* Yesterday, the governor’s staff told Crain’s that the trade shows supported his amendatory veto of the McPier reform bill…

The trade show people are OK with the gov’s action.

I followed up and asked the governor’s spokesman to provide some names of trade show folks who backed the AV. Here’s his response…

We’ve met with and been in communication with several of the major trade shows, including Housewares and the Restaurant show. The governor promised them swift action and to not weaken the reforms in the bill. We’ve responded by strengthening the reforms based on their demands for more efficient and streamlined operations at McPier. They have been supportive of stregthening the bill and want certainty by Friday, which will happen.

But the person who runs the National Restaurant Association’s annual show doesn’t sound so pleased in this Tribune quote…

“I’m desperately concerned, when you start with different amendatory pieces, that you could unintentionally dilute what you’re trying to do and what you can deliver to the customer,” said Mary Pat Heftman, who runs the National Restaurant Association’s annual show here. The show is waiting for a final outcome in Springfield before deciding whether to remain in Chicago beyond 2011.

* The mayor’s not happy either…

The mayor voiced support for an override of Quinn’s amendatory veto, saying a failure to do so could lead to the exit of a number of trade shows.

“It would put a lot of people in jeopardy, because a lot of these conventions sign five years or 10 years out. Will they not sign a five-year contract? That is the problem, and uncertainty,” he said. “When you have uncertainty, when you lose some of them, we’re afraid to start losing more and more.”

Daley spoke against the $2 increase in taxicab rides from the city’s two airports the other day, but he’s now changed his tune…

Daley lobbied against increasing the tax on taxi and limousine rides to and from the airport for fear that it would hurt struggling cabbies and single out Chicago airports. But he said the money was needed to boost Chicago’s meager tourism budget against rival cities that have “unlimited” marketing budgets.

* The Tribune was predictably harsh…

The governor also rejected a $2 tax increase on taxi and limo rides at the city’s airports, to pay for convention marketing. That higher tax would be “counterproductive” to efforts to boost the convention industry, Quinn said.

Hey, we’re glad to see the governor acknowledge that tax increases have economic consequences.

But, really. He’s taking a stand against $8 million in taxi fees while he pushes a $2.8 billion income tax increase? Come on.

The biggest howler of all in Quinn’s veto message was this quote: “As long as I have been governor, my message has been clear: When it comes to reform, half measures do not suffice. The only real reform is comprehensive reform.”

Oh my goodness, Governor! Can you really say that with a straight face to Patrick Collins and the other members of the ethics commission you appointed last year? You set them up and promptly abandoned them and their comprehensive ideas. You signed half-measure after half-measure that you called ethics “reform.”