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* 2:24 pm - Once again, we’re waiting to see what the governor will do with the operating budget. Hang loose.

* 2:32 pm - The governor has signed several bills into law already today. Go check them out here.

The governor has relentlessly complained about corporate loopholes, but he did sign one loophole into law today. Senate Bill 455 has this synopsis…

Amends the Use Tax Act. Provides a tax exemption for the use of aircraft that: (i) leave this State after the purchase of the aircraft; (ii) are temporarily located in this State for the purpose of a prepurchase evaluation; or (iii) are temporarily located in this State for the purpose of a post-sale customization. Amends the Retailers’ Occupation Tax Act. Provides a tax exemption for the sale of aircraft that leave this State after the purchase of the aircraft. Provides that the Acts’ sunset provisions do not apply to these exemptions. Effective immediately.

* 3:22 pm - This week’s WDWS podcast features retiring state Rep. Bill Black. Go listen. Hat tip: IP.

* 4:25 pm - From Politics1…

It only took one day, but all four Dems who had been running to succeed Congressman Luis Gutierrez (D) quit the race after the incumbent reversed course and announce his intent to seek re-election next year.

*** 4:47 pm *** OK, so now I’m hearing it will likely be tomorrow at the earliest before they do anything with the budget bill. Apparently, there’s still a lot of work to do. While the lid is not securely on tight, I’m giving up for the day. I’ll check back occasionally, but you’re released.

* Ah, the “good” ol’ days…

“Get off the soapbox. Save that for the Tribune.”

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Aug 20, 07 @ 2:25 pm

Comments

What is the critical date in September when payrolls can’t be paid without further authorization ? Be it judicial or a finalized budget ?

Comment by A Citizen Monday, Aug 20, 07 @ 2:33 pm
As soon as he item vetoes or reduce vetoes the budget, the rest of the state budget takes effect. Just relax and be a little patient. This will be over soon.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Aug 20, 07 @ 2:35 pm
If every Boeing Jet leaving the city had a 9.75% tax like other retail, say like cars, that export airplace tax exemption thingie sounds lucritive. What are they thinking?

Comment by The 'Broken Heart' of Rogers Park Monday, Aug 20, 07 @ 2:41 pm
Oops, airplane, not airplace.

Comment by The 'Broken Heart' of Rogers Park Monday, Aug 20, 07 @ 2:43 pm
One person’s loophole is another person’s avenue to a campaign contribution — but that would be business as usual, wouldn’t it?

I also noticed that the list of bills signed into law did not include any ethics legislation. Once again, Governor BigBoy is all hat and no cattle.

Comment by dc Monday, Aug 20, 07 @ 2:54 pm
You should have told us to take a few days off. He’s already pushed it back as it is. I’d be surprised if he line items anything this week.

Comment by jwscott72 Monday, Aug 20, 07 @ 2:55 pm
Again, I guess it depends on whose loop hole it is and what kind of headline or contribution it generates.

Comment by one of the 35 Monday, Aug 20, 07 @ 2:57 pm
Rich,

Do you have information that Gov. Blagojevich will produce those line item vetoes and put the rest of the budget into efect soon? What makes you think it will happen today (or tomorrow)?

Comment by Fan of the Game Monday, Aug 20, 07 @ 3:05 pm
I was told to expect something today. If I’m told otherwise, I’ll get back to you.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Aug 20, 07 @ 3:05 pm
- Fan of the Game -
Do not doubt Carnack, or the fleas of a thousand camels . . . !

Comment by A Citizen Monday, Aug 20, 07 @ 3:08 pm
A Citizen,

I think I have fleas already.

Rich,

Thanks for the clarification.

Comment by Fan of the Game Monday, Aug 20, 07 @ 3:13 pm
Clayborne has a large refurbisher of aircraft in his district. Lots of high paying jobs. Unusual in Illinois. Interesting to note local legislators in the area, except for Holbrook and Hoffman signed on.

Comment by Larry Monday, Aug 20, 07 @ 3:48 pm
I wouldn’t necessarily disagree with your analysis, Larry, but this is the same governor who said just last week that corporate daycare centers shouldn’t receive a tax break.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Aug 20, 07 @ 3:51 pm
And the same Governor who announced that he would make $500 million in cuts in the budget without having any clue what they would be

Comment by Expected Delay Monday, Aug 20, 07 @ 4:07 pm
Yeah. I’m wondering if he even had an idea of how he could reach that goal when he set it.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Aug 20, 07 @ 4:09 pm
Springfield also has a large corporate jet maintenace/refurnishing center. (Garrett/now Landmark, aviation) I believe, while acklowledging that one guy’s loophole is another’s critical tax incentive to keep the doors open, that these jobs were very portable and well could have walked over the bridge.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Monday, Aug 20, 07 @ 4:12 pm
Rich, they told you it would be today? Must have been before the Cubs rain delay pushed things back.

Comment by Reality Check Monday, Aug 20, 07 @ 4:41 pm
I’m starting to wonder.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Aug 20, 07 @ 4:42 pm
He’s waiting til after the news cycle. Post someone at the House doors around 11:30 p.m.! Another sleepless night.

Comment by A Citizen Monday, Aug 20, 07 @ 4:46 pm
I don’t think so. From what I hear, Index hasn’t been asked to stay on call tonight.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Aug 20, 07 @ 4:50 pm
It would have been much easier if gov had made his changes first, totalled up the # impact and THEN gone into PR mode - he put the cart way in front of the horse. Many commenters posted that he would have a very hard time coming up with his announced cuts. Guess he’ll have to wipe out the Senate’s Member Initiatives. Well, Good. Emil a bit of a porker as it is.

Comment by A Citizen Monday, Aug 20, 07 @ 4:56 pm
AC, when has the guv ever done that? He always puts the press release before the heavy work cart.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Aug 20, 07 @ 5:05 pm
Man! That’s just got to be pure hell for the support staff. That M.O. would kill morale in any organization. Do they have high turnover? I would expect a high burn out rate.

Comment by A Citizen Monday, Aug 20, 07 @ 5:10 pm
Re: 4:25pm update on Guitierrez’ would-be successors,

EricV has the germane quotes from the 4 drop-outs over at Prairie State Blue…

At least now Rep. Guitierrez no longer has an excuse to avoid being a DCCC team player and he can step up to the plate and cover his dues.

Comment by Rob_N Monday, Aug 20, 07 @ 5:15 pm
Thanks for that link, Rob.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Aug 20, 07 @ 5:17 pm
He’s incompetent…..pure and simple incompetent. I believe that’s worse than irrevelant!

Comment by downhereforyears Monday, Aug 20, 07 @ 5:57 pm
also waiting on the governor to sign the film tax credit again. good thing we subsidize short term jobs from hollywood at the expense of families needing day care.

Comment by 4 percent Monday, Aug 20, 07 @ 5:58 pm
They’re just now extending the deadline for the Local Government Consolidation Commission’s report? They’ve been out of compliance for more than 7 months! Who has actually been appointed to this commission anyway? I don’t see this commission listed on the state’s website with all of the others.

Comment by Squideshi Monday, Aug 20, 07 @ 6:32 pm
But, these tax credits ARE for the children. You see, without the credits then the parents would be out of work. If the parents are not working then that is bad for the children. Oh yes, very bad indeed.

If both parents are out of work then the children aren’t eligible for AllKids. Are they? I don’t know. Plus the parents of the children couldn’t afford AllKids if unemployed.

Rod needs to get as many people on the rolls for his “Health Care For All” programs. So he can’t have them eligible for “free” Medicaid if their parents are unemployed. That would be very bad. The number of AllKids eligible people would drop. Can’t have that.

Comment by Papa Legba Monday, Aug 20, 07 @ 6:43 pm
Word is people who give health care to seniors and DD are being told they will get the NonEssential Nonsense….Look for the pressure to mount on Senators. Can they take the heat? Can you spell electric rate relief.

Comment by GettingGUMBY'd Monday, Aug 20, 07 @ 6:44 pm
I think Rod has no choice politically but to line out the Senate Dem’s $48 million, even though as previously discussed there’s no way to apply that vetoed money to a health care plan, unless he does an amendatory veto, which would kill the entire budget. Maybe killing the entire budget is what he’s hoping for.

However, I expect the Gov. will have a gentleman’s agreement with the Senate President that they’ll get plenty of projects doled out the old fashioned way.

Speaking of which, Rich in one of the stories on the death of the capital bill, I remember someone reporting that the MOU’s from the Gov’s office promising Senate Republicans pork in the capital budget didn’t arrive to Watson until the middle of the debate, or some such thing.

I’m wondering why nobody has really written about how our now kosher Governor not only promised pork to pass a capital budget, but actually signed promissory notes? Any idea what the total of the MOU’s was?

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Monday, Aug 20, 07 @ 7:12 pm
$400 million.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Aug 20, 07 @ 7:14 pm
Let’s see, Republicans get $400 million and gov gets $8 Billion. I’d reject that tradeoff too. Regardless of any “deal” MOU’s notwithstanding, this gov can not be trusted. He has Proven that beyond doubt. Let’s just move on with the “barebones” budget that approves essentials and no grandiose new ideas from out of left field. Overide the amendatory vetoes 100%, prove you have some backbone, and get this budget in place! That means you Emil, too, if you have the intelligence to overide your greed. It’s AUGUST 20th, what could possibly justify ANY further delay?

Comment by A Citizen Monday, Aug 20, 07 @ 7:39 pm
A Citizen
” . . .It’s AUGUST 20th, what could possibly justify ANY further delay? . . . ” INCOMPETENCE - collectively.

Comment by A Citizen Monday, Aug 20, 07 @ 7:42 pm
To paraphrase Samuel Goldwyn, Blago’s verbal agreements aren’t worth the paper they’re written on (even when they are written)

Comment by Lainer Monday, Aug 20, 07 @ 7:59 pm
Interestingly enough, I just did a full text search of the so-called Film Production Tax Credit Bill (SB 1544) and there’s absolutely NOTHING about film production in it. In fact, the only instance of the word “film” occurs once and in a reference to microfilm. The short title of this Public Act has become FY2008 Budget Implementation (Revenue) Act.

Comment by Squideshi Monday, Aug 20, 07 @ 8:08 pm
As I told 4 last time he/she posted something on the film credit, the General Assembly has not passed a bill extending the credit. SB 1544 would have done that, but the House used it as a vehicle for the loophole closing legislation.

Comment by Just Me Monday, Aug 20, 07 @ 8:19 pm
So as you stated eariler Rich, after Blago does his line items, the rest of the budget goes into affect. Or does the Gov have another avenue to extend the budget ordeal?

Comment by Lincoln Man Monday, Aug 20, 07 @ 8:46 pm
Did you mean “budget ordeal” or “budget or deal”? This guv’s never done playing juvenile games. Until he delivers the budget back to the House that is - then it’s Game Over!

Comment by A Citizen Monday, Aug 20, 07 @ 9:19 pm
budget ordeal of course

Comment by Lincoln Man Monday, Aug 20, 07 @ 9:24 pm
In about seven weeks the budget, as passed, automatically becomes law, if the gov does nothing. Lot of pain between now and then if he chooses that route, starting a week ago and growing in intensity toward the 60 day limit. I doubt he can survive that politically or legally.

Comment by A Citizen Monday, Aug 20, 07 @ 9:25 pm
I am on the edge of my seat, anxiously waiting for the next plot twist.

Comment by Lincoln Man Monday, Aug 20, 07 @ 9:32 pm
- Lincoln Man -
Don’t encourage him, he’s a drama queen. And reads and occasionally posts here, anonymously of course.

Comment by A Citizen Monday, Aug 20, 07 @ 9:35 pm
I am sure your right. Thanks for the info, anyhow.

Comment by Lincoln Man Monday, Aug 20, 07 @ 9:50 pm
Does anyone know how long after the budget passes will it be before the state starts hiring again?

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Aug 20, 07 @ 9:59 pm
Ask Cassandra.

Seriously, that would be outside my understanding. One thing at a time.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Aug 20, 07 @ 10:08 pm
I am tring not to sound too stupid because I am new around this site, but how do I ask Cassandra?

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Aug 20, 07 @ 10:12 pm
- Anonymous -
The state never stopped hiring. The “hiring freeze” just allows for political/patronage screening. Check with your clout. Or as we used to say, “your chinaman”. Really! If you know any state employees just ask them, there are new hires daily.

Comment by A Citizen Monday, Aug 20, 07 @ 10:23 pm
I have been looking towards corrections, and I have been told that there is no hire date. Last I checked they haven’t trained a class since last december

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Aug 20, 07 @ 10:27 pm
- Anonymous -
I have heard that Corrections is dangerously low in certain security staffing levels - correctional officers/guards etc. Try to find out who the AFSCME Union Rep is for the facility you want to work in and contact them. They should be able to give you some very useful guidance. Best wishes.

Comment by A Citizen Monday, Aug 20, 07 @ 10:38 pm
-A Citzen- Thank you I will do just that

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Aug 20, 07 @ 10:40 pm
- Anonymous -
You might also ask about “Contract Employees”. The AFSCME Union Hates the contracting out process but many agencies use it including Corrections. A Contract employee is NOT a dues paying union member. Hence their opposition.

Comment by A Citizen Monday, Aug 20, 07 @ 10:46 pm
This is all insane. The State of Illinois deserves this. Maybe next time they’ll think more than 30 seconds when they decide who to vote for. WHAT WERE THEY THINKING????!!!!!

Comment by It's Just Me Monday, Aug 20, 07 @ 11:05 pm
- It’s Just Me -
Oh, Rod, Stop it - Stop It Now! You have to finish your term - then they’ll give you a permanent vacation . . . if Fitz doesn’t beat them to it!

Comment by A Citizen Monday, Aug 20, 07 @ 11:11 pm
Anonymous 10:12,

It’s an inside joke. Cassandra is a poster who likes to berate state employees.

Comment by Fan of the Game Tuesday, Aug 21, 07 @ 8:09 am