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This just in… Cullerton won’t call “fumigation” bill

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Illinois

* 12:23 pm - I told subscribers about this a couple of days ago. From Rikeesha Phelon, Senate President John Cullerton’s spokesperson…

“After further review of the legislation and the possibility of litigation, the Senate President has reconsidered the need for the fumigation bill. To date, Governor Quinn has made 67 appointments that are subject to Senate confirmation. The Senate President recognizes the progress and pace of change made by the Governor. He does not intend to call the bill for a vote.”

Cullerton had said back in August that he would call the bill…

Gov. Pat Quinn’s refusal to fire two University of Illinois trustees could revive a so-called fumigation bill aimed at hundreds of state workers. […]

A spokeswoman for Senate President John Cullerton said after Quinn’s announcement that the president plans to call Senate Bill 1333 for a vote in the legislature’s October veto session. […]

[But] Phelon said Senate Democrats have “diverse opinions” on whether the measure is appropriate. Some lawmakers and affected workers argue it’s unfair to punish workers for wrongdoing they weren’t involved in. The trustees insist they’ve done nothing wrong.

“Based on various caucus differences in the spring, I would say that there are no guarantees that the legislation will pass,” Phelon said. “Nevertheless, it will be called for a vote.”

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Oct 16, 09 @ 12:24 pm

Comments

This was a horrble idea, and precedent, from the start.

I do not want the GA invovled in the States merit comp workforce (whats left of it after unionization)

Comment by Ghost Friday, Oct 16, 09 @ 12:30 pm
Rich, any reaction from MJM?

Comment by Corey Friday, Oct 16, 09 @ 12:46 pm
I wonder if Cullerton considered that in 51st District one of the Democrats in the primary is State Fair manager Amy Bliefnick, who is a Blagojevich Appointee on the fumigation list.

Comment by Steve Friday, Oct 16, 09 @ 1:15 pm
Good for Cullerton. Enough people have been hurt already.

Comment by anon Friday, Oct 16, 09 @ 1:51 pm
That has to be good news to a lot of people. It seemed to me that was always a hammer to force Quinn to act on a few.

Comment by wordslinger Friday, Oct 16, 09 @ 1:59 pm
Good news.

Although this means Cassandra will harp on this incessantly. Not so good news.

Comment by macbeth Friday, Oct 16, 09 @ 2:20 pm
How has anybody been hurt? Having to worry about whether you have a job or not? Out here in the non-govt world, most folks have to worry about whether they have a job or not–every day.

Of course the Dems weren’t going to pass this.
Don’t most of the legislators, even Repubs, have relatives and, um, associates, working for state government, many at high salaries.

I’m not thrilled that a bunch of (in many cases)
underworked and underqualified hacks will be clinging on for decades, joined by even more of Quinn’s hacks. On the other hand, even they shouldn’t be 100 percent confident of lifetime employment. Unemployment in the state is up to 10.5 percent, I see. The tax base is declining rapidly.

Comment by cassandra Friday, Oct 16, 09 @ 2:52 pm
I think it’s a safe bet that no state workers — even the so-called hacks — are thinking they have 100% employment.

All state workers I know know that anything goes when the legislature is in session. That’s how it’s been for years. State employees — even the hackiest hacks — are pretty pragmatic. The only folks I’ve met that think they’re “entitled” are gone — some quietly, some in disgrace.

Comment by macbeth Friday, Oct 16, 09 @ 3:03 pm
Cassandra:

In your “real world” there isn’t a specific piece of legislation being considered that lists you pretty much by name that if passed would fire you. Don’t compare your world with the government sector b/c you have no idea what you are talking about. None of the people on the list that I know, including myself, have ever argued we can’t be let go. It was the manner that was inappropriate. I have no links to either governor targeted in the bill. I joined the state workforce in 1997 and the only reason I ended up on the list is b/c I was moving up and changing titles during the past 12 years. I wish you would quit spouting your garbage about how much you know about state government. “In many cases” people are doing their jobs. As Rich would say - bite me.

Comment by RJW Friday, Oct 16, 09 @ 3:04 pm
But it’s worse than that. I have consistently praised Quinn’s choice of Mr. Randle (DOC), the young VA guy (forgot his name), and now Michelle Saddler at DHS. The legislature (and Quinn, of course) has basically signalled that the Blago folks can stay, meaning that these new agency directors–and any others Quinn hires– are going to have to try and implement major change with fewer of their own people and under the scrutiny of highly politicized inherited staff, many with dubious capabilities and “outside” loyalties. But how important is change, really, to our Pat.

Comment by cassandra Friday, Oct 16, 09 @ 3:20 pm
without a mandate, make no large plans?

Cassandra, I couldn’t disagree with you more. In the interim, it is doubtful that major changes can be implemented by this administration. Truthfully, they should not even be tried by this less than 30 month administration.

In January of 2011 with the start of a mandate, yes. (no matter who it is). I think it would have been better for this particular administration to have foregone the filling of positions, particularly at the executive level/management level, in preparation for cutting government down the 2010 and 2011 budgets in an effort to help stabilize the state’s fiscal situation. Yesterday I thought cutting administration positions by 20 percentage was good, but I’m now thinking 30 percent is probably better. Making deepest cuts at the executive level would have demonstrated good leadership and Quinn would have been able to use that in his re-election bid. Had he demonstrated the type of leadership that he should have, he probably would be running unopposed in the primary right now.

Comment by Will County Woman Friday, Oct 16, 09 @ 4:04 pm
Sounds like a flip-flop. Just whose word can we take these days?

Comment by Captain Flume Monday, Oct 19, 09 @ 8:51 am