Harmon backs off, but no vote today
Tuesday, Jun 1, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Press release…
Senate President Don Harmon issued the following statement regarding positive steps in ongoing energy policy negotiations.
“I’m informed that an agreement has been reached between the governor and Exelon on a proposal that would save jobs, which has been our goal all along. That’s why we support the governor in these talks.
We also stand with the governor on de-carbonization targets that need to be in a final deal.
The Senate remained in session with the hope of voting on an agreement today. We stand ready to return to the Capitol when the governor’s plan is ready for action.”
…Adding… Click here to see a roundup of what’s known about the agreement.
…Adding… Forgot to tell you about this budget development…
Senate President Don Harmon has lifted his hold on the new state budget, clearing the $42 billion measure for Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s signature.
…Adding… More movement, but we’ll see. Lots of rumors about this plan’s viability, so stay tuned…
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jun 1, 21 @ 3:29 pm:
Needless posturing, who was Harmon trying to impress starting all this mess, his CoS?
- Hmm - Tuesday, Jun 1, 21 @ 3:32 pm:
I don’t even know what this statement means. If he stands with the governor, why can’t they call the “deal” for a vote today?
- Opening Date - Tuesday, Jun 1, 21 @ 3:39 pm:
It is June 1. The Senate is currently taking up Senate bills on 3rd reading. That tells you all you need to know about the mess the Illinois Senate has become.
- Pizza Man - Tuesday, Jun 1, 21 @ 3:43 pm:
After informing him that he may not get nominated for the Paul Simon-Jim Edgar Statesmanship Award, Sen. Harmon changed his tune.
As a chamber leader, he looked weak and indecisive.
- Shytown - Tuesday, Jun 1, 21 @ 3:47 pm:
=== Needless posturing, who was Harmon trying to impress starting all this mess, his CoS? ===
And I was thinking who actually is running the senate - Harmon or his CoS? Why in god’s name would anyone think that was a good move? SMH.
- anon2 - Tuesday, Jun 1, 21 @ 3:50 pm:
The amendment to the school board bill starts elections in 2024. It’s instructive that school boards in the rest of the state are elected in odd-numbered years, but the Chicago school board will be elected in even-numbered years. I wonder who pushed for that setup?
- DuPage Saint - Tuesday, Jun 1, 21 @ 3:54 pm:
I will show my ignorance here. I thought everything had to be done by midnight on May 31 or it would need a super majority
Isn’t that why Jim Thompson allegedly stopped clocks when working out the White Sox deal? Has the rule changed?
- Perrid - Tuesday, Jun 1, 21 @ 4:04 pm:
DuPage, Dems have a super majority in both chambers. Makes it harder, but it’s not a death sentence for bills.
- DuPage Saint - Tuesday, Jun 1, 21 @ 4:14 pm:
Perrid thanks. I know they have a super majority. I thought if it did not pass it would be dead and they would have to start from scratch. Not that they could not do it but would take longer. So I guess they just vote on old bill. Again thanks. Some of these procedures would make your head spin
- Joe Bidenopolous - Tuesday, Jun 1, 21 @ 4:15 pm:
===Why in god’s name would anyone think that was a good move?===
Because, in the past, there have been members opposed to bills who nonetheless voted for those bills and then turned around and filed a reconsider motion, a motion which they then never called, effectively killing the bill. The President doing it prevents those shenanigans
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Jun 1, 21 @ 4:16 pm:
===The President doing it prevents those shenanigans ===
Nope. The Senate changed its rules.
- Not a Superstar - Tuesday, Jun 1, 21 @ 6:38 pm:
Given current scrutiny of energy industry influence over legislation, you’d think Harmon would have found a better cover story. SMH.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Jun 1, 21 @ 8:53 pm:
Maybe someone managed to convince Harmon that it’d be a bad idea to go all in on one of the top 10 sources for industrial CO2 pollution in the United States, especially since it already has significant federal attention.
Even if this somehow resulted in the “energy campus” being propped up as a matter of state policy federal regulations are just going to come down on top of the facility making this whole exercise a dumb political move.
Regardless, Senator Harmon might want to think about finding a new chief of staff.
- Candy Dogood - Tuesday, Jun 1, 21 @ 9:41 pm:
Anonymous - Tuesday, Jun 1, 21 @ 8:53 pm:
C’est moi.
- walker - Wednesday, Jun 2, 21 @ 1:04 am:
The bigger the super majority, the harder it is to manage your caucus. People are natural squabblers.