Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar

* UPDATED x1 - Senate passes fee hike bill * Flider ripped, approved

Posted in:

Illinois
Updated Posts

* The Tribune’s lede…

Three dozen lame-duck lawmakers learned Tuesday that there is life in state government after they leave the General Assembly, but they might face political heat if they vote for a tough measure and then land a state job with a big salary.

They also learned that they’d still be confirmed…

Over the objections of Republicans, a Senate panel Tuesday endorsed former state Rep. Bob Flider’s appointment as chief of the Illinois Department of Agriculture.

Flider, a Democrat from Mount Zion, had no farming experience when he was picked for the $133,273 per year job by Gov. Pat Quinn in February.

But Flider had voted for Quinn’s 67 percent increase in the state income tax during the 2011 lame-duck legislative session after having campaigned against the tax increase during his unsuccessful 2010 re-election bid.

Republican members of the Senate Executive Appointments Committee suggested Quinn rewarded Flider with the job because of that vote and one in favor of allowing civil unions, including between people of the same sex.

* Back to the Tribune…

Sen. Dale Righter, R-Mattoon, said he “struggled with” how Flider could campaign strongly against a tax increase and then change his mind so quickly once he lost the election. Righter said the appointment after Flider’s switch in his position is “exactly what’s wrong with this process.”

Flider said he and Quinn never discussed his tax hike vote in conjunction with the agriculture position. Flider said he could have been “knocked over with a feather” when Quinn asked him to take the job.

Unsatisfied, Sen. David Luechtefeld, R-Okawville, questioned whether Flider would even agree the appearance of his vote and the follow-up appointment “is not good.”

“I think the truth sets you free,” Flider responded, “and I know the truth, and there was never, ever any discussion, any inference whatsoever about a vote or this appointment or any appointment.”

It was no secret that Flider wanted a job after he lost his reelection bid. And it was no secret that things could and probably would be done for folks who voted the “right” way.

Even so, lots of legislators “vote their districts” instead of their own consciences, then decide to “do what’s right” when they’re on their way out. The medical marijuana bill is a perfect example of that…

Rep. Lou Lang said his “nose count” has him at or near the 60 votes needed for approval of a three-year trial medical marijuana program.

“If members vote their consciences, I’ll have the votes,” said Lang, D-Skokie.

So, Flider was a conservative, district guy when he was running for reelection and a free agent or liberal Democrat after he lost the election. It happens. But Luechtefeld is right that it doesn’t look good.

The Tribune editorial board made much of Flider’s (and others’) tax hike flip-flop, yet I can’t help but wonder if they’ll unleash the hounds if any lame ducks get state jobs for voting for the pension reform bill. A “statesman” is somebody who flip-flops in your direction. Nothing to see here, move along.

* And speaking of taxes…

A funding measure to help the Illinois Department of Natural Resources address a backlog of repairs piling up at state parks could get another look during the veto session.

The bill, Senate Bill 1566, would add $2 to the cost of a license plate renewal — currently $99 for most passenger vehicles — and provide money for the upkeep of state parks. SB 1566 could eventually bring in $32 million annually for DNR.

The bill failed in the waning hours of the Illinois General Assembly’s spring session, but DNR director Marc Miller said he is “cautiously optimistic” the bill will be called and passed during the veto session this week or next.

“We have had the opportunity to talk to more of our senators to let them know the importance of (this bill), and we have more ‘yes’ votes than we had previously,” he said. “When we tell them we have $750 million worth of backlogged capital projects and maintenance, that carries a great deal of weight.”

That bill only “failed” because it was called for a vote after the May 31st midnight deadline, so it needed a three-fifths majority. It actually received more than enough to pass if it had been called before midnight.

*** UPDATE *** The Senate just passed the fee hike bill.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Nov 28, 12 @ 11:28 am

Comments

The DNR bill also failed because downstate lawmakers who are normally supportive of the agency were ticked off at Madigan for trying to kill fracking which could create thousands and thousands of jobs in their districts.

Comment by Downstate Illinois Wednesday, Nov 28, 12 @ 11:33 am
I have been following the pension discussions closely and I can’t tell you how many ex-legistlators left service only to land in a cushy job which will boost their inflated pensions again. The State of Illinois is either broke or it’s ins’t. Decisions like this erode the small amount of credibility that he has left.

Comment by Ex IDNR Wednesday, Nov 28, 12 @ 11:50 am
== A “statesman” is somebody who flip-flops in your direction.== Exactly

This is political theater directed at the Gov. and the current lame duck legislators. Very little to do with either Flider or the 2010 votes.

Comment by walkinfool Wednesday, Nov 28, 12 @ 11:50 am
Has there ever been an Ag. Dept. head who hadn’t farmed?

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Nov 28, 12 @ 11:52 am
Flider, a Democrat from Mount Zion, had no farming experience when he was picked for the $133,273 per year job by Gov. Pat Quinn in February…

But what does he know about women’s head issues?

Comment by Cheryl44 Wednesday, Nov 28, 12 @ 11:57 am
health, not head.

Comment by Cheryl44 Wednesday, Nov 28, 12 @ 11:58 am
“Flider, a Democrat from Mount Zion, had no farming experience when he was picked for the $133,273 per year job by Gov. Pat Quinn in February.”

How very Blago/Grandburg of you Pat.

Comment by Leave a Light on George Wednesday, Nov 28, 12 @ 11:58 am
The Dept of Ag is primarily a regulatory agency. Flider has significant regulatory experience and is supported by the IL Farm Bureau and major Agri-business. He has done a great job since being appointed more than 9 mos ago.
One doesn’t need to be a doctor to run a hospital.

Comment by Nattering Nabobs Wednesday, Nov 28, 12 @ 12:21 pm
I doubt DNR’s fee hike bill will make a dent in the agency’s capital backlog. The $ will only replace the operating $ DNR has lost. The “$750 million in deferred maintenance” argument is misleading.

Comment by Sir Reel Wednesday, Nov 28, 12 @ 12:51 pm
Flider was an active Republican who worked for Illinois Power/Ameren and became Mayor of Mt. Zion with GOP support. Magically, he became a Democrat to get appointed to the House with help from Julie Curry. He railed against tax increases, civil unions, etc. Finally, the voters dumped him. A few weeks later, his mind magically changed again.

Flider has the core beliefs of a weathervane. Or Mitt Romney.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Nov 28, 12 @ 12:58 pm
State employees have to abide by the revolving door policy, prohibiting them from certain kinds of employment once they leave state employ. maybe we should have legislation banning lawmakers from state employment for five years. Oh yeah, I’m sure they’ll get right that,

Comment by bman Wednesday, Nov 28, 12 @ 1:48 pm
Maybe Flider has done a good job and will be the best Ag director ever, but the process still stinks to high heaven.

Comment by downstate hack Wednesday, Nov 28, 12 @ 2:04 pm
DNR is full of political appointments.
This vote is an easy vote fot everyone because they can get a job or two.

Comment by anon for a reason Wednesday, Nov 28, 12 @ 2:09 pm
The license plate fee hike, SB 1566, was passed in the House with votes from four signers of the Norquist anti-tax pledge: Bost, Sacia, Sullivan and Winters.

Comment by reformer Wednesday, Nov 28, 12 @ 3:55 pm
Just another tax for Illinois tax payers. What is new? Cowards !!

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Nov 28, 12 @ 3:58 pm
Now you know why the rank and file are so angry because this stuff happens all the time. The letter received today via email from DHS/Sec. was no better. Have to stop, just can’t take it!

Comment by Bummed out :( Wednesday, Nov 28, 12 @ 5:20 pm
And what change does the make to Bob Flider’s pension?

Comment by Yossarian Thursday, Nov 29, 12 @ 12:28 am