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* 9:45 am - The House is currently debating House Resolution 25, which “Urges the support of the electorate on the question of whether a Constitutional Convention should be called and encourages the electorate’s attention to this initiative.”
Listen or watch it here.
* 10:06 am - The resolution was adopted.
* 10:30 am Bagels in Skip’s office for C’s birthday.
* 12:22 pm - The Senate just announced that when they adjourn today they won’t reconvene until next Thursday.
* 1:15 pm - The Senate has adjourned. The leaders meeting actually started a little ahead of time today.
* 1:21 pm - While you’re waiting for the leaders meeting to wrap up, check out this Illinois Channel video of the House vs. Senate softball game. It’s very good…
* 1:43 pm - Daley speaks again…
Chicago Mayor Richard Daley is again urging lawmakers to reach a compromise in their budget impasse in Springfield.
Daley said the situation at the Capitol was a “War of the Roses.” That’s a phrase often used to describe feuding couples in a contentious divorce.
He also compared the situation to a boxing match where opponents have staked out different corners. Daley said he wants them to come into the ring and work out a deal.
* 2:51 pm - LOL. From the comments…
Huh. Here I thought the “War of the Roses” referred to the English civil war between different factions of the same family.
Leave it to the press to mess up on the rare occasion when Daley makes an apt cultural comparison.
* 3:10 pm - It should be interesting to see how they’ll spin this when the leaders meeting ends…
Illinois lawmakers left the state Capitol today despite the governor’s call for them to spend at least five days a week working on a new budget.
The House adjourned until Tuesday. The Senate went home for a full week — until next Thursday.
The Senate’s adjournment came as a surprise. President Emil Jones had recently said the Senate would be in session every day. […]
Senate Majority Leader Debbie Halvorson says it’s a waste of time for rank & file lawmakers to spend every day in Springfield when they have work to do in their districts.
* 3:18 pm - A theory from a reporter friend, who thinks the weeklong adjournment may be about making sure Jones’ members get paid…
Emil’s adjournment until Thursday strikes me as a setup for Blago calling everybody into special session and back on the per diem gravy train.
Madigan outmanuvered Blago when he responded to the call for lawmakers to work harder by creating a 5-day workweek. Now the ball is in Emil’s court to come up with a way to pay people. My guess is this is something that Emil and Blago came up with together.
* 3:53 pm - This is probably a better explanation for the adjournment. As mentioned by a couple of commenters, the Council of State Governments’ annual spring meeting is next week in Puerto Rico.
* 3:59 pm - The meetings are over and we’re processing the audio.
* 4:01 pm - Deputy Governor Sheila Nix claimed that the Speaker’s budget plan has a self-admitted $800 million hole.
Nix also said that Speaker Madigan doesn’t support an operational subsidy for the CTA.
She added that the governor and Sen. Jones would like a better deal for Cook County property taxpayers than the “7 percent solution” version passed by the House.
There will be a leaders meeting at the beginning of the week, according to Nix.
Nix audio…
* 4:09 pm - Speaker Michael Madigan pointed out that the 7 percent bill passed the House overwhelmingly and just flew out of a Senate committee unanimously. He aimed a couple of digs at Assessor Houlihan.
“The governor didn’t indicate his availability” for leaders meetings. “You might want to check the plane schedules.”
Downstate Democrats want to connect electric rates to budget negotiations, not him, Madigan said.
The governor suggested “closing corporate loopholes or the gross receipts tax” for CTA funding, the Speaker claimed.
Madigan audio…
* 4:15 pm - Senate President Emil Jones repeated his claim that Madigan’s budget is not balanced and isn’t sufficient to satisfy the “needs” of education or health care. But, he said he would support anything that will keep government running and avoid a shutdown.
Jones said that the Senate had passed a 7 percent solution bill twice, but complained that the House had watered it down. Trouble for that bill.
What will you do between now and Thursday? “Rest,” Jones said.
House Bill 1 “doesn’t go far enough,” he said. That’s the House-approved ethics bill which newspaper editorial boards have been calling on Jones to pass.
There’s no guarantee that a sales tax for mass transit could pass the Senate, he said, because of the serious problems with the RTA administration. He wants money redistributed towards the CTA.
Jones audio…
* 4:20 pm - OK, that’s probably it for me. A few of us are taking Paul out for his birthday dinner and then heading to Two Brothers for that infamous birthday drink of theirs. If you want to stop by, feel free.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jun 7, 07 @ 9:47 am
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this is quite interesting, in that the dividing line on support/opposition does NOT seem to be the party aisle (though no vote yet, so we’ll see). it actually looks like a DEBATE for once, and not just a formality of statements to be read into the record. are we sure this is the IL legislature?
Comment by anon Thursday, Jun 7, 07 @ 10:02 am
Fritchy is wrong. This legislation does not ‘put the power in the people’s hands.’ It merely suggests that the House urges a convention. A convention will be filled with partisan hacks who will protect political interests - just as it always has. The power of the people has nothing to do with it.
Comment by Oh C'Mon! Thursday, Jun 7, 07 @ 10:05 am
It is romantic nonsense to think that a constitutional convention will tackle the difficult issues that the legislature, governor, and electorate (through referenda) have failed to tackle. If you pull a bad pickle out of a pickle barrel, why would you think that the next pickle pulled out will be any different?
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jun 7, 07 @ 10:11 am
Hopefully Blago and his ilk will be indicted before the Constitutional Convention is held.
If not, they should be BANNED!
Comment by Chicago Federales Thursday, Jun 7, 07 @ 10:13 am
The constitutional convention should adopt a recall provision for elected leaders…then the voters would have a chance to correct a mistake a lot sooner than waiting until Nov. 2010.
Comment by Crimefighter Thursday, Jun 7, 07 @ 10:23 am
The people at the table are elected to be there from the senate districts. It’s time for more good work to go forward. Thirty years ago we were listening to 8 track tapes, didn’t have PC that even portable, the Viet Nam war had just shortly ended, less people were college educated, factury jobs were available, the Berlin wall was still up, email wasn’t a word, Bill Gates was just quitting college to work on micro computers, the shuttle space program wasn’t available, ABC - CBS - and NBC were the major TV stations at the time, remote control wasn’t available, mobile phones were mounted to the hump in the car and didn’t work well, domestic partners refered to individuals who were of the opposite sex and not married which was taboo back in the day, Little house on the Prairie was the show we watched, Ronald Reagan was the governor of California?, PLEASE. Our lives have changed so significantly from 30 years ago that more must be done. You heard them today, our elected representatives could not get any changes to the constitution out of rules. Something is wrong with this picture. Of course then you have the Governor completely going against the constitution with noone standing up to him when he dissolved the ISBE and appointed people. That’s clearly against the constitution.
Comment by game plan Thursday, Jun 7, 07 @ 10:26 am
Crimefighter,
California’s recall shenanigans were a hugely expensive circus. You’re telling me that with all the debt our state has you’re cool with footing the bill for partisan hackery in future inane recalls? Please.
Besides, our lege has the ability to impeach a statewide officer (and, IIRC, appointees such as cabinet officers). There’s your recall option — convince your Rep. and Sen. to initiate impeachment proceedings.
Comment by Rob_N Thursday, Jun 7, 07 @ 10:48 am
Congratulations to Representative Fritchey and the majority of voting members who supported the resolution. The essence of self-government is trusting the people and our constitution has a few serious flaws and several minor flaws that should be addressed. The core of opposition to a constitutional convention is fear: fear of the electorate from making decisions. There is something a bit pathetic about that public policy position — implying that the people are to be trusted to elect the General Assembly but not to elect a constitutional convention and decide whether to ratify any proposed amendments.
Comment by Dan Johnson-Weinberger Thursday, Jun 7, 07 @ 10:56 am
If you think a ConCon will actually make government more accountable and responsive to the needs of the electorate, think again.
First, the same political organizations and fiefdoms that currently control the legislature will choose and elect the delegate slate. The chance getting anyone politically independent elected is slim and none.
A ConCon would be a feeding frenzy for every lobbying group that does business here.
The politicians pulling the strings would reap a fortune from special interests and lobbyists and the people of Illinois would be trampled like grass.
With the current leadership and political climate in Illinois, a ConCon would be a Pandora’s box that would be disastrous for the state.
Comment by PalosParkBob Thursday, Jun 7, 07 @ 11:07 am
game plan,
You could say the same thing about the US Constitution. Heck we didn’t even have cars, TVs, radios, deliverable electricity, telegrams, etc. Yet that constitution still works.
Comment by cermak_rd Thursday, Jun 7, 07 @ 11:19 am
PalosParkBob — there are no incumbents in a con-con. You seem to forget that the people have to vote on any proposed amendments. The people can’t be “trampled like grass” if we get to decide whether an amendment is adopted or not.
Comment by Dan Johnson-Weinberger Thursday, Jun 7, 07 @ 11:20 am
I fully support a Con Con. This may be the first step in the right direction for once. Good job!
I also wish the mysterious C a happy birthday. I could sure go for a bagel right now! LOL
Comment by jwscott72 Thursday, Jun 7, 07 @ 11:29 am
someone should mention that not only was the resolution adopted, it only passed by one vote (48-47-2) pretty fascinating roll call… go check it out. not that often that you’ll see the Speaker and Bill Black voting one way (YES!) and Barbara Flynn Currie and Tom Cross voting the other (NO).
Comment by polly Thursday, Jun 7, 07 @ 11:36 am
PPB - so come up with an idea. and for cermak - this is not the US constitution. The uniqueness of the State Constitution is that it belongs to the State as long as it does not cross the intent of the US constitution. US constitution does not define education as Kentucky does - or the rest of the states. We need recall in this State. What a better way, to PPB point bad leadership, than to have recall available to remove bad leadership. In Congress they have the capacity to amend the Constitution and it’s allowed. If you heard the speakers today, they put the bills in there to cahnge the Ill Constitution and they never come out. Even bi-partisan bills to modify the consitution. Let our young people have a say in their state.
Comment by game plan Thursday, Jun 7, 07 @ 11:37 am
PalosParkBob - What will be a lobbyist feeding frenzy WON’T be the Con-Con, but rather will be the effort to prevent it. some of the biggest special interest dogs out there (NRA, AFL-CIO, etc) realize that they can’t exert the same control over delegates than that they can over legislators and will (and have) come out in strong opposition.
Comment by anonymiss Thursday, Jun 7, 07 @ 11:39 am
one more thing - bob said, “With the current leadership and political climate in Illinois, a ConCon would be a Pandora’s box that would be disastrous for the state.” - if you’re unhappy with the current leadership and political climate, then you should be in support of a Con-Con. opposition to it is throwing up your hands and saying you’re OK with the status-quo.
Comment by anonymiss Thursday, Jun 7, 07 @ 11:42 am
To PPB, It may or may not be the case that special interests will benefit. I would note, that the special interests across the spectrum were against the resolution. That would lead me to think that they don’t expect to have the same level of control with a ConCon that they do with the usual system.
Comment by muon Thursday, Jun 7, 07 @ 11:42 am
[…] Rich Miller is reporting that the Illinois House has approved a resolution which “Urges the support of the electorate on the question of whether a Constitutional Convention should be called and encourages the electorate’s attention to this initiative.” […]
Pingback by Time for a new state constitution? Yes, but that’s why we won’t have one | Peoria Pundits Thursday, Jun 7, 07 @ 11:45 am
One major problem with a constitutional convention is that the voters must approve one before the General Assembly adopts rules indicating how delegates are to be selected. How can people be expected to vote without first knowing what process will be used? I agree with Dan Johnson-Weinberger that the public should be trusted; but without first knowing the rules, we can’t truly be sure that it will be the public that will actually be deciding these matters.
Comment by Squideshi Thursday, Jun 7, 07 @ 11:56 am
We all discussed this last week, too. To Mr. Johnson-Weinberger: Your argument is well-founded and elequent. I see your point about the “core” opposition. However, can you see another, non-core reason for opposing it… i.e. that a new “Con-Con” has the potential to be and will most likely be a vehicle to concentrate even more power in the hands of the current power structure? I am all for giving power to the people and do trust them to make decisions. However, I think if a new convention is called, regardless of the positive intentions, it will be the same players proposing new ways to acquire even more power at our expense. And the people who optimistically voted for it would have been sold a bill of goods as opposed to a bill of rights. I believe we will have less freedom under a new Constitution. And, I forget who said it last week but the ‘70 delegates had a lot of hacks. There is no reason to think the next group would be better; there is evidence to indicate they would be worse. Finally, as with most issues, I believe bloggers, in general, are having more constructive and reasoned discussions about the issues facing our state than many of the legislators.
Comment by Reality Thursday, Jun 7, 07 @ 12:01 pm
What are these “new ways to acquire even more power at our expense” that you are so worried about, Reality? What “new ways” would earn the support of a majority of the electorate? There’s an odd strain of this argument that somehow the legislators who were elected by the people — none of whom were forced to vote for the incumbents — are not legitimate representatives. Squideshi, what rules for electing a con-con would you want to see? I think the sooner we discuss and debate actual proposals, the sooner we move away from boogeymen. Our state constitution should permit a graduated income tax rate. Our state constitution should requre the state to finance 50% of the cost of public education. Our state constitution should give citizens a right to access all government documents. Our state constitution does not do so today. Those are some reasons why we should embrace a statewide discussion and debate over the structure of our government. That’s healthy. And it’s somewhat sad to reject the debate because you’re scared of the potential outcome — especially for people who don’t particularly like the status quo! That’s the position I don’t understand: (a) I think the status quo is bad and (b) I oppose a statewide debate and discussion on improving our government because the people in power might still be in a position to influence the debate. Well, people who get elected *should* be in a position to influence the debate, and if you don’t like what they do or say, then elect somebody else.
Comment by Dan Johnson-Weinberger Thursday, Jun 7, 07 @ 12:23 pm
As I have commented before, I learned in my time working for government that things CAN be made worse, frequently are, and quite often by sincere, well-intentioned people.
Comment by steve schnorf Thursday, Jun 7, 07 @ 12:32 pm
Well said, Steve.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Thursday, Jun 7, 07 @ 12:53 pm
Or even by the not so well-intentioned folks, like the “Let’s Ban Gay Marriage” folks or the “Let’s End Affirmative Action” folks or the “Let’s Allow Prayer in School” folks.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Thursday, Jun 7, 07 @ 12:54 pm
Rob_N — Crimefighter,
>California’s recall shenanigans were a hugely expensive circus. You’re telling me that with all the debt our state has you’re cool with footing the bill for partisan hackery in future inane recalls? Please.
Yeah and Gray Davis got kicked out of office for his reckless and horrible job as governor, effectively ending his political career in disgrace. I’m glad to know at least ONE person is shedding tears for his demise. Gray left a huge mess and he got exactly what he deserved.
>Besides, our lege has the ability to impeach a statewide officer (and, IIRC, appointees such as cabinet officers). There’s your recall option — convince your Rep. and Sen. to initiate impeachment proceedings.
Yeah right, the congress can be convinced by us voters to throw a governor out of office. You’re living in dreamland. The state congress will NEVER EVER impeach Hot Rod. The powerful will protect each other and nothing will happen, as it always does, because they’re in power and we are all peons. The only way Hot Rod’s coming out is that Patrick Fitzgerald hands down a list of criminal charges forcing the governor to step aside. So I am very much for a recall provision on elected leaders when they abuse their authority and other elected leaders refuse to do anything about it. If we had one maybe George Ryan wouldn’t have had a chance to let all the mass murders off of death row, certainly now with Hot Rod leaving scorched earth where Illinois once stood while he continues to hide in his condo in Chicago.
Comment by Crimefighter Thursday, Jun 7, 07 @ 1:01 pm
“Many problems started out as solution.”
- Eric Sevareid
Some people think that a con-con is the solution to all of our current ills.
This is one instance that the “Precautionary Principle” ought to be used.
Comment by Huh? Thursday, Jun 7, 07 @ 1:06 pm
There are a few items that need cleaning up, but these can be addressed by amendments to the current state constitution. For example: for the past eight years, there were proposals to merge the Comptroller and the Treasurer’s Offices. The main sticking point was which name to call the successor office — each political party wanted to name it after the one held by their incumbent. How is it, that this merger issue has gone away when both offices are now held by one party?
Also, our state constitution says that all citizens over the age of 21 shall be qualified to vote in elections (Article III, Section 1). This obviously needs updating, based on federal action since 1970.
The saddest part of our current State Constitution is the wonderful Preamble. Some idealists might say that the preamble states what state government is intended to do, and the rest is just how state government is to be structured to carry out this public policy intent. Unfortunately, the courts have consistently ruled that the Preamble is merely prose, and the constitutional language to be enforced begins with Article I that follows it.
Comment by capitol view Thursday, Jun 7, 07 @ 1:10 pm
Huh; that quote is the best I’ve ever seen the point made.
Comment by steve schnorf Thursday, Jun 7, 07 @ 1:19 pm
Rich, what can you tell us about rate relief? I thought it was back on the Senate schedule for today? I also keep hearing that a solution might be imminent.
Comment by So Ill Thursday, Jun 7, 07 @ 1:25 pm
“So Ill” they threatened to move the freeze today, but backed down. Negotiations continue.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Jun 7, 07 @ 1:34 pm
Thanks, Rich. Much appreciated. i knew they were meeting today, but…well, anything else is conjecture.
Comment by So Ill Thursday, Jun 7, 07 @ 1:36 pm
To all asking for a “better idea” to a ConCon, I’d like to inform that constitutions can be ammended without one. This allows “tweaking” without putting the sound, necessary foundations included in the Constitution at risk.
It is very hard, as it should be, to ammend the Constitution, but it can be done if a change is so important that a large consensus of the government and voters believe the change is vital and has overwhelming merit.
For example, if you want to remove the constitutional protection of public employee pensions, create an ammendment to do so. I doubt it has vital and overwhelming merit to result in approval, however.
Want to force the state to fund 50% of K-12 public education in Illinois? You can do it by ammendment.
Better yet, you can just elect a legislature and Guv to do it WITHOUT a constitutional change. That hasn’t happened, and its because, when push comes to shove, the people of Illinois really having what little loocal control of school taxation and operations that we currently “enjoy”.
By the way, don’t forget that the constitution states that a goal is for the state to have the primary responsibility for funding an EFFICIENT system of public education in Illinois.
If you want to debate that public education wouldn’t be adequately funded at double the current state contributions to K-12 education in Illinois were it run efficiently, bring it on(in another thread).
Try legislating efficiency into any government and you’re bound to be in for a losing union/patronage battle.
The fact is that there is no need to throw out the “baby with the bathwater” by canning the constitution with the ConCon.
As far as lobbyist opposition to a ConCon, they probably don’t want to pay for buying the same property twice.
They’ve already bought the legislature, why should they want to have to also buy Con Con delgates?
All a Concon will do is ensure that a delegate “tyranny of the minority” will force its will on the rest of us for the next 40 years
Comment by PalosParkBob Thursday, Jun 7, 07 @ 2:15 pm
Huh. Here I thought the “War of the Roses” referred to the English civil war between different factions of the same family. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wars_of_the_Roses
Leave it to the press to mess up on the rare occasion when Daley makes an apt cultural comparison.
Comment by Just Saying Thursday, Jun 7, 07 @ 2:23 pm
Guess Milo won’t be going to Richie’s backyard barbeque this weekend. To busy circling the skies of that big state called Illinois. That’s one place Fitz can’t serve him with da papers.
Comment by Chicago Federales Thursday, Jun 7, 07 @ 2:40 pm
When can we dump Emil for a leader that can think for himself? He has been an embarrassment to the Democrats this session and needs a demotion. Can’t the other Senators see that?
Comment by Southern Ilinois Democrat Thursday, Jun 7, 07 @ 3:27 pm
Rich –
But in a special session, ALL lawmakers could consider would be the budget, right?
That’d really drive downstaters waiting for rate relief insane.
Comment by So Ill Thursday, Jun 7, 07 @ 3:27 pm
No. You can switch back and forth between special and “normal” sessions.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Jun 7, 07 @ 3:34 pm
My mistake, thanks. I’m in support of a ConCon just to clear up all the different types of sessions (lol)
Comment by So Ill Thursday, Jun 7, 07 @ 3:37 pm
reason Emil’s caucus is coming back Thursday is their is a Latino national event out of state at the beginning of next week. So the reporter’s theory is in error.
Comment by Potty Mouth Thursday, Jun 7, 07 @ 3:39 pm
council of state governments in puerto rico
Comment by anon Thursday, Jun 7, 07 @ 3:47 pm
That’s probably closer to the truth.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Jun 7, 07 @ 3:49 pm
What about just getting things done here in Illinois and not worrying about attending meetings out side the state?
ConCon should limit the days the general assembly has to do their work.
Comment by just wondering? Thursday, Jun 7, 07 @ 4:18 pm
More money for CTA but no action on the Ameren rate freeze…I guess the Democratic leadership isn’t interested in electing any downstate Democrats anytime in the near future.
Comment by Sango Dem Thursday, Jun 7, 07 @ 5:36 pm
I’m not afraid of an update to the State Constitution. Sure, things could get worse after a ConCon. But I think it’s also possible certain fundamental and fair changes could be made. Can’t we who read this blog and spend so much time arguing over these issues suggest ways to tweak the constitution to fix some of the problems? There’s a QOTD Rich.
Who knows, maybe we could finally answer the school funding question? And address the looming income/property tax questions too. Maybe merit selection of judges? Maybe township and county government reform or modernization? Could we undo the Cutback Amendment, to be specific, by creating a 177 seat unicameral house? Could we really propose fundamental changes like that?
A ConCon can do something to fix some problems that the current entrenched interests have proven they cannot. The status quo isn’t getting it done for me. Yes on ConCon.
Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Jun 7, 07 @ 5:38 pm
A little late getting back to the blog, but to Yellow Dog Democrat: as a proponent of 750 and a potential recall amendment, both of which would likely generate more enthusiasm with a con-con than with the current General Assembly, why do you insist on working to close off the option that citizens enjoy to advance those two proposals you hold dear?
Comment by Dan Johnson-Weinberger Thursday, Jun 7, 07 @ 5:53 pm
It doesn’t matter how much you shuffle the cards if you keep the same deck.
Comment by Big Al Thursday, Jun 7, 07 @ 6:16 pm
Rich, is the Gov. ever going to sign the smoking ban into law???
Comment by Craig Thursday, Jun 7, 07 @ 6:17 pm
Someone has to point out that “War of the Roses” was a movie with Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner about the ultimate nasty divorce. I assume that’s what was being referred to in the much discussed quote today.
Comment by Peoria Pete Thursday, Jun 7, 07 @ 6:47 pm
Some suggest that smaller scale amendments can be proposed to handle some of the desired changes that have been discussed. A check of the legislative record shows that these have indeed been proposed, often on multiple occasions. They never come up for a legislative vote, let alone go to the voters. That’s the success for section 2 of Article XIV.
Section 3 of that article also provides for narrow amendments. However, these can only affect Article 4 on the Legislature.
That leaves section 1, the ConCon, clearly intended as an infrequent but useful mechanism. The delegates are not selected by the GA as has been suggested, but must be elected 2 per Senate district. The ConCon need not produce a constitution, but may create ballot questions that can be as narrow as the ConCon approves by a majority. Those questions, if any, then have to go back to voters. This seems far harder to manipulate than the process of the GA.
Comment by muon Thursday, Jun 7, 07 @ 6:50 pm
Nobody should really be surprised that Rod is bringing in Houlihan to try and expand the 7% legislation. He owes him for that sweet 1% increase he got when his neighbors received increases of 30% or more.
http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=local&id=4619992&ft=sm
Oh, and nevermind that pesky ol’ U of I study saying 52% of residents in Cook County actually pay more in taxes as a result of 7%, or that it disproportionally helps wealthier homeowners.
Comment by Gene Parmesan Thursday, Jun 7, 07 @ 7:08 pm
I liked the video of the softball game. When I heard Matt Jones was the host, I thought Emil got another relative a job. I guess I was wrong on that assumption. Did they take the cost of the uniforms and the hats out of their raises, or they were last years attire. Good to see Rich live and in motion.
Comment by Fake Bill Thursday, Jun 7, 07 @ 7:10 pm
Craig, the smoking bill would cut off a funding source for the Gov since the GRT is dead.n The debate on the House floor today was great. The vote was even better. What bothers me so much is to hear elected officials who have submitted bills for amendments die making the peoples process die along with it. Leadership should allow discourse, a chance to talk and a chance to vote. It is very disheartening when you believe in a process and it isn’t working for the people. We elected the general assembly to bring our voice to each floor. Effectively we are being disenfranchised by the Speaker and the Senate President because these amendments are not being engaged in decent debate.
Comment by Shouldn't be this way Thursday, Jun 7, 07 @ 9:31 pm
On a lighter note, things haven’t gotten as bad as they have in Alabama:
http://edition.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/06/07/lawmaker.scuffle.ap/
-snip-
MONTGOMERY, Alabama (AP) — Simmering tensions in the Alabama Senate boiled over Thursday when a Republican lawmaker punched a Democratic colleague in the head before they were pulled apart.
Republican Sen. Charles Bishop said Democratic Sen. Lowell Barron called him a “son of a [expletive].”
“I responded to his comment with my right hand,” Bishop said. Alabama Public Television tape captured the punch.
-snip-
Comment by wndycty Thursday, Jun 7, 07 @ 10:01 pm
Crimefighter,
We don’t have a Congress for Illinois — we have a state legislature.
And if you want to create a circus ripe for politically motivated wasting of taxpayer dollars, let us know your address so we can send you the bill every some Darrell Issa wannabe gets the brilliant idea to start a political witch-hunt … I mean, “recall election”.
As for Gray Davis, perhaps you’ve heard of a little company called Enron.
They don’t exist anymore, in part because they were discovered to have been unethically and fraudulently manipulating California’s power grid.
What was Gray Davis supposed to do? Takeover Enron’s power plants as a state-run operation to keep the juice going and put a stop to Enron-induced brownouts and blackouts? From the sounds of the rest of your message I’m sure you would’ve loved that socialist move. (And Enron execs were pretty supportive of Ahnold, btw. Go figure.)
I could care less about Davis — I live in Illinois, not LaLaLand. But at least I try looking up the facts before shooting my mouth off.
Comment by Rob_N Thursday, Jun 7, 07 @ 10:57 pm
Ricky Hendon rules in that video, lol.
I think the press is thinking of that movie from the 80’s, “War of the Roses”, with Kathleen Turner and Michael Douglas.
Comment by Bridget Dooley Friday, Jun 8, 07 @ 7:56 am
Seriously, how useless is Nix? Where the heck did Rod find her?
Comment by Tim Friday, Jun 8, 07 @ 8:59 am
The first two commenters and several others dismiss a convention as just as bad as the General Assembly. Yet no one would say that about the last convention (’69-70); how can cynics be so certain the next one would be a failure? I think there’s a chance — but no guarantee — it could transcend the Springfield gridlock and adopt some overdue institutional reforms that the legislature refuses to do.
Comment by respectful Friday, Jun 8, 07 @ 1:49 pm