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First, the setup:
Blagojevich’s Republican opponent in the Nov. 7 election, state Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka, called on Tuesday for a constitutional amendment to require that the budget be made public for a week before the Legislature could vote on it.Topinka said the current system in Illinois - in which budget negotiations are conducted in secret between the governor and a handful of top lawmakers, then rubber-stamped by the Legislature - was “absolutely stupid.”
Rebecca Rausch, a spokeswoman for Gov. Rod Blagojevich, dismissed Topinka’s proposal as “a gimmick.”
Read more here if you want.
Do you think this is a good idea? Why or why not?
UPDATE: And then there’s the little issue of how candidate Rod Blagojevich proposed a 48-hour budget review period when he was running for governor in 2002…
(I accidentally added this update to the wrong post earlier. Oops.)
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, May 3, 06 @ 6:14 am
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Why not it’s our money.Plus it would put pressure on these lawmakers to watch the pork they vote for.
Comment by DOWNSTATE Wednesday, May 3, 06 @ 6:31 am
I like the idea. It will give all the special interests groups a week to get the newspapers to
write stories poo-pooing budget details that hurt them.
That will make for some good nursing-home-AFSCME-health-care-state-employees-pension “Oh no! We’re on the eve of descruction!” type stories.
But I agree with Ms. Rausch - if in the end, the GA is going to rubber stamp it anyway because everyone in the GA must do what they are told by the party leaders or face retribution, then this really is “a gimmick”
Comment by Leroy Wednesday, May 3, 06 @ 6:37 am
Great idea !! Just would have to spell it in lay-man’s terms. How would you condense or summarize a document that could be literally 1000 plus pages. I don’t think the average person knows nor understands the budget process, not to belittle anyone. {not sure the legislature does either}. I think they know what they hear & read & if it doesn’t in some way effect them personally …. ? I think the budget process {often dominated by the majority party} needs to be revised … perhaps going back to bi-ennial budgets that give them time in between to develop a true budget & perhaps “really balance” it. The proceedings really start late in the year with agency review and proposed amounts & continue to work toward May or the adjournment date. Seems a rush always at the end to commit billions of dollars without much real thought …. as these issues & problems keep surfacing year after year. Might give them a chance at figuring out these long range issues such as re-paying the state pension system, obligations & some of the “pet programs” this administration is so fond of, “feel good” to the average person , hard to say NO to without being the bad guy & NO way to pay for it !! This admin. has failed miserably & I’m tired of watching the borrow especially internally at the expense of the pensions and other guarantees made to people of this state. 21 billion in debt in the last 3 1/2 years & owing the pension fund about 39 billion … it’s got to stop. The “budget” {in the academic sense} is far, far from balanced !!!
Comment by anon Wednesday, May 3, 06 @ 6:38 am
Only one week? Try one month. And arrange to have it voted on in sections or stages. Income matters first, spending matters second. Then vote by agency and by grant. The final vote should be a recapitulation matter to balance anything that the adjustments along the way throw out of balance.
Have the budget developed by two committees, one in the House, one in the Senate, as opposed to leadership. It will help reduce the “retribution” aspect of not rubber stamp voting according to your leadership wishes. If anyone doesn’t think there isn’t retribution in Springfield, ask Senator Adeline J. Geo-Karis.
It will give everyone time to review it and break up the secrecy aspect of it.
The current system, where three people decide the budget only, and I as a taxpayer, can only vote for or against one of them (governor), is too sad to describe with words.
But then, next year and for the forseeable future, the same old, same old will take place.
Louis G. Atsaves
Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Wednesday, May 3, 06 @ 6:52 am
Isn’t there an open meetings act in Illinois?
Comment by Bill Baar Wednesday, May 3, 06 @ 7:10 am
In a better world maybe, but harly the place to start. Remember Judy participated for years as a state senator in this process and never heard a peep out of her. while she has been treasurer quiet as a clam. now as candidate for governor her handlers told her to say this and she’s all of a sudden a reformer!
Hardly. Judy’s such a disappointment so far as a candidate for gov. Lets see a comprehensive reform plan not these little piece meal efforts.
Doug Dobmeyer
Comment by Doug Dobmeyer Wednesday, May 3, 06 @ 7:39 am
Gotta give Rebecca and team A-Rod credit, they’re the experts in gimmicks.
Comment by The Flipside Wednesday, May 3, 06 @ 7:41 am
This couldn’t hurt, and it removes one of the excuses for the more egriegious excesses executed in the dead of night.
Comment by Gregor Wednesday, May 3, 06 @ 7:52 am
I love the idea.
But as always, it’s an election year and candidates will promote just about any good idea to get votes. It’s just hard to embrace since this candidate has been in the political environment for as long as she has. Anyone can come up with a long myriad list of ‘great ideas’.
Comment by Marta Elena Wednesday, May 3, 06 @ 7:55 am
Just an after thought but a governor who is running for re-election and the two guys who are running his re-election bid decide the budget.Whoa does that stink or what.
Comment by DOWNSTATE Wednesday, May 3, 06 @ 7:56 am
A brilliant concept and proposal–although I agree with some that we might need more than a week.
Comment by Rick Wednesday, May 3, 06 @ 7:57 am
Sorry Doug Dobmeyer, back when Judy was in the G.A. the process was much more open and transparent with legislators hacking out the budget almost line by line.
All county and local governments are required to post their budgets for 30 days and the state with a $55 billion budget should do the same.
Comment by Anon Wednesday, May 3, 06 @ 8:08 am
This is a great idea. There should be a viewing period on all bills. It happens to be a democrate adminstration right now, but too frequently a bill is drafted and even the legistlators voting on it get less then a day to look at it. Now that is Stupid, no wonder so much crap gets in these bills.
Comment by the Patriot Wednesday, May 3, 06 @ 8:15 am
Is 1 week enough time? Perhaps Jack Roesser can be useful. It is a good idea.
Comment by Wumpus Wednesday, May 3, 06 @ 8:32 am
She may be right, but it DOES seem kind of gimmicky. It should have been presented as part of a broader plan to rein in spending, fix the pension fund, and address other probable financial boondoggles. Out there alone, it seems kind of lame.
It continues to look as if the JBT campaign is still casting around for ideas about how to win this thing. Even with the new campaign manager, who certainly doesn’t seem to have hit the ground running. Is he working for free (gift horses in the mouth, etc) or does he get a nice salary. Either way, he needs to ramp up if we are to be saved from permanet rule by a corrup Chicago-like Democratic machine.
Comment by Cassandra Wednesday, May 3, 06 @ 8:47 am
Really Cassandra, a gimmick proposed during an election year…that never happens.
Comment by Rick Wednesday, May 3, 06 @ 9:04 am
A gimmick? What an insulting thing to say. Enough of this snobbery! This is an injustice, and we all know it. This is not democracy, and we all know it. We didn’t elect Blagojevich to do this to us! Of all people!
If Topinka wasn’t making it a campaign issue, do you think this situation would improve on it’s own? Should we, or should we not start demanding accountability from this Troika?
I don’t want to hear that we are unworthy or stupid, or disinterested to be included. The whole attitude of “I know what’s best for you”, is wrong and insulting. Its our damn money!
Topinka is right again! If you want to see an end to this shameful farce, voter her in and see if she will put a stop to it. Blagojevich continues to let us down and ignor his own promises.
Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, May 3, 06 @ 9:18 am
I feel like I’m turning into the Republican Reddbyrd here, but this IS another homerun for Judy. “Gimmick†or not, it’s an idea that cannot be discounted on its merits. If the Gov were smart, or had any sense of mature leadership, he would have come out and said “hey, sounds like a great idea…just wish I had thought of it first. I’d like to extend my support to this proposal and make it a bi-partisan effort.†Instead, we get this response that can only be described as pathetic, at best:
“Treasurer Topinka has been in this building for a long time, and specifically in the last four years, she hasn’t brought forward a single productive idea regarding the budget. We question why this has become the most pressing issue on her mind.”
Well, Rebecca, perhaps it’s be during the last four years she was the State Treasurer, and – despite your misleading ads and spin to the contrary – had NO statutory authority or responsibility over the budget. Now she is running for an office that does. What exactly are you confused about?
BTW, perhaps someone would like to ask Rebecca if she can reference all of the universal child healthcare and preschool bills the Governor advanced while he was in the legislature. I mean, wouldn’t those have been perfectly reasonable proposals for a state representative to make? Why has this now become the most pressing issue on his mind?
Comment by grand old partisan Wednesday, May 3, 06 @ 9:23 am
“It continues to look as if the JBT campaign is still casting around for ideas about how to win this thing. Even with the new campaign manager, who certainly doesn’t seem to have hit the ground running.”
Cassandra, please join us back here in the real world, where Judy been enjoying increasingly larger leads over Blago in almost every poll taken since the primary.
I’m not saying that she has a lock on this race….not by a longshot. But the idea that she is flailing and failing right now is ridiculous.
Comment by grand old partisan Wednesday, May 3, 06 @ 9:27 am
Rod is in real trouble and he knows it. I don’t know if Judy’s campaign is floundering or if it is a rope a dope tactic. If it is, it is working. Rod is spending money on a lot of adds and only alienating voters. At this rate by September his cash on hand will be the same as Judy, and the voters will be so tired of hearing him on these pointless issues, they will be completly numb to anything he digs up on her by the fall.
Maybe Judy knows what she is doing, maybe not. But when your opponent is the incumbent with 4 times as much money as you, you have to just keep it close as long as you can and she is doing that, and then some.
Comment by the Patriot Wednesday, May 3, 06 @ 9:40 am
Another Judy proposed this a few weeks ago.
Comment by Gordy Hulten Wednesday, May 3, 06 @ 9:41 am
A week? A month? Try 90 days, then us real-world folks get a chance to look at it, too.
Gee, accountability for a government. What a concept.
Judy’s team has the right idea (and remember people, you elect a team, not just a Gov).
Comment by Southern Illinoisian Wednesday, May 3, 06 @ 9:47 am
Oh how funny. Circa 2002. Straight from the Rod…
STRATEGIC GOAL: A state budget process that is open, accountable and responsive to the people of Illinois.
Stategy:
— Annually produce a state strategic plan (SUNSHINE DOCUMENT) to accompany the official state budget
— Develop an additional document to accompany the state budget that deals exclusively with details on personal expenditures - showing trends in pay and staffing levels
— Assemble a blue ribbon panel of economic advisors to analyze the state’s current fiscal problems and craft workable solutions
— Ask the State Auditor General to undertake performance audits to uncover waste and inefficiencies within state government
— Conduct a series of regional, public budget hearings throughout the state
— Make a copy of the state’s budget available to the public 48 hours before a final vote on the legislation
Outcomes:
— A more efficient, effective and fiscally-sound state government
— Greater accountability for state spending
— Maximized performance in the delivery of services to the state’s residents
— Agency performance is assessed against predetermined targets
Comment by Setec Astronomy Wednesday, May 3, 06 @ 9:51 am
It sounds like a good idea (of course we heard similar concepts coming out of Rod’s mouth before he became Governor,at which point he forgot he ever said anything on the subject). However, the impact might not be as much as some might hope for.
For example, say it was done right now. If the proposed budget was to be put forth today (which would allow the General Assembly to vote on it next week, still way in advance of the May 31 deadline), the 10 pm newscasts might give the budget a 45-second review before turning to the sweeps stunt report of the night.
In the end, you would have the budget out in the open, but it might not make much of a difference.
RANDALL SHERMAN
Secretary/Treasurer, Illinois Committee for Honest Government
Chicago
Comment by Randall Sherman Wednesday, May 3, 06 @ 10:00 am
[…] UPDATE (9:38 AM):Â Judy Baar Topinka agrees, and comes out in favor of Senator Judy Myers’ plan for more sunshine in State Government. […]
Pingback by IlliniPundit.com » Blog Archive » Senator Judy Myers Wants Our Budget Input Wednesday, May 3, 06 @ 10:05 am
I agree a week is not enough, but 90 days would move the fiscal year into September. Heck, they can’t meet the budget deadline 1/2 the time! The budget is suppose to be in place by May 31. In order to allow a more reasonable 30 days, the GA would have to complete the budget by April 30; publish and allow comments/responses til May 31; make changes through June 30 and enact as of July 1. Good luck! I would like to see some transparency but how are you going to hold them to a timetable?
Comment by Shallow Pharnyx Wednesday, May 3, 06 @ 10:17 am
Didn’t RB say (many times) that he would change how government is run and make it more open? It must mean “only while I am giving this current talk”. The Gov, Speaker, and Pres deciding the Budget in private, yeah, that seems consistent with what the Gov says he promised he will do.
JBT’s idea is a good one and 90 days notice with a complete strategic plan (just like the state forces on organizations they fund)is a reasonable approach. Local paper said this morning that Repubs are having almost no impact on the Budget and lots of projects being awarded to Dem districts. Damn. What a surprise. Glad to see the process has changed. Making anyone but RB look good.
Comment by zatoichi Wednesday, May 3, 06 @ 10:26 am
Maybe Judy should take Rod’s old plan and actually implement it.
Judy Myer’s proposals for more open and efficient government via the internet and ending fast track (dark of night) legislation also make a lot of sense.
These would all be good starts to discouraging and hopefully stopping the worst abuses, but the reforms still don’t address the undemocratic concentration of so much power in so few hands.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, May 3, 06 @ 10:40 am
Sorry to beat a head horse on this, but doesn’t anyone else find it hypocritical that the Governor and his spokespeople are constantly calling on Topinka to come out in support of HIS ideas and initiatives, (the “assault weapons†ban, stem cell research, mercury reduction) but when she comes out with an idea that is pretty hard to oppose on it’s merits he sends his people out to mock it as a “gimmick†and question why she didn’t come up with it before. Where was his assault weapons ban bill when he was in the legislature? Where was his proposal to fund stem cell research and reduce mercury 12 years ago?
I hope that the Statehouse press doesn’t let this one slip, and goes back to ask the Gov what exactly about the merits of this idea he objects to, and then – if he can’t think of anything – ask him why he is too insecure and immature to actually acknowledge that his opponent may actually be right.
Comment by grand old partisan Wednesday, May 3, 06 @ 10:44 am
you know, rules like this are commonplace in most states. it’s stunnng when you look at the big picture, that Illinois actually permits a vote on legislation that has literally existed for just a few hours.
the FINAL version of a budget should have to be frozen in place for at least a week before final action in either house.
Comment by nickname1 Wednesday, May 3, 06 @ 10:44 am
“Topinka said the current system in Illinois - in which budget negotiations are conducted in secret between the governor and a handful of top lawmakers, then rubber-stamped by the Legislature - was “absolutely stupid.’”
What is the difference between this and, lets say, how the federal budget or most states budgets are passed? Not much.
Comment by THE HANKSTER Wednesday, May 3, 06 @ 11:03 am
Good idea. It makes no sense to have 2-3 months of open debate on a proposed budget, but then virtually no review or hearing process on a final budget.
A Constitutional amendment may be unnecessary, but the idea of a review and debate period is certainly welcome.
Comment by Budget Watcher Wednesday, May 3, 06 @ 11:09 am
If JBT really thought this were a good idea, she could have added
“And I’ll VETO ANY budget that ISN’T posted one week before it gets voted on.”
But she didn’t.
Comment by Pat Collins Wednesday, May 3, 06 @ 11:23 am
Rebecca Rausch stated that the governor submitted his budget in February. What she is clueless about are all of the “shell” bills introduced during the legislative session wherein pork can be placed at the last minute buried deep within a bill - Blago’s pork, senators pork, reps pork and any other special interest who has lobbied for funding for their pet projects. Yes, Judy may have participated in this as a legislator. But it’s time for the budget to become more transparent for all of Illinois’ citizens. And just because some may not understand the legislative lingo, don’t sell all of us short. Some of us may have been born at night - but it wasn’t last night.
By the way, am I the only one who is sick and tired of seeing TWO Blago ads running daily, usually at supper time, with 2 or 3 other non-political ads from mom & pop businesses sandwiched between? I press the mute button so I don’t hear the BS from Blago and write down the names of the 2 or 3 companies sandwiched in the middle. I have begun calling these people and telling them that their ads are ineffective and why and encouraging them to call the TV stations to tell the station to place their ad somewhere other than between Blago’s. If enough of us are sick of this type of campaign mudslinging, we should all call the businesses and let them know they are wasting their ad money.
Comment by Little Egypt Wednesday, May 3, 06 @ 11:27 am
I think this would be necessary. I think it is a good idea.
Comment by Levois Wednesday, May 3, 06 @ 11:33 am
In a representative republic form of government such as ours, elected officials are entrusted by the voters with the power to act on our behalf because we presume they know more than the average citizen because they have taken the time to reseach policy matters. The current state budget system flies in the face of this underlying governmental principle because our elected officials do not get the chance to know what is in the budget before they are compelled by party leaders to vote for it, or face the consequences.
Requiring advance publication of the budget (the most important policy decision made by the General Assembly) restores the basis for our form of government.
It is a good idea which should transcend politics.
Comment by one of the 35 Wednesday, May 3, 06 @ 11:37 am
I like the idea, because it will lead to bigger spending.
Imagine requiring doctors to show their patients pictures of surgery a week beforehand. How many patients would still be willing to go under the knife?
Show voters the budget a week ahead of time, and the budget will never be cut again.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Wednesday, May 3, 06 @ 12:00 pm
I think it is a really good idea. It would give me time to call my reps. The budget would need to be posted on the internet for general access.
Comment by Kara Wednesday, May 3, 06 @ 12:15 pm
“Isn’t there an open meetings act in Illinois?”
Doesn’t apply to the general assembly, Bill, and certainly not budget meetings between emil, madigan and blago.
This is a great idea, but I don’t know how well this issue resonates with voters because I honestly don’t think the media in Springfield does a good enough job showing how absolutely disgusting and outrageous the process is:
Despite the budget being printed up the day before a vote comes both House and Senate staff wait to hand out copies of the budget book until right ***AFTER*** their members have blindly voted to spend $55 billion of our tax dollars.
If there’s a problem with the vote individual members walk into a leader’s office, pick up $200,000 for this group in their district and $100,000 for this other pet issue and then suddenly they like the rest of the budget.
Simply disgusting. But a week would be enough time for most of the Springfield press corps to dig up a lot of the dirt hidden in the budget. Of course things like $10 million for science research that turn out to be stem cell grants would remain hidden, but this week-long cooling period on the budget process with it being out in the open is a good thing.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, May 3, 06 @ 1:08 pm
Nice try YDD, but it’s not even the same. I give you credit though, I’m sure you put a lot of thought into that one.
Comment by Damon Wednesday, May 3, 06 @ 1:44 pm
Great idea. Blagojevich should “me, too” it and suggest 6 instead of 5 days. We all know there should be more sunshine on the state budget.
Comment by anonymous Wednesday, May 3, 06 @ 2:01 pm
The House just passed the budget!!..and a fine budget it is. The repubs had plenty of time to whine, complain, and moan before they were ignored and the vote was taken. Kudos to the House for doing the right thing.Now, on to the Seante!
Comment by The original Bill Wednesday, May 3, 06 @ 2:05 pm
Since when is good government and transparency a gimmick. Blago is a walking gimmick.
Comment by Crackhead Obama Wednesday, May 3, 06 @ 2:07 pm
You know, when I first saw this proposal I thought “Good idea, but it will make the budget harder, and therefore more expensive, to pass.” So, I think Dog is probably right, but that per se doesn’t make it a bad idea. A week is enough for everyone who cares to know what’s in and what isn’t.
As a general rule over the past 25 years, the cheapest budget the GA could vote on is the one the Governor proposes on budget day. There have been a couple of exceptions, but generally every day that goes by between introduction and final passage adds to the budget cost.
Why do so many of you keeping acting like the budget or any other government action is something “they” do to “us”? We are the government; we elect every member to the GA and every Constitutional officeholder. Government is as it is on any given day because a majority of the people are satisfied with it or disinterested in it. Wise up.
Comment by steve schnorf Wednesday, May 3, 06 @ 2:18 pm
It really doesn’t make any difference if it’s a week, a month, or a year that it’s sitting there. About 95% of the General Assembly is there becuase the party organization and special interests got them there, and they’ll vote as their told.
If you think public inspection would make a difference, go to your local school budget hearing in December. Questions are rarely asked, and when they are, the politicians refuse to answer until AFTER they’ve approved the budget, if at all.
Over the last six years, I’ve been the only one to question spending practices in the budget in my K-8 and High school district, which has over 100,000 registered voters. I question what additional services are being provided when costs go up, and what services are being discontinued when line items in the budget drop.
Of course, the Board and Admin don’t answer, and the press doesn’t even cover the approval of the $120 million budget or public questions, let alone study the budget and question “questionable” increases for hiring and vendors, or ask why districts don’t limit increases to available revenues.
In short, making budgets public for scrutiny just doesn’t matter either at the state or local level.
On the other hand, I understand that some states require a public vote approval of the budget. That would certainly make things interesting in Illinois!
Comment by PalosParkBob Wednesday, May 3, 06 @ 2:30 pm
This was the AccordiOnGal’s big end of session press pop.
Now we know why she is being called Judy “Bore” Topinka.
When a budget is presented in February and voted in May it seems like a alot of time and hearings have gone by the boards to discuss state spending and programs.
Looks like another homerun for GRod
Comment by Reddbyrd Wednesday, May 3, 06 @ 2:30 pm
Of course this is a good idea. The media and other interested parties can voice their opinion in the draft product. Anyone who thinks differently is speaking purely partisan.
Comment by Merlin Wednesday, May 3, 06 @ 3:04 pm
Again, Topinka shows the lack of sincerity and passion for the issues that convinced the majority of voters in her own party to vote for someone else.
Judy, please produce your press releases from the Thompson, Edgar and Ryan administrations where you demand greater budget accountability and fiscal discipline.
While you are looking (and I presume its you, because you have no money, message or campaign management, so it must be just you, a carton of Marlboro Reds and a rented Mustang cruising around pretending to campaign), allow me to refer you a press release where you show wisdom and leadership and sound the early alarm to the state’s dire fiscal situation.
Sorry - I couldn’t find anything like that.
But, wow - so many press releases from 1998 to now ! Judy visited the Charles Perdew Museum in Henry, Illinois, lots of day cares and bunches of disaster sites, and the Treasurer cut lots and lots of ribbons.
And, my favorite press releases was from May 10, 1998, titled “Treasurer Topinka Announces State’s Financial Status – ‘Best in History’ Sound investments and good economy prove profitable,” that states “Illinois is in the best financial shape ever, according to State Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka.” http://www.state.il.us/treas/news/pr_6B.htm (She did sign onto the Comptroller’s proposal to establish a rainy day fund, though. But George Ryan and the boys could’ve told you Judy has always been a good follower.)
Nowhere on the Treasurer’s website and nowhere in Judy’s press releases from 1998 to 2002, did I see the Treasurer ever say anything about the need for budget reform, nor did she demand fiscal responsibity from the Governor and state leaders or propose legislation to achieve this.
Again, on October 6, 1999, the Treasurer visited the Charles Perdew Museum in Henry, Illinois, and she felt it was important for us all to know this.
But budget reform, spending cuts, fiscal responsibility ?
Silent.
Comment by Scott Fawell's Cellmate Wednesday, May 3, 06 @ 3:23 pm
This idea is fantastic. Illinois may have a low income tax rate but our sales taxes, property taxes, business taxes and various fees are high enough that we deserve to see where our money is going, even if it is a line-by-line document. The problem with the politicians who draft the budget is that they think anyone who is isn’t a political leader, budget point person or approps staffer is too dumb to understand the budget when in reality it’s simple math. The hard part isn’t figuring out the numbers; it’s figuring out who gets what. If the public as a whole is outraged at a project or program, let the people decide if it stays or goes. Why should three men in the capitol be allowed to draw up a $56 billion budget and 12.5 million others be left in the cold? It’s an inane process and the “leaders” in Springfield have been getting away with this practice for too long.
People may ask how exactly the budget will be posted. Well, there’s the internet, newspapers, television and radio. You could also have a service that would mail each household a condensed version via media mail and that way each voter could have a hard copy for his or her own perusal.
Another great thing about this sunshine is that we voters can finally see why our budget has gone gangbusters. Seriously, $56 billion? I’m not trying to start a debate on programs and morals, but while other states are cutting aid programs and trying to actually balance a budget we are spending more and more each year. When will it end? Perhaps the only way to keep the budget in check is to allow the public full access.
Comment by Team Sleep Wednesday, May 3, 06 @ 3:34 pm
Reddbyrd, the budget presented in February was $43.56 billion. The budget passed by the House today was $56 billion. Please direct me to the public records where I could have found out - before it was voted on - what additional programs and services we are getting for this additional $12.5 billion.
Scott Fawell’s Cellmate, write all the droll, erudite ramblings you want. Remember, an even larger majority of voters in Blago’s party chose someone else in the ’02 primary as well, and that did seem to stop him from winning, did it? And why would you be comforted by the thinking that she is only “pretending to campaign†now - making it seem that her numbers would have no-where to go but up once she does start for real – when she continues to lead Blago by more and more in almost every poll released?
Comment by grand old partisan Wednesday, May 3, 06 @ 3:53 pm
It is a great idea, although one week isn’t enough time to really examine the document. Maybe it should be broken out into more managable pieces such as public safety, public health, public aid, schools, pork, etc. in order to more easily examine how/where OUR TAX dollars are being spent.
But, on the other hand, of course this is a *gimmick*. Anything proposed by JBT is a gimmick. The kings and queens of gimmick should know one when they see one. The three tops, well the two tops and their lapdog, would never tolerate being questioned on their budget. Why sould they explain what all the pork money is doing in the budget in lean financial times?
Comment by Papa Legba Wednesday, May 3, 06 @ 3:57 pm
Scott Fawell’s Cellmate - JBT’s campaign strategy is brilliant! The longer she keeps her mouth shut the more Blagojevich thinks he has to run his off. All it does is show the people of Illinois how big an idiot Blagojevich is.
Comment by Papa Legba Wednesday, May 3, 06 @ 4:01 pm
Was it a gimmick in 02 when Blago said it?
Comment by DOWNSTATE Wednesday, May 3, 06 @ 4:04 pm
Sad as it is, I think YDD and Schnorf have it right. Our gut tells us open is good, but realpolitik tells us that in this case, openness will come with a price. Although I really want Blago out of the Governor’s mansion, this really smells more like gimmickry than bold reform.
Comment by Blue RINO Wednesday, May 3, 06 @ 4:16 pm
Scott’s Cellmate: Check the Illinois Constitution in the jail law library–Judy is the State Investor–Dan Hynes claims to the the state’s chief fiscal officer and budget watchdog.
Check out Rod’s press releases when he was a state rep. and congressman, when he actually had oversight responsibility.
Don’t bother checking Jesse White’s website–you’ll find as much budget criticism there as on Judy’s–and about as many petty press releases.
While you’re typing away in your orange jumpsuit, make sure you keep a bunk open for Rod–I mean “Public Official A”.
Comment by Rick Wednesday, May 3, 06 @ 4:51 pm
Almost forgot to answer the Question of the Day. (Much more fun to point out Judy’s sudden attempted conversion to budget hawk and fiscal zealot. Its even funny to write the words “Judy” and “budget hawk” in the same sentence. Like “George Ryan” and “honest government” or “Blagojevich” and “punctuality.” My computer freezes up and starts to rock with laughter.)
Opening up the budget process to all Members - majority, minority, senior, junior - and mandating a reasonable waiting period between negotiations and passage is a good idea.
Publication to the public as well as to the Members (putting the “public” back into “publication”) of all budget documents presented to the Governor and leadership is also a good idea.
These aren’t new ideas or even innovative. They come up every budget negotiation and candidates for Governor usually put hand to Bible and swear they will bring sunshine to the shadows of this nefarious process. (Later, the public learns the Bible was actually a copy of the Springfield Yellow Pages. As Illinoisians, we all laugh and admire the chutzpah.) Looking into my crystal ball, I see Judy making declarations that if elected she will: reduce the number of state boards and commissions, appoint a blue-ribbon task force from Illinois academic and business institutions to propose how to reduce the size and cost of state government, impose a super-duper strong ethics ban on her employees, appoint Jim Edgar to Governor Emeritus and/or Acting Governor, and ask the blue-ribbon task force to also propose solutions to all the other issues she needs to talk about. Judy will also hold a press conference where she will announce she is against crime and for children. Again, bold leadership for Illinois.
Here is an idea regarding the budget process which may or may not be new or even any good:
Ban all lobbyists from the Capitol and the Governor’s Office during this waiting period. A big ol’ “no tresspass” sign to those registered budget-offenders. They can call, email, fax and otherwise holler at the budget players, but they can’t hover around the rail or have a physical presence. (I’d suggest an outright ban on lobbyist communication with the Gov, Members and staff during this waiting period, but I’m pretty sure such a total ban with be struck down by the courts and also be difficult to enforce, e.g. Members married to lobbyists.)
However, a constitutional amendment is unnecessary and unrealistic and - thus - a gimmick.
And Grand Old Partisan, I’m the product of public education, so I have absolutely no idea what a “droll” or “erudite” is. Thanks for using $2 words on a 2 cent fool, though !
Comment by Scott Fawell's Cellmate Wednesday, May 3, 06 @ 4:55 pm
“I understand that some states require a public vote approval of the budget.”
Now that’a a neat idea. If the voters reject the proposed budget does it default to the same as last year?
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, May 3, 06 @ 5:49 pm
Anybody who thinks this won’t lead to more spending is nuts.
Human psychology is a crazy thing. People fight a lot harder to hold on to what they have than to get what they want or deserve.
When is the last time anybody ever called a lawmaker to thank them for cutting spending or passing a truly balanced budget?
When was the last time someone lost an election because they voted to spend more?
Every single lawmaker who voted for education funding increase/tax swap in 1997 was re-elected.
Not one single person who voted to institute the income tax in Illinois lost re-election because of it.
Lawmakers have been voting to increase spending every year since I’ve been following state politics, and I can’t remember one campaign where it was an effective issue, let alone one person whose lost because of it.
On the other hand, let someone say you cut funding for X, where X = local schools, health care for seniors, job creation, etc., and you could be in big trouble.
Now, let’s say that lawmakers decide that, in order to balance the budget, they need to cut funding for some programs. I can guarantee you that the day the budget comes out, every consultant with a brain is going to be dialing through their rolodex to call every special interest group, trolling for clients to use their lobbying services, telemarketing services or p.r. services.
However, if the budget contains a few “pork projects”, who do you think is going to mobilize a grassroots army in protest? Nobody, except maybe Greg Blankenship, until he finds that fighting the good fight doesn’t actually pay very well.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Wednesday, May 3, 06 @ 5:58 pm
By the way, I think there is a way to come up with a more sane and sensible budget. I’d do a two year budget in non-election years and a supplemental as needed. I’d use a zero-based budgeting system that didn’t perpetuate waste into eternity, and distribute 1/3 of agency savings from a prior year pro-rata to every agency employee.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Wednesday, May 3, 06 @ 6:07 pm
I didn’t vote for Representative Madigan or Senator Jones or any of the other budgeteers that put this budget together because I don’t live in their districts. My General Assembly representative and Senator get less than 24 hours to see the Approp and the BIMP bills, review them, debate them and vote on them. How is this representative government?
It sound like your point is that government that represents all the people is too simply too costly. Kind of reminds me of the Governor’s comment about how unfortunate it is that we’re forced to live in a democracy.
Comment by Budget Watcher Wednesday, May 3, 06 @ 6:46 pm
I didn’t say it was too costly, I just said that in my opinion it will cost more, and the people who do it will be the people who you and I elect.
Comment by steve schnorf Wednesday, May 3, 06 @ 6:52 pm
Doesn’t matter what JBT and RB do. The only thing that matters is the Supremes. There is currently a requirement that a bill be in print 3 days - and the Supremes REFUSE to declare a day as 24 hours - there have been several law suits on the matter. As long as they do that, doesn’t matter what the amendment says - unless the amendment specifies a 24 hour day as defined by the Earth’s rotation. Ain’t Illinois government wonderful?
Comment by Smitty Irving Wednesday, May 3, 06 @ 7:52 pm
Has anyone seen the movie “Dave”? I think Illinois would benefit greatly from using his approach to the budget. Granted, “Dave” portrays the President and not a governor, but when he has an accountant review the federal budget (because he doesn’t understand it), the result is the elimination of a whole lot of pork.
Comment by cynic Wednesday, May 3, 06 @ 8:16 pm
So if someone votes for a minority party lawmaker, that person can be sure that he or she didn’t have representation in either the budget negotiations nor in the final review and debate. That makes the State Budget a mighty big blind spot for 45-47% of the citizns of Illinois.
I guess I don’t see the down side to having my representative and Senator at least see and review the budget before it’s called for a vote. Then we don’t have things hidden in the budget like we did last year.
Comment by Budget Watcher Wednesday, May 3, 06 @ 8:32 pm
Honestly, a twenty-four hour examination period for state legislators is quite sufficient. A legislator should know which projects, programs and agencies are being given serious consideration. For instance, the GOP knows Blago is more interested in funding elementary ed than higher ed, so it should come as no shock to the GOP rank-and-file that the UofI or EIU have suffered budget cuts. And when Blago proposes programs like Illinois Cares Rx and AllKids, the legislative tide will roll towards more social spending. Also, each legislative group has budget experts who can brief their respective bosses and caucus members on details of the budget, and legislative assistants/aides are supposed to be knowledgable on budget issues. And in reality, Democrats are going to support a budget that a Democratic governor laid out, and they will add to it as they see fit because they are in the majority. The same thing is happening right now in D.C.: Bush has proposed a massive $2.77 trillion budget and the Senate, ever the bastion of restraint (snicker, snicker), upped it to an unheard of $2.9 trillion before trimming some rough edges. This is what happens when the House, Senate and Executive branches of any given government are all held by the same party.
Comment by Team Sleep Wednesday, May 3, 06 @ 8:57 pm
Letting the public know what is going on costs government a lot of money all the time! Are you Blago supporters going to support repealing laws like the Open Meetings Act and the Freedom of Information Act? I think NOT.
Practically speaking, I agree it will create problems. Good government-wise, its a great idea.
Not only because the public deserves to know what’s in a $52 billion budget, there have been more than a few errors in budget bills drafted in haste.
Of course, we’re in Illinois. Good government is not what we’re about. Unfortunately, we’ve had one of the worst examples of government over these last 3 1/2 years thanks to our incompetent Governor.
Comment by Norseman Wednesday, May 3, 06 @ 10:04 pm
Seriously, who says stuff like this?
Comment by TheBaldMan Thursday, May 4, 06 @ 12:14 pm
Reforming the legislative budget-making process is entirely in order. However, it is not necessary or appropriate to amend the State constitution to achieve budget reform. It’s purely a matter of bipartisan political will.
Comment by Grubnednarb Friday, May 5, 06 @ 1:12 pm