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Question of the day

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Illinois

* Let’s try something different. Here are the leftover stories I have for today…

1) Gov. Quinn says Brady should release tax returns

2) Sharp: It’s time to pass medical pot law in Illinois House

3) Early education program may face big cuts

4) Law enforcement urges end to preschool cuts

5) Bill targets more aid to community college students

6) Frerichs’ bill on student voting, passes, then doesn’t

7) A Closer Look: Lawmakers say tenure changes unlikely in Illinois

8) RTA: More transit cuts likely if state doesn’t pay up

9) A Lawmaker’s Vacation, Learning by Doing

10) UIS students being asked to pay for construction of student center

* Pick a story and briefly say why you’d like a separate post on that topic later this afternoon. Let’s make the deadline for votes 3:30 so I have time to write it.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Apr 16, 10 @ 12:16 pm

Comments

“Gov. Quinn says Brady should release tax returns”

Mr. Brady has been nominated for governor by the if-you’ve-got-nothing-to-hide-you’ve-got-nothing-to-worry-about party.

Since the GOP thinks that is a legitimate standard with regard to the civil and criminal rights of Illinois citizens, it must also be a legitimate standard for their gubernatorial nominee.

– MrJM

Comment by MrJM Friday, Apr 16, 10 @ 12:28 pm
Something timely….like Brady should release tax returns…For and Against?

Comment by Louis Howe Friday, Apr 16, 10 @ 12:28 pm
It’s not about Medical Pot its just about Legalizing Pot.

Comment by Dnstateanon Friday, Apr 16, 10 @ 12:31 pm
If I ask you to write about number 2, I don’t think it would be done by the end of the day.

Comment by George Friday, Apr 16, 10 @ 12:33 pm
I vote for number 1 (Brady Tax Returns), because that issue just isn’t going away, and we need to have a good framing of the context as we listen to the rhetoric.

Comment by George Friday, Apr 16, 10 @ 12:34 pm
I vote for nmber #1. Brady is Quinns only hope. IL Dems could not have asked for a better GOP.

Comment by Down South Friday, Apr 16, 10 @ 12:40 pm
Q of the day: Demanding that candidates and office holders release their tax returns, an invasion of privacy?

I’ve never been a big fan of demanding tax returns being released for public officials and candidates for office.

Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Friday, Apr 16, 10 @ 12:41 pm
Medical Pot.

It is always entertaining to her the anti’s and their insane fears.

Comment by Obamarama Friday, Apr 16, 10 @ 12:44 pm
Can we tax the medical pot?

In any case, I vote for this topic. Why could anybody possibly be against legalizing medical marijuana, especially since marijuana is widely available and they can get it anyway, albeit with more difficulty and risk.

Only a dinosaur would be against this bill, plus, apparently, those who believe that if you are in pain you should either just suffer or use the really heavy prescription stuff even if marijuana would do the job. Wonder where Big Pharma is on this issue.

Comment by cassandra Friday, Apr 16, 10 @ 12:49 pm
I vote for #6. This was an interesting ploy designed to gain additional college-age votes under the assumption that on balance this would mean more votes for democrats. I am interested in the justification for exempting college students from the rules the rest of us have to follow and also what happened to the two legislators who couldn’t be found for the second vote.

Comment by Downstate weed chewing hick Friday, Apr 16, 10 @ 12:50 pm
Medpot. It’s a debate that has gained some steam and is an interesting issue.

Comment by Old Milwaukee Friday, Apr 16, 10 @ 12:56 pm
#2, medical pot.

This issue is timely (House should vote on it sometime soonish), controversial (public has conflicting views, passed senate 30-28) and crucial to the thousands of patients that stand to benefit from this.

Also, legalization and decriminalization are very important. Its a losing battle, as its very very simple to get marijuana. It provides a hefty source of funds to gangs and cartels. And it just doesn’t make sense- it isn’t nearly as bad as alcohol in any way.

This is a crucial issue for Illinois because it could cut spending, increase tax revenue, help the sick, and decrease crime.

I’d also just love to see Rich’s take on the issue.

Comment by matt Friday, Apr 16, 10 @ 12:56 pm
UIS student union. Do students really think this is needed? Isn’t UIS mostly a commuter school? Given the economy, do students really think this is a justified expenditure?

Comment by Ravenswood Right Winger Friday, Apr 16, 10 @ 12:59 pm
The RTA funding story (#8). I realize it’s a Chicago-centric item. However, those affected immediately feel the pinch of such reductions, and the ripple effect is both swift and palpable (increased traffic, more accidents, more damage to roads, etc.) Particularly as gas prices creep upward and the summer driving season approaching.

Comment by The Doc Friday, Apr 16, 10 @ 1:01 pm
#s3 & 4 - two slants on ECE

Comment by erstwhilesteve Friday, Apr 16, 10 @ 1:04 pm
A wiser man than me once said, “legalize it, don’t criticize it.”. Coincidentally, that man was later gunned down in an apparent drug dispute. The point to take a way is: regulate it and watch your druglord phiefdoms wane out of the marketplace.

I second Cassandra’s point. Tax returns and elections will cone and go, but this type of legislation on the state level has proved that the momentum is here to stay.

And what’s with someone trying to claim they’re “the patriot” on CapFax lately?

As the ever wise HOVA said, “before me there were many, after me there will be none.”

Comment by Patriot Friday, Apr 16, 10 @ 1:07 pm
Brady’s tax returns. I agree that this won’t go away until he releases the returns.

Comment by Niles Township Friday, Apr 16, 10 @ 1:10 pm
–4) Law enforcement urges end to preschool cuts–

At all ages, keeping kids busy is the best way to keep them out of trouble. Coppers know that, bean counters just count beans.

Comment by wordslinger Friday, Apr 16, 10 @ 1:12 pm
1. Just heard on radio that Brady does not want to release his taxes because it hurt his personal business income last time he did.

2. Don’t stop at med pot. Go legal, tax, and get the non-violent potters out of prison.

Comment by zatoichi Friday, Apr 16, 10 @ 1:25 pm
Brady/Quinn

While demanding Brady show his tax returns, which is optional, maybe Quinn can explain why he doesn’t have to show us a budget which, I think, is required.

Which is more important?

Comment by Joe from Joliet Friday, Apr 16, 10 @ 1:28 pm
===why he doesn’t have to show us a budget which, I think, is required.===

Only when they actually introduce it as a bill.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Apr 16, 10 @ 1:29 pm
#2. I have mentioned on here before that my daughter has MS and smokes pot to help with her pain and nauseousness from daily shots. She also says it helps her with her balance (who knew?). Her neurologist is ok with it and says a lot of his patients do the same for the same reasons. I just don’t like that my son in-law has to meet up with “friends” to get it. And he risks going to jail for trying to help his wife and mother of his children. I say learn from California’s mistakes, put in all the safeguards and pass the Dang law.

Comment by casual observer Friday, Apr 16, 10 @ 1:29 pm
I would combine #3 and #4. It caught my eye in an earlier post that the strongest reaction in the poll was to the idea of cutting funding for education. That makes a nice hook to focus on this issue, which is one of the biggest pending budgetary disasters.

Back home I serve as chair of the Local School Council at my kids’ school, and parents are freaking out about how bad the potential CPS cuts are going to be, including the possible elimination of our preschool program. This may have a bigger impact on people’s day-to-day lives than just about anything else in the budget.

Comment by Jonathan Goldman Friday, Apr 16, 10 @ 1:30 pm
#2 — why don’t we legalize & tax it?? Would that plug some of the budget hole?? It’s time to make life easier for the chronically ill…

Comment by dupage progressive Friday, Apr 16, 10 @ 1:56 pm
I’m gonna go with medical marijuana. That issue (plus full legalization) is a critical issue our lawmakers must act on now. Enough of setting drug policies base on out-dated, ridiculous, reefer madness-type arguments — lawmakers have to get a backbone and do what is right and in the best interest of the state — which is legalization.

Comment by Just Observing Friday, Apr 16, 10 @ 2:08 pm
I think the Brady tax returns would be a good post to discuss because I have always thought that is such a bogus political move that candidates use against each other. I’d like to see your commentary and then Blog-ite analysis for that one.

However, I’m personally far more interested in other stories - but like I said the tax return issue since it is campaign strategy related seems most appropriate here.

Comment by siriusly Friday, Apr 16, 10 @ 2:09 pm
You can hold up the chronically ill as a reason to legalize pot - and let’s face it, that’s what we are talking about here, essentially. We have arguably the finest medical care in the world, no matter what Michael Moore says, and pot is the ONLY way to reduce suffering? Really?

=The point to take a way is: regulate it and watch your druglord phiefdoms wane out of the marketplace.= This is naivete at its’ finest. Unless, of course, you are for the legalization of every vice. The druglords will just shift from one vice to another (booze to drugs after the Volstead Act was repealed).

I think with all the hooplah surrounding this it is time to engage in some true scientfic research into the effectiveness of cannibas on pain, chronic illnesses and the like. The rest of the scientific community relies on that, so shoud we. I realize that the fed gov’t makes that difficult but California could, with all its financial resources (snark) could fund some research into this. If there is proof that inhaled smoke from burning cannabis is the way to treat some of these conditions then pressure could be brought to bear on the fed gov’t to relix the laws for it to become a controlled substance w/medical applications. But not for legalization. Not in my opinion. Don’t pass the law and then see if the drug works. We don’t do that for any other pharmceutical, why pot?

Comment by dupage dan Friday, Apr 16, 10 @ 2:23 pm
Medical marijuana.

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Friday, Apr 16, 10 @ 2:25 pm
I vote for #3 and #4 combined. I don’t think most folks realize how devastating significant cuts to early childhood education would be to our already crippled economy. From a practical standpoint, not only would hundreds of teachers and support staff lose their jobs, but, like it or not, many parents rely on pre-k programs as a form of childcare. If these programs close, where will the kids go when both parents are working–not by choice but by necessity? Combine this with the proven benefits of a quality early childhood education and you have one program that certainly should be spared from additional significant cuts. I for one would gladly pay more in taxes to pay for it!

Comment by Old Shepherd Friday, Apr 16, 10 @ 2:25 pm
All this med pot talk is making me hungry. Now if I could just remember where I put the chips and peanut butter . . .

Comment by Captain Flume Friday, Apr 16, 10 @ 2:40 pm
teacher tenure reform

Comment by Jon Zahm Friday, Apr 16, 10 @ 2:50 pm
Brady’s tax returns are the obvious issue. If he won’t release them you have to wonder, what’s he trying to hide.

Comment by Mighty M. Mouse Friday, Apr 16, 10 @ 2:53 pm
#3 & #4. Early childhood education for poor kids is a big belief of liberals, so here goes the governor of the state cutting it. Is it his only opportunity for cuts? Should he be calling for a higher tax hike to keep this in?

Comment by Robert Friday, Apr 16, 10 @ 2:59 pm
7 for two reasons.

1. I believe in reforming the tenure system. This is too important of a job to have soo many protections.

2. The legislature already went agains the teacher unions this year, will they do it again?

Comment by Ahoy Friday, Apr 16, 10 @ 3:01 pm
#3 and #4 - a discussion about why we don’t do more to prevent the achievement gap when kids are young instead of spending more down the line to try to address it (which we don’t know how to do very well).

Comment by jojo Friday, Apr 16, 10 @ 3:08 pm
Combo of 3 and 4, for the reason Jon Goldman and others have stated: zapping preschool/early childhood programs even further will have a devastating effect on work supports for parents, let alone hurting many struggling kids’ chances of entering kindergarten on par with their peers

Comment by the Dude abides Friday, Apr 16, 10 @ 3:11 pm
Robert-The early childhood programs aren’t just for “poor kids”. They are for at-risk kids. There are a lot of kids in pre-k programs who aren’t from poor families but who are considered at-risk for any number of reasons.

Comment by Old Shepherd Friday, Apr 16, 10 @ 3:12 pm
3 & 4- early childhood education is a widely supported idea that’s been growing over the past decade. And it’s now under the knife like everything else. That seems like a big deal to me.

Comment by Pilot Friday, Apr 16, 10 @ 3:12 pm
Either article 3 or 4 because we need to invest more in kids from the beginning so that we don’t pay the price later.

Comment by worried mom Friday, Apr 16, 10 @ 3:17 pm
People, multiple submissions using different screen names is highly frowned upon. One more like that and 3 and 4 will be disqualified.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Apr 16, 10 @ 3:18 pm
I vote for articles #3 and #4. How can we not be promoting preschool for all kids? This is a very short-sighted cut — so many costs down the road.

Comment by karen Friday, Apr 16, 10 @ 3:19 pm
#3 and #4 for two reasons: 1) because early childhood is the best investment government can make, and 2)because law enforcement people carry weapons, so we should do what they say

Comment by Jimmy Friday, Apr 16, 10 @ 3:22 pm
#3 and #4

There is nothing more important than making sure that kids get a fair start!

Comment by Rich Miller's Biggest Fan Friday, Apr 16, 10 @ 3:23 pm
Re: 3 and 4, come on Rich! It’s the same issue!

Comment by Rich Miller's Biggest Fan Friday, Apr 16, 10 @ 3:24 pm
OK, y’all from OOPF made your point. Take a breath.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Apr 16, 10 @ 3:24 pm
3 & 4 need to be covered - denying the benefits of early childhood programs would have dramatic, lifelong impacts on at-risk kids’ chances to succeed.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Apr 16, 10 @ 3:27 pm
Kids are our future. 3 &4

Comment by Helen Friday, Apr 16, 10 @ 3:28 pm
Time’s up.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Apr 16, 10 @ 3:30 pm