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Dangerous times ahead

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Asked specifically about whether he had left members of his Illinois Reform Commission to find their own way with lawmakers reluctant to embrace their proposals, Quinn didn’t mention perhaps the most controversial recommendation from his panel—imposing first-ever campaign donation caps. Instead, he discussed a reform that his panel didn’t even embrace—a proposed state Constitutional amendment to allow voters to recall elected officials.

“One of the big issues this week…that I’ve been working night and day on in ethics is getting recall in Illinois, getting the power of recall,” Quinn said. “I think it’s promising. I’ve talked to the legislative leaders.”

But recall hasn’t been on the legislature’s agenda for the spring session, which is scheduled to end May 31. Voters would have to ratify a recall amendment and no state elections are scheduled until next year. Election years also are when lawmakers typically consider proposed changes to the constitution.

* And while the guv rambles about recall, the reformers are trying to hold the budget hostage to their agenda…

“For the legislature to turn around and say, ‘We are going to raise your taxes, trust us,’ without doing anything to show they have cleaned up their own house is a very dangerous proposition,” said Cynthia Canary, director of the Illinois Coalition for Political Reform.

That’s a very dangerous game she wants to play. Putting the fate of millions of Illinoisans on the line to “win” a debate over something like campaign caps is audacious in the extreme.

* Speaking of dangerous games, Democratic state Rep. Lou Lang has put a parliamentary hold on the capital projects package because the governor has flip-flopped on his pledge not to link capital with the budget…

“The governor made public and private assurances that the capital bill and operating budget bill would not be linked, and he’d totally signed on to the capital bill and would sign it,” Lang said. “He is now indicating that is not his plan, that his plan is to hold the capital bill hostage. My view is he has backtracked on a commitment. If he doesn’t want the bill, he shouldn’t have it. When he’s ready to have it, he can have it.”

More…

[Madigan spokesman Steve Brown] added: “The governor flip-flopped, spoke out of both sides of his mouth. He promised . . . he wouldn’t link the issues and did something different. That’s got to be troubling to everybody who has tried to deal with the integrity crisis as fully as possible.”

In other words, Quinn’s political honeymoon now appears over.

But the governor’s move may have been more about high speed rail than the budget or the ethics bills…

“Right now, we do not have in our capital bill money for high-speed rail,” Quinn said. “I think that was an oversight, and I made that crystal clear to the president of the Senate and the speaker of the House that high-speed rail must be included.”

Quinn wants that capital bill reopened. He didn’t attend the meetings when the bill was drafted, and there’s an old saying in politics, “If you’re not sitting at the table, you’re the supper.” He got eated.

* Reform commission chairman Pat Collins was upset last week with the Senate for refusing to take action on some of the commission’s pet ideas…

Lawmakers spoke strongly against a proposal allowing state’s attorneys to wiretap suspects in official corruption cases, but also for crimes as minor as music piracy. State Sen. Bill Haine, a former state’s attorney, said he was worried elected prosecutors would use these powers against political opponents. […]

But reform commission head Patrick Collins said he used wiretapping extensively as a federal prosecutor and state’s attorneys need the same powers. “In the right case, having the ability to do a wiretap will be the difference between ensnaring a corrupt official versus not charging that official,” Collins said.

More…

Patrick Collins, the head of a panel Gov. Pat Quinn created to clean up state government, was remarkably angry and visibly shaking at a news conference following the committee hearing. Collins hinted that lawmakers were trying to pass token reforms rather than address large-scale anti-corruption measures.

“Maybe this happens every day in Springfield,” Collins said. “I’m not used to that.'’

Welcome to our world.

But a call by Sen. Bill Brady for an attorney general’s investigation of Gov. Quinn’s fundraising during the end of session shows the real problems with the reform commission’s plan…

Beyond the political opportunism behind Brady’s bashing, his call for an investigation does pose an interesting issue, however. Lisa Madigan, the daughter of powerful House Speaker Michael Madigan, is interested in challenging Quinn in next year’s Democratic primary for governor. In her current post, any investigation of allegations of wrongdoing involving Quinn could be attacked by critics as purely politically motivated.

Indeed, that’s one problem that lawmakers have acknowledged in dealing with the current spate of ethics reform proposals in Springfield. Legislators have trashed efforts to give local prosecutors and the attorney general’s office more tools to investigate corruption—out of concern that those investigations could be conducted against political opponents.

Indeed. Some of the reform commission’s ideas are quite good. Others, like that one, defy reality.

From my column on this session fundraising topic…

Several association executives with Springfield lobbying interests said last week that they’ve recently received calls from Quinn’s campaign. Some have big-ticket items that could be chopped out of the budget during the deficit crisis. All have significant issues pending in the General Assembly, pro and con.

“We turned them down,” said one high-level exec about the campaign calls.

The executive explained that his group does not contribute or discuss contributions during the legislative session.

Ironically enough, several associations - which have been targeted for campaign contribution limits by the governor’s reform commission - do not contribute during the end of session.

Also on the ironic side, $15,000 is far above the campaign contribution limits sought by Quinn and his reform commission, although these appear to be requests for “bundled”contributions from several different people at once.

And that $15,000 asking price clearly demonstrates how politicians - even self-professed reformers like Quinn - intend to get around any new contribution caps.

Any reformer who tells you their plan would get money out of politics by imposing caps on contributions doesn’t live in the real world.

* Related…

* Bar owners buy into video poker plan

* Quinn, Southland lawmakers should not support video poker

* Harper would be big winner in state spending plan

* Construction program not yet a done deal

* Gov. Quinn wants 400 million for high speed rail…or else

* Quinn wants high-speed rail for Illinois

* Quinn wants more for rail

* Lack of action on capital bill angers lawmaker

* ‘Blame Blagojevich’ excuse about to expire

* Sure, stick it to Blago, but pass reform first

* Quinn looks to future, remembers past: Asked whether he has the skill to seal deals with legislators, Quinn said, “Everybody has a different style. I don’t believe in ’smashmouth’ politics. It didn’t work for my predecessor.”

* Lawmakers get back to work

* Remember their words …

* “I’m A Reformer…Get Me Out of Here!”

* SJ-R: Campaign finance reform bill falls short

* Panel wants to end House’s bill-blocking rule

* Lobbyists not required to report state lobbying income

* Andy Shaw: Back on the case, ready to root out corruption

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, May 26, 09 @ 10:26 am

Comments

Canary is holding the budget hostage? WOW!

Comment by moron Tuesday, May 26, 09 @ 10:33 am
I think this will be an interesting week in the Capitol.

Comment by Phineas J. Whoopee Tuesday, May 26, 09 @ 11:05 am
That’s a very dangerous game she wants to play. Putting the fate of millions of Illinoisans on the line to “win” a debate over something like campaign caps is audacious in the extreme.

Canary is telling a bunch of politically deaf buffoons that Illinoians are unwilling to watch a bunch of unethical cash hogs raise taxes. The General Assembly has no credibility on any issue, except as poster children for “How Not To Run A State Government”.

What she is saying is correct. If the truth is a dangerous game, it is the legislators with selective blindness that are making it dangerous.

We will not accept a tax raise from this group.

Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, May 26, 09 @ 11:09 am
If you are a Dem gubernatorial candidate who will have much less money than your strongest potential rivals (Lisa and maybe, now, Alexi), thus little hope of generating many points on TV, what better way to get people to notice or to get involved in your campaign than a grassroots effort to get a recall amendment on the ballot? Even if you do nothing else, you get a bunch of angry and fed-up people to sign a piece of paper registering their anger–and their email or snail mail address.

It’s classic Quinn. “Want to sign my petition for Governor? How ’bout signing this one to tell these career politicians that if they ignore your interests they can be recalled?”

Not taking a position myself; but making an observation.

Comment by Narcoleptic Tuesday, May 26, 09 @ 11:13 am
VanillaMan, you won’t accept a tax hike for any reason, so I suspect you’re being disingenuous on this point.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, May 26, 09 @ 11:14 am
I covered a lot of trials over the years, and I think Collins “remarkably angry and visibly shaking” bit is something of an act, like you would see from a prosecutor in a courtroom.

He’s a pretty sophisticated guy — I’m not sure what could have happened under the dome to shock him to that degree. Federal prosecutors know about government and politics. And certainly “politics” is practiced among the highly ambitious of the legal world.

For whatever reason, criminal trials bring out the thespians in both the prosecution and defense. I don’t know if they teach that in law school or whether it’s just too much TV as a kid.

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, May 26, 09 @ 11:14 am
That isn’t true. Taxes are like root canals. Some of you people want to line up for them, while the rest of us recognize the pain we must go through.

Would you be willing to undergo a root canal from a dentist who hasn’t washed his hands in a decade? You seem to be focused on the need for the root canal - the rest of us are focused on the crap covering every filthy knuckle heading for our mouths!

No - I don’t like taxes or root canals, but of the two root canals are less painful, do less damage, and are a better value.

Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, May 26, 09 @ 11:28 am
VM

When you need a root canal you get it. Your argument is illogical!

Comment by MOON Tuesday, May 26, 09 @ 11:37 am
Rich, I will accept a tax hike and I agree with holding the budget and capital bills hostage. Look what Bill Clinton had to do in order to stop Newt Gingrich. I’m done with the Mussolini-like argument that we should sacrifice clean government for the sake of getting things done.

Comment by lake county democrat Tuesday, May 26, 09 @ 12:02 pm
(I should add that I’m not accusing those who disagree of being a brown shirt! But, like with Clinton in 1994-96, saying we have to go along or people who rely on services will be hurt — that could justify anything)

Comment by lake county democrat Tuesday, May 26, 09 @ 12:03 pm
LCD, the problem becomes one of whether you think the proposed reforms would do much good. Some will, some won’t. As I’ve pointed out below, I seriously doubt that caps on leader spending will amount to a hill of beans when all is said and done.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, May 26, 09 @ 12:05 pm
VM, you have now moved to using the royal “we”. Are you starting to slip over the edge?

Comment by steve schnorf Tuesday, May 26, 09 @ 12:14 pm
Qoute of the Year regarding Patrick Collin’s statehouse rant?

“All I can say is ‘Waah waah waah, I want my Mommy,” Sen. Mike Jacobs, D-Moline.

Comment by RunitUp Tuesday, May 26, 09 @ 12:28 pm
The State cannot pay for the things it needs, but the Gov wants 400M for a choo choo train for a tiny number of people who will use it? (and provide an eternal subsidy for each ticket sold)

This is why no one should accept a tax increase and this budget. There is no discrimination with respect to what the citizens need vs what they want.

The logical flaw in Quinn’s tax cut deal is that the tax hike is permanent. What will the state do with the flood of new money when the crisis is over in a few years? Will they be responsible and pay down the pension obligations, or will they run willy nilly through the streets with new spending ideas? A permanent tax increase is a very bad idea.

Comment by Plutocrat03 Tuesday, May 26, 09 @ 12:38 pm
Its probably good for Collins to learn that without the massive force of the United States government behind him, he is not such a powerful fellow. His arrogance and his very non-likeable persona don’t serve him very well in the real world.

Comment by steve schnorf Tuesday, May 26, 09 @ 12:39 pm
When you need a root canal you get it.

So, whose telling you to get a root canal? Would you get a root canal if you felt sick to your stomach? Or would you cut back on how much you eat? We are seeing too many people believe that every ailment in government can be fixed with a tax increase.

Worse, they are willing to accept a tax increase from this General Assembly. They have not lead, many have not told the truth about their acceptance of the two previous administrations, they had to be publically humiliated and watch Rod Blagojevich do a perp walk before they felt safe enough to impeach him. This General Assembly will not do what is needed to win support from Illinoians regarding ethics or reform. They should not be trusted with our money.

1) Reform!
2) Cut!
3) Raise a temporary tax!
4) Repeat for 2011 budget!

They do not deserve another dime until they clean house - just like a normal legislative branch in a normal state would do.

Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, May 26, 09 @ 12:58 pm
Actually, VM, if you weren’t quite so histrionic about the way you say it, your 4 point plan is a pretty good approach to the ‘10 and ‘11 budgets. I would quibble about whether the tax increase should be temporary, but that could be negotiable. I would probably add a 5th point, don’t expand or increase spending on existing programs, simply pay down old bills and put some more money in the rainy day fund (for cash flow purposes).

Comment by steve schnorf Tuesday, May 26, 09 @ 1:09 pm
Histronic? Me?
We have a lethally arrogant bunch of legislators who are convinced they can justify a tax increase on Illinoians during the worse recession since 1980 with no blowback at the ballot box.

We have not see voters throwing the bums out in over a decade. If you cannot get a little histronic over this totally preventable mess, you need a pulse. This is no time to be “cool”.

Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, May 26, 09 @ 1:31 pm
Rich — that’s one reason that the reforms should get an up or down vote. I think caps would do good IF they were accompanied by the term limits on leadership positions. Alone I fear they are a boon to incumbants. But they only way I can see a real reform *package* is if, a la Clinton/Gingrich, a bluff is called. Otherwise the behind closed doors/piecemiel (sp?) approach will indeed not amount to much.

Comment by lake county democrat Tuesday, May 26, 09 @ 1:38 pm
VM,

A very minor quibble with your postings: I’ve long since agreed to disagree with much of what you post, but could you please spell it “Illinoisans?” Pretty please? It’s like hearing weather forecasters say presently when they mean currently. Drives me nuts.

Otherwise, carry on.

Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, May 26, 09 @ 1:44 pm
VM

If I was sick to my stomach I would see a doctor and get a diagnoses. What is your point?

The State is broke! The pension funds are way underfunded! Instead of railing against tax increases give us your formula for getting Illinois out of this mess.

Be specific……none of this ‘just cut spending’! I and, I assume others that read your constant ranting are looking for solutions. Lead us to the promise land!

Comment by MOON Tuesday, May 26, 09 @ 1:55 pm
I don’t understand how caps on campaign contributions has or caps between leaders committee’s and candidates has anything to do with a budget or the possibility of raising taxes. Reform that corrects how the state is susceptible to insider dealings is what we need. Rework the procurement process, fire all the politically hired jobs but not just for the GOV but for everyone. If you want to look at how other states do it. Look at states that have non-partisan legislative staff.

Personally I don’t believe that all legislators or legislative leaders are corrupt. From my workings with them and their staff as well as the political “Hacks” the speaker is trying to fire most of them are very good at what they do and really work hard for their agency or staff.

Patrick Collins being a former prosecutor of corruption does not make him an expert on ethics or the legislative process … nor does being a cop always make you lawful … or a person of the cloth make you moral!

Comment by WOW Tuesday, May 26, 09 @ 2:13 pm
Adding a high speed rail from St. Louis to Chicago as a part of the capital bill is enough to kill it as far as I am concerned. What a preposterous proposal for a state that can’t begin to manage its existing obligations and apparently has no intention of starting now!

Comment by Skirmisher Tuesday, May 26, 09 @ 2:35 pm
none of this ‘just cut spending’

I’ve never said we can cut our way out of this. We have only 5% waste. So I never made such a claim.

What I have been saying is that the GA has no credibility on anything. They ruined their image, and can’t be trusted. Before they advocate increasing taxes on anything, the GA has to first restore credibility. They simply refuse, because they have enough lemmings out there who believe so fervently in government that our legislators believe these folks will just demand that taxes are raised without the GA coming through on the reforms Illinoisans have demanded since 2002.

Why would anyone trust this General Assembly? You wouldn’t trust any other organization with such a horrible record, why are you so easily suckered?

Canary is right. Tax increases without demonstrating a change in how government run in Illinois is not acceptable. We were broke before the economy tanked! Not another dime until they grow up and do their jobs!

Taxes are bad regardless. To demand more taxes from a group as bad as the Illinois General Assembly? Just how crazy are you people?

Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, May 26, 09 @ 2:36 pm
Moon,

Maybe you don’t read this post often. VM can be quite specific when the circumstances call for it. I appreciate the rant right now. The GA just doesn’t get it. They are hiding their true intent with the typical last minute flurry of activity which they do every year at this time. Their refusal to take on the really hard job that is needed right now is breathtaking to say the least. Unless and until the electorate makes clear in no uncertain terms their disgust with what is happening in Springfield. VM speaks for many in the state - just watch at the next elections when voters “throw the bums out” in a level of magnitude that will eclipse any turnover seen in this state for decades.

I also know VM doesn’t need my help, here. Just sayin’.

Comment by dupage dan Tuesday, May 26, 09 @ 2:41 pm
VM

Once again you fail to be specific. What has the legislature done that requires they be removed from office? Where did the 5% waste figure come from?

You make a lot of allegations but no facts to support your position. Give us specifics!

Comment by MOON Tuesday, May 26, 09 @ 2:52 pm
VM

I should also state if it is only 5% waste the incumbents are doing a great job!

Comment by MOON Tuesday, May 26, 09 @ 2:54 pm
Since you are comfortable with the General Assembly and trust them, why do you want specifics from anyone else in order to trust them?

You are being very gullible.

Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, May 26, 09 @ 3:03 pm
VM

You are being evasive.

In one of your earlier entries under “Qoutable” you were of the opinion that Collins focused on the wrong branch of government. One must assume , based on that, the legislature needs no reform!

As I stated earlier, you are just ranting. You have no plan!

Comment by MOON Tuesday, May 26, 09 @ 3:14 pm
Adding a high speed rail from St. Louis to Chicago as a part of the capital bill is enough to kill it as far as I am concerned.

Well, it could leverage a few bil in federal ARRA stimulus money. I agree that it will create a permanent line item for a state subsidy (and high speed rail will likely require a greater subsidy than today’s regular trains) unless Amtrak agrees to full, permanent operational funding.

And those communities up and down the line will demand noise walls, grade separations, and fences for the inconvenience of having the railroad there. Just look at the fuss with the EJ&E purchase.

It might be a good idea to consider (and some of us stand to make lots of money if it goes), but shouldn’t this have been part of the debate when the bill was being written?

And still wondering about the silence on the Peotone Airport, which was once a centerpiece of the gov’s transportation plans.

Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Tuesday, May 26, 09 @ 5:51 pm
Pat Collins shaking is not an act. He believes he is perfect and all that disagree are fools or worse. There is a reason he was never a supervisor in the USAO and it is not because his holier than though act does not hold up to the least bit of scrutiny (good luck with that future campaign). Having the federal investigative power behind you can be a power for good or abused, it usually is the later if you are too self-righteous and lacking common sense and real world experience. Hello, Pat.

Comment by been there before Tuesday, May 26, 09 @ 10:37 pm
BTW, when Patrick Collins runs for office, which he surely intends to do, can we please all watch carefully how he bundles and works around these idiotic campaign limits. The solution is full, complete and immediate disclosure of contributions. You will never keep money out of politics. Contribution limits only further the advantage of incumbents and with independent expedentures take the campaign away from the candidate at best or put them at a huge disadvantage to responding to attacks at worst.

Comment by been there before Tuesday, May 26, 09 @ 10:57 pm
[…] Given that Burris was so steeped in the culture of Springfield politics, I’d hope that such behavior would raise the profile on the “debate” in Springfield regarding political reform. I doubt it though. As Rich Miller’s post from yesterday makes clear, things are looking rather bleak on the reform front. […]

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