The Capitol Fax Blog » Madigan on the hot seat

Wednesday, Sep 19, 2007

* The Tribune has a pretty good summary…

The state Senate on Tuesday bypassed a long-term fix for Chicago area mass-transit systems, instead passing a plan for a massive public works program that would expand gambling and offer stop-gap funding for public transportation.

The move was the latest attempt by Senate President Emil Jones (D-Chicago) and Gov. Rod Blagojevich to pressure House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) to take up the same issues in his chamber by testing the resolve of rank-and-file House members who want money for local projects.

Madigan, who has cast doubt about a major gambling expansion, favors a mass-transit bill that would ease the cash crunch with a sales-tax increase. Jones’ allies had said as late as Friday that they would call a version of that legislation for a vote this week.

* What’s next?

Despite the Senate’s action, there are doubts by many that the proposal will ever advance in the House, which is controlled by Speaker Michael Madigan. Both Madigan and House Minority Leader Tom Cross, R-Oswego, have expressed reservations about the size of the gambling expansion, which would also allow the state’s existing casinos to add gaming positions.

Madigan spokesman Steve Brown said history shows that large-scale gambling expansions generally do not win legislative approval. When the House returns next month, Brown said the focus will be on a long-term solution to Chicago’s mass transit needs. […]

“This thing is dead on arrival. It was an exercise in futility,” said state Sen. William Delgado, D-Chicago, who voted “yes.”

* And…

The House could tweak the Senate’s plan to do a limited expansion of gaming, but that risks being shot down in the Senate again. As Hendon said, “I just hope the House doesn’t tweak so much ‘till it’s dead on arrival when it gets over here.”

* The pressure will be on Madigan now…

Sen. John Sullivan, D-Rushville, said the Senate vote may force Madigan to change his mind.

“If the bill is in his chamber, there will be a tremendous amount of pressure from his members and other constituents to ask him to call that for a vote,” Sullivan predicted.

Senate Minority Leader Frank Watson, R-Greenville, a major proponent of the capital program, said he was aware “there will be some problems in the House.”

“We know this isn’t the last bill we will see,” Watson said. “We want to send a message that capital is important.”

* This is a key point, which could help break the deadlock…

Senate Majority Leader Debbie Halvorson, D-Crete, said the proposal could spur negotiations with the House on millions of dollars in budget cuts Blagojevich made last month that have drawn the ire of many lawmakers.

* The lack of a real resolution on mass transit funding will also be part of the next step…

“I don’t know if this gets much farther,” said Madigan spokesman Steve Brown. “The darnedest thing . . . is it doesn’t deal with the RTA/ CTA problem in any way.”

Brown said the top House priority will be passing a sales tax increase in Cook County and the collar counties and a new real-estate transfer tax in the city to fund mass transit.

The Senate plan does not deal with the CTA’s looming pension crisis and requires the $200 million be repaid if the state sets up a reliable funding stream for transit.

* What’s in the capital plan?

Mass transit: $200 million loan to the RTA to stave off cuts until next June. RTA must pay it back with a funding source to be determined later.

Gambling: Puts a casino in Chicago and two more at locations to be determined later. Existing casinos get access to more slots, table games.

School funding: $259.7 million for general state aid and $1.9 billion in construction over three years, with the first $150 million going to 24 districts waiting since 2002.

Roads and bridges: $4.8 billion in construction spending over six years.

* The Senate roll call is here.

* Gov. Blagojevich’s remarks after the vote…

* More stories, compiled by Paul…

* Russ Stewart: Doomsday scenario for Gov. Blagojevich?

* Illinois Senate backs casino expansion

* Senate OKs casinos to end transit woes

* Chicago Public Radio: Senate votes for transit bailout and casinos

* Senate OKs package with three casinos

* Carol Marin: Casino plan isn’t worth the gamble

* Indiana casino’s watch Illinois moves with interest

* Editorial: School districts continue to be caught in the crossfire

* Editorial: Don’t treat government as a game

- posted by Rich Miller

21 Comments

- wndycty - Wednesday, Sep 19, 07 @ 9:33 am:
I don’t care who is right or wrong on this issue, its time for all 3 to grow up and put the people of Illinois first and come up with a solution. What we need to see is commitment to provide the funding. If the casino plan is defeated I want to see an alternative solution offered immediately.

If any of these three (Blago, Jones or Madigan) truly cares about Illinois they will put their OUTRAGEOUSLY LARGE EGO’s aside and start acting in the best interest of the people. Their petty and a extremely immature tactics are growing old.

- Ghost - Wednesday, Sep 19, 07 @ 9:35 am:
if the “pressure” of not calling it for vote was a real motivator, then Jones would be indicating hsi willingess to call the budget veto up for an override vote.

Jones backed out on his deal on the budget, I hope madigan does not reward him by giving Jones capital program priority. Jones bill is built on the backs of the poor who are drawn disportionaetly to gambling.

- Ghost - Wednesday, Sep 19, 07 @ 9:36 am:
*disproportionately

- wndycty - Wednesday, Sep 19, 07 @ 9:44 am:
Who cares if Madigan rewards Jones. Its not about Madigan rewarding Jones, its about what is best for the people. These petty little p*&sing matches are just disgusting. There are real people who will have real problems if this issues are not addressed and dealt with.

If any of these three TRULY CARED ABOUT THEIR LEGACIES, they would realize the real winner of these battles will be the one is who is willing to compromise and serve the people. As a Democrat who actually sees both the good and bad in all 3 I’m not going to take sides because there is plenty of blame to go around.

In this case the first person to give a little will be the winner, this stubborn game of one upping one another and payback is getting us no where.

- Fan of the Game - Wednesday, Sep 19, 07 @ 9:50 am:
Speaker Madigan may be feeling pressure, but I doubt that he has run out of moves. From a political standpoint, this process is fun to watch. From a governing standpoint, enough with the games. already!

- zatoichi - Wednesday, Sep 19, 07 @ 9:58 am:
Give all the loans and “pay day advances” you want, but somewhere, somehow, unless you have a new unlimited source, real cash has to come from somewhere. Either at the cost of projects getting cut/not funded or revenue increases through some form of taxes/closed loopholes/raised rates.

“The Senate plan does not deal with the CTA’s looming pension crisis and requires the $200 million be repaid IF the state sets up a reliable funding stream for transit.” I like that “if”. Can I get a loan like that?

From the Trib article: “..it takes individuals working together collectively, giving and taking,” Senate President Emil Jones (D-Chicago) said. OK, who is willing to make the first real attempt that is not posturing?

- Ghost - Wednesday, Sep 19, 07 @ 10:09 am:
wndycty, it would not be best for the people if Madigan encouraged Jones to back out of deals that provide funding for the handicapp, the sick, and dangerous bridges. Jones is not acting for the people either, if he was he would be supporting overriding the veto legislation. The cry of so and so is not serving the people is the cry of the niave. No Politician can serve the people if they lack the ability to get deals done. The “people” are the ones most hurt by gameing, which panders to the poor. Crime, bankruptcy, desperation, addicts, the people do not need more of this.

- wndycty - Wednesday, Sep 19, 07 @ 10:19 am:
Ghost, trust me I’m far from naive, but you and I both know this is not about anything more than egos. If gaming is not the answer let the House vote it down, but then come back with an alternative (my personal favorite is to pass an income tax increase). I understand the horse trading, I understand the backroom deals, etc. But I also understand that the state is facing a crisis and its the egos and stubborn immature behavior of all 3 that is causing the problem. I blame all 3, no one here is acting in the best interest of the state.

- Angry Chicagoan - Wednesday, Sep 19, 07 @ 10:28 am:
What an absolute disgrace.

Governor Ryan’s capital bill included $12 billion overall, half from the state, half from matching funds from the feds or elsewhere, evenly divided three ways between roads, transit and buildings, and bonded and paid for in the normal fashion.

This is a big chunk of blacktop — three times the state’s $1.6 billion share for roads under the Ryan Illinois FIRST program — and absolutely squat for schools and transit. And allegedly paid for with casinos.

Bring back the Republicans. I’ve had it with the Democrats. When Mike Madigan becomes the closest thing the Dems have to a paragon of good government, you know you have a problem.

- Legaleagle - Wednesday, Sep 19, 07 @ 11:06 am:
Three new casinos could not possibly open for several years. So what is the source of new money now? The state is broke and has no money in the bank. And why does the media regard funding critical infrastructure such as Chicago-area transit as a ‘bailout’? Are we also ‘bailing out’ schools, health care, national defense, etc. etc.?

- One Eyed Phelps - Wednesday, Sep 19, 07 @ 11:14 am:
Arrrgh, the capital bill includes $100 million to replace the Stratton Building. Walk the plank ye ugly monstrosity.

- GettingJonesed - Wednesday, Sep 19, 07 @ 11:40 am:
Wow the schools really got shafted in the end. They go from about 100 of gaming cash to less than 30%. I suspect they will want HotSeat Madigan to “reshuffle”
What was VandaliaFrank and the other IEA robots thinking when they went all in against the schools?

- A Citizen - Wednesday, Sep 19, 07 @ 12:32 pm:
The votes are not there in the House - the Senate, Jones, Watson, and gov plus the rest wasted a day of grandstanding antics leading nowhere. It is really way past time for serious actions that are feasible and constructive. Jones and gov still have failed to learn how to negotiate with Speaker Madagin. Get a clue boys.

- Captain America - Wednesday, Sep 19, 07 @ 1:28 pm:
I assume the Senate gambling expansion bill is doomed in the House. The $200 million loan for mass transit is totally ridiculous - it isn’t a solution at all, just a subterfuge to avoid a necessary and inevitable override of the promised Gubernatorial veto of the Hamos bill. The mass transit loan is terrible public/fiscal policy.

Madigan may call for an up or down vote on the Senate capital/gamimg bill simply to show that it doesn’t have the slightest chence of passing in the House with the required supermajority. Eventually, I expect Madigan to negotiate with Tom Cross on a minimalist version of the capital/gaming bill that could pass in the House, in return for Cross’s support for the Hamos mass transit bill.

Jones’failure to call the Senate version of the Hamos mass transit bill for a vote is another glaring example of his failed leadership. Senator Jones does not seem to have learned from his multiple mistakes in enabling gubernatorial intransigence. He’s hitched his future as the Senate President to the Governor’s falling political star.

I think Madigan will succeed in passing the mass transit hot potato back to the Senate,thereby calling the Jones/Blago bluff. Ultimately, I think Blago knows he is likely to lose on the veto override of the Hamos bill if that is the only viable option on the table - so he’s using the $200 million loan as a stalling tactic. Furthermore, the Goverrnor knows if he really does veto the Hamos bill, his political career will be jeopardized - that’s why he’s desperate to avoid the mass transit veto scenario.

- Levois - Wednesday, Sep 19, 07 @ 1:38 pm:
In the post yesterday about the Kadner editorial. There is a reason I left out Madigan. Madigan is trying to preserve his power and prestige but the governor and the senate president I would say aren’t being adult. I only include Jones in this because he seems to be going along with this.

- Poli-Sci Geek - Wednesday, Sep 19, 07 @ 2:09 pm:
It wasn’t Jones who didn’t call the CTA/RTA bill, it was Cullerton. He didn’t call it because da Mayor didn’t like the makeup of the board because it gave and advantage to the burbs. I think there are more Sen Dems in the burbs and than Sen Repubs.

- Garp - Wednesday, Sep 19, 07 @ 3:27 pm:
Carol Marin’s timeline details the Governor’s failure to govern about as well as it needs to be stated. It is an eye opening assessment of lack of leadership and should not be ignored. Our state really is in trouble.

- butt head - Wednesday, Sep 19, 07 @ 3:46 pm:
Rich in the fax today you mentioned that many of the Senate Dems who didn’t vote Yes for the gaming bill have ties to Madigan. I largely agree with your analysis, but Schoenberg probably shouldn’t be lumped in there. Sure he is a former House member but I don’t remember him every been one of Madigan’s guys.

- 47th Ward - Wednesday, Sep 19, 07 @ 4:52 pm:
Two words butt head: statewide aspirations.

- Huh? - Wednesday, Sep 19, 07 @ 5:32 pm:
I wrote a note to myself as I drove into work this morning. I heard a quote attributed to blago that this gambling/capital bill is needed to correct or fix years of negelected infrastructure.

My comment is now blago and his senate pet want a huge bond issues to be paid for by gambling and these are the guys who diverted untold millions from the road fund into the general revenue fund.

If they hadn’t diverted the money years ago, many more roads and bridges would have been improved.

FOr every $1 that is spent on a federally funded project, only $0.20 comes from the state. As a result of the diverions, the state lost billions of federal money road and bridge construction money.

- So Blue Democrat - Wednesday, Sep 19, 07 @ 7:29 pm:
This is a note to Senator John Sullivan. I reside in his district, and he better start paying more attention to the views of the people in his district, and not just serving as Jones’ lap dog.

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