Editorial from the Joliet paper...
Joliet Herald
June 8, 2008
Next time you drive over a pothole-filled road or become upset that your child is in an overcrowded classroom, think of the Illinois House Democrats and especially their "leader," House Speaker Michael Madigan.
In an amazing display of political idiocy, the House Democrats have failed to show any backbone to pass a $34 billion capital bill. That bill would have funded roads, bridges and schools, including $149 million for school construction in the Joliet Grade School District. Why did the House members choose a path of inactivity?
Because they were concerned that Gov. Rod Blagojevich might have too much power in deciding where the funds come from and where they will go.
In other words, the Democratic governor isn't trusted by many House Democrats, and because of this "mistrust," money won't be available on the innumerable projects that are so desperately needed.
Ironically, many of these same House Democrats had no problem giving former Republican governor and current federal inmate George Ryan free rein to spend in his $12 billion Illinois FIRST program, which was funded by higher license plate stickers and a raise in liquor taxes. Ryan gave $5.5 million for an ice arena in his hometown of Kankakee and used FIRST money to pay for an Italian-American Sports Hall of Fame. No House Democrats voiced concerns about Ryan's handouts.
But now the Democrats have a problem with Blagojevich. What's obvious is this problem is rooted in the inability of House Democrats to work for the people and instead cater to the petty interests of the misguided, bitter House Speaker who is having another of his endlessly exasperating and childish standoffs with the governor.
Republicans, led by House Minority Leader Tom Cross, R-Oswego, see the Democrats' inaction as unacceptable, and we agree.
"Do they trust him or not?" Cross said of the House Democrats' attitude toward the governor. "The fact that we don't like someone is not an excuse for not getting our work done."
Cross crystallizes our view. The Democratic-controlled Senate found the capital plan acceptable, including funding the bill by leasing the state lottery and expanding gambling.
Lawmakers haven't passed a new statewide construction program in nine years. And it appears that House Democrats are going extend the wait until at least the November veto session.
It's very clear. If you want road repairs, school additions and construction, then contact the House Democrats. They must decide whether to serve the people's interests or continue blindly following Madigan.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Monday, June 23, 2008
New Poll Shows Illinois Voters Ready for Change
Poll shows deep level of distrust in Illinois government
6/20/2008
Kathleen Haughney, St. Louis Post Dispatch
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois politicians have been largely mired in scandal and controversy the past few years, and voters are tired of it, according to a recent poll.
Former Gov. George Ryan was sent to prison last fall on conspiracy and fraud charges. A top fundraiser for Gov. Rod Blagojevich was recently convicted for using his political influence to squeeze bribes from contractors seeking business with the state. And political infighting between lawmakers and Blagojevich has stopped a state infrastructure plan and balanced budget from materializing so far this year.
It's a problem that seems unlikely to yield a quick solution, and according to a recent poll by political reform coalition Midwest Democracy Network, voters aren't happy about it.
The poll, which surveyed 402 Illinoisans and had a margin of error of 4.9 percentage points, gave Blagojevich a 13 percent approval rating and the legislature a 17 percent rating.
"If any of us only had a 17 percent approval rating, we'd lose our jobs," said Cynthia Canary, director of the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform and a spokeswoman for Midwest Democracy Network.
The poll was conducted from April 21 through May 4, during the highly publicized trial of Blagojevich fundraiser Tony Rezko, who was convicted.
According to the poll, 3 percent of those polled "almost always" trust the government to do what is right, down from 7 percent in 2006. Meanwhile, 25 percent of respondents said they "almost never" trust the government, up from 14 percent in 2006.
Canary said voters are always grumbling about politicians, but recent years have been particularly bad in Illinois.
"In Illinois, in many ways this does stem back to the conviction of Gov. Ryan and the sense that our former governor went to jail and the response of our current governor and Legislature was nothing," she said. "They did nothing. They made no changes."
Brian Williamsen, a spokesman for Gov. Rod Blagojevich, said many voters are upset because of high prices at the pump, grocery stores and elsewhere. However, he added that the governor would not base any future decisions on public opinion polls that could swing up or down at any time.
"One thing that is pretty clear — times are rough, people are not pleased with the political games and the lack of action that they are seeing from their leaders, and really who can blame them," he said.
6/20/2008
Kathleen Haughney, St. Louis Post Dispatch
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois politicians have been largely mired in scandal and controversy the past few years, and voters are tired of it, according to a recent poll.
Former Gov. George Ryan was sent to prison last fall on conspiracy and fraud charges. A top fundraiser for Gov. Rod Blagojevich was recently convicted for using his political influence to squeeze bribes from contractors seeking business with the state. And political infighting between lawmakers and Blagojevich has stopped a state infrastructure plan and balanced budget from materializing so far this year.
It's a problem that seems unlikely to yield a quick solution, and according to a recent poll by political reform coalition Midwest Democracy Network, voters aren't happy about it.
The poll, which surveyed 402 Illinoisans and had a margin of error of 4.9 percentage points, gave Blagojevich a 13 percent approval rating and the legislature a 17 percent rating.
"If any of us only had a 17 percent approval rating, we'd lose our jobs," said Cynthia Canary, director of the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform and a spokeswoman for Midwest Democracy Network.
The poll was conducted from April 21 through May 4, during the highly publicized trial of Blagojevich fundraiser Tony Rezko, who was convicted.
According to the poll, 3 percent of those polled "almost always" trust the government to do what is right, down from 7 percent in 2006. Meanwhile, 25 percent of respondents said they "almost never" trust the government, up from 14 percent in 2006.
Canary said voters are always grumbling about politicians, but recent years have been particularly bad in Illinois.
"In Illinois, in many ways this does stem back to the conviction of Gov. Ryan and the sense that our former governor went to jail and the response of our current governor and Legislature was nothing," she said. "They did nothing. They made no changes."
Brian Williamsen, a spokesman for Gov. Rod Blagojevich, said many voters are upset because of high prices at the pump, grocery stores and elsewhere. However, he added that the governor would not base any future decisions on public opinion polls that could swing up or down at any time.
"One thing that is pretty clear — times are rough, people are not pleased with the political games and the lack of action that they are seeing from their leaders, and really who can blame them," he said.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Excellent Article in Sun-Times about the Dangers of One Party Rule and Their Advice to Vote Republican!
June 17, 2008
Just Say No To Incompetent Government
Chicago Sun-Times
How to say 'no' to incompetent government
June 17, 2008
Recommend (1)
STEVE HUNTLEY shuntley.cst@gmail.com
Voting matters. Sometimes folks find that out the hard way. That unhappy lot would include Cook County suburbanites jousting at windmills in their uphill campaign to secede from the county.
Two years ago these suburban residents probably didn't think it much mattered who ran county government -- only half of the registered voters cast ballots in the election that made Todd Stroger Cook County Board president. He rewarded their indifference with a big 1 percentage-point increase in the county sales tax. That will bring in more than enough money to cover a current budget shortfall -- enough to ensure more spend-thrift business-as-usual in county government for years. Now, despite the secession dreams of Palatine and a few other suburbs, voters have little choice but to wait until the 2010 elections to register their displeasure with Stroger.
Similarly, Illinois voters disillusioned by the incompetency of government under Gov. Blagojevich and disgusted by its corruption have to wait until 2010 in hopes of replacing him. A recall movement died in the state Senate. Impeachment is on the table, but as columnist Rich Miller wrote last week, House Speaker Michael Madigan is using that issue to try to win Republican seats and pad his majority. Although Blagojevich shoulders the lion's share of the blame for the breakdown of state government, he is not solely responsible. Madigan and Senate President Emil Jones have had a hand in the mess that Democratic one-party rule brings to Illinois.
But voters don't have to wait until 2010 to voice their dissatisfaction with that. They can vent in the balloting for the seats in the Illinois General Assembly at stake in the November elections.
Their watchword should be: Just say no to one-party rule.
That means voting Republican.
Yes, that's a hard sell in this blue state. With Barack Obama heading their ticket, Democrats are salivating over their prospects. The GOP brand nationally is in trouble. Many voters remember the corruption that sent former GOP Gov. George Ryan to prison. Still, those have to be weighed against a Democratic vote that is, in effect, a vote of confidence in a one-party stranglehold in Springfield, its petty bickering, poisonous feuds and incompetence.
The state Republican Party could do its part by coming up with a campaign to persuade voters that it is worthy of their trust. The Illinois GOP might take a page from Newt Gingrich's strategy in capturing the U.S. House of Representatives in 1994. His masterstroke was the "Contract with America," a simple and short list of goals that the Republicans would work to achieve if they gained control of the Congress. National Democrats stole the idea two years ago with their "six for '06" agenda of six goals if they retook the Congress, which they did.
Republicans need something like a five-item "Contract with Illinois" and a comprehensive media campaign to sell it to the voters. It should be clear-sighted and confined to bread-and-butter issues like jobs, taxes, health care, pension reform and ethics reform.
A media campaign would be expensive. Maybe one or more of the wealthy Republicans contemplating running for governor in 2010 could help out. After all, a successful wooing of voters to the idea of a stronger GOP role in Springfield could only help their chances two years down the road, just as Obama's change theme is riding the Democratic tide of 2006.
Sure, some worthy Democratic lawmakers might be lost. But Springfield is run by the party generals, not the field soldiers.
A GOP takeover in the Legislature likely isn't in the cards (especially as just 40 of the 59 Senate seats are in play). But just cutting into the big majorities of foot soldiers would tell the irresponsible generals Blagojevich, Madigan and Jones that the voters are mad as hell and aren't going to take it any more. It also might boost impeachment prospects. Voting matters.
Just Say No To Incompetent Government
Chicago Sun-Times
How to say 'no' to incompetent government
June 17, 2008
Recommend (1)
STEVE HUNTLEY shuntley.cst@gmail.com
Voting matters. Sometimes folks find that out the hard way. That unhappy lot would include Cook County suburbanites jousting at windmills in their uphill campaign to secede from the county.
Two years ago these suburban residents probably didn't think it much mattered who ran county government -- only half of the registered voters cast ballots in the election that made Todd Stroger Cook County Board president. He rewarded their indifference with a big 1 percentage-point increase in the county sales tax. That will bring in more than enough money to cover a current budget shortfall -- enough to ensure more spend-thrift business-as-usual in county government for years. Now, despite the secession dreams of Palatine and a few other suburbs, voters have little choice but to wait until the 2010 elections to register their displeasure with Stroger.
Similarly, Illinois voters disillusioned by the incompetency of government under Gov. Blagojevich and disgusted by its corruption have to wait until 2010 in hopes of replacing him. A recall movement died in the state Senate. Impeachment is on the table, but as columnist Rich Miller wrote last week, House Speaker Michael Madigan is using that issue to try to win Republican seats and pad his majority. Although Blagojevich shoulders the lion's share of the blame for the breakdown of state government, he is not solely responsible. Madigan and Senate President Emil Jones have had a hand in the mess that Democratic one-party rule brings to Illinois.
But voters don't have to wait until 2010 to voice their dissatisfaction with that. They can vent in the balloting for the seats in the Illinois General Assembly at stake in the November elections.
Their watchword should be: Just say no to one-party rule.
That means voting Republican.
Yes, that's a hard sell in this blue state. With Barack Obama heading their ticket, Democrats are salivating over their prospects. The GOP brand nationally is in trouble. Many voters remember the corruption that sent former GOP Gov. George Ryan to prison. Still, those have to be weighed against a Democratic vote that is, in effect, a vote of confidence in a one-party stranglehold in Springfield, its petty bickering, poisonous feuds and incompetence.
The state Republican Party could do its part by coming up with a campaign to persuade voters that it is worthy of their trust. The Illinois GOP might take a page from Newt Gingrich's strategy in capturing the U.S. House of Representatives in 1994. His masterstroke was the "Contract with America," a simple and short list of goals that the Republicans would work to achieve if they gained control of the Congress. National Democrats stole the idea two years ago with their "six for '06" agenda of six goals if they retook the Congress, which they did.
Republicans need something like a five-item "Contract with Illinois" and a comprehensive media campaign to sell it to the voters. It should be clear-sighted and confined to bread-and-butter issues like jobs, taxes, health care, pension reform and ethics reform.
A media campaign would be expensive. Maybe one or more of the wealthy Republicans contemplating running for governor in 2010 could help out. After all, a successful wooing of voters to the idea of a stronger GOP role in Springfield could only help their chances two years down the road, just as Obama's change theme is riding the Democratic tide of 2006.
Sure, some worthy Democratic lawmakers might be lost. But Springfield is run by the party generals, not the field soldiers.
A GOP takeover in the Legislature likely isn't in the cards (especially as just 40 of the 59 Senate seats are in play). But just cutting into the big majorities of foot soldiers would tell the irresponsible generals Blagojevich, Madigan and Jones that the voters are mad as hell and aren't going to take it any more. It also might boost impeachment prospects. Voting matters.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Daily Herald Blasts State Legislators for Failing to Enact Pension Reform
The Daily Herald took the State Legislature to task today for not proposing a solution to the state's runaway pension problem before they adjourned for summer vacation. This may be the single biggest issue facing the state and certainly has the biggest potential negative impact on our state's fiscal health. I will make pension reform a central part of my time in Springfield as your State Representative.
SPRINGFIELD -- State lawmakers had the incentive and the opportunity to work on the nation's worst pension debt problem, but they left town last month without a new solution -- and with even more money problems because of their inaction.
Here are some questions and answers about the latest on state government pensions.
Q: What is the financial condition of the pension systems today?
A: Pretty sad. The five state systems have a combined debt of about $44 billion, and they only have about 63 percent of the funding they'll eventually need to cover all their obligations to retirees. Those two factors combine to create the worst pension debt problem in the nation.
Q: Will any retirees be shorted this year?
A: No. The systems have enough cash and assets to cover their yearly obligations. State pensions will all be paid.
Q: Then what's the problem?
A: Debt -- costly, costly debt. The entire state budget is $59 billion, so $44 billion in long-term debt to the pension systems is a huge liability. The debt's growth rate is even scarier. The systems essentially are owed 8.5 percent interest every year their full costs aren't covered. That equates to more than $3.6 billion a year in interest -- or $120 a second.
Q: Did lawmakers do anything to deal with the problem this year?
A: Not to this point. Gov. Rod Blagojevich's administration and Senate Democrats wanted to issue $16 billion worth of pension bonds to pay down the debt. That would then free up money destined for pensions to be spent on other state budget needs: education, health care, etc.
Q: How would this pension bond work?
A: The governor and lawmakers did the same thing in 2003, only with $10 billion. The idea is to put that borrowed money into the pension systems to cut their debt and reduce interest costs. The Blagojevich administration hopes the bond debt would have an interest rate of less than 6 percent, compared to 8.5 percent for the pension debt, so the state would come out ahead.
Advocates say paying down the debt quickly and spending less in debt payments each year will save Illinois a whopping $55 billion by 2045. And they estimate it would cut this year's required payment to the pension systems from $800 million down to $300 million. The "leftover" $500 million would be directed to other spending needs.
Q: What happened with this idea?
A: The Senate approved it with only Democrat votes. Democratic Speaker Michael Madigan never called it for a vote in the House, where it needs some Republican votes to pass.
Q: What's behind the opposition?
A: Critics point to several problems. They say it's unwise to borrow more money to pay off existing debt, particularly when it means converting pension debt that can be paid off any time into bond debt with a strict payment schedule.
They argue it could be risky to invest such a large amount of money at a time when the stock market and economy is shaky. If the investments don't cover the costs of the extra borrowing, the pension debt problem would grow worse. They also protest spending the "leftover" $500 million on other needs when the pension systems are woefully underfunded.
Q: How long has this been a problem?
A: For decades. Lawmakers failed to put aside enough pension money for years. That added up over time, leading to the massive debt problem.
Q: What is the state doing about it?
A: There's a payment schedule that began in 1995 and is supposed to get the systems up to 90 percent funding over 50 years. But it was structured to require small payments in the early years and increasingly large payments later. As a result, the state is finding it harder and harder to make the required payments and has skipped them in some years.
Q: Where does all this leave the budget for the coming year?
A: Under state law, the pension systems automatically get an additional $800 million. But legislators approved a budget that assumes the pension bonds will be issued, cutting the payment. Since the bond plan failed, the budget will have a $500 million hole -- part of a deficit that, according to the governor's estimates, totals $2 billion.
Q: What will happen next?
A: Blagojevich could bring lawmakers back to town this summer to try to pass the pension bond and make other budget changes. Or the pension bond could be discussed again after the fall elections during the veto session.
SPRINGFIELD -- State lawmakers had the incentive and the opportunity to work on the nation's worst pension debt problem, but they left town last month without a new solution -- and with even more money problems because of their inaction.
Here are some questions and answers about the latest on state government pensions.
Q: What is the financial condition of the pension systems today?
A: Pretty sad. The five state systems have a combined debt of about $44 billion, and they only have about 63 percent of the funding they'll eventually need to cover all their obligations to retirees. Those two factors combine to create the worst pension debt problem in the nation.
Q: Will any retirees be shorted this year?
A: No. The systems have enough cash and assets to cover their yearly obligations. State pensions will all be paid.
Q: Then what's the problem?
A: Debt -- costly, costly debt. The entire state budget is $59 billion, so $44 billion in long-term debt to the pension systems is a huge liability. The debt's growth rate is even scarier. The systems essentially are owed 8.5 percent interest every year their full costs aren't covered. That equates to more than $3.6 billion a year in interest -- or $120 a second.
Q: Did lawmakers do anything to deal with the problem this year?
A: Not to this point. Gov. Rod Blagojevich's administration and Senate Democrats wanted to issue $16 billion worth of pension bonds to pay down the debt. That would then free up money destined for pensions to be spent on other state budget needs: education, health care, etc.
Q: How would this pension bond work?
A: The governor and lawmakers did the same thing in 2003, only with $10 billion. The idea is to put that borrowed money into the pension systems to cut their debt and reduce interest costs. The Blagojevich administration hopes the bond debt would have an interest rate of less than 6 percent, compared to 8.5 percent for the pension debt, so the state would come out ahead.
Advocates say paying down the debt quickly and spending less in debt payments each year will save Illinois a whopping $55 billion by 2045. And they estimate it would cut this year's required payment to the pension systems from $800 million down to $300 million. The "leftover" $500 million would be directed to other spending needs.
Q: What happened with this idea?
A: The Senate approved it with only Democrat votes. Democratic Speaker Michael Madigan never called it for a vote in the House, where it needs some Republican votes to pass.
Q: What's behind the opposition?
A: Critics point to several problems. They say it's unwise to borrow more money to pay off existing debt, particularly when it means converting pension debt that can be paid off any time into bond debt with a strict payment schedule.
They argue it could be risky to invest such a large amount of money at a time when the stock market and economy is shaky. If the investments don't cover the costs of the extra borrowing, the pension debt problem would grow worse. They also protest spending the "leftover" $500 million on other needs when the pension systems are woefully underfunded.
Q: How long has this been a problem?
A: For decades. Lawmakers failed to put aside enough pension money for years. That added up over time, leading to the massive debt problem.
Q: What is the state doing about it?
A: There's a payment schedule that began in 1995 and is supposed to get the systems up to 90 percent funding over 50 years. But it was structured to require small payments in the early years and increasingly large payments later. As a result, the state is finding it harder and harder to make the required payments and has skipped them in some years.
Q: Where does all this leave the budget for the coming year?
A: Under state law, the pension systems automatically get an additional $800 million. But legislators approved a budget that assumes the pension bonds will be issued, cutting the payment. Since the bond plan failed, the budget will have a $500 million hole -- part of a deficit that, according to the governor's estimates, totals $2 billion.
Q: What will happen next?
A: Blagojevich could bring lawmakers back to town this summer to try to pass the pension bond and make other budget changes. Or the pension bond could be discussed again after the fall elections during the veto session.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
House Democrats Playing Politics with Impeachment
This is an interesting development. For those of you who have not yet heard, Domcratic House Leader Mike Madigan's office authored a memo that contains talking points on impeaching the governor. I think many of us would agree that impeachment is something that should be on the table given the situation. However, reading the memo is an illustrative example of how the Democrat majority operates. It is filled with politics as usual and is certainly a brand of politics that Barack Obama would reject given his recent public statements! If you support impeachment or not you should be concerned with the pure political sleaze of the memo.
It is worth a read just for the interesting aspects of the memo. Any reasonable person would look at this and see the House Democrats as attempting to use impeachment talk against an unpopular governor to curry favor with the voters but while at the same time advising members of the house not to say that Madigan put them up to it. This is what I hate about our political system in Illinois and this is why I am running for office. Do what you say you will do--Say what you will do--and Stick to your word. C'mon, it's really not that hard guys.
Fallout continues in Illinois' 'Memo-Gate'
6/12/2008
Kevin McDermott, St. Louis Post Dispatch
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan has long been known around Springfield as "The Velvet Hammer" for his ability to quietly crush political adversaries.
But the velvet has slipped off the hammer this week.
Madigan is in a rare defensive position in his year-long tussle with Gov. Rod Blagojevich, after the airing of a secret memo from his staff directing legislative candidates to call for Blagojevich's impeachment — complete with instructions to deny that they're getting instructions.
The leaked memo may already have weakened Madigan's position in ongoing conflicts over state spending and other issues, with the Democratic governor's allies emboldened in their defense of him and even some Republicans taking his side.
"It's outrageous," state Rep. Kurt Granberg, D-Carlyle, said Wednesday of the Madigan memo. "It's very transparent now that this is just a personal vendetta" by Madigan against Blagojevich.
The episode has chipped at the aura of political infallibility that Madigan has long enjoyed.
"It was pretty heavy-handed and out of character … for someone who has a reputation of nothing happening by accident," said Kent Redfield, a political scientist at the University of Illinois at Springfield. "If the idea was to draw attention to the governor's problems, what it's ended up doing is drawing attention to this memo."
That was clear on Wednesday, as Blagojevich and other leaders met in Chicago on budget issues.
House Republican Leader Tom Cross, talking to reporters, accused Madigan of "a scheme to lie" to the public about his own involvement in anti-Blagojevich campaigns.
Senate President Emil Jones chided Madigan (who in addition to being House Speaker is the State Democratic Party Chairman) for going after a Democratic governor.
Madigan is the only leader who hasn't been at the recurrent budget meetings, sending surrogates and generally refusing to negotiate, Blagojevich says.
State Rep. Jay Hoffman, D-Collinsville, a top Blagojevich ally, suggested Wednesday that fallout from the memo gaffe might ultimately force Madigan to take a softer stance.
"Using a Democratic office to carry out his personal feud with a Democratic governor, to me, that's offensive," said Hoffman. "If that brings him to the realization he's got to stop these games, then it's a positive."
Madigan's office says the memo was merely a staff-written response to inquiries from numerous Democratic legislative candidates this year who asked Madigan's office how to respond to questions the media have been asking about whether Blagojevich should be impeached.
Madigan spokesman Steve Brown rejected the assertion by Hoffman and others that, as a top Democrat, Madigan had a duty to support Blagojevich.
"We're not going to fall over the cliff with these people," said Brown, who cited a widespread belief among the public that Blagojevich's administration is inept and perhaps corrupt. "If Mr. Hoffman thinks Democratic Party resources ought to be used to defend the schemes of this administration, he's whistling in the dark."
The 14-page memo — first revealed by The Associated Press on Tuesday — advises legislative candidates to call for Blagojevich's impeachment for myriad reasons, including the recent corruption conviction of his top fundraiser, Antoin "Tony" Rezko.
"Criminal activity in the Blagojevich administration is no longer theoretical — it is proven," the memo advises them to say.
Ultimately, the impeachment memo could have the ironic impact of making it less likely that Blagojevich actually faces impeachment — because his defenders certainly will point to the memo as evidence that such talk is merely a cynical political tool.
It is worth a read just for the interesting aspects of the memo. Any reasonable person would look at this and see the House Democrats as attempting to use impeachment talk against an unpopular governor to curry favor with the voters but while at the same time advising members of the house not to say that Madigan put them up to it. This is what I hate about our political system in Illinois and this is why I am running for office. Do what you say you will do--Say what you will do--and Stick to your word. C'mon, it's really not that hard guys.
Fallout continues in Illinois' 'Memo-Gate'
6/12/2008
Kevin McDermott, St. Louis Post Dispatch
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan has long been known around Springfield as "The Velvet Hammer" for his ability to quietly crush political adversaries.
But the velvet has slipped off the hammer this week.
Madigan is in a rare defensive position in his year-long tussle with Gov. Rod Blagojevich, after the airing of a secret memo from his staff directing legislative candidates to call for Blagojevich's impeachment — complete with instructions to deny that they're getting instructions.
The leaked memo may already have weakened Madigan's position in ongoing conflicts over state spending and other issues, with the Democratic governor's allies emboldened in their defense of him and even some Republicans taking his side.
"It's outrageous," state Rep. Kurt Granberg, D-Carlyle, said Wednesday of the Madigan memo. "It's very transparent now that this is just a personal vendetta" by Madigan against Blagojevich.
The episode has chipped at the aura of political infallibility that Madigan has long enjoyed.
"It was pretty heavy-handed and out of character … for someone who has a reputation of nothing happening by accident," said Kent Redfield, a political scientist at the University of Illinois at Springfield. "If the idea was to draw attention to the governor's problems, what it's ended up doing is drawing attention to this memo."
That was clear on Wednesday, as Blagojevich and other leaders met in Chicago on budget issues.
House Republican Leader Tom Cross, talking to reporters, accused Madigan of "a scheme to lie" to the public about his own involvement in anti-Blagojevich campaigns.
Senate President Emil Jones chided Madigan (who in addition to being House Speaker is the State Democratic Party Chairman) for going after a Democratic governor.
Madigan is the only leader who hasn't been at the recurrent budget meetings, sending surrogates and generally refusing to negotiate, Blagojevich says.
State Rep. Jay Hoffman, D-Collinsville, a top Blagojevich ally, suggested Wednesday that fallout from the memo gaffe might ultimately force Madigan to take a softer stance.
"Using a Democratic office to carry out his personal feud with a Democratic governor, to me, that's offensive," said Hoffman. "If that brings him to the realization he's got to stop these games, then it's a positive."
Madigan's office says the memo was merely a staff-written response to inquiries from numerous Democratic legislative candidates this year who asked Madigan's office how to respond to questions the media have been asking about whether Blagojevich should be impeached.
Madigan spokesman Steve Brown rejected the assertion by Hoffman and others that, as a top Democrat, Madigan had a duty to support Blagojevich.
"We're not going to fall over the cliff with these people," said Brown, who cited a widespread belief among the public that Blagojevich's administration is inept and perhaps corrupt. "If Mr. Hoffman thinks Democratic Party resources ought to be used to defend the schemes of this administration, he's whistling in the dark."
The 14-page memo — first revealed by The Associated Press on Tuesday — advises legislative candidates to call for Blagojevich's impeachment for myriad reasons, including the recent corruption conviction of his top fundraiser, Antoin "Tony" Rezko.
"Criminal activity in the Blagojevich administration is no longer theoretical — it is proven," the memo advises them to say.
Ultimately, the impeachment memo could have the ironic impact of making it less likely that Blagojevich actually faces impeachment — because his defenders certainly will point to the memo as evidence that such talk is merely a cynical political tool.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
House Republican Plan to Reform Illinois
The Illinois House Republicans have put forward a real agenda for change in Illinois. I embrace this agenda and look forward to working with other concerned legislators to implement these much needed bills to reform Illinois and get this state moving forward again. Check out more at my website: www.timforillinois.com
House Republican
“Agenda for Illinois”
Give us 6 days and we will change Illinois
House Republicans support an economic stimulus package to boost business productivity and individual purchasing power. Also critical to Illinois’ business climate is the need to begin a comprehensive capital program that would target resources to roads, school buildings, higher education facilities, state facilities, and mass transit, creating jobs and community prosperity.
· Negotiate a comprehensive capital plan that will reinvigorate Illinois’ economy and create jobs statewide.
· Introduce job-creating business incentives, such as (1) broadening the investment tax credit for businesses, (2) readopting the job training expense credit, (3) reinstating the entire research & development income tax credit.
Real tax relief for Illinois families and seniors
Senior Property Tax Relief
· Reduce the of property taxes on seniors by:
i. exempting Social Security income from the definition of income assessment freeze eligibility purposes;
ii. decreasing the age limit from 65 to 55 to qualify for the senior citizens’ assessment freeze;
iii. increasing the “ceiling” level of income needed to qualify for the assessment freeze;
iv. expanding the senior citizens’ Homestead Exemption from $4,000 to $5,500; and
v. indexing the Homestead Exemption and the assessment freeze to the inflation rate. (All in HB 4916)
Property Tax Relief for Families
· Double the Income Tax Credit for property taxes paid from 5% to 10%.
Reducing the cost of gas in Illinois
· Suspend the State sales tax on motor fuel for a 4.5 month period. (HB 6318)
Creating a sales tax holiday
· Authorize a one-time sales tax holiday to provide consumer tax relief and encourage consumer spending. (HB 6319)
Require a “real” balanced budget be approved
· Prohibit unpaid obligations of the State from being transferred from one fiscal year to the next, thereby ensuring a true “balanced” budget.
· Require the State to establish a single, updated, searchable database website accessible to the public at no cost that includes each entity that receives Illinois funding.
· Provide “sunshine” to the budgeting process by requiring defined, minimum time periods a budget bill must be made available for inspection and scrutiny by legislators, the public, and the media.
Safe families. Safe communities.
Technology in the 21st century is easy to access and, more importantly, dangerous for our youth when used without supervision. Social networking sites have become popular venues for child predators, House Republicans are pushing for (1) more child protections and parental control when youth access social networking sites and (2) tougher penalties for individuals who prey on children.
Educating parents how to protect children using the Internet
· Require owners of social networking websites to obtain parental notification and enforce age requirements of minors. (HB 4874)
· Ban sex offender access to social networking websites.
(HB 4875)
Protecting families from domestic violence
· Provide for electronic surveillance of violators of orders of protections.
· Formally establish a violence surveillance program that requires police authorities to use specific monitoring equipment.
· Mandate intervention treatment as a remedy in every order of protection issued by the court. Make it a violation of a protective order for an abuser to not complete intervention treatment.
Restoring ethics to state government
Enhance Illinois ethics laws to (1) end pay-to-play tactics that have become all too pervasive in State government, and (2) bring sunshine to investment advisor and consultant fees, commissions, and expense reimbursements made to outside lobbyists or other consultants.
· Require individuals who lobby boards and commissions to register as lobbyists. (HB 5737)
· Prevent elected officials and other state appointees and employees from receiving fees related to legal, banking, and consulting work with state bonds.
(HB 1)
· Increase disclosures for investment advisors and consultants with work before a State board or commission. (SB 1305)
· Require bids for state contracts worth over $10,000 to disclose all political contributions over $500 made within the previous 2 years to the officeholder that will award the contract. (HB 1)
· Prohibit any entity, or affiliated entities or persons, with an aggregate total of more than $25,000 in state contracts from making political contributions to the officeholder that awards the contract. (HB 1)
Making higher education affordable
Affordability is a key element of college opportunity. Families want, and understand, that education and job training is important beyond high school. To keep higher education a reality for families, and to maintain the academic excellence of our institutions of higher learning, we must increase the State’s financial commitment to our universities and community colleges.
· Make higher education funding a budget priority.
· Increase student financial aid opportunities to a broader number of qualified students to help working families afford educational expenses.
House Republican
“Agenda for Illinois”
Give us 6 days and we will change Illinois
House Republicans support an economic stimulus package to boost business productivity and individual purchasing power. Also critical to Illinois’ business climate is the need to begin a comprehensive capital program that would target resources to roads, school buildings, higher education facilities, state facilities, and mass transit, creating jobs and community prosperity.
· Negotiate a comprehensive capital plan that will reinvigorate Illinois’ economy and create jobs statewide.
· Introduce job-creating business incentives, such as (1) broadening the investment tax credit for businesses, (2) readopting the job training expense credit, (3) reinstating the entire research & development income tax credit.
Real tax relief for Illinois families and seniors
Senior Property Tax Relief
· Reduce the of property taxes on seniors by:
i. exempting Social Security income from the definition of income assessment freeze eligibility purposes;
ii. decreasing the age limit from 65 to 55 to qualify for the senior citizens’ assessment freeze;
iii. increasing the “ceiling” level of income needed to qualify for the assessment freeze;
iv. expanding the senior citizens’ Homestead Exemption from $4,000 to $5,500; and
v. indexing the Homestead Exemption and the assessment freeze to the inflation rate. (All in HB 4916)
Property Tax Relief for Families
· Double the Income Tax Credit for property taxes paid from 5% to 10%.
Reducing the cost of gas in Illinois
· Suspend the State sales tax on motor fuel for a 4.5 month period. (HB 6318)
Creating a sales tax holiday
· Authorize a one-time sales tax holiday to provide consumer tax relief and encourage consumer spending. (HB 6319)
Require a “real” balanced budget be approved
· Prohibit unpaid obligations of the State from being transferred from one fiscal year to the next, thereby ensuring a true “balanced” budget.
· Require the State to establish a single, updated, searchable database website accessible to the public at no cost that includes each entity that receives Illinois funding.
· Provide “sunshine” to the budgeting process by requiring defined, minimum time periods a budget bill must be made available for inspection and scrutiny by legislators, the public, and the media.
Safe families. Safe communities.
Technology in the 21st century is easy to access and, more importantly, dangerous for our youth when used without supervision. Social networking sites have become popular venues for child predators, House Republicans are pushing for (1) more child protections and parental control when youth access social networking sites and (2) tougher penalties for individuals who prey on children.
Educating parents how to protect children using the Internet
· Require owners of social networking websites to obtain parental notification and enforce age requirements of minors. (HB 4874)
· Ban sex offender access to social networking websites.
(HB 4875)
Protecting families from domestic violence
· Provide for electronic surveillance of violators of orders of protections.
· Formally establish a violence surveillance program that requires police authorities to use specific monitoring equipment.
· Mandate intervention treatment as a remedy in every order of protection issued by the court. Make it a violation of a protective order for an abuser to not complete intervention treatment.
Restoring ethics to state government
Enhance Illinois ethics laws to (1) end pay-to-play tactics that have become all too pervasive in State government, and (2) bring sunshine to investment advisor and consultant fees, commissions, and expense reimbursements made to outside lobbyists or other consultants.
· Require individuals who lobby boards and commissions to register as lobbyists. (HB 5737)
· Prevent elected officials and other state appointees and employees from receiving fees related to legal, banking, and consulting work with state bonds.
(HB 1)
· Increase disclosures for investment advisors and consultants with work before a State board or commission. (SB 1305)
· Require bids for state contracts worth over $10,000 to disclose all political contributions over $500 made within the previous 2 years to the officeholder that will award the contract. (HB 1)
· Prohibit any entity, or affiliated entities or persons, with an aggregate total of more than $25,000 in state contracts from making political contributions to the officeholder that awards the contract. (HB 1)
Making higher education affordable
Affordability is a key element of college opportunity. Families want, and understand, that education and job training is important beyond high school. To keep higher education a reality for families, and to maintain the academic excellence of our institutions of higher learning, we must increase the State’s financial commitment to our universities and community colleges.
· Make higher education funding a budget priority.
· Increase student financial aid opportunities to a broader number of qualified students to help working families afford educational expenses.
Friday, May 30, 2008
U of I Economist Calles the Illinois Democrats Pension Borrowing Plan a Gimmick
This article underscores the need for real government pension reform in Illinois. The way to address the pension issues facing our state is to go back to a law the famed "Fab 5" freshmen legislators advocated back in the 1990's. The law, sponsored by then Illinois Senators Peter Fitzgerald and Steve Rauschenberger required the State to fully fund, on an annual basis, its pension liabilities. Governor Blagojevich and his allies suspended that law and declared "pension holidays" which allowed the state to skip payments. Now the liabilites are increasing and threaten to topple the system. We need a return to fiscal responsibility.
Economist contends pension Ill. debt plan merely 'gimmick'
5/30/2008
Kurt Erickson, Pantagraph
SPRINGFIELD — A University of Illinois economist says a pension borrowing plan pushed through the state Senate by Democrats Thursday is “nothing more than a book-keeping gimmick” that won’t solve the state’s long-term financial problems.
Jeffrey R. Brown, director of the U of I Center on Business and Public Policy, said the plan passes the burden of future pension debt to the next generation of taxpayers.
“It is a classic case of using smoke and mirrors to try to fool the public into thinking we have done something meaningful when we have not,” said Brown.
Democrats in the Senate want to borrow $16 billion to pay down the state’s pension debt. The move would free up about $500 million to help finance other parts of state government. It was approved in the Senate Thursday with no Republican support. It now heads to the House.
Brown, who has been nominated by President Bush to serve on the board of trustees for the nation’s Social Security and Medicare programs, says the move doesn’t lower the overall cost of state pensions.
The only way to address that is to raise taxes or reduce other government spending and direct that money to pay off pension debt, he said.
“Neither of these is attractive to politicians, particularly in an election year,” Brown said.
State Sen. Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, told senators that the move is financially solid.
“It’s a very conservative estimate,” Harmon said.
Economist contends pension Ill. debt plan merely 'gimmick'
5/30/2008
Kurt Erickson, Pantagraph
SPRINGFIELD — A University of Illinois economist says a pension borrowing plan pushed through the state Senate by Democrats Thursday is “nothing more than a book-keeping gimmick” that won’t solve the state’s long-term financial problems.
Jeffrey R. Brown, director of the U of I Center on Business and Public Policy, said the plan passes the burden of future pension debt to the next generation of taxpayers.
“It is a classic case of using smoke and mirrors to try to fool the public into thinking we have done something meaningful when we have not,” said Brown.
Democrats in the Senate want to borrow $16 billion to pay down the state’s pension debt. The move would free up about $500 million to help finance other parts of state government. It was approved in the Senate Thursday with no Republican support. It now heads to the House.
Brown, who has been nominated by President Bush to serve on the board of trustees for the nation’s Social Security and Medicare programs, says the move doesn’t lower the overall cost of state pensions.
The only way to address that is to raise taxes or reduce other government spending and direct that money to pay off pension debt, he said.
“Neither of these is attractive to politicians, particularly in an election year,” Brown said.
State Sen. Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, told senators that the move is financially solid.
“It’s a very conservative estimate,” Harmon said.
Great Editorial from the Daily Herald
Get fed up with our state officials
5/30/2008
Editorial, Daily Herald
We can't recall a time when there wasn't questionable spending in last-minute state budget and construction plans that never get publicly vetted.
Watch out. You might not realize it yet, but the next few days are very hazardous to all Illinoisans' financial health and well-being.
State legislative leaders and Gov. Rod Blagojevich suddenly are careening toward trying to approve a multibillion-dollar state budget and a $31 billion capital construction plan.
Democrats who control both the House and Senate face a midnight Saturday deadline to push through financial deals. If they don't, then super majority votes are required and Republicans gain more power at the bargaining table.
We've seen it all far too many times before. Months were wasted and now Democrats Blagojevich, Senate President Emil Jones and House Speaker Michael Madigan are trying to hammer out a back-door deal. Sadly, the game remains the same and the frustrating truth is that Illinoisans lose no matter the outcome.
If legislators ram budget or construction plans through both houses by midnight Saturday, we all lose because none of us or the rank-and-file legislators most of us elected will have much of a handle on any of the details.
If they don't, they have failed to do their jobs and the state's business is not being managed.
Last year, a Democratic draw prompted months of special sessions that cost nearly another $1 million out of our pockets. Any overtime session is going to cost taxpayers as more people spend more time in Springfield. This at a time when the state already isn't paying its bills on time.
It's unconscionable and we're all not complaining loudly enough.
Democratic and some Republican caucus chiefs are talking about a $31 billion construction program. While we have said before in this space that some construction money is needed, when something is slammed through in a weekend or in an overtime session, history shows there's bound to be reckless overspending on questionable projects we won't find out about until it's too late.
Remember Illinois FIRST? That mere $12 billion construction plan, approved nine years ago, included plenty of projects many saw as frivolous. The money didn't run out until 2003.
Right this second, Blagojevich and the caucus chiefs are talking about something more than twice that amount to be funded by borrowing money, selling off the rights to state lottery profits, adding slots at racetracks, and more and much bigger casinos in the region.
We can't recall a time when there wasn't questionable spending in last-minute state budget and construction plans that never get publicly vetted.
Whether a deal happens this weekend, or in weeks, it's more than likely our elected officials will have been reckless with our money.
And they wonder why so many of us want the power to recall them from office. It's all enough to make us sick.
5/30/2008
Editorial, Daily Herald
We can't recall a time when there wasn't questionable spending in last-minute state budget and construction plans that never get publicly vetted.
Watch out. You might not realize it yet, but the next few days are very hazardous to all Illinoisans' financial health and well-being.
State legislative leaders and Gov. Rod Blagojevich suddenly are careening toward trying to approve a multibillion-dollar state budget and a $31 billion capital construction plan.
Democrats who control both the House and Senate face a midnight Saturday deadline to push through financial deals. If they don't, then super majority votes are required and Republicans gain more power at the bargaining table.
We've seen it all far too many times before. Months were wasted and now Democrats Blagojevich, Senate President Emil Jones and House Speaker Michael Madigan are trying to hammer out a back-door deal. Sadly, the game remains the same and the frustrating truth is that Illinoisans lose no matter the outcome.
If legislators ram budget or construction plans through both houses by midnight Saturday, we all lose because none of us or the rank-and-file legislators most of us elected will have much of a handle on any of the details.
If they don't, they have failed to do their jobs and the state's business is not being managed.
Last year, a Democratic draw prompted months of special sessions that cost nearly another $1 million out of our pockets. Any overtime session is going to cost taxpayers as more people spend more time in Springfield. This at a time when the state already isn't paying its bills on time.
It's unconscionable and we're all not complaining loudly enough.
Democratic and some Republican caucus chiefs are talking about a $31 billion construction program. While we have said before in this space that some construction money is needed, when something is slammed through in a weekend or in an overtime session, history shows there's bound to be reckless overspending on questionable projects we won't find out about until it's too late.
Remember Illinois FIRST? That mere $12 billion construction plan, approved nine years ago, included plenty of projects many saw as frivolous. The money didn't run out until 2003.
Right this second, Blagojevich and the caucus chiefs are talking about something more than twice that amount to be funded by borrowing money, selling off the rights to state lottery profits, adding slots at racetracks, and more and much bigger casinos in the region.
We can't recall a time when there wasn't questionable spending in last-minute state budget and construction plans that never get publicly vetted.
Whether a deal happens this weekend, or in weeks, it's more than likely our elected officials will have been reckless with our money.
And they wonder why so many of us want the power to recall them from office. It's all enough to make us sick.
Monday, May 19, 2008
PRESS RELEASE FROM STRATTON CAMPAIGN
May 19, 2008 Contact: 312-505-3599
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE tim@timforillinois.com
TIM STRATTON CALLS FOR
IMMEDIATE GAS TAX RELIEF
TIM STRATTON URGE REP KAREN MAY TO SUPPORT GAS TAX RELIEF MEASURE THIS TUESDAY
Glencoe.…With gas prices rising past $4 per gallon and expected to approach $5 per gallon this summer, Republican candidate for State Representative Tim Stratton is calling on legislators to support an immediate suspension of the state sales tax on gasoline that is to be voted on this Tuesday by the Illinois House of Representatives. According to Stratton, suspension of the sales tax on gasoline purchases would provide immediate relief to consumers by reducing the cost per gallon by at least 17 cents.
“Nothing impacts a family budget more than the rising cost of gasoline,” said Stratton, candidate for State Representative for the 58th District. “Illinois’ high gas prices not only affect families at the pump, it has a chilling effect on the whole economy. Illinois families need relief and they need it now,” said Stratton.
According the AAA fuel gauge, gas per gallon is averaging $4.05 per gallon in the Chicago area. Just one month ago, the average cost per gallon was $3.65.
“Saving families $20 to $30 dollars per month makes a big difference for their budgets and is real money to families already stretched thin,” said Stratton
Stratton supports a House Republican initiative (House Bill 6318) that would suspend the state portion of state gas sales tax immediately through September 15th.
A similar measure was enacted in 2000 by the General Assembly and produced results for Illinois consumers by immediately reducing the cost of gas, according to the AAA (see attached).
House Republican Leader Tom Cross has said the Republicans will move to call the sales tax suspension initiative on Tuesday. On April 9th, House Republicans attempted to call the initiative for a vote, but Democrats used a parliamentary procedure to block the vote. Representative Karen May voted with the Democrat majority on that date to block a vote to suspend the sales tax on gasoline.
“Since Representative May last voted against gas tax relief, prices have risen over 50 cents per gallon,” said Stratton. “I hope she changes her position…again.”
“Since being elected, Representative May has seen her pay increase, she’s passed a budget that is over $1.5 billion in the red and she’s voted against gas tax relief,” said Stratton. "Just last week May voted to increase her pay again. “Now is the time for Representative May to stand with working families, or at least get out of the way.”
On Tuesday, May 20th, House Republicans will move to discharge House Bill 6318 from the Democrat controlled Rules Committee. If approved by the House, the suspension of the state sales tax on gasoline would begin immediately following approval by the Senate and Governor.
####
In 2000, Suspension Of The Sales Tax On Gasoline Worked…
And It Will Again
In 2000, Gas Prices Suddenly Dropped Between 8 And 10 Cents A Gallon Overnight When The Tax Suspension Went Into Effect. “When the tax suspension went into effect July 1, the change in price was obvious, as prices suddenly dropped between 8 and 10 cents a gallon overnight.” (Karen Mellen and Ray Long, “As Gasoline Prices Drop, Tax Debate Continues,” Chicago Tribune, 7/20/00)
AAA Attributed Part Of The Decline In Gas Prices To Illinois’ Temporary Suspension Of Its Gas Tax. “The price of gasoline in Illinois dropped 40 cents since its peak this summer, according to the latest survey Wednesday, a record decrease for one month. … The AAA credited both states [Illinois and Indiana] for temporarily suspending their five percent sales tax on gasoline, and on an increased supply of cleaner-burning reformulated gas.” (Robert McCoppin, “State Gas Prices Set Record One-Month Decline,” Chicago Daily Herald, 7/19/00)
• AAA Chicago Motor Club’s Steve Nolan: “The Temporary Repeal Of The State Gas Tax Has Helped [With Gas Price Drop]…” (Robert Manor, “Illinois Finds Dramatic Relief At Gas Pump,” Chicago Tribune, 8/17/00)
The Decline In Gas Prices Was “Aided By The Suspension July 1 [2000] Of The State’s 5 Percent Sales Tax on Gasoline.” “State legislators had called for the hearings as pump prices soared well above $2 a gallon. The recent decline-aided by the suspension July 1 of the state's 5 percent sales tax on gasoline-took some of the political expediency out of the hearings.” (Courtney Challos, “Legislators Now Irked Over Falling Gas Prices,” Chicago Tribune, 7/13/00)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE tim@timforillinois.com
TIM STRATTON CALLS FOR
IMMEDIATE GAS TAX RELIEF
TIM STRATTON URGE REP KAREN MAY TO SUPPORT GAS TAX RELIEF MEASURE THIS TUESDAY
Glencoe.…With gas prices rising past $4 per gallon and expected to approach $5 per gallon this summer, Republican candidate for State Representative Tim Stratton is calling on legislators to support an immediate suspension of the state sales tax on gasoline that is to be voted on this Tuesday by the Illinois House of Representatives. According to Stratton, suspension of the sales tax on gasoline purchases would provide immediate relief to consumers by reducing the cost per gallon by at least 17 cents.
“Nothing impacts a family budget more than the rising cost of gasoline,” said Stratton, candidate for State Representative for the 58th District. “Illinois’ high gas prices not only affect families at the pump, it has a chilling effect on the whole economy. Illinois families need relief and they need it now,” said Stratton.
According the AAA fuel gauge, gas per gallon is averaging $4.05 per gallon in the Chicago area. Just one month ago, the average cost per gallon was $3.65.
“Saving families $20 to $30 dollars per month makes a big difference for their budgets and is real money to families already stretched thin,” said Stratton
Stratton supports a House Republican initiative (House Bill 6318) that would suspend the state portion of state gas sales tax immediately through September 15th.
A similar measure was enacted in 2000 by the General Assembly and produced results for Illinois consumers by immediately reducing the cost of gas, according to the AAA (see attached).
House Republican Leader Tom Cross has said the Republicans will move to call the sales tax suspension initiative on Tuesday. On April 9th, House Republicans attempted to call the initiative for a vote, but Democrats used a parliamentary procedure to block the vote. Representative Karen May voted with the Democrat majority on that date to block a vote to suspend the sales tax on gasoline.
“Since Representative May last voted against gas tax relief, prices have risen over 50 cents per gallon,” said Stratton. “I hope she changes her position…again.”
“Since being elected, Representative May has seen her pay increase, she’s passed a budget that is over $1.5 billion in the red and she’s voted against gas tax relief,” said Stratton. "Just last week May voted to increase her pay again. “Now is the time for Representative May to stand with working families, or at least get out of the way.”
On Tuesday, May 20th, House Republicans will move to discharge House Bill 6318 from the Democrat controlled Rules Committee. If approved by the House, the suspension of the state sales tax on gasoline would begin immediately following approval by the Senate and Governor.
####
In 2000, Suspension Of The Sales Tax On Gasoline Worked…
And It Will Again
In 2000, Gas Prices Suddenly Dropped Between 8 And 10 Cents A Gallon Overnight When The Tax Suspension Went Into Effect. “When the tax suspension went into effect July 1, the change in price was obvious, as prices suddenly dropped between 8 and 10 cents a gallon overnight.” (Karen Mellen and Ray Long, “As Gasoline Prices Drop, Tax Debate Continues,” Chicago Tribune, 7/20/00)
AAA Attributed Part Of The Decline In Gas Prices To Illinois’ Temporary Suspension Of Its Gas Tax. “The price of gasoline in Illinois dropped 40 cents since its peak this summer, according to the latest survey Wednesday, a record decrease for one month. … The AAA credited both states [Illinois and Indiana] for temporarily suspending their five percent sales tax on gasoline, and on an increased supply of cleaner-burning reformulated gas.” (Robert McCoppin, “State Gas Prices Set Record One-Month Decline,” Chicago Daily Herald, 7/19/00)
• AAA Chicago Motor Club’s Steve Nolan: “The Temporary Repeal Of The State Gas Tax Has Helped [With Gas Price Drop]…” (Robert Manor, “Illinois Finds Dramatic Relief At Gas Pump,” Chicago Tribune, 8/17/00)
The Decline In Gas Prices Was “Aided By The Suspension July 1 [2000] Of The State’s 5 Percent Sales Tax on Gasoline.” “State legislators had called for the hearings as pump prices soared well above $2 a gallon. The recent decline-aided by the suspension July 1 of the state's 5 percent sales tax on gasoline-took some of the political expediency out of the hearings.” (Courtney Challos, “Legislators Now Irked Over Falling Gas Prices,” Chicago Tribune, 7/13/00)
Great Editorial From the Daily Herald
This is a good editorial from the Daily Herald. Also an interesting poll I found on the Capitol Fax Blog found that more Illinoisans thought Governor Ryan did a better job running the state than Governor Blagojevich is doing.
"Ask Illinois, a group that conducts automated polls, asked 2,301 registered voters this question last week: “If you were given the choice between former Gov. George Ryan and current Gov. Rod Blagojevich, which do you think would do a better job running our state?”
More than half, 52 percent, chose Ryan, the imprisoned former governor. Blagojevich scored 48 percent. The poll had a margin of error of plus/minus 2.19 percent.
You know things are bad when you’re losing a popularity contest to a federal inmate.
Legislators, governor, start talking now
5/16/2008
Editorial, Daily Herald
In less than two weeks' time, the Illinois General Assembly's spring session is supposed to close.
May 29th is the scheduled conclusion.
It's not happening.
By June 1, Democrats will have to have Republican votes to pass a budget.
Yet, there's no hint of any movement toward even setting up a meeting among the Democrats who control state government.
No hint that House Speaker Michael J. Madigan or Senate President Emil Jones or Gov. Rod Blagojevich ever even speak to one another.
And they wonder why so many voters want recall power and are outraged by talk of pay raises? We see little more than hot air coming out of the Capitol.
Illinois needs a state budget. The Associated Press reported a recent audit found more than $1 billion in Medicaid payments were being carried over into the next fiscal year to try to balance the books in this one.
Illinois also desperately needs a construction program. Blagojevich lined up former House Speaker Dennis Hastert and former Congressman Glenn Poshard to help build support and consensus for a construction program, but we see little evidence of either.
The governor suggested selling off the rights to state lottery sales to fund a $25 billion construction program. How about cutting spending and reprioritizing like so many families and businesses in Illinois have been forced to do in recent months? And then -- only after combing every budget for every dollar that can be saved -- looking at raising revenue? How about raising the cost of lottery tickets or raising fees on vehicles, vehicle titles or alcohol? How about some kind of minimum gambling expansion?
How about committing to coming up with a budget or construction program that has no pork? Or a capital improvement program tied to criteria based on highest need?
Someone start talking about something. Now.
A recent auditors' report noted 1,700 bridges were overdue for inspection, some for more than a year, and many already had been found to be "structurally deficient."
After this past crazy winter, many, many of our roads are in pathetic shape. A construction plan would put many Illinoisans to work who need it and save the rest of us from repeatedly having to spend money on costly car repairs.
As state Rep. Suzanne Bassi, a Rolling Meadows Republican, put it: "We have bridges in worse shape in Illinois than the one that caved in in Minnesota. So not to be addressing that is absolutely criminal."
We could not agree more.
We understand there is no trust and little love or respect among Blagojevich and the four legislative leaders.
But gentlemen, we don't care. This is serious business. There is no question lives and jobs are at stake. Maybe even yours.
You were elected to lead. Please. Quit posturing, step up, get in a room and start leading.
"Ask Illinois, a group that conducts automated polls, asked 2,301 registered voters this question last week: “If you were given the choice between former Gov. George Ryan and current Gov. Rod Blagojevich, which do you think would do a better job running our state?”
More than half, 52 percent, chose Ryan, the imprisoned former governor. Blagojevich scored 48 percent. The poll had a margin of error of plus/minus 2.19 percent.
You know things are bad when you’re losing a popularity contest to a federal inmate.
Legislators, governor, start talking now
5/16/2008
Editorial, Daily Herald
In less than two weeks' time, the Illinois General Assembly's spring session is supposed to close.
May 29th is the scheduled conclusion.
It's not happening.
By June 1, Democrats will have to have Republican votes to pass a budget.
Yet, there's no hint of any movement toward even setting up a meeting among the Democrats who control state government.
No hint that House Speaker Michael J. Madigan or Senate President Emil Jones or Gov. Rod Blagojevich ever even speak to one another.
And they wonder why so many voters want recall power and are outraged by talk of pay raises? We see little more than hot air coming out of the Capitol.
Illinois needs a state budget. The Associated Press reported a recent audit found more than $1 billion in Medicaid payments were being carried over into the next fiscal year to try to balance the books in this one.
Illinois also desperately needs a construction program. Blagojevich lined up former House Speaker Dennis Hastert and former Congressman Glenn Poshard to help build support and consensus for a construction program, but we see little evidence of either.
The governor suggested selling off the rights to state lottery sales to fund a $25 billion construction program. How about cutting spending and reprioritizing like so many families and businesses in Illinois have been forced to do in recent months? And then -- only after combing every budget for every dollar that can be saved -- looking at raising revenue? How about raising the cost of lottery tickets or raising fees on vehicles, vehicle titles or alcohol? How about some kind of minimum gambling expansion?
How about committing to coming up with a budget or construction program that has no pork? Or a capital improvement program tied to criteria based on highest need?
Someone start talking about something. Now.
A recent auditors' report noted 1,700 bridges were overdue for inspection, some for more than a year, and many already had been found to be "structurally deficient."
After this past crazy winter, many, many of our roads are in pathetic shape. A construction plan would put many Illinoisans to work who need it and save the rest of us from repeatedly having to spend money on costly car repairs.
As state Rep. Suzanne Bassi, a Rolling Meadows Republican, put it: "We have bridges in worse shape in Illinois than the one that caved in in Minnesota. So not to be addressing that is absolutely criminal."
We could not agree more.
We understand there is no trust and little love or respect among Blagojevich and the four legislative leaders.
But gentlemen, we don't care. This is serious business. There is no question lives and jobs are at stake. Maybe even yours.
You were elected to lead. Please. Quit posturing, step up, get in a room and start leading.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Illinois Audit Finds State Owes Massive Amounts of Back Medicaid Bills
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - A new audit confirms Illinois has a severe backlog of overdue health care bills, but problems with the Medicaid system go much deeper.
Auditor General William Holland found that Illinois ended each of the last three years with an average of $1.5 billion in unpaid bills.
He also found the Department of Healthcare and Family Services did a poor job of handling the bills it did manage to pay.
There was no clear system for deciding who got paid first. The state held bills for nearly two months before even starting the process of paying them.
Illinois could owe up to $$81 million in interest on overdue bills.
The department says it will make improvements but defends many of its procedures.
Auditor General William Holland found that Illinois ended each of the last three years with an average of $1.5 billion in unpaid bills.
He also found the Department of Healthcare and Family Services did a poor job of handling the bills it did manage to pay.
There was no clear system for deciding who got paid first. The state held bills for nearly two months before even starting the process of paying them.
Illinois could owe up to $$81 million in interest on overdue bills.
The department says it will make improvements but defends many of its procedures.
Illinois Republicans "Get It"
Here is a compelling guest editorial from the Illinois Republican Chairman Andy McKenna that appeared in today's Chicago Tribune. The Illinois Republican Party understands that it let people down and has learned its lesson. The State is in worse shape now than it ever was under Republican leadership. The time for change is now. Join the new Republicans in making our state the best it can be.
TIME FOR CHANGE IN ILLINOIS
The people of Illinois have endured failed leadership at the very top of their government for nearly a decade. They trusted their leaders, and that trust has been violated time and again.
Last summer, the Republican Party went around the state to listen to voters. One idea we kept hearing: a recall amendment to keep political leaders honest. Out of those talks, some legislators started to seriously consider the idea.
As the Antoin "Tony" Rezko trial revealed more allegations of deep corruption in Gov. Rod Blagojevich's administration, we heard voters demanding the ability to recall public officials who violate the public trust. Unfortunately, not all legislators listened.
Senate Democrats protected Blagojevich by killing any chance of putting a recall amendment on the November ballot.
They chose Blagojevich over the people. And then to cap the day, Senate President Emil Jones, who led the fight against a recall amendment, declared he needed a pay raise.
This is the attitude voters seek to change in Springfield—an attitude of arrogance and entitlement, an attitude that ignores the wishes of the people, that protects a culture of corruption.
Six years ago, Illinois voters threw Republicans out of office in response to their failed leadership, arrogance and inability to listen to the wishes of the people. We were rightfully held accountable.
We listened. When the votes were tallied in the Senate, one group stood together in support of the recall amendment: Republicans.
Republicans believe it is time for ethics reform and a recall amendment. We believe it is time for tax and spending reform and greater transparency in government.
We believe it is time for change in Illinois.
—Andy McKenna
Chairman
Illinois Republican Party
TIME FOR CHANGE IN ILLINOIS
The people of Illinois have endured failed leadership at the very top of their government for nearly a decade. They trusted their leaders, and that trust has been violated time and again.
Last summer, the Republican Party went around the state to listen to voters. One idea we kept hearing: a recall amendment to keep political leaders honest. Out of those talks, some legislators started to seriously consider the idea.
As the Antoin "Tony" Rezko trial revealed more allegations of deep corruption in Gov. Rod Blagojevich's administration, we heard voters demanding the ability to recall public officials who violate the public trust. Unfortunately, not all legislators listened.
Senate Democrats protected Blagojevich by killing any chance of putting a recall amendment on the November ballot.
They chose Blagojevich over the people. And then to cap the day, Senate President Emil Jones, who led the fight against a recall amendment, declared he needed a pay raise.
This is the attitude voters seek to change in Springfield—an attitude of arrogance and entitlement, an attitude that ignores the wishes of the people, that protects a culture of corruption.
Six years ago, Illinois voters threw Republicans out of office in response to their failed leadership, arrogance and inability to listen to the wishes of the people. We were rightfully held accountable.
We listened. When the votes were tallied in the Senate, one group stood together in support of the recall amendment: Republicans.
Republicans believe it is time for ethics reform and a recall amendment. We believe it is time for tax and spending reform and greater transparency in government.
We believe it is time for change in Illinois.
—Andy McKenna
Chairman
Illinois Republican Party
Monday, May 12, 2008
Chicago Sun Times Editorial re Legislature and its Failures
Raise issue helps prove lawmakers don't deserve it
5/12/2008
Editorial, Chicago Sun-Times
You have to feel sorry for Illinois state lawmakers. They live in a world where you don't have to ask for a raise, you get it automatically, unless you say no.
And you get the raise -- a good one, too, consisting of a percentage hike plus a cost-of-living increase -- whether you do a good job or not.
Which is good for state lawmakers, since they are doing a miserable job. They have yet to even resolve the state's current budget woes, yet alone grapple with the next budget.
So you can imagine the shock that shot through some lawmakers when the possibility arose they may not get their pay raises this year.
Take Senate President Emil Jones, who has been repeating himself like Dustin Hoffman's Rain Man.
"I need a pay raise," Jones says. "I need a pay raise."
Or Sen. Rickey Hendon, who was so stunned when the House voted to reject the raise, that he mistook the Senate for a TV feature.
"They want to use the Senate and pimp us, and they keep taking the money," Hendon said of the House, in an explanation perfect for MTV's Choose or Lose.
Hendon also attacked a fellow state senator, Susan Garrett, who wants to reject the raise, calling her "filthy rich."
And just in case voters wondered where the filthy rich live, Hendon informed them, after consulting his Looney Tunes map:
"Richville."
Hendon asked Garrett to sign her expense check over to him.
In all seriousness, we have no problem with the principle of giving lawmakers pay raises, even in tight economic times. With these raises, lawmakers would be making from roughly $70,000 to more than $100,000 a year.
Good salaries are a way to attract good people to these jobs, which can demand long hours and hard work when done right.
But all this squabbling over a pay raise serves only to underscore the buffoonery that passes for the state legislative process these days.
State lawmakers should be required to actively vote themselves a pay raise -- up or down. Forget this nonsense of raises that kick in automatically unless they are voted down.
In the real world, a pay raise comes with a job well done.
Nobody in Springfield is doing any kind of a job.
5/12/2008
Editorial, Chicago Sun-Times
You have to feel sorry for Illinois state lawmakers. They live in a world where you don't have to ask for a raise, you get it automatically, unless you say no.
And you get the raise -- a good one, too, consisting of a percentage hike plus a cost-of-living increase -- whether you do a good job or not.
Which is good for state lawmakers, since they are doing a miserable job. They have yet to even resolve the state's current budget woes, yet alone grapple with the next budget.
So you can imagine the shock that shot through some lawmakers when the possibility arose they may not get their pay raises this year.
Take Senate President Emil Jones, who has been repeating himself like Dustin Hoffman's Rain Man.
"I need a pay raise," Jones says. "I need a pay raise."
Or Sen. Rickey Hendon, who was so stunned when the House voted to reject the raise, that he mistook the Senate for a TV feature.
"They want to use the Senate and pimp us, and they keep taking the money," Hendon said of the House, in an explanation perfect for MTV's Choose or Lose.
Hendon also attacked a fellow state senator, Susan Garrett, who wants to reject the raise, calling her "filthy rich."
And just in case voters wondered where the filthy rich live, Hendon informed them, after consulting his Looney Tunes map:
"Richville."
Hendon asked Garrett to sign her expense check over to him.
In all seriousness, we have no problem with the principle of giving lawmakers pay raises, even in tight economic times. With these raises, lawmakers would be making from roughly $70,000 to more than $100,000 a year.
Good salaries are a way to attract good people to these jobs, which can demand long hours and hard work when done right.
But all this squabbling over a pay raise serves only to underscore the buffoonery that passes for the state legislative process these days.
State lawmakers should be required to actively vote themselves a pay raise -- up or down. Forget this nonsense of raises that kick in automatically unless they are voted down.
In the real world, a pay raise comes with a job well done.
Nobody in Springfield is doing any kind of a job.
We want your money!!!
Is Emil Jones serious??? He is attacking Senator Susan Garrett who spoke out against the Democrats pay raise grab. My opponent, Representative Karen May voted IN FAVOR of the pay hike. She also suppored a 9% plus increase in her pay last year.
Not just 'filthy rich' who object to lawmakers' pay hike
5/12/2008
Editorial, Pantagraph
Senate President Emil Jones and Sen. Rickey Hendon might have been directing their caustic remarks at Sen. Susan Garrett for opposing a legislative pay increase.
But their comments were also insulting to taxpayers - particularly those struggling to make ends meet while their elected representatives are poised to receive their second double-digit percentage pay increase in two years.
All three are Democrats.
Hendon called Garrett of suburban Lake Forest the senator from "Richville."
He also said, "It just blows my mind how the filthy rich are always the ones saying we don't need the raise."
It's not just "the filthy rich" who are saying that, Sen. Hendon. Those opposing the 11.7 percent increase include taxpayers who make far less than the Legislature's base pay of $65,353 - along with a $125 per diem to cover their expenses each day they are in session.
Then there's Jones who quipped, "I've got to get me some food stamps," while walking near Garrett after the heated discussion on pay increases.
On top of his base pay, Jones receives an additional $26,471 for serving as Senate president. In other words, even without the raise, his salary is approaching six figures.
For Jones to joke that he needs food stamps without the raise shows arrogance and callousness toward people in his Chicago district and elsewhere in Illinois who need food stamps to feed their families and meet their basic needs.
Furthermore, most lawmakers will receive pensions their constituents can only dream of.
Although Jones and Hendon are full-time lawmakers, many of their colleagues have other jobs that supplement their pay.
While no one gets "rich" working strictly as a state lawmaker in Illinois, no one is heading to the poorhouse on those salaries.
The House voted 94-8 on Wednesday to reject the pay increases recommended by the Illinois Compensation Review Board. However, both chambers must vote to reject the increases in the same resolution in order to block them - and its questionable whether the matter will even come to a vote in the Senate, at least not with a "clean" bill.
Hendon is suggesting a different version that would muddy the political waters by barring any lawmaker who voted against a pay increase from receiving it if the pay increase eventually takes effect. That's ludicrous.
If the Senate approves Hendon's proposal or some different bill on which the House doesn't act, the raises will take effect and taxpayers will be left holding the bag -again.
Not just 'filthy rich' who object to lawmakers' pay hike
5/12/2008
Editorial, Pantagraph
Senate President Emil Jones and Sen. Rickey Hendon might have been directing their caustic remarks at Sen. Susan Garrett for opposing a legislative pay increase.
But their comments were also insulting to taxpayers - particularly those struggling to make ends meet while their elected representatives are poised to receive their second double-digit percentage pay increase in two years.
All three are Democrats.
Hendon called Garrett of suburban Lake Forest the senator from "Richville."
He also said, "It just blows my mind how the filthy rich are always the ones saying we don't need the raise."
It's not just "the filthy rich" who are saying that, Sen. Hendon. Those opposing the 11.7 percent increase include taxpayers who make far less than the Legislature's base pay of $65,353 - along with a $125 per diem to cover their expenses each day they are in session.
Then there's Jones who quipped, "I've got to get me some food stamps," while walking near Garrett after the heated discussion on pay increases.
On top of his base pay, Jones receives an additional $26,471 for serving as Senate president. In other words, even without the raise, his salary is approaching six figures.
For Jones to joke that he needs food stamps without the raise shows arrogance and callousness toward people in his Chicago district and elsewhere in Illinois who need food stamps to feed their families and meet their basic needs.
Furthermore, most lawmakers will receive pensions their constituents can only dream of.
Although Jones and Hendon are full-time lawmakers, many of their colleagues have other jobs that supplement their pay.
While no one gets "rich" working strictly as a state lawmaker in Illinois, no one is heading to the poorhouse on those salaries.
The House voted 94-8 on Wednesday to reject the pay increases recommended by the Illinois Compensation Review Board. However, both chambers must vote to reject the increases in the same resolution in order to block them - and its questionable whether the matter will even come to a vote in the Senate, at least not with a "clean" bill.
Hendon is suggesting a different version that would muddy the political waters by barring any lawmaker who voted against a pay increase from receiving it if the pay increase eventually takes effect. That's ludicrous.
If the Senate approves Hendon's proposal or some different bill on which the House doesn't act, the raises will take effect and taxpayers will be left holding the bag -again.
Non-partisan Watchdog Group Give Budget Solutions a Failing Grade
Watchdog barks at governor, assembly
Group: Proposed budget clashes with fiscal reality
By BERNARD SCHOENBURG
POLITICAL WRITER
Monday, May 12, 2008
The Civic Federation of Chicago, accusing Gov. Rod Blagojevich and the General Assembly of not facing the state’s fiscal crisis, is opposing new spending and borrowing proposals in the governor’s proposed budget, but backing across-the-board cuts and sweeping money from special-purpose funds to help the state live within its means.
The governor’s plans, the influential government watchdog group says, “do not adequately address the grim fiscal reality facing the state of Illinois.”
In an analysis released today of the operating budget proposed by Blagojevich for the next fiscal year, the influential government watchdog group also calls for state pension reforms, including a moratorium on new benefits, a 1 percent increase in employee pension contributions, and a more affordable retirement package — including a higher retirement age — for people hired by the state in the future.
“The Civic Federation opposes the state of Illinois FY2009 operating budget and urges dramatic recasting of the state’s financial priorities,” the report states.
“Governor (Rod) Blagojevich has proposed a $49.7 billion operating budget that includes $1.9 billion in new initiatives, $1 billion in new business taxes, $16 billion in new pension obligation debt, the lease of the state lottery in the form of a partial concession, and a massive $25 billion capital plan,” the report says.
The report says that the new programs for the fiscal year beginning July 1 are “unaffordable and imprudent during an economic downturn” and that the pension borrowing plan is not linked to reforms to eat into more than $44 billion in unfunded liabilities.
Selling off part of the lottery to fund a building program before specifying what projects should be funded provides “no basis to evaluate whether the plan adequately addresses the state’s most critical needs,” the federation says.
Blagojevich spending initiatives the federation opposes include a $300-per-child tax credit for qualifying families — a $900 million program the governor pushed in his February budget address as a state stimulus package. The group also opposes a $417 million expansion of the governor’s Illinois Covered health insurance plan.
The group also withdrew its earlier approval of a 1 percentage point increase in the state income tax.
“Until the State can clearly demonstrate its dedication to putting its fiscal house in order, the Civic Federation and the public will not be convinced that any new tax dollars will be well spent,” the report says.
The Civic Federation supports other Blagojevich budget ideas, including a 3 percent across-the-board cut in non-priority spending, which the federation said would cut personnel by 1,464, and moves to increase efficiency. It also supports “proposed special purpose funds sweeps and the governor’s efforts to consolidate special purpose funds into the General Fund when appropriate.”
While the report keys on the proposals made by Blagojevich in his combined State of the State and budget address in February, that address merely laid out his ideas. It remains up to the General Assembly to pass a budget.
The scheduled adjournment date of the General Assembly — and the date by which a budget for fiscal 2009 would be passed if all goes smoothly — is May 29. However, last year, several months of post-deadline wrangling were needed to fashion a budget, and this year, many lawmakers have again been skeptical of some of the governor’s proposals.
The Blagojevich administration responded to the report by saying the governor’s plan tries to meet the needs of people in the state.
“While we are pleased that the Civic Federation recognizes that we have taken steps to increase government efficiency, what their report fails to recognize is that there is a huge human aspect to what government does, especially when there is an economic downturn,” said Katie Ridgway, spokeswoman for the governor’s budget office.
“Being more efficient and saving money is important because it allows us to meet the needs of people — from creating jobs, to making sure that people have access to health insurance, ensuring that all kids have access to quality schools, and guaranteeing that our roads, bridges and other infrastructure is safe.
“We would like to hear the federation’s ideas on how the state can really help people during the national economic downturn,” Ridgway said.
Bernard Schoenburg can be reached at 788-1540.
Civic Federation positions in brief:
Opposes
*Selling lottery unless building program is spelled out
*$300 per child tax credit stimulus
*Expansion of Illinois Covered health insurance program
*State income tax increase until state puts its “fiscal house in order”
Supports
*State employee pension reforms, including higher retirement age
*Cuts in non-priority spending
*Special-purpose fund sweeps
The Civic Federation of Chicago
At 115 years old, the Civic Federation of Chicago, whose members include business and professional leaders from a wide range of Chicago-area institutions, is considered the oldest taxpayers’ research organization in the country.
The federation “is a non-partisan government research organization working to maximize the quality and cost-effectiveness of government services in the Chicago region,” the group says on its web site.
Group: Proposed budget clashes with fiscal reality
By BERNARD SCHOENBURG
POLITICAL WRITER
Monday, May 12, 2008
The Civic Federation of Chicago, accusing Gov. Rod Blagojevich and the General Assembly of not facing the state’s fiscal crisis, is opposing new spending and borrowing proposals in the governor’s proposed budget, but backing across-the-board cuts and sweeping money from special-purpose funds to help the state live within its means.
The governor’s plans, the influential government watchdog group says, “do not adequately address the grim fiscal reality facing the state of Illinois.”
In an analysis released today of the operating budget proposed by Blagojevich for the next fiscal year, the influential government watchdog group also calls for state pension reforms, including a moratorium on new benefits, a 1 percent increase in employee pension contributions, and a more affordable retirement package — including a higher retirement age — for people hired by the state in the future.
“The Civic Federation opposes the state of Illinois FY2009 operating budget and urges dramatic recasting of the state’s financial priorities,” the report states.
“Governor (Rod) Blagojevich has proposed a $49.7 billion operating budget that includes $1.9 billion in new initiatives, $1 billion in new business taxes, $16 billion in new pension obligation debt, the lease of the state lottery in the form of a partial concession, and a massive $25 billion capital plan,” the report says.
The report says that the new programs for the fiscal year beginning July 1 are “unaffordable and imprudent during an economic downturn” and that the pension borrowing plan is not linked to reforms to eat into more than $44 billion in unfunded liabilities.
Selling off part of the lottery to fund a building program before specifying what projects should be funded provides “no basis to evaluate whether the plan adequately addresses the state’s most critical needs,” the federation says.
Blagojevich spending initiatives the federation opposes include a $300-per-child tax credit for qualifying families — a $900 million program the governor pushed in his February budget address as a state stimulus package. The group also opposes a $417 million expansion of the governor’s Illinois Covered health insurance plan.
The group also withdrew its earlier approval of a 1 percentage point increase in the state income tax.
“Until the State can clearly demonstrate its dedication to putting its fiscal house in order, the Civic Federation and the public will not be convinced that any new tax dollars will be well spent,” the report says.
The Civic Federation supports other Blagojevich budget ideas, including a 3 percent across-the-board cut in non-priority spending, which the federation said would cut personnel by 1,464, and moves to increase efficiency. It also supports “proposed special purpose funds sweeps and the governor’s efforts to consolidate special purpose funds into the General Fund when appropriate.”
While the report keys on the proposals made by Blagojevich in his combined State of the State and budget address in February, that address merely laid out his ideas. It remains up to the General Assembly to pass a budget.
The scheduled adjournment date of the General Assembly — and the date by which a budget for fiscal 2009 would be passed if all goes smoothly — is May 29. However, last year, several months of post-deadline wrangling were needed to fashion a budget, and this year, many lawmakers have again been skeptical of some of the governor’s proposals.
The Blagojevich administration responded to the report by saying the governor’s plan tries to meet the needs of people in the state.
“While we are pleased that the Civic Federation recognizes that we have taken steps to increase government efficiency, what their report fails to recognize is that there is a huge human aspect to what government does, especially when there is an economic downturn,” said Katie Ridgway, spokeswoman for the governor’s budget office.
“Being more efficient and saving money is important because it allows us to meet the needs of people — from creating jobs, to making sure that people have access to health insurance, ensuring that all kids have access to quality schools, and guaranteeing that our roads, bridges and other infrastructure is safe.
“We would like to hear the federation’s ideas on how the state can really help people during the national economic downturn,” Ridgway said.
Bernard Schoenburg can be reached at 788-1540.
Civic Federation positions in brief:
Opposes
*Selling lottery unless building program is spelled out
*$300 per child tax credit stimulus
*Expansion of Illinois Covered health insurance program
*State income tax increase until state puts its “fiscal house in order”
Supports
*State employee pension reforms, including higher retirement age
*Cuts in non-priority spending
*Special-purpose fund sweeps
The Civic Federation of Chicago
At 115 years old, the Civic Federation of Chicago, whose members include business and professional leaders from a wide range of Chicago-area institutions, is considered the oldest taxpayers’ research organization in the country.
The federation “is a non-partisan government research organization working to maximize the quality and cost-effectiveness of government services in the Chicago region,” the group says on its web site.
Friday, May 9, 2008
Ethics Reform in Illinois Politics
Mike Tryon, a relatively new State Representative from the McHenry County area is proposing some legislation that would add sunshine and transparency to Illinois government. This legislation is a much needed start to end the pay-for-play politics that have crippled the Blagojevich administration and which the Democrats in charge have allowed. I support Representative Mike Tryon's legislation outlined in his press release below and would co-sponsor it in the House. On another note, my opponent Karen May, was one of only 8 Representatives to vote to give the politicians in Springfield another payraise! She also supported a bill last year that hiked lawmaker pay about 9%. The hubris of these people to take from the government trough when so many Illinoisans are about to break under the financial strain of high gas prices, higher sales taxes, higher property taxes. How many forclosures are underway in this state now? Is it really social justice to vote to allow yourself a pay raise in this situation--especialyl when you helped create it? Don't get me started! Representative Mike Tryon's legislative press release:
A Call to Action:
Web Portal Would End
Culture of Corruption
Since I began serving in the General Assembly, there have been several attempts by lawmakers to pass transparency legislation.
Illinois residents are so tired of corruption in state government with our former governor serving prison time and our current governor under federal investigation.
U.S. Attorney General Patrick Fitzgerald has called the Governor’s administration ‘pay to play on steroids.’
Due to increased infighting between the Governor and the state’s Democrat leaders, suspicion and distrust have replaced compromise and negotiation.
Everyone agrees on the need for transparency to break down the walls of secrecy and bring about real accountability to the process….. but somehow, these pieces of legislation always end up lost in the shuffle. A parliamentary move to keep them in committee or a claim that previous transparency bills are not comprehensive enough has left this issue in limbo.
Enough is enough.
This year, I have introduced the most comprehensive piece of transparency legislation that would shed sunshine on state finances and end this culture of corruption once and for all.
House Bill 4765 would create the Illinois Accountability Portal and would provide the public with direct access to:
• State Employees & Consultants: a database of all current state employees and individual consultants, sorted separately by name, agency, position title, current pay rate and year-to-date pay
• State Expenditures: a database of all current state expenditures, sorted separately by agency, category, customer and representative district
• Tax Credits: a database of all current state tax credits, sorted by tax credit category, customer and representative district
• Sales Tax Breaks: a database of all revocations and suspensions of state occupation and use tax certificates of registration and all revocations and suspensions of state professional licenses sorted by name, geographic location and certificate of registration number or license number, as applicable. Professional licenses revocations and suspensions shall be posted only if resulting from a failure to pay taxes, license fees, or child support.
• State Contracts: a database of all current state contracts, sorted separately by contractor name, awarding officer or agency, contract value, and goods or services provided.
With the help of taxpayer watchdog group Americans for Prosperity who partnered with me on House Bill 4765; this legislation was unanimously approved in the House of Representatives last month.
House Bill 4765 has garnered widespread support from several grassroots organizations, trade associations, press associations, and taxpayer protection groups. More than a dozen local and national organizations have signed a letter in support of the bill.
I firmly believe the Illinois Accountability Portal will reduce the culture of political handouts, pay-to-play politics and pork barrel spending that has tarnished the public’s trust in government.
Over the years, Illinois has invested in technology that can easily put state spending on the desktop. The Illinois Accountability Portal will also be a cost-saving measure as it will reduce the number of Freedom of Information requests that are processed.
Currently, House Bill 4765 is being held hostage in the Senate Rules Committee.
With more than two dozen House sponsors and several Senate sponsors signed on, it is imperative that this bill be given a fair trial and be debated in a Senate Committee.
This week, newspapers reported that Senator Debbie Halvorson was removed as the powerful chairperson of Rules and replaced by Senator Rickey Hendon. With a week to get bills out of Senate Committee, I urge you to call Senator Hendon and demand that he release this bill out of Rules.
Additionally, call your Senator and those serving on the Rules Committee and urge them to help take Illinois off pay to play steroids. Illinois taxpayers deserve to see how their hard-earned money is being spent.
Enough is Enough.
Sincerely,
Michael W. Tryon
Illinois State Representative
64th District
A Call to Action:
Web Portal Would End
Culture of Corruption
Since I began serving in the General Assembly, there have been several attempts by lawmakers to pass transparency legislation.
Illinois residents are so tired of corruption in state government with our former governor serving prison time and our current governor under federal investigation.
U.S. Attorney General Patrick Fitzgerald has called the Governor’s administration ‘pay to play on steroids.’
Due to increased infighting between the Governor and the state’s Democrat leaders, suspicion and distrust have replaced compromise and negotiation.
Everyone agrees on the need for transparency to break down the walls of secrecy and bring about real accountability to the process….. but somehow, these pieces of legislation always end up lost in the shuffle. A parliamentary move to keep them in committee or a claim that previous transparency bills are not comprehensive enough has left this issue in limbo.
Enough is enough.
This year, I have introduced the most comprehensive piece of transparency legislation that would shed sunshine on state finances and end this culture of corruption once and for all.
House Bill 4765 would create the Illinois Accountability Portal and would provide the public with direct access to:
• State Employees & Consultants: a database of all current state employees and individual consultants, sorted separately by name, agency, position title, current pay rate and year-to-date pay
• State Expenditures: a database of all current state expenditures, sorted separately by agency, category, customer and representative district
• Tax Credits: a database of all current state tax credits, sorted by tax credit category, customer and representative district
• Sales Tax Breaks: a database of all revocations and suspensions of state occupation and use tax certificates of registration and all revocations and suspensions of state professional licenses sorted by name, geographic location and certificate of registration number or license number, as applicable. Professional licenses revocations and suspensions shall be posted only if resulting from a failure to pay taxes, license fees, or child support.
• State Contracts: a database of all current state contracts, sorted separately by contractor name, awarding officer or agency, contract value, and goods or services provided.
With the help of taxpayer watchdog group Americans for Prosperity who partnered with me on House Bill 4765; this legislation was unanimously approved in the House of Representatives last month.
House Bill 4765 has garnered widespread support from several grassroots organizations, trade associations, press associations, and taxpayer protection groups. More than a dozen local and national organizations have signed a letter in support of the bill.
I firmly believe the Illinois Accountability Portal will reduce the culture of political handouts, pay-to-play politics and pork barrel spending that has tarnished the public’s trust in government.
Over the years, Illinois has invested in technology that can easily put state spending on the desktop. The Illinois Accountability Portal will also be a cost-saving measure as it will reduce the number of Freedom of Information requests that are processed.
Currently, House Bill 4765 is being held hostage in the Senate Rules Committee.
With more than two dozen House sponsors and several Senate sponsors signed on, it is imperative that this bill be given a fair trial and be debated in a Senate Committee.
This week, newspapers reported that Senator Debbie Halvorson was removed as the powerful chairperson of Rules and replaced by Senator Rickey Hendon. With a week to get bills out of Senate Committee, I urge you to call Senator Hendon and demand that he release this bill out of Rules.
Additionally, call your Senator and those serving on the Rules Committee and urge them to help take Illinois off pay to play steroids. Illinois taxpayers deserve to see how their hard-earned money is being spent.
Enough is Enough.
Sincerely,
Michael W. Tryon
Illinois State Representative
64th District
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Why We Need Republicans in State Government
How did the GOP Lose the Suburban Voters?
A central question asked is "How did the GOP lose its suburban support?" it happened because it has strayed from the core Republican principles of limited government and fiscal conservatism. The play-to-the-base strategy that demagogues moral issues and abandons fiscal conservatism is why so many suburban voters feel alienated and have left the party.
Generally speaking, suburban voters are fiscally conservative and socially moderate...They used to be Rockefeller Republicans but now they're Democrats because they feel there is no room in the Republican Party anymore for Rockefeller Republicans."
Whether you're a "Rockefeller Republican," an Eisenhower Republican, or a Republican of the Teddy Roosevelt, Thomas Dewey or Ronald Reagan mold, or just a moderate/independent who is sick of the mess that is Illinois government there is a place in the GOP for you. If you share our vision of a Republican Party that is unified by the basic tenets of fiscal responsibility and personal freedom, but that allows for diverse opinions on social issues, our campaign welcomes you.
If you believe in ethical government; low taxes with balanced budgets; rewarding hard work and economic growth; protection of the environment; and less government interference in individual lives, I invite you to join our efforts. It's only by rebuilding the party from the grassroots up that we'll get a government that works to protect the health, safety and prosperity of all Illinoisans. It's only by having a strong Republican party in Illinois that we will have a fair, honest and open government.
A central question asked is "How did the GOP lose its suburban support?" it happened because it has strayed from the core Republican principles of limited government and fiscal conservatism. The play-to-the-base strategy that demagogues moral issues and abandons fiscal conservatism is why so many suburban voters feel alienated and have left the party.
Generally speaking, suburban voters are fiscally conservative and socially moderate...They used to be Rockefeller Republicans but now they're Democrats because they feel there is no room in the Republican Party anymore for Rockefeller Republicans."
Whether you're a "Rockefeller Republican," an Eisenhower Republican, or a Republican of the Teddy Roosevelt, Thomas Dewey or Ronald Reagan mold, or just a moderate/independent who is sick of the mess that is Illinois government there is a place in the GOP for you. If you share our vision of a Republican Party that is unified by the basic tenets of fiscal responsibility and personal freedom, but that allows for diverse opinions on social issues, our campaign welcomes you.
If you believe in ethical government; low taxes with balanced budgets; rewarding hard work and economic growth; protection of the environment; and less government interference in individual lives, I invite you to join our efforts. It's only by rebuilding the party from the grassroots up that we'll get a government that works to protect the health, safety and prosperity of all Illinoisans. It's only by having a strong Republican party in Illinois that we will have a fair, honest and open government.
Monday, May 5, 2008
More Pay Raise Fallout
Great Editorial from the Belleville News.
No to pay raises
5/5/2008
Editorial, Belleville News Democrat
"I need a pay raise. I need a pay raise." That was Senate President Emil Jones' reaction last week when reporters asked him about the raised recommended for lawmakers and other state officials.
Clearly he wants a raise. But needs? He's making $91,869 this fiscal year. Not bad for a part-time political post.
If the pay raise proposal goes into effect -- and it will automatically unless lawmakers block it -- Jones would make $102,597 in fiscal 2010. Rank-and-file lawmakers' salary would go from $65,398 to $73,035. The governor's salary would go from $171,034 now to $192,905.
If lawmakers had any shame, they would refuse the money. They just got a 9.6 percent raise in November 2006. More importantly, they haven't done anything to earn another raise.
During the good times in recent years, they squandered their chance to get state finances in order as other states did. Despite robust revenues until recently, Illinois' pension funds are among the most poorly funded in the nation. Lawmakers have not addressed the multibillion liability facing taxpayers for retiree health care benefits.
The state's deficit at the end of fiscal 2007 was $3.6 billion -- the absolute worst in the nation.
In the business world, where compensation generally is based on merit, lawmakers wouldn't be getting a pay raise, they'd be getting their pink slips.
But expect them to thumb their noses at the taxpayers and take the money. They think they're entitled, no matter how dismal their track record.
No wonder they won't let the voters decide whether they want the power to recall elected officials.
No to pay raises
5/5/2008
Editorial, Belleville News Democrat
"I need a pay raise. I need a pay raise." That was Senate President Emil Jones' reaction last week when reporters asked him about the raised recommended for lawmakers and other state officials.
Clearly he wants a raise. But needs? He's making $91,869 this fiscal year. Not bad for a part-time political post.
If the pay raise proposal goes into effect -- and it will automatically unless lawmakers block it -- Jones would make $102,597 in fiscal 2010. Rank-and-file lawmakers' salary would go from $65,398 to $73,035. The governor's salary would go from $171,034 now to $192,905.
If lawmakers had any shame, they would refuse the money. They just got a 9.6 percent raise in November 2006. More importantly, they haven't done anything to earn another raise.
During the good times in recent years, they squandered their chance to get state finances in order as other states did. Despite robust revenues until recently, Illinois' pension funds are among the most poorly funded in the nation. Lawmakers have not addressed the multibillion liability facing taxpayers for retiree health care benefits.
The state's deficit at the end of fiscal 2007 was $3.6 billion -- the absolute worst in the nation.
In the business world, where compensation generally is based on merit, lawmakers wouldn't be getting a pay raise, they'd be getting their pink slips.
But expect them to thumb their noses at the taxpayers and take the money. They think they're entitled, no matter how dismal their track record.
No wonder they won't let the voters decide whether they want the power to recall elected officials.
DEMS BLOCK RECALL LEGISLATION
Well guess what? Emil Jones and Terry Link successfully blocked a bill that would have allowed Illinois voters to recall ineffective lawmakers like our esteemed governor. Do you know what they demand now from voters? A raise in their salaries! That's right, this bunch is now getting a pay raise when hardworking business owners and families are struggling to survive the economic mess created in part by these very politicians.
I have a better idea. We already have two recall provisions in Illinois. They are called the Primary Election and General Election. Every Illinois voter should be outraged at what is going on. Democrat, Republican, Green, Independent, every last one. If you are---REFUSE to vote for the people in office now. Send a message. How much worse could it get? Better yet, take a look at some of young energetic candidates running against some of these old aging "power brokers".
Candidates like Brendan Appel for State Senate against Jeff Schoenberg, an Emil Jones ally; Dan Duffy for State Senator out in the Barrington area; yours truly, Tim Stratton running against long time politican Karen May on the North Shore. Kathy Ryg, Terry Link, Mike Bond are all facing Republican opposition this fall. Given their track records why would we send them back?
Here is a great editorial I came across on the legislator pay raise scandal:
Legislators don't trust us? Feeling is mutual
BY CAROL MARIN Sun-Times Columnist
Out of the legislative madness in Springfield this week came five little words said twice for emphasis: “I need a pay raise. I need a pay raise.”
It was Senate President Emil Jones speaking
The chamber he controls in the Illinois General Assembly had just moments earlier denied voters of this state the right to decide for ourselves if we should be able to recall politicians we have elected to public office.
Whether you are a fan of the recall idea or not, you now have been summarily stripped of the opportunity to say yes or no to amending the state constitution thanks to the Senate that Jones controls and his Democratic camp followers who packed the measure with poison pills to assure it would be voted down. And who then adjourned, preventing Republicans from calling up an earlier, less onerous recall measure that might actually have passed. One that would have permitted the recall of Gov. Blagojevich or legislators themselves.
No, fellow voters, recall is a measure lawmakers think is just too dangerous to put in our hands.
Why?
If this doesn’t make you laugh until you cry, nothing will. Citizens, they warn, might seek revenge against politicians who take courageous but unpopular stands.
Courage? In Springfield? Your chances of seeing a cougar roam the Capitol are better than that.
This isn’t about courage. It’s about flacking for a governor whose future is in flames thanks to the federal pay-to-play corruption trial of fund-raising pal, Tony Rezko, in Chicago. And thanks to a gridlocked, venomous, warring Legislature where the battle lines are set in stone: Blagojevich and Jones vs. House Speaker Michael Madigan.
The whole sad, stupid, egomaniacal mess has stalemated everything from legislation on education to capital spending (roads, buses, bridges), and (shudder) ethics.
A compromise ethics bill is now close to being worked out. How great is that? Not.
While testimony in the Rezko corruption trial details outrageous, secret, multimillion-dollar “finders fees” for political power brokers who do pension business with the state and appointments to state boards and commissions that are bought and paid for by huge campaign contributions, the current ethics compromise language addresses none of that. Nor does it prohibit firms like Exelon, parent of Commonwealth Edison, from giving huge contributions to guys like Emil Jones, something that almost every other state in the union forbids.
At best, this ethics bill will narrowly address state contractors, prohibiting them from making political contributions if they do more than $50,000 worth of state business.
But hey, if the state Legislature can’t do anything else well, give credit where credit is due. They’ve sure cornered the market on figuring out how to get a pay raise without even having to vote on it.
And so today, when Illinois’ unemployment is 5.5 percent, higher than the national average; when foreclosures across the state are up 25 percent since 2006, and almost 2 million people here don’t have health insurance, Jones has the tone-deaf temerity to declare, “I need a pay raise.”
That, fellow citizens, is courage.
But don’t blame just him.
Though a handful of legislators are openly appalled by the notion of a pay raise in these hard economic times, it’s all but a done deal.
Again. A 7 percent boost this year on top of last year’s 10 percent increase. (Governor: $170,917 to $192,773; Jones and Madigan $91,824 to $102,547). The Legislature simply sits back and lets the state Compensation Review Board recommend raises that are automatically adopted unless lawmakers vote in protest.
So remember, you, dear citizen, can’t be trusted with the power of recall. But you sure can be relied upon to pony up the money to pay for state officeholders who denied you the possibility.
I have a better idea. We already have two recall provisions in Illinois. They are called the Primary Election and General Election. Every Illinois voter should be outraged at what is going on. Democrat, Republican, Green, Independent, every last one. If you are---REFUSE to vote for the people in office now. Send a message. How much worse could it get? Better yet, take a look at some of young energetic candidates running against some of these old aging "power brokers".
Candidates like Brendan Appel for State Senate against Jeff Schoenberg, an Emil Jones ally; Dan Duffy for State Senator out in the Barrington area; yours truly, Tim Stratton running against long time politican Karen May on the North Shore. Kathy Ryg, Terry Link, Mike Bond are all facing Republican opposition this fall. Given their track records why would we send them back?
Here is a great editorial I came across on the legislator pay raise scandal:
Legislators don't trust us? Feeling is mutual
BY CAROL MARIN Sun-Times Columnist
Out of the legislative madness in Springfield this week came five little words said twice for emphasis: “I need a pay raise. I need a pay raise.”
It was Senate President Emil Jones speaking
The chamber he controls in the Illinois General Assembly had just moments earlier denied voters of this state the right to decide for ourselves if we should be able to recall politicians we have elected to public office.
Whether you are a fan of the recall idea or not, you now have been summarily stripped of the opportunity to say yes or no to amending the state constitution thanks to the Senate that Jones controls and his Democratic camp followers who packed the measure with poison pills to assure it would be voted down. And who then adjourned, preventing Republicans from calling up an earlier, less onerous recall measure that might actually have passed. One that would have permitted the recall of Gov. Blagojevich or legislators themselves.
No, fellow voters, recall is a measure lawmakers think is just too dangerous to put in our hands.
Why?
If this doesn’t make you laugh until you cry, nothing will. Citizens, they warn, might seek revenge against politicians who take courageous but unpopular stands.
Courage? In Springfield? Your chances of seeing a cougar roam the Capitol are better than that.
This isn’t about courage. It’s about flacking for a governor whose future is in flames thanks to the federal pay-to-play corruption trial of fund-raising pal, Tony Rezko, in Chicago. And thanks to a gridlocked, venomous, warring Legislature where the battle lines are set in stone: Blagojevich and Jones vs. House Speaker Michael Madigan.
The whole sad, stupid, egomaniacal mess has stalemated everything from legislation on education to capital spending (roads, buses, bridges), and (shudder) ethics.
A compromise ethics bill is now close to being worked out. How great is that? Not.
While testimony in the Rezko corruption trial details outrageous, secret, multimillion-dollar “finders fees” for political power brokers who do pension business with the state and appointments to state boards and commissions that are bought and paid for by huge campaign contributions, the current ethics compromise language addresses none of that. Nor does it prohibit firms like Exelon, parent of Commonwealth Edison, from giving huge contributions to guys like Emil Jones, something that almost every other state in the union forbids.
At best, this ethics bill will narrowly address state contractors, prohibiting them from making political contributions if they do more than $50,000 worth of state business.
But hey, if the state Legislature can’t do anything else well, give credit where credit is due. They’ve sure cornered the market on figuring out how to get a pay raise without even having to vote on it.
And so today, when Illinois’ unemployment is 5.5 percent, higher than the national average; when foreclosures across the state are up 25 percent since 2006, and almost 2 million people here don’t have health insurance, Jones has the tone-deaf temerity to declare, “I need a pay raise.”
That, fellow citizens, is courage.
But don’t blame just him.
Though a handful of legislators are openly appalled by the notion of a pay raise in these hard economic times, it’s all but a done deal.
Again. A 7 percent boost this year on top of last year’s 10 percent increase. (Governor: $170,917 to $192,773; Jones and Madigan $91,824 to $102,547). The Legislature simply sits back and lets the state Compensation Review Board recommend raises that are automatically adopted unless lawmakers vote in protest.
So remember, you, dear citizen, can’t be trusted with the power of recall. But you sure can be relied upon to pony up the money to pay for state officeholders who denied you the possibility.
Budget Crisis Looming Again...Should we send our Legislators back to an Econ 101 Class?
When are the people of Illinois going to finally wake up and demand a government that works? The state budget (or lack of one) is beginning to become a major obstacle to the progress of this state. The Democrats brilliant idea now is to stop making payments that the state owes for Medicaid and to "transfer" i.e steal money from other restricted accounts to plug the hole in the budget. Here's a good idea to anyone listening: How about showing a modicum of fiscal restraint and not spending more money than we have?
I'm sorry, but if a family in Illinois doesn't feel like they have enough money they can't just decide they are not going to pay their bills. Why are we giving the state a free pass here? The Democrats have turned Illinois into a "deadbeat state" and are doing the government equilvilent of using the state's 401-K to go on a shopping spree at the mall. Does this make any sense?
Illinois budget in a hole, next fiscal plan in flux
Gov. Rod Blagojevich, legislators tussle over $750 million shortfall
By David Mendell
Tribune reporter
9:17 PM CDT, May 4, 2008
Now that Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich has fended off an effort to allow him to be recalled from office, his administration is turning to another feud the governor historically has found himself engaged in with lawmakers: the state budget.
As the governor's aides work on next year's budget, they also are trying to figure out how to close what they estimate is a $750 million hole remaining in this year's budget, which ends June 30.
The shortfall, which Illinois Senate budget officials believe is closer to $395 million, largely results from overly optimistic projections during a weakening economy, a situation now faced by many states.
For weeks the governor had threatened to squeeze some programs and de-fund grants in hopes that the legislature would provide a boost in revenue or approve a series of fund transfers to close the gap.
Last week, however, Blagojevich released money for 4-H programs and soil and conservation districts as state senators were considering a measure asking voters to allow recall of public officials from office. The push for recall was aimed at Blagojevich, sponsors said, but the administration said the money's release was not tied to the recall effort.
All of which leaves the governor still looking at a mix of options to erase the $750 million shortfall: delaying Medicaid payments, holding back advance payments to school systems statewide, holding back operating-expense payments for colleges and transferring money from other funds that have not been drawn down.
Of these, the fund transfers would provide the most cash.
The Senate already has passed a $530 million fund-transfer package, but the House has yet to take action on the bill.
House lawmakers, whose bitter budget war with Blagojevich last year remains a backdrop, have been irritated with the governor's budget-making ever since he cut legislators' special projects last year.
Some lawmakers blame the governor for increasing money for his own initiatives, particularly an expansion of health-care coverage, while he derides lawmakers for not tightening their belts.
"It's irresponsible stewardship and just bad governance," said state Sen. Christine Radogno (R-Lemont). "He doesn't understand the budget and he doesn't understand the numbers. When you don't have any money, you can't expand programs. That's just logic."
Blagojevich's aides, however, blame the General Assembly for approving a budget that was overly optimistic in revenue projections. They noted that the state finds itself in this budget hole even after the governor vetoed $463 million in lawmakers' projects—mostly those of House Democrats and Senate Republicans who opposed Blagojevich's agenda.
The governor's aides argued that his current-year health-care expansion cost less than $20 million and that this fiscal crisis partially stems from lawmakers being too focused on politics while the state's fiscal woes go unattended. As evidence, they pointed to $180 million in supplemental spending that the legislature has passed in recent months.
"It's not an extreme problem unless it remains unaddressed," said Sheila Nix, Blagojevich's deputy governor. "This is a problem that can be fixed, but we need to get beyond the political distractions to solve it."
But getting beyond those "distractions" has proved to be a challenge amid the highly charged atmosphere of Springfield.
A spokesman for House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) said there is little support in that legislative chamber for Blagojevich's fund-transfer plan.
"I have not seen anybody rush to say that this is a good idea," Madigan spokesman Steve Brown said Friday. "There are a variety of other alternatives that they could look at if they wanted to."
As one option, Brown suggested taking whatever remains of the $463 million in member projects that Blagojevich vetoed from the 2008 budget—perhaps $125 million—and paying down the backlog of Medicaid bills. That would spur an infusion of matching money from the federal government, Brown said.
With such opposing views, it's uncertain how this budget drama will conclude.
Legislators are four weeks from their spring adjournment deadline, and they must come together with solutions for the problems of the current fiscal year as they grapple with passing a budget for the one that begins July 1.
"We've been talking about this since February, and nobody has really been listening," said Kelley Quinn, a spokeswoman for Blagojevich's Office of Management and Budget. "But June 30 isn't going away."
I'm sorry, but if a family in Illinois doesn't feel like they have enough money they can't just decide they are not going to pay their bills. Why are we giving the state a free pass here? The Democrats have turned Illinois into a "deadbeat state" and are doing the government equilvilent of using the state's 401-K to go on a shopping spree at the mall. Does this make any sense?
Illinois budget in a hole, next fiscal plan in flux
Gov. Rod Blagojevich, legislators tussle over $750 million shortfall
By David Mendell
Tribune reporter
9:17 PM CDT, May 4, 2008
Now that Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich has fended off an effort to allow him to be recalled from office, his administration is turning to another feud the governor historically has found himself engaged in with lawmakers: the state budget.
As the governor's aides work on next year's budget, they also are trying to figure out how to close what they estimate is a $750 million hole remaining in this year's budget, which ends June 30.
The shortfall, which Illinois Senate budget officials believe is closer to $395 million, largely results from overly optimistic projections during a weakening economy, a situation now faced by many states.
For weeks the governor had threatened to squeeze some programs and de-fund grants in hopes that the legislature would provide a boost in revenue or approve a series of fund transfers to close the gap.
Last week, however, Blagojevich released money for 4-H programs and soil and conservation districts as state senators were considering a measure asking voters to allow recall of public officials from office. The push for recall was aimed at Blagojevich, sponsors said, but the administration said the money's release was not tied to the recall effort.
All of which leaves the governor still looking at a mix of options to erase the $750 million shortfall: delaying Medicaid payments, holding back advance payments to school systems statewide, holding back operating-expense payments for colleges and transferring money from other funds that have not been drawn down.
Of these, the fund transfers would provide the most cash.
The Senate already has passed a $530 million fund-transfer package, but the House has yet to take action on the bill.
House lawmakers, whose bitter budget war with Blagojevich last year remains a backdrop, have been irritated with the governor's budget-making ever since he cut legislators' special projects last year.
Some lawmakers blame the governor for increasing money for his own initiatives, particularly an expansion of health-care coverage, while he derides lawmakers for not tightening their belts.
"It's irresponsible stewardship and just bad governance," said state Sen. Christine Radogno (R-Lemont). "He doesn't understand the budget and he doesn't understand the numbers. When you don't have any money, you can't expand programs. That's just logic."
Blagojevich's aides, however, blame the General Assembly for approving a budget that was overly optimistic in revenue projections. They noted that the state finds itself in this budget hole even after the governor vetoed $463 million in lawmakers' projects—mostly those of House Democrats and Senate Republicans who opposed Blagojevich's agenda.
The governor's aides argued that his current-year health-care expansion cost less than $20 million and that this fiscal crisis partially stems from lawmakers being too focused on politics while the state's fiscal woes go unattended. As evidence, they pointed to $180 million in supplemental spending that the legislature has passed in recent months.
"It's not an extreme problem unless it remains unaddressed," said Sheila Nix, Blagojevich's deputy governor. "This is a problem that can be fixed, but we need to get beyond the political distractions to solve it."
But getting beyond those "distractions" has proved to be a challenge amid the highly charged atmosphere of Springfield.
A spokesman for House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) said there is little support in that legislative chamber for Blagojevich's fund-transfer plan.
"I have not seen anybody rush to say that this is a good idea," Madigan spokesman Steve Brown said Friday. "There are a variety of other alternatives that they could look at if they wanted to."
As one option, Brown suggested taking whatever remains of the $463 million in member projects that Blagojevich vetoed from the 2008 budget—perhaps $125 million—and paying down the backlog of Medicaid bills. That would spur an infusion of matching money from the federal government, Brown said.
With such opposing views, it's uncertain how this budget drama will conclude.
Legislators are four weeks from their spring adjournment deadline, and they must come together with solutions for the problems of the current fiscal year as they grapple with passing a budget for the one that begins July 1.
"We've been talking about this since February, and nobody has really been listening," said Kelley Quinn, a spokeswoman for Blagojevich's Office of Management and Budget. "But June 30 isn't going away."
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