http://capitolfaxcom.disqus.com/NoneenWed, 15 Aug 2007 08:39:02 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2007/08/14/checkmate-on-madigan/#comment-18115769<p>Power can be obtained through the ability to lead, ability to plan, motivate, create, and inspire to excellence. Then of course there is the leader who initially lies about his real motives to become elected, connives, subverts, plays the get-even game, and pits one against the other. This is not who we are, but the perception is that we have sunk to the bottom in Illinois politics. I personally think we still have a way to go and the governor is piling on weights in a race to the bottom. Unfortunately we are busy living our lives, looking the other way, and not one single sign of protest on the Capitol lawn. He needs to go! So where do we meet with our signs?</p>JusticeWed, 15 Aug 2007 08:39:02 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2007/08/14/checkmate-on-madigan/#comment-18115768<p>As the Governor has stated, these healthcare expansion initiatives apply to programs already in place, although the proposed premium assistance initiative is significantly different than what's currently done with the HFS Rebate program.</p><p>All expansions will require administrative rule changes to implement, and it's not likely that any of the new rules can be filed as emergency rules, since no budgetary or programatic emergency exists. The Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR)who will approve or deny these rules is comprised of 3 members from each legislative caucus, so the Senate Dems have only 3 out of 12 members. It takes 8 votes to reject administrative rules, so the JCAR can absolutely stop these expansions with 6 Republican votes and 3 House Dem votes. However, can stop and will stop are two different concepts. One thing is for certain, it's certainly not boring with this Administration.</p>Budget WatcherWed, 15 Aug 2007 08:17:39 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2007/08/14/checkmate-on-madigan/#comment-18115767<p>It's early. Perhaps I should have said that the Sun Times hopes this is a ploy to get folks back to the negotiating table.</p>NorsemanWed, 15 Aug 2007 07:02:01 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2007/08/14/checkmate-on-madigan/#comment-18115766<p>The Sun Times opines the Governor's action is a ploy to get the leaders back to the negotiating table. Unfortunately, it's hard to be optimistic about a negotiation where 2 of the 5 negotiators have a proven track record of breaking their promises.</p><p>We'll see if this enhanced level of mistrust will lead to an agreed solution for a capital bill and a bailout for the CTA/RTA.</p><p>I'm not betting the farm on it!</p>NorsemanWed, 15 Aug 2007 06:59:34 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2007/08/14/checkmate-on-madigan/#comment-18115765<p>I highly doubt that Blago and Jones have OUtsmarted either Madigan. But time will tell. These guys are friggin crazy and need to be stopped. I hope the GOP is taking notes, gaining momentum and remembering who tucked tail and ran!</p>WumpusWed, 15 Aug 2007 05:26:52 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2007/08/14/checkmate-on-madigan/#comment-18115764<p>Bill is on vacation.</p>Rich MillerWed, 15 Aug 2007 04:36:36 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2007/08/14/checkmate-on-madigan/#comment-18115763<p>I believe that the gov is going for a combo of (d) and (e) from the constitution listed below (originally from Rich's post). 1. He's line-iteming the "pork". 2. He's making "specific recommendations". He's using the line-item and then forcing the originating body, the House in this instance to vote on his recommendations. It's on the House now to figure this out--while they can likely trump his move, it means a vote against health care. All the while, Emil (and the Senate) gets to sit back and stay out of the direct line of fire (at least when it plays out initially) of this move. While we geeks have watched this all transpire for months, many will just be tuning in to see Blago take his mighty stand on healthcare and only see it play out from here.</p><p>From this geek's perspective, I'm saddened that I have to be vehemently opposed to a healthcare increase, but I am because I understand that is not the subject at hand in this little play.</p><p>(d) The Governor may reduce or veto any item of appropriations in a bill presented to him. Portions of a bill not reduced or vetoed shall become law. An item vetoed shall be returned to the house in which it originated and may become law in the same manner as a vetoed bill. An item reduced in amount shall be returned to the house in which it originated and may be restored to its original amount in the same manner as a vetoed bill except that the required record vote shall be a majority of the members elected to each house. If a reduced item is not so restored, it shall become law in the reduced amount.</p><p>(e) The Governor may return a bill together with specific recommendations for change to the house in which it originated. The bill shall be considered in the same manner as a vetoed bill but the specific recommendations may be accepted by a record vote of a majority of the members elected to each house. Such bill shall be presented again to the Governor and if he certifies that such acceptance conforms to his specific recommendations, the bill shall become law. If he does not so certify, he shall return it as a vetoed bill to the house in which it originated.</p>ritabWed, 15 Aug 2007 03:36:10 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2007/08/14/checkmate-on-madigan/#comment-18115762<p>"Give Me A Break - Tuesday, Aug 14, 07 @ 5:32 pm:</p><p>So let me get this correct. All the gov’s enemies say the “pork” the House had in the budget was “good pork”. Providing heath care to a family who does not have it is “bad pork”. You people are beyond belief.</p><p>I don’t doubt that some of the House members projects do good things, but I wonder if any of those blasting health care for families have ever gone without health care?</p><p>Let the House members defend each and everyone of their projects. I suspect more than a few won’t look forward to their pet projects being debated on the chamber floor. The spotlight might get a little too bright for them."</p><p>TO "Give Me A Break":</p><p>It's not about healthcare for all being looked at badly. It's because the Governor has promised so many things with state money that never come to fruition. $500 to each college sophomore; money for schools (sent a check to one school - it bounced!); huge sums to All Kids before it is determined that any medical services will accept it; money for infrastructure and our roads and bridges are a mess; funding pensions plans fully, then turning tail and robbing them instead; and on and on.</p><p>The man cannot keep his word and no one trusts him. And all the a--kissing in the world will not change that fact.</p>DisgustedWed, 15 Aug 2007 00:02:15 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2007/08/14/checkmate-on-madigan/#comment-18115761<p>This mess will work itself out, soon. The governor does not have many trump cards to play. He is threatening the state constitution for his own political end-game. He is staring down Federal indictments for hiring practices and doing his all to delay that end. <br>The Gov has virtually one friend on the hill that plays both sides of the fence, and his staff is too weak to tell him otherwise. <br>This entire situation reminds me of not only a Shakespeare play called "Macbeth" but also of a Greek tragedy involving a character named Oedipus sans the whole eye and mother thing and replaced by a hair and illigitmate child thing.</p>GeorgeTue, 14 Aug 2007 23:55:29 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2007/08/14/checkmate-on-madigan/#comment-18115760<p>Wonder when the Budget Bill w/ veto notations will make it back to the G.A.? After the dust settles or a few minutes before midnight almost 60 days out?</p>A CitizenTue, 14 Aug 2007 23:51:27 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2007/08/14/checkmate-on-madigan/#comment-18115759<p>This is not a battle of health care vs. pork, even though that's a nice sound bite.</p><p>The pork is not pork to the people who live in the 118 House Districts and 21 (or is it 22?) Senate Districts that will see projects cut.</p><p>And, I'm a big supporter of universal, single payer health coverage, and any other expansion of health care coverage. But this is not the right approach; and it harms any long term prospects for real reforms.</p><p>This is the same Governor who screwed up on prescription drug price relief; his program ended up costing more than it saved the individuals. This nutty plan looks like it's heading in the same direction. Moreover, if the Governor implements this plan as a direct slap to the GA, why would the fund it next year or the year after?</p><p>I'm not surprised the Campaign for Better Health Care supports this. Those guys have hindered the movement for universal health care coverage at least as much as they help it.</p>the Other AnonymousTue, 14 Aug 2007 23:45:01 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2007/08/14/checkmate-on-madigan/#comment-18115758<p>WWDMD?</p><p>What would Dean Martin Do? That's an excellent philosophy to live by. I'm off to have a nightcap.</p>It's BrokenTue, 14 Aug 2007 23:41:36 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2007/08/14/checkmate-on-madigan/#comment-18115757<p>I think Bill has left the darkside, gone through rehab, gotten off the magic mushrooms and is working with Madagin, Cross and Watson. Welcome aboard Bill.</p>A CitizenTue, 14 Aug 2007 23:37:43 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2007/08/14/checkmate-on-madigan/#comment-18115756<p>"Concerned Voter" - If you are really Bill, just say, "The Chicken is in the Pot"....</p>HoldingontomywalletTue, 14 Aug 2007 23:26:01 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2007/08/14/checkmate-on-madigan/#comment-18115755<p>The gov didn't throw anyone under the bus, the state can't afford a bus, he threw them under the landing gear of his plane back to Chicago.</p>Concerned VoterTue, 14 Aug 2007 23:13:12 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2007/08/14/checkmate-on-madigan/#comment-18115754<p>Kudos to Might be, could be (9:21)...You've probably nailed it.</p>Korn FedTue, 14 Aug 2007 23:12:45 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2007/08/14/checkmate-on-madigan/#comment-18115753<p>Budget Watcher,</p><p>Don't disregard the possibility that the Gov sprung this on HFS in the same way that he's been governing by press release all along. The HFS people I know are pretty straight shooters, so I doubt they'd have lied outright this AM if they knew when they testified.</p>Chicago CynicTue, 14 Aug 2007 23:06:36 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2007/08/14/checkmate-on-madigan/#comment-18115752<p>DM: Da Mare?</p>wild stabTue, 14 Aug 2007 23:05:38 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2007/08/14/checkmate-on-madigan/#comment-18115751<p>Seriously, what happened to Bill? Did the Gov throw him under the bus with everyone else? I miss his misguided comments and the way he was able to push everyone's buttons.....</p>HoldingontomywalletTue, 14 Aug 2007 23:03:32 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2007/08/14/checkmate-on-madigan/#comment-18115750<p>Thank you comrade Blago for our healthcare.</p><p>Seriously, do I smell more of a reason to push for recall powers and a constitutional convention? Oh wait we don't need a constition, Blago can do whatever he wants.</p>Concerned VoterTue, 14 Aug 2007 23:00:47 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2007/08/14/checkmate-on-madigan/#comment-18115749<p>What does "WWDMD" mean? I assume it means "what would (someone with the initials DM) do" but for some reason I can't think of who that would be. I'll probably slap myself in the head V-8 style when I find out, it will be so obvious.</p>LainerTue, 14 Aug 2007 22:56:57 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2007/08/14/checkmate-on-madigan/#comment-18115748<p>Madagin's got gov on the hook and is letting him play out the line. Ooooh! This won't be pretty. MM doesn't play catch and release - he guts em out and fries em up.</p>A CitizenTue, 14 Aug 2007 22:45:06 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2007/08/14/checkmate-on-madigan/#comment-18115747<p>"Reverse Field" - I actually like your analysis, but you didn't factor in that the Governor and more importantly, the people around him are not very bright. This is a disaster. To quote a guy named Emil, "Case Closed...."</p>HoldingontomywalletTue, 14 Aug 2007 22:41:44 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2007/08/14/checkmate-on-madigan/#comment-18115746<p>The sad thing to me is that if the Guv had come out with this as a plan in March- increase breast cancer screening, expand CHIP, and other tinkering with the health care system as steps toward a more "universal" system- and with a price tag of only $500 million- he would have had it approved very easily, I think. Instead we had lots of bluster about Armageddon and being on the side of the Lord, etc., demonizing any opponents of his poorly defined, multi-billion dollar scheme. This whole ordeal has been embarrassing, but it is not even remotely amusing. It's just sad, sad, sad.</p>DuPage DaveTue, 14 Aug 2007 22:40:12 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2007/08/14/checkmate-on-madigan/#comment-18115745<p>what its coming down to is rank and file members' project vs the WAY the gov. is going about to get health care...(not health care itself). this method of "my way or the highway" by the gov. casts a larger cloud then the the "pork" of members. In addittion. looking at the list of JCAR members that may even be sympathetic, its gonna be hard to swollow supporting $500 million dollar plan in this manner.</p>WWDMDTue, 14 Aug 2007 22:36:41 -0000