CapitolFax.com - Latest Comments in More on the pay raise

Re: More on the pay raise

Anonymous ZZZ — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 16:42:40 -0000

Anonymous 3:18 - oops, guess my last post didn't really answer your question. I don't have a clue where he would cut. Maybe higher ed, governors and many GA members (except those with colleges/universities in their districts) always seem to look there to cut a big chunk of money.

Re: More on the pay raise

Anonymous ZZZ — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 16:39:48 -0000

Anonymous @ 3:18 - he said he would veto pork AND "other non-essential spending" - but he's being smart not to identify what that non-essential spending is, lest the groups/programs being whacked come out of the woodwork and start screaming.

Re: More on the pay raise

BLAH — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 16:22:02 -0000

Whoops - forgot to hit the stop icon.

Re: More on the pay raise

BLAH — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 16:20:53 -0000

"Pork" isn't exactly bad. Look in the budget Gov - these projects are paying for libraries, school construction projects, fire and police equipment, bridges etc.

Will the Chicago State funding be vetoed as well??

Emil is a joke to join with him. He has lost all credibility - if he even had any to begin with.

Re: More on the pay raise

BLAH — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 16:20:29 -0000

"Pork" isn't exactly bad. Look in the budget Gov - these projects are paying for libraries, school construction projects, fire and police equipment, bridges etc. Emil is a joke to join with him. He has lost all credibility - if he even had any to begin with.

Re: More on the pay raise

Anonymous — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 16:18:14 -0000

From what I understand, based on what was in the newspapers late last week, the member initiative/"pork" projects total only $200 to $250 million. That means that even if every single "pork" project is vetoed, $250 to $300 million still has to be cut elsewhere. Any guesses where that might come from?

Re: More on the pay raise

A Citizen — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 16:10:28 -0000

Emil may not "support" the idea of an override, but I can't see him surviving the incredible heat he will get to at least call the amendatory vetoed budget bill for a vote by the membership. I'm not sure he has a choice. Rich?

Re: More on the pay raise

Moderate Repub — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 16:05:43 -0000

Emil said in the press confrence he will NOT call for an override in the Senate. Emil, credibility, out the window.

Re: More on the pay raise

Cassandra — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 16:04:46 -0000

Rather clever, I'd say. Somebody in the back room at the guv's office is at least creative.

Re: More on the pay raise

A Citizen — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 16:02:16 -0000

Madagin will honor his agreement to override gov's amendatory vetoes. Guess we'll have to wait to see if Emil is an honorable man who will honor his agreements. Not inclined to hold my breath.

Re: More on the pay raise

Anonymous ZZZ — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 15:59:59 -0000

Well, from a PR, "save-face" standpoint, this was probably a smart decision by the Gov. What are people's thoughts on Madigan's next move? If he makes a motion to override the veto, then he becomes the bad guy who's holding up the budget (well, if he has a veto-proof majority, that is). On the other hand, I can't imagine him agreeing to this deal between Blago and Jones.

Re: More on the pay raise

Capitalist Pig — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 15:54:18 -0000

NO. He's going to take 500 mil to start the funding on some new programs he will pull out of his you-know-what. Then next year it will be the responsibility of the GA to fund the 300 or 400% increase in funding for these new programs AND Madigan will have to find a way to put his 500 mil in "pork" back in the funding somewhere. Hmmm, who's gonna pay for all this again?

Re: More on the pay raise

A Citizen — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 15:47:19 -0000

- Siyotanka -
So he redirects 500 million and we save 6 to 7 Billion? Seems he could have done that last Spring and saved a lot of embarrassment for himself. And Emil's gonna help save his bacon. Priceless, just priceless. Boy, I guess he showed us!

Re: More on the pay raise

Anonymundo — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 15:36:57 -0000

Perhaps he should use his "executive authority" to redirect some of that "pork" project money to pay for the school construction grant funding he botched last night when taking 59 and 23.5/24ths days to sign the bill.

Re: More on the pay raise

Cassandra — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 15:21:57 -0000

Steve--

Sincere maybe. But not competent. Meaning well doesn't equal performing well.

Re: More on the pay raise

It's Broken — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 15:10:18 -0000

NorthI80
But they didn't do anything, it was the Compensation review Committee's fault!
LOL

Re: More on the pay raise

Siyotanka — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 15:09:10 -0000

This just in...
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.

â€œWhile the Fiscal Year 2008 budget lawmakers passed last week includes a major boost in funding for education â€“ something we all, as Democratic leaders, have advocated for â€“ the budget leaves some important business unfinished," the governor said in a prepared statement.

"I will do what I can, through executive authority, to take care of some of the most pressing needs that were left out of the budget. The first step will be to expand eligibility for healthcare programs that are already in place so that half a million Illinoisans will finally have access to healthcare.

â€œAnd I will veto over $500 million in pork and other non-essential spending so this budget better reflects the priorities and needs of the people of Illinois.â€

Health care steps announced by the governor include:

*Providing breast and cervical cancer screening for Every uninsured woman in Illinois.

*Changing eligibility limits for the FamilyCare program to help more uninsured parents get access to health coverage at affordable rates.

The state also will make sure children in the All Kids program with pre-existing conditions have access to affordable health insurance up to age 21.

*Families struggling with health insurance premiums will be able to apply for yearly subsidies worth 20% of their annual premiums, up to $1,000.

The Governorâ€™s veto will be filed later this week.

Re: More on the pay raise

North of I-80 — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 14:54:05 -0000

Sure, they deserve 9.6% pay raise. They got their work done on time and I am sure some of them turned back in their per diem and extra expense checks for working 15 min per day most of the summer. Not only that but each of the state union contracts will start negotiations for next contract and we just set a nice precedent...9.6%.

Re: More on the pay raise

Anon1 — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 14:45:11 -0000

Any word on the Gov and the Senate President's 1:30 press conference discussing the budget?

Re: More on the pay raise

Too Late — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 14:39:15 -0000

Had the governor signed the bill when it was originally sent to him, schools could have gotten some much needed money. Now, it is only the Pols who benefit. Timing is everything.

Re: More on the pay raise

A Citizen — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 14:17:25 -0000

I am worried that the gov may have succumbed to chronic writers' cramp after last night's signing marathon - it may be two months before he recovers. Guess that will kill the electric rate relief deal, yet again costing ratepayers/taxpayers millions MORE. Not to mention that 1400 page complicated budget bill.

Re: More on the pay raise

steve schnorf — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 14:15:11 -0000

Anyone who doubts that the vast majority of members of the Illinois GA are good, sincere, competent people who earn their salaries just doesn't have a clue.

Re: More on the pay raise

Siyotanka — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 14:14:40 -0000

Rich:
What's the scoop on the 1:30 meeting/announcement by the Gov and Jones...???

Re: More on the pay raise

Looking for My Raise — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 14:11:36 -0000

Let's see if I understand this. Elected officials, agency heads, etc get big raise - check. Bargaining unit employees get yet another raise - check. MC employees get squat - check.

Re: More on the pay raise

Just Asking — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 13:36:23 -0000

So the Gov. broke a campaign promise to veto pay raises for elected officials. What next? Will he break his campaign promise to veto an income tax hike so that revenue will be available for schools and health care?