CapitolFax.com - Latest Comments in This just in…

Re: This just in…

A Citizen — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 00:04:19 -0000

I guess it's like with the Teachers Union - No matter how much money you give Blago or the Teachers Union it's Not Enough to obtain favorable results. But will they respect the givers in the morning? Nope, they don't respect them now.

Re: This just in…

Holdingontomywallet — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 23:51:08 -0000

Hey, all of the interest groups including the Teacher's union, you get what you paid for. You backed, Blago, gave him tons of money, don't complain. Ugggghhhhh.....

Re: This just in…

A Citizen — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 22:46:19 -0000

- Little Egypt -
Uh oh. Add prevarication to the pro ed-funders arsenal. Good research LE. If the truth doesn't get you where you want then invent something that supports you. Pitiful and dishonest - AND this lie probably if not certainly came from someone responsible for educating our CHILDREN! What other lies are they passing along as truth? Time for a revolution and overhaul of the broken education system - starting with the administration from the state level on down to the elementary schools. Too much in resources and treasure is consumed by the elitist overhead with which we are saddled. Far too little reaches the classroom.

Re: This just in…

Our leaders behind the scenes! — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 22:39:51 -0000

AN OPEN LETTER TO CONGRESSMAN LUIS GUTIERREZ

Dear Congressman Gutierrez, (Luis)

Weâ€™ll get to the point quickly â€“ please donâ€™t retire from Congress just yet, thereâ€™s work still to do.

Retirement canâ€™t be easy and we know this probably wonâ€™t make it any easier, but then again easy has never been your style. Youâ€™re a fighter, Luis, itâ€™s what youâ€™ve done, itâ€™s who you are. Whether it was standing with the late Mayor Harold Washington to help bring Chicago out of the stalemate of the Council Wars, or fighting to naturalize hundreds of thousands of U.S. citizens, or standing up for the people of Vieques youâ€™re a fighter. And today, the people you fight for, those who often canâ€™t make their voices heard on their own,
need you to stay in the fight and bring home a victory -- and bring home the hope of the American Dream.

As youâ€™ve learned while in the struggle to help pass comprehensive immigration reform in Congress, this isnâ€™t just about Illinoisâ€™ 4th Congressional District. In fact, any and all of the leaders who have expressed interest in succeeding you in Congress would represent your district well. But the work that lies ahead requires your brand of leadership and passion.

The people of our great country need you to fight for them; the people of the 4th Congressional District need you to fight for them, here at home, in the halls of Congress and in communities across the country.

And since fights like these are never fought alone,
weâ€™re here to lend our voice, our help and our support. But we need you to stay. We need you to fight. We need you, Luis, in Congress.

Respectfully,

The Honorable Commissioner Joe Berrios, 31st Ward Democratic Organization
The Honorable State Representative Maria Antonia 'Toni' Berrios
The Honorable State Representative Dan Burke, 23rd District
The Honorable Alderman Edward Burke, 14th Ward â€“ City of Chicago
The Honorable
Alderman Tony Figueroa, Waukegan City Council
The Honorable Alderman Billy Ocasio, 26th Ward â€“ City of Chicago
The Honorable Alderman Richard Mell, 32nd Ward â€“ City of Chicago
The Honorable Alderman Ricardo Munoz, 22nd Ward â€“ City of Chicago
The Honorable Alderman Ariel Reboyras, 30th Ward â€“ City of Chicago
The Honorable Alderman Danny Solis, 25th Ward â€“ City of Chicago
The Honorable Alderman Ray Suarez,
31st Ward â€“ City of Chicago
Elvira Arrellano, President â€“ Familia Latina Unida
Freddy Calixto, Executive Director - BUILD
Ruben Castellan, Executive Director â€“ Gads Hill Center
Omar Duque, President & CEO â€“ Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Judy Fried, Executive Director â€“ NICASA
Empe Guerra, Program Director â€“ NICASA
Rory Guerra, Director â€“ The Saints of Humboldt
Park
Joshua Hoyt, Executive Director â€“ Illinois Coalition of Immigrant & Refugee Rights
Marco Jacome, Executive Director â€“ HAS
Emma Lozano, President â€“ Pueblo Sin Fronteras
Eliud Medina, Executive Director â€“ Near Northwest Neighborhood Network
Stewart Munoz, President â€“ Cuban American Chamber of Commerce
Maria Ploch, Executive Director â€“ Latinos En Accion
Anita Rico, Director â€“ Zocalo Urbano
Juan Salgado, Executive Director â€“ Instituto del Progreso Latino
Mary Santana, Executive Director â€“ The Miracle Center
Gina Zuniga-Baldwin, Executive Director â€“ Youth Service Project

Click Here to unsubscribe: http://ihccbusiness.net/con...

Re: This just in…

Little Egypt — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 22:32:13 -0000

Lincoln - the following website, dated 5/07, lists the bottom 5 states in educational spending and we are not one of them. http://www.reuters.com/arti...

Re: This just in…

A Citizen — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 22:11:02 -0000

- an idea... -
Not bad, but I would suggest that the extension be at 90% just to add a bit of motivation. These guys need a cattle prod sometimes just to see if they are alive.

Re: This just in…

an idea... — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 22:02:53 -0000

Because of the budget fiasco that has been created this year, I would like to suggest an idea for a new bill/law that would make sure there would be a budget in place where we don't have to worry about all this overtime, services not being met, possible government shutdown, etc. It would read something like this: In the event that a budget has not been passed and put into place by the end of the regular legislative session, the previous fiscal budget would then automatically become the new fiscal budget and all departments and programs would continue... The only thing is I'm not sure if this could be done legislatively or if it would need to be done constitutionally.

Re: This just in…

A Citizen — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 21:52:40 -0000

Oh and on the Pension issue you raise - STOP the fraud of artificially increasing salaries in the last few years to grossly inflate pensions and maybe some folks will take you seriously. That practice should be indictable and should be prosecuted, it is just plain theft of the taxpayers money. And you want more and won't admit it is wrong and pure greed? Give me a break, buddy.

Re: This just in…

Team Sleep — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 21:44:38 -0000

The IFT and IEA will not like anything the GA will pass this year. God forbid! We need to start scrutinizing education spending before we continue sinking boatloads of cash and put a "band-aid" on the "boo-boo". And we as a state cannot continue to come up with yearly budget schemes and rabbits in a collective hat.

Re: This just in…

A Citizen — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 21:42:03 -0000

Yes, you should hear "Spend It Wisely" and that means cut outrageous administrator salaries in excess of $150,000 before you cut into your little pity party list. Principals and Sups and the myriad assistants are not WORTH those salaries - Cut the FAT, you'll find all the money you need there.

Re: This just in…

Lincoln — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 21:28:16 -0000

It's not greed or some utopia. Have you read any of the information on what it takes to educate children? Illinois state spending on education ranks last in the nation. Even the independent EFAB panel found we are spending $1,200 less per student than we should be and that doesn't even include special ed or any other categoricals.

Why is the response always, "spend it wisely." Yes there are the few bad apple schools that get bad press, but go to most schools, they are making their dollars go very far even when it includes cutting extra curricular activities, music, last period, etc.

Re: This just in…

A Citizen — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 21:10:16 -0000

I guess I'm just not that Greedy. I think the budget proposal/agreement they've worked out is what I hoped my elected officials would accomplish. I don't believe the electorate wants your vision of Utopia. Sorry, but ed IS getting a very sizable increase. Spend it wisely, please. Thanks

Re: This just in…

Lincoln — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 20:59:51 -0000

OH - and I didn't even mention the pension mess they have been skirting.

Re: This just in…

Lincoln — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 20:58:41 -0000

A Citizen
How many times are we going to "wait til next year?" It's time we DEMANDED our elected officials do something real for schools, not the band aids they have been giving that don't even keep up with inflation.

Why shouldn't we demand EFAB funding, special ed funding and transit funding. If we want a great state we have to pay for it. We have the second largest transit system in the nation, that hundreds of thousands rely on every day, yet we can't even give it a paltry $100 million.

They are afraid to raise taxes because they are afraid of the opposition in the next election...well you know that's not what they are elected and paid to do...they were elected and paid to do what's needed to keep our state great.

Re: This just in…

Anonymous — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 20:46:57 -0000

The AFSCME letter was not the letter sent to state workers. This letter came directly from the Governor.
What an insult that he now thinks he can be the champion of the state worker. Like I said before he needs to grow up.

Re: This just in…

A Citizen — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 20:35:29 -0000

It's time for a budget, Vote Yes and like the cubs "Wait til Next Year". Your battle was lost 5/31. There's more to this state than educators' self interest. You're getting an increase, most others are not. Sounds a bit greedy to me!

Re: This just in…

SouthernILRepub — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 20:17:21 -0000

IEA sent out an action notice opposing the state budget...

IEA Opposes the â€œNo-Solutionâ€ Budget
On August 8, 2007, a proposed state budget for FY 2008 was unveiled, calling for $568 million in additional money for education.

Some of the details of this proposed budget:
$308.8 million to increase the foundation level by $400 to $5,734.

$185.5 million to fully fund mandated categoricals.

A two percent increase for Illinoisâ€™ public colleges and universities.

$10 million for a block grant program for private schools.
After analyzing this proposal, IEA Government Relations and governance have determined that the organization must oppose this â€œno-solutionâ€ budget.

It is imperative that you and all your colleagues, friends and neighbors immediately contact every member of the Illinois House and Senate and urge them to reject this budget plan.

Talking points
This budget uses one-time money to fund education. Education needs and deserves a permanenent, predictable and sustainable revenue stream. No more year-to-year Band-aid budgets!

This budget does little to address the inequities in the Illinois school funding system.

This budget diverts money from public schools to private schools. Public dollars are for public schools.
If this budget can be stopped, we will be well-positioned, in the days and, if necessary, weeks to come, to push for a modest increase in the state income tax to fund education.

This is a crucial time. Contact your Illinois State Representative and Senator immediately.

Tell your legislator, whether you are represented by a Republican or a Democrat, that you expect them to vote â€œNOâ€ on this â€œno solutionâ€ budget and that you want them to support an income tax increase for education.

We will keep you informed of any significant developments as they occur.

Re: This just in…

Might Be. Could Be. It is! — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 20:06:29 -0000

A task force to study "health care for all" could be the only fig leaf the gov gets.

That, and he takes credit for getting a capital bill so he can travel round the state and cut ribbons.

Re: This just in…

A Citizen — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 19:27:05 -0000

- Little Egypt -
Come to think about it, I think similar favorable conditions exist on the State Fair Parade Route!

Re: This just in…

A Citizen — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 19:24:25 -0000

- Little Egypt -
It is my understanding that the air currents and gravitational forces are much more advantageous at numerous locations throughout Washington Park and the route from there to the Mansion. I am sure a few well placed "throwers" with a bushel or so each could have a reasonable contest via this age old and accepted form of political protest. Also might improve his running time for the route.

Re: This just in…

Little Egypt — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 19:09:18 -0000

RSE - I'll take that bet with you. Blago technically has 60 days to act on a bill. Let's see what dog & pony show he comes up with now. I'm thinking if he gets the budget tomorrow, he just might want to go ahead and sign it before showing up for the State Fair Parade. Home grown tomatoes are definitely in their prime ripe season right now.

Re: This just in…

Retired State Employee — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 19:04:38 -0000

According to the 6p news, there is a budget that the leaders have agreed upon. Could be voted on tomorrow. We'll see. My bet is the gov isn't going to like it.

Re: This just in…

Little Egypt — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 18:47:39 -0000

What I'm going to say hasn't been said before about missed paychecks and Rich, I'm sorry if you interpret this as feeding the fire of panic.

There are a lot of people today who live from paycheck to paycheck and even then, that's stretching it a bit. Even though it is illegal to write checks knowing you have no money in the bank to cover them, in my younger and leaner years I did it. I would make out my bills the day before being paid, drop them in the mail the morning of and pray nothing came up to cause my check to be delayed. I'm sure this is a common practice still today, although I find it no longer necessary. There are people whom I'm sure are used to doing this who now cannot because those who were supposed to get a check this week are in the dark as to when it will be received.

Now add onto that the common practice today of our credit card companies penalizing us if we are a day late with a payment. Our lateness is reported to the credit bureaus and other credit card companies can check our history and arbitrarily raise our interest rates. Plus our insurance companies now look at credit reports and can charge according to what kind of financial risk they feel they have.

These late paychecks have far-reaching repercussions for some, not all, employees. My sympathy is with those people because Blago is clueless as to what chaos he has created. Oh sure, they can go to a bank and get a no interest loan but will it be an "immediate" loan? Will they walk out 30 minutes later with cash in hand or will they have to wait another day or so?

I really don't think Blago understands how the quickest way to lose votes and alienate people is to mess with their hard-earned money.

Re: This just in…

Retired State Employee — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 18:34:17 -0000

The letter AFSCME sent the gov and comptroller is here: http://afscme31.org/article...

Re: This just in…

Anonymous — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 18:17:32 -0000

The Governors office sent a letter to Hynes stating he would be breaking the law if the checks were not issued to state workers. This letter was also sent to all state directors to be e-mailed to all state workers.
This can't help his case with the democrats. What a disgusting PR move.Does he actually think the state workers are to dumb to see the pandering.
Message to the gov. Stop it. This childish behavior is below the office of Governor.