READER COMMENTS CLOSED FOR THE WEEKEND
Friday, Jun 15, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller
I’ve been in a sour mood all day, so I’m glad it’s over. Have a great weekend and I’ll talk to you Monday.
As always, keep the conversation alive at Illinoize, where the talking never ends.
And don’t forget our charity project to benefit the Sojourn domestic violence shelter and express our collective frustration with this session without end.
There are several items with the Capitol Fax masthead, including this cup…
“Overtime in Hell” hats, buttons and cups…
The ever-popular “Where’s Tusk When We Need Him?” button…
Several different products with “Overtime in Hell” slogan winners…
And the cartoon logo…
Get yours today!
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This just in…
Friday, Jun 15, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller
* 11:29 am - The Senate has adjourned until Tuesday. Apparently, not enough members were present today to do anything more than a few resolutions.
* 12:29 pm - Obama’s Macaca moment. Actually, it’s much worse because it was planned.
When United States Senator Barack Obama entered the American Presidential race, he staked out his turf on the moral high ground with a call for a new kind of politics, devoid of personal attack and characterised by debates on the issues that matter.
His campaign apparently has not been listening: Members of the Senator’s campaign staff have been circulating a document that, in its title, slightingly refers to Democratic rival Senator Hillary Clinton as the Democrat from Punjab — a seeming slur on Clinton’s ties with India and Indian Americans.
Whoever ordered this racist/xenophobic hit on Clinton needs to be fired. Right away. And I don’t mean the person who wrote it. From what I understand, the first draft was much more acceptable, but it was rejected and sent back with a demand that it be infinitely tougher. If the author is fired and the person who ordered the rewrite is not, then Obama is a huge hypocrite. The full memo is here.
* 1:00 pm - I haven’t yet decided who won yesterday’s caption contest, but I’ll have the new t-shirt, mugs, etc. ready by Monday. As always, don’t forget to go buy something at our charity store. I’ve belatedly realized that the markup is way too low, so there could be a price increase next week. Get something today!
* 1:35 pm - I had remembered somewhere in my addled brain that “Punjab” was used at one time as an actual slur, so I did a bit of research. From the Racial Slur Database…
Punjab is the Indian character from “Little Orphan Annie.” Also represents the Punjab region of India (near the Punjab river). When the British took over India, they used it as a derogatory term for the natives there.
[Emphasis added.]
The headline from the Obama hit piece…
* 1:55 pm - Despite the headline on this story in The Hill, Dan Lipinski was never an “Accidental Congressman.” His “election” to Congress was carefully planned…
Democrats upset by how Rep. Daniel Lipinski (D-Ill.) acquired his seat and what he’s done with it will give the second-termer another primary challenge in 2008.
Cook County Assistant State’s Attorney Mark Pera has filed papers with the Federal Election Commission (FEC), and yesterday told The Hill that he will announce his candidacy for Lipinski’s seat after July 4.
* 4:39 pm - In this video, Obama pledges that he will “not make ad hominem attacks” on opponents and will not use opposition research to “suggest that they have untoward motives.”
Also, the chairman of the United States India Political Action Committee, which is referenced in the OR memo, is upset at what has transpired…
I am writing on behalf of the over 50,000 members of USINPAC, the largest bi-partisan political action committee representing the Indian American community. As representatives of the Indian American community, we have been encouraged by your message of inclusion and your promise to bring a new kind of politics to our country. This is why we are so concerned about media reports indicating your staff may be engaging in the worst kind of anti Indian American stereotyping.
We are very proud of the contributions Indian Americans have made, and continue to make, to our country. USINPAC represents members across the nation, from all walks of life, who are caring for the sick, building businesses, educating our children and supporting their families. We are extremely proud to be Americans, and are working everyday for the brighter future you regularly speak about.
[H/T: The Swamp]
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Blowup
Friday, Jun 15, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller
* There’s always at least one big blowup during overtime session, and yesterday probably qualifies as the first. I told you about it on these two posts yesterday afternoon, but here are a couple of mainstream media reports, starting with the Tribune…
The electricity meeting dominated the statehouse activity on Thursday and kept Jones and Madigan away from a meeting Gov. Rod Blagojevich had called with Cook County Assessor Jim Houlihan over how best to renew a property tax relief plan. Jones and Madigan, both Chicago Democrats, have passed different versions of a plan.
The governor halted the meeting after the two legislative leaders sent deputies instead, leading to the latest round of personal rancor that has marked interactions between the governor and his fellow Democrats since they pushed the legislative session into overtime.
Madigan sent Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie (D-Chicago) to the meeting. Madigan spokesman Steve Brown said “it appears to be a sexist thing” that the governor would not recognize Currie as Madigan’s proxy.
Deputy Gov. Sheila Nix vigorously disputed Brown’s assertion, saying “there was nothing sexist about” the governor’s decision. She called Brown’s remarks a “smoke screen” for Madigan’s absence.
Currie called Blagojevich’s actions “very bizarre behavior.”
* Sun-Times…
The governor “was like a child,” said Rep. Kevin Joyce (D-Chicago), who was at the meeting and said Blagojevich went on a “tirade” about not having all four legislative leaders present.
Another Democrat there went so far as to contact the Legislature’s research arm to learn about the rules of impeaching a governor, though later maintained there is no plan to initiate impeachment proceedings against Blagojevich. […]
“In response to the speaker’s spokesman’s comments, we think they are inappropriate and not based in fact,” Blagojevich spokeswoman Rebecca Rausch said.
The governor’s Senate floor leader, Sen. Carol Ronen (D-Chicago), said Brown’s statement about the governor went over the top considering Madigan is chairman of the state Democratic Party.
“As speaker of the House and as chairman of the party, [Madigan] is responsible for what his spokesperson is saying,” she said. “Mr. Madigan should denounce what [Brown] said. He should say he doesn’t agree with him. The speaker is not acting in good faith if he’s letting his spokesperson throw gasoline on everything.”
That statement was fully authorized, by the way.
* And Rep. John Fritchey, who was at the meeting, had several choice words for the guv in his own blog post…
We were seated around the Governor’s office, with Watson and Cross seated at the conference table, and three remaining seats for the President, Speaker and Governor. The Governor came in about 20 minutes late, briefly shook hands with a number of us, took his seat, and then it started.
Not the meeting, the farce.
He said that he was prepared to start as soon as Madigan and Jones got there. Majority Leader Currie stated that he may be late or not coming at all due to another commitment, but that she was authorized to act in his stead. The Governor then went on a weird diatribe that this was a leaders’ meeting and that he would not take part until all of the leaders were there.
I very politely suggested to the Governor that Rep. Currie had been the point person in the House on the discussions, that we had a large number of legislators who had been involved on the issue in the room, the Assessor was present and as such, I ‘didn’t see the harm in beginning the conversation prior to the arrival of Jones and/or Madigan.’
The Governor’s response was that he ‘didn’t see the harm in waiting’. He stood up and told the assembled group that he was going to go to his other office to do work and that we could wait around or that they would call us when the meeting was going to start.
He turned to leave the room less than five minutes after he had walked in.
If there was a soundtrack for that moment, it would have been that of 20 legislators being simultaneously slapped in the face.
[Emphasis added.]
What some commenters here misunderstood yesterday was that Wednesday’s leaders meeting was held without Senate President Emil Jones, so the governor’s refusal to meet yesterday was inexcusable. There’s a method behind the guv’s madness (at least, they think so), but that’s for subscribers on Monday (there was no Capitol Fax this morning because, apparently, getting home by 8:30 makes me ill).
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“Substantial progress”
Friday, Jun 15, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller
* I’m hearing the electric utility rate relief negotiations produced about a billion dollars over four years with people getting actual refund checks. Some sort of Illinois Power Authority language, which would allow the state to build power plants, is also close to fruition, but could turn out to be a snag…
After meeting privately for about three hours Thursday to discuss Illinois’ problem with soaring electricity rates, top utility company executives and Democratic legislative leaders said little other than that they made “substantial progress.”
The sketchy description nonetheless caused some lawmakers and others who have closely monitored the electricity issue to express guarded optimism that a resolution is just around the corner.
* Officially, all anyone would say yesterday is this…
“We made substantial progress,” said House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago.
“Substantial progress has been made, and we’re encouraged by that,” Ameren Illinois President Scott Cisel said.
“We made substantial progress to get the issues resolved,” said Senate President Emil Jones, D-Chicago.
That sentiment has been uttered for months as lawmakers work to convince the utilities to compensate Ameren and ComEd customers to make up for the power rate hikes that began Jan. 1.
“I look for negotiations to keep on going,” state Sen. Gary Forby, D-Benton, said March 30. “I am all for them.”
* Crain’s…
Neither Mr. Madigan nor Mr. Jones would elaborate much, but sources close to the matter said the utilities offered about $1 billion in rate relief, twice as much as had been on the table previously.
Some of that money reportedly would come from Exelon, and some from ComEd, its wholly owned Chicago-area subsidiary.
Talks to finalize the deal may continue later Thursday, sources said.
The lack of a deal has been a key factor in preventing lawmakers from concentrating on a second series of disputes over a fiscal 2008 state budget. If the utility matter indeed is completed, odds will increase of a deal on the budget deal, too.
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Morning shorts
Friday, Jun 15, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Editorial: Keep out of state schools off of Illinois license plates
* Krol: Is Madigan seeking the chance to turn back time?
* State should reject casinos for Chicago, suburbs
* CPR: Transit talks in Springfield
* More money for Chicago mass transit?
* Senate committee OKs cable competition bill
* Ethics bill could again hit snag in Illinois Senate
“The Senate president over there has already, essentially, hijacked and stalled (the proposal),” said Rep. John Fritchey, D-Chicago, the sponsor of the initial House legislation. “It’s frustrating that the unanimous will of the House of Representatives (and) the overwhelming demand of the people of the Illinois is being single-handedly thwarted in the state Senate.”
* Judge allows horse slaughter plant to temporarily stay open; more here
* SIU fights to block public’s access to staff contracts
* Indiana resolves tollway dispute with Illinois
Illinois drivers who have electronic passes entitling them to discounts on their tollways will get the same reduced rates that Indiana drivers with transponders will receive on the Indiana Toll Road when electronic tolling starts.
* Agreement ends interstate toll spat
* Electronic toll breaks to IL drivers
* Daley promises curfew crackdown
* Daley wants anti-gun outcry
* Chicago buildign dept. gets new chief
* Friday Beer Blogging: Prom Edition
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This just in… 2
Thursday, Jun 14, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller
2:42 pm - It turns out that Senate President Jones scheduled todays meeting with the utility bigshots, so all that dumping on Madigan by Blagojevich & Co was misplaced.
Also, the House Dems who were at the guvs office earlier today were just told that the meeting has been canceled. No condirmation yet from the guvs people.
3:20 pm - Speaker Madigan is on his way tothe wake for Wyvetter Younges husband, so there will be no leaders meeting.
Also, the utility issue seems to be very close to resolution.
3:35 pm - So, were the guvs people telling the truth when they claimed that Madigan insisted on a 10:30 leaders meeting? The Speakers people say that it was Frank Watson who asked for an early meeting.
4:00 pm - Ouch. The new line from the Speaker’s office is that the refusal to allow Majority Leader Currie to represent Speaker Madigan at this morning’s meeting was “insulting” and “sexist.” It just gets worse by the minute.
4:20 pm - The Senate Dem leadership appears to have settled down a bit. Real movement on electric utilities and now the AT&T cable TV bill has zoomed out of committee.
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Caption Contest!
Thursday, Jun 14, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller
Come up with captions for each of these two cartoons. Winning entries will each receive a t-shirt bearing the slogan.
You can also choose to put one image on the front of the t-shirt and the other on the back, with related slogans.
Have at it. Let’s raise some more money for charity…
“Frown”  “Smile” 
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This just in…
Thursday, Jun 14, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller
[Bumped up and title changed to accomodate today’s other events.]
* 8:52 am - The governor has a 10:30 leaders meeting scheduled this morning. His state plane was supposed to take off at 8:22, but according to our new best friends at FlightAware, it’s still on the ground. I tried to bet one of his people $20 last night that he wouldn’t make it on time. No takers.
Let’s watch it live, shall we? You may need to hit “refresh” every few minutes. Not sure. We’ll know once the plane takes off. The live view doesn’t seem to work here. Sorry about that.
* 9:01 am - The original Springfield arrival time was supposed to be 9:01 am, but that deadline has obviously been blown.
* 9:17 am - Wheels up at 9:08. They should’ve taken the bet.
* 9:23 am - From the Pantagraph…
Mike Lawrence, director of the Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University, said while Blagojevich’s perceived disinterest in Springfield hurts his ability to lead, it also feeds a larger issue.
Lawrence, a former top aide to Gov. Jim Edgar, said working mostly from Chicago means Blagojevich operates absent the relationships forged with lawmakers just by being in the Capitol. Without this rapport, Lawrence said, Blagojevich is hard-pressed to deliver any of his ambitious budget proposals, which this year included plans for universal health care and billions of dollars more in education funding.
* 10:05 am - Wheels down at 9:48. Even though they wouldn’t take the bet last night, I’ll donate the cash to the blog’s new charity. By the way, don’t forget to buy a t-shirt, mug, button or other paraphenalia.
* 10:05 am - From Paul: “Less than 100 House members present today for the first time in a long time. 99 here. One guy said it was the first time that had happened in 5 years.”
Also, there are persistent but totally unconfirmed rumors of a special session tomorrow.
* 10:33 am - A gubernatorial spokesperson just replied to my text message by saying it isn’t their plan to call a special session.
* 10:43 am - The House just adjourned until next Tuesday at 3 pm.
* 11:17 am - Speaker Madigan might be a no-show at the leaders meeting, according to the governor’s office. They think he could be sending a surrogate.
The reason the meeting started earlier than normal today was at Madigan’s request, according to the guv’s spokesperson, who added that Madigan’s demand that other voices besides Cook County Assessor Jim Houlihan be heard at the meeting on the “7 percent solution” was accommodated.
They’re not starting the meeting until Madigan arrives, the spokesperson said.
Also, Senate President Emil Jones is not there yet, either, but a spokesperson said he will be at the meeting eventually.
* 11:19 am - Cross, Watson and other legislators who had shown up for the meeting have left.
Senate GOP Leader Frank Watson said the meeting broke up because neither Madigan nor Jones was there. He said the governor “pouted” about their absence.
* 11:32 am - According to a good source who was inside the room, the governor showed up 25 minutes late, looked around the room and noticed that Madigan wasn’t there. House Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie told the governor that Madigan might not be there and said that she was empowered to speak for him. Currie has been a point person on the assessment freeze, so she knows the issue well.
According to this source, the governor then got miffed, said this was supposed to be a leaders meeting and announced that he was going back to his office to do some work and that everyone was free to leave. He also indicated that the meeting could reconvene if Madigan ever showed up.
* 11:41 am - Turns out, Madigan and Jones are reportedly meeting with Exelon CEO John Rowe about the electric rate issue and that’s why neither man was at the leaders meeting. So, the initial spin from the guv’s office is probably gonna backfire. Why should either leader show up for a mostly pointless meeting when they are working on closing the final deal on electric rates?
* 11:59 am - It just gets worse for the governor. Also at the meeting with Madigan and Jones are ComEd Chairman and CEO Frank Clark, Ameren Chairman and CEO Gary Rainwater and Ameren Illinois President Scott Cisel.
According to sources, the meeting started at 10:30 and it’s still going on as I write this. It’s a hugely important sitdown - far more important than the governor’s little dog and pony show about the assessment freeze stuff.
The guv’s reaction to Madigan’s absence was, in my opinion, extremely childish. Instead of stomping out of the room in a snit, he should have high-tailed it over to Emil Jones’ office and participated in some substantive discussions for a change.
* 2:11 pm - Speaker Madigan just emerged from the utility negotiations and told reporters “Substantial progress has been made.” No details are yet available. Check back later for further updates.
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Question of the day
Thursday, Jun 14, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller
Yesterday I asked about your favorite political memories. Today, let’s talk about your least favorite political memories.
And if you’re tempted to just write “The day (fill in the blank) was elected” or something like that, try to restrain yourself and instead come up with an actual story. Thanks.
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Obamarama - Rezko and DeLeo
Thursday, Jun 14, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller
* The New York Times has taken major notice of Tony Rezko. There isn’t a whole lot new in the story, but it’s significant because the DC/NY media pack usually follows the NYT’s lead on such things. Here’s part of the story…
By 2004, Mr. Rezko’s pizza restaurants were in trouble, and creditors were suing him. Yet after the Obamas bid $1.65 million for their house in January 2005, Mr. Rezko got involved. Mr. Obama has said that he mentioned the deal to Mr. Rezko.
People familiar with the transaction said that the sellers did not want to close until that June 15, and that the sale would go through only if someone bought the adjacent lot from them on the same date. Rita Rezko paid $625,000 to outbid others for the lot and later sold the Obamas one-sixth of that land, for $104,500.
After The Chicago Tribune reported the transactions last November, Mr. Obama said he had acted ethically, though it had been a mistake to let Mr. Rezko do anything that could be seen as a favor.
The disclosure came four days before Michelle Obama was to appear as a special guest at a charity fashion show organized by Mrs. Rezko. Mrs. Obama attended, though others there said it seemed a bit awkward.
* I usually try not to criticize opinion pieces because everyone has a right to their own opinion. However, this segment from today’s John Kass column on Obama just makes no sense…
During his years in the Illinois State Senate, Obama’s mentor was another party boss, state Sen. Emil Jones (D-ComEd). And Jones still snaps to attention whenever the real governor of Illinois, state Sen. James DeLeo (D-How You Dooin’), calls on the phone. He knows Obama too.
First, if DeLeo was indeed the “real” governor, we wouldn’t be in overtime session right now. The guy knows how to cut a deal and gets along with pretty much everyone.
Second, Emil Jones doesn’t snap to attention for DeLeo. Jones kicked DeLeo out of SDem leadership years ago for disloyalty (DeLeo was accused of plotting a coup), and only brought him back in after DeLeo made repeated amends and proved he could and would be loyal. If there’s any snapping to attention going on, it’s being done by DeLeo. Jones and Jones alone runs that caucus, and it’s obvious that he doesn’t listen to much advice.
And why wouldn’t DeLeo know Obama? The two served in the Senate together. I don’t see the point there.
Creating your own mythical political world for literary purposes can be a lot of fun and genuinely entertaining. But that was a little much.
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More twists and turns
Thursday, Jun 14, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Is the governor trying to strong-arm not-for-profits that receive state funding to get in line behind his budget negotiating stance? Gatehouse media has the scoop, buried way down in its story about how the gaming bill died in a House committee…
On Tuesday, the governor’s people took their message directly to organizations reliant on state funding, arranging a conference call with social-service providers and other groups to discuss programs that will see funding cuts if the House budget ultimately is enacted.
The administration prepared nine pages of briefing papers that detailed spending reductions, including $42.3 million from the Home Services program, $2.2 million from Centers for Independent Living and $7 million from mental health grants, not to mention the elimination of 400 jobs at the Department of Human Services.
“I heard from some of our constituents. They were shocked the governor’s office would take this approach,” said Don Moss, a lobbyist who represents 50 not-for-profits for people with disabilities.
“They were shocked that his office would want them to become directly involved in the budget struggle.” Moss said. “We’re mostly not-for-profit agencies. We can’t take sides and get involved in these disputes. We don’t want any of the heavy hitters angry at us.”
The governor’s budget office denied there was any undue pressure to get involved in the legislative process, but House Speaker Madigan’s spokesman had this to say…
“It didn’t sound like it went over real well,” he said. “It’s another segment of the ‘defeat your allies’ program they tried in 2004. It’s the same strategy they tried then.”
It’s felt like 2004 for weeks. Remember that awful overtime session? If it hadn’t been for the Democratic National Convention, they might’ve stayed in Springfield all year.
* Meanwhile…
House Speaker Michael Madigan urged Senate President Emil Jones on Wednesday to pass the state budget the House already approved, saying the state should avoid a government shutdown that would be “calamitous for all Illinois citizens.”
Using a formal letter to buttress his point, Madigan appealed to senators to join House Democrats and “pass the most realistic spending plan that is currently available to us.” […]
But the governor’s budget office immediately challenged Madigan’s plan, suggesting it would lead to cuts in education. A Jones aide said the proposal has “serious fiscal problems.” […]
Madigan acknowledged his budget plan is not balanced, but only in the “narrowest sense.” He said the state could correct any deficiencies by drawing down an anticipated $1.2 billion end-of-year balance and carefully managing other spending. He said the state still would have $900 million in the bank under his budget, an amount that is “more than sufficient.” Blagojevich aides said Madigan’s budget would be hundreds of millions of dollars short once bills are paid.
* And…
State lawmakers soundly rejected a massive gambling plan Wednesday that would have dotted the Chicago area with four new casinos and let the existing fleet add more slot machines.
The proposal’s 20-2 drubbing by the Illinois House Gaming Committee effectively kills off yet another avenue for finding billions of additional dollars as lawmakers and Gov. Rod Blagojevich differ on how and how much state taxpayers’ money should be spent.
Having already blown a May 31 deadline for a deal, they’re now at risk of beginning the state’s next budget year on July 1 without one, which could threaten a government shutdown.
A top aide to Blagojevich said the governor wants lawmakers to work through Father’s Day weekend and come to the Capitol every day in hopes of striking a deal.
That’s such a phony proposal. The governor knew the idea of working on Father’s Day would be rejected, which is exactly why he proposed it.
* The State Journal-Register editorial board curses all sides today…
It’s time for the governor to take a one-way flight back to Springfield with a well-packed suitcase. It’s time for Madigan to stop playing his crafty games. It’s time for all the other supporting characters to take their jobs seriously and demand a resolution to this mess.
* More budget-related stuff, compiled by Paul…
* CTA and Blagojevich talk possible funding
* Sun-Times Editorial: Public transit needs reforms, not bailout
* City Council proposes downtown fee to fund CTA; more here
* Governor a hypocrite?
* Lots of complaints, but no progress on new budget
* Green Party poised to reap rewards of budget
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Jack Franks slams the guv
Thursday, Jun 14, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller
Rep. Jack Franks (D-Woodstock) is definitely no Rod Blagojevich fan. He’s also more than a bit of a press hound.
That being said, the suburban Democrat did make some good points during a long rant on the House floor yesterday. Here’s a setup from the AP…
An Illinois lawmaker condemned Governor Blagojevich during an angry speech on the House floor today. Representative Jack Franks said the governor spends more time jogging than he spends at the Capitol working on state problems. He says it’s insulting for Blagojevich to question the work habits of lawmakers.
Franks also says the Democratic governor can’t make a public defense of his policies because then Blagojevich would face uncomfortable ethics questions. Franks gave the example of a Blagojevich campaign donor who was given a state job and now has been indicted. Franks, a Woodstock Democrat, accused Blagojevich of helping create the state’s electric-rate crisis and showing no leadership to fix the problem. This is the second time in recent weeks that a Democratic lawmaker has publicly criticized Blagojevich as officials remain deadlocked over a new state budget.
You can download the text of the full speech here.
Franks also claimed to have called every state agency, ostensibly to talk to the directors about the budget. Franks said he discovered that only eight out of 29 directors were in Springfield…
. The governor’s office spent about $26 million on transportation for its staff last fiscal year. At the very least, they should be here while we are in session.
Franks then went off on the governor’s demand that legislators put in five day weeks in Springfield…
For the governor to now berate the House for not working five days a week, while the Senate will meet for only one day this week and while the governor has spent more time jogging in Chicago than he has spent in Springfield all session, is tantamount to lunacy. The governor spent more time on running diary tracking his running time, temperature and wind speed than he has on any legislative item. […]
The governor has shown that he can campaign but he has yet to show that he can govern. His hypocritical stance on the House’s work ethic is insulting. He has failed to spend the necessary time and energy in Springfield and has created a mess of budget when he had a real opportunity for reform. Instead we get the same old tired complaints, business as usual and a budget crafted on dead-end tax schemes.
And then he really let him have it…
The reason the governor is not pounding his bully pulpit is because he can’t. Like the emperor of our children’s tales, he can’t afford to be exposed. He can’t and won’t answer questions about whether his campaign fund has been subpoenaed. He can’t and won’t answer why he appointed Ali Ata to a directorship of a state financial agency after Mr. Ata gave over $50,000 to the governor’s campaign. He can’t and won’t answer when and how the indicted Tony Rezko introduced Mr. Ata to the governor. He can’t and won’t answer how Beverly Ascaridis got a job after her husband gave the governor $1,500. He can’t and won’t answer a simple question about the number of subpoenas his administration has received from the federal government, even though he has been directed to answer by the Attorney General.
The governor needs to come clean and answer all of our questions and should sit here with each of his directors and make them defend their budgets line by line. The governor should submit himself to a continuous Committee of the Whole and agree to answer every question.
Thoughts?
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Morning Shorts
Thursday, Jun 14, 2007 - Posted by Paul Richardson
* Firm that lost state contract takes case to capitol
* IIS: Teen drinking, sex offenders
* Last horse slaughterer waging legal battle to stay open
“It’s a black mark on the community. It’s a stigma,” said Gail Vacca, who moved her horse-training business away from DeKalb because she said owners were worried their animals would be stolen and sold to the plant. “DeKalb is a lovely community. It’s horrible they’ve been stigmatized by this nasty industry.”
* Countries where horse meat consumed follow Illinois case
* Constable: We don’t eat horses, but we will slaughter them?
* Opinion: A tougher line on first-time DUIs
* Poshard’s privacy subject of battle
Blakemore said the school routinely releases details about pay and benefits contained in employee contracts, so there is no need to make the documents themselves public. For example, the school says Poshard is paid $300,524 a year. He also receives a housing allowance, pension and benefits worth $84,481 annually, the school says.
* Sun-Times Editorial: Kids spray, parents pay
* Troutman indicted on bribery count; more here and here
* Council delays vote on police standards reform; more here
* Sweeney: Rockford mayor mobilizes residents to get sales-tax bill signed
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