Careful what you wish for
Monday, Jan 25, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Daily Herald…
Rep. Terra Costa-Howard said her understanding is that a group of Democrats will put forward suggested rules.
“In terms of (power) coming back to members I think that is going to be a discussion,” said the Democrat from Glen Ellyn.
A major change backed by suburban lawmakers from both sides of the aisle would ensure that certain bills make it to the House floor, especially if those bills carry bipartisan support.
“If a bill has a certain number of sponsors, that bill should get a vote. We could set some threshold,” said Rep. Thomas Morrison, a Republican from Palatine. “Maybe 10 sponsors or a certain number of bipartisan sponsors and those should be at least given a chance to get a committee hearing.”
Ten sponsors and they get a committee hearing? Yeah, that won’t clog things up at all.
…Adding… Walker in comments…
With unlimited bills allowed to be filed (there are 5000+ now), and as few as 10 sponsors required to move a bill to committee vote and the floor, a small minority could bring the legislature to an effective halt for a year with minor bills and amendments.
We need a very controlled release of pressure, with a system with well-designed valves.
He knows whereof he speaks.
- Rabid - Monday, Jan 25, 21 @ 3:32 pm:
An opening for the eastern bloc separation
- NotRich - Monday, Jan 25, 21 @ 3:33 pm:
the “headline” says it all..
- Ok - Monday, Jan 25, 21 @ 3:33 pm:
I don’t think the House Republicans have enough actual ideas to fill out a Committee hearing docket.
- Frumpy White Guy - Monday, Jan 25, 21 @ 3:35 pm:
Give the power back to a very, very diverse caucus. These groups are rarely in agreement on anything and are willing to fight to the end to get their individual causes passed. Hopefully the legislature enjoys gridlock and overtime sessions.
- Kayak - Monday, Jan 25, 21 @ 3:41 pm:
Let’s start the auction off, now will you go 10 sponsors, can I get, 25, y’abletabid, yep, now 50 sponsors
- Astonished - Monday, Jan 25, 21 @ 3:48 pm:
Clog things up? LOL. The rank and file House members don’t do anything at all on most scheduled days. Most committees meet sparingly.
Giving the public their day in court with a committee hearing isn’t much of an imposition. The rushed status at the end of session is totally manufactured. Aided and abetted by the ridiculous lack of activity earlier in the Spring.
- 1st Ward - Monday, Jan 25, 21 @ 3:49 pm:
Politicians that parade around catchy slogans or simple solutions to complex issues are typically clueless on the subject at hand.
- Jo Jo Monkeyboy - Monday, Jan 25, 21 @ 4:01 pm:
New expanded rules are long overdue. The iron fist has been ousted. Bring the mushrooms out into the light. Let them find out what it’s like to really participate. This will be good for democratic representative government. We might see some bi-partisanship, unexpectedly.
- Precinct Captain - Monday, Jan 25, 21 @ 4:03 pm:
If Morrison wanted his bills to be heard, all he had to do was ask the committee chairperson.
- Third Reading - Monday, Jan 25, 21 @ 4:09 pm:
If everyone’s bills were guaranteed a public hearing, there would be a lot fewer bills filed.
- walker - Monday, Jan 25, 21 @ 4:09 pm:
With unlimited bills allowed to be filed (there are 5000+ now), and as few as 10 sponsors required to move a bill to committee vote and the floor, a small minority could bring the legislature to an effective halt for a year with minor bills and amendments.
We need a very controlled release of pressure, with a system with well-designed valves..
- Astonished - Monday, Jan 25, 21 @ 4:20 pm:
= If Morrison wanted his bills to be heard, all he had to do was ask the committee chairperson.=
Seriously? Perhaps you missed how the House actually operated over the past 20 years at least.
This comment is stunningly ill informed.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Jan 25, 21 @ 4:23 pm:
===This comment is stunningly ill informed===
Constituent bills almost always get heard. But if you propose something that is overwhelmingly opposed by the majority, what do you expect to happen?
- Thinking Moderate - Monday, Jan 25, 21 @ 4:29 pm:
-With unlimited bills allowed to be filed (there are 5000+ now)-
What if this was raised to say… 30 sponsors ? 30 is the magic number in statistics for minimal useful data set.
- SaulGoodman - Monday, Jan 25, 21 @ 4:36 pm:
**The rank and file House members don’t do anything at all on most scheduled days. Most committees meet sparingly.**
Have you been in Springfield on a session day?
- Candy Dogood - Monday, Jan 25, 21 @ 5:11 pm:
The Illinois Legislature is the governing body of 12 million people.
They do not exist to produce a debate or vote on every bill, they exist to govern. There are lots of reasons bills die in committee, but being a good idea with board support isn’t one of them.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Jan 25, 21 @ 5:11 pm:
=== We need a very controlled release of pressure, with a system with well-designed valves.===
It’s always good to read - walker - telling it as it is.
Something-Something… the asylum.
- twowaystreet - Monday, Jan 25, 21 @ 5:35 pm:
10 is a low number but you will likely see people less likely to sponsor bills.
Many lawmakers sponsor bills because they know the issue play wells in the district and know the bill won’t move.
Lawmakers would actually have to back things up more if a sponsorship could result in the bill moving.
- Simply Sayin' - Monday, Jan 25, 21 @ 6:31 pm:
5,000, most of which are shell bills that aren’t going anywhere.
- PublicServant - Monday, Jan 25, 21 @ 6:46 pm:
People who oppose government by who they consider to desire to govern against their interests will do anything to gum up the works. That’s their real goal, rather than their stated goal of allowing bills to be voted on the floor.
- Frank talks - Monday, Jan 25, 21 @ 8:42 pm:
Let’s see how many folks sponsor property tax freeze when it could actually make the floor and hurt their local school districts and municipalities. It’s an easy sponsorship when the bill won’t move.I’m sure a big group will still support but when services get cut at schools, like football and band, now the school board can legitimately make it the legislators fault.
- Commisar Gritty - Monday, Jan 25, 21 @ 10:15 pm:
I always liked Rep. Walker. He calls it like he sees it