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Gov. Irrelevant?

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Illinois

* As I pointed out in the Sunday update… can you say “irrelevant”

The magic number is down to 11. That’s how many Illinois lawmakers showed up Sunday for special legislative sessions ordered by Gov. Blagojevich. […]

Blagojevich called two special sessions for Sunday, bringing the total number of such sessions to 15. […]

Only six of 118 representatives bothered to show up Sunday.

They were joined by five of 59 senators.

* And the AP has a good piece about the governor’s options with the budget…

Tired, angry legislators have put aside their many differences and managed to back Gov. Rod Blagojevich into a corner. Now they’re waiting to see whether he’ll try to fight his way out or compromise.

The maneuver came Friday, after five months of futile negotiations, when lawmakers passed a state budget that Blagojevich opposes. […]

This budget battle began in March, when Blagojevich delivered a bold plan to improve health care, increase education funding and cut pension debt with the largest tax increase in Illinois history.

Piece by piece, legislators said “no” to his plan. Now they’ve left him with a short list of ugly options.

Discuss.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Aug 13, 07 @ 7:16 am

Comments

Abolish the Senate and allow Representatives to attend sessions via teleconference or video conference. They can attend every special session, without all of the cost and unnecessary travel.

Comment by Squideshi Monday, Aug 13, 07 @ 7:25 am
I think the Gov will have his work cut out for him today… 82 HBs and 1 SB (Supplemental) were sent to him on June 14, 2007.

Comment by AsA Mom Monday, Aug 13, 07 @ 7:26 am
Is there a roll call online where I can see which legislators showed up?

Comment by Tyler Monday, Aug 13, 07 @ 7:37 am
Well I’ll bet Poe, Brauer, and Bomke showed up. With all these stupid Special Sessions, the legislature looks like “The Breakfast Club”, with Blago as the jerk teacher who keeps threatening to extend the kid’s detention. “You mess with the bull, you get the horns!!!”

Comment by Gregor Monday, Aug 13, 07 @ 7:45 am
Gregor, LOL. I see the similarity.

Comment by Squideshi Monday, Aug 13, 07 @ 7:57 am
Looks like Blagojevich is exerting his testicular authority.

Comment by Governor full of laughs Monday, Aug 13, 07 @ 8:27 am
Are they not requiered to show up? Thats a huge slap in the face for the gov, but what is the real law require? thanks

Comment by Just Because Monday, Aug 13, 07 @ 8:37 am
To bad Second City TV isn’t on anymore and doing parodies. Governor Vapor Trails would be an excellent source of material.
They not only would be funny but extremely enlightening.

Comment by Wacker Drive Monday, Aug 13, 07 @ 8:39 am
I’m curious about this, and will try to find the answer on my own (don’t trouble yourself, Rich, unless you want to), but maybe some other poster knows the answer to this question off the top of their head.
What does it take to adjourn a special session? The governor can call them, but don’t the GA members decide when to adjourn them? And if that’s the case, why do they continue with the supremely annoying ritual of gaveling 15 special sessions in and out before they can do any business? All they need is one to get their per diem… why don’t they adjourn the rest? Or is this some kind of goofy Chinese gavel torture by which the gov hopes to eventually get them to crack and agree to everything he wants?

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Aug 13, 07 @ 8:40 am
Wow, talk about derelection of duty on a grand scale

Comment by Wumpus Monday, Aug 13, 07 @ 8:51 am
The senate and the house don’t come back?

Comment by What if? Monday, Aug 13, 07 @ 8:56 am
Governor Blagojevich has forgotten, assuming he ever knew, that the Office to which he was elected has both personal and institutional obligations. Both obligations require informed, respectful and thoughtful leadership. It is sad that he has chosen to personally lead by divisive, demeaning and ego-centric politics. It is bad to govern by press release, distortions and incompetence. It is both sad and bad to ignore the public trust vested in him to protect the reputation and prerogatives of the Office of Governor as an institution. The path he has taken to earn the label “irrelevant”, while personally damaging, is devastating to the powers and prestige of the Office of Governor he holds in trust for future governors yet to come. Abusing and misusing calls for Special Sessions has now seriously diminished a power and process once afforded great respect and deference. His established track record of failing to negotiate in good faith and keep his word, has resulted in an embarrassing memorandum of understanding process that also has eroded the respect for the Office of Governor as an institution. These are just two, of many, examples of how Governor Irrelevant has seriously damaged the Office he holds temporarily. His self-centered and petty antics have diminished the Office and the governing process in profound ways. That just makes me mad

Comment by Sad, Bad and Mad Monday, Aug 13, 07 @ 9:14 am
I’m guessing that as soon as the number gets to 2 — one each in the House and Senate — BlunderBoyBlaggo will remind us that this what he envisioned and he had achieved another great victory.
It seems fair to point out the fair is being ignored by CaptFax.Many of us are very disappointed, thinking of canceling and moving to the Chicago Daily Patriot. Tee Hee

Comment by Mr. W.T. Rush Monday, Aug 13, 07 @ 9:14 am
AsAMom points out an important fact about the bills piling up and due for action today. One of those is SB 241 which makes supplemental appropriations to hospitals, school construction, and among other things the retroactive pay raise for elected officials.

Comment by muon Monday, Aug 13, 07 @ 9:18 am
I may have missed this … I know the state employees are going to get paid because of the AFSCME law suit, but what about the school districts?

Comment by North Shore Monday, Aug 13, 07 @ 9:18 am
North Shore - I read somewhere (but unfortunately, can’t remember where) that the AFSCME decision only covers state employee salaries and has nothing to do with payments to schools.

Comment by Anonymous ZZZ Monday, Aug 13, 07 @ 9:27 am
RE: Irrelevant, I only wish to point out how relevant CapitalFaxBlog is, maybe more so than Gov:

On Sunday, I completely spaced out on having to do laundry, and if I checked in CFB, I would have been reminded to do it, and not have to scrounge for clean clothes in the closet this morning.

Comment by ids Monday, Aug 13, 07 @ 9:41 am
ANON: There is nothing in the Constitution regarding SS adjournment; nor in 25 ILCS 15 Special Sessions Act. In the 2006 Preface to Lawmaking (LRU) it states: “When a special session is convened, the first order of business is to pass resolutions adopting rules for the special session (usually the same as those of the regular session), and naming the officers and committees of the regular session as those of the special session. There are no limits on the number of days a special session can last. Nor is there any requirement that it act on the Governor’s agenda. In 2004 the Governor called a record 17 special sessions after adjournment of the regular session.”

In years past, an SS is over when the GA achieves the goal specified and they adjourn it sine die.

Comment by AsAMom Monday, Aug 13, 07 @ 9:45 am
AsAMom: Thanks for the info. There must be some reason why the members (or at least the leaders) want to keep these special sessions open and on the agenda.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Aug 13, 07 @ 9:54 am
Sometimes politics really sucks before it kills.

What happens if everyone ignors Blagojevich? How can he start a fight when no one is around to use as a punching bag, or when no one is around to see it? Bullying is how he governs, so what does he do now when no one is in town, and no one is listening?

The situation he has created for the governor’s office is unbelievable. We have a recently re-elected governor that the General Assembly has walked around to pass the annual budget. So now we have an annual budget with little executive branch influence, when normally it is the governor’s office that proposes the annual budget. After the flames die down this autumn, we will find a changed balance of power within Illinois that may last for several years.

Sometimes politics destroys things, and this is a case when politics has destroyed our executive branch. Blagojevich has driven it into the ground by failing on a grand scale. It may take years to repair the damage he has done. It is ironic that in 2002, it was Blagojevich intent on taking control from a discredited unethical General Assembly that propelled him into power. After five years, Blagojevich has failed to a point where the same General Assembly is now preferred by voters to run everything. Blagojevich’s failure as governor this year overwhelms whatever accomplishments he had in place until now.

Such is the nature of chaos. As Blagojevich flounders, he prevents his own rescue.

I guess I had it wrong; ego doesn’t float - it just gives you a big head that sinks you quicker.

Comment by VanillaMan Monday, Aug 13, 07 @ 9:54 am
They are keeping them open so they can address the issues they wan such as mass transit funding and to avoid the Governor’s accusations that they ignored any of the issues. If they are still pending, it is more difficult for the Governor to claim that they are not doing anything about the issues he has asked them to consider. While open, they are obviously still subject to consideration by the legislature. Also, with special sessions on the agenda, legislature eligible for per diem expenses when they do meet in Springfield.

Comment by AsAMom Monday, Aug 13, 07 @ 10:00 am
Insofar as the special session called for by the Governor, it’s a classic case of the boy who cried wolf. I would recommend that the legislators continue ignoring the Governor’s calls for special sessions,unless they are agreed to in advance by both Jones and Madigan, with the consent of Watson and Cross.

There are still important legialstive issues on the agenda - mass transit funding and a capital budget bill. The best way for the governor to signal that he is interested in working constructuvely with the legislature is to sign the budget or veto it and let the legislators override it. More gubernatorial gamesmanship will only serve to erode the Governor’s political credibility/capital/reelvance further.

The Governor should cut his losses, stop his political hemorrhaging, and work to enact a scaled back health care for the uninsured initiative during next year’s legislative session, when Republican votes are not required.

Comment by Captain America Monday, Aug 13, 07 @ 10:13 am
gov has achieved one thing - no one is talking about subpoenas and the foia, indictments, Rezko, etc.

Comment by A Citizen Monday, Aug 13, 07 @ 10:21 am
I’d guess that the Governor will show you this week that he is far from irrelevant. He’ll line item veto a significant number of items including some that will be hard to override, ie: pork and GA pay raises. Jones will not allow an override vote that will succeeed if it ever gets that far. Then the leaders will need to sit down and work out something on health insurance to get the remainder of the budget passed as well as the electric rate rebate bill signed. The budget battle hasn’t ended, it’s just beginning.

Comment by Silent Majority Monday, Aug 13, 07 @ 10:24 am
What if the governor decides to exercise the nuclear option of using his reduction veto power on every single line item in the budget? If the GA had to override each reduction veto in a 1,400 page bill, they’d be in session until December. They would have no choice but to pass another temporary budget, and it would keep this goofy overtime session going.

Comment by Old Time Springfield Monday, Aug 13, 07 @ 10:29 am
Old Time,
wouldn’t it take the Governor almost as long to do the veto message?And, what if the GA decided to let a number of them stand and just overide the ones that are heaters; Medicaid payment, school aid, senior citizen programs?

Comment by steve schnorf Monday, Aug 13, 07 @ 10:41 am
If Governor Blagojevich is calling special sessions all weekend for no other reason than to be vindictive to other elected officials and waste taxpayer funds to punish those who don’t agree with him he has demonstrated recallable behavior and really should be removed from office.

Is this what he is doing? Is there any legitmate reason why these sessions are being called?

Comment by Garp Monday, Aug 13, 07 @ 10:56 am
I figure it would take the GOMB staffers about a week to whack it down to a 60-day budget, in which case none of the vetoes could be allowed to stand; that is, if the intent of the GA is to enact a full-year budget over the governor’s veto. In ‘02 when Gov. Ryan exercised his reduction veto authority, the Senate spent an entire day sustaining a relatively small number of vetoes (at least in comparison to my ‘nuclear option’ scenario). My point is that overriding all of the nuclear option reduction vetoes would be an extremely time consuming task, no?

Comment by Old Time Springfield Monday, Aug 13, 07 @ 10:57 am
Recall Watson for denying us a capital budget and losing so many seats to Jones. Recall Hynes for doing the Speaker’s bidding rather than his job. People need to be paid…

Comment by operator 63 Monday, Aug 13, 07 @ 11:03 am
Old Time,
My recollection is that most of Governor Ryan’s vetoes that year were line item, not reduction, so they couldn’t be overridden by a simple majority.

Comment by steve schnorf Monday, Aug 13, 07 @ 11:04 am
Steve,
I seem to recall a number of reduction vetoes in ‘02, but the Repubs had control and were determined to sustain the vetoes, although if memory serves, I believe a few were overridden. Nevertheless, if I’m coming out of left field on this ‘nuclear option, then please, set me straight. If the governor’s people whacked every single line item in the budget, wouldn’t each reduction veto have to be overridden on a separate roll call?

Comment by Old Time Springfield Monday, Aug 13, 07 @ 11:12 am
…Repubs controlled the Senate in ‘02

Comment by Old Time Springfield Monday, Aug 13, 07 @ 11:12 am
Operator 63

You call for the recall of Hynes for doing Madigan’s bidding. You could not be further from the truth. If Hynes did the speakers bidding he would never have been part of the agrred order. Instead, Hynes would have sought a ruling on the constitutionl question of whether or not Hynes needed a budget to issue checks. In my opinion Hynes just opened the door to allow a veto and put off the day of reckoning until September.

Comment by MOON Monday, Aug 13, 07 @ 11:13 am
The gov is his own worst enemy. These tactics do not appear to be driving a wedge in the general Assembly, which has sufficient divergent views it should be easy enough to do. Instead he is forcing them to band and stay together against a shared enemy. In short, he need to get enough members on his side to stop them from having enough for a veto override, then come in with a line item veto. These tactics have the opposite effect, where the gov needs to apply a wedge he is instead applying glue.

Comment by Ghost Monday, Aug 13, 07 @ 11:37 am
There is nothing the gov can do to regain relevancy. And that is probably what he will do when he gets the budget bill, nothing. Or he’ll go on a suicide run and veto in the most vitriolic and punitive manner he can conjure. No one can trust his word on anything, even with MOUs, so his negotiating abilities are nil. Irrelevancy is an understatement and possibly the least of his worries now.

Comment by A Citizen Monday, Aug 13, 07 @ 11:46 am
Well, all of Blagojevich’s critics over these years has been predicting disaster. But whom among them had expected a disaster at this magnitude? Who expected a governor to immolate himself into utter irrelevancy?

He is the supposed leader of his party. His party has complete control over every statewide office and total domination in the legislature. And this is what happens?

Those of you trying to see the silver lining in this tornado by claiming Blagojevich will extract relevancy from line item vetoes or other assorted political tricks are either too cynical or wearing football helmets preventing them from feeling the soccer-size hailstones pounding around them.

Comment by VanillaMan Monday, Aug 13, 07 @ 12:05 pm
I wouldn’t be surprised if the Gov tries to amendatorily veto the budget to include $8 billion in new healthcare spending and a value added tax to pay for it. Just kidding?!

Comment by Inquiring Mind Monday, Aug 13, 07 @ 12:18 pm
Posted on illinois.gov

“A letter from the Governor to all state employees
August 10, 2007
Dear State Employee:

Thank you again for your hard work on behalf of the people of Illinois. I am pleased to inform you that the Comptroller and the Attorney General announced today that they both now agree with my position that state employees should be paid on time for the work that they do. While it was my hope that it wouldn’t take a lawsuit in order to make sure you get paid, you can now feel confident that you will get your paycheck on time and be able to meet your obligations without delay.
Thank you for your service.
Sincerely,

Rod Blagojevich
Governor”

You have to hand it to him. He can take his mediocre understanding of state law, and claim victory.

Comment by Retired State Employee Monday, Aug 13, 07 @ 12:22 pm
Serious doubts that GUMBY can actually prepare the reduction message without killing some innocent bystander. Fumbles and Giggles have probably commanded the staff to do it, but the bill is 1.400 pages. It is an awful lot of work for this crew that prides itself on light duty.
Plus that work takes away time from pajama parties at the Mansion, dunks in the kiddie pool and Nerf ball tossing.
Less than two hours until the next Special Session lets run up to the 4th Floor and giggle at the legislators obeying the commands. Tee Hee

Comment by Mr. W.T. Rush Monday, Aug 13, 07 @ 12:26 pm
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/billstatus.asp?DocNum=3866& The budget has gone to the governor

Comment by Mr. W.T. Rush Monday, Aug 13, 07 @ 12:32 pm
Article VIII, Section 3, paragraph b of the Illinois Constitution provides:
“(b) The General Assembly by law shall make
appropriations for all expenditures of public funds by the
State. Appropriations for a fiscal year shall not exceed
funds estimated by the General Assembly to be available
during that year.”
No appropriations have been made, yet due to the “agreement of all parties” spending will take place. My question is who stood up for the Illinois Constitution at the hearing in Taylorville last week? It sure wasn’t our constitutional officers Madigan and Hynes who agreed that the constitution didn’t need to be followed in this case.

Comment by General Assembly Watcher Monday, Aug 13, 07 @ 12:52 pm
I have been irritated by the fact that the press has repeatedly referred to the Governor’s health care plan as “bold”, (instead of “unrealistic” or “ill advised” or “poorly thought out”) so I decided to look it up in the disctionary. Turns out the press is correct with one definition of the word bold. “striking or conspicuous to the eye; flashy; showy”. Yep, that’s our governor!

Comment by one of the 35 Monday, Aug 13, 07 @ 12:54 pm
General Assembly Watcher keep in mind the state consitution is not the only law in the land. The State Officer must also comply with Federal Law.

Comment by Ghost Monday, Aug 13, 07 @ 1:01 pm
As far as no one is talking about Federal Subpoenas and
Indictments,FOIA’s, Rezko, Levine many many more pawns.
It’s coming.
Can you imagine waking everyday and have to constantly look over you shoulder. Not only is Rod Blagojevich irrelevant but he’s also useless
That Rod Blagojevich’s day.

Comment by Can of Whoopass Monday, Aug 13, 07 @ 1:11 pm
Now would be a great time to freeze Governor Blagojevich’s campaign funds and personal assets. Since he’s so irrelevant what does he need the money for?

Comment by High 'n' Dry Monday, Aug 13, 07 @ 1:27 pm
Is Blago really up for a prolonged battle at this point? It is nearing the time when school is starting, meaning Patti and the kids will be heading back to Chicago soon. Most likely he’ll head back with them, making him even more irrelevant if he tries to continue this fight.

Comment by Bluefish Monday, Aug 13, 07 @ 2:15 pm
Speaking of Rod’s Day…
Anyone want to venture a guess on Gov’s Day at the fair. Will he show? Or just “be about” the peoples work…doing his budggie thing

Comment by Siyotanka Monday, Aug 13, 07 @ 2:16 pm
Old Time Springfield, if the Governor tries your “nuclear option,” I would imagine that the leadership will just put all the override votes necessary into one roll call, similar to an “agreed bill list.” If the current rules don’t allow it, they can just amend the rules.

I think the real leverage with the Governor is that he has 60 days; but that also means 60 days with no budget, skipped payments to contractors, and everything else that entails. And the Governor will be blamed, not the General Assembly.

The Governor has been outmaneuvered by the Speaker at every step of the process, and there’s no reason to believe that will change. He should give up now and start working on next year’s program and budget; otherwise, he will only have himself to blame for the lack of any movement on health care coverage in Illinois.

Comment by the Other Anonymous Monday, Aug 13, 07 @ 2:17 pm
Its starting to remind me of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.

Rod’s the vengeful principal.

Hoffman’s the Ben Stein teacher character, on the house floor calling out ‘Bueller? Bueller?’

Instead of ‘Save Ferris’, the public is hoping for a budget ‘Where’s my check?’

But Madigan’s not as flashy as Ferris himself.

Comment by 312 Monday, Aug 13, 07 @ 3:04 pm
People here are underestimating the gamesmanship of Rod. The conventional wisdom is that he acting like a Fuerher in his bunker, insanely screeching orders that make no sense as doom closes in. Instead, Rod is cagey, ruthless and cynical, and playing the sound bite game for all it is worth, so expect more tricky moves before this is done. Since he has been waiting for, and even promoting, this showdown for more than two months, I suspect he has a surprise or two up his sleeve. I’m somewhat frightened to find out what they might be, but I suspect they are there.

Comment by Anon Monday, Aug 13, 07 @ 3:13 pm
Anon, I feel the same trepidations. Milorad may not be a very good tactician. Madigan’s got that all over him, but he does have strategic skills. That’s how he gets elected and re-elected to ever-higher offices. I’d venture to say he has something ready for this and it may blow everything sky-high. I’m not clever enough to see the way he gets there, but he’s after the destruction of the Madigan faction of the Democrat party in Illinois and he may already have set the fuses.

Comment by KantStandit Monday, Aug 13, 07 @ 3:27 pm
No one underestimates Rod’s ability to play games, but look where its gotten him.

Workin’ Man’s Wisdom:

“When all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail.”

“You can’t dig your way out of a hole.”

“I keep cuttin’ this board and cuttin’ it, but it’s still too darn short!!”

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Monday, Aug 13, 07 @ 5:50 pm
Rod is a superb strategist, but not much of a tactician. His strategy has got him elected and re-elected to ever-higher offices. I would not be surprised that his ultimate goal here is to destroy the Madigan wing of the Illinois Democratic Party and that this game is part of that strategy. The fuses may already be set.

Comment by KantStandit Monday, Aug 13, 07 @ 7:45 pm
- KantStandit -
You’ve got to be kidding - the guy is an idiot. Tusk, Monk, Mell WERE the brains of the “outfit” and they and his future are gone. Dream on, buddy.

Comment by A Citizen Monday, Aug 13, 07 @ 7:52 pm
Citizen, I genuinely hope you are correct and I’m sure we’ll soon know.

Comment by KantStandit Monday, Aug 13, 07 @ 7:56 pm
There is no Madagin wing - just a coalition of democrats that find a wealth of leadership skills in the Speaker that take them to common goals of true democrats. He was elected Speaker by the members. I’m sure gov would prefer a more Emil type who would be more maleable to his will. His loss, our and the people of Illinois’ gain.

Comment by A Citizen Monday, Aug 13, 07 @ 8:08 pm
KantStandit - one problem with lighting the fuse. You have to know when to run away from it before taking shrapnel yourself. Blago’s taken plenty of shrapnel this year and doesn’t have enough sense to realize he needs to get out of the way or he is going to become politically mortally wounded. I’m betting it’s already happened and he doesn’t know it yet because he and his “yes” men can’t handle the truth.

Comment by Little Egypt Monday, Aug 13, 07 @ 8:23 pm
Here’s a question for anyone who has knowledge or experience of politics in other states…. has any other state ever experienced such a complete meltdown of BOTH major parties? Or had back-to-back governors of opposite parties mired in scandal?

I know states like New Jersey, Louisiana, Maryland, etc. have also been known for corruption… but haven’t they usually been pretty much dominated by one party? It just blows my mind to see how completely both parties have self-destructed in this state… has this ever happened anywhere else? And if so, what was the result?

Comment by Lainer Monday, Aug 13, 07 @ 8:28 pm
- Little Egypt -
The yes men include the giggles twins Nix and Rausch. The Capitol janitor told me they read him the comics and he thinks it is the news! The Elvis man is hallucinating.

Comment by A Citizen Monday, Aug 13, 07 @ 8:31 pm
Also, I keep hearing that Rod has national ambitions and that’s why he keeps flogging the health care plan. But has ANYONE outside Illinois ever tagged him as any kind of “rising star” in the Democratic party? Does anyone outside of Chicago give a hoot about him at this point? For that matter, does anyone IN Chicago give a hoot about him at this point? And can I think of any more questions to ask : ) ?

Comment by Lainer Monday, Aug 13, 07 @ 8:38 pm
- Lainer -
Will he give the next Democrat National Convention opening speech? You forgot that one.

Comment by A Citizen Monday, Aug 13, 07 @ 8:42 pm
Have there been any approve/disapprove polls
on The Boy Wonder lately?

Comment by Esteban Monday, Aug 13, 07 @ 8:43 pm
If he does, I will not be able to watch it without barf bag in hand.

Comment by Lainer Monday, Aug 13, 07 @ 8:48 pm
The gov has one final positive option. To sign the budget as is and “request” Emil and Madagin to begin working with his CDB staff constructively on a capitol projects program. Does he have enough statesmanship to bow to the will of the people expressed in the budget bill and cast his lot cooperatively with the other leadership in Illinois gov’t.? I seriously doubt it.

Comment by A Citizen Monday, Aug 13, 07 @ 9:53 pm
no madigan wing…that is totaly crazy…i’m not sure the Governor is trying to destroy it…but to say there isn’t one is crazy

Comment by sitting and watching it unfold Monday, Aug 13, 07 @ 10:53 pm
Okay then, the Whole House of Representatives (minus one) is the Madagin wing. Happy now?

Comment by A Citizen Monday, Aug 13, 07 @ 11:16 pm