* The Flubs have sucked so badly this season that I haven’t bothered to engage much in one of my favorite pastimes of messing with their fans. I mean, 13.5 games out of 1st? An 18-1 loss to Milwaukee which included a franchise record 26 hits given up?
Look, I know that the White Sox lead in their division may not hold up. We’re only just one game ahead of the Twins. But we are beating the absolute snot out of Detroit today, so I thought I’d chime in with an afternoon question…
* In a somewhat strange turn of events, a couple of historically moderate Republicans, House Republican Leader Tom Cross and Senate GOP Leader Christine Radogno, are co-hosting an ultra-conservative national event next month in Illinois. Andrew Breitbart and Glenn Beck are both speakers at the Right Nation 2010 extravaganza. From a press release…
Right Nation 2010 announced today that Andrew Breitbart will be joining fellow conservatives, Republicans and Tea Party Independents at the September 18 event. An outspoken conservative, Breitbart has built a reputation as a public figure unafraid to take on the liberal left or the controversial topics of the day.
The founder of Breitbart.com, Breitbart.tv, Big Hollywood, Big Government, Big Journalism, and Big Peace, Breitbart is also a commentator for the Washington Times and various news programs, as well as an author and publisher.
Breitbart joins conservative icon Glenn Beck, Former House Majority Leader Dick Armey, Congressman Aaron Schock and Tea Party leader Herman Cain, as well as journalists Stephen Moore, John Fund, and others.
House Republican Leader Tom Cross has long had a reputation as a moderate, but he’s been pushing hard against that for the past year or so. The same goes for Senate GOP Leader Christine Radogno. Both leaders are listed as hosts of Right Nation 2010. Several local tea party groups are listed as partners. Cross’ House Republican Organization is one of the sponsors.
State budget shortfalls pose a “significant” or “severe” risk to the national economy. The loss of tax revenue has forced state and local governments to cut services and lay off workers. […]
At the same time, state budget shortfalls have emerged as a major threat in the economists’ view. State and local governments cut their spending in the first three months of this year at a 3.8 percent pace. That was the biggest cutback since the second quarter of 1981, just before the economy entered a severe recession.
When states and localities tighten spending by trimming services and jobs, the cutbacks ripple through the broader economy, causing individuals to spend less, too. The drop in state and local government spending shaved about half a percentage point off the U.S. gross domestic product in the first three months of this year.
Nearly two-thirds of the economists view the states’ budget crises as a significant or severe threat to the rebound. [Emphasis added]
I’ve been saying for well over a year that the administration and the Congress screwed up badly by not giving the state’s a bigger helping hand. One of the reasons for the failure of the economic stimulus was that the states counteracted it with their spending cuts.
And, to be clear, I’m not necessarily saying that the stimulus should’ve been bigger, although many would. I am saying that more money sent the states’ way and less spent on things that barely stimulated anything would’ve been the smart thing to do. But, no.
* Our chart of the day is from the Rockefeller Institute and looks at quarterly state tax revenues for all states since the beginning of 2007…
Reid said he is now more confident of getting a small-business relief bill through the Senate this week, including significant tax breaks for companies and a $30 billion Treasury-backed loan facility. But new budget problems Monday cast fresh doubt on the Senate’s ability to deliver on a White House-backed state and local aid package designed to avert tens of thousands of layoffs, including teachers, in the fall.
Just hours before a scheduled cloture vote Monday, the Congressional Budget Office informed Senate leadership that it was still about $5 billion short of offsetting the full $26.1 billion cost of the package. […]
Within the aid package, $10 billion is dedicated to protecting teaching jobs, and the remaining $16.1 billion is to help governors meet their state Medicaid payments for the first half of 2011. In both cases, the funds would essentially extend relief provided under the giant economic stimulus bill enacted soon after Obama took office last year. But Democrats have pledged to fully offset the costs through a combination of tax reforms and spending cuts, about $10 billion of which came from the recovery act.
* Economists Confirm: State Budget Cuts Threaten Economic Recovery: In fact, states’ actions to close their estimated $140 billion in budget shortfalls without more federal aid could cost the economy up to 900,000 public- and private-sector jobs. You don’t have to be a leading economist to realize that’s the last thing our economy needs.
* More Balance: So, claims that our analysis systematically understates costs for public employers are invalid on this basis. Similarly, claims that our study should have added the value of the entire unfunded liability (of state and local government DB plans) onto a single year’s compensation costs are completely off base. Any analysis that does so will reach conclusions that are equally inappropriate and flawed.
* Poll: Public Prefers Candidates Who Serve Pork, But Not Tea
At the behest of Illinois Republican Party Chair Pat Brady, the president of the Chicago Young Republicans has been ousted amid a growing scandal for the state GOP.
An allegation of sexual misconduct against CYR President Jeremy Rose — and the alleged cover-ups, blind eyes turned and retributions made in its wake — resulted in Rose vacating the post Monday.
Chairman Brady said Rose’s continued involvement with the Young Republicans was “a distraction to what we’re trying to accomplish.”
In addition to being the longtime CYR president, Rose was hired by Cook County Republican Party chairman Lee Roupas as political director in 2009. He was promoted in early 2010 to CCRP Executive Director, though Roupas knew full well of the allegations against Rose. […]
“I told the board of the Young Republicans that Jeremy needed to step down immediately,” Brady said. “The Young Republicans aren’t under my jurisdiction per se, but I did tell the board that it’s time to have Jeremy step down.”
The background is here. As I noted in comments the other day, I can’t help but wonder how the League of Women Voters now feels about giving the CYRs $5,000 during its remap petition drive.
* In more important Chicago news, the Sun-Times reports that nine city aldermen are heading out the door, including Ald. Helen Shiller, who already announced her retirement…
The list of aldermen at least thinking about calling it quits includes such political heavyweights as: Ginger Rugai (19th), Jim Balcer (11th), Frank Olivo (13th), Ed Smith (28th), Vi Daley (43rd), Pat Levar (45th), Mary Ann Smith (48th) and Bernard Stone (50th).
That list doesn’t include Ald. Toni Preckwinkle, who will likely move up to county board chairman, and Ald. Brian Doherty, who is running for the state Senate.
* Related…
* Alderman’s finances come under scrutiny - Campaign donations not reported over three years
Several commenters and critics have sniffed that they recall I was quite enthusiastic about Blagojevich early on. Not so. A review of the archives from his election through the end of 2003 finds mostly offhand references, little praise and such digs as these:
* The Question: What was your first impression of Rod Blagojevich? Be honest and explain.
* The Democratic Governors Association is running a new radio ad attacking Bill Brady. Rate it…
Script…
“Auction” – 60-second radio
Auctioneer: The bidding starts at eight dollars. Do I hear eight dollars? Eight…eight…
Man: I’ll go eight dollars…
Auctioneer: Thank you, Mister Bill Brady. Do I hear seven? Seven-dollars-an-hour for a lower minimum wage…
Wife (whispering to husband): Darling! What is Bill Brady doing?
Man: Seven! Yes! I’ll go seven…
Husband (annoyed): Keep your voice down, dear.
Auctioneer: Again! It’s Bill Brady! Can we go lower? Lowwwwer…
Wife (whispering to husband): But…how awful! Brady’s bidding to lower the minimum wage?
Husband (irritated): Yes, Mumsy! He said it back in June – Bill Brady thinks the Illinois minimum wage is too high.
Wife (urgently whispering to husband): And Brady wants to roll the minimum wage back?
Husband (irritated): Correct…
Wife (incredulous, whispering to husband): But, darling…we’re not even that cruel to the gardener!
Auctioneer: Sold! Bill Brady would roll back the minimum wage for Illinois families. And that’s why this ad is paid for by the Democratic Governors Association-Illinois. Not authorized by any candidate and no candidate is responsible for Democratic Governors Association-Illinois’ activities.
Strangest ad I’ve heard so far this season. What the heck? Am I wrong here?
…Adding… An alternate view from a trusted buddy who isn’t connected to either campaign…
I spend about 20-40 minutes a day in the car and have been through a few sessions with ad folks on this stuff.
Sounds, voices and repetition are what make radio ads good.
First thing you hear: “crack” of the auction gavel. That catches the listener’s attention.
Next thing is a fast talking auctioneer, then a husky voice of brady, then back to the auctioneer who deliberately changes his speed when he says “lowwwwer” minimum wage.
New voices from the couple at the auction, the back and forth on it and Lower minimum wage is repeated no short of 5 times.
Another crack of the gavel and then bill brady would roll back the minimum wage.
That is a great radio ad. It has sound effects, changing voices and it repeats the main thing they are trying to get across at least 4 or 5 times. Most people are distracted when listening to radio by driving or working. So, great radio ads involve tons of repetition and distinguishing sounds that make them memorable. The story is less important than the acting to catch someone’s attention.
I think it’s just way too cluttered to be effective. The repetition gets lost in the nonsense. But, we’ll see.
…Adding More… From a friend…
I know they are working a theme, but this doesn’t make me hate Bill… Unless they just want me to remember he is against the minimum wage as a set-up piece for when they go in for the kill on the taxes, Florida condo and Porsche
* The Alexi Giannouolias US Senate campaign insists that their candidate left the daily operations of his family bank in September of 2005. That’s now an important claim because the Sun-Times reported this yesterday...
On Feb. 14, 2006, newly obtained records show, the bank made a $22.75 million loan to a company called Riverside District Development LLC, whose owners, it turns out, included Rezko.
Giannoulias couldn’t have known about the Tony Rezko-related loan, the campaign insisted to the Sun-Times, because he wasn’t part of day-to-day operations…
Through a spokeswoman, Giannoulias says he knew nothing about the $22.75 million loan to Riverside District Development until reporters contacted him.
“Alexi left daily operations of the bank in September of 2005, months before this loan was made,” says Kathleen Strand of his campaign staff. “He had no knowledge of it, and his name is not on any documents related to the loan.
“This guilt-by-association story is an unfortunate and failed attempt to link Alexi to Mr. Rezko.'’
* The trouble is, which Alexi Giannoulias are we to believe? The current Giannoulias, or the one who was interviewed in March of 2006, a month after the Rezko-related loan was made? From a March 15th, 2006 article in The Windy City Times…
WCT: What’s your biggest advantage and your biggest disadvantage?
AG: That’s easy. My biggest advantage is that this is a fiscal office and I’m a banker and a financial manager. The state treasurer is responsible for investing $12 billion—and you want someone who’s [invested] before. My opponent may be a nice guy, but he’s more qualified to be an attorney general.
My parents founded Broadway Bank; over the past four years, we’ve more than doubled in asset size. I’m senior loan officer and vice president, so I oversee a $600 million loan department. I’m also chief investment officer and invest about $150 million. [Emphasis added]
That doesn’t sound like past tense to me. “I’m senior loan officer,” “I oversee,” “I’m also chief investment officer…” All present tense - and a month after that Rezko-related loan. And it’s not the only article out there. The Kirk campaign has pointed to a December 20, 2005 SJ-R story…
Giannoulias noted that he currently serves as vice president and senior loan officer at the four-branch Broadway Bank in Chicago.
* When asked yesterday whether the candidate has any paperwork verifying that he actually left daily operations, a campaign spokesperson said she didn’t. Besides, she said, the bank is now closed, so accessing paperwork would be practically impossible. And she continued to insist that Giannoulias left daily operations in September of 2005.
It’s not clear exactly what day Giannoulias was interviewed by the magazine, but it was definitely after March 1st of 2006…
Windy City Times: At the Stonewall Democrats Illinois forum [on March 1] , you sounded off on [main primary opponent] Paul Mangieri.
Again, March 1st would be after that Rezko-related loan was granted.
So, either Giannoulias was not telling the truth back in 2006, or he’s not telling the truth now. Which is it? The campaign response…
It was a passing reference to his position at the bank. He didn’t resign or quit. He took leave and if he lost his election he would have resumed his job at the bank.
So, I’m guessing that means he was lying back then, but not now. I’m also guessing that they’re right and that Giannoulias didn’t have much to do with the bank during the heat of the March primary. He was busy getting thwacked pretty much every day by the Democratic Party of Illinois. Then again, he could’ve saved himself some grief in ‘06 by just announcing that he had stepped aside. So, my guesses could be wrong.
Kirk said that on the day of Obama’s inauguration, Pelosi introduced a bill for the stimulus package. He said he canceled his plans that day, “pulled an all-nighter” and read the bill. The next day he issued a memo to Republicans of “why the stimulus won’t work.”
“Every Republican voted against the stimulus off that,” he said.
Kirk also claims that Illinois hospitals are laying off people because of the health care bill…
He said hospitals are generally the number-one employer in communities, but that the $500 billion in cuts to Medicare in the health-care reform legislation have required hospitals to stop hiring or to layoff staff and to stop all expansion programs.
“And so not only do we see the problems of our own health care being created by this law, but we’re also seeing the number-one employers in many Illinois communities beginning to contract because of the details of this legislation,” he said.
More on that another time.
*** UPDATE *** The Illinois Federation of Teachers has endorsed Giannoulias. From a press release…
Citing his commitment to quality public education for all students, the Illinois Federation of Teachers has endorsed Alexi Giannoulias for the United States Senate.
“Alexi Giannoulias will fight for our children and their education,” said IFT President Ed Geppert. “He understands the needs of public schools and he has the leadership ability to continue the fight for those schools as a member of the United States Senate.”
“I believe that a strong, vital system of public education is essential to our future. Our public education system is the key to opportunity for millions of children and families. And a quality system of higher education is essential in today’s knowledge-based economy. I’m honored to receive this endorsement from the Illinois Federation of Teachers,” said Giannoulias .
A national antigun group is endorsing Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn in the November election.
Quinn’s campaign office says he will pick up the backing of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence at a Tuesday event on Chicago’s South Side.
The group believes that the recent Supreme Court decision striking down Chicago’s gun laws can still be used to promote robust gun control. From their website…
“We are pleased that the Court reaffirmed its language in District of Columbia v. Heller that the Second Amendment individual right to possess guns in the home for self-defense does not prevent our elected representatives from enacting common-sense gun laws to protect our communities from gun violence. We are reassured that the Court has rejected, once again, the gun lobby argument that its ‘any gun, for anybody, anywhere’ agenda is protected by the Constitution. The Court again recognized that the Second Amendment allows for reasonable restrictions on firearms, including who can have them and under what conditions, where they can be taken, and what types of firearms are available.
“Chicago can amend its gun laws to comply with this ruling while continuing to have strong, comprehensive and Constitutional gun laws, just as Washington D.C. has done. After the Heller decision, at least 240 legal challenges have been brought to existing gun laws, nearly all of which have been summarily dismissed. There is nothing in today’s decision that should prevent any state or local government from successfully defending, maintaining, or passing, sensible, strong gun laws.”
* Meanwhile, somebody in Illinois finally noticed that Gov. Quinn signed a bill into law late Friday evening. From the Sun-Times editorial page…
If you play a long shot in poker, you’d better be ready for a losing hand.
With legislation that Gov. Quinn signed Friday to amend the 2009 Video Gaming Act, Illinois is playing a long shot: that organized crime won’t creep into the newly authorized video gaming industry.
Theoretically, this law could prove a winner for Illinois, just as you can theoretically win a poker hand with a pair of deuces.
Problem is, the odds against you are pretty steep.
Now, if they’d just open their eyes and look around, they’d see a whole bunch of other actions that Quinn successfully buried Friday night. It’s truly amazing to me that the entire Illinois media has let Quinn get away with this.
On Wednesday, Bloomberg News reported that Quinn budget director David Vaught had predicted during an interview that, in January, Illinois lawmakers would raise the income tax by 2 percentage points. Quinn, in full damage control mode, on Thursday admonished Vaught for speaking out of turn, said Vaught’s remark was “misconstrued” and added that a Bloomberg reporter from out of state didn’t understand what Vaught said. Quinn reiterated his support for a 1 percent income tax increase — sorry, a 1 percent surcharge for education — and added that he would veto anything else.
The wheels fell off that “misconstrued” explanation Friday when the Capitol Fax Blog posted a video recording of Bloomberg’s interview with Vaught. His words: “We fully expect that we’re going to pass a tax increase in January. We think it’s going to be substantial.” Asked to define “substantial,” Vaught explained Quinn’s support, variously, of a 2 percent hike and a 1 percent hike and concluded, “To me that’s the range of possibilities.” Then John Sinsheimer, Quinn’s director of capital markets, made 2 percent sound like Quinn’s true goal: “The overseas investors we talked to, when we told them we could balance the budget with a 2 percent increase in individual and corporate income taxes, that pretty much raises about $6 billion, slightly less than that — that’s the deficit.” The overseas investors, he added were impressed. “They looked at us and said, ‘Only a 2 percent increase?’ They were amazed by that.”
Illinois taxpayers may be amazed too. We can’t top the headline on Bloomberg’s follow-up story: “Illinois sends contrasting messages to bond buyers, voters on deficit plan.” Oh, and about that supposedly clueless out-of-state Bloomberg reporter: Among the three Bloomberg journalists conducting the interview with Vaught and Sinsheimer was Flynn McRoberts, a former Tribune staffer and now Bloomberg’s Chicago bureau chief.
However, CMS said employees may voluntarily use that option to meet the requirement that they take 24 unpaid days off by June 30, 2011.
Rules fleshing out how the furlough program, ordered by Gov. Pat Quinn, will work were issued to state agency directors, budget directors and other managers who work under Quinn’s control. The rules still leave a lot of discretion to agencies to see that the furlough day commitment is followed while still ensuring that the agency can function. […]
At one time, the administration was considering requiring employees to use their paid state holidays to fulfill the furlough requirement. State employees get 12 paid holidays between now and the June 30, 2011 end of the current fiscal year. Forcing non-union workers to forego pay on the holidays would allow the state to get the benefit of furlough days at a time when the majority of employees would be off work anyway.
However, the CMS memo makes the use of holidays as furlough days voluntary, not mandatory. CMS spokeswoman Alka Nayyar said the idea was dropped because it would have required a change to state personnel rules, a process that would take a minimum of 90 days. That would have further compressed the time in which employees had to take furlough days.
