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Beware Blagojevich bearing gifts

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Illinois

* The governor is planning one of his patented big, splashy press conferences today…

Gov. Blagojevich is proposing a $150 million anti-violence initiative that would provide new state dollars for more teen jobs, after-school programs and community grants in high-crime areas.

The initiative, dubbed Community Investment Works, represents the governor’s first tangible response to the wave of shootings in the city that have left 24 Chicago Public School students murdered this school year.

Problem…

But the proposal faces an iffy future. Its funding sources haven’t been embraced by lawmakers.

Rep. Susana Mendoza (D-Chicago) said it is built upon wobbly funding sources like leasing the lottery and a state capital deal.

* This story reminds us what happens when you trust the governor’s claims that he has the solutions…

Long before Gov. Rod Blagojevich pushed the state toward universal health care last year, some 25,000 working-poor adults had health care subsidized by the state.

Now, following Blagojevich’s attempt to defy lawmakers and unilaterally implement his larger vision for health care, their coverage is at risk.

When the Blagojevich administration moved last November to expand health care to folks earning far more money than these 25,000 people, it used them as bargaining chips. When the administration ultimately failed to implement the governor’s larger program, it left health care for the 25,000 lesser-earning individuals in limbo.

* On a somewhat related note, one of the governor’s spokespersons gave a statement to the Sun-Times about this latest proposal. Other reporters haven’t been so lucky of late…

* Reporters on Monday asked the governor if any of Ata’s testimony was false, and Blagojevich said only that it’d be inappropriate for him to discuss the trial and that he’s focused on doing the people’s work.

* On Friday, I placed a series of questions by e-mail and phone with Annie Thompson, spokeswoman for the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services. I still don’t have answers.

* The administration did not respond to phone calls and e-mails Monday asking for clarification on the change of heart.

* The governor’s office and the Illinois Department of Corrections did not immediately respond to requests for information

* The Blagojevich administration did not respond to calls or e-mails seeking comment.

* Blagojevich did consent to an interview on a cable access TV show for Serbian-Americans that runs Sunday nights from eleven to midnight. It wasn’t exactly a hard-hitting piece.

* Summation: Flashy program with no real funding source? We’ve got your answers. Gushy, softball questions from a fellow etnick? We’re all over it. Everything else? Don’t bother calling.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, May 6, 08 @ 9:30 am

Comments

wasn’t this what cease fire was doing?

Comment by bored now Tuesday, May 6, 08 @ 9:35 am
I am looking forward to the day when the verdicts come down to being ‘Everyone gets a puppy and a new car day!’

Comment by OneMan Tuesday, May 6, 08 @ 9:46 am
If this, and other projects, were bad policy proposals, I would agree with the skeptics. However, it seems like healthcare is a laudable goal, as is anti-violence programs designed to protect our vulnerable teenage population. Why doesnt the GA propose some funding for these plans, as well as a cap bill, so the state can work again?

I’m sorry, Rich, but I think that your angle here is flawed. Its not hte governor who is holding everything up in Springfield. Its the GA, primarily the Speaker. Shouldnt he be attending meetings on the budget? As for his claims that he was betratyed first, didnt you explain in this mornings fax that it was the Speaker who worked with Senate Repubs to prevent Vandalia from closing? Didnt that precede the failed budget negotiations last year? Why is the Speaker allowed to get away with this stalling? Isnt it time for the games to end and for government to work again? Is it really all about politics for him, which means maintaining or expanding his majority and putting the AG in position to run for gov in 2010?

Is that it?

Comment by Anon Tuesday, May 6, 08 @ 9:54 am
I must have missed something in my 101 American Government class or maybe it is just the way things are spun in Springfield. My “outdated” american government states that it takes three governmental bodies to actually enact legislation. It takes the House and Senate to pass bills and then the Governor signs it. Currently, the Senate and the Governor have not only shown their commitment (not just words but deeds) to affordable, accessible and guaranteed health care by passing legislation (HB 315), but the House (Democrats) has refused. So now I am being told that it is the Senate and Governor’s fault that “25,000″ people are put in jeopardy and the Governor is defying lawmakers. Ummm. In fact it is the House leaders defying these people who elected them, who want health care reform. If the House cared about beginning to solve the health care crisis they would not only show these 25,000 and others that they are mature elected leaders and put the interest of Illinois ahead of the grade school petty games. But what would the media then report? Rich, maybe you should to see if your blog could get accredited for 101 American Government class/

Comment by Health care for all Tuesday, May 6, 08 @ 9:57 am
This seems to be a summer jobs / after school programs / neighborhood capital dollars plan.

Giving kids something better to do than getting involved with a gang is probably the best way to stem this rash of violence.

Absent of tougher gun laws, of course.

Legislators, especially those like Rep. Mendoza, should be finding a way to make this happen.

Comment by GoBearsss Tuesday, May 6, 08 @ 10:01 am
Perhaps the governor is a Serbian Greek or a Greek Serbian, whichever one brings the gifts that really aren’t gifts at all.

Comment by Fan of the Game Tuesday, May 6, 08 @ 10:02 am
===I must have missed something in my 101 American Government class===

He made the promise, he wasn’t able to keep it - for numerous reasons, including violating state law. Therefore, he gets the blame.

That might be a bit above your 101 class. Perhaps 202.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, May 6, 08 @ 10:04 am
ANON: 9:54 AM

Health care is a laudable goal! Where does the money come’s from is the question. The State is so far in debt that even if the GA approved Blago’s plan there would be no coverage for health insurance without money!

Without money any law passed would be a cruel hoax on those who assume they have health coverage.

Your rational is as flawed as Blago’s.

Comment by MOON Tuesday, May 6, 08 @ 10:17 am
Pretty sure the House has not “refused” to do anything.

The House has defeated several ideas
that were not well thought out or poorly explained. Once upon a time in Illinois, people moved to other ideas after the defeat.

Suprise. Blagoof does not like to do it that way.
Now he wants to deflect attention and/or tamper with the jury pool with a rushed announcement of a summer jobs program funded through an asset sale. How dumb is that?

There have been no budget talks …. there have been the hastert-Poshard Capital Meetings. House Dems have been fully represented.

Madigan has supported at least three funding proposals for capital.

Comment by Reddbyrd Tuesday, May 6, 08 @ 10:21 am
I haven’t seen a 101 class yet remotely approaches anything resembling stark reality. Nowhere in the 101 textbook does it say that lobbyists go to the LRB to draft amendment language on behalf of legislators.

I’m also amazed at the faulty logic that says people elected the house members and the people want free health care, so the house must be at fault for not writing a blank check. Rich is absolutely right — the Village Idiot staked his entire legacy on something in which he couldn’t deliver within the constraints of the law or the state constitution. If anyone needs to take a refresher on “101″, it’s the guy who claims to be the Governor.

Comment by SuperDave Tuesday, May 6, 08 @ 10:26 am
The Task Force’s plan and Illinois Covered have a very detailed breakdown of cost containment measures. For those naysayers it has even been embraced by the right and the left who are implementing it several states. In four years it will pay for itself. But hey let’s keep on paying for health care through higher: car insurance, home insurance, property taxes, cost-shifting in the form of higher premiums and out-of-pocket costs for the uninsured and the list goes on.
As far as 101 American Government - it is amazing how protective people are with the House. You have the leader of the Democratic Party who refuses to embrace its platform. If the Senate acts, which they have and the Governor agrees - the only thing standing in the way is the House. if the Governor is right or wrong with his executive powers, let the courts decide that, the House can show that they care about health care reform and take action.

Comment by Health care for all Tuesday, May 6, 08 @ 10:32 am
Looks like we are moving right into campaign mode for Term III. We can look forward to an increasing number of these press “occasions” as the months go by.

Comment by Cassandra Tuesday, May 6, 08 @ 10:46 am
Is there an “Exit Strategy” ie: back doors, kitchens, alleys if the reporters start asking tough questions.
The governor should have one of his patented big, splashy press conferences to address corruption in Illinois.

Comment by iMAGINE Tuesday, May 6, 08 @ 10:51 am
The Governor’s going to now provide funding to help teens get jobs. I lvoe the irony!

He could have accomplished the same thing, for much less money, by not increasing the minimum wage.

I know several small business owners that have cut back on the number of teen and summer hires because of the new minimum wage laws.

In fact, the owner of a three year old Illinois restaurant, that has been written up in state and national publications told me, “If I’d known what was coming down the pike with Illinois’ Minimum wage law, I would have never chosen to open up in this state!”

The restaurant owner’s family has started three succesful businesses in other parts of the country (total market cap. of $300 million). Think we’ll ever get them to come to Illinois?

Not a chance!

Comment by Downstater Tuesday, May 6, 08 @ 10:56 am
Like most issues the state should be dealing with, this is something reasonable, responsible people should be able to sit down and work out.

I suspect, on a purely Machiavellian level, it’s an attempt by the governor to peel away African-American and Hispanic House members.

It will be interesting to see who he proposes will dole out and administer the jobs and grants.

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, May 6, 08 @ 11:06 am
Are we still playing, “Who’s to blame?”

That game is over. Blagojevich lost it a year ago. He is/was governor and he failed to reform, lead, govern, or find someone that trusts him.

Now we are waiting for him to be indicted after the feds are through with Rezko. He has an approval rating half that of George W. Bush’s.

Governors can only fingerpoint for 12 months. Blagojevich is still doing it after 7 years. Time is up. Game over.

Now let,s grab a shovel and start digging ourselves out of the mess he failed to fix.

Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, May 6, 08 @ 11:24 am
Another feel good program from an already bankrupt state.
Just add this one to Rod’s long list of defunct FREE state propaganda programs.

Comment by Bones Tuesday, May 6, 08 @ 11:25 am
—Health care for all– “Illinois Covered have a very detailed breakdown of cost containment measures”, well maybe so, maybe not, but the cost sharing part of it is totally out of line. Tell me why $0 and $3 is a fair shake of a co-pay to the citizens of Illinois who can not/ will not be covered by this program. Explain to me why some state employees are getting two benefit choice periods this year? That would be because while your Illinois Covered is fully planned out and rates set (dirt cheap I might add), state employees benefits are still up in the air and bargaining on them has hardly even begun. Do I feel bad for the 25,000 under Family Care that are in jeopardy, yes, I do, but Blago used to as a pawn and how one can blame Madigan for that is beyond me.

Comment by Princeville Tuesday, May 6, 08 @ 12:17 pm
If the press conference/release is over, so is this proposal. Did those new babies get their books yet?

I just saw a new poll. Blagoof is up to 13.5% favorable from 13% on the heels of this idea. Only $15 billion in new programs to go.

Comment by Truth Tuesday, May 6, 08 @ 12:24 pm
VanMan, I agree with you about digging ourselves out of a mess. However, when you have a governor who thinks he runs all three parts of government - executive, legislative, and judicial - how can that ever be accomplished unless this narcissistic, self-centered person occupying the satellite governor’s office located at his own home is finally an official of the past?

I sure hope someone is keeping track of all the crap that has gone on for the past 5 1/2 years (how depressing to think we still have 2 1/2 years of this mess) If they are, and if Blago is egomaniacal enough to run for governor again (if Fitzgerald hasn’t taken care of him yet), then it should be game, set, match before Blago can walk out the of his front door.

Comment by Little Egypt Tuesday, May 6, 08 @ 1:58 pm
Oh, and I wouldn’t spend any money just yet, no matter what promises Blago makes. I’m convinced this man is all hat and no cattle.

Comment by Little Egypt Tuesday, May 6, 08 @ 1:58 pm
For those who want health care for everyone, after school programs for kids, teen jobs, etc…. tanstaafl - There Ain’t No Such Thing As A Free Lunch. The money for all this has to come from somewhere. With the state already running in the red, where do you propose we get the money? Higher - read confiscatory to fund all this - taxes?

Comment by TANSTAAFL Tuesday, May 6, 08 @ 2:11 pm
GoBearsss - We don’t need more gun laws. We just need to enforce what are already on the books. All the gun violence in Chicago is already against the law - Chicago has some of the toughest anti-gun ordinances on the books. The only people impacted by more gun laws are the law abiding people. Criminals - which gang members committing this violence are - by definition are people who ignore / break the laws.

Comment by TANSTAAFL Tuesday, May 6, 08 @ 2:20 pm
Blago reminds me of a child who has just getting an allowance and is overwhelmed about how to spend it. Then child tells his parents he’s gonna spend his money on a CD, no a GameBoy game, no a movie theater ticket, no a new item of clothing, no it’s this, it’s that, etc. etc. Of course, what else should we expect out of a Hannah Montana freak. He not only acts like a child - HE IS ONE.

Can we sue Dick Mell for mental anguish for encouraging Blago to run for governor in the first place?

Comment by Just My Opinion Tuesday, May 6, 08 @ 3:19 pm
GoBearsss, we don’t need any more gun laws or afterschool fingerpainting classes. If you people would disengage your heads from your posteriors, you might notice that State Police (you know, the ones in the tan shirts and brown hats-got it?) are retiring like crazy (certainly nothing to do with the quality of your Governor or the leadership of the Department; questions, see www.ispeeved.blogspot.com) and Public Official A isn’t doing squat about it.

Spend some of this found money on some replacement troopers to back up local law enforcement, some new police cars so they can get there to provide backup, and provide targeted assistance to the neediest communities for their policing needs.

Oh, and BTW, how many times have you fools spent the money from leasing the Lotto?

Comment by Arthur Andersen Tuesday, May 6, 08 @ 8:33 pm