2023
July 2023
June 2023
May 2023
April 2023
March 2023
February 2023
January 2023
December 2022
November 2022
October 2022
September 2022
August 2022
July 2022
June 2022
May 2022
April 2022
March 2022
February 2022
January 2022
December 2021
November 2021
October 2021
September 2021
August 2021
July 2021
June 2021
May 2021
April 2021
March 2021
February 2021
January 2021
December 2020
November 2020
October 2020
September 2020
August 2020
July 2020
June 2020
May 2020
April 2020
March 2020
February 2020
January 2020
December 2019
November 2019
October 2019
September 2019
August 2019
July 2019
June 2019
May 2019
April 2019
March 2019
February 2019
January 2019
December 2018
November 2018
October 2018
September 2018
August 2018
July 2018
June 2018
May 2018
April 2018
March 2018
February 2018
January 2018
December 2017
November 2017
October 2017
September 2017
August 2017
July 2017
June 2017
May 2017
April 2017
March 2017
February 2017
January 2017
December 2016
November 2016
October 2016
September 2016
August 2016
July 2016
June 2016
May 2016
April 2016
March 2016
February 2016
January 2016
December 2015
November 2015
October 2015
September 2015
August 2015
July 2015
June 2015
May 2015
April 2015
March 2015
February 2015
January 2015
December 2014
November 2014
October 2014
September 2014
August 2014
July 2014
June 2014
May 2014
April 2014
March 2014
February 2014
January 2014
December 2013
November 2013
October 2013
September 2013
August 2013
July 2013
June 2013
May 2013
April 2013
March 2013
February 2013
January 2013
December 2012
November 2012
October 2012
September 2012
August 2012
July 2012
June 2012
May 2012
April 2012
March 2012
February 2012
January 2012
December 2011
November 2011
October 2011
September 2011
August 2011
July 2011
June 2011
May 2011
April 2011
March 2011
February 2011
January 2011
December 2010
November 2010
October 2010
September 2010
August 2010
July 2010
June 2010
May 2010
April 2010
March 2010
February 2010
January 2010
December 2009
November 2009
October 2009
September 2009
August 2009
July 2009
June 2009
May 2009
April 2009
March 2009
February 2009
January 2009
December 2008
November 2008
October 2008
September 2008
August 2008
July 2008
June 2008
May 2008
April 2008
March 2008
February 2008
January 2008
December 2007
November 2007
October 2007
September 2007
August 2007
July 2007
June 2007
May 2007
April 2007
March 2007
February 2007
January 2007
December 2006
November 2006
October 2006
September 2006
August 2006
July 2006
June 2006
May 2006
April 2006
March 2006
February 2006
January 2006
December 2005
April 2005
March 2005
February 2005
January 2005
December 2004
November 2004
October 2004

Blog*Spot Archives
November 2005
October 2005
September 2005
August 2005
July 2005
June 2005
May 2005

Syndication

RSS Feed 2.0
Comments RSS 2.0




Hosted by MCS SUBSCRIBE to Capitol Fax Advertise Here Mobile Version Contact Rich Miller