WDWS just reported Blago is going to line-item veto out all the member initiatives (yeah!), some more expenditure items, and then add back his universal healthcare initiative (boo!).
Not sure how he can do that, but I am sure we will hear all the details soon.
UPDATE and BUMP by IP: From the State Journal-Register:
Gov. Rod Blagojevich will veto $500 million in "pork" from the fiscal year 2008 budget passed last week by the General Assembly and use that savings to expand health care to help 500,000 people.
The governor said he will use his "executive authority" to institue programs that would expand the Family Care program, provide up to $1,000 grants to families who can't afford to buy health insurance, and expand breast cancer screening programs. The inititiatives would help a total of 500,000 people, he said.
The governor was flanked by Senate President Emil Jones, D-Chicago, who said he agrees with Blagojevich's plans and won't call any veto override motion in the Senate. The formal veto will be filed later this week, Blagojevich said.
If Jones won't call any votes on veto override, than essentially Blagojevich can do whatever he wants. The House can override him all day long, but if the Senate doesn't vote, then the veto is sustained. I wonder if Jones' members will allow him to block all veto override votes?
ANOTHER UPDATE by IP: More from CapFax Blog:
The governor can’t just take $500 million from other parts of the budget and spend it on healthcare. He has a 2 percent transfer authority in this budget, but the transfers have to be germane.
Again, we have a press release that wasn’t accompanied by any official language - which is his usual modus operandus. Until we see that actual language, I gotta figure this is pure posturing.
Two questions from me:
- I wonder how the Senate Democrats can allow Emil Jones to do this?
- I wonder if Blago will veto all of the pork except that allocated to the Senate Democrats, in an effort to get them to back Emil?
Unless Gov. Blagojevich has cut a renewed deal with Senate President Emil Jones, there will be more than enough votes to override any such veto.
The question for me is: once the veto is overridden and the member initiative funds are restored by the legislature, will Blago ever release those funds? Will he only release funds to chosen members?
another question:
I understand that the Gov can take things out of a budget, but how can he put stuff in? He can't just throw stuff on an approved bill and make it law, can he?
"another question:
I understand that the Gov can take things out of a budget, but how can he put stuff in? He can't just throw stuff on an approved bill and make it law, can he?"
He can "amenditorily veto," which means he can make additions to legislation on his desk, but such additions would only stand if the GA sustains the veto. In other words, veto means more at the state level than at the Fed - at the state level, he can adjust amounts, wording, add stuff, subtract, to a certain degree.
OK, let me answer my own question:
So, the Gov is just still essentially "negotiating" with the GA, trying to get his priorities in the budget. I guess maybe he has to do this to show his constituents (whoever they might be) that he tried, but it seems kind of futile, and will make him look impotent.
oops, too slow.
Thanks IP
No problem.
I'm still wondering, like Sen. Frerichs, if Blago will ever release the funds for the member initiative projects, or if he'll only release funds for those members who, shall we say, are "willing to work with" the Administration?
I would hope that is beyond his power. If it came to that, maybe future Gov Lisa Madigan would be in a position to come riding to the rescue - saving projects for renegade lawmakers, and crushing GRod at the same time.
"future Gov Lisa Madigan"
I like the sound of that.
I'm kind of warming up to it, and I'm a Republican. Rod is just that bad. Can we get her in there now?
Now it's time to accept the veto of the Member Initatives and do the Capitol Bill. Just vote down his expansion of Health Care, the Capitol bill will create jobs and Revenue for the state so he might actually have money to expand healthcare next year.
"Now it's time to accept the veto of the Member Initatives and do the Capitol Bill."
They don't have a funding source for a capital bill. There's not enough votes for Chicago casino.
They have enough money for the member initiatives so if they don't do them, they use that money for the capitol bill.
"They have enough money for the member initiatives so if they don't do them, they use that money for the capitol bill."
That would require legislators to accept his veto of their member initiative money (which is money passed out by individual legislators), and then vote to that money for a capital bill (which is money passed out by a Governor that nobody trusts).
They aren't going to do that - they're going to override his veto of the member initiative money, and we're back without a funding source for a capital bill.
That would require legislators to accept his veto of their member initiative money (which is money passed out by individual legislators), and then vote to that money for a capital bill (which is money passed out by a Governor that nobody trusts).
Good point.
They don't have another source.
Lisa Madigan is tolerable as a lesser evil vote? Call me crazy but I would have still rather had Topinka instead.
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Glock21 Op/Ed
"They don't have another source."
I know - that's my point.
Legislators would much, much, much rather have member initiatives than a capital bill. For member initiatives, legislators get to pass out the money. For a capital bill, the Governor gets to pass out the money.
Am I being confusing?
I agree with you Glock.
I am getting a bit annoyed with Rod's "executive authority"
Rod's no Tommy Douglas.
I just had a thought - you think its just coincidence that Rod hasn't signed the electric rate relief bill yet? Emil cares a lot about that issue and Com Ed.
Rich Miller is saying that this may be Blagojevich and Emil Jones calling "checkmate" on Speaker Madigan.
Essentially, what it looks like, is Blagojevich is taking the member initiative money and going to use it to unilaterally expand health care programs without any appropriations made by the General Assembly. And that Jones won't allow the Senate to take any further votes on the budget or on any veto overrides.
The other political ramifications - the people who voted for the budget voted for all those member initiative projects which they can now take credit for, blame the Governor for vetoing, and for which their campaign opponents can attack them (at least on all the "questionable" projects in other districts).
Just when you think Illinois government can't get any stranger.
I assume this means that gaming expansion and the capital plan is also dead, as why would any legislator return to Springfield to vote on anything after this charade?
Essentially, what it looks like, is Blagojevich is taking the member initiative money and going to use it to unilaterally expand health care programs without any appropriations made by the General Assembly.
So when I asked....
the correct answer would be "Yes". That just sucks.
"the correct answer would be "Yes". That just sucks."
Only because Emil Jones is allowing him to do so. The House and Senate could override, but Jones won't allow a vote.
More from Rich Miller:
Ugh.
All Hail King Rod!
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Glock21 Op/Ed
Also, word’s going around about a constitutional crisis and a lawsuit.
That is what should happen. To do stuff as a state gov, you either need both houses and the Gov to agree, or both houses with veto-proof majorities - we have neither in this case. Emil and Rod may have come to a meeting of the minds, but maybe Madigan and Madigan still have a trump card.
They told me that if George W. Bush were re-elected, we'd see the end of Representative democracy. And they were right!
:-)
One other question - is the Gov. vetoing all the pork, or is he vetoing all the pork except for that lump-sum given to the Senate Democratic Caucus?
That'd be a great way to assure that the Senate Dems don't put any pressure on Emil Jones to allow an override vote.
This is insane.
I am not sure if I am more disgusted now, or when Rod stole the money from the school license plate funds.
I keep thinking that the State government cannot possibly get worse, but then something like this happens... So, we're back in Limbo until "X" event? A lawsuit forcing the bill be brought back to the floor to have the veto overridden, or the Senate presidency moving to another person who will bring the bill to the floor? Would be interesting if I weren't affected by this stupidity :-)
I have to hand it to Blago, this was the first smart political move his made over this budget stuff. There's no good PR way to fight back about taking pork money and using it for health care. It was a smart move, especially if he has Emil on his side. Even better is that Emil, in hiding the pork list, never really had to commit to anything, but the House and Senate GOP have already outted their pet projects.
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j
Part-Time Pundit
Unbelievable! Calling any and all elected Republicans in Illinois! Shed light on this ridiculous situation! Voters need to see what type of representation they are getting and reconsider who they vote for in the future. 10% pay raises in a time of budget crisis and a governor and senate leader thwarting constitutional laws. Don't let this become yet another Wasted Opportunity!
"Unbelievable! Calling any and all elected Republicans in Illinois! Shed light on this ridiculous situation! Voters need to see what type of representation they are getting and reconsider who they vote for in the future. 10% pay raises in a time of budget crisis and a governor and house leader thwarting constitutional laws. Don't let this become yet another Wasted Opportunity!"
Unfortunately, the vast majority of Republicans in the legislature voted for the pork. So, if they complain now, Blago/Jones will portray them as supporting pork over health care for kids and seniors, and I've seen nothing that indicates that Illinois Republicans are capable of competing against such a message.
Blago is good at creating villians, and the Republicans are making it easy for him.
As a Dem, Blago just makes me want to puke. Unilaterally amending the budget without allowing the opportunity of a veto override should be illegal if it isn't already. If anyone can turn Illinois into a red state, Blago's the one to do it. He's certainly trying hard enough.
I'm working with some people on a PAC to write a new constitution, right now with the changes we are already pushing, I'm not sure what constitutional language would prevent that kind of abuse.
I'd love suggestions though.
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j
Part-Time Pundit
Unfortunately, the vast majority of Republicans in the legislature voted for the pork. So, if they complain now, Blago/Jones will portray them as supporting pork over health care for kids and seniors
They had a chance to do the right thing - not letting anything but a no-frill maintenance budget get thru - and they blew it.
Still, when they voted for the budget they were supporting pork over Rod's health care for kids and senions, so I don't know why they couldn't be seen doing it again. All will argue that the port for their disticts is really needed.
Here's a short article on the different vetoes available in different states. I shudder to think about the power inherent in the Wisconsin veto construction.
Republicans should still cry foul! What Blago is doing with this budget is NOT what they voted for. This reminds me of when Mayor Daley bulldozed Meigs field, and sadly, got away with it!
Frerichs looks pretty shrewd at this moment.
"Republicans should still cry foul! What Blago is doing with this budget is NOT what they voted for."
Sadly, the budget the GOPs voted for is worse, in public perception, than the one the Governor wants today. It's the process that's so outrageous, but the Governor will crucify the Republicans for supporting pork over free health care for sick kids and seniors.
The GOPs can't bitch about process now - they gave up the moral high ground when they voted for a budget full of pork. The Governor will demonize them, and the complaints about process will get ignored as usual political bickering.
"Frerichs looks pretty shrewd at this moment."
For not itemizing his pork? Neither did any other Senate Democrats.
How shrewd does he look for his support of Emil Jones?
Frerichs is the only Dem Senator we have around here. We heard about Bill Black's list in the paper. I am not sure the local public knows that no Senate Dems put out itemized lists.
I'm afraid to ask. Are there any Republicans who didn't vote for this budget?
ummmm,
I think you guys are missing a major part of the constitutional language.
http://www.ilga.gov/commission/lrb/con4.htm
It seems to me that none of the provisions Blago changed become law unless the GA votes on them again. The governor can reduce the funds for programs, but he cannot take the money and put it some place else unilaterally. If Jones won't call a vote, only the portions of the bill that were passed and not vetoed become law. None of the governor's recommendations are included in that unless they are returned to the GA, voted on and passed.
So, we're still at square one and Blago is still an a**.
The governor can reduce the funds for programs, but he cannot take the money and put it some place else unilaterally.
Well, that sounds exactly like what he says he is going to do, which is why the words "constitutional crisis" came up.
I don't think it rises to the level of constitutional crisis since it's really not a grey area. What the governor wants to do is contrary to the powers alloted to him and he's being a whiny little baby about it.
If anything, this demonstrates why we have checks and balances and how they are supposed to work.
I thought the same thing about Mayor Daley and Meigs Field!
I think, if Blago is thinking, that he thinks he can get away with it because Jones will let him do it. Madigan and the House can't do anything without the Senate, so checks and balances breaks down. Maybe I'm wrong, just thinking off the top of my head.
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j
Part-Time Pundit
"We heard about Bill Black's list in the paper. "
No doubt. $300k for a new stadium (or renovation?, can't recall) in Danville. Blech.
All of this would have been a moot point if Glen Poshard had won election 12 years ago.
"No doubt. $300k for a new stadium (or renovation?, can't recall) in Danville. Blech."
I didn't see that on Black's list. I saw money for Rantoul's library, money for a water system in Potomac, and $500,000 for a bridge in Danville. I saw nothing about a stadium.
Here's a list of Rep. Black's requests:
Take it for what it's worth, but there's no baseball stadium in there.
Also, Black voted against the budget, and there was some discussion about cutting out all the projects from members who voted against the budget.
"I didn't see that on Black's list."
I am really frustrated. I read this in the News-Gazette recently (within the last week?), but absolutely cannot find a reference to it online. I've tried the Gazette's poor search engine, the UFL archives, Google with a site restriction, Google News, etc. I did find a couple articles mentioning there being $300k in pork intended for the Danville Stadium in the budget, but it doesn't list any representative being attached to it. Those links are here and here.
I'll keep looking. I'm guessing it must have been in a column which they don't archive. Or I'm crazy!!
Ok. I got frustrated enough to dig through the recycling and I found it. It's in Kate Clements' column on 8/11/07, page A-3:
"A last-minute budget request from state Rep. Bill Black, R-Danville, would provide $300,000 to the Danville baseball stadium, a grant he said he forgot to include in the list of member initiatives he gave to The News-Gazette on Thursday. ... [Black said:] 'It's a beautiful old ballpark, the kind that you'll never see again, and the city just doesn't have the resources to keep it up. And so, I'll take responsibility for it, I'll defend it. I think it's a reasonable use of $300,000.'"
He forgot? A reasonable use of $300,000? Hardly. To me it seems like slipping in some extra major pork on his way out the door. I don't mean to suggest others on both sides of the aisle aren't doing it, but I really hate to see public funds going to support sports stadiums.
Now, can someone tell me why the heck the NG can't put their columns online???
"He forgot? A reasonable use of $300,000? Hardly. To me it seems like slipping in some extra major pork on his way out the door. I don't mean to suggest others on both sides of the aisle aren't doing it, but I really hate to see public funds going to support sports stadiums.
Now, can someone tell me why the heck the NG can't put their columns online???"
Good catch - I hadn't seen that.
FYI, if you have a Champaign or Urbana library card, you shouldn't have to dig through your recycling - the libraries archive complete copies of the NG online in searchable form.
I saw that also, Curious. Danville Stadium was on his list in the NG.
Anyway, it reinforces one of my tangential points in this thread - that the GOP gave up the moral high ground on this debate by demanding all this pork. Even Rep. Black, who voted against the budget, is open to attack if he criticizes Blago's veto. Blago can say, with - though it's hard to imagine - some credibility, that the Republicans care more about their projects than health care for kids and seniors.
It also reinforces that Clements' column should be glanced at, because once every six months it contains useful information in and amongst all the Rep. Jakobsson press releases.
That's why it was the first smart move by Blago, really. Even if the legislature can stop Blago around Emil Jones' apparent stonewalling (if that actually comes to pass), he can play it off in the press as the legislature defending pork over healthcare... Blago would win that fight with the only thing being his string of utterly stupid moves getting to this point may just have everyone tune out.
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j
Part-Time Pundit
As a commenter over at CapFaxBlog pointed out, if Blago had proposed in March what he announced yesterday, it would have flown out of the legislature, and this whole mess would have been avoided.
Which is why this ultimatley might not be a PR win. Many voters may simply blame Blago because he's been a boob for 4 months, even though he took away pork and used it "for good".
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j
Part-Time Pundit
"FYI, if you have a Champaign or Urbana library card, you shouldn't have to dig through your recycling - the libraries archive complete copies of the NG online in searchable form."
I did try the online search through the Urbana library, but it didn't come up. Perhaps it takes more than 3 days for articles to appear, or maybe columns aren't a part of the archive? If I get a chance, I'll retry the search in a few days.
"I did try the online search through the Urbana library, but it didn't come up. Perhaps it takes more than 3 days for articles to appear, or maybe columns aren't a part of the archive? If I get a chance, I'll retry the search in a few days."
Yes, it takes a few days. I wasn't sure how old the Clements column was. I'm just glad you're aware of it, because I wasn't for the longest time, and I think it's fantastic.
Well, technically speaking, I think it's Newsfile.com that does the online archiving, and CPL, UFL, and UI's library provide free access to it.
"Blago can say, with - though it's hard to imagine - some credibility, that the Republicans care more about their projects than health care for kids and seniors." Yes, he can. But he has greatly misstepped with this maneuver. The GOP can now counter with "No, we care more about the integrity of our constitutional process." They don't have to touch the healthcare issue at all. They can just keep plugging away at Rod being a spoiled bratty whiner.
"The GOP can now counter with "No, we care more about the integrity of our constitutional process.""
Unfortunatley, I don't think that message sells very well, either to the media or to the average voter. I think the average voter hears that and thinks "petty political squabbling."
Also, I don't think the GOP is capable of delivering such complex a message convincingly. They've been incapable of delivering any other message this year, after all.
This is not the first budget that republicans have received money though member initiatives so I don't understand why this budget would be different. The GOP should say that they fought for a budget that was paid for, unlike the crazy budgets that Blago and the Dem's were trying to pass.
I do think that the GOP has a message problem, part of their problem is really just bad planning.
Maybe, Lisa Madigan can run on both tickets.
Fiorellia La Guardia did that in New York and was elected to the Senate as both a Democrat and a Republican.
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Robert Dunn
Ex-Leftist, Born-Again Conservative American
Christine Rodagno was on WLS 890 this morning attacking Blago's actions!
Brady for Governor
How can you trust Lisa, when she says nothing about his travel expenses and not living at the Mansion for starts? Worse, think about Lisa and her Dad together, with authority. Talk about a loss of checks and balances. Oh My!!!
To that end, I am, and shall always remain;
Rex Bradfield
"How can you trust Lisa, when she says nothing about his travel expenses and not living at the Mansion for starts?"
I'm not advocating for Lisa Madigan, but there's nothing illegal or unconstitutional about the Governor's travel expenses or his not living in Springfield.
"Also, I don't think the GOP is capable of delivering such complex a message convincingly. They've been incapable of delivering any other message this year, after all.
Sad but so true.
To that end, I am, and shall always remain;"
Rex Bradfield
I am not going there, Gordy.
I remember the thread about that, and it came down to what does reside mean, etc. etc. and etc. But that still left the issue of improper expenses. Lets let that dog sleep.
To that end, I am, and shall always remain;
Rex Bradfield
"I remember the thread about that, and it came down to what does reside mean, etc. etc. and etc."
Well, there's no question in my mind, nor has there been any question in anybody else's mind when it came to previous governors (most prominently Thompson) who spent a lot of time in Chicago. There's nothing criminal about it. The phrasing is "required to maintain a residence" and it's clear that Blago is doing that. Alleging that he's doing something criminal isn't helpful, in my opinion.
"But that still left the issue of improper expenses. Lets let that dog sleep."
All due respect, I'm not going to let it sleep. There are lots of valid criticisms of this Governor. But nobody has alleged anything illegal about his travel expenses. There's been criticism of the appropriateness, but nobody has alleged anything illegal. And, again, alleging that he's done something criminal regarding travel when there are so many other valid criticisms isn't helpful, in my opinion.
Between Blago in the State House and Bush in the White House, the level of governing competence has to be at a historic low. Neither Congress or the General Assembly raises the level of that competence much. Our political system has always shown the tenacity to survive a lot of adversity, but I'm becoming truly concerned that our system has drifted so far off course that it can't be fixed without abandoning the values our Founding Fathers attempted to instill in it. Unless we can figure out a way to minimize the influence of money in political decision-making, I don't see a solution absent a sustained revolt by the voters against the present system. The kind of safe and comfortable lives most of us lead, make that an unlikely scenario as things stand now.
I hope I'm wrong.
Madigan can't really talk about Blago the way you want her to. If there is anything illegal, first and foremost, she has to shut up as the chief prosecutor of the state (see Nifong). If there is nothing illegal, as the chief prosecutor of the state, suggesting that there is would be pretty bad (see Nifong). Blago already doesn't trust her and tries to limit her role as much as possible citing anything she says as proof she won't zealously defend the interests of the state. She's caught in a sensitive job that really keeps her quiet on most of these things.
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j
Part-Time Pundit
I think Lisa Madigan is just waiting for the Feds to drop the hammer on "Wonder Boy", I can see this clown getting elected the first time but reelected ??? Give me a brake. I hope the voters of Illinois remember this summer when the next election comes around. Emil Jones, Rod Blagovigh, What a disgrace these two are! and that goes double for the ones that put them in power! AFSCME and the Teamsters should be proud of the money the poured into that campaign! The politicians get a raise and the rest of the State waits to get paid!!!
AFSCME gave Blago money the first time he ran not the second.
Long past Blago time. Doesn't anyone ever get enough of the baby Gov. sand box act?
Do any Illinois grownups have the PO BOX number to send contributions for the "suspend Blago" campaign?
There's a story on WAND about how Blago's trying to use the vetos to reward supporters and punish others. Really classy guy.
http://www.wandtv.com/global/story.asp?s=6979695