Another cart before the horse
Friday, May 16, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller
* I’m assuming that we’ll be hearing more about this in the not too distant future. From yesterday’s approp bill debates, here’s a choice nugget from the Sun-Times…
Republicans also injected some election-year politics into the debate, focusing on the federal investigation of Gov. Pat Quinn’s now-disbanded Neighborhood Recovery Initiative and asking whether anti-violence spending tucked into some of Thursday’s budget bills represented a continuation of that botched 2010 program.
In one instance, Rep. Jeanne Ives, R-Wheaton, zeroed in on a mysterious $15 million grant program for at-risk communities that Democrats inserted in the state Department of Labor budget with little to no explanation of its purpose.
“Can I have the criteria for qualifying for this grant program?” Ives asked Arroyo, who sponsored that spending bill, as well.
After a brief back and forth with Ives, Arroyo answered, “We’ll develop the program after we pass this budget.”
“You cannot make this stuff up,” Ives shot back in disgust. “I hope people are watching. This is appalling. This sickens me.”
I gotta agree with Ives on this one. Bad move.
* And speaking of the NRI, this is from the Senate Republicans…
The Legislative Audit Commission will begin its review of the NRI audit at a meeting scheduled for May 28, 8:30am. We anticipate Auditor General Bill Holland will present the audit, the findings and the recommendations before taking questions from Commission members. If time permits, the Audit Commission will hear from Jack Cutrone, CJIA head, as well.
- Demoralized - Friday, May 16, 14 @ 9:41 am:
Rep. Arroyo didn’t do a very good job yesterday. He stuck his foot in his mouth more than once. He fed the Republicans some good lines to use in their budget arguments.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, May 16, 14 @ 9:43 am:
Good on Ives, on point, and well done.
If the focus can remain on the “Cart before the horse” ideal of spending monies on programs with no clear mission, criteria, or objective, that is something I know I can get behind Ives in trying to get answers to basic questions that are not “teaching moments.”
More like that Rep. Ives, well done.
- Walker - Friday, May 16, 14 @ 9:46 am:
Certainly looks terrible.
Either an obviously bad move, or know what it is you’re asking for before offering a bill on the floor. This might not be funding for a new program.
- Anonymous - Friday, May 16, 14 @ 9:47 am:
So they’re essentially and literally writing a blank check, to be used as a slush fund for unknown purposes.
- wordslinger - Friday, May 16, 14 @ 9:48 am:
Geez, if you can’t match wits with Ives, sit down and be quiet.
- Anon - Friday, May 16, 14 @ 9:53 am:
Arroyo needs to do his homework.
- McDouble - Friday, May 16, 14 @ 9:55 am:
Da Speaker needs to find someone to replace poor Arroyo cuz both Ives and Sandack had their way with him. At least Crespo and Dunkin knew what not to say…
- A guy... - Friday, May 16, 14 @ 9:57 am:
This makes the case that it’s entirely un-defendable to do things this way. Arroyo fell on the sword repeatedly. Santa’s gonna be good to him.
- Wumpus - Friday, May 16, 14 @ 10:01 am:
You have to pass the bill to know what’s in it. We’ve heard this before.
- LincolnLounger - Friday, May 16, 14 @ 10:11 am:
Very dark days when we’re all in agreement with Jeanne Ives on any subject.
- phocion - Friday, May 16, 14 @ 10:30 am:
Arroyo is about as “old school” as they come. He got named in the Metra hiring scandal, and now this. Luis doesn’t pay the price for his ways, but the Speaker seems to.
- Anyone Remember - Friday, May 16, 14 @ 10:41 am:
Anonymous 9:47 AM
==So they’re essentially and literally writing a blank check, to be used as a slush fund for unknown purposes.==
The late 1980s called, they want their line back.
- dupage dan - Friday, May 16, 14 @ 10:47 am:
How is it with all the myriads of programs that have a needs based criteria that those proposing said programs don’t have some boiler plate language that can be inserted to show they have either a clue or a desire to run the program fairly and with adequate controls?
=== Rep. Arroyo didn’t do a very good job yesterday ===
How can he do a good job with bad material? I wonder if the assumption is that they can do what they want and no one will notice or care? The sad thing is they may be right.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, May 16, 14 @ 10:57 am:
- LincolnLounger -, Ives is “On It” this time.
I do hear ya, honest, but it’s easier to support people when they are right in the moment.
- 47th Ward - Friday, May 16, 14 @ 11:03 am:
Good for Ives. This is what a minority party should be doing, providing a check on the majority, and she did it well here.
- DuPage Rep - Friday, May 16, 14 @ 11:12 am:
Give Jeanne some positive coverage, and she will be good for at least 10 more gaffes. Even a stopped clock is right twice a day.
- fed up - Friday, May 16, 14 @ 11:30 am:
Arroyo answered, “We’ll develop the program after we pass this budget.”
Well, at least Arroyo was being honest, it all depends on where the street money is needed before the election. After they figure that out they will “Develop” the criteria to get funds to those that need it. Buying Elections isn’t cheap using taxpayer money really helps
- A guy... - Friday, May 16, 14 @ 11:46 am:
Rep Ives should do a screen capture of today’s comments. This might never happen again.
- DuPage Rep - Friday, May 16, 14 @ 12:19 pm:
Didn’t Jeanne call this site a left wing blog?
- Rich Miller - Friday, May 16, 14 @ 12:22 pm:
DR, she can say silly things at times, but when she’s right I can’t responsibly hold that other goofiness against her by not agreeing with her. Perhaps you have many constant, lifetime enemies. I only have a couple, neither of whom are in the GA.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, May 16, 14 @ 12:54 pm:
- DuPage Rep -,
Gotta give props when it’s warranted.
Grogan not going after Cross on SSM, Ives spot on here with her handling of this Bill.
It’s warranted. Good on Ives.
- A guy... - Friday, May 16, 14 @ 1:11 pm:
==== Rich Miller - Friday, May 16, 14 @ 12:22 pm:
DR, she can say silly things at times, but when she’s right I can’t responsibly hold that other goofiness against her by not agreeing with her. Perhaps you have many constant, lifetime enemies. I only have a couple, neither of whom are in the GA.====
How dangerous is it to inquire as to where those lifetime enemies are? lol
- Chicago Cynic - Friday, May 16, 14 @ 3:39 pm:
Words I’d never thought I’d live to see:
- 47th Ward - Friday, May 16, 14 @ 11:03 am:
Good for Ives.