Quinn press conference notes and video
Sunday, May 31, 2009 [I’ve moved the Quinn press conference stuff to this post and cleaned them up a bit since I was posting on my iPhone. We’ll be posting several videos as soon as they can be edited and processed. ] * 7:43 pm - Gov. Quinn: The state can’t issue bonds for capital without a balanced operating budget. Bond agencies wouldn’t allow it. Translation: He’s not signing the capital bill. Quinn: No need for a special session to deal with the budget. Leaders meetings instead. First meeting tomorrow. * Quinn said he will stick with the House tax plan, calling it viable. Sen Meeks is here and he doesn’t look pleased at all. * Meeks: “We’ll never pass the House plan” * 8:15 pm - The House has approved the 50 percent funding for human services programs approp bill which some members blocked yesterday. The governor would not specifically say whether or not he would veto bills like that. * 8:27 pm - Governor Quinn on signing the capital bill… * 9:37 pm - Governor Quinn will not sign a partial budget and he made it abundantly clear that the GA will have to work until a full, balanced budget is passed… * 10:10 pm - Governor Quinn said that an income tax is the best way to raise the revenue needed for a balanced budget. He views his income plan is as the best solution and is confident it will pass, even after it failed miserably in the House today. He explains why his income tax proposal will prevail the second time around. Watch… * 10:25 pm - Governor Quinn briefly addressed IL’s progress on ethics reform and his devotion to the issue… * 10:45 pm - Quinn views argument that budget problem is a Democratic ‘train wreck’ as playing politics… * 10:56 pm - Finally, Quinn side-stepped a question regarding his view on Speaker Madigan’s efforts to gin up House support for a tax increase…
- Posted by Rich Miller
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Evening updates - Reform bill passes House
Sunday, May 31, 2009 * 7:00 pm - The Senate is basically just spinning its wheels while the House moves bills. “We’re waiting for those dummies in the House,” explained one state Senator. Fittingly, House debate on the campaign reform bill has stalled at the moment because of a problem with the microphone system. * 7:04 pm - The House mics are working again. Over in the Senate, Sen. Rickey Hendon spent several minutes lambasting fellow Democratic Sen. Susan Garret during debate on a Garrett bill. Hendon’s comments were in retaliation for Garrett’s vote on the tax hike last night. Garrett is a member of leadership. * 7:10 pm - The Daily Herald makes a good point about the Senate-approved gaming bill. It can’t be voted on by midnight….
* Don’t forget, I’m posting on Twitter as well. * 7:20 pm - Gov. Quinn will have a press conference in 10 minutes. We’ll have a report and some video in due time. * 7:35 pm - 64-46-8 on campaign finance reform bill, but there’s been a request for a verification. [Quinn press conference items have been moved to this post.]
- Posted by Rich Miller
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Late afternoon, early evening updates - 42-74-2. Quinn tax hike fails
Sunday, May 31, 2009 * 5:14 pm - The House is taking up the “Quinncome tax” plan. The plan brings in $4.5 billion in new income taxes. Listen or watch here. * 5:22 pm - Rep. John Fritchey just said he won’t vote for this tax hike bill because it’s inadequate. He apparently prefers the Senate’s bill. * 5:23 pm-Democratic Rep. Julie Hamos, who has become more vocal about her disatisfaction with Speaker Madigan’s leadership, was asked about Madigan’s leadership on the income tax issue. Watch… * 5:24 pm - Once again Patterson is live-blogging a tax hike floor debate. * 6:15 - 42-74-2. The 2 present votes were Will Davis and David Miller - the two top proponents of the Senate plan. Rep Karen May seemed to speak in favor of the bill. “We need bridges and roads but we’re leaving people in the ditch” or something close to that. She voted “No.” * 6:30 pm - The campaign finance reform bill is now up. * 6:39 pm - Leader Currie said she will call the human services 50% cut appropriations bill…
- Posted by Rich Miller
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Afternoon updates - 35 HDem votes for Senate tax plan - Will call Quinn plan instead
Sunday, May 31, 2009 * 3:50 pm - Democratic Rep. Jack Franks just emerged from an ongoing House caucus meeting and said he’d be surprised that the Senate-approved income/sales tax increase would have 30 votes among House Democrats. Franks also said he didn’t believe the tax proposal would even be called for a vote. That’s just one person’s view, mind you, but there you go. * 3:56 pm - Here is Rep. Franks on taxes and the budget… * 4:11 pm - Aother HDem just confirmed most of Rep Franks’ assessment of the fate if the tax bill. * Another HDem emerge to confirm. She derided the service tax idea. “They want to tax diapers?”. Diaper services would be hit with the tax. * 4:30 pm - 3 more HDems emerge to chronicle the disaster. One more reference to the “diaper tax.”. * 4:41 pm - HDem caucus vote: 35 for Senate plan. * 4:40 - Majority Leader Currie just told reporters that the Quinn tax hike plan will be called instead. That plan is unpopular in the Senate. Whiplash time. * 4:57 pm - Leader Currie told me that it was still “possible” that the Senate plan could be called in the House today. But she didn’t define the parameters. * 5:09 pm - Rep. Miller on what happened and what’s next… * 5:11 pm - The Tribune has posted an online editorial blasting plans for “An irresponsible tax hike”…
It would be nice if they’d at least concede the fact that normal state revenues have dropped about $3 billion in this fiscal year alone.
- Posted by Rich Miller
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Note to subscribers, readers, etc.
Sunday, May 31, 2009 * I will be posting at the blog and on my Twitter page throughout the day and into the night. So, please check both sites. I’d put a Twitter feed in this post, but the RSS timelag is so long that I don’t think it’s worth it. Also, if you have an iPhone, Twitterfon is a great app. Highly recommended. Download it here.
- Posted by Rich Miller
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Protected: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - The plot thickens
Sunday, May 31, 2009
- Posted by Rich Miller
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Noontime update *** UPDATED xSeveral ***
Sunday, May 31, 2009 [Updated with video and bumped up for visibility.] * 12:29 pm - The House Education Committee is now debating the Senate’s tax hike plan. Gov. Quinn is at the hearing and took a question about the budget. The Senate’s plan requires $2 billion in spending cuts. Quinn said he’d have to do some belt tightening, but that the cuts were doable. They’re meeting in room 114, so you can listen or watch by clicking here, unless your Mac is like mine and the feed doesn’t work. * 1:21 pm - The Senate’s tax hike bill passed the committee 11-6-2. * 1:36 pm - Gov. Quinn talked to reporters after the House committee hearing… * 1:52 pm - The AP has a brief story up about the committee vote. Nothing new in it. * 2:04 pm - The Tribune’s web story breezes past a very important point…
Those two GOP “Present” votes are hugely significant, because House GOP Leader Tom Cross has said that his entire caucus is a “No” on any tax hike plan. There’s more to it, but you gotta subscribe. It ain’t there yet, but the plot has thickened. * 2:19 pm - A couple more videos from the committee hearing. Gov. Quinn says property taxes are the most onerous tax in Illinois… The governor’s closing statement to the committee… * 2:28 pm - From Rep. Fritchey’s Twitter page…
Yep.
- Posted by Rich Miller
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Protected: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - STAR; Statehouse Roundup (use all caps in password)
Sunday, May 31, 2009
- Posted by Rich Miller
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Reform roundup
Sunday, May 31, 2009 * The SJ-R slams the Senate-passed campaign finance reform bill which dings the special interests hard…
I fully understand their argument and even agree with it. But I think this is one of the first times I’ve ever seen an Illinois editorial page stand up for the rights of Statehouse interest groups to raise unlimited campaign cash. * Kent Redfield, one of my all-time personal favorite reformers, talks about another big problem with the bill: Annual contribution caps instead of caps tied to election cycles…
* And then there are those constituent services committees…
* The fine print on the recall proposal isn’t so fine…
More…
More…
They’d have to do that in 150 days. And then there’s this…
* Related…
- Posted by Rich Miller
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Down to the wire
Sunday, May 31, 2009 * The truth is, nobody knows what will happen today after the Senate’s game-changing vote to pass a 2 point income tax hike and expand the sales tax base…
But…
* This change was hugely important…
* $750 million is nothing to sneeze at…
* Gov. Quinn initially told reporters that he would stick with the House’s tax hike plan…
He has since changed his mind…
* And there’s internal pressure among House Dems to call the Senate’s proposal…
* And the governor has a big stick he could use…
* The pressure is also building on some “moderate” Downstate House Republicans. I told subscribers about this development yesterday afternoon…
* And even if a tax hike passes there are still some very tough votes ahead…
* Making things even more difficult, the governor’s proposed pension skim can no longer be justified with “reform” efforts…
* But this might help balance the budget, even though the House Speaker said he wouldn’t call it for a vote…
* Related…
- Posted by Rich Miller
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Morning shorts
Sunday, May 31, 2009 * Throw out U. of I.’s clout admission list * U. of I. admissions: How politicians pressured university to admit students * Dispute over broadcast contracts slows Cubs sale * Gray area: Aging prison population has state looking at alternatives * The Barnich tragedy . . . * Breath tests refused: ‘It’s becoming more common to deny Breathalyzer’ * FAO Schwarz pulling out of Macy’s * State pediatricians meet to confront growing childhood diabetes epidemic * Aldermen are wondering if they’re on tape * Federal prosecutors probe pension fund investments * School records found in Chicago alley
* Attorney general looking into Chicago parking meter debacle * You can still quit, Roland * Halvorson: You have to be careful with carbon emissions legislation
- Posted by Mike Murray
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Protected: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Today’s edition of Capitol Fax
Sunday, May 31, 2009
- Posted by Rich Miller
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Senate approves tax hike
Saturday, May 30, 2009 * 9:45 pm - The Senate passed the Meeks/Cullerton income tax increase (2 percentage points for individuals, 0.2 for corporations, expanded sales tax to services) by a vote of 31-27-1. Some good quotes from the debate are here. The bill moves to the House, which has its own tax hike bill preferred by the governor. * 9:51 pm - The Senate is now moving the House-approved appropriations bills from last week that captures federal stimulus money and funds employee union contracts.
- Posted by Rich Miller
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Mid-evening update
Saturday, May 30, 2009 * Twitter was down for a while but it’s back up now. …Also… I didn’t notice it until now, but Patterson live-blogged the debate. 8:15 pm- The Senate is currently considering a tax increase bill. And House GOP Leader Tom Cross is shocked that the Senate is considering raising the income tax to 5%… * 8:25 pm - Cross cracks wise about reports that former GOP governors Thompson and Edgar have been calling House Republican members about the tax hike vote…
- Posted by Rich Miller
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Early evening update
Saturday, May 30, 2009 * 6:35 pm - I’ve been posting a bit at Twitter today, so you might want to check my page every now and then. The four legislative leaders and the governor are meeting at this moment. We should have a report and video soon after the meeting ends. We’ll also post a video here of Gov. Quinn talking about the budget in a few minutes. Check back then. * Patterson headlined this one: “Jim Edgar makes House calls.” Cute …
* The Senate has advanced another tax hike bill. A couple of good points from McDermott…
Sen. James Meeks on the Senate’s tax hike bill. He claims he’s close to passage… Meeks also believes his bill is superior to the governor’s tax hike plan… * The House has also advanced a tax hike…
* The House has passed a recall proposal…
* Dick Durbin was in town today…
* The gaming bill has more trouble in the Senate. Unless the Republicans jump on, opposition from elements of the Black Caucus could sink it. This story was posted earlier today…
* 6:52 pm - Governor Quinn spoke with the media shortly after the recall amendment proposal passed the House. The lack of House support for a tax increase and the budget were the dominant topics. Edgar’s decision to lobby Republican lawmakers on Quinn’s behalf was also a popular topic of discussion.
- Posted by Rich Miller
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Protected: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Afternoon updates
Saturday, May 30, 2009
- Posted by Rich Miller
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Protected: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Charter schools; Colvin; Turner; Statehouse Roundup (use all caps in password)
Saturday, May 30, 2009
- Posted by Rich Miller
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Passing a bill is only a step, not the solution
Saturday, May 30, 2009 * Another reformer who believes passing a bill will solve all our problems…
The City of Chicago has a campaign contribution cap on vendors. Carothers allegedly got around that when a developer funneled a contribution through somebody else…
And then there was the alleged violation of the much-lauded (by Illinois reformers) federal campaign contribution cap…
* Some House Democrats are not pleased…
The list of HDem revolters…
* Good point Number One in the Tribune today…
Good point Number Two…
Number three…
As in “voters.” * The Daily Herald looks at the meat of the reform bill that passed the Senate…
* Related…
- Posted by Rich Miller
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Off the rails?
Saturday, May 30, 2009 * Trouble ahead…
* Trouble behind…
* And you know that notion just crossed my mind…
* Trouble with you is the trouble with me…
* Got two good eyes but you still don’t see..
* Come ’round the bend, you know it’s the end…
* The fireman screams and the engine just gleams…
* Related…
- Posted by Rich Miller
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Protected: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Today’s edition of Capitol Fax
Saturday, May 30, 2009
- Posted by Rich Miller
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Morning Shorts
Saturday, May 30, 2009 * City unemployment jumps to 10.6%; area rate at 25-yr peak
* Jobless rates hit double digits
* Grant funding, private gifts to ISU steady despite economic crisis
* College grads in for a rough awakening * Caterpillar continues to prosper * Illinois American Water Files for Rate Hike * Wells Fargo rejects offer for Hartmarx as ill-suited * Bankruptcy looms for GM; Chrysler awaits fate * School’s out … forever * Mistake means slightly higher tax bills in North Aurora * CPS reviewing its grade security * Chicago schools settle discrimination lawsuit * Aldermen are wondering if they’re on tape * Chicago alderman who apparently wore wire vows to fight federal charges
* Indicted Alderman Carothers: ‘You got to deal with it’ * Feds probe city pension deals with Daley’s nephew
* Federal prosecutors probe pension fund investments * Lisa Madigan jumps into parking meter fray
* Chicago parking meters: Lisa Madigan launches state investigation
* New York Times Weighs In On Chicago Parking Debacle * U of I explains secret clout list * Throw out U. of I.’s clout admission list * U of I President Defends Admission Process * U of I backtracks on ‘clout list’ * ‘Clout list’ fallout: U of I president doesn’t want trustees pressured * Local politicians made UI admissions inquiries too * Senate confirms Quinn’s picks for Natural Resources, Veterans Affairs * Poll: Majority supports state buying land * Rep. Gutierrez Profited Through Indicted Developer * Lake County Republican Federation Dinner Features South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford * Interstates remain focus of anti-drug efforts
* New deadline for Illinois State Fair recipes
- Posted by Mike Murray
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