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* 1:52 pm - The governor told legislative leaders today that he will begin calling special legislative sessions starting July 5th. More info as it becomes available. [This subject item has been moved from another post below.]
* 1:58 pm - House Speaker Michael Madigan was clearly not happy after the leaders meeting and said it didn’t make any sense to call the special session. Apparently, the entire meeting today was about the special session.
Senate GOP Leader Frank Watson said the governor blew up at the leaders. House GOP Leader Tom Cross was noticeably frustrated and said he didn’t understand the rationale or logic behind the move.
* 2:01 pm - The governor had suggested that the two chambers return on the 5th during the last leaders meeting, but was rebuffed. The leaders then reportedly made him swear that he wouldn’t use their weeklong break against them and he complied. They should’ve gotten a memorandum of understanding.
The governor is said to be coming out of his office soon. More in a bit.
* 2:17 pm - While we wait for the governor to come out of his office, here are some quotes from after the meeting. Senate President Emil Jones said little to nothing…
* Madigan: “What I know is that there was an agreement on a schedule and he has rescinded that agreement.”
* Madigan: “My suggestion to the governor was if he wants to call a special session call up bills for people to vote on.”
* Watson: “He’s had five months to figure this out and he wants to blame everyone else.”
* Cross: “Theater of the absurd… I attribute it all to failed leadership…. [My members] will be here ready and willing to work whether they’re happy about it or not.”
* The guv’s spokesperson, Rebecca Rausch, said the first subject under discussion on Thursday the 5th will be pensions.
* 2:30 pm - So far, the Secretary of State’s office has yet to see the governor’s official proclamation. By law, it has to be filed with his office. The governor’s office won’t say yet what the special session will be about except to say it’s “budget related.” The specials are limited to specific bills or subject matters.
* 2:38 pm - Governor Blagojevich said he would call a special session “every day until we pass a budget.”. More Blagojevich quotes…
“The one-month budget is just a Republican budget in disguise.”
“Time for us to get the real work of the people done.”
“I expressed my view that it’s important to have the members here more often than not.”
* AUDIO FILES - CLICK NAMES TO DOWNLOAD SOUND FILES…
* Governor Rod Blagojevich [file is fixed.]
* House GOP Leader Cross (Part 1)
* House GOP Leader Cross (Part 2)
* 3:16 pm - The official proclamation calling the special session can be downloaded here.
* 3:43 pm - The governor repeatedly referred to “Speaker Madigan and his conservative Republican ally Senator Watson” during the press bang. More Blagojevich quotes…
* “[I will be calling special sessions] every single day from July 5th, without fail, every day seven days a week until we pass a budget that helps people.”
* (Question: Will you be here every day governor?) “I’ll be in Springfield every day.
* 3:48 pm - Speaker Madigan quotes…
* “He’s offered no new ideas to be considered by those special sessions.”
* “He has no ideas on revenue generation, same old stuff.”
* “I’ve just come to expect stuff like this.”
* 3:52 pm - Senate GOP Leader Frank Watson…
* “He wants to blame everybody else for problems that everybody initiated here and he blew up… It wasn’t a Mike Jacobs kind of thing, he didn’t go that far I believe.”
* “I just sat there in bewilderment… He yells ‘Frank Watson this, Frank Watson that,’ and we’re in the minority here the last time I checked.”
* “This is not the way to get things done.”
* “I said, ‘Governor, if you want to put a bill on the Senate floor, let’s talk about how you’re going to pay for all this and just see if there’s a political will to do this. Governor, there isn’t. If you haven’t got that message by now, then that’s your fault.’”
* “This is a big issue that we’ve had with this administration… it’s a trust factor and here we go again.”
* A special session is what we call ‘A teacher a day.’ $40,000 is what will be spent on a special session… and that’s about what a salary of a teacher in my area (will make).
* Watson revealed that the governor wants to bring the press into the room for the negotiations. “I don’t know if that’s not such a bad idea. Why don’t you just come on in and see what goes on inside the room?”
* “I think he ought to spend an evening here just like everybody else and stay in Springfield.”
* 4:11 pm - A few Leader Cross quotes…
* “[Special session is] a huge cost to taxpayers of the state of Illinois.”
* “I thought we had an understanding that we would start back the following week, but obviously that’s not the case. So, we’re ready to work and get the budget done.”
* [No budget] “I attribute that to Democrats failing.”
* 4:14 pm - The AP has a brief bit up, entitled “Blindsiding lawmakers, governor wants special session on budget”…
Legislative leaders complained that Blagojevich is breaking an agreement that lawmakers would not be called back to Springfield until July 10th.
More importantly, they say there is nothing for rank & file lawmakers to do. Budget negotiations between Blagojevich and the leaders are at a standstill, so there’s no budget for lawmakers to vote on.
* 4:34 pm - From Illinois Issues’ Bethany Carson…
The governor’s last words were the legislators could forfeit their per diem if they were worried about keeping down costs.
* 4:47 pm - This won’t inflame things further I’m sure. The governor has sent a letter to Madigan and Watson, which has ended up in the hands of House Democratic members…
I understand you raised concerns about the per diem costs associated with Special Sessions. I would offer two alternatives to address your concerns. First, members… are in the position to “waive” their per diems… As a second alternative, at your request, I could use a reduction veto to eliminate per diem payments. Please let us know if this is something you would like me to do.
The full letter, along with a letter sent to all legislators, can be downloaded here.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Jun 29, 07 @ 1:55 pm
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Comment by steven Friday, Jun 29, 07 @ 1:59 pm
Like sands through the hourglass, these are the Democrats of our lives!!!
Can’t we all just get along people!!
Comment by He makes Ryan look like a saint Friday, Jun 29, 07 @ 2:13 pm
Since the Governor has called a special session, is he going to stay in Springfield to facilitate budget talks? I would encourage every reader to call the Governor’s office, home, and Chicago to find out.
Comment by grad student Friday, Jun 29, 07 @ 2:15 pm
…grad student:
BWAHHHH HA HA HA HA HA - good one!
Comment by WAITer Friday, Jun 29, 07 @ 2:17 pm
Rod’s meds must not be working today, looks like he’s a little testy. Are the Feds getting ready to move in?
Comment by dan Friday, Jun 29, 07 @ 2:19 pm
If it’s important enough to call a “Special Session” and disrupt everyone’s week-long break, then the Governor should govern from Springfield and stay in the Executive Manison.
Comment by South of I-80 Friday, Jun 29, 07 @ 2:20 pm
All of these leaders have delt with Blago before and know him to be a liar how could they be surprised by this.
Comment by FED UP Friday, Jun 29, 07 @ 2:24 pm
“The governor is said to be coming out of his office soon.”…. Does this mean there will be six more weeks of session?
Comment by S. Illinois Friday, Jun 29, 07 @ 2:27 pm
Only if he sees his shadow (or is that his reflection in a mirror?) I always get confused…
Comment by WAITer Friday, Jun 29, 07 @ 2:34 pm
he is an idiot
Comment by Truth in Budgeting Friday, Jun 29, 07 @ 2:36 pm
Only if he sees Patrick Fitzgerald’s shadow.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jun 29, 07 @ 2:38 pm
i’m going to have to start drinking again
Comment by Amomynous Friday, Jun 29, 07 @ 2:41 pm
Truth in Budgeting - I cosign with you on that!!
Comment by Downstate Friday, Jun 29, 07 @ 2:42 pm
Who cares?! Special sessions have become such a joke under this governor that they no longer mean anything other than that legislators now get their per diem and mileage. Let him call his special sessions, and they will be 45 minutes each day like the session days for the past month have been.
This guy is a joke, and his advisors are even bigger jokes. They can run a hell of a campaign, but they couldn’t run state Government to save their lives.
Comment by Jaded Friday, Jun 29, 07 @ 2:42 pm
Calling a special session means the members will get their per diem, which they are not getting now. So in addition to the $5800 per day plane cost the governor makes the state incur, he’ll also cost the state another $20,000 plus per day for the members’ per diem.
Comment by General Assembly Watcher Friday, Jun 29, 07 @ 2:44 pm
Special how? Special as in a double krusty burger with cheese and fries combo? Or special as in “I’m a big egomaniac who has nothing better to do than waste the taxpayers money?”
Things would go a lot smoother if he offered a 2 for 1 special at this session. LOL
Comment by jwscott72 Friday, Jun 29, 07 @ 2:47 pm
hey you know why it’s a republican budget it’s because it doesn’t contain money for sister’s of the hood and the other ridiculous items found in last year’s budget. Get a clue blago….!
Comment by Ihatework Friday, Jun 29, 07 @ 2:47 pm
Rod just declared nuclear war on the ILGA. he had better grab his ankles and kiss his ass goodbye.
Comment by 6'2" Yeti Friday, Jun 29, 07 @ 2:49 pm
Maybe Patti would rather be in Springfield now that reporters are probably camped out in front of her house waiting for their security detail to take a whiz in the alley.
Comment by Bluefish Friday, Jun 29, 07 @ 2:50 pm
“I expressed my view that it’s important to have the members here more often than not.”
Is he serious?
Comment by anon Friday, Jun 29, 07 @ 2:51 pm
Unlike the Governor, legislative members and their staff have been working since January, and with no end in sight deserve a break. Shame on me for believing that this pathetic Governor would actually stay true to his word, and allow legislators and staff a week off before they come back for possibly the rest of the year. I honestly hope all those who voted for him are ashamed. This is ridiculous.
Comment by Buck Flagojevich Friday, Jun 29, 07 @ 2:51 pm
Question : Is Rod going to stay in Springfield for all of those five days ? Or is he going to use the peoples plane and fuel to be in Chicago every night ? That would be $25,000.00 per week of the peoples money.
Comment by Lula May Friday, Jun 29, 07 @ 2:54 pm
Doesn’t he realize now that he is issuing the “special session” proclamation it will costs the state 200,000 dollars more then if he just followed the schedule put forth by the leaders? He is just sucking away the money from the tax-payers. I hope no one shows up for the special session and the legislature gives him the middle finger. Good points Buck Flagojevich!!!
Comment by Ihatework Friday, Jun 29, 07 @ 2:54 pm
“I expressed my view that it’s important to have the members here more often than not.”
Does that mean he’s staying in town?? For awhile it looked like he was under house arrest AND had to commute to work!
Comment by South of I-80 Friday, Jun 29, 07 @ 2:57 pm
to General Assembly Watcher: you’re absolutely right. But the Governor is banking on the humble folk of Illinois to be so dumb as to think it’s the Legislators incurring the per-diem bills, instead of the Governor who’s calling the Special Sessions.
This is the absolute, dizzying, utmost height of cynicism and hypocrisy. And yet it’s sure to be surpassed by whatever the governor does or says next.
Comment by BANZAI Friday, Jun 29, 07 @ 2:57 pm
Isn’t there a Monster Truck Show in town this weekend?
Comment by The 'Broken Heart' of Rogers Park Friday, Jun 29, 07 @ 3:06 pm
Do I have the times right? Cross walked into the Governor’s Office for the leaders meeting at or about 1:17. Madigan came out of the meeting at or about 1:58. That means the leaders meeting was a whopping 41 minutes long! No wonder so little gets done.
Comment by Doodles Friday, Jun 29, 07 @ 3:20 pm
Has the governor not been reading the papers lately? Does he not understand how foolish and hypocritical his comments make him look?
Comment by one of the 35 Friday, Jun 29, 07 @ 3:21 pm
This is like a bad movie that you can’t stop watching because you want to see how it ends. Can this get any more embarassing for the Democrats? They can’t stop lying and spending money. There wasn’t this much sniping going on in the Soparano’s series.
Comment by Holdingontomywallet Friday, Jun 29, 07 @ 3:27 pm
This must be payback for whining about the Gay Pride flyers…Or his way of knocking the “Don’t Pee in My House” story out of the news
Comment by Mr. W.T. Rush Friday, Jun 29, 07 @ 3:29 pm
So far, the Repub leaders have kept the rhetoric
under control. They need to keep it up. Watson is far more likely to lose it than Cross, of course.
Meanwhile, Blago still doesn’t get it that Repub bashing is no longer going to do it for him. Soon, the Repubs are going to be looking like wise elders among squabbling Dem infants.
Comment by Cassandra Friday, Jun 29, 07 @ 3:39 pm
It’s a weak attempt to overshadow the “Air Rod / daily Springfield flights for 6 Grand” stories
Comment by BANZAI Friday, Jun 29, 07 @ 3:40 pm
Maybe this will get Emil and the few remaining backers of the governor to FINALLY split with this guy and work with Madigan and the House to put a budget deal together. Somebody needs to stand this overgrown brat in a corner.
Comment by Bleary Eyed Friday, Jun 29, 07 @ 3:40 pm
So let me get this straight:
1) The Demorats have passed underfunded budgets for the pensions for the last 5+ years. (without any or little Republican imput or support)
2) The interest payments on those underfundments are now (as the Gov himself said) spiraling out of control. $600 mil this year, $1.2 Bil next year etc.
3) The Demorats have control of all 3 branches that pass a budget and have had 5 MONTHS to get something done.
And now he is going to resort to name calling (CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICANS) over and over.
This mess that he has created is the Republicans fault? Give me a break.
Let’s see some hard statistics on how many kids are in daycare on June 30 vs. July 31. Will it be 10,000 less?
As a society, do we really want 10,000 more kids in state sponsored day care?
WE CANNOT AS A STATE AFFORD TO PAY FOR THE PROGRAMS THAT WE ALREADY HAVE IN PLACE. HENCE, THIS IS WHY WE ARE IN THE BUDGET MESS WE ARE IN NOW. CUT SOME OF THE PEOPLE OFF OF THE DOLE, BALANCE THE BUDGET, PAY FOR THE PROGRAMS AND OBLIGATIONS THAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE AND ARE OBLIGATED TO IN THE FUTURE.
THEN AND ONLY THEN, PROPOSE AND PAY FOR NEW PROGRAMS.
GOVERNOR AND DEMGIRL…ARE YOU LISTENING???
Comment by BIG R.PH. Friday, Jun 29, 07 @ 3:49 pm
So if the GA passes a budget without all of the new spending that Blago wants can he just keep calling special sessions until they do what he wants? Lets see $20,000 per day until the end of his term is how much?????
Comment by Sick Of It! Friday, Jun 29, 07 @ 3:50 pm
Whatever happened to those camps or classes that First Lady Blago was looking into for the kids in Springfield? Maybe they start after July 4th and the gov doesn’t want to be in Springfield by himself.
Comment by anon Friday, Jun 29, 07 @ 3:52 pm
Who thinks that President JONES knew ALL about this? Of course, if he knew then he must have agreed to it as well. We know that PER DIEM is now available for the GA members with Spec Session being called.
I would bet that Pres Jones is on board with the Gov, which makes the Gov’s hand stronger than folks might think.
Comment by Korn Fed Friday, Jun 29, 07 @ 3:54 pm
Special session means more folks on the plane and lowers costs?
Comment by keep up w/jones Friday, Jun 29, 07 @ 3:59 pm
Keep saying that one month no new funding for undefined new programs are republican ideas Rod. That will really help us out, we appriciate it.
By the way Rich, I heard hot Rod only called special session casue he knew you were taking it off. BAHABAHABHA!!!!!
Comment by Moderate Repub Friday, Jun 29, 07 @ 3:59 pm
Cassandra said, “Soon, the Repubs are going to be looking like wise elders among squabbling Dem infants.”
That ship sailed about five months ago… Where’s Bill - I can’t wait to hear the spin on this one.
Comment by Holdingontomywallet Friday, Jun 29, 07 @ 4:05 pm
How incredibly sad that the question asked of the governor is you will be here every night and he said every day. If he was serious he would quit the retoric and roll up his sleeves, stay in the governors mansion, work until the wee hours of the morning, and then get back to the desk to go at it again if the process is still not complete. Listening to his spin on a one month budget being conservative, Mr. Governor this is what we do every day - you can’t spend what you don’t have.
How about the Governor paying for his plane trips to Springfield. Yes it does cost $40,000 (per Cross) each day for the legislators to be there. The Gov suggests that the legislators give up their per dium because the governor can’t find a way to support his medical programs? Where is the wisdom in these childish games? To even assimilate the death of revolutionary patriots to this rancour shows he is classless. He has so little regard for those putting in the hours away from their families. His party, all of you, should rip him a new one.
Comment by game plan Friday, Jun 29, 07 @ 4:13 pm
You know what I will be Bill for a moment…
This is the right move by the Governor if he in fact wants to really push all the stuff he is looking to push (and I assuming he is).
Basically, we are all going sit here a sweat all summer until we figure out how we are going to fund health care, education and the other stuff I feel we need to do and fund it in a way I feel is correct. If you want to go home, come up with a budget I can sign, or override my veto. But I am not going to compromise.
At the same time you get the ‘interests groups’ working it hard.
That’s what you have to do at this point as governor if you have any hope of getting the stuff you want out of this budget. You have to go with ‘Two entities enter, one leaves’
To use another example that we see from time to time, he need to go to the mattresses.
OneMan
Comment by OneManBlog Friday, Jun 29, 07 @ 4:20 pm
REVOLT! Worked 231 years ago.
Comment by Northside Bunker Friday, Jun 29, 07 @ 4:21 pm
Finally — good work Rod! The only way to get these house members to do anything is to threaten to take their summers away. Just like children.
What will it take to get these people to stand up to their Speaker and demand action? What will it take for these Dems to stand up and demand that their party chairman actually act and govern like a democrat?
I’m with you, Rod. They need to be prodded and you have the big stick.
Comment by Buck Naked Friday, Jun 29, 07 @ 4:22 pm
Contract out the gov’s job to Geo. Ryan and get the job done! We can pay him in Community Service credits. Sure would be a breath of fresh air instead of the blowhard we have now.
Comment by A Citizen Friday, Jun 29, 07 @ 4:24 pm
BN, you should finish that with…
What will it take to get somebody to introduce an impeachment resolution?
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Jun 29, 07 @ 4:24 pm
Only way Blago pulls anything off is if he can keep Emil on his side. YOu know Emils caucus has been screaming in his ear about no per deium, could be that this was to help Emil out, at least now his members are getting their cut. Just something to think about.
Comment by Moderate Repub Friday, Jun 29, 07 @ 4:26 pm
Rich,
Does this mean your vacation is cancelled, too?
Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Friday, Jun 29, 07 @ 4:28 pm
SDoS, where they go, I go. Blogging will resume on the 5th.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Jun 29, 07 @ 4:30 pm
I never thought this guy would, or even could, but he keeps making Topinka looks better and better.
WHAT’S HE THINKING???????
Comment by Anon Friday, Jun 29, 07 @ 4:31 pm
This can’t possibly ‘help Emil out.’ If Emil’s members come to believe that the Governor tipped-off Emil about the ‘Special Session’ plans — and that Emil let his members head home for the holidays without cluing them in — they’ll be even more enraged than many of them already are.
Comment by BANZAI Friday, Jun 29, 07 @ 4:33 pm
Ogilvie,Edgar,Thompson, and Ryan - Ahhh, the good old days when we had governors who actually delivered leadership. Someone must put the training wheels back on this administration. Or Impeach the Imposter.
Comment by A Citizen Friday, Jun 29, 07 @ 4:34 pm
One thing Blags did manage - he talked to reporters and none of them remembered to ask him about the subpoenas. Can anyone spell Smokescreen?
Comment by A Citizen Friday, Jun 29, 07 @ 4:39 pm
I agree with the Governor. Why take a week off when there is work to be done. I can understand giving time off for the 4th of July, but all week? Come on lawmakers! House members! Get it done!
Comment by El Salsa Friday, Jun 29, 07 @ 4:40 pm
What an idiot the Gov is. He regurgitates the same answers over and over and over. Someone please get him some help.
Comment by anon Friday, Jun 29, 07 @ 4:41 pm
The bottom line is that no one can trust this Governor. When you have a majority and you lose the trust of your own party, you are in BIG trouble. I don’t believe the Democrats have any clue about the damage this has done. Way to go Dems, great job, great job. Can’t wait to vote in the next election.
Comment by Holdingontomywallet Friday, Jun 29, 07 @ 4:42 pm
My God, how many times does Milarod repeat himself in his clip? Just STFU and get this job done. We’ve heard it all a million time. Your voice and you are the most irritating things in Illinois and you need to sit down and shut up!!!
No matter how fast you talk, it’s still all smoke and mirrors and it won’t take away from the news that your security guards aren’t even allowed in your house to tend to nature’s call. What a pair you and the missus make. I feel sorry for those little girls.
Comment by Disgusted Friday, Jun 29, 07 @ 4:42 pm
{gulp} I want George Ryan back. {gulp}
Comment by Tom Friday, Jun 29, 07 @ 4:45 pm
Rich, did you really just reintroduce the impeachment nonsense? I was waiting for this and, based on your cozy cap fax this am, I knew you would flip your lid when you realized your vacation would be postponed at the list minute.
Again, good work governor. Everybody wants to play games — make them stay there until the work gets done. And BEthany beat me to it. If legislators are so concerned about the cost of their inaction, or the cost of their lack of will to stand up to their leader, they can refuse the per diem.
Comment by Buck Naked Friday, Jun 29, 07 @ 4:46 pm
Rich, you really think someone will toss the ‘impeachment’ thing over the wall, are folks that ticked?
Comment by OneManBlog Friday, Jun 29, 07 @ 4:46 pm
The governor’s last words were the legislators could forfeit their per diem if they were worried about keeping down costs. Yet the King/Governor sees no problem flying back and forth at $5800 per day at the state’s expense.
How arrogant! The state’s only hope is Milo’s indicted or impeachment. A bonus would be both!
Comment by Up Milo's Medications Friday, Jun 29, 07 @ 4:47 pm
For all you posters who think the gov did the right thing with the special session, why didn’t he just veto the temporary budget and force lawmakers to strike a deal before there’s a shutdown. Plus, the overtime session doesn’t allow lawmakers to collect their per deims. Now they’ll get to thanks to the special session. The governor’s not putting pressure on anybody.
He agreed to take all meaningful pressure off and, at the same time, give lawmakers back an expensive perk that’ll means the state has thousands less to spend every day. Not much in a budget of billions, but I’d take it.
Comment by Mrs. Fisher's Chips Friday, Jun 29, 07 @ 4:51 pm
ROTFLMAO!
Comment by Bill Friday, Jun 29, 07 @ 4:53 pm
What, no defense from “Bill”?
I bet Ira Silverstein is amused at the Governor’s plans to have lawmakers work on the Sabbath.
First up in the House July 10th….requiring the Governor to reside in Springfield and banning use of the state plane by the Gov. during overtime.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Friday, Jun 29, 07 @ 4:54 pm
I hate to tell you this YDD… But you are referring to a non-binding resolution. It has no statutory power. Its nothing. A ruse. A childish, political play by Jack Franks. Shocker.
Comment by El Salsa Friday, Jun 29, 07 @ 4:56 pm
BTW, Buck Naked, I assure you the Speaker will be more than happy to have a vote on the Governor’s budget proposal, as soon as he sends one over from the Senate.
Heck, how about drafting one first?
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Friday, Jun 29, 07 @ 4:56 pm
Um, El Salsa, non-binding resolutions can easily be turned into bills, and Gubernatorial vetoes can be easily overridden.
A Constitutional Amendment allowing for a recall of the Governor, however, doesn’t require the Governor’s signature to go on the ballot.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Friday, Jun 29, 07 @ 4:58 pm
P.S. California’s Governor was recalled for far less egregious incompetence.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Friday, Jun 29, 07 @ 4:59 pm
Rich,
Perhaps he just meant Cozy as in Cozy Dog ‘A Springfield Institution’
Seriously however this has to suck…
Comment by OneManBlog Friday, Jun 29, 07 @ 5:01 pm
I’d pay big money to see Rich vs Buck. My money ,of course, would be on Rich.
Comment by Bill Friday, Jun 29, 07 @ 5:02 pm
I typically dont get that involved here. Mostly because I dont have that much time… But seriously. To those who are saying that Blago is throwing up a smokescreen or that you can trust him: What do you think Madigan has been doing?
Madigan wanted an overtime budget. Now it is backfiring in his face. This will only hurt his targets. Madigan has been disengenous from the beginning. I admit, Blags is stubborn and can be shifty. But lets not act like its only him.
Comment by El Salsa Friday, Jun 29, 07 @ 5:02 pm
There’s plenty of blame to go around, El Salsa. More than enough.
But, there’s only one person in that building who lies on a regular basis.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Jun 29, 07 @ 5:03 pm
“…The House Democratic caucus, on the other hand, just sits there and takes whatever the Great and Powerful Wizard of Oz feeds it. ====”
Excellent!!!
Comment by Bill Friday, Jun 29, 07 @ 5:04 pm
Senator Jacobs and Senator Franks could get the ball rolling on the impeachment.
Comment by Wacker Drive Friday, Jun 29, 07 @ 5:05 pm
Oh, please YDD. Get real with your pathetic constitutional amendment talk. By the way, the governor put forth a budget — pretty clearly. He said what he was for, and what he was against. It was the speaker who sat on his hands until the end of session when he jammed his horrible budget through the house and made so many of his members unknowingly vote for something that they would never vote for. It was the speaker who refused to return phone calls and meeting requests from the governor. It was the speaker who sided with republicans to force an overtime in 2004 and it is the same speaker doing it again this year.
Speaker Madigan is no democrat. I cant believe that so many of these dem legislators continue to follow them. They are even more pathetic when they lose an election, or choose not to run again and run to the governor for a job so that they can bump up their pension. Members who never helped the governor then come with hat in hand.
Keep laughing about the testicular virility line, but its really time for the dem house members, as RICH said this morning, to GROW SOME STONES!
Comment by Buck Naked Friday, Jun 29, 07 @ 5:06 pm
A third option is Friends of Blago (or whatever his committee is called) picks up the costs of the special session (as well as the flights)
Comment by OneManBlog Friday, Jun 29, 07 @ 5:07 pm
OneMan,
Don’t hold your breath waiting for that to happen!
Comment by Bill Friday, Jun 29, 07 @ 5:08 pm
Rich Miller at 5:03,
I hope that you weren’t talking about me!
Comment by Bill Friday, Jun 29, 07 @ 5:10 pm
Yeah I know, it would be ’statesmanlike’ however.
Comment by OneManBlog Friday, Jun 29, 07 @ 5:10 pm
I don’t think he meant you Bill, unless of course you are who some of us think you are
Comment by OneManBlog Friday, Jun 29, 07 @ 5:13 pm
No, Bill. You aren’t usually in that building. And I doubt I’ll see you on the 5th when your hero flies in for an hour and takes off again.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Jun 29, 07 @ 5:14 pm
If you are going to fight Buck, Ill be there, but I won’t be wearing a suit.
Comment by Bill Friday, Jun 29, 07 @ 5:16 pm
LOL. I just get upset when people try to twist what I’ve written. I do have a copy, y’know.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Jun 29, 07 @ 5:19 pm
Something tells me Milo’s on the plane back to Chicago, smoking a cigar, his handlers fawning all over him and just yuking it up at everyone expense. Makes ya want to throw up!
Comment by Can't Touch the Teflon Governor Friday, Jun 29, 07 @ 5:20 pm
Whatever the subject matter of the Special Session, and given the Governor’s unwillingness to tell the truth, I’d love to see the Speaker hold vigorous subject matter hearings and use the Legislature’s subpoena power liberally.
I can’t remember which scholar said it, but “When the legislature is in session, the Speaker is the most powerful man in the state.”
Special Session? Smart call, Team Rod.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Friday, Jun 29, 07 @ 5:21 pm
Bill - you and I agree yet again. ROTFLMAO for sure. There’s not a Hollywood script that’s as good as Illinois politics. If a movie were to be made, I suggest Will Ferrell to play our boy wonder Elvis.
Comment by Little Egypt Friday, Jun 29, 07 @ 5:21 pm
I think that you should host a capitolfax Legislators Appreciation BBQ at the statehouse on the 5th. Ill buy the hot dogs, Chicago style of course.
Comment by Bill Friday, Jun 29, 07 @ 5:27 pm
I think YDD has the right idea. . . first order of business on July 5 should be introduction of a Constitutional Amendment allowing for recall of a Governor, and if I were Mike Madigan I would be the lead sponsor. Hey, they might as well do something as long as they’re going to be here every day!
Comment by Ivote Friday, Jun 29, 07 @ 5:39 pm
I was referring to this line as cozy: “OK, I feel better now. Enjoy your time off next week.” Call it what you want. I chose cozy. However, my point was that everybody was preparing to let their guard down for the 4th and thats when to expect it the most.
Didnt mean to twist Rich. I just get frustrated when you fairly spread the blame at one moment and then lazer beam it all on the governor the next moment.
No offense intended.
Comment by Buck Naked Friday, Jun 29, 07 @ 5:50 pm
What Bill and the Gov need to remember is that it is MY and YOUR money that they want to spend. I don’t know about YOU, but I WORK *()&& hard for it. Balancing the budget by closing corporate loopholes isn’t going to cut it. Aren’t many of those loopholes there to keep business in Illinois? Didn’t the gov just grant tax cuts to keep a big business in Illinois instead of Wisconsin blasted to the tune of major press releases? How does that differ from the other tax “loopholes” out there? Is that another “fatcat” organization taking advantage of the state? Spend within your means!!!!!!!!
Comment by anon Friday, Jun 29, 07 @ 6:22 pm
Rich, I have the same problem when people try to twist the numbers I crunch. Speaking of which, be ready for the Spin-O-Rama to be running a full tilt on the 5th if the first act of “Overtime in Hell-the Special Edition” is the idea that we can borrow our pensions back into solvency.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Friday, Jun 29, 07 @ 6:55 pm
Buck: What I want to know is when are Senate Democrats going to rise up and demand that their leader tell the Governor to go to work every day, like average working class people do every day, stop sacking those same hardworking taxpayers with the costs of chauffering him to and from Springfield every day, and govern like a Democrat!
Comment by some former legislative intern Friday, Jun 29, 07 @ 7:49 pm
I forgot, I also want Democrats to stand up and demand that the Governor act like a Democrat and provide electric utility rate relief to consumers and stop appointing utility company hacks to the ICC!
Comment by some former legislative intern Friday, Jun 29, 07 @ 7:53 pm
This guy is unbelievable! Do his people really think that anyone is buying this crap? I can guarantee you there is no one out there in Illinoisland who does. I know hard-core Democrats that are fed up and fuming mad with this guy. He may have won a second term but it was only because there was no alternative. A lot of folks in the coffee shops thought maybe he would be more seasoned in a second term. He should be thankful we don’t have recall or would be the next Gray Davis right about now. I can guarantee you that he will never survive the next primary - if he is still around. The irony of this is that Pat Quinn is all of a sudden looking like the “knight in shining armour” to a lot of Dems who up till now wouldn’t have given two cents for him. I applaud our Democratic legislators for standing up to him. Madigan is absolutely right - there is no way we can afford his proposals. Stay on him guys and make him pay a high price for his complete lack of leadership and incompetence!
Comment by Three Years, Four Months and Counting (Maybe Sooner?) Saturday, Jun 30, 07 @ 12:27 am
The Illinois Democratic Party is virtually imploding here; and that makes the Illinois Green Party and even more attractive option, following it’s establishment. I predict that we will see at least one legislator become a Green and that will open the door to a mass defection of legislators who want to get out from under the thumb of party bosses and corporate money to truly serve the people of Illinois to the best of their ability.
Comment by Squideshi Saturday, Jun 30, 07 @ 12:33 pm
Narrator:
“As the sun sets on the sleepy little capital city on the prairie, citizens sleep soundly as legislators plan and backstab one another. Time has run out on them. Their AWOL governor, dreaming of playing whiffleball with Ron Santo and Earnie Banks, wallows in his delusional views of political and baseball glory.
Illinois is listing. It’s coffers are empty, it’s citizens turn out lights attempting to save what little cash is left in their pockets. Her assets are leased or sold off, her pensions have been robbed. Illinois is drifting further from economic reality and dreaming of Socialists glory days of freebies paid for by Scrooge McDuck and Daddy Warbucks. Fittingly, only their imaginary billionaires could afford the very real taxes being raised on their heads as they sleep away.
Good night Illinois, come on in Dr. Kevorkian.”
Comment by VanillaMan Monday, Jul 2, 07 @ 9:41 am
[…] The Governor, after promising legislative leaders not to mess with the July 4th Holiday, calls a special session on the 5th. […]
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