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* State workers who freaked out yesterday awoke this morning to realize that the sky had not fallen and everything was back to (relative) normalcy…
On Monday, Blagojevich said contingency plans were in place to keep essential state services operating if there was no agreement on either a permanent or temporary state budget by today. However, Deputy Gov. Sheila Nix said Tuesday that the governor never planned to shut down government services.
“Our intention was always to have employees come to work,” Nix said, adding that no state agencies have been instructed to begin curtailing operations by this weekend, either, if a budget has not been approved.
* But the governor’s office still won’t come clean on when they might start shutting down essential services, which is a bit maddening, if you ask me…
Nix refused to answer repeated questions about when the administration thinks the lack of a budget could affect state operations.
* And…
They also won’t discuss when services, such as state parks, police patrols and highway operations, might be affected by the budget impasse. They insist that’s not going to happen right away.
‘’There’s no clear answer to that,'’ Blagojevich spokeswoman Rebecca Rausch said. ‘’We hope it doesn’t continue long at all.'’
* Jones and Madigan tried to calm some nerves, even if the governor won’t quite go that far…
Working without a budget is far from rare in Illinois, and Jones, Blagojevich’s strongest ally in the General Assembly, agreed there is “nothing magical” about getting a budget by Aug. 8.
“We have a little history on this. This has happened before … and people got their paychecks,” Madigan said
* Like I said above, everything is still running…
Secretary of State Jesse White last week committed to keeping driving facilities throughout the state open without a budget.
Workers are moving ahead as usual with preparations for the Illinois State Fair, which is scheduled to begin Aug. 10.
Schools and universities also are still planning to open classrooms later this month. Officials say they likely could run for a while using non-state funds, such as tuition income and local property tax proceeds, but getting a state budget in place is vital.
* While the guv’s office claims they never intended to shut anything down, sources say that’s not true. The Daily Herald had this nugget today…
Lake County officials said Monday the state had informed them several road projects in the county would be shut down today because of the budget situation. The list included a widening project on Butterfield Road and Buffalo Grove Road bridge replacement at Indian Creek.
However, a spokesman for the governor’s budget office said Tuesday work would continue, and Lake County officials said they also were informed the projects would not be shut down.
* A little history…
In 1991, during Gov. Jim Edgar’s first year in office, lawmakers went a then-record 19 days into overtime over budget disagreements. Edgar told state employees to continue working and that they would be paid in full when a budget was passed. Some employees did miss a payday before a budget was approved.
Try to remain calm in comments. I’m gonna start deleting hysterical rants beginning today. Yesterday’s weirdness really grated on my nerves.
I understand if some state workers are nervous about not getting a paycheck, but that’s always a possibility for state employees. It’s part of what they signed up for.
Attempt to deal with it with some dignity. The comments over at the SJ-R are much, much worse, of course, but I’m finished with allowing even a fraction of that here. Thanks.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 9:27 am
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I’m curious: if union employees are not paid for, say, a week’s work as a result of the current goings-on, does that mean the state owes them comp time at the time-and-a-half rate?
After all, they have been told to come to work. Just curious.
Also, Rich is right. There’s no point jumping off a bridge till you get to it, and we certainly haven’t gotten to it yet.
Comment by This Guy Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 9:32 am
Rich — No one “signed up” for late paychecks. That’s nowhere in any labor handbook for state employees. Nor is it “the breaks of state employment.” Or, put another way, it’s the “breaks” with any job — but most folks in other jobs (i.e. non-state) would be just as furious and hysterical if, say, Microsoft said: “Guys, your paycheck might be late this week.”
The comments verged on the hysterical because people take their cues from the talk around the capital. And the talk around the capital verged on hysterical — and bizarre. I mean, come on: asking state vendors to work without pay? What the heck?
My read on the comments from yesterday was that state employees who were, apparently, posting — were reasonably calm given the drastically unreasonable situation that the governor has put them into. Folks were providing links to Credit Union 1 and were generally helpful. But it’s your blog — and if you think those comments were hysterical, okay, well. Hysterical they were.
Still — it’s easy for folks who *are* getting paid to rattle off platitudes like “them’s the break’s, folks.” I’m not sure what that means. Them’s the breaks in the same way the “breaks” are when newspapers fold and journalists get laid off? Them’s the breaks. People aren’t reading newspapers anymore — so whaddya expect? Them’s the breaks, I guess.
Anyway, I appreciate the reporting here.
Comment by Macbeth Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 9:35 am
Perhaps some sharp eyed reporter could ask Dep. Gov Giggles why Chief of Staff John “Fumbles” Harris was telling legislators about furlough plans last week.
I think that suggests they had a shutdown plan in the playbook. Most believe it was abandoned when they determined they did not know enough about state agencies to determine the difference between essential and nonessential.
Comment by Mr. W.T. Rush Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 9:39 am
Macbeth, if there’s no budget then some state agencies that subscribe won’t be paying me, either.
And since this happened in 1991, you should expect that it could happen again. It’s part of the job description, whether it’s in the handbook or not.
Also, I was at or in constant contact with people who were at the Statehouse yesterday, and there was no “hysteria” over there. So, I’m not sure what you’re talking about.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 9:40 am
Rich Is the Sky Falling?
Comment by Spingfeild Solly Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 9:40 am
“I understand if some state workers are nervous about not getting a paycheck, but that’s always a possibility for state employees. It’s part of what they signed up for.”
On the contrary, those attracted to government employment place a high premium security and are risk-adverse.
Your remark is more suite to small businessmen and professionals in small practices. They “eat what they kill” and when business is bad, they don’t get paid.
Comment by Anon Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 9:45 am
I’m glad you mentioned the 1991 stalemate. As I recall, the principal thing fueling that was Gov. Edgar’s insistence that there be suburban property tax caps before the legislature left town. Seems mighty similar to Blagojevich’s insistence that there be health care expansion before the legislature leaves town, but I don’t recall anyone calling for Edgar’s “impeachment” back then. A lot more hysteria this time. And Edgar ultimately got what he wanted.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 9:48 am
My concern is the state workers who come on this blog all day worried about this gossip printed here, and forget they’re working for the government on our dime.
Doesn’t it concern you Rich, that state employees are on your site all day, worried if they’re going to be paid or not - instead of doing the peoples work?
Comment by The 'Broken Heart' of Rogers Park Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 9:49 am
State employees signed on for NO paycheck? That’s news to me! When I was hired on as a state employee no one told me that I might have to go without my check if there was no budget. I was 11 years old in 1991 - I should have remembered that there was a possibility of not being paid when I took this job!
Comment by Jeremy Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 9:50 am
Does anyone really care? The media certainly doesn’t. A prime example of how Blagojevich controls the Illinois media. It’s a true art form.
Had all this been another political party. They would been crucified.
Heck, most taxpayers don’t even know who their legislatures are.
And by the way, give yourself a raise for such a fine job your doing ROD.
Comment by U.N.K.L.E. Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 9:53 am
Jeremy, your complete ignorance is not an acceptable excuse for me. Sorry. Try again.
Broken, state workers have a right to be here to check up on news and leave a comment, just like they have a right to do so at the SJ-R’s goofy site. Some state agencies actually block this site, but none block the SJ-R as far as I know, and that’s just plain wrong.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 9:59 am
Rich, don’t let them drive you nuts. We don’t always agree, but this is an invaluable resource for those of us with a great desire to know what’s going on.
Comment by So Ill Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 10:00 am
isn’t it ironic, the ones we elected to serve us are the ones getting paid overtime because they didn’t serve us. Now there is the possibility of them continuing to get paid while those they are elected to serve do not. Sheila Nix should look back a few weeks and see where she instructed all State Agencies to present their “Shutdown” plans. They were absolutely planning this from that point but must have realized that the Union gets paid regardless. And that pay could be very costly as they would not be working for it. It is in their contract and doesn’t make exceptions for government shutdown. Sure hope Mr. Madigan can pull these people together and get a budget passed. It would bode well for the entire state, both public and private sector.
Comment by Justice Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 10:03 am
I can’t access the internet from work at all. I’m on vacation this week so I’m not on the state’s dime (or lack of).
Comment by Jeremy Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 10:03 am
Sorry, but to all those state employees getting hysterical, give it a rest. Nobody is saying you should work without pay. Obviously the State is going to pay you, they just may pay a little late. It’s not like the State is going to skip town on you. Poof, the Capitol disappeared? Don’t think so.
And sorry to burst your bubble, but sometimes in the private sector, paychecks are sometimes a day or two late for cashflow or any number of reasons. If you were talking about months or even weeks late, then I understand the concern. But nobody at the moment is talking about letting state workers twist in the wind for that long. Simply put, it will never happen.
State employees have pretty robust benefit packages and tons of worker protections that would be the envy of many people in the private sector. If the “stress” of the uncertainty is really getting to you, you’re always free to pursue employment in the private sector. Trust me, you’ll rue the day you gave up those benefits and all that security just because your paychecks were late once.
Comment by Chicago Cynic Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 10:04 am
Macbeth,
Though I’m sure this posting may be a bit unpopular, I think Rich is right, though I think “them’s the breaks” is a bit harsh.
EVERYONE who works for state government knows, or ought to know, how dysfunctional it is, even in the best of times. Yet, in some parts of the State of Illinois, a state job is the biggest employment prize a person could hope to win.
In return for employees dealing with the often uncontrolled choas, particularly in the current administration, state employees are, I think, better paid than their counterparts in the private sector, and enjoy some of the best benefits of any employment entity in the state. That’s why they hire out in the first place, and that’s why they stay, despite being extremely mistreated and abused by inexperienced political appointments much too often.
Comment by GLT Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 10:05 am
UNKLE,
Rod controls the media? Excuse me?
Guess that explains ALL those friendly front page headlines on the investigations.
Comment by Chicago Cynic Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 10:06 am
“Nix refused to answer repeated questions about when the administration thinks the lack of a budget could affect state operations.”
That’s because they don’t have an answer. Since the day this administration took over, there has been zero interest in understanding the “nuts and bolts” of how state agencies work. Anyone who gets upset about this is wasting their energy. For more than 5 years, everyone who has a clue has been saying “they don’t know and they don’t care:.
Comment by Diego Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 10:10 am
Rich, do you know if they plan for the State Fair to go forward regardless of the budget status? I have been assuming that it is a big enough event that it is not in real danger.
Comment by Ghost Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 10:11 am
Anon, 9:48. To compare Edgar’s insistence on a tax cap and Blago’s insistence on health care expansion as similar is ridiculous.
Tax Cap= lower taxes
expanded health care= higher taxes
In addition, Edgar became known as “Governor No” bach then because he wanted to balance an “out of whack” budget situation.
Your comparison just doesn’t work. Not even on the same level. Nice try, but no dice.
Comment by True Comparison Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 10:15 am
You cannot compare Edgar to Blago. I am going to take a shot in the dark and say Edgar spent more then 8 days of the regular session in Springfield. Edgar was also balancing a budget. Not hardly comparable to a guy who wants us to spend BILLIONS in new programs with absolutely no realistic plan to pay for it.
Comment by the Patriot Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 10:19 am
We didn’t HAVE to come to work today - the Gov “asked” us to so as not to shut the state down. We sheepishly went right along with him, thereby relieving ourselves of the burden of getting the union in on this. Boy is MY face red.
Comment by JustSittinHere Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 10:26 am
It’s true—we’ll all survive. Except maybe the guy at the top?
Comment by been there Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 10:28 am
I was there in 1991. I led an effort to protect over 100,000 General Assistance (state welfare for single people) recipients from being cut off.
In the end those efforts failed and Edgar got his way. Everyone got paid and life went on - as it will in 2007.
But, as the boys consider ways to shore up state finances - gambling expansion is a hot topic. A hot topic as Illinois has failed to manage the 10th license for ten years now. Why are they talking about a 11th, 12th, 13th license when they can’t manage the 10th license. This mismanagement has cost Illinois over a billion dollars in the past ten years.
Doug
Comment by Doug Dobmeyer Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 10:44 am
Rich, I dunno why you’re bothered most easily by the stuff said on the SJ-R…
Comment by Crimefighter Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 10:47 am
Springfield and Chicago employees have little to worry about. They will have easy access to no interest loans to keep their expected cash flow. It is the employees around the state that are most at risk. They would generally tend to be lower paid, live from pay check to pay check, and have little easy access to the no interest loans.
Comment by BigBob Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 10:49 am
This country makes me laugh. History as seen the government bails out corporations and now corporations (banks) are going to bail out the government. When are people going to wake up? Anarchy… give it a chance. A bloated, inefficient bureacracy is simply the nature of a state. This inefficiency is not the fault of the people that work for the state, they just simply have no incentive to be productive because they are the state. I saw it when I worked for the state of Illinois..
Comment by b-dogg Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 10:54 am
Rich and others,
What is happening is shameful. Once again, the Governor is using state employees (& vendors & contractors) as pawns in his media driven gamesmanship.
These people should be able to work without the daily fears, real or simply perceived and perpetuated by Blago & crew regarding Terminations, Investigations, Layoffs, Shutdowns…just shameful
This all goes way beyond his usual criticism that his employees are overpaid, lazy republican hacks.
At some point a TRUE leader would try to improve moral and increase productivity by supporting and complimenting when appropriate.
It is wholly unfair to a single receptionist with two kids, car payment, rent etc to have to worry if they are going to get paid on time.
These are worries because Blago & the Illinois Democrat Party has failed to lead… again
Comment by Larry Mullholland Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 11:14 am
Crimefighter: ===Rich, I dunno why you’re bothered most easily by the stuff said on the SJ-R===
Because the comments are so freaking moronic. And because my site gets blocked by some state agencies and their goofy site doesn’t.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 11:18 am
All hysteria about an imminent government shutdown could have been avoided if the guv had sent out yesterday’s letter or made some kind of public statement to this effect at least 7 to 10 days ago:
“We have no intention of shutting down any state services or furloughing any employees should this budget impasse continue past Aug. 1. There is, however, a possibility of paychecks being delayed if no temporary or full-year budget is passed by Aug. 8. In the meantime we want to emphasize that no employee will be forced to take unpaid time off due to a situation which is beyond their control, and once the budget is resolved, all employees will be paid for all time worked.”
Instead, he continued to be evasive about the issue right up until yesterday. Given his penchant for not keeping promises, and his history of shortchanging state workers in various ways, it’s no wonder people got worried.
He also should decide and announce NOW whether or not the state fair will go on if the stalemate goes past the “drop dead” date of Aug. 8. I would think if it’s just a matter of vendors and workers getting paid a few days late, rather than being sent home, the fair could proceed.
Also, Big Bob has an excellent point. Getting paid late will probably be a bigger hardship for the driver’s license station clerk, state park ranger, HFS/DCFS caseworker, etc. in one of the more rural or sparsely populated areas of the state than it will be for those who work in Springfield or in Chicago. The more “isolated” state workers might want to talk to their banks or credit unions and their creditors now about some kind of contingency plan.
Comment by Lainer Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 11:29 am
The comments on the SJ-R site are ignorant beyond belief. You can’t even read them looking for a laugh. It is remarkable how different the dialog is between this site and that one.
The hysterics I heard all day yesterday were created by a governor interested in causing waves so that legislators will pass another 30 day budget. Blagojevich’s cheese is on the line and he doesn’t want an annual budget while he is being ignored. His letter was intended to upset people and frighten them into doing what was politically best for him.
He can hide all he wants by claiming his letter was intended to inform. But the ugly truth seems to be that his letter was a political stunt and a mean one at that.
Do you think he got a giggle watching state worker’s families worry? Considering how this mess has a great deal to do with him, it is unbelievable how he is willing to make others uncomfortable just to prove a point.
Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 11:39 am
Some state agencies do more than pay state workers; they distribute grants and carry out projects for the public good. When agencies don’t know what their budget is, they can’t commit to doing anything. What a waste.
Comment by For Real Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 11:40 am
Three months ago, I told friends that I believe that Blagojevich will threaten to shut down the state because he has nothing to lose after his health care boondoggle went down in flames. I told them that deep down, Blagojevich is a mean man who likes to see other hurt. He is a boxer who likes to see his opponents’ blood whenever he is down for the count.
Blagojevich’s power is ebbing. But he is still governor. As he watches his fortunes fade, he is willing to take others down with him.
Nice guy.
Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 11:43 am
True comparison reveals his true colors. The comparison of Edgar vs Blagojevich is inapt in his view because one was for cutting, one was for expanding. That’s not a difference of principle, just of ideology. In each instance, the Governor was willing to hold the process hostage to his goal. The only difference is you agreed with Edgar’s goal, but not with Blagojevich’s. You don’t impeach people because of policy differences - oh, wait, I guess if you’re a Republican, you do.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 11:50 am
I’m a state employee and I’m not worried, nor is any of my fellow employees that I come into contact with. Our next paycheck may be a few days, weeks, … late, but we will survive.
What is happening in the legislator is not a surprise. After five years, we are getting use to the games being played by our elected leaders, sad to say.
What is a surprise is the comments made by Blago in his letter, being with “thank you for your service as a state employee.” and ending “Thank you for your dedication to the State of Illinois.”
After five years of being belittled by the Gov, we believe this is the first time Blago has made a positive statement about state employees.
We’ll take it with a very large gain of salt.
Comment by JR Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 11:59 am
I’m beginning to get a little miffed at some of the state workers complaining. Not many folks in industry get paid for a 37.5 hour week, have the benefits package offered to state employees, can rise to the pay level of someone in a professional position without any credentials whatsoever and get almost as many paid days off as they do. When industry gets laid off, there is no backup plan or guarantee of getting paid for work if you show up. In most cases industry folks in any kind of management position are looking at 45 to 60 hours for about the same level of pay as some of the state folks I know.
This is not to say that all state workers are slackers because I don’t think that is the case, but recognize the realities of the “real world” before looking for sympathy.
The only folks that have it better than the state workers is the Illinois legislature.
Comment by Pot Stirrer Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 12:18 pm
===The only folks that have it better than the state workers is the Illinois legislature.===
Please. I know a few trust fund babies whose lifestyles might offer a stark counterpoint to your argument.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 12:20 pm
lol
Rich,
Keep up the good work.
To repeat Steve’s quote, this too shall pass (even if a budget won’t).
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 12:41 pm
Rich…whether you think the SJ-R is a goofy site is a matter of opinion…if you believe their site needs to be moderated a lot more strictly you should take it up with Jason Piscia.
Comment by Crimefighter Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 12:49 pm
BTW, DFPR does block access to websites, depending on what catagory access each individual user was granted. Some users are not allowed to view news sites (or anything beyond illinois.gov) or blogs & message boards, if your site is classified under blogs and a number of agencies have it set up to prevent people from blogging at work I can see how that happened.
Comment by Crimefighter Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 12:53 pm
Crimefighter, I’m too busy dealing with my own site to ***again*** contact them and make suggestions.
Also, I don’t normally call people to offer advice on how to run their campaigns, caucuses, shops, etc. I prefer to do that in my Fax, my columns and here, which are, y’know, opinion venues.
And, yes, my opinion of their commenters and the way they handle them is my opinion. “Goofy” is a relative term.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 1:00 pm
Rich, “Goofy” is my favorite cartoon character. Probably why I enjoy Illinois politics so much.
Comment by A Citizen Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 1:06 pm
Rich I think thats petty. You have a blog for people to express themselves and then when they overly express themselves about a particual issue you get upset and want to band. What’s that about
Comment by Thats............... Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 2:46 pm
“Thats,” this blog does not exist so that anyone can express themselves in whatever way they want. There are rules, designed to produce a certain level of decorum.
The blog itself is primarily for political professionals. Amateurs are always welcome, of course, but when anyone gets out of control I routinely step in. It happened last year right before the election when things went completely bonkers here.
I try to make this a place for debate and insight, not hysterical rants. If you are uncomfortable with that, I cordially invite you to go back to the SJ-R’s site and wail to you’re heart’s content.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 2:58 pm
>> The blog itself is primarily for political
>> professionals.
Uh oh.
Comment by Macbeth Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 3:05 pm
With respect to his talk about a temporary budget extension and a shutdown, could the governor be:
A walking shadow, a poor player.
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage.
And then is heard no more; it is a tale
Told by an idiot; full of sound and fury.
Signifying nothing.
Macbeth
Comment by Captain America Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 3:47 pm
Anon 11:50,
In this case idealogy is everything. Lower taxes or no growth budget is simply much easier to convince the GA to go along with than a 30% increase in GRF spending in one year that Blago proposed.
In addition, In ‘91 the GA could have sent Edgar a budget with lots of new spending in it and Edgar would have line item vetoed those new spending programs that he believed to be unnecessary. Then the GA would have to have overridden those line items which are quite often hard to explain back home, along with making the income tax increase permanent. Also, it would have required Republican votes to override.
In ‘07, the reverse is happening, the GA will more likely be sending a limited growth budget, then if Blago vetoes it is much easier to override his veto and go home. It is much easier to explain a low growth budget and limited new taxes than those new taxes that seem to be necessary for health care expansion.
Remember, we had just came out of 14 years of Big Jim Thompson, who was arguably the most aggresive Governor we have ever had when talking about massive spending programs. I saw your original point about holding the process hostage, I’m just saying it is simply much easier to hold the process hostage when you are for a low or no growth budget v. new programs and tax increases.
Comment by True Comparison Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 3:55 pm
“I understand if some state workers are nervous about not getting a paycheck, but that’s always a possibility for state employees. It’s part of what they signed up for.”
Rich, I guess we will have to agree to disagree on this one. In my opinion, the state is a contracting party, just like any other employee, and is liable for any breach of the formal agreement. It doesn’t really matter by what process a contracting party to deliberate or makes decisions internally–if the process they use causes them to fail to meet their contractual obligations, they need to be held to account.
Comment by Squideshi Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 4:07 pm
I think Rich and many posters are missing the point as it relates to state employees.
The debate should not be whether or not employees get laid off. The point is not whether state employees are overpaid, lazy, or have too many sick days.
The point that is being missed is that THE GOVERNOR of the State of Illinois is using employees at political theater, as props in a press conference, a master of his little pawns. Just as I stated in my comments before the threat of a shut down today.
Just as Blago did on his very first day in office when he fired his first 25 employees. He is using them for personal gain.
The point is that it is not necessary and it is unfair to his staff. The point is, that a true leader would support and reassure his staff in an attempt to improve moral and security to increase productivity particulary in a time of crisis.
Get it?
Comment by Larry Mullholland Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 5:21 pm
I’m no political professional and sometimes can’t spell very well but I do know that I get more usable news off this site than anywhere else.
Comment by NIEVA Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 5:32 pm
Too bad the Republican Party in Illinois is still on its downward spiral. This is a great opportunity to stand up and show some leadership.
Another example of placing all your eggs in one political basket getting getting scrambled.
I hope those truly dependent on state services will not be damaged by this petty power strugle.
Comment by plutocrat03 Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 6:55 pm
Vanilla Man: You’re spot on. Our governor is basically a schoolyard bully. He picks unnecessary fights, gouds people, makes inflammatory and rude remarks about the people doing the work of the State, and is only happy when his world is in a uproar.
It’s no wonder that state employees are upset and skeptical in their dealings with him. The first topic on this page today was the fact that he doesn’t see any problem in going a year if necessary to get HIS type of budget passed.
I think that if he is that unaware now, after all the flak he has gotten on his health care proposal and on his rarely showing up to work via very expensive transportation, then he is a lost cause. The man loves himself too much to care for others.
Comment by Disgusted Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 10:41 pm
Define “political professional” please. Thanks.
Comment by Rockford Rant Friday, Aug 3, 07 @ 2:03 am