Situation Normal...

...All F*^#`d Up.

Politics. In general. But this post is about Illinois in particular.

The dim bulb that is the governor is at odds again (or still) with the General Assembly over the budget.

Between all the problems trying to get last years budget passed and special sessions being called for months, and the whole situation deteriorating the point of the Speaker of the House Michael Madigan telling State Representatives to stay home from special sessions called by Governor Blagoviech and the subsequent lawsuit the Gov. filed against the speaker-AND THEY ARE BOTH FAR LEFT LIBERAL DEMOCRATS. Blago even called Madigan a Conservative Republican. It was a huge mess that we are still fighting the fallout from

Right now, the Illinois Department of Transportation is on emergency response only. i.e. Hit a deer and it is in the lanes of travel-the IDOT will come out and remove the carcass. But if it is on the shoulder-hello carrion until AT LEAST July. Huge dangerous pothole forms-it will get patched, but not the small ones that always start. Basically, the IDOT trucks are tied to the lot unless there is a big problem. Now, don't worry, all they guys in the orange trucks are still getting paid, but they are staying at the shop, painting snow plows and such. If a truck breaks down-out of commission until July again.

Also this year, Blago has been VERY SLOW in releasing any money. The Cooperative Extension Service (which oversees lots of agricultural and consumer programs, including 4-H), FINALLY got part of their FY2008 funding.

Just a couple of examples.



Which brings us to now.

I received an e-mail at work yesterday that leaves a bleak outlook for this year.

"The General Assembly concluded its spring session on Saturday night without approving a capital bill."

The Capital Bill, for those of you who don't know, is the state funding for big projects. New buildings such as dorms and classroom buildings at State Colleges and Universities, public school improvements, etc. This was a problem in FY2008, too. Since I work in construction, the Capital Bill is a HUGE part of the work load for us-either funding project we work on or ensure that there is enough work for all the companies so we don't have to underbid our work just to keep people employed.

The flip side of approving a Capital Budget is brought up by Madigan, though. "The Speaker continues to say that any capital plan will need to include some sort of tax increase."

My response to this, is to simply quote G.H.W. Bush. "Read My [text], No New Taxes." And I really mean it.

However, there is some perspective offered as well. "Many House members also continued to express concerns about how the proposed revenues would be spent, their lack of trust in the governor, etc."

But, at least they are trying to keep the Gov.'s crazy habit of reallocating money. "He [Madigan} also continues to call for line-item appropriations – that is each project would have its own specific appropriation to limit the governor’s ability to “borrow” money for projects outside the scope of the approved capital program."

The next part of the e-mail should make all of us sweat, though. "The General Assembly also sent an unbalanced FY '09 budget tot he Governor, leaving it up to him to cut out enough to bring it with balance or call a special session."

Things in Springfield (since the last time I checked, it was still the Capital of Illinois), have deteriorated so bad that "some House members are said to be preparing impeachment resolutions so he [Blago] may wish to avoid a special session this summer."

Illinois Senator Gary Dahl puts it best (via Q.C. Examiner) “I’ve been here four years and I’m still waiting for the day that I”ll come here two days in a row and not be disillusioned…If I did business the way the state of Illinois does, two things would happen: I’d go bankrupt and I’d end up in prison. We are spending $2 billion we don’t have.”