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* Don’t get your hopes up…
Friday could be the day. Local lawmakers are saying they’re getting a good sense that a tardy state budget will through the House today and to the Senate on Friday for approval.
If the House runs the budget on a shell bill that hasn’t yet been sent over by the Senate, the earliest the Senate could vote on the measure would be Saturday, not Friday. But subscribers know there are still some glitches to be dealt with.
* Despite about a $2 billion increase in spending over last fiscal year (8 percent), and one of the biggest ever increases in education spending without a tax increase, the governor’s people are still complaining…
Rep. Jay Hoffman, D-Collinsville, a close ally of Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s, called the plan “woefully inadequate.”
“The proposed budget is going to result in cuts to health care, it’s not going to provide the needed money to schools, and there’ll be no capital bill,” Hoffman said.
* More on the spending…
The proposed spending plan agreed to by legislative leaders would provide for a $597 million increase for schools, which would boost per-pupil spending in Illinois by about $400. Universities would see a 2 percent increase.
* More…
It would not provide $100 million to Cook County Hospital sought by Cook County Board President Todd Stroger or provide funds for the cash-strapped CTA.
* You can see more details here.
* The gaming negotiations continue, but without Speaker Madigan’s input…
Separately, Blagojevich, Jones and the two Republican legislative leaders are trying to put together a bill that would give Chicago a land-based casino, hoping that could fuel a multibillion construction program and push funding for school operations up to $900 million. Left out of the meeting was Madigan, who said he was not invited. The speaker said he wants to craft a construction program but noted, it’s “very interesting that they’re attempting to work on a major gaming bill and they have nobody from the House Democrats.”
* And, of course, there’s plenty of pork to go around, but not nearly the sort of spending that the governor wants in the capital bill…
State lawmakers stand to bring home as much as $200 million for largely local pork-barrel projects if they pass a budget deal being negotiated by leaders of both parties in the House and Senate.
Senators are eyeing more than $1 million each for projects in their districts, and House lawmakers hope to get at least $650,000, according to rank-and-file lawmakers who have handed in their wish lists.
* But there’s a key difference in how the projects are funded…
House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) said the projects going to the lawmakers in his House Democratic caucus would be included in specific line items, but he did not specify how much the overall allocation is for his caucus.
“The public is going to see everything,” Madigan said. “The public is going to see everything. We have nothing to be concerned about, nothing to hide. Not a bit. Where you ought to look for hiding is among the Senate Democrats, where they’re going to do a lump sum.”
* Meanwhile, gaming opponents are starting to gear up…
Some activists in Chicago… are objecting strongly to the secretive way this downtown casino deal is being negotiated behind closed doors in Springfield, with little or no input from the public.
They are demanding that before any new casino is built, voters be given the opportunity to cast ballots on the issue in a referendum.
“We think that if a referendum was held, a casino would fail, but that would remain to be seen,” said Doug Dobmeyer of the Task Force to Oppose Gambling.
* More budget stuff, compiled by Paul…
* Bill to boost cigarette taxes advances; more here
* Another deadline comes and goes
* Vote may come today, but skeptics remain
* Editorial: Rumbling toward a budget wreck
* Tribune Editorial: If the schools win more money… …from Illinois’ bet on casinos
* Chicago’s Teacher’s Union: 3% raise won’t be enough
* Editorial: To boo or not to boo at Gov. Blagojevich
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 9:46 am
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These guys are pathetic. Here’s an idea. Madigan sends another shell bill over to Emil so he can have a “bullet” and Emil passes HB 3866 with the budget langauge in it so the House can pass it today. I understand why Madigan wants to kick of the veto process (if the bill is vetoed) but this crap about having to put the budget on a fresh house bill just so Emil can have another “bullet” is just that, crap.
This is not rocket science folks, these guys print the bills. They can also waive posting requirements anytime they want. They have as many “bullets” as they need.
Quit your petty bickering pass a budget, send it to the second floor today and put the onus back on the Governor.
Comment by Jaded Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 10:21 am
You can waive posting requirements, Jaded, but you can’t waive the Constitution.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 10:25 am
If CTA PACE AND METRA dont get more money and are forced to raise fares and cut routes things could get very interesting in the land north of I80. Holding the line on taxes is great and there is no doubt that these service providers should be merged and managment slashed but that wont happen managers are the sacred calf front line employees and transit riders will suffer. Hopefully the joke that is publis transit in the chicagoland area just needs to hit rock bottom before it cna be streamlined and fixed.
Comment by FED UP Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 10:32 am
At some point this administration needs to understand that higher education and an educated work force is worth the investment. They have underfunded higher education since they arrived.
Comment by Fan of the Game Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 10:34 am
They don’t need to waive the constitution to have a budget done today. HB 3866 can pass both Housed today. HB 3860 could be Emil’s other “bullet”. My point is if they wanted to, they could both pass the budget today. They just don’t want to.
Comment by Jaded Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 10:36 am
Appears the House is running their bill - guess that means we’re in for a long weekend…
Comment by WAITer Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 10:37 am
I have to admit I agreewith the teachers 3% is not enough with rising property taxes, and prices going up on gas,elctricity and just about everthing else. trying to find a decent house in the city on there salary is a joke.
Comment by FED UP Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 10:39 am
The House is running the budget now on HB 3860, amendment #2.
This is a new bill, so the Senate can’t vote until Saturday at the earliest.
Comment by Don't Worry, Be Happy Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 10:44 am
For Jay Hoffman and Gov. Blagojevich to call a $575 million increase in school funding “woefully inadequate” is ironic.
Once you strip away federal funding, its shocking to learn that state funding for public education continues to decline. Here’s state spending by school year, according to the Illinois State Board of Education here (2002-2006) and here (2006-2007):
‘06/’07 - $6.57 billion
‘05/’06 - $6.875 billion
‘04/’05 - $6.955 billion
‘03/’04 - $7.206 billion
‘02/’03 - $6.873 billion (Ryan)
In other words, STATE funding for education has actually declined $300 million since Rod Blagojevich became Governor, and that’s before you even adjust for inflation.
And, as the state board also reports, between the last year of the Ryan administration and the end of Blagojevich’s first term, the state’s SHARE of funding for public education declined from 36% to 32%, while the share paid for by local school districts (YOUR PROPERTY TAXES) increased from 54% to 58%. I’m betting that the split for the 2006-2007 school year, which ISBE hasn’t provided yet, will show that state funding has slipped to 30% while local property taxes shoulder 60% of the burden.
Is $575 million “woefully inadequate”? Sure, but its more than Jay Hoffman and Rod Blagojevich have put into schools over the last four years, and unless Blagojevich and Hoffman are willing to reverse their opposition to a tax swap, $575 million is all that’s in the cards.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 10:47 am
What ? Nothing on Pat Quinn on Chicago Tonight demanding Illinois citizens have the right to recall.
Comment by Lula May Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 10:55 am
I can’t believe Madigan is going to let the Governor walk away from this budget fiasco any way except with his tail between his legs. That means no Chicago casino, no healthcare increase, no anything that will make the Governor look good. He probably thinks the Governor is disrespectful of his leadership and he would have a point. Announcing programs as vast as the healthcare plan without consulting with the guy who controls the votes needed to implement it is counter-productive.
His Lieutenant Governor was on Chicago Tonight last night stating he has not even spoken to the Governor since election night. Quinn further stated that the Governor has insulated himself with staff members who are giving him poor advice. How on earth can the Governor believe he can govern without the support of people like his Lieutenant Governor or the Speaker? It has gotten to the point of his running mate calling for recall legislation.
I don’t know who sprinkled pixie dust on Blago to make him fly away to never-never land but it is time to grow up and realize that adults have to work with others to govern.
Comment by Garp Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 10:59 am
All 4 caucus leaders agreed to this budget. That is the truth. If Emil holds this up, rank and file Senate Dems should be ashamed of themselves. People blame Emil and Rod but lets not forget about them.
Comment by Nickname Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 11:03 am
Garp -
Given that Rod’s position on gambling is that he opposes expansion to gambling, but will sign it if lawmakers “force him” to, if I were Madigan I’d simply say that we’re not going to force the governor to support a gambling plan he doesn’t like, and if the Governor announces a plan he could support, we’re happy to take a look at it.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 11:06 am
Now that Governor..er… I mean Representative Hoffman has spoken we now know Blago won’t sign the bill. So the only question now is will he veto it outright and give the legislature a chance to override quickly, or will he take his time with a line item budget.
I think he will veto it outright, because a line item or reduction veto means portions not vetoed or reduced become law. Also remember, he can’t add to a budget like he could with a regular amendatory veto he can only reduce and veto.
Comment by Jaded Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 11:08 am
The Governor could do an AV, setting a repeal date, in effect creating a one month budget. Since it is a House bill, the Speaker would have to either accept it as a one month budget, override the veto (accepting a motion to do so would be admitting the AV was a legal act by the Gov, which would be anathema) or rule the AV out of order, killing the bill and shutting down government. Lordy, lordy, now I’m starting to think like I used to when I worked there. I need to try to dry out.
Comment by steve schnorf Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 11:20 am
Excluding Madigan seems counterproductive to trying to get casino expansion passed.If I were Dan Hynes, I’d process the paychecks through the system, and be ready to release them once the Governor signs the budget passed by the legislature. If the Gopvernor delays signing the budget, then AFGE, AFSCME, and SEIU will know that the Governor is solely reponsible for the deadlock and late paychecks for State emeployees.
It’s curious that the Governor has not spoken to Lt. Governor since election night.
“Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown,”given Quinn’s position as the heir apparent if and when Fitzgerald indicts the Governor.
Comment by Captain America Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 11:24 am
So if the Governor can AV the budget bill with a repeal date, that would theoretically mean he could add to it as well. I never really thought he could do that, but as I sit here with the constitution in my lap, section 8(e) says “a bill” and that could certainly be a approp bill, so I guess I was mistaken on his hands being tied with a veto, line item or reduction veto. The options just became endless on what he could now do with this budget.
Also, whenever the Speaker rules Gubernatorial non-compliance on an AV he always gives the sponsor the override option (he just doesn’t give them the option to accept the AV), so my guess is the House would move to override.
Comment by Jaded Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 11:35 am
Over the past three days I have counted more htan forty comments on various entries which indicate that the teachers need and deserve a raise.
Why? Give me some sound reasons related to the job they are supposed to be doing and the tenure that they have.
Don’t relate to inflation and the cost of living. They already get longevity increases in the contracts as well as boosts for taking (unnecessary) 15 units of education courses.
Where is the subject matter mastery? We pay as well for remdial courses in the community colleges to bring their product up to standard.
Look at our test results — not by the dumbed down PSAT and ISAT and ACT — but when compared to international standards.
Look at the output they produce and say it with a straight face.
Comment by Truthful James Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 11:45 am
YDD, those are some interesting numbers. I guess Blago doesn’t want to know that the truth sometimes hurts. A decrease in education from a party and administration that claims to be education friendly and concerned about our kids appears to be no more than a campaign slogan and a hope that people don’t actually pay attention.
Garp, are you shocked by that revelation? I don’t think that should be a surprise to anyone who follows state politics and the prior actions of this governor.
Fed Up, the teacher’s unions need to start giving equal complaint time to the salaries, benefits and pensions given to school administrators and consultants. It isn’t just the voters and legislators who are at fault.
Comment by Team Sleep Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 12:04 pm
Truthful James - I basically agree with your post. Teacher salaries can be found here http://www.thechampion.org/teachers.asp. They don’t look that bad to me, overall.
They need to look at the poorest school districts and the teachers who ARE underpaid. Stop talking about $$$ and focus on how it is distributed for education. Some of the administrators and teachers are doing quite well, others are not.
Given the support that the teacher’s union has given Blagojevich and other democrats, there will have to be something in their Christmas stockings. Gotta love Illinois politics….
Comment by Holdingontomywallet Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 12:07 pm
Schnorf - The problem with the Governor vetoing the bill outright, amendatorily, or with a 60-day pocket veto is that he will wear the jacket for a government shutdown.
Madigan has taken the crafty approach on the member initiative projects in this regard. Blagojevich could have easily vetoed a $43 million lump sum appropriation to the House Democratic Caucus, and Emil would have no incentive to override it. Listing each project and appropriation individually won’t prevent the Governor from vetoing them line-by-line, but atleast University of Illinois students will know who to blame when Rep. Jakobsson’s projects get axed.
BTW, wanna bet that Hoffman’s projects and Emil’s $48 million don’t get touched by the Governor? Oh, the hypocrisy.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 12:39 pm
And please, please, PLEASE stop complaining about teacher salaries.
According to the most recent state report card, Illinois teachers have an average of 13 years experience, and more than half have master’s degrees. In that context, nobody can argue that their average salary of $56,685 is out of line.
Even if you want to argue that they’re only working 10 months out of the year (ignoring that many spend their summers going to school at their own expense to meet certification requirements), that’s still only $68,022 for a full-year equivalent.
I don’t know about you, but I don’t know many people with master’s degrees and 13 years experience working for only $68K.
I think the U.S. Census Bureau pinpoints part of the problem. According to their 2006 report Income, Earnings, and Poverty from the 2005 American Community Survey, the median earnings for individuals with master’s or professional degrees, regardless of experience, are:
Men - $71,918
Women - $47,319
Now, the state doesn’t report what percentage of its teachers are women or what percent of its administrators (principals, assistant principals, superintendents, etc.) are men, but I suspect the Census Bureau’s numbers explain these numbers from the State Board:
Average Teacher Salary: $56,685
Average Administrator Salary: $100,396
Which in turn explains these statewide school spending numbers:
Classroom Instruction: 47.4%
General Administration: 2.6%
Supporting Services: 32.5%
Other Expenditures: 17.5%
BTW, whenever I see 17.5% of a budget going to “miscellaneous,” I’m always pretty curious what’s hidden in there.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 1:10 pm
Attention legislators: Gambling is not a magic bullet that will balance the budget. It is an unpredictable revenue source at best, and the external costs (broken families, organized crime, etc.) outweigh the advantages. By relying on gambling, you are literally gambling that the state will be able to raise the necessary revenue. What will happen when you loose this bet?
Comment by Squideshi Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 2:02 pm
YDD, do we really want to know what “MISC.” contains? I would probably have a mid-20s heart attack.
Comment by Team Sleep Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 2:03 pm
Squid, what causes you to think that gambling is an unpredictable revenue source?
Comment by steve schnorf Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 3:06 pm
The cigerette tax will be a failure as a revenue source, we have hit the point of diminishing returns with this tax. I think calling it a health tax is fine and saying it is to get peopleto quit, but it will not raise anywhere near the projected amounts. Some will quit others will buy cigs in other states costing Illinois tax money.
Comment by FED UP Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 3:24 pm
Jiminy Crickets, YDD. The Master’s numbers are not comparable.
First, you are talking about an M.A. in Education and coupling both men and women. Most of the Master’s degrees are not in the subject matter field which is being taught. Tenure was granted as a matter of course after two to threen years, so there is absolute job security.
Your average salary for teachers includes both men and women. Notice the discrepancy in the private sector, in which, by the way, subject matter skills are what is important. You didn’t indicate it, but it is probable that the Master Degree might be an M.S. or an M.A.
Further, the teacher contracts usually provide for salary bumps for each 15 units gained (one summer semester) on the way to an M.A.
In the private sector, I would suggest most employees in the professions are not unionized, not tenured and continuing education may or may not be paid for.
Those who do not provide satisfactory output are not held over.
So, I ask the basic question again. Civen the observed output, do the teachers deserve continuing raises (outside of contiuing years served, and education completed.)
Comment by Truthful James Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 3:36 pm
[…] The Illinois General Assembly appears to be moving closer to an agreement on a bare bones operating budget that doesn’t include gaming expansion, a capital bill, or universal health care. Total spending will increase by about $2 billion (an eight percent increase over last yeat), with about $200 million for pork projects. “The public is going to see everything,” Madigan said. “The public is going to see everything. We have nothing to be concerned about, nothing to hide. Not a bit. Where you ought to look for hiding is among the Senate Democrats, where they’re going to do a lump sum.” […]
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