Cairo Association of Teachers - Newsletter

CAT Tracks for November 30, 2007 EDUCATION BILL VETO?

Blagojevich hints at veto of school funding measure

By Kurt Erickson
LEE CAPITOL BUREAU

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Gov. Rod Blagojevich may be setting up another potentially ugly showdown with state lawmakers.

This time, it's about state spending on schools.

The governor hinted this week that he may take his veto pen to budget legislation sent to him by the Legislature more than four weeks ago.

"We're looking at that bill. I think there could be a way to actually put more money into education," Blagojevich said.

The governor's move could set up a new battleground in a year that has seen him warring with legislative leaders over everything from health care spending to what time of the day they begin meeting.

House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, criticized the governor's threat.

"More politics of conflict and confrontation," Madigan said Thursday.

The legislation gives the state the authority to give school districts about $400 extra for each student. School districts usually know they'll get the added money during the summer months, but bitter fighting in the Capitol has kept that from happening.

If the governor does make changes to the budget bill, the Legislature could attempt to override his wishes. If the House and the Senate can't agree on the changes, it could leave the state without a legal way to distribute the money.

The newest dispute to hit Springfield came on a day when Blagojevich had wanted lawmakers to continue working on a statewide construction plan and a bailout of Chicago-area transit systems. No agreements were reached.