Cairo Association of Teachers - Newsletter

CAT Tracks for August 16, 2007 ONE BIG, UNHAPPY FAMILY

From the Belleville News-Democrat...

Divisions leave some Democrats defiant, others apologetic

By CHRISTOPHER WILLS
Associated Press Writer

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- Many Illinois Democrats on Wednesday lamented the bitter divisions plaguing their party and contributing to a government crisis, while Gov. Rod Blagojevich defended his latest maneuver in the dispute.

On a day usually devoted to party unity - "Gov.'s Day" at the State Fair - the state comptroller, treasurer and lieutenant governor all condemned the Democratic bickering that has left Illinois without a budget for two weeks.

The attorney general scolded the governor for not helping people struggling to pay electricity bills. The House speaker accused the governor of unconstitutional actions, and was in turn accused of betraying fellow Democrats.

"It's embarrassing. It's not the way people envision their leaders acting," Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias said after a Democratic rally at the State Fair. "I think the public is getting sick and tired of this."

But Blagojevich said he doesn't owe the public an apology as he pushes to expand government health programs.

"I would apologize if I wasn't prepared to fight for them. I would apologize if the going got tough and all of a sudden we cut and ran," he said.

His latest tactic is a threat to increase health spending by $500 million without legislative permission. Lawmakers sent him a budget without the new health programs he wants, but Blagojevich says he can spend the money anyway.

Blagojevich also says he will use his veto powers to cut $500 million in wasteful spending from the budget. But he would not give a single example of what he hopes to cut, and he would not rule out sparing projects supported by Senate President Emil Jones, an ally, while slashing all other legislative projects.

"Stay tuned. You'll see in a couple of days," he said.

Democrats control the governor's mansion, every statewide office and both chambers of the General Assembly, but they've been unable to agree on how to increase state revenues or how to use the money.

As a result, there was no new budget to replace the old one when it expired July 31. A court order is keeping government paychecks flowing this month, but the impasse is blocking payments to schools, Medicaid providers and companies doing business with the state.

Attendance at the State Fair's "Gov.'s Day" - traditionally when the party in power celebrates and whips up enthusiasm for the next election - was sparse Wednesday, and there were signs of disarray.

Comptroller Daniel Hynes didn't even show up.

"We let you down, and there is no excuse for that," he told hundreds of Democratic loyalists earlier in the day. "I don't feel there is a lot to celebrate today."

Attorney General Lisa Madigan also skipped the State Fair rally. At the earlier Democratic breakfast, she scolded Blagojevich for not signing legislation offering consumers relief from electricity rates that soared in January.

Her father, House Speaker Michael Madigan, did attend the governor's rally, although the speaker has been a leading opponent of Blagojevich's budget proposals. Madigan's brief speech was met with a scattering of boos from men who then left the rally and went to a bus labeled "United Services of Chicago."

United Services is a community organization with $3 million in state contracts. A Blagojevich spokesman said the governor did not arrange for the men to attend the rally.

Earlier, Madigan said the governor's plan to unilaterally increase health care spending is "contrary to the Constitution." He said it was too early to say whether Blagojevich might face a legal challenge.

Jones, the Senate president, says he is supporting Blagojevich's idea of spending more on health while vetoing parts of the budget. He promises to block any Senate effort to override the vetoes.

Jones again blamed Madigan for the situation. He says any budget agreement among the legislative leaders was broken by Madigan conspiring with Republicans to derail Senate efforts to approve a new Chicago casino that would provide money for state construction contracts.

"He's not a man of his word. Keep his nose out of the Senate business, period," Jones said.

Both Madigan and Senate Minority Leader Frank Watson, R-Greenville, deny any such conspiracy.