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* One thing I hear a lot from the governor’s allies and flaks is, “I don’t know why you don’t trust us.” I usually just chuckle and walk away, but they do need to be reminded of the depth of mistrust they sow on an almost hourly basis…
Earlier this year, lawmakers passed a mass transit funding law that promised more money for downstate bus and public transportation systems.
They are still waiting on the money.
As part of the Chicago transit bailout law approved in January, lawmakers also threw in $50 million in new funding for downstate systems with the goal of boosting the amount the state reimburses them for expenses from 55 percent to 65 percent.
The increase would allow some existing downstate transit systems to expand their routes and services and would enable other communities to create new systems in areas that aren’t served by public transportation. […]
When asked on Tuesday about the status of the proposed funding, Katherine Ridgway, a spokeswoman for Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s Office of Management and Budget, would only say the administration is reviewing the numbers.
* The Blagojevich administration has been pulling stuff like this since Day One. Last year wasn’t the first time a budget deal was broken. Blagojevich broke one in the summer of 2003 - his first year in office. The governor negotiated and agreed to a budget and then vetoed out a bunch of stuff after the GA had passed the legislation and left town.
It’s been all downhill since then.
* The big issue now is the capital plan. Last year, the governor vetoed almost all House Democratic line items from the budget, and, as you are well aware, the Senate refused to override the vetoes. Now, the governor believes that the House Dems should just trust him to sign a capital bill without changes and distribute the funds in an even-handed manner.
“Oh, sure we’ll do it,” they always say, with a dismissive wave of the hand. “He’ll have our word.”
And that word means what, exactly?
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Apr 30, 08 @ 12:12 pm
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The decent folks around the Gov’s office do get it.
Comment by Anon Wednesday, Apr 30, 08 @ 12:17 pm
It’s means the check is in the mail Rich. Bet it’s going to be a long hot summer in Springfield.
Comment by Wacker Drive Wednesday, Apr 30, 08 @ 12:21 pm
That’s it in a nutshell. If you don’t keep your word, you can’t make a deal, and you can’t do your job.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Apr 30, 08 @ 12:22 pm
When you are still insisting you’re not Public Official A, you have no credibility left.
Truth is, their credibility was gone a long time ago. That’s why nothing has been accomplished, nor will it until he’s gone.
Comment by Truth Wednesday, Apr 30, 08 @ 12:31 pm
What do expect from a bunch of amateurs?
This administration is as thick as thieves.
Comment by Tollway Dan Wednesday, Apr 30, 08 @ 12:49 pm
I wonder if all of us in the media, and among the general public will know how to act if we would actually get a governor in office who we all trust and believe.
Comment by Speaking At Will Wednesday, Apr 30, 08 @ 1:00 pm
If any rep outside of Chicago votes for a Cap bill, they deserve to lose at next election. How many times are you going to buy into the fiction before a light bulb pops on? He has not followed through on any of his commitments, why start now?
Comment by Southern Right Wednesday, Apr 30, 08 @ 1:03 pm
It has become very clear that nearly all Blagoof Admin Honchos have bumped their heads just like Dep. Gov. You Know Who.
Comment by Wild Bill Wednesday, Apr 30, 08 @ 1:09 pm
The promised funding for downstate transit may not be forthcoming due to a huge cashflow problem - the cash is simply not there. Rather than clearly state that fact they say guv is reviewing blah blah blah. No risk of panic, folks no longer have enough energy left to panic. Transit is just one of the cash promises delayed - provider payments, medicaid payments, guvs feeble health care expansions, etc. Trust is not the issue and hasn’t been for years. Truth in what the REAL state of the state may be, fiscally, is a subject crying out in the wilderness of this administration.
Comment by A Citizen Wednesday, Apr 30, 08 @ 1:16 pm
Please note - The RTA reform bill was a substantive bill. It was not an approriations bill. In order for the downstate transit districts to the additional funds (or new funds for many) and supplemental appropriations bill must be passed. The substantive bill does say all are eligible for the higher match as of July 1, 2007 but again, without an approp it doesn’t really mean much.
Comment by Jim Wednesday, Apr 30, 08 @ 1:19 pm
+++
The decent folks around the Gov’s office do get it.
+++
LOL. Show me a “decent” person directly reporting to the gov’s office. They’re masters of obfuscation, delay, and buck passing.
The decency comes when even the staunchest Blagojevich sycophant decides to go “off-script” and get you what you need.
Maybe it’s fair to say that, sure, the people might be decent — but the script is not. And I know first-hand that nearly everybody in the gov’s office is terrified — truly, truly terrified — to go off the script.
Comment by Macbeth Wednesday, Apr 30, 08 @ 1:33 pm
How many schools has he said he was going to give money to only to renig. The guy is a Liar, and I think he enjoys it.
Comment by He Makes Ryan Look Like a Saint Wednesday, Apr 30, 08 @ 1:36 pm
The money in the fund is going nowhere until July 1.
“Under the transit law, whatever is left in that fund at the end of this fiscal year, which ends Monday, June 30, would be transferred into the state’s general revenue fund and could be used for general spending.”
Comment by Douglas M. Wednesday, Apr 30, 08 @ 2:07 pm
Pardon a Southern Illinois gal, but is it presumptious of me to assume Chicago got the mass transit money it was promised, its just us down here that have to experience the belt tightening and are left with only empty and unfunded promises?
Comment by Pernilla Wednesday, Apr 30, 08 @ 2:08 pm
When does Lincoln Developmental Center re-open?
Comment by PPHS Wednesday, Apr 30, 08 @ 2:25 pm
Could that book you show, “Governing for Dummies” be part of the “Free School Books” program promised back in 2003?
Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Apr 30, 08 @ 2:34 pm
Pernilla, I think that the CTA got all of the money that the legislature promised. I hope that you complained to your state senator and state rep. If I lived in southern IL, I would be angry if I thought that some of my tax money would be given to a transit service that I never use.
Comment by PhilCollins Wednesday, Apr 30, 08 @ 2:38 pm
The sales tax increase here in the Chicago area only kicked in at the beginning of April. The extra money for downstate transit is not in the coffers yet.
Comment by Bluefish Wednesday, Apr 30, 08 @ 2:47 pm
So if he was always like this, then why did he even get re-elected. It seems to me they should have pulled their support of him. Especially if they could replace him with someone better.
Comment by Levois Wednesday, Apr 30, 08 @ 3:03 pm
VanillaMan –
Whatever happened to the free school books program?
Comment by Macbeth Wednesday, Apr 30, 08 @ 4:38 pm
What gets me is that the people who voted for THE ROD don’t trust him and most done like him but ytou say anything bad and they all say he’s “my Govoner”. I vote for him.
Comment by Deep Fried Wednesday, Apr 30, 08 @ 4:56 pm
Let us not fall to the divide and conquer bait. The VAST majority of new RTA funds will come from local sales and real estate transfer taxes. Those higher local rates have just gone into effect April 1. The RTA won’t get the funds until July 1. The state has not provided it’s funds to anyone - upstate or downstate. So we all feel one another’s pain. Downstate transit funds are all state funds - none of the new money is raised from local taxes.
Comment by Transit Supporter Wednesday, Apr 30, 08 @ 5:05 pm
The “decent people” started going when the Feds started coming. That would be a great little chart; departures on the left and subpoenas et al on the right.
Comment by Fox Mulder Wednesday, Apr 30, 08 @ 9:16 pm
Why should anyone trust Madigan?
Comment by anon Wednesday, Apr 30, 08 @ 11:55 pm
Why anyone should trust the Gov is beyond me. He has proven to be untrustworthy time and time again, yet some people appear to get stars in their eyes when he speaks and they lose their minds.
Comment by anon A Thursday, May 1, 08 @ 5:03 am