* I told subscribers about this situation yesterday. The General Assembly hasn’t yet sent the governor the four appropriations bills which make up the state the budget. Three are Senate bills, one is a House bill…
…the General Assembly approved a state budget ten days ago that calls for spending at least $2 billion more than it raises in revenue. Governor Blagojevich is hinting veto, but he can’t do that until the House and Senate send him the official, “enrolled and embossed” copies of the legislation. Sources say the State Senate may delay until the last possible moment on June 30th, because Senate President Emil Jones is trying to talk the governor out of a veto.
Emphasis was added to make a point. The chamber where the bill originates controls when it transmits the bill to the governor. They have 30 days to do this, and this time it’s not just Speaker Madigan holding up the show. It’s Jones.
* As I’ve been saying for weeks, a big reason the Senate doesn’t want to come back for an overtime session is that it will activate the legislative pay raises…
One reason for this is it could cost legislators a $4,700 pay raise.
“The fact that the pay raise for the elected officials is kind of holding up the train is really sad,” says Jay Stewart, executive director of the Better Government Association. “It shows you how petty and parochial sometimes the members can be.” […]
Under the quirky rules the General Assembly created for raising its own pay, those raises immediately take effect as soon as the State Senate convenes three more times. That is, unless the senate votes to reject the raises. The Illinois House did. That puts State Senate leaders on a hot seat they want to avoid until after the November election.
* Another factor might be the impact on state employee pay checks, but last year a judge allowed state workers to be paid without a passed budget. Still, Flannery reports…
In fact, sources report, House Speaker Michael Madigan believes that payroll pressure and the threat of shutting down vital state services will ultimately force all sides to resolve their differences.
Could be.
* Meanwhile, a Chicago media outlet finally notes that Mayor Daley did not support the gaming proposal, which is one of the major funding sources for the capital plan. Except they buried it at the bottom of the piece…
The mayor said anyone who thinks he spoiled a potential deal to increase school funding is “greatly mistaken.” A proposal that would have expanded gaming to raise funds passed a state legislative committee, but it did not win final approval.
Daley said that idea was put forward too late.
“Last-minute proposals are always unacceptable,” he said. “There should be at least a discussion beforehand.” [emphasis added]
Why the Chicago media hasn’t taken more notice of this is beyond me.
* Budget bills and related stories…
* HB 5701
* SB 1102
* SB 1115
* SB 1129
* SB 773 (BIMP)
* Budget Has Yet to Reach Blagojevich’s Desk
* Chicago Public Radio: Illinois may not have enough money in its unemployment reserves for a lengthy recession. That’s according to a study by the National Employment Law Project advocacy group.
* 30,000 city students to rally at Soldier Field for more state funding - Mayor Richard Daley, several music stars expected to attend
* Editorial: Blagojevich pledges to actually work
* SUI’s Poshard and lawmakers renew call for capital bill
* Poshard, other leaders gather in Carbondale to push state program
* Blagojevich signs bill giving IDOT $20 million in additional funding