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Capitol Fax

Rich Miller's commentary on State Government

As with any state legislative overtime session and possible government shutdown, "Job One" right now is making sure somebody else gets the blame.

Last week, Gov. Pat Quinn dramatically vetoed an appropriations bill and then held a press conference to lay full blame for the overtime deadlock at the General Assembly's feet. The bill, he said, would create too many hardships for social service agencies, spark never-ending lawsuits, prevent his administration from hiring much-needed contractors, etc.

Quinn also blamed House Speaker Michael Madigan for the impasse over extending the budget by a month or so to help buy more time to cut a deal.

Unbeknownst to many, Madigan was still in Springfield during Quinn's press conference, so it was quite a surprise when he announced his own presser shortly after Quinn finished talking to reporters.

Speaker Madigan's goal was simple: Paint the governor as a flip-flopper, and blame those flip-flops on the inability to come to a satisfactory conclusion of the spring session. Clean and concise.

Madigan listed four significant Quinn flip-flops which, Madigan said, were making it difficult to do business.

Quinn's broken pledge not to tie the fate of the desperately needed public works projects legislation to the state's budget, was one flip-flop, Madigan rightly pointed out. The governor's support of the state Senate's tax hike and then his opposition the very next day was another. And then there was Quinn's early demand that the "shovel ready" capital projects bill be passed immediately, even though he is currently refusing to implement the program. Last week, Quinn heaped praise on legislators for moving forward on a pension borrowing plan to free up $2 billion for the state's budget and then lobbied Senators to kill the bill a few hours later.

"So, these are all flip-flops," Madigan said. "They are not helpful to his credibility."

Quinn has his reasons for flip-flopping, and most of them aren't very good. But the governor is not totally to blame here.

Who is to blame? As always, it's really everybody.

Quinn said last week he opposed the pension borrowing plan in the Senate to send a "message" that an adequate budget resolution must be found right away. But that pension proposal would've pumped over $2 billion into private social service agencies that Quinn said he's so concerned about. The veto means that many agencies are now staring at bankruptcy.

Quinn is right that Madigan's complete opposition to any temporary budget extension killed the idea. Madigan said that budget extensions tended to delay decisions which needed to be made - the very same reason Quinn gave for his flip-flop on the pension borrowing proposal. Basically, they're talking past each other with the same talking points. Not helpful.

Quinn's flip-flops came from locking himself into positions that he eventually realized had damaged his end-game of passing a tax increase. He also mistakenly believed that the legislative leaders would play nice. They don't. So, he radically changed course and infuriated the leaders, who say they operate on "Your word is your bond" - especially when it suits their purposes.

There can be no doubt that Speaker Madigan and other legislative leaders repeatedly attempted to maneuver Quinn into a corner for their own advantage.

You can trust the leaders most of the time when they give you their word on where they are on a certain bill or idea - but you can never trust them before they reach that point. They'll always be looking out for their own self interests, or the interests of their respective caucuses. Quinn was just too green and naive and made the fatal mistake of failing to include in his inner circle enough people who understood the ways of the Statehouse world - and refused to heed the warnings of the few people who do.

This blame game stuff may all seem pretty petty while the world appears to be collapsing around Springfield - and it is. But it's all they know. And in a world where political positioning means everything, being successfully blamed can blow even a reasonable position out of the water.

Quinn's press conference shows he is now savvy enough to understand that. He said he's planning to use the next two weeks to build public support for his positions. One of those appearances, he said, would be at a soldier's funeral. He may be learning this game too well.

Rich Miller also publishes Capitol Fax, a daily political newsletter, and thecapitolfaxblog.com

10 Years and Counting

The 10th Anniversary of The Raging Road Rally 5K was a great celebration. Eleven lucky people won some big prizes: Handmade quilt-Joe Stevens, women's loaded gym bag-Dave Shaulis, firepit with goodies-Jessica Ferguson, diamond necklace-Scott Gustafson, cupboard-Mary Lott, game table-Marissa Beverley, men's loaded gym bag-Deanne Janke, spa bag-Randy Buikema, beach bag package-Travis Flickenger, picnic package-Susan Thompson, and family game package-Dan Monigold.

Twenty-three families or individuals met the $100 donation challenge for the American Cancer Society, including one family of four that had each member meet the goal! Many others chipped in as well.

These gifts, along with the money generated by the race, allow us to send well over $5000 to the ACS. Over 200 people registered, making this only the second time the RRR has broken the two hundred mark.

A fast race, the overall winners, Chris Scott, Morrison, and Jessica Langford, Rockford, ran the 3.1 miles in 17:08 and 18:05 respectively. Overall masters winners were Jim Cassioppi, Willow Springs, and Barb Lauff, Sterling, 18:18 and 19:40. Local winners were impressive, too. Weston Burkholder and Kayla Barnes were fastest, 20:48 and 22:36. Local masters winners were Bob Zuck and Lisa Green, 25:00 and 23:34.

This race also has ten "streakers" those who have registered AND participated all ten years. They are, Trish Carroll, Connie Foster, Sherrie Mueller, Gloria Rannfeldt, Anita Schryver, Jodi VanMatre, Weston Burkholder, Doug Schryver, Keith Woodin, and John Nelson.

Le Hartman

RRR Director

Thanks to the Community

Hospice of the Rock River Valley thanks everyone who participated in the seventh annual Hospice of the Rock River Valley (HRRV) Golf Outing on Friday, June 26. The dedication our community members and businesses have toward securing quality compassionate healthcare for patients and families is admirable and much appreciated by HRRV.

Thank you to the teams, sponsors, and donors for your continued support, and to the staff of Emerald Hill Golf Course and volunteers and board members who assisted during the outing.

All proceeds from the golf outing benefit individuals and families dealing with a terminal illness. Because hospice services are offered free of charge, community generosity is key to continuing a 27-year tradition of caring for residents of Lee, Whiteside, Bureau, Carroll and Ogle counties.

HRRV is your local hospice with over 27 years of community care to the Sauk Valley area, providing quality end-of-life care for your family. Hospice is where you are ­ in your home, retirement center, hospital, or nursing facility. Hospice of the Rock River Valley is "By Your Side, Our Family Caring for Your Family." Give Hope. Give Hospice.

Hospice of the Rock River Valley is a United Way Agency.

Sincerely,

Karen Voss

Marketing Director

Hospice of the Rock River Valley

Pelosi: 'Remember These Four Words For What This Legislation Means: Jobs, Jobs, Jobs, and Jobs.'

June 26, Washington, D.C. ­ Speaker Nancy Pelosi addressed the House floor this evening on the American Clean Energy and Security Act. She commended the work and leadership of Chairmen Henry Waxman, Ed Markey, Charles Rangel, and Collin Peterson. The bill passed in the House by a vote of 219 to 212.

On the floor, the Speaker said: "No matter how long this Congress wants to talk about it, we cannot hold back the future. And so, in order to move on with the future, I want to yield back my time, submit my statement for the record, and urge my colleagues to vote for this important legislation. And when you do, just remember these four words for what this legislation means: jobs, jobs, jobs, and jobs. Let's vote for jobs."

The following are the remarks that the Speaker submitted to the Congressional Record:

"Madam Speaker, today the House has an opportunity to pass historic and transformative legislation: the American Clean Energy and Security Act.

"I would like to acknowledge the authors of the legislation:

Chairman Waxman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce

Chairman Markey of the Select Committee on Energy Security and Climate Change

"I would also like to acknowledge:

Chairman Collin Peterson of the Agriculture Committee for bringing the priorities of America's farmers to this bill

And Chairman Rangel who helped ensure that this bill is fiscally responsible and fully paid for.

"And I would like to acknowledge the many staff who worked so hard on this legislation.

In his Inaugural Address, President Obama called upon us to, 'harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories.' One week and one day later, we did just that. We passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act ­ the single largest investment in history in clean energy - with over $69 billion for new investments in clean energy.

"Shortly thereafter, we passed the omnibus spending bill, with significant investments in advanced energy research and the labs and equipment necessary to perform the next generation of advanced energy research.

"We passed the budget, which included a 10 percent increase in investment in clean energy and energy efficiency.

"This was building upon the work of the last Congress:

The Farm Bill was the first in history to include a real investment in energy independence, with over $1 billion to leverage renewable energy industry investments in new technologies and new feedstocks.

And the historic and bipartisan energy bill signed by President Bush increased fuel efficiency standards for vehicles for the first time in 30 years and redirected this country's energy policy toward clean, renewable energy.

"Creating a new energy policy and addressing the global climate crisis is: Energy independence is:

a national security issue by reducing our dependence on foreign oil;

an environmental and health issue;

it is a moral issue;

and it is an economic issue for America's families.

"There are four words that can describe this bill: jobs, jobs, jobs, and jobs.

"Madam Speaker, we debate this legislation as millions of Americans are struggling in this economy. This is our moment to transform our economy and create jobs.

"This is the moment when we can unleash private sector investment in clean energy to create millions of new jobs and make America the global innovation leader. It will promote clean energy technology ­ made in America. It will put America in the lead in the global competition.

"As we rebuild America in a green way, we will create jobs that cannot be shipped overseas. We are creating a framework in which innovation can occur and that gives business certainty that we are moving to a clean energy economy. That will unleash innovation, investment, and venture capital to drive new technologies into the market.

"America's farmers will fuel America's energy independence. They will do so with carbon?offsetting crops and forests, and biofuel and wind farms to repower America.

"This historic legislation is the product of months of consensus building to achieve an effective and affordable transition to a clean energy future.

"I am so pleased that the diverse coalition supporting this bill includes everyone from:

The Union of Concerned Scientists to the Evangelical Climate Initiative and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops

From the business community to labor organizations, from ALCOA to the U.S. Steelworkers of America

From the U.S. Conference of Mayors to members of the U.S. Climate Action Partnership, a coalition of business and non-profit groups.

"Today, we have an opportunity to lead America toward an effective and affordable transition to a clean energy future. It is a moment we cannot afford to miss. We have a responsibility to create jobs and make America more secure, protect the health of our citizens, and honor our moral responsibility to our children and our future generations.

"Vote to create jobs. Let's put this Congress on the right side of the future. Vote yes on the American Clean Energy and Security Act.

"I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to protect God's beautiful creation by supporting this legislation."

Capitol Report

By Jim Sacia, State Representative, 89th District

If you didn't see it, you wouldn't believe it - that's the feeling I have after writing a column about the House passing a poor excuse for a budget. That was before the Governor blew up in a meeting with the legislative leaders in Springfield, and then arranged an impromptu address to both the House and Senate laying out his demands, and the Senate twice failed to pass the aforementioned feeble budget. I crumpled up the four pages I had hand written, called my press secretary Liz, who was patiently waiting to transcribe my comments, and decided to borrow a line from Speaker Madigan, who reportedly compared working with the Governor Quinn to being on Mr. Toad's Wild Ride. I didn't directly hear him make that comparison, but it was reported in Rich Miller's Capitol Fax, the daily blurb at the state capitol.

I have strong feelings of déjà vu. The Speaker and the Governor, from the same party, are going at each other. Please tell me this isn't happening again. Apparently the honeymoon is over for Governor Quinn (if there ever was one). Mr. Toad's Wild Ride was a ride at Disneyland that was closed because it scared too many children. The Speaker apparently compared the Governor to the ride because dealing with him is full of twists and turns. The Governor continually changes his mind. If all of this reminds you of the fights between the Speaker and former Governor Blagojevich; you're right.

I have told you that I have great respect for Governor Quinn as well as Speaker Madigan. Word has it that the Speaker is telling the Governor he doesn't have the votes in the House to pass a tax increase. Remember that on May 31st the Governor's 50% income tax increase fell 18 votes short of passage in the House. Now in overtime, a tax increase would require even more votes to meet the "super majority" requirement.

I personally feel we should pass a temporary budget extension that would keep all government services operating at current levels. An extension would allow a bit of time for tempers to cool, for new commissions formed to root out government waste and to look into potential Medicaid and Pension reforms.

As it stands today we are scheduled to return to special session on July 14th. The "budgeteers" and the legislative leaders will continue to meet. Hopefully, cooler heads will prevail and we will come up with a budget.

The parliamentary hold has been lifted off of the $29 billion jobs and infrastructure (capital) bill and the Governor now has it on his desk. Will he sign it, or hold it hostage for his tax increase? Thousands of Illinoisans will be put back to work if he signs it.

These next two weeks will be as crucial as any time in Illinois history.

As always, you can reach me, Sally or Barb at or e-mail us at . You can also visit my website at www.jimsacia.com. It's always a pleasure to hear from you.