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Nightmare. Power is out at the intl headquarters. Forced to resort to my Treo. Lost a big chunk of the last post attempting to update. [Power restored.]
This is a fresh thread. I really need to buy a generator. [Earlier updates and comments can be found here…. Today’s schedule is here.]
[If you’re having any trouble looking at the video or hearing the audio, open your Windows Media application and under “Open URL†enter (for video) http://12.43.64.137/hsevideo or for audio: http://12.43.64.137/audio]
4:48 The Committee of the Whole is officially adjourned.
4:26 Rep. Flowers: “Mr. Filan you are subsidizing the rich.” [applause]
4:23 The specific impact of the employee tax credit (passed in the Senate yesterday) has been answered in entirely different ways by the panelists today. Filan has stated that it will have the effect of exempting the first $5 million in almost all cases. Earlier, Tom Johnson claimed that in only rare cases will all $5 million be exempt. The truth is probably somewhere in the middle, and I expect we will hear more details on each argument over the coming days.
4:17 Rep. Mulligan: “We want fried chicken on Sunday tax proposal…You kill the chicken and you no longer get the eggs anymore.â€
3:51 John Filan will be the committee’s final speaker. He is relaying his usual remarks highlighting the GRT’s “broad base” benefit, complaining about the flaws in the current corporate income tax system, and highlighting the success of other states with the GRT.
3:42 Mr. Peters, Illinois Hospital Association: Attempting to re-frame the debate away from the mechanics of the tax and onto the use of the increased revenue…“The GRT is neither good nor bad unto itself. It can only be reasoned in the context of purpose.â€
3:23 Fritchey: “Mr. Treasurer your comments were superb. They truly were. What you have learned in 100 days about engaging the legislature…I want to thank you not only on behalf of our caucus by other chamber members I have talked to as well.â€
3:18 The House response to Giannoulias is certainly telling. By far the warmest of the day.
3:16: The Treasurer is speaking now on compromise: “I could easily spend all of my time bashing the governor’s plan and make headlines as the new guy…The last thing you want to hear is a ‘lets hug it out’ ideal from a 31 year old…Lets work together and not squander this opportunity to achieve greatness…all or nothing approaches to solving problems are counterproductive.â€
3:10: Rep. Hamos cuts Trevor Martin and Greg Blankenship: If they don’t believe that there are any specific programs/issues/concerns in the state that require fund increases, than obviously they would be against any tax increase (GRT included).
3:03: I have a hard time believing that lawmakers have heard anything today that is that truly novel or persuasive. There are few topics any denser than complex tax policy. As the committee meeting hits the 6 hour mark in this 80 degree weather more than a few legislators have literally closed their eyes for a couple minutes of nap time.
2:54: Pantagraph story is up…
Before the governor spoke, Madigan complimented him for putting forth a bold plan to tackle the state’s money problems.
’’Not everyone has shown that kind of courage and initiative,’’ Madigan said.
2:41: OK, Rich again for one last post today. You can find this month’s Fiscal Focus, published by Comptroller Hynes which analyzes the GRT by clicking here [pdf file].
2:35: Professor Fred Giertz explains that it is misleading to focus only on “small business” that are adversely affected by the GRT. Just because a business is large doesn’t mean it can sustain the hit from the tax.
2:21: Paul has the helm.
2:18: The governor’s budget office asked that I post these two releases on the blog, so here you go. Both are .doc files…
* Illinois Ranks Lowest Among All Midwest States in Overall Tax Burden… …After GRT is Adopted, Illinois is Second Best in the Midwest
* Setting the record straight on misleading claims made by big business groups at today’s Committee of the Whole [corrected version]
1:54: Taxpayers’ Federation: GRT is essentially a form of income tax, and therefore violates the state’s Constitution, which limits the ratio of corporate to personal income taxes.
1:52: The Committee of the Whole isn’t the only show in town today…
Hundreds of upset residents are taking their complaints about soaring electric rates straight to the place where they could get help.
They rallied today at the state Capitol and pleaded with state lawmakers to provide some relief for rates that have spiked since the beginning of the year.
The rally organized by the A-A-R-P and the Citizens Utility Board featured pictures of two pigs with the names of utilities Ameren and Com-Ed on them.
State lawmakers led ralliers in chants of “We need relief” and promised they would continue to work on a resolution.
1:50: I’m not sensing so far that anyone’s mind has been changed by any of this debate. Your thoughts?
1:43: The Illinois Farm Bureau has a brief story and a couple of audio clips…
* Speaker Madigan explains the GRT resolution that will receive a vote by the full chamber tomorrow [mp3 file]
* Gov. Blagojevich threatens to veto a tax hike [mp3 file]
1:32: The Sun-Times now has a story…
[If nothing is done] “We will hurt people,†Blagojevich said. “Schoolteachers will have to be laid off because school districts won’t have the money they need to be able to fund our schools. New textbooks won’t come because the school districts won’t have the money they need. Football teams might not get the uniforms at their high school football games because we don’t have the money we ought to have for our schools.â€
His reference to football players being deprived of uniforms triggered a chorus of groans from Republicans and a handful of Democrats, who viewed the warning as an over-the-top scare tactic.
“I’m a little worried about the football players without uniforms,†House Minority Leader Tom Cross (R-Oswego) said sarcastically after the governor’s appearance. “I’m trying to envision…our high school football games this fall with only [players] having pads on and spikes. That concerns me.â€
Cross predicted the governor’s tax plan has a “short life†because “it’s, policy-wise, an awful tax. It’s bad for jobs. It’s bad for business. It’s bad for consumers.â€
1:13: I just noticed that the Daily Herald’s Animal Farm bloggy type thing did a bit of live-blogging earlier today. Here’s an excerpt…
Now the governor is talking about the doomsday scenario of a “do-nothing” budget if no revenue enhancements pass: no warm meals for seniors in Carbondale, no new uniforms for the high school football teams.
“I believe in football, I believe in high school football,” Blagojevich said. “A do-nothing budget means pain to your constituents.”
1:06: Gordon to IFT and IEA: Provide to me the amount of money you need, not want. (Asked for written response.)
1:02: Oops. I forgot to post today’s schedule. Here it is.
12:55: CBS2 has some video.
12:47: The Tribune’s Clout Street blog has an update…
“If that means we are here all summer… I am determined to do that,” Blagojevich said. Lawmakers are scheduled to adjourn at the end of the month.
Blagojevich answered questions from lawmakers, but left the House chambers this morning without taking questions from reporters.
“He just spent an hour answering questions,” spokeswoman Abby Ottenhoff said.
Blagojevich’s security detail surrounded him and blocked reporters from getting close to the governor as he made his way through a crowded Capitol rotunda, down a little-used stairwell and into a rear entrance of his statehouse office.
12:42: Press release from the Illinois Association of Realtors…
The gross receipts tax proposed by Governor Blagojevich would take a huge bite out of construction employment in Illinois, as slower growth in the state’s economy due to the new levy would cause a projected permanent loss of 13,968 jobs in the sector, a new study finds. The study results were provided in written testimony today in a hearing of the Illinois House Committee of the Whole on the proposed gross receipts tax.
The study, commissioned by the Illinois Association of REALTORS, finds that housing construction employment alone would fall by more than 1,700 jobs under the weight of the proposed gross receipts tax (GRT).
The research also calculates that the GRT would increase the cost of new homes in Illinois by $5,400 to more than $12,000, depending on the purchase price of the home.
The study can be downloaded here.
12:36: Speaker Madigan said earlier that the House would vote on a resolution tomorrow on the GRT. The resolution is now online and can be found here. It begins with a fairly neutral explanation of the gross receipts tax and then concludes thusly…
RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that those voting “aye” on this resolution are in support of Governor Blagojevich’s proposed Gross Receipts Tax and urge that legislation to enact it into law be passed by the General Assembly as soon as possible, and those voting “no” on this resolution do not support Governor Blagojevich’s proposed Gross Receipts Tax and believe that it should not become law
Madigan is the sponsor and House GOP Leader Tom Cross is the chief co-sponsor.
12:18: Greg Baise of the Illinois Manufacturers Association pointed out a few minutes ago that Illinois has lost 200,000 manufacturing jobs since 2000. No offense to Baise, but I thought the single sales factor exemption that was rammed through the legislature about that time was supposed to create 200,000 manufacturing jobs?
12:01: Dave Vite of IRMA: “Small business is not exempt.” He’s using the pyramiding argument now. “Gasoline will cost between 7 and 15 cents more per gallon.
12:01: The governor has a new press release touting his remarks. Find it here.
11:54: More audio clips from our friends at Metro Networks. These are from yesterday’s Senate Executive Committee meeting. The first is a sharp disagreement among committee members…
And here is some raw audio of Emil Jones’ remarks…
11:50: Here’s a short audio clip from the governor’s remarks…
[If that doesn’t work, go to the
11:35: Quinn’s time is up. Next in the dock, Illinois AFL-CIO president Michael Carrigan and other labor leaders.
11:35: Rose: Do real people pay the tax on this GRT? Quinn: It’s a soak the middle class tax.
11:28: Hoffman just pointed out that Quinn’s alternative funding solutions aren’t adequate to solve the problems that Quinn claims need to be addressed.
11:28: The governor didn’t say a word to the press as he left the chamber. The entrance and exit was what worried his staff the most.
11:26: From the Tribune…
“I believe we have a unique opportunity right now,” Blagojevich said. Nothing that he and his fellow Democrats had recently been re-elected to lead the state, he said “all of us are back in business” and should “not shirk away” from the responsibility to move the state forward.
“We can do it together. I know it’s hard. I know it’s tough,” Blagojevich said. But he said constituents would appreciate better health care and better funding for schools “so they can have an equal chance in the race of life.”
Underscoring his belief that access to health care is a “moral imperative,” the governor vowed to keep pushing for his plan and lashed out at alternative ideas to increase sales and income taxes, vowing once again to veto either increases.
“I won’t do it — not because I made a promise not to do it,” Blagojevich said. “I believe it’s wrong.”
11:19: Pat Quinn: “Ben Franklin did not say it was inevitable to be taxed to death.” Ouch. His remarks are sure to sting as he goes along.
11:19: The governor’s finished. From what I heard, the questions were too long and open-ended for the short-answer format imposed on the proceedings.
11:02: The Senate Republicans have introduced a resolution calling for the rejection of the GRT. No Democratic co-sponsors yet. The resolution is here. [Hat tip: IP]
10:57: Lang: “You say you’re here in the spirit of compromise… but you’ve shut all of those other [tax hike] option down…. How can we compromise with you if there’s only one thing left on the table?” [applause]
Governor said he would talk compromise as long as the alternative ideas are for big bucks and comprehensive and not a sales or income tax.
10:51: Interestingly enough, Rep. Greg Harris (D-Chicago) is asking about exempting family farms.
10:43: Power is back on. Apparently, the time limits are pretty strict, so some Repubs are being forced to submit them in writing. Dems are asking questions now. Rep. Jack Franks is the first.
I’m going to try and restore that other post, but this is the thread to use.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 10:29 am
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I think that Governor Blagojevich is doing a great job at the hearing. Great response to Mulligan/ROse regarding transparencey. Do we know how much Kraft paid in corporate income tax? How can you argue for transparency, and argue that corporations will pass the grt through to the consumer, when we dont know how much these corporations are paying in taxes?
Comment by Buck Naked Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 10:36 am
I think I may just abandon ship and head to the capitol. I’ll give CWLP a bit more tiime and decide soon.
Keep updates coming in comments here. Thanks.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 10:37 am
(carrying from another thread)
I don’t dispute that many have health care that did not before. But here’s a sampling of what hasn’t happened in the last few years:
– New school construction
– Investment in state pension funds
– On-time payments for health care providers
– Paying down future debt
I know, we can’t do everything for everyone. That’s the point — instead of piling everything into one pot, we should be spreading it out. We should be taking care of our previous obligations, which are not being taken care of. Then, when that all happens, THEN we should consider expanding projects.
Comment by So Ill Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 10:39 am
New Generator = Paul + bicycle
100 uses for a live intern
Comment by Ghost Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 10:49 am
Not a bad idea. lol
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 10:49 am
One trillion dollar poker game and Blago wants to pay with our money.
Give us a break!
Comment by GRT SmokeScreen Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 10:55 am
S. Il,
There wasn’t a cap bill for the last few years because republicans didn’t support the plans proposed by the gov and the dems. On pensions, blago has actually invested more money into them than any other gov — and they’re better funded today. The medicaid payments are far better today — 125 days four years ago versus 50 or so today? I’d say that’s progress. According to the comptroller’s office, the state’s longterm 4.1 billion debt has been reduced to 2.3 billion by the end of the last fiscal year. That didn’t happen on it’s own. We should give some credit to the admin where it’s due instead of always syaing they’re screwing things up. So I agree that we should take care of the fiscal probs facing the state, but with all the progress that’s been made it’s time to step it up and do more for people.
Comment by demgrrl Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 11:11 am
demgrrl = False Propaganda Machine
Comment by Careful Everybody! Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 11:18 am
Demgrrl, go back to the Gov’s steno pool. Let Bill cover this beat.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 11:33 am
Let’s have a real negotiations governor, free up those federal subpoenas then then weâ€ll talk about raises any taxes in Illinois.
What da ya think gov?
Comment by Truth is....... Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 11:35 am
I wonder why it is so interesting that Rep. Greg Harris (D-Chicago) asked a question about family farms. I wonder, I wounder, I wounder….. I think I know the answer. Because Greg knows that I grew up on a family farm.
Comment by Larry McKeon Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 11:41 am
Blago doesn’t speak to the PRESS….
WHAT’S NEW!
No snappy comebacks quoting Franklin or Lincoln?
Comment by The Weasel Factor Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 11:45 am
DEMGRL, you’ve got to be kidding. The pensions have been funded more with this Guvna than ever before. Do you not remember he raided this fund BIG TIME during his first 4 years? Oh, I forgot, he used some kind of creative refinancing or some such magic trick. But it still added up to more debt for a grossly underfunded pension system. It’s time to stop raiding that piggy bank.
OK, IF this GRT does not pass and the Guvna begins budget cuts, will he begin with Emil’s wife and son, whose jobs could be done by people who would be willing to hake half their pay?
Comment by Little Egypt Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 11:48 am
Strong support from labor across the board. How do the dem members of the GA not be supportive of a proposal so strongly endorsed by their base vote and primary source of campaign funds.
Comment by Buck Naked Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 12:01 pm
Jones blatently ignored the comment that a business can reduce other expenses, rather than simply passing costs on to consumers. I would also argue that a business may choose to cut into its profit margin, assuming that the market won’t bear the passing on of costs, the profit margin is already large, and all such businesses are affected equally.
Now, if he wanted to argue that GRT is unfair because it’s not based on ability to pay, I might agree with him there; but to say what he said makes him sound like a Republican. If voters had wanted a Republican they would have elected one.
Comment by Squideshi Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 12:05 pm
little egypt. stick to the facts please. he did not “raid” the funds over the past four years. more than $13 billion has been invested in the pensions during his admin. They’re better funded today too — just check out the pension systems own reports. The steps that he and the Dems took to pass pensions reforms saved taxpayers $83 billion — again, according to the pension systems. It’s easy to hide behind convenient platitudes and to attack than to defend one’s positions with the facts.
Comment by demgrrl Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 12:09 pm
demgrrl - Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 12:09 pm
Are you blogging on state time? If so, get back to work. And give us an honest day’s work.
Comment by Chicago River Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 12:29 pm
Demgrrl,
do you really believe what you’re saying?
Comment by steve schnorf Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 12:30 pm
State employee or not, Demgrrl has the right to be here.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 12:31 pm
Bonus question of the day for you Rich: How many Representatives will vote in favor of resolution tomorrow? Tie breaker: Give the party breakdown. Looks like the fun really happens tomorrow!!
Comment by bomber91 Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 12:47 pm
Have they set up three rings, hired a ringmaster, brought in the elephants and started selling funnel cakes? This is a circus!!!
Comment by Team Sleep Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 12:54 pm
Wow! THe IEA and IFT come in big for the GRT. How can reps ignore this?
Comment by Buck Naked Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 12:58 pm
From the tribune today. Regarding Mitt Romney’s one term as Governor.
“During his single term as governor of Massachusetts (he didn’t run for re-election), he lowered taxes and reduced unemployment. His first year, he closed the state’s $3 billion budget deficit, filed a balanced budget each year thereafter, and ended 2005 with close to a $1 billion surplus. He also created market-based reform to provide health insurance for every citizen without raising taxes.”
Hello Illinois. Why do we sit around and let the likes of Blago and Emil bankrupt the state with their stupid anti-business policy attempts?
Maybe if we are lucky, the buffalo gnats will descend on the State House and gag the legislators every time they open their mouths.
Comment by Papa Legba Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 1:19 pm
For those of you who might be interested, Council on State Taxation released a study in January on the GRT. Sorry if it has been brought up before, I just thought it contained some interesting information.
http://www.statetax.org/Content/ContentGroups/COST_Studies_and_Special_Reports/General/GrossReceiptsTaxStudy.pdf
Comment by Lurker Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 1:22 pm
Looking at SRS and its up and down are complex. BUT the plan is not any better, and is on track for worse, then it was before Blago took office. The legislature passed a bill in 1995 that called for a ramping up of contributions from the state to reach 90% funding by 2045.
FY 2002 the plan was 53.7% Funded
FY 2003 42.6% Funded (big hit from early retirement payouts and poor financial markets)
FY 2004 plan is 54.2% funded (sale of 10 billion in bonds that will still have to be paid for later; money dived amongst 5 plans, srs gets 1,385 mill from bond; employee’s were required to increase contributions and put in 44% more money out of employees pockets from past contribution rates)
FY 05 Plan is 54.4% funded (due investments, no increase in contribution from state.)
FY 06 plan is down to 52.2% funded (also blag passed legislation reducing the states required payment by 486 million for 06 and 414 million for 07. This derails the plan for 90% funding and represents a deduction or loss in funding by the state of close to 900 mil. effectively offsets the bond contribution from 03. State still need to pay the bonds.)
ADMIN fees increased under blago. Also investment results should have been better. (lawsuit allegese investments were redirected in exchange for contributions, this has not been proven) Waiting for 07 report. But blago has already removed over 400 mil that should be going in for this year. Overall funding ratio during a financial upswing is less then when he took office.
AND no one has accounted for the bonds that still need to be padi for.
Comment by Ghost Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 2:00 pm
Ghost is right. I would also add that perhaps bonding should be slowed down dramatically or even stopped. We’re just digging ourselves deeper and deeper with no real way of getting out of the hole. It really is mortgaging our future! Illinois politicians are doing to the pensions what federal officials have done to Social Security and Medicare.
Comment by Team Sleep Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 2:11 pm
I think everyone knows what is going on here. Rod is trying to change his dismal legacy.
But, you gotta laugh when he was talking about not being able to find out what business was paying in taxes. No transparency here.
People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.
We are still waiting for him to open his records and show us how many subpoena’s this administration has received.
Comment by Lula May Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 2:21 pm
Looks like the COTW is running about 2 minutes ahead of a schedule. Bradley really knows hows to run a meeting.
Comment by Reddbyrd Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 2:25 pm
Lula May is right!
Rod open up your records and make those federal subpoenas public.
Before you try to tax all of us. And do mean tax all of us, Rod. Now is a good time to come clean.
By the way, Rod
How much did the state pay all your economic experts today for their time? Nothing is for free!
Comment by Confusion Tax Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 2:48 pm
Thanks rich. It’s good to know that the first amendment is protected on the cap fax.
I know it’s hard to accept some of these facts, but they’re true. And yes, mr schnorf, I do believe what I’m saying. Why would I say them otherwise? If you want to challenge what I’m saying, I’m happy to keep the dialogue going.
Regarding the pension systems, they were funded at 48% in 2003 and are funded at 60.5% today. Period. The 50-year funding plan is a joke. It’s totally backloaded and if all the state did was follow it as it was passed, we’d be paying $83 billion more in interest through the end of it in 2045. Also, the governor’s budget says that with the proceeds from pension bond and lottery money, the pensions will go up to 80%-plus funded and will get to 90% funded 5 years ahead of the 1995 plan. That sounds like a far better deal to taxpayers.
Comment by demgrrl Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 2:52 pm
Ok, Paul, Rich has left the bulding and it’s your time to shine. Let’s hear some analysis. You have to earn your keep before you drink all of that free beer tonight.
Comment by DC Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 2:55 pm
Demgrrl,
Well, we can take one thing at a time. In regards to your criticism of the backloading of the ‘95 50 year plan (and to remind people, before ‘95 there was NO plan), how does that compare to the backloading of the POBs? If you know, tell me. And, if you don’t know why are you commenting without knowing things such important information?.
Comment by steve schnorf Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 3:21 pm
Why didn’t Blagojevich stay all day to “LISTEN” for once?
Oh! I forgot, it’s a BIG STATE!
Comment by True Colours Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 3:40 pm
It’s also important to disclose the risk inherent in the pob approach.
Comment by A. Potter Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 3:42 pm
Demgrrl I obtained my numbers from SRS finacial reports online. The numbers certified by the accountants indicate funding was at 53.7% for fy 02, and as of fy 06 is at 52.2%. These are the numbers certified by internally and externally. The plan for 06 was not 60 funded, and technically is lower then it was when Blago took office. Not to mention that a portion of that funding is tied to boinds that need to be paid. The fund for 06 had contributions reduced by almost 500 mil and is now in worse shape then it was in 02.
Comment by Ghost Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 3:46 pm
I’d say the GRT resolution gets maybe 32 votes, all Dems. Anything less, and the votes will start dropping off like crazy, the Republicans will start whistling in the back of the chamber and Mike Madigan and Tom Cross will join the Century Club.
Comment by Just Saying Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 4:04 pm
Demgrrl
All smokin’ and mirrors….. Nice try!
Comment by Isolee Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 4:19 pm
mr. schnorf, the POBs are “backloaded” because they are being paid back under the 1995 plan’s structure. But unlike the 1995 plan, the pob is paid back 20 years sooner and at a lower rate than how the 1995 plan is structured.
Comment by demgrrl Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 4:26 pm
Ouch Demgrl, you’ve been punked by Schnorf. And I’d bet on his facts and figures anyday.
Comment by Little Egypt Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 4:30 pm
Ghost — the state’s entire pension system is funded at 60.5%. The 1995 plan had the system funded at 54% last, so clearly it’s doing better than what the 50 year plan calls for. The bonds are being paid back at a lower rate and sooner than under the 1995 plan. It saves taxpayers billions because they won’t be stuck paying as much interest on the pension debt.
Little egypt, hardly. read my last response.
Comment by demgrrl Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 4:37 pm
Rep. Bradley did a great job today!
Comment by Buck Naked Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 4:48 pm
Demgrrl, are you trying to set a one day record for most bogus posts?
The debt service schedule for the 2003 POBs has absolutely nothing to do with the 1995 funding law. It’s simply a “coinkidink” that both are backloaded. Further, POB’s are paid off in 2035, or 10 years ahead of the funding law, not 20.
To your previous assertion about Blago’s “investment” in the pensions-those figures are totally bogus. They include $9.5 billion of bond proceeds that the pension funds are paying back through reduced future contributions. Calling borrowed money an investment is like saying the hundred bucks you blew at the riverboat was an investment in the Mississippi River.
Similarly, the “60% funded” is less impressive when one notes, by reviewing the official records, that the dollar amount of the unfunded liability has continued to grow. It now stands (at 6/30/07) at about the same dollar amount as it was at 6/30/03, before $10 billion of added debt. (source: Auditor General’s FY07 financial audit)
If you’re going to post here, please be honest.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 5:01 pm
Good work by John Bradley today. Great work, in fact. The electric rate CotW meeting ended yesterday, I think. He said 5, he got out at 5. And made an appearance at a rally outside the capitol to boot.
Great job.
Comment by So Ill Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 5:05 pm
To elaborate on my last post, I dont always agree with Rep. Bradley. In fact, I often disagree with him. However, he managed the debate well.
There, I feel better.
Comment by Buck Naked Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 5:18 pm
Demgrrl,
When I talked to OMB almost 4 years ago they gave me a very different reason for the backloading, and by the way, it was a good reason, though clearly an unrealistic one. Do you happen to know what that reason was? I thought not.
After you’ve done so well on that one, which of your issues would you like to chat about next?
Comment by steve schnorf Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 5:20 pm
Rich, thanks for the coverage.
Comment by leo Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 5:28 pm
I’ve been thinking about this for several days now, and I’m interested in what other people think. I’ve been pondering, “Is Governor Blagojevich’s current GRT/Universal Healthcare/Lottery Sale&POB Pension Fix the biggest, boldest initiative any modern Illinois governor has ever undertaken”? As I’ve thought about it, I’ve decided it probably is, and I find that quite interesting. Governor Blagojevich generally hasn’t gotten real high marks from the media, and he gets severely flogged on these blogs each day. We generally hope that our leaders will have vision, and will be bold in pursuing that vision. Isn’t he showing that right now, and doesn’t he deserve great credit for it?
Comment by steve schnorf Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 5:29 pm
Steve, No! He can’t solve current “challenges”. Why in the world would we encourage him on, until he has? He’s just another tax and spend democrat trying to outrun his reputation and lack of performance. My god, he is a total trainwreck.
Comment by A Citizen Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 5:40 pm
NO! Blago is crooked and corrupt. Now he’s looking for a way out by raises taxes.
Can’t wait till he goes to prison for the damage he’s done.
Comment by One Man Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 5:41 pm
Governor Blagojevich is an embarrassment, fork over those federal subpoenas Gov.
Let’s quit hiding and see what your really made of!
Dan Walker is saint compared to you.
Comment by Hollywood Rod Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 5:53 pm
This is the beginning of the end for HotRod.
Comment by Writing On The Wall Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 5:57 pm
If our spoiled little governor doesn’t get his way (my way or the highway) he’s planning on cutting the state government by ONE BILLION dollars. Okay, do it. It’s cheaper than the TEN BILLION he wants to get with the GRT. What gives on this discrepancy? The feds won’t get him, but his incompetence will . . . and hopefully before he puts us in the poorhouse and makes Illinois the laughing stock of the country. Please stop taking this guy seriously, there is a reason he dodges direct unrehearsed questions from the press - he isn’t knowledgeable enough to handle them. He’s a lightweight with a pompador - that’s all.
Comment by A Citizen Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 5:57 pm
AA - it’s easy to be petty when the facts aren’t on your side, so I won’t hold it against you. yes, the pension liability continues to rise. Why? because the 1995 funding plan underfunds the pensions for the majority of the 50 year plan. So it will continue to go up before it goes down unless the state does something drastic to reduce the debt. And the reason that the pob money isn’t “bogus” is because it replaced more expensive debt and, my bad, is paid back 10 years sooner than the 1995 plan, not 20. I think the taxpayers of Illinois would be very pleased to know that they’re saving billions in redcued interest payments becuase of those pension bonds.
Mr. Schnorf, regardless of what omb told you, the fact remains that the debt is being paid back on the same schedule as the 1995 plan. Do you not agree that the 1995 plan is backloaded?
Comment by demgrrl Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 6:04 pm
Demgrl, it’s time to go home. You have clearly had a busy day today but no matter what “facts” you throw out about the pension system, it is still grossly underfunded. Do you really think that even 60% funding is something to be proud of? Apparently you and the Guvna think so. Tell me then, are the pensions going to continue to be the sacrificial lamb in order for the Guvna to continue to come up with spending ideas this state cannot afford? And don’t even bother to tell me that we can afford to put additional people on a State sponsored insurance program. But you will. What you can’t tell me though is how many doctors will accept these new patients. It will be few to none. And why would they take on additional patients the State is supposed to pay for when the State is so far behind now on paying medical providers. Or are you going to tell us all that is not true either. Well I know for a fact that the medical providers are being paid 8-10 months late for their services. Care to argue that FACT?
Comment by Little Egypt Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 6:25 pm
Two things we know for sure:
Rich needs to buy a UPS with heavy duty batteries for his computer
GRT is deader than disco
Comment by GRT RIP Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 6:44 pm
So in summation, the GA will kill the GRT, then pass their own solution, gov will veto, GA will overide and MM will be proven to be our problem/challenges solver. I love it when THE plan comes together. Oh, by the way, gov’s staff - memo to the chief “you aren’t The King” apologies to all you Elvis fans.
Comment by A Citizen Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 6:50 pm
steve schnorf - If blogo has proposed this as an idea to be discussed through out the state rather than a done deal & my way or the highway, I would think different. What occurred was a surprise announcement and vilification of ANYBODY who had less than nice things to say about it.
If the GRT had been presented as a starting point, “I have an idea - what do you think?” An then have a wide ranging discussion about what types of health care should be funded - life support for babies with hydroceliphius, no, prenatal and well baby care, yes. Nose jobs, no. Broken bones, yes.
The list can go on. I believe the State of Oregon did something like this a few years ago. As I recall, they came up with a list of nearly 600 illnesses and diseases that were prioritized for funding. Through state wide discussion, there was agreement on health care
In stead of a war, there would have been much greater acceptance if there had been an openness and a willingness to compremise.
This is a topic that shouldn’t have been rammed through is a few months. Public official A fumbled badly.
Comment by Huh? Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 6:53 pm
demgrrl - From the previous thread, you made a comment that you didn’t believe that the state wasn’t living beyond it means. How about nearly $1 billion in unpaid medicare bills. How much of that unpaid balance will be rolled over to next year’s budget? How long is the wait for payment by doctors and other medical providers? 30 days? More like months if they are lucky enough to stay in business long enough to collect.
Also demgrrl, if you are a state employee and used a state computer, you do not have a constitutional right to be here. You used state equipment on state time for non-state business. You violated ethics rules not to mention various personnel policies forbidding such activities.
Comment by Huh? Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 6:59 pm
I think most people on this board should just recycle their comments from the fee increase debates. You know the ones; This is the end of Rod, voters won’t back him and there is no way he can be elected again. Yet here we are, 5 years later and Rod is still Gov., most of you are still making the same comments and predictions. You lost, he handed you your butts on a platter in the election. At least he has a plan out there. Where are yours?
Comment by Anon Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 7:00 pm
Well, I am a Republican and have been all of my life. But I also spent all of my life in the State’s service and in the last 15-20 years have watched state parks, historic sites, roadways, and really important core programs slowly crumble from excellence to near ruin through the fecklessness of a succession of irresponsible governors and legislatures of both parties who put pork barrel politics and give-aways ahead of meeting the State’s responsibility to take care of those things that are actually the State’s responsibility. So I must grudgingly admit that at this point only the Governor has had the backbone to put forward a viable proposal that arguably can put State revenues in line with the State’s financial obligations and commitments. I have no doubt that no matter how much money is raised, much of it will be spent irresponsibly by our General Assembly, but at least the GRT offers some hope that enough funds will be left over to take care of those things for which the State actually has constitutional and moral obligations. This obviously does not include universal health care, by the way.
Comment by Skirmisher Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 7:06 pm
Anon, you forgot to tell us how much better off we are with the result. NOT !! Bwah ha ha haaaa!
Comment by A Citizen Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 7:06 pm
Demgrl,
Since Rod has become Guv the state’s budget has continued to rise. We have more than doubled what we owe in bond debt. Our payments to medical providers have almost ground to a halt and all he has managed to do is turn state government into his own PR machine. The states finances are worse off by owing $15-20 billion in new debt and now he wants the lifeblood of the state to pony up more money - to the tune of $8 billion per year. For what? His pie in the sky feel good programs that don’t work?
Can’t he fix what is broken before throwing more good money after bad? He is a BAD manager but a great campaigner. And he should NOT be allowed to have $8 billion in new money to play around with. He has proven that he can’t control his spending, especially if his proposals will boost his poll numbers.
His fiscal management has already ruined the state. Why let it continue?
Comment by Papa Legba Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 7:11 pm
How about NO NEW TAXES, CUT GOVERNMENT, CUT SPENDING!
Pretty simple, even for Grod.
But he can’t wait to get his gruby little hands on everyone’s money.
forgetaboutit!
Comment by Welfare State Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 7:13 pm
Pony up those federal subpoenas MilaRod!
Shoulda leveled with the voters before the election about your new tax scheme.
Comment by From Northside Hideout Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 7:22 pm
When this session is over, the governor will have been effectively marginalized by the GA and more importantly MM. This will likely last through the balance of his term and he will simply fade into history as an ineffective leader who had promise but failed to follow through as a statesman and provide the leadership the state needed. Mike Madagin will again show his effectiveness as a quiet leader and statesman. The good news is that Blago can relax, the press will stop trying to talk to him . . . he will have become irrelevant.
Comment by A Citizen Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 7:23 pm
http://www.hoinews.com/news/news_story.aspx?id=34855
Comment by NP Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 7:39 pm
Since the last $10 billion POB (of which $2.1 BILLION was used as a one time revenue to fund current expenses because our tax system is so antiquated) the unfunded liability has grown by $7.1 billion. How can the guv say that he has put more money into the pensions than any other.
He put $10 billion of borrowed money into them (which then made Illinois the 2nd largest debt per capita state -not including pension debt) and then he skirted over $2 billion the past two years, which we are now paying back at 8.0%.
Even under the current proposed pension payment schedule - you can almost figure out (because the budget isn’t clear at all) that all actuarial data doesn’t matter anymore, the guv just decided we should fund them at an extra $280 million a year - well that makes sense, make it easier for you for the next three years.
If we are going to be 83% funded right away, why does it take until 2040 to get to 90%??
Comment by Help us Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 7:56 pm
Help Us - you will have to ask Demgrrl about the pension. She seems to have all the answers today. At least she believes in her boss - Public Official A.
Comment by Little Egypt Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 8:06 pm
The state goverment needs to learn to spend only the money that is brought in. I know this means Gov. Elvis wont be able to give state contracts to all his campaign contributors some will be disapointed maybe Emil jones wont be able to put his whole family on the statepayroll but sacrafices need to be made. The bank wont give me a mortgage on a million dollar house unless I have the means to repay the loan. But the state goverment keeps coming up with more and more socialist plans and spending money we dont have. Blago cut state goverment cut spending pay into the state pensions you havent shown you can wisely spend the money the state takes in now giving you more to waste on tollway signs with your name on them or no bid contracts to donors or outside law firms to fight freedom of information requests for supeonas into corruption of you administration you dont need more money the state needs less stupid expensess
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 8:08 pm
ENRON and the accounting for the State of Illinois are beginning to have a lot in common. Creative accounting is reaching new heights here in the Land of Lincoln.
Comment by Poolside from Hotel Ibiza Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 8:10 pm
Wow, demgrrl sure had a hard time today. So did the GA. What was accomplished? I think that the Gov got his point across and answered questions well. The business mouthpieces made their sky is falling argument. Labor made their point and the eggheads confused everyone including each other. Outside, AARP trotted out a lot of angry senior citizens who tried to make themselves feel better by yelling slogans while their hero Bradley ran the show inside the House Chamber.The Speaker sure looked like he was enjoying himself and the process.Senators ignored the whole spectacle and went about their routine committee work. Eighteen bloggers demanded that Rod release the subpeonas that their hero Fitz asked the Gov not to release. So where are we? Who knows, but this sure is fun!
Steve,
Don’t take criticism of the ‘95 ramp so personally, even though it was mostly your fault. Actually it was pretty far sighted on Jim’s part to realize that the dems would be stuck with the bill. Why don’t we just have another ramp with balloon payments required in the 22nd century. The Repubs may be back in control by then and they can worry about paying up.
Ill trade you a higher threshold (25,000,000) for the GRT for a 1% raise in the income tax and sales tax on services if you cut the property tax swap to 10%. Sell the lotto and some pob’s and we are done for a couple decades and don’t forget about that pesky 10th license. No slots for the tracks though! It would ruin the purity of the “sport”!
Deal?
Comment by Bill Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 8:18 pm
I can’t believe the Gov left the hearing and didn’t listen to what anyone else had to say. How rude and what a non-team player. The state of Illinois should not take on any new programs until all debts are paid.
Comment by Herself Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 8:19 pm
Ya, he sure got his point across with $5.00 a gallon gas comment. Is that before or after the GRT?
Comment by Xray one Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 8:25 pm
Bill it’s good to see you giving up on the GRT and Rod too - a twofer, so to speak. You’re right though, MM is enjoying his victory(ies). Betcha Lisa M becomes a shoein before the dust settles.
Comment by A Citizen Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 8:30 pm
Steve, most ambitious yes - credible no. Proposing and carrying through are two separate things. The media has seen too many Blago initiatives that were more PR statements than effective programs.
Comment by Norseman Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 8:32 pm
A,
I’m not giving up just trying to throw a bone to the swap crowd. Don’t count Rod out yet and try not to be so hard on demgrrl.
I smell money out there. How we get it doesn’t matter much to me.
Comment by Bill Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 8:34 pm
Bill, that wasn’t me pick’n on demgrrl. You know the old adage - Republicans date democrat women before they get married and settle down - so they can remember what fun was really like.
Comment by A Citizen Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 8:39 pm
Not that you apparently care or listen, but told you to buy a generator MONTHS ago. Maybe you could save some of your beer money for that.
Comment by ole timer Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 8:39 pm
Rich and Paul,
Great job on the coverate today, much appreciated!
Comment by Holdingontomywallet Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 9:17 pm
Coverage - long day!
Comment by Holdingontomywallet Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 9:18 pm
The GRT might not be such a bad idea if it were proposed under different circumstances - meaning if there wasn’t a $6 billion tax increase involved. If it were proposed without exemptions, it could truly be at a low rate and John Filan would be happy with its broad base and you could get rid of the evil corporate income tax, the sales tax and the schools portion of the property tax. That should be the starting point of the GRT. After that, then you can talk about raising it a tad to fund any additional ideas. It just seems irrational to me to add this tax without changing or eliminating any of the existing taxes, especially those that are vilified and named as the reason for proposing today’s version of the GRT. One last thing: if the corporate income tax is so bad and corporate tax loopholes are so evil, why did the manufacturers purchase credit get reinstated?
Comment by Regnad Kcin Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 10:08 pm
3:03: I have a hard time believing that lawmakers have heard anything today that is that truly novel or persuasive.
Rich, three years ago they went through this same scenario with a slight increase in the foundation level and did nothing substantial. We are seeing the affects of indicision - games played with dollar shifting. Mr. Ganulious may be a nice person but we all know it’s going to take people sitting down to agree on just 5 things. Paying people off in letters of understanding isn’t fixing the revenue or spending side its exacerbating the situation.
The sacrifices that we as taxpayers are making - and I heard about the one woman who was a case worker that couldn’t get the medical attention she needed from the union person - are the ones that have to sacrifice. A gallon of gas is twice the cost of my cup of coffee in the morning. At the grocery store over the past few days everything has gone up by .20 cents except chicken nuggets and they went up by $2 at Jewel. I shop at Target because it’s 20% lower in almost all cases for food. I fill up my tank half way because it takes me 4 hours of working to pay for a full tank of gas and I live 18 miles from where I work. A trip to the emergency room costs $1300 for my child because it was on a weekend and she was alergic to a medication she was taking for tonsilitis. I can’t believe our Governor is so clueless to think that we would benefit with a GRT. GRT is a crime and a spineless way to make the end user “me” have to pay for what really needs to be done - give me property tax relief and let EVERYONE share the burden in a balance equitable format. Having employers pick up the burden is just begging for them to look elsewhere than the State of Illinois.
Illinois needs to start paying its bills.
Comment by Tired of it Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 10:12 pm
Bill,
Where the heck have you been all day? It’s not easy trying to set all the uninformed blago-haters straight. But I sure have a good time doing it.
Help Us says that the state is paying back $2 billion used from the POB — which was used to close that record $5 billion budget deficit blago inherited — at 8%. Well, not quite — the pob is being paid back at 5%. The pension debt that he inherited (a record $43 billion) is being paid back at 8.5% under the 95 plan. So, what’s better for taxpayers — paying back a debt at 5% or 8.5%? I think that answer is pretty clear. As for “creating” the second largest debt per capita after issuing the pob, well what did you think the pension debt was? That was also a debt, but blago refinanced it at a lower rate.
papa legba — yes, bonded debt did go up under blago because of the pob, but he used those proceeds to pay down another existing debt. the state’s overall debt was already at a record high when he took office. If you really want to blame anyone for the state’s bonded debt then thank mr. ryan for illinois first.
Comment by demgrrl Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 10:57 pm
demgrrl, I got the impression from Bill that you are one foxy lady. Please post a pic as we old Repubs really do want to reminise about the good ole days. On a bit less sexist note, you are a darn good fill in for Bill when he is out.
Comment by A Citizen Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 11:03 pm
To whom it may concern:
I think we have to stop criticizing the Governor for BOTH the state’s bonded indebtedness AND the level of pension funding. I believe it’s an argument where you have to take one side or the other.
Personally, I think the POB’s are one of the best things the Governor has done. He didn’t increase the state’s indebtedness at all (I wish he hadn’t used so much of the $10B for short term budgetary relief, but I understand why he did).
If you remember, the Ryan administration asked for legislative approval to do POBs in the ‘03 budget ($6B). And, Bill, I actually suggested POBs within the Edgar administration in ‘95 as a partial solution to the pension problem, but they were a pretty new concept then, done only by a few local governments around the country, and the idea didn’t get any traction.
Comment by steve schnorf Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 11:12 pm
little egypt,
sorry, I almost forgot you! So, you know for a fact that the state is behind paying medicaid providers by 8-10 months? Well, put your cards on the table and point us to which hospital, doctor, nursing home or other medicaid provider is behind by that long. I’m gonna bet that you won’t. The medicaid payment cycle average is around 50 days. docs are getting paid within 30 to 60 days depending on who they treat. if it were as bad as you say, why would the illinois hospital assn and nearly every other health care assn in this state (with the not so surprising exception of the GOP dominated state medical society) be backing the grt and gov’s health care plan? probably because the majority of the health care community thinks that this is the right thing to do. the admin has added 500,000 people to health care over the last 3 or 4 years and the payment cycle and debt has actually gone down.
Just the facts LE, just the facts.
Comment by demgrrl Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 11:15 pm
Bill, dmmgrrl, et al - you guys are sure working late, burning the midnight oil so to speak. The GRT is on life support and circling the drain fast. Give it up, get a good nights rest and watch a professional in action tomorrow. The Speaker will be The man of the day!
Comment by A Citizen Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 11:23 pm
Demgrrl, if the supplemental doesn’t pass, my guess is the end of year unpaid medicaid balance will be right at a new record. That simply means that the ‘07 budget underfunded the liability by probably between $1.5 and $1.7 billion. In and of itself, I don’t see that as any great crime.
But, pretending or believing it’s not true is more worrisome. Why do you think the administration didn’t take Hynes up on his suggestion of immediate $650M in payments? Do you know, because the answer is really quite simple?
There are 3 ways to deal with budget shortfalls; increasing revenue, decreasing spending, or playing “I pretend”. Most budgets have pieces of all 3. The keys are 1) the mix and, 2) knowing which is which.
Comment by steve schnorf Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 11:29 pm
Unfortunately, nothing that I have seen indicates that there will be a significant capital program funded through the GRT - so it will not meet all of the existing needs of the state. State facilities are falling into significant states of disrepair, proceeding to that point when it will be prohibitively expensive to repair them. Perhaps that is part of the plan - then there is a justification for privatizing all DHS services (mental health, developmentally disabled, forensic services, rehabilitation) along with veterans nursing homes and the big gorilla - corrections. Those privatization contracts would certainly provide a rich reward for all the friends of both the governor and Mr. Jones.
Comment by In the Sticks Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 11:37 pm
Demgrrl,
BTW, don’t think of me as a “blago-hater”. I actually like most of his agenda. I support substantially incresed education funding, I support expanded pre-school and early childhood education, I support expanded access to health-care coverage (Kid-Care didn’t just “happen”).
I have to admit that I don’t understand his methods sometimes. But, most of all, I’m disappointed that he previously hasn’t taken the financial situation on as aggressively as he might have.
He was boxed in during his first term by his tax pledge, unfortunate but understandable. For the life of me I can’t understand why he renewed the pledge in his second campaign. But in my mind there is no arguing with the fact that substantively he is moving to address the financial issues with his current proposals.
Comment by steve schnorf Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 11:42 pm
demgrrl,
You win the award!!! Your 10:57 post was the first mention of George Ryan being the problem. Congrats.
But… Five years of being Guv and the mess still isn’t cleaned up. IMHO, Blago needs to give it up and raise taxes or figure out which end of the mop is the business end. The state is wallowing in the same morass, although a bit deeper, that it was when Rod took office.
The only other politician I am aware of who didn’t get it after five years in office is George W. And he is a big time screw-up.
Comment by Papa Legba Thursday, May 10, 07 @ 12:02 am
Demgrrl, I’ll put my money where my mouth is. What’s with this “point US to which hospital, doctor, nursing home or other medicaid provider is behind by that long?” I called the nursing home in Southern Illinois that my mother WAS in (she is now deceased) and talked with the administrator whom I got to know on a very personal basis. The last time she saw a check from the State was last July, just after the beginning of the fiscal year. If you want, tomorrow I will call the nursing home in Springfield where my mother-in-law WAS in (she is now recently deceased as well) and talk to the administrator there. I would be surprised if their story is any different. Do you not consider nursing homes to be medical providers? Do you believe that our most precious people, our aging parents and other relatives, should be given substandard care just because the State is “balancing” (that’s a hoot) the budget on the backs of the people who are most defenseless? Do you not understand that when minimum wage people desperately need a job, live from paycheck to paycheck, and don’t get paid timely, they look for another minimum wage job that promises them a regular paycheck they can take to the bank and cash? Do you not understand how this scenario causes a horrid turnover of employees in the nursing homes and causes more confusion for our elderly patients who barely get to know their caregivers one month and next month get to try to remember names of new caregivers? Do you not understand by not being reimbursed by the State for 9-10 months that means that the admnistrator herself sometimes goes without a paycheck so her employees can have one? Do you not understand that the old delapidated barely functioning TV in the rec room cannot be replaced because THERE IS NO MONEY? Do you not understand that my mother’s toilet overflowed on a daily basis becaue the sewer system in the nursing home is in desperate need of repair but those repairs cannot be made because your Guvna thinks we should give blanket insurance to people BEFORE reimbursing the nursing homes? Do you not understand this basic concept? And since you happen to be privy to statistics, why don’t you look up the daily reimbursement cost per nursing home patient for the Chicago area versus Southern Illinois and tell me please why the rate is different? Do you believe that workers in Southern Illinois work less than the Chicago workers? Just explain to me how the State can justify that difference.
The hospital association is backing this bill because they are HOPING more money will mean more timely payments to hospitals (I personally know their head lobbyist). The Medical Society is NOT backing this GRT because they know better. Don’t start with the Medical Society - I used to work for them before retiring and if you harp on them you better darned well know what you are talking about.
You are definitely a Blago plant and as far as I’m concerned you can’t see the forest for the trees. You can continue to run off at the mouth all you want. But your “facts” and figures don’t impress me at all. Defend your Guvna and this GRT all you want. I don’t intend to back down from my opinion and neither will you. However, what you say really doesn’t matter to me at all. Being loyal to the Democratic party is one thing. But being so blindly loyal makes you very uncredible. You make Bill look like a saint. I’M SO DONE WITH YOU!!!!! I had one good nerve left and you just got on it. MY MOTHER DESERVED BETTER THAN SHE GOT.
Comment by Little Egypt Thursday, May 10, 07 @ 12:11 am
How about this….I don’t CARE if they fund state employee pensions or not. State employees are seriously overcompensated against what they could earn in the market, and they should be able to save tons of bucks for their retirements.
If the state retirement system has to cut back
on their hefty pension checks a bit, well, welcome to the real world where most people have NO guaranteed, defined benefit pension plus free lifetime healthcare.
Comment by Cassandra Thursday, May 10, 07 @ 1:02 am
Medical society??
Aren’t they the ones who sell themselves expensive malpractice insurance and then extort their downstate patients by threatening to move to St. Louis if they can’t get tort reform.
demgrrl,
Im sorry, I haven’t been here but the entertainment at the Capitol is pretty interesting. You are doing a great job. Keep it up. You got Little e so upset he has started using capitol letters again!
Comment by Bill Thursday, May 10, 07 @ 5:17 am
Bad day in store the Guv today, with many more to follow. . . . . .
Comment by Easy Does It Thursday, May 10, 07 @ 7:16 am