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* 1:10 pm - I told subscribers about this problem earlier in the week, but Senate President Emil Jones just confirmed that he doesn’t have enough members in town to even bother calling the mass transit bill, if it somehow makes it out of the House…
Senate President Emil Jones says its outlook is not good.
Jones says the Senate will have too many members gone today and tomorrow to approve the plan if the House passes it.
He also says downstate senators are refusing to support mass transit help unless a deal for road and school construction projects statewide is also reached.
* 1:27 pm - Republican presidential filing begins today in Illinois. Rudy Guiliani and Ron Paul didn’t file delegates at all, and Fred Thompson only filed delegate slates in five districts: 2nd, 3rd, 10th, 17th and 19th. More from the SJ-R.…
State Sen. Bill Brady, R-Bloomington, who heads the Thompson effort in Illinois, said his candidate’s late entry into the race didn’t leave as much time to collect signatures as some other candidates had.
Joe Becker of Denver, chief legal officer of the Ron Paul campaign, said Illinois delegate and alternate slates will be filed later.
* 1:32 pm - If you’re wondering why session hasn’t started yet, it’s because the leaders are meeting in the governor’s office.
Rep. Jay Hoffman, the governor’s House floor leader, is reportedly at the meeting. Hoffman was telling people yesterday that he would vote “No” on the new transit bill, but the governor’s been putting the arm on him, so he’s now said to be in the “undecided” camp.
As I told subscribers this morning, if Hoffman votes “No,” practically nobody will ever believe that Blagojevich really worked on behalf of this bill.
* 1:36 pm - The House is starting up. Listen or watch here.
*** 1:41 pm *** The governor reportedly told the leaders today that all of his House Democratic loyalists will vote for the transit bill. The House will likely go to caucus soon.
* 1:49 pm - Rep. Gary Hannig, who is sitting in the Speakers chair, was just asked whether the House would conclude business today after caucus and committees, or tomorrow. Said Hannig: “I’m advised that there will be an effort to try and conclude tonight, but that’s not for certain.”
* 1:57 pm - Rep. Mautino just brought up a big issue for Downstate House Democrats: Project reappropriations. Lots of projects didn’t get reappropriated in the final enacted budget this year. It’s just another log to throw on the gigantic pile of what members are demanding for a final solution to this session.
The House has now recessed for caucus and committees.
*** 2:06 pm *** Rep. Jay Hoffman has now confirmed to someone else that he and the governor’s other four ducklings will be voting “Yes” on the transit bill today.
That means all eyes are now on House GOP Leader Cross. If he succecssfully pushes for the bill, then it will likely pass the House and the mess will arrive in the Senate.
*** 3:46 pm *** It looks like we’ll see a gaming bill tomorrow. The House Democrats are planning to caucus on Madigan’s new expansion proposal after the 10 o’clock session.
The plan today, so far, is to run the transit bill after caucus and committees. Right now, it looks like there will be enough HGOP votes to pass this thing, but one can never be certain in this climate, so stay tuned. The Repubs are still caucasing as I write this.
*** 7:25 pm *** Members have been dropping off like flies for the past few hours, and it now appears that not all the governor’s minions are going to be on board as promised, and that several other House members of both parties are turning against the bill. I’ll have more on the “why” in tomorrow’s Capitol Fax.
Leader Cross, who predicted a couple of minutes ago that the transit bailout bill would fail in the House, got an earful in caucus about the absence of a capital bill agreement and has now called for a special session on the topic. Cross’ people say they want the governor to keep members in session as long as it takes until the capital/gaming issue is resolved.
…Adding… I was a bit in haste when I wrote that House Dems would see a gaming “bill” tomorrow in caucus. They will discuss Speaker Madigan’s proposals. The draft is not yet finalized.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Nov 28, 07 @ 1:10 pm
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Hmmm, does he even want to call this measure to a vote? I’m sure he could get some members down to vote on this measure if he wants to. Perhaps he’s not trying to be the leader he is supposed to be. That or the transit situtaion isn’t a high priority right now.
Comment by Levois Wednesday, Nov 28, 07 @ 1:18 pm
I think this year has proven that Emil isn’t the leader he once was.
But he is still the Senate President. So, even though he can only control 29/30 votes, he still has a lot of power.
Comment by GoBearsss Wednesday, Nov 28, 07 @ 1:19 pm
Well! This is a fine mess you’ve gotten us into, Ollie . . er Emil . . er guv.
Comment by A Citizen Wednesday, Nov 28, 07 @ 1:25 pm
I understand the concern of downstate legislators who don’t want to have money taken from them and given to Chicago. But let’s step back and look at it another way.
This is money from the Chicago region. If downstate legislators claim that is their money, aren’t they just acknowledging that they don’t want to give up their subsidy from Chicago?
Obviously, I prefer the new proposal. Just thought I would toss out there a new perspective.
Comment by GoBearsss Wednesday, Nov 28, 07 @ 1:28 pm
So I gather the Senate under Emil has chosen not to bother to show up for guv’s “Special Session” on mass transit? That pesky constitution’s really not that pesky - just sort of a bunch of suggestions. Like the Ten really strong suggestions formerly the Ten Commandments. And the guv? In makeup for Channel 2.
Comment by A Citizen Wednesday, Nov 28, 07 @ 1:31 pm
Is the Governor going to file suit against Emil for failing to get his members in for Special Session?
Comment by He makes Ryan Look like a Saint Wednesday, Nov 28, 07 @ 1:33 pm
Rumor has it that the Gov., after prodding from Houlihan, plans on calling more special sessions in December to attempt to make the 7% real estate tax solution for Cook County permanent.
Also, if I’am not mistaken,the Gov. has not signed the BIMPS, and he wants to change them during these special sessions.
Comment by MOON Wednesday, Nov 28, 07 @ 1:34 pm
“Rumor has it that the Gov., after prodding from Houlihan, plans on calling more special sessions in December to attempt to make the 7% real estate tax solution for Cook County permanent.”
That’s not rumor. That’s what he said he would do a month ago. I would say don’t bet on it.
Comment by GoBearsss Wednesday, Nov 28, 07 @ 1:36 pm
===I would say don’t bet on it.====
So, why tell liaisons to expect to be in session for the first two to three weeks of December?
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Nov 28, 07 @ 1:39 pm
oh. Well, maybe so then…
I just think any sessions in December would put pressure on Emil to call the transit bill absent of capital. I figured in the scenario being developed, that situation would want to be avoided.
Comment by GoBearsss Wednesday, Nov 28, 07 @ 1:42 pm
They need to drop the downstate v chicago squabble. The CTA/RTA bill should not be mashed together with other capital programs. They need and deserve seperate debate and consideration.
Comment by Ghost Wednesday, Nov 28, 07 @ 1:45 pm
In that today’s Special Session is a duplicate of an earlier one that never was concluded, doesn’t that make this one a Special Special Session? Or maybe a Special Session on Steroids? We need some new nomenclature for these “proceedings”.
Comment by A Citizen Wednesday, Nov 28, 07 @ 1:45 pm
I’ll bet if this bill was to benefit Comed, Emil would have made sure his members were present
Comment by anon Wednesday, Nov 28, 07 @ 1:50 pm
Excuse me, but its pretty funny when Rod refers to “all” of his House democratic loyalists. He means “all” four or five of them depending on whether Kenny Dunkin wakes up on time.
Comment by Bill Wednesday, Nov 28, 07 @ 1:56 pm
lol
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Nov 28, 07 @ 1:58 pm
Rich - procedural question:
Could the House call to order one of the Special Sessions the Gov had earlier proclaimed on Capital? I think there was one. And they didn’t close any of those out yet, I believe.
That would allow them to talk Capital today, instead of using the excuse that they can only talk about what was in the most recent special session.
Comment by GoBearsss Wednesday, Nov 28, 07 @ 2:02 pm
Regarding your 2:06 pm update -
Who woulda thunk that it would be so hard for the Gov to get Hoffman on board?
Talk about a session for the record books.
Comment by GoBearsss Wednesday, Nov 28, 07 @ 2:07 pm
Don’t forget that they could always declare a regular session day to get it done.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Nov 28, 07 @ 2:07 pm
CTA/RTA operations should not be hog-tied to capital, period. They can start linking the CTA and RTA with roads in a capital bill only when said bill establishes a Fund for Infrastructure that includes Roads, Schools AND Transit. Last time around we did not have some half-baked thing called Illinois FIRS.
Comment by Angry Chicagoan Wednesday, Nov 28, 07 @ 2:12 pm
GoBearsss,
I think the downstate legislators are simply worried that, if a transit bill is signed, a capital bill will be placed on the backburner until much, much later. They don’t want to wait that long.
I agree with Ghost that transit and capital deserve their separate considerations, but the way the government has been operating this year, the downstate people likely see this as perhaps their only opportunity to make something happen quickly.
Comment by Fan of the Game Wednesday, Nov 28, 07 @ 2:13 pm
Fan -
Right, that’s why I asked if they could call some Capital bill today.
Comment by GoBearsss Wednesday, Nov 28, 07 @ 2:15 pm
Fy08 is right at 5/12s over. 7/12s to go, so anything passed for FY08 will be only 7/12s as costly. And I have a bridge . . .
Comment by A Citizen Wednesday, Nov 28, 07 @ 2:16 pm
Special sessions of the General Assembly may also be convened by joint proclamation of the presiding officers of both houses, issued as provided by law.
As a consequence, there is no prohibition to address the other issues of capital spending or gaming; that is a straw man for those unwilling or uninterested in doing so. They simply can not be addressed under the current Special Session called by the Governor.
Where there is a will; there is a way. There is no collective will by the powers that be; and so there is no way, for now.
Comment by Parliamentary Procedure Wednesday, Nov 28, 07 @ 2:20 pm
Correct.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Nov 28, 07 @ 2:21 pm
A,
Your numerical prowess is breathtaking!
Comment by Bill Wednesday, Nov 28, 07 @ 2:23 pm
Rich, keep up the great work. I have been INCREADIBLY ENTERTAINED by the antics of this year’s general assembly/govenor’s office thanks to your blog. Thank goodness that the Democrats can take credit. Just wanted to say thanks (as I wait for the live audio to restart in the house) Any quess how long before they come out of caucus?
Comment by novice to politics-vandalia prison employee Wednesday, Nov 28, 07 @ 2:40 pm
Downstate Democrats have Emil Jones and Rod Blagojevich to thank. They put the brick on a Regional sales tax that would’ve been easy to embrace and are instead pushing for a $400 million diversion from GRF.
And, in a hilarious act of turnabout is fair play, Madigan has driven a nice wedge between Emil and Blago. Blago’s fully supporting the bill in the House now, and if it makes it to the Senate, it will be Emil who gets the blame for any CTA shutdown. That’s the kind of break Frank Watson could use, and if he’s smart, he’ll make sure Cross puts just enough votes on the bill to pass it.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Wednesday, Nov 28, 07 @ 2:44 pm
I want to see how they replace the $$$ used to fill the CTA hole.
Why should downstate do anything for Chicago without some kind of quid pro quo? The reverse is rare.
Comment by Pot calling kettle Wednesday, Nov 28, 07 @ 2:45 pm
Our U.S. Supreme Court is appointed, supposedly based on merit, and look at the result. Repeal of environmental protections, repeal of property rights, and soon the repeal of privacy rights.
Heck, I’m smarter than Clarence Thomas.
Nope, I’ll take my chances with elections any day.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Wednesday, Nov 28, 07 @ 2:49 pm
What a shcck! Blago-Jones can’t deliver the Senate
votes despite Madigan’s statesmanlike/Machiavellian efforts to achieve a compromise. Could the SJR be right?
It seems to me that there will be enough votes in the Senate and the House in January for either the Cross-Blago plan or the Hamos plan in January,since only a simple majority is required
Downstaters and capital/casino proponnts appear to lose a lot of leverage after December 31,
Jones will not be able to block a vote on mass transit funding in January no matter how hard he tries. His caucus will demand a vote on whichever bill Madigan passes.
If Madigan really is pursuing Blago’s political destruction, he’s pass the Hamos plan instead of the Blago-Cross plan.
Comment by Captain America Wednesday, Nov 28, 07 @ 2:57 pm
From the SJ-R today….
Click Your Pick
Assuming it was possible, who would get your vote for governor in a race between Rod Blagojevich and George Ryan?
Rod Blagojevich 28.9%
George Ryan 71.1%
Total votes: 2180
Results not scientific
Ouch.
Comment by The Welshman Wednesday, Nov 28, 07 @ 3:03 pm
Captain America - you are right. Madigan is a swell guy.
In all seriousness… I think the best situation for Blago and company is if the House passes the Cross plan today, and then the Senate passes the Cross plan and a compromise Capital/gambling plan in January.
That is really the best they can hope for at this point.
Comment by GoBearsss Wednesday, Nov 28, 07 @ 3:08 pm
Moon
The real rumor was that I was going to AV the BIMP with permanent 7% language, but I was told to go (*^_(^(_)*%&*)%&*) myself by all those blood sucking school people.
The other real rumor was that Slick Willie was drafting another gaming bill but the Senate doesn’t have enough bodies to do squat today.
Geez
Comment by DumberThanYouThink Wednesday, Nov 28, 07 @ 3:22 pm
Great to see Ron Paul gets a mention here.
Comment by Levois Wednesday, Nov 28, 07 @ 3:22 pm
If gaming is called tomorrow, does this mean everything is moving in a positive direction?
Or is this more games.
I feel like we have gone beyond Chess. I think we have entered the realm of that 3-D Chess they play on Star Trek.
Comment by GoBearsss Wednesday, Nov 28, 07 @ 4:03 pm
The State Journal-Register poll has George ryan’s lead over Gov. Sleazy down to just a 61.4-38.6% margin. I guess Rod’s staffers are busy flooding the poll with votes for their boss.
Comment by fedup dem Wednesday, Nov 28, 07 @ 4:32 pm
Notice Rich said that we will be seeing MADIGAN’S gaming proposal tomorrow.
Another “chew on this” proposal from Madigan.
It will contain all of the revenue needed to support the capital development plan that lawmakers on both sides of the aisle hunger for, and which Emil and Rod have been promising not only lawmakers, but powerful unions and their contractor employers.
It will contain none of the “minority set asides” that Emil has demanded so that he can shoe-horn his pals into cozy investments as he did with the Emerald Casino, but instead set up a lottery for minority investment.
And, strict reforms will be put into place to free the Gaming Board from political influence of Governor Blagojevich and his pals.
Now we’ll find out if Emil and Rod really want a capital plan, or if they were just angling to line their pockets and the pockets of their friends.
Genius. Genius.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Wednesday, Nov 28, 07 @ 5:01 pm
P.S. Why isn’t Rod suing the Senate for failure to convene a Special Session?
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Wednesday, Nov 28, 07 @ 5:03 pm
“Genius”?
Rod gets his preferred CTA plan plus a capital plan? And he loses?
I don’t see it.
Madigan’s end goal is no capital plan. Not simply getting a capital plan with more oversight and regulations.
The way to achieve his end goal is to introduce a gaming/capital plan that doesn’t generate the revenue. That’s the only way to drag this along.
Comment by GoBearsss Wednesday, Nov 28, 07 @ 5:13 pm
Hey I just figured out my “prefered” CTA plans chews up all the cash I wanted to blow on health care
Geez
And Slick Willie tells me the only part of the capital plan I get is one cement mixer to drive around. All the other grants will go to the State Librarian for distribution.
Double Geez
Comment by DumberThanYouThink Wednesday, Nov 28, 07 @ 5:34 pm
If I were a downstate house dem, I would file a motion to reconsider after Skippy’s transit bill passes and hold it up (like the utility bill earlier this year) until I had a chance to vote on a capital bill.
Comment by Prairie Sage Wednesday, Nov 28, 07 @ 5:37 pm
If I were a downstate house dem, I would thank the lucky stars that the Chicago metropolitan region generates all this money for you to throw around in your district.
Comment by GoBearsss Wednesday, Nov 28, 07 @ 5:40 pm
If anyone is watching the transit hearing right now, Rep. Molaro has had a great little speech. Fantastic.
Comment by GoBearsss Wednesday, Nov 28, 07 @ 6:23 pm
Passed out of Committee.
House is reconvening.
Comment by GoBearsss Wednesday, Nov 28, 07 @ 6:37 pm
Hoffman was on board all along. He’s just playing with the press AND his constituents.
Comment by Little Egypt Wednesday, Nov 28, 07 @ 6:38 pm
is it going to be HB4161?
Comment by some former legislative intern Wednesday, Nov 28, 07 @ 6:50 pm
If this 300 mil plus is coming from the road fund, then when do all the troopers get their pink slips, because didn’t they need 150 mil to carry them to the end of FY08.
Comment by Soon to Retire Wednesday, Nov 28, 07 @ 7:27 pm
Its not road fund. Its GRF.
Sound the Rich Miller Transit Misinformation Alert System.
Comment by GoBearsss Wednesday, Nov 28, 07 @ 7:31 pm
As I’m sitting here listening to the transit debate, Rep. Winters is arguing against it on the basis that the CTA service area is “geographically small.” That’s hillarious. I didn’t know legislators considered grass, cows, lakes, and trees as their constitutents.
Comment by The Elderly Republican Tomato Farmer Wednesday, Nov 28, 07 @ 7:31 pm
I think we have risen to a new level and a new term - Organized Anarchy.
Comment by A Citizen Wednesday, Nov 28, 07 @ 7:58 pm
Oooooh! They are gonna be pullin hair soon! I have tickets if any one wants. Meooow!
Comment by A Citizen Wednesday, Nov 28, 07 @ 8:19 pm
It died
Comment by True Comparison Wednesday, Nov 28, 07 @ 8:24 pm
Vote fails - I thought Madigan was pushing the ball in Emil’s court?
Or, I guess now the story is Madigan was really setting the bill up to fail?
Comment by GoBearsss Wednesday, Nov 28, 07 @ 8:25 pm
Whatever happened it was a brilliant move by the Speaker. Checkmate!
Comment by Bill Wednesday, Nov 28, 07 @ 8:29 pm
I seriously am beginning to believe that the shear weight of the State’s fiscal problems have become so great/large that state government is failing. The architect of that failure is the guv! God help us.
Comment by A Citizen Wednesday, Nov 28, 07 @ 8:29 pm
Too bad Bill Beavers wasn’t there tonight, he would have had the porcine foritude to get it done.
Comment by OneMan Wednesday, Nov 28, 07 @ 8:30 pm
I agree, Bill…
Checkmate!
Comment by GoBearsss Wednesday, Nov 28, 07 @ 8:36 pm
There was plenty of porcine and not very much fortitude.
Comment by Bill Wednesday, Nov 28, 07 @ 8:44 pm
Ok, so if you are the governor what is your next step? Do you keep them in special session until the end of the year?
Comment by OneMan Wednesday, Nov 28, 07 @ 8:54 pm
“It’s beginning to look a lot like doomsday, everywhere you go…”
Comment by Bookworm Wednesday, Nov 28, 07 @ 8:57 pm
Downstaters unite. It’s about time we get something down here. Trades are made all the time in politics and the 3 leaders from Chicago need to help us out with a capital bill. I pay more for services 5 hours to the south and they should do the same. Cleaning up the CTA patronage and waste in the past would have helped but that would have meant being fiscally responsible. I DO NOT want to bail out Chicago for its mistakes. Raise your taxes and fees….leave my alone.
Comment by ILLINOIS DEMOCRAT Wednesday, Nov 28, 07 @ 9:00 pm
Bill:
Why is calling a bill just to kill it a “brilliant move”? It is not exactly a trailblazing concept. It places the blame squarely on the Speaker, where it belongs. He has hijacked the capital plan for long enough. Cross/Emil/Blago have crafted a comprehensive and publicly palatable package for capital and transit bailout; the Speaker is the lone holdout. And enough with the chess metaphors…
Comment by Unspun Wednesday, Nov 28, 07 @ 9:01 pm
Whoa, Unspun
I haven’t exactly been reading this blog for ages, but you are clearly brand new.
Comment by Greg Wednesday, Nov 28, 07 @ 9:20 pm
A comedy of errors, and the Gov is Jack Benny. It’s a disgrace.
Comment by Truth Wednesday, Nov 28, 07 @ 9:21 pm
Speaking of Channel 2s “Exposing Blago/jevich” - where was he during “his” special session? And what does he have to say about it? Tune in to Channel 2 for the likely answer or maybe just a jogging report?
Comment by A Citizen Wednesday, Nov 28, 07 @ 9:25 pm
Rich–how come they haven’t posted the roll call–
Comment by B Citzen Wednesday, Nov 28, 07 @ 9:28 pm
Rich-Never mind–Hannig just filed the reconsideration motion..gues we will never know if Rod delivered his votes or not–
Comment by B Citzen Wednesday, Nov 28, 07 @ 9:49 pm
Where’s the roll call?
Comment by Madison County Watcher Wednesday, Nov 28, 07 @ 10:03 pm
He who calls himself the Governor (while most of us would use terms to describe him that Mr. Miller seems to object to, despite their accuracy) was attending the Chicago Blackhawks hockey game in Chicago tonight, even while the legislators were debating the vital issues affecting our state.
Comment by Randall Sherman Wednesday, Nov 28, 07 @ 10:32 pm
Rich-
It is funny that you mention the republican presidential filings. I don’t believe you mentioned this when the democrats filed. I think your readers would have been equally interested to know that only Obama and Hillary Clinton filed on the first day and only Obama and Hillary filed with complete delegate slates. Further, Hillary’s petition drive was entirely volunteer driven. Not one person was paid to collect signatures for her. That is a monumental achievement. That being said, you did mention that Hillary bused in people for the state fair implying she had weak legitimate support here. That was patently false as everyone at the state fair was a volunteer who carpooled with other volunteers. My point is, your coverage seems totally biased towards Obama. Are you hoping for a book deal if Obama wins? If so, you should probably disclose that to your readers.
Comment by bookdeal Wednesday, Nov 28, 07 @ 10:36 pm
look at what has gone on from may or june til today,line item cuts in corrections which means not staff for the prisons.unsafe for the people.or any other state agencies that need the man power.cut cut cut from down state,not working with the other leaders to come up with a good plan.yet he want all the leaders to come together so the transit up north is bailed out.. come on now. hey what about raising the price ? it has not been done for 15 years.but hey we need to spend 28 million for a temp bail out ,when that money could have staffed stated prisons.and lets decive the people of this state and say the money came from this fund and it came out of serveral coffers.the gov and the lawmakers need to stop playing games and use common sense when it come to running this state.and it needs to state with listening to the people that voted them in and do what is right.people have a right to be safe from criminals and have a right to have there voices heard and neither one is being done.
Comment by downstat state worker Wednesday, Nov 28, 07 @ 10:36 pm
What percentage of the state’s tax base come from the Chicago metro area? What percentage of the state’s population is in the Chicago metro area? How could downstate be “bailing us out” if most of the money comes from here anyway? Haven’t we bee nbailing you out all these years, helping you build and maintain roads, etc?
When your daughter sticks bubblegum in her American Girl doll’s hair, don’t come up here to take it to their beauty parlor. Don’t come up here to see Wicked. Don’t come up here to go to museums. Fly to New York instead.
Let’s secede from the state and see what you downstaters do without all our money!
Comment by Stay out of Chicago then... Wednesday, Nov 28, 07 @ 11:48 pm
bookdeal, bite me.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Nov 29, 07 @ 12:56 am
Bookdeal said….> Are you hoping for a book deal if Obama wins?
The only thing the Miller family will benefit from if Obama wins, is that Rich’s father’s car will be worth more money on e-bay.
Comment by The 'Broken Heart' of Rogers Park Thursday, Nov 29, 07 @ 6:35 am
Would Rich get to drive “The Car” in an Obama Ingl. Parade? LOL at Bookdeal.
Comment by Right On Bill Thursday, Nov 29, 07 @ 6:44 am