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MJM presser roundup

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Illinois

* As you already know, Paul and I did our own report on Speaker Madigan’s press conference yesterday, where he announced that there wasn’t sufficient support for an income or sales tax hike in his caucus. You can find that here and you can listen to the entire press conference at this link [mp3 file].

Let’s look at some excerpts from other stories published this morning…

* Tribune…

In announcing the results of a survey of his members, Madigan sent the strongest message to date that the state is headed toward resolving its fiscal mess with a vastly scaled-back budget that would disappoint many groups seeking boosts for education and health care coverage. And it sets up the next stage in a potential deadline showdown with Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who is still pushing for his $7 billion business tax proposal with the support of Senate President Emil Jones (D-Chicago).

* Post-Dispatch…

“We will need to revise our priorities and our wish list accordingly and work within whatever revenue we can find,” said Rep. John Fritchey, D-Chicago, co-sponsor of one of several pending measures that sought to raise the state income tax to pay for some of those priorities.

“The facts are starting to align in such a way that we will be closer to a limited budget than a massive budget, and that may not be a bad thing,” Fritchey said. “Needs such as education funding reform, health care and infrastructure are valid needs that unfortunately might have to be put off for some time.”

* Pantagraph…

“Clearly, if the House Democrats do not support a tax increase, there will not be a tax increase,” said state Rep. Mark Beaubien, R-Barrington Hills. “We won’t vote for a tax increase.”

* SJ-R…

Several Senate Democrats, meanwhile, said expanded gambling is emerging as the one revenue generator most of them are willing to talk about.

“It’s probably the best solution as we talk today,” said Senate Majority Leader Debbie Halvorson, D-Crete. “So far, it’s the only thing everybody can come up with.” […]

Hendon said the gambling plan could be used to pay for more than construction.

“If this is the only new revenue, then of course we’d have to spread (the money) around,” said Hendon, who estimates at least $2 billion a year could be raised. “The governor’s health-care plan will get some of the money, and education and capital. It appears that it might be the only game in town.”

* Sun-Times…

But Madigan, acknowledging the difficulty in passing gambling legislation and refusing to be pinned down on what a bill might entail, tempered expectations a gambling deal would soon emerge. […]

Blagojevich spokeswoman Rebecca Rausch said the governor is eager to meet with Madigan, refuses to concede the gross-receipts tax is dead and believes health care should be a top spending priority. The two are scheduled to meet today.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, May 24, 07 @ 9:35 am

Comments

Does this mean that Rod Blagojevich no longer opposes expanding gambling? Last I’d heard, he threatened to veto it, right?

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Thursday, May 24, 07 @ 11:21 am
The gov reminds me of a spurned lover - “If I can’t have her, nobody can have her!” Quite a show of leadership, to say nothing of statesmanship!

Comment by A Citizen Thursday, May 24, 07 @ 12:03 pm
Madigan should go ahead with House Bill 740 and allow those opposed to vote against it; so we can, in turn, then target and vote those representatives out of office. I think Madigan’s survey is just a political game. There is no need for such a survey–just introduce and bill and let it come to a vote. That’s how you determine how much support there is for a proposal. Does Madigan actually think he’s fooling anyone with this?

Comment by Squideshi Thursday, May 24, 07 @ 4:52 pm
…Rausch said the governor is eager to meet with Madigan,… Soooo, did they meet? What came of it? Staring contest or something substantive? Anyone hear?

Comment by A Citizen Thursday, May 24, 07 @ 6:06 pm