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Reform and renewal

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It turns out that I wasn’t the only one with the scoop on today’s press conference by Dan Hynes.

Comptroller Dan Hynes plans today to announce a new legislative push to clamp down on state contractors who get sweet taxpayer-funded deals and also happen to be generous political contributors.

‘’Taxpayers have a right to expect that government officials are basing their actions on sound public policy, not campaign cash,'’ said Hynes, whose effort also will involve Sen. Miguel del Valle (D-Chicago) and Rep. John Fritchey (D-Chicago). […]

Under the proposal Hynes will be unveiling today, companies with more than $25,000 in state contracts would be barred from donating to the officeholder who awarded the contracts.

Not mentioned, however, is that the plan has bipartisan support. See the Capitol Fax for more on that subject.

Os-blog was skeptical yesterday about criticisms of the governor’s penchant for accepting campaign contributions from contractors.

If you want to complain and say its a problem and unethical (and I’m pretty much with you)- then find me a legislator willing to deal with campaign finance reform and ban these sorts of donations/contracts.

He made a lot of good points in that post, but he spoke just a little too soon. Whether the bill will actually pass, however, is still unknown. The Os-man (another excellent regional politics blogger) could still be vindicated come the end of session.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Feb 25, 05 @ 7:59 am

Comments

Dan Hynes again has shown that he possesses much more government leadership ability than Blago. Why didn’t Hynes step up to the plate in 2002 and run for governor? I suspect that if was elected governor then, the state would not be confronting half the mess it is today. Instead, the citizens and taxpayers get screwed again.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Feb 25, 05 @ 3:20 pm
I like Dan Hynes, but his Senate campaign was a pathetic joke. He never seemed to want that job.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Feb 25, 05 @ 4:22 pm
The Hynes for Senate campaign was a joke. He didnt have the courage to take risks on that campaign — thought thatg his name recognition and the 19th ward would carry the day for him. He was thoroughly outclassed by obama, embarrased if you will, by getting crushed in a multi candidate primary. Now he wants to start shooting arrows at Blago? What courage he has now. I can only assume that this means that he will consider challenging Blago in the primary, right? If not, why make the public spectacle out of campaign contributions. Is he just shoring up his image to ensure his reelection as comptroller?
It seems obvious that nobody is interested in being Comptroller for life. So he must be positioning for 2006. Therefore, he should step up and bring this fresh leadership to the governors race. it is his duty to the taxpayer.

Blago should go nucleur on the campaign finance issue and propose something that would place limits on every donation to every office holder. If Hynes wants reform, blago should give it to him. and every member of the GA. enough of the political posturing here. no more lobbyists buying anything, no more in-kind contributions to any elected officials, no more “educational” trips paid for by PACs, and no more contracts to anybody giving contributuins to anybody, members of the GA included. All D2s should be included in this ban. nobody who gets state business should be able to give to any candidate, party, political action committee, ward organization, or elected official of any kind. end all of it.

if somebody wants to give money, they can give up to $100 of their personal money — thats it.

Comment by Anonymous Saturday, Feb 26, 05 @ 1:50 pm
“excellent” seems like a lofty adjective for a guy with a weird fixation on Ukraine’s Prime Minister- but I take the compliments where I can get ‘em, thanks for the mention.

Comment by Rich Saturday, Feb 26, 05 @ 8:34 pm
In your nuclear option, would you also force the governor to give away all the money he’s raised so far?

Comment by Anonymous Sunday, Feb 27, 05 @ 4:32 pm