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This just in, Part 2… * Guv throws down the gauntlet * AFL-CIO, others demand income tax hike ***

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Illinois

* 3:09 pm - Yesterday, a few of us were sitting around wondering what Gov. Blagojevich would do to reassert his relevance now that his alleged thoughts about forcing a partial shutdown had been so completely thwarted and he was being excluded from the leaders meetings.

Well, a few minutes ago the governor sent a letter to the legislative leaders threatening a government shutdown if he doesn’t get what he wants in the state budget. Of course, if he doesn’t get what he wants his veto could be overridden and there would be no shutdown, but whatever.

As I told you earlier, the governor told reporters today that state workers shouldn’t be “pawns” in the budget process. Yet, he appears to be doing just that now.

Here’s the letter, with all emphasis added…

As of today, the State of Illinois is operating without a budget. As you work to resolve your own differences and we attempt to reach a consensus on a 12-month budget, it is important to not rush to complete an agreement that fails to meet our State’s needs.

That is why, since Friday, July 27, I have asked you to pass a one-month budget extension that allows us to keep working on a 12-month budget without putting State employees at risk. Thousands of State employees, vendors and citizens that rely on State government are facing the uncertainty of payless paydays and vanishing State services. There is no reason to create a problem that is easily avoided.

I also want to reiterate to you what I said in our leaders meeting yesterday. I will not sign a budget that shortchanges the need to address education funding inequity, cuts back our work to improve healthcare, ducks the critical pension reform issues, ignores our need for infrastructure investment, and I will never sign a budget that is constructed to appear balanced but is, in fact, unbalanced and, therefore, unconstitutional. A last minute budget sent to my desk that fails on these criteria will be dead on arrival.

As always, I will work with you to attempt to bridge the differences and craft a 12-month budget.

Nevertheless, a ‘take it or leave it’ approach on a 12-month budget, sent to me as government shutdown looms, will do nothing more than simply precipitate such a shutdown. Passing a one-month budget prevents this problem.

I urge you to do so.

Sincerely,
Rod Blagojevich
Governor

This may have a lot to do with the widespread expectations that Speaker Madigan may introduce another one of his limited growth budgets and attempt to force the Senate to approve it in order to avert a shutdown.

* 3:16 pm - Oy…

Governor Rod Blagojevich says he’s prepared to spend months working to get the state budget he wants. […]

But Blagojevich said today that he’s not in a hurry to resolve the budget dispute, even if that takes a couple more months.

In fact, he says there’s nothing wrong with state officials taking a full 12 months to get the budget right.

* 3:30 pm - Leaders of several labor unions, including the AFL-CIO, are holding a press conference right now to demand an income tax hike…

We call on legislative leaders today to support a plan to increase the Illinois income tax by 1/4 % per year for four years, raising approximately $800 million per year in new revenue.

Download the press release here.

The labor leaders demanded that lawmakers “find the courage” to vote for the proposal and, without mentioning his name or his repeated veto threats, said that the General Assembly should use its power to make it happen.

We believe strong support for a modest increase in the income tax exists in both the Democratic and Republican caucuses in both chambers.

As Capitol Fax subscribers know, labor lobbyists have been working Republicans lately on the income tax and report they are making headway, particularly with this idea…

[The funds from the tax hike should be] placed in a new special fund from which appropriations could be made only upon a 3/5 vote of both chambers.

The union leaders also said they supported a “reasonable increase in gambling” to fund a bond program for “badly needed public infrastructure projects and repairs to our crumbling public schools.”

Organized labor has a major say in Democratic Party politics, and I don’t think that the Illinois AFL-CIO has ever publicly opposed Gov. Blagojevich on something so big. Therefore, this press conference has to be taken seriously. Whether they can git ‘er done is still in the “highly doubtful” category, but it’s definitely a new development.

* 6:05 pm - Oh, this is too funny. Statement from Comptroller Dan Hynes regarding Gov. Blagojevich’s press release from above…

“It is astonishing that after signing four budgets, billions of dollars out of balance, the Governor is now finding a moral objection to a potentially out of balance budget while threatening to shut down state government in the process. The Governor’s hypocrisy knows no bounds.”

Yowza, baby. I don’t think Hynes has ever put out such a harsh statement about anyone or anything.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 3:12 pm

Comments

the plot thickens…

Comment by b-dogg Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 3:23 pm
I’m shocked…the AFL-CIO, a union, is demanding money. What’s next a demand for more money & less work?

Comment by Highland Online Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 3:37 pm
Hannig’s trying to send an approp shell over to the Senate, supposedly so they don’t have to wait out the 3rd reading requirements, at least there. I wonder if this is agreed to by the Senate.

Comment by Howie Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 3:42 pm
Hannig’s trying to send an approp shell over to the Senate, supposedly so they don’t have to wait out the 3rd reading requirements, at least there. I wonder if this is agreed to by the Senate.

Comment by Howie Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 3:42 pm
Does this guy (the Governor) have any idea just how close to completely irrelevant he is? He continues to push to the point that even Emil Jones will have no choice but to abandon his “my way or the highway” approach, pass whatever budget he and the other leaders can agree on, and when Blago vetoes it pass it over his veto.

The Governor apparently does not understand that there are THREE branches of Government, and he does NOT control the legislative branch! If he’d spend as much time on being Governor as he does trying to running the legislature with his silly special sessions, he might have some successes to talk about. Instead, he has embarked on a very high stakes game of “chicken” and he’s going to lose. Madigan, Jones, Cross and Watson all know how to compromise so that everybody gets some of what they want. Blago knows only how to whine and threaten when he doesn’t get his way.
The media also have to get off the “legislators do your job” routine, since it is clearly BLAGO that won’t compromise. You can’t make an agreement with somebody who refuses to agree! Reacing an agreement with Blago would mean a huge GRT, increased employee taxes, etc., etc.–clearly things MOST citizens do NOT want!

Apparently, the 4 tops all understand they can only make progress when BLAGO isn’t there. How damning that is to BLAGO’s “leadership style!”
PLEASE, legislative leaders, come to an agreement on a budget you can all support and pass over a veto, and be done with the budget, the overtime session, and put the final nail in any relevance His Hairness has left!

Comment by Ivote Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 3:48 pm
Watch Blago’s call for a one-month budget get louder and louder as the four tops get closer to a full year plan. This is all about to blow up on him, hence his posturing in the letter.

Comment by Bluefish Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 3:52 pm
Gov’s face-saving move? This allows him to demonize Jones and Magigan et al. — and still cling to his populist principles until the bitter end?

Could this mean an end within days?

Comment by Macbeth Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 3:55 pm
The guv has flipped his wig.

Comment by The barber Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 4:01 pm
It is time for the Tops to reassert the gov’s irrelevance. NOW !!!

Comment by A Citizen Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 4:04 pm
Rich,

Thank you for making this update available. It’s appreciated.

Comment by Capitalist Pig Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 4:06 pm
Get ready, this is all gonna repeat next year cause the ASCFME contact expires then.

Comment by Crimefighter Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 4:06 pm
Maybe they should run the ‘gov’ thru the gauntlet…now that’s something that might ensure 100% attendance of the legislative body ! And, to be clear, it’s now a “less than 11 month budget” as the first month is eaten up running on the “fumes of FY-07′”. Why not pass a no-growth budget ??? amend it to return this fall & deal with these issues in committee where it should be & keep the gov’t running. Give everyone a break from this stuff for a while, cool down & look to solve these things rationally & perhaps the ‘gov.’ can seek counseling & come back {hopefully} with a better attitude & a little anger mgmt.—

Comment by annon in the stykes Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 4:10 pm
No one is surprised, really.
The man is going down with his ship.

What is mean is seeing him try to demand that state workers go down with him in a vortex of destruction.

We are not surprised though. I believe no one in the General Assembly is surprised by this. That is the reason the planning for a veto-proof 12 month budget by Jones and Madigan.

I think Blagojevich’s next letter should read…”AH, you cursed brat! Look what you’ve done! I’m MELTING! I’M MELTING! Oh, what a world, what a world! Who would have thought that some little girl like you could destroy my beautiful wickedness?!”

Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 4:11 pm
I know it’s easy for me to say from the outside but I don’t believe a Governor should ever agree to a super-majority requirement to appropriate funds. It’s not good for the institution of Government.

Comment by steve schnorf Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 4:18 pm
I think Rod wants a budget passed over his veto. Then if voters ask about his health care plan he can blame the legislators. He would also avoid blame for any tax hikes. As for hurting his leadership credentials that does not matter until the next campaign, anyway.

Comment by Central Illinoisan Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 4:19 pm
“Hello 9-1-1?”

“Quick! Come to the Governor’s Mansion!”

“We have a jumper!”

Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 4:22 pm
-Steve-
If it passes over his veto it does not matter whether he agrees or not. With a reasonable gov I would agree with you, but with this guy I really think it is the wise and prudent way to go. He cannot be trusted, period, end of story!

Comment by A Citizen Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 4:25 pm
Wow,

Tough words from a man who has spent hundreds of thousands of public dollars on his own personal needs.

The union demand for a tax increase is interesting. I guess the way to sell this to the membership is to tell them that the tax increase is to save their jobs.

As I have said in a previous post, unions on the government payroll are a bad thing. The only thing that matters to the union leadership is an increasing roster and enough of a salary increase for the member so that the union leaders can keep their phony overpaid jobs.

Isn’t it nice to see how the regular Joe/Jane is treated by these paragons of fairness? Threaten, intimidate, spread false rumors to scare the honest working people of this state. This applies to the state workers as well as the citizens who pay their taxes.

Public service? I don’t think so.

Comment by plutocrat03 Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 4:26 pm
“Hey Captain?”
- “yeah”
“We’re at the Governor’s Mansion..”
- “Uh, huh”
“There’s a frazzled pugilist with nice hair standing on the roof of the Mansion threatening to jump if we don’t give him what he wants…”
- “OK - Whats the problem?”
“The General Assembly is crowded around him and are chanting, “JUMP!” “JUMP!” “JUMP - You Mother!” “JUMP!”
- “How does the guy look?”
“Happy, Captain - He’s waving at the cameras and giving everyone a big grin…”
- “Can anyone talk him down?”
“Yeah probably, but he says that if he jumps, he’s taking every state worker with him.”
- “How is he going to do that?”
“I don’t know what he means, but he is wearing some kind of a cape made out of a bed sheet…”

- “Call the nuthouse! Or, at least, phone Emil Jones’ wife, she’s got some kind of a job for that kind of stuff…”

Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 4:29 pm
Vanilla Man…..LOL!!!

Comment by anon Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 4:34 pm
The “Boy Wonder” has really stepped in
it this time……….

Comment by Esteban Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 4:34 pm
If gov keeps this nonsense up I am going to be forced to repost the DSM IV definition of MEGALOMANIAC again. Don’t make me do it Blags!

Comment by A Citizen Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 4:34 pm
“Hey Captain?”
- “what now?”
“We have the rescue trampoline positioned below the jumper - but we have a weird problem…”
- “…and what’s that?”
“These four guys, calling themselves the “Four Tops” want to hold the rescue trampoline and promise not to drop it when our jumper goes for it…”
- “Is one of those guys a little well-dressed Chicagoan, quiet, sorta to himself?”
“Uh huh”
- “Let him hold it” “I think he’s worked with our jumper a couple times before”

“Hey Captain?”
- “what?”
“We’ve got union people arriving..”
- “Ah, for criss-sakes!”

Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 4:40 pm
That letter from Rod leads me to believe the insurgency is in its “last throes”

Comment by Dick Cheney Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 4:43 pm
Vanilla Man: That is some excellent Tim Dorsey-style writing. Keep it up. It’s funny.

Comment by Tidy Bowl Man Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 4:44 pm
Governor Blagojevich, you should know more than anyone in the Illinois state government how you’ve USED State of Illinois Employees (PAWNS).
Governor Blagojevich used, abused, intimidated, ridiculed, embarrassed us from the from day you took the oath of office (2002).
Don’t worry Governor Blagojevich you are extremely loathed amongst the rank and file (PAWNS).
The day you are no longer the Governor of Illinois will be a great day for Illinois and most of all, the State of Illinois Employees (PAWNS).

Comment by CheckMate Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 4:46 pm
VM- Has a guy named Bill shown up at the scene shouting hysterically?

Comment by Arthur Andersen Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 4:48 pm
As much as everyone picks on Blago he is smart enough to know that whoever backs a sales or income tax increase to fund the budget loses. Therefore the legilatures needs to pass a conservative budget that expands gambling to Chicago and funds public transportation. If there is a way of increasing education funding without increasing taxes, ie. with existing tax surplus go for it. Healthcare and pension matters need to be put off.

The budget needs to be sent to the governor-vetoed and then overridden.

Comment by Garp Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 4:50 pm
“Hey Captain?”
- “what now? WHAT’S ALL THE NOISE?”
“It’s getting to be a circus over here! We’ve got some makeup lady thats up there with our jumper doing his hair.” “We’ve got a couple of ladies spokespeople for the governor, shaking and wailing all over the place.” “And this guy, Jones - he’s throwing cash out the Mansion windows instead of holding the rescue trampoline…”
“What do I do?”

- “That’s it! I’m bringing a chopper over to the scene now…”

Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 4:50 pm
Or a guy named Serge?

Comment by Tidy Bowl Man Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 4:51 pm
Bill’s waiting down below, shouting I’ll catch ya Elvis.

Comment by Sorry, Wrong Cape Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 4:52 pm
From Gov.Hair:

For Immediate Release:

We’re proud to announce that Mr. Rod Sterling has excepted the posistion of “Official Doorkeeper” to the Goveneror’s office. Mr. Sterling assumed his duties at 3:00P.M. this afternoon!

Comment by South of I-80 Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 4:55 pm
Let’s just give Blagoofy $25,000,000; have him abdicate and just go away………

Comment by Well Worth the Cost Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 4:58 pm
“Hello - Chief Kliment? This is Captain VanillaMan…I’m in Chopper One hovering over the Governor’s Mansion on that jumper call…”
- “Go ahead VanillaMan…”
“It’s looking pretty bleak for our jumper.” “First off, he’s upset that our Chopper is messing up his hair.” “He has some chick applying pancake makeup to his face and is demanding that we land because we are in his camera light.”
- “Captain VanillaMan, is there any crowd control down there, yet?”
“No - but a bunch of Chicago ministers just showed up and are leading some kind of prayer vigil for our jumper.” “We have about a thousand people looking up at our jumper and shouting at him.”
“WAIT! Don?”
- “what?”
“There’s a guy down there holding up a sign…”
- “what’s it say?”
“My name is Bill, and I quit!”
- “SHOOT HIM!”

Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 5:00 pm
I feel so used!!!

Comment by NIEVA Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 5:01 pm
I’ll bet the legislature is just shaking in their boots. I’ll bet the Springfield bars will be buzzing with laughter tonight.

Comment by quicksilver Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 5:03 pm
Blagojevich peaked at Pepperdine!

You’re on a roll VanillaMan……..

Comment by Flounder Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 5:08 pm
If not the worst governor in Illinois history…got to be in the top -2-. “I’m their leader, which way did they go!!”

Comment by annon Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 5:10 pm
Well done Vanilla! Had me laughing the whole time.

Comment by Fake Bill Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 5:13 pm
Blago - I will never sign a budget that is constructed to appear balanced but is, in fact, unbalanced.

Sorry Blago, you’ve been using creative accounting techniques from day one in office. As time goes by, all your actions will make the Enron scandal look like child’s play.

Comment by More Smokin' Mirrors Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 5:18 pm
Does anyone remember when Rich diagnosed that PeterPressRelease was not insane. It appears PeterPressRelease is suffering from accute CNS (craving notice syndrome).
And PeterPressRelease insults the Senate President by listing him second to the Great Satan on the letter — actually it is more of a plea from the little boy to be allowed to play in the big boys came.
No, PeterPressRelease go back to the bench.

Comment by Mr. W.T. Rush Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 5:20 pm
It’s time for the National Guard to take
action and end this nonsense. Illinois
needs a “regime change”.

Comment by Esteban Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 5:23 pm
Maybe Chicago voters will save us from an income tax increase this time around. They are facing both tax increases to plug rather large holes in da Mare’s budget, and tax increases Todd is threatening since he had to give money to the prosecutors for raises. An income tax increase on top of that might generate some angst even among tax-happy Chicago voters.

Comment by Cassandra Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 5:24 pm
Are we laughing or crying now?

Comment by Leigh Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 5:26 pm
-Leigh-
Yes, definitely, I think we are.

Comment by A Citizen Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 5:30 pm
The Governor has compeltely lost control of the budget process. He has been bypassed by the Four Tops. His only leverage is the veto. Ironically, his veto threat simply means that the budget is likley to be lower/less adequate to meet the real needs of the people of Illinois than it would have been otherwise.

I think the legislature will override the Governor’s veto without difficulty because the emperor has no clothes. I’ll bet the override vote will be overwhelming - legislators rightfully will be extremly angry at the Governor.

Undoubtedly, our Don Quixote Governor will keep campaigning/tilting at windmills. The Governor appaers to he is burning all his bridges dooming his adminsitration for the duration of his tenure.

Comment by Captain America Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 5:33 pm
If the tax hike were to be passed, Blagojevich shouldn’t under any circumstances be allowed to touched that money, much less look at it.

Comment by What a PUTZ! Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 5:34 pm
Gov, is this what you see when you look in the mirror ?
This article is about the psychopathological condition. For other uses, see Megalomania (disambiguation).
Look up megalomania in
Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

Megalomania (from the Greek word μεγαλομανία) is a psychopathological condition characterized by delusional fantasies of wealth, power, or omnipotence - often generally termed as delusions of grandeur. The word is a collaboration of the word “mania” meaning madness and the Greek “megalo” meaning an obsession with grandiosity and extravagance, a common symptom of megalomania. It is sometimes symptomatic of manic or paranoid disorders.
YEP, That’s you to a T Buddy. Please get some help before you ruin the State.

Comment by A Citizen Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 5:37 pm
Vanilla Man - Great Stuff.

Comment by Silent Majority Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 5:43 pm
Seriously….

Anyone have an idea what he is trying to do? Besides tick people off.

Comment by OneManBlog Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 5:46 pm
When they get da Gov off the mansion roof. Is da Gov, flying or driving home tonight?

Comment by Stupid is as stupid does. Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 5:46 pm
The funds from the tax hike should be placed in a new special fund from which appropriations could be made only upon a 3/5 vote of both chambers.

The Democrats will soon have 3/5 margins in both chambers anyhow, so why would that appeal to Republicans. I would suggest they make it 4/5, but that would only further motivate Emil and Madigan to make the GOP in Illinois even more irrelevant.

Comment by Blagojevich End Game Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 5:46 pm
“As I told you earlier, the governor told reporters today that state workers shouldn’t be ‘pawns’ in the budget process. Yet, he appears to be doing just that now.”

Par for course. You can’t trust anything the guy says, except, maybe, the fact that he won’t raise taxes (even if necessary.) Maybe.

Comment by Squideshi Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 5:50 pm
A 1/4% income tax increase for 4 years and a increase in gambling (more casinos and more positions at existing casinos adding slots and video poker to midway and ohare would be a good idea too.) would be a mostly pain free way to raise money that is needed for education, pensions and capital projects. this might be as good as it gets.

Comment by fed up Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 5:51 pm
Governor Blagojevich must be laying down the groundwork to run for the President of the United States.

Comment by Outstanding ;) Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 5:51 pm
The sad thing is that the voters had very little faith in the legislative process to begin with, note the percentage of voters who actually voted, now with what’s happening, how does the process look?
In a matter of days and $710,000 plus, Mel’s son-in-law has made the “oldest profession” look reputable!

Comment by South of I-80 Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 5:51 pm
OneMan:

I think what the Governor is doing is very clear. In his letter, he clearly avoided using the word “veto”. He only said he would not sign a budget not to his liking.

I believe the Governor intends to let any budget not to his liking sit on his desk for as long as possible, up to 60 days, unsigned.

By refusing to sign, he gives no opportunity for his veto to be overturned, and moves state government toward a shutdown — which I believe is what he has wanted from day one.

I think he has some grand plan where everyone folds to his wishes if he can just manuever the state to a shutdown.

I may be wrong…but its the only real leverage he seems to have left, and his letter seems specifically worded to point in that direction.

I doubt it will work, but I won’t be surprised if that is where he is headed.

Comment by ILPundit Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 5:59 pm
I think you misquoted the governor. He said he wouldn’t let state wokers be prawns in the government process. He’d rather have them be shrimp.

Comment by Truthful James Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 6:05 pm
It has seemed from the start that this was destined for a shutdown showdown. Everything the Gov does and has done just points in that direction. I still don’t see what it accomplishes.

Worst Gov ever? Got to be in the top 1 percent!!!!

Comment by Downstater Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 6:09 pm
- ILPundit
Interesting angle, hopefully that would mean no more (toy jet) for Milarod too.
Sure hope either Madigan or Fitzgerald intervene before then.

Comment by This is all very Testicular Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 6:09 pm
Thanks ILPun…

Comment by OneManBlog Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 6:10 pm
I’m sure the union folks gave a lot of thought to picking the number, but a 1/4% increase in the income tax looks like the worst of both worlds to me; not enough of a change in our revenue system to do anything meaningful about the structural deficit, not enough cash to do much of anything with, but an increase which makes additional change over the next two or three years harder.

I believe they would be facing the same extreme budget problems as they are now each of the next four years.

Comment by steve schnorf Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 6:11 pm
Is it too late for the Gov to start asking God for help? Again.

Comment by The 'Broken Heart' of Rogers Park Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 6:14 pm
Comptroller Dan Hynes
Well, by golly, HE should be in the know! I believe him. Just more evidence for the diagnosis of Megalomania, a pathological condition. Perhaps evidence of a mental incapacity to perform the duties and responsibilities of office. Fitz better hurry or the boys in white coats will beat him to the finish line. This boy’s days are limited. Thank God!!

Comment by A Citizen Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 6:30 pm
Rod was full of himself when he was at Pepperdine too. Seemed to always be pre-occupied with his appearance.

Comment by Megalomania 101 Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 6:54 pm
I agree with SS. Have 1/2% for sales tax for each year (up tp 4 years) You have to make an impact. I don’t mean to apply the 1/2% will work but what the union is saying won’t do much.

Maybe consider to add a tax to beer, wine , etc instead of just the cigs. Just trying to look at the whole picture.

Comment by Blue Dog Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 7:01 pm
Go, Dan Hynes, go!

Comment by Values Matter Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 7:05 pm
As a lifelong conservative, I happily voted for both Dan Hynes and Lisa Madigan, and would do so again. They at least 1) do their job; 2) seem to have a moral and ethical compass; and 3) will call a spade a spade. I’m sure I don’t agree with them on a lot of policies and personal views, but they are public servants who work hard not to let that and that alone dictate their actions.

Keep it up, Dan.

Comment by schroedk Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 7:09 pm
M-101:
To bad his pre-occupancy is not governing……..

Comment by South of I-80 Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 7:09 pm
Looks like Rod’s meetings with President Jones haven’t been going so well lately.

IL Pundit raises a great point. Rather than veto an 11 month budget immediately (allowing the GA to immediately override his veto), the Governor could just let it sit on his desk for 59 days and then veto it, forcing a two-month government shutdown.

THAT will be really funny to watch. I can’t wait for Sheila Nix to explain why a Governor who criticizes lawmakers for not working hard enough can’t take five minutes to either veto or sign the budget.

I can’t wait for the Tribune editorial challenging the Governor’s testicular virility for not having the cajones to just veto the bill, if he finds it so objectionable.

I can’t wait to hear the stutters from Team Rod when lawmakers from both sides of the aisle and across the state say “We’d be happy to return to Springfield to consider additional legislation from the Governor that provides a specific plan to address education funding inequity, improve health care, address critical pension reform issues and invest in infrastructure, as soon as he presents us with a piece of legislation that accomplishes those goals and provides a way to pay for them. In other words, ‘Where’s your plan, Governor?’”

Not to mention the pickets, the protests, the weeks of stories about hospitals and doctors not getting paid, schools shutting down, seniors getting tossed from nursing homes.

Has ANYONE in the Governor’s office thought about what your next move is?

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 7:14 pm
I for one have completely had it with the entire situation. I am a state employee. We are not being told anything and the Governor continues to make things worse with his utterly stuipid rhetoric. I’m not a big fan of the power of recall elections but I wish we had it in Illinois at this particular time. I think the Governor is skirting extremely close to the line where, if I were a legislator, I would think about impeachment proceedings.

Comment by Sick of It Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 7:16 pm
Rod is truly the poster child for that old cigarette ad “the guy with his head up his own rear-end”.

Comment by Common Sense Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 7:22 pm
OK, this is it. I say, send the Current Temporary Occupant home to Chi-town now, preferably via an Amtrak train or Greyhound bus with busted air conditioning… and the Four Tops should tell him, don’t call us, we’ll call you when we’ve passed something. The time for complaining about his not being in Springfield is long past… I suggest the GA pass a resolution encouraging him to stay OUT of Springfield at least until veto session so they can actually get something done.

Comment by Lainer Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 7:25 pm
Blago will shutdown the state and blame the legislature he hopes angry workers and news storys about how terrible it is will force everyone to cave in to his demands I dont think Blago understands what he is doing

Comment by FED UP Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 7:31 pm
Dan Hynes always has the voice of reason–can somebody explain to me why he isn’t our Governor?

Comment by Pisces Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 7:58 pm
Hynes is one of my favorite White Knights in Springfield. He has always done the right thing, always. Even calling the Emporer naked.

Comment by Game plan Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 8:13 pm
Il pundit, or others here, explain to us why a shutdown is important to this governor. This should not be a game with the same people he calls the hard working men and women of this state. Sacrifice your own people. Hell, Bush is doing that in Iraq right now. And Steve Schnorf the guru of ILL ECON, as many editorials around the state have encouraged fixing the problem instead of coming back and back and back for the same set of problems - what are you recommending should be done. Perhaps since they all read this you could explain what is truly needed by leadership as now is the hour. I’m a 750 fan myself.

Comment by Game plan Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 8:21 pm
Yes, Schnorf has all the answers…speak!

Comment by Equal MEANS Equal Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 8:28 pm
Bill,
Please deliver us from the fog of this mess. Only you can truly explain the real reasons for the Governor’s actions.

We await anxiously await your wisdom and direction.

Comment by Citizen on Patrol Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 8:38 pm
Mississippi 1964: Freedom Summer
San Francisco 1967: Summer of Love
New York 1977: Summer of Sam
Illinois 2007: Endless Summer

Comment by Lainer Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 8:38 pm
Have we found out yet the detail on all of those Subpoenas the governor received? Wow, now more than ever we need to know!

Comment by A Citizen Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 8:42 pm
Also what is the status on the CMS Two? Where is the rigged (blago’s babysitter member) Civil Service Commission on the final ruling? Tsk, tsk, tsk!! So many questions - so few answers. When does Antoin Rezko come up for trial? Has his partner, Patty Blagojevich disclosed her subpoenas yet ??

Comment by A Citizen Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 8:46 pm
The Blagojevich’s filed an extension to delay filing their Income Tax Returns. Have they filed and disclosed yet? What’s with all the secrecy - makes one wonder IF there’s something being obfuscated.

Comment by A Citizen Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 8:50 pm
Bringing the State Govt. to its knees and closing down just to divert (IF that’s the case) attention from all of the administration’s alleged transgressions is just unconscionable - however that fits the pattern of Megalomania.

Comment by A Citizen Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 8:57 pm
if dan hynes showed this much passion at some point since he was elected in 1998, he would be governor. too bad his staff has always kept him reigned in.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 8:59 pm
The answers are self-evident, as are the impediments to those answers. That’s why everyone’s still here in August.

Comment by steve schnorf Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 9:02 pm
- Anonymous -
Well he’s not reined in now - looks like he and Madagin are the only folks truly seeing the reality they are having to deal with to keep the state running and avoid a panic situation. We are fortunate to have them there!

Comment by A Citizen Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 9:04 pm
Hoping that cooler heads prevail - Madagin, Jones, Cross and Watson - it would be very healthy for the state if they passed a solid maintenance budget with a modest increase in education. NO new programs just the above and this week would be very wise.

Comment by A Citizen Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 9:51 pm
Gov was happily jogging tonight.

Comment by Tired of this session Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 10:03 pm
That would fit - he is definitely in his own world - one none of the rest of us would recognize.

Comment by A Citizen Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 10:15 pm
Danimal Hynes for Governor!!!

Comment by Captain America Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 10:19 pm
To the many GOP posters here, keep in mind, your fine public servants, Madigan and Hynes will be handing you your butts for many elections to come so enjoy your shots at Rod. I’m sure you will be rehashing the same “facts”, “observations” and “expert opinions” when one of them is in the mansion.

To you Dems. out there, you may not like Rod, in fact you may hate him, but maybe you should think about how much fun you had for 26 years under GOP control. At least Rod still sounds like a Democrat. He may talk about big programs, he may want to increase the budget for education, he may see the need for health care for those that don’t have it. But at least the last time I checked, those were near and dear to the hearts of us Democrats.

I suggest if the members of the General Assembly are so concerned about the budget, they stop asking agencies for their pet projects and programs. Maybe a start would be to see how quick the Speaker is to cut “his money” out of a budget.

Comment by Give Me A Break Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 10:29 pm
Chicago needs a big tax increase to fix hole in budget. Cook Co needs tax increase to cover budget and Illinois needs higher taxes there are going to be alot of unhappy tax payers pretty soon. I guess property tax relief is not going to happen.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 10:33 pm
- Give Me A Break -
So, Rod, back from the jog, huh? Little light on the oxygen though. Catch your breath and try to see reality - it’s written on the wall . . . right there.

Comment by A Citizen Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 10:34 pm
Vanilla Man, will you marry me?

Comment by City Voter Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 10:38 pm
Hey “A Citizen”

I’m a Democrat who has lived in the “Patch” for almost 40 years and lived under the iron fist of the GOP for 26 of those years.

I see more Democrats with jobs than I ever have in my life. Maybe all the Democrats should just welcome the GOP back to power and go back to complaining about how bad the GOP treats the dems. Seems like that might make them happy.

Comment by Give Me A Break Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 10:41 pm
- Give Me A Break -
Those are hard working democrats hired under the 26 years of Republican Leadership - YOU leave them alone! They’re darn good workers. The ones you hired that fly down to Springfield for the week and then back to Chicago for their 3 day weekend, however are arrogant, rude, and totally unqualified political hacks. OH YES!!!

Comment by A Citizen Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 10:49 pm
“…Maybe all the Democrats should just welcome the GOP back to power …” At least they would get reasonable recognition and raises and be appreciated for the work they do. How long has it been now since they could say that? Hmmm, since the dems took over? Guess that sums it up, Buddy.

Comment by A Citizen Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 11:02 pm
everyone here sounds so pitiful, everything said is personal and not really geared toward the issues at hand, very few of you ( if any ) really understand the entire budget process ( i understand all of you will be telling us your credentials now ) and are unqualified to tell anyone what they should or shouldn’t be doing. all of your comments are opinions and should be conveyed as that and not as fact like so many of you want it to be…grow up and be a little more open minded about everyone’s point of view…this administration could hire Jesus for
GOODWILL AMBASSADOR and you would say how much did he donate, and there are those that think the previous adminstrations set out to torture everyone is doesn’t think like them…we all need to start thinking a little more big picture

Comment by sitting and watching it unfold Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 11:12 pm
“…this administration could hire Jesus for
GOODWILL AMBASSADOR…” - Spock! Make it so!

Comment by A Citizen Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 11:15 pm
who is spock?

Comment by sitting and watching it unfold Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 11:16 pm
Vulcan w/ pointy ears - sidekick of Capt. Kirk . . . Star Trek. Not the gov, the asst. gov, so to speak.

Comment by A Citizen Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 11:19 pm
I just hope that all parties involved get a little bit of what they deem important…it was the way our constitution became to be and the only way that our government has ever operated, and i think overall it does a good job in doing so. by being incremental it allows for the good programs to be highlighted and moved forward and the bad ones to fall by the wayside, no one knows for sure how things are going to work out and can only be figured out by doing most of the times, i hope the Four Tops and the Governor all get a little bit of what they deem important because something good might really come out of one of their ideas…i guess i’m just to optimistic..

Comment by sitting and watching it unfold Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 11:23 pm
Is Jesus available?
Lord knows this administration needs a savior right about now.

Comment by anon Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 11:28 pm
Your optimism is refreshing - I hope it rubs off on the decision makers. It is the essence of the political process. Intransigence is not, compromise is.

Comment by A Citizen Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 11:28 pm
There is more name-calling in these posts than there is on sports-talk radio. You guys should deal with some facts. It would be refreshing.

Comment by anon Wednesday, Aug 1, 07 @ 11:46 pm
This is all making me very sick. I’d sure like to go on vacation and come back to a budget - a FY ‘08 budget that expires June 30. Not a one month budget. If the 4 Tops cave in to that idea again, I can see us going month to month with Blago holding his breath until he turns blue. Personally I think it’s time to clean house of all senators, reps, and the governor. These people have lost focus on what is important, on why they are sitting at those beautiful desks, why they are collecting per diem, why Blago gets to live the way he does at taxpayers expense. It’s all because of us - John & Jane Q. Public. We put them there and we need to remember that we can remove them. We deserve better service from our politicians than what we are getting. We deserve intelligent, mature, level headed people to govern this state and if they can’t do it, I know a whole bunch of people who are just as qualified as every single one of them. And someone needs to please remind Blago that he is in charge of the EXECUTIVE branch of Illinois government. He was elected to that branch. He gave up his position in the LEGISLATIVE branch and he knows full well how things work there. Jeez Rod, grow a pair and for crying out loud, GROW UP!!!!! Your acting like an idiot, you look like an idiot, people who work for you are making fools of themselves and why????? Power you say? Blago’s got no power. But he’s going to be the last one to realize it. How sad, how very very sad.

Comment by Little Egypt Thursday, Aug 2, 07 @ 12:07 am
This guy is a chucklehead. Next Thursday night when he walks by me in the state fair parade, instead of truning my back and walking away; My usual response. I will ask him what is he thinking?!!! My lowest level minimum wage employee has more class, fortitude and honesty than he does. If I could only get him to take a ride and visit some friends west of Jacksonville. I think he would get a real education. But I guess Chicago does wag the tail of the state.

Comment by Whizbang Thursday, Aug 2, 07 @ 3:24 am
A Citizen, it’s Capt. Picard who “makes it so.”

Comment by Lainer Thursday, Aug 2, 07 @ 7:00 am
“We call on legislative leaders today to support a plan to increase the Illinois income tax by 1/4 % per year for four years…”

Does anyone else read this as a total of a 1% increase phased in over a four year period thus raising our Illinois Income Tax to a total of 4%?

Comment by Kevin Highland Thursday, Aug 2, 07 @ 7:47 am
Little Egypt

A few posts back, where we were asked to predict when a 12-month budget would be approved, I cynically predicted May 31, 2008 after 11 one-month budgets had been signed. I thought that was funny at the time.

I don’t think it’s so funny anymore.

Comment by South Sider Thursday, Aug 2, 07 @ 10:18 am