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Saturday update * Updated x1 - Guv calls yet another special session *

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Illinois

* 10:53 am - Despite all the headlines, the General Assembly has not yet officially transmitted the budget to the governor. So the governor can’t take action yet.

The House says that they have certified the bill, which is a requirement of both chambers before it can be officially sent to the governor. The Senate has not yet certified it.

So, just like yesterday, we’re waiting a very long time (in relative terms) for the Senate to take a technical action on this budget bill. The games continue.

* Here are some thoughts from a House Dem on what Senate President Emil Jones may or may not have agreed to during his meeting with the governor on Friday. I speculated yesterday that the only way the governor could make any sort of veto stick was to cut a deal with Jones not to override it…

Keep in mind that Jones already agreed to a budget deal with the four leaders that includes votes on all bills and all motions needed to enact the document.

Don’t know how he could agree to something with the governor.

* Meanwhile, the governor’s office responded last night to the Speaker’s statement about members not needing to return to Springfield until there was actual work to do, but I was taking a nap. The governor, you’ll recall, issued two special session proclamations for the weekend…

We are disappointed in Speaker Madigan’s intentional disregard for the Constitution. When the Governor issues a proclamation for Special Session, he takes it very seriously. In this case, he directed members to work on a 30 day budget. Passing a 30-day budget is very important as work continues on a full year’s budget - one that is balanced, funds mass transit, education, health care and addresses capital needs.

* The Senate didn’t do anything at their special session this morning, either, but whatever…

Just 14 of the 118 House members attended, and they conducted no business. Speaker Michael Madigan told members to skip the special sessions.

In the Senate, fewer than 10 of the 59 members showed.

*** 3:52 pm UPDATE *** Gov. Blagojevich has called yet another special session for Sunday at 5:15 pm. This one, which nobody will probably show up for either, has to do with the RTA. As usual, the governor has not introduced or pointed to any legislation that the General Assembly is supposed to consider.

Also, I’m told that when the House tried to hand-deliver the certification for the budget this morning nobody was in the Senate offices. The certification process requires both legislative leaders to initial each page and sign the final page after a bill passes before it can be officially sent to the governor.

Cos people believe that they’re
Gonna get away for the summer
But you and I, we live and die
The world’s still spinning round
We don’t know why
Why, why, why, why

posted by Rich Miller
Saturday, Aug 11, 07 @ 11:32 am

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