* As I already told you, the Illinois House is coming back next week to deal with a few issues, including a Lottery lease. Rep. Gary Hannig told one of his local papers that he expects the chamber will take up a capital projects spending bill as well as the Lottery lease revenue bill…
Hannig said he expects the House also will take up a spending bill that will detail what projects can be funded by the capital program. A capital bill passed by the Senate in May itemized some projects, but also included billions of dollars in spending to be determined later. Madigan and many other House Democrats say that is unacceptable because they do not trust Blagojevich to be fair in spreading projects throughout the state.
In addition, House members will be asked to approve a $300 million to $400 million “fund sweeps” bill that could help restore some of the $1.4 billion in cuts Blagojevich made to the state budget for the fiscal year that began July 1. The money would be taken out of restricted state funds and put into the state’s general checkbook account.
Hannig acknowledged that the trick will be deciding how any additional money should be spent. Rank-and-file members each have their own preferences, from restoring cuts to social programs to keeping parks and historic sites open to giving statewide officials cash they need to avoid layoffs and furloughs.
* More…
[Madigan spokesman Steve Brown] wouldn’t get into specifics of that plan but said it would need to safeguard education money and ensure capital projects that are funded actually get done, regardless of what other projects Blagojevich might favor.
Brown said they don’t want to leave room for any “intimidation” by Blagojevich.
Some of the holdup over a capital plan has been that some in the Madigan-controlled House don’t trust Blagojevich to fulfill capital projects without diverting money to his favorite causes and away from others to punish some lawmakers.
* The governor was ecstatic yesterday about the possibility of a capital bill being passed this month…
“That’s a good sign. And if [Speaker Madigan] actually passes it, and it’s real, and we start putting people to work, I may not just hug him. I may actually kiss him,” Blagojevich said.
“Having said that, I love women. I’m happily married. That would be a kiss because I want to put people to work. It would have nothing to do with anything else. And if he wants me not to kiss him, I’d be happy not to do that, too, so long as we put people to work and pass the jobs bill.”
No comment.
* Meanwhile, the Post-Dispatch takes a look at how the Lottery idea, germinated in Illinois, has spread to other states, but without success…
At least 10 states, including Texas, California, Florida and New York, have discussed the concept.
In each of those states, the idea has fallen flat among lawmakers.
Arturo Perez, fiscal analyst with the National Conference of State Legislators, says a prevailing concern among the states is the loss of control over an asset.
In addition, Perez said there are concerns private companies will be more beholden to investors than state taxpayers, meaning they will push the envelope on expansion.
“One question that is asked is whether you are going to see lottery kiosks everywhere you go,” Perez said.
* The SJ-R editorializes on the subject today…
We have three words for those making a decision on exchanging the lottery for cash: Proceed with caution. Make that four words: Proceed with extreme caution.
* Related…
* A Capital Plan Could Bring a Kiss
* Britt: Toon about Gov. Blagojevich and ethics legislation