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Madigan: Gov. doesn't have authority to enact new health plan
By Kurt Erickson
kurt.erickson@lee.net
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SPRINGFIELD -- The governor doesn’t have the legal authority to enact his new health insurance plan, House Speaker Michael Madigan said Wednesday.

In his first public comments since Gov. Rod Blagojevich announced he would veto $500 million from the proposed state budget in order to finance an expansion of health care, Madigan said it is not possible for the governor to take money from one part of the budget and spend it on something else without legislative approval.

“I still think he needs some authority, somewhere,” said Madigan, D-Chicago.

Madigan called Blagojevich’s latest move “contrary to the constitution.”

The speaker’s analysis came as Democrats stressed unity during festivities at the Illinois State Fair.

Though they tried to rally behind U.S. Sen. Barack Obama’s run for president, the contentious stalemate over the state budget was front and center on the agenda.

Blagojevich made two impassioned speeches to Democratic activists in which he called for universal health care for all Illinoisans.

In comments to reporters, he called his plan to alter the state budget “as legal as it gets, it’s as constitutional as it gets.”

The governor, however, again would not identify any specific programs he plans to cut in order to free up money for his plan.

“Stay tuned,” he said, predicting a list might be available by Friday.

He has said he intends to cut some money for local projects that were inserted into the budget by lawmakers. Those include money for bridges, new ambulances and new fire trucks for many small towns across Illinois.

Madigan said Wednesday that he will ask the House to override the governor’s budget veto next week, but Senate President Emil Jones, a Democrat, is promising to block Madigan’s effort.

At the fairgrounds, there were visible signs of the toll that the squabbling is taking on the party, which controls all branches of state government.

Both Blagojevich and Madigan were booed when they spoke and one group of Democratic activists chanted “Veto Madigan” during the speaker’s address.

Republicans, who will be out in force at the state fair today, said Blagojevich’s decision to veto special projects in favor of his health care plan could drive a bigger wedge between him and lawmakers.

“I think this may have just added even a deeper schism between the egos that are existing out there,” said state Sen. Dan Rutherford, R-Chenoa.

But Blagojevich and rank-and-file Democrats said the cost of health insurance must be addressed.

“It’s a major issue,” said David McBride, chairman of the Democratic Party in Woodford County.

Whatever happens with the proposed cuts, the governor’s move likely will signal the beginning of the end of the state’s record-setting budget impasse.

Items in the $59 billion budget that are not vetoed by the governor will go into effect, allowing Comptroller Dan Hynes to begin paying checks to schools, hospitals and other state vendors.

Senate Majority Leader Debbie Halvorson, D-Crete, said some lawmakers will be upset that their special projects won’t be funded.

“I would say so,” Halvorson said. “But it is very difficult for some members to defend that portion of the budget.”

The budget also contains additional pay raises for the governor and lawmakers in addition to the 9.6 percent hikes they received through a separate budget measure approved by Blagojevich Monday.

Blagojevich stands to see his salary jump a total of 13.5 percent from its current level of $150,700 to $171,000, unless he vetoes that element of the proposal.

Despite disagreeing with the legality of Blagojevich’s maneuver, Madigan did sound an optimistic note about the health care plan.

Madigan said he could support an increase in the cigarette tax to pay for an expansion of the Medicaid program.

“I said from Day One it’s a good idea,” said Madigan.

The Senate already has approved a 90-cent boost in the state’s cigarette tax, which would bring the total state tax on a pack of smokes to $1.88.

Blagojevich was surprised to hear Madigan say a cigarette tax hike could be an option.

“When did he say that?” Blagojevich asked reporters.

Blagojevich said he wouldn’t apologize to voters for the lengthy overtime session that has left state government unable to pay many of its bills.

“I would apologize if I would have sold them out,” Blagojevich said.

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Reader comments on this story - 22 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

Well~~ wrote on Aug 16, 2007 2:15 PM:

" According to the PJ Star our governor is having a ho-down at the fair today. They will be having 100 hot dogs and 10 KEGS OF BEER!!! Sounds like a beer party to me. So you Dem's better hurry up and get their before the beer is all gone. In the article it said that Madigan praised Blagojevich for the excellent work he has provided. Let's see, when I worked that was called sucking up. Now today she is condemning him. Hmmm go figure that one?? Yep, just like my daddy always said, "Politicians talk out of both sides of their mouths!" This is a classic example of that. "

''''''''''''''''' wrote on Aug 16, 2007 1:34 PM:

" 21 thousand dollar raise must be nice. remember how the system works it will also increase their pension "

I believe wrote on Aug 16, 2007 1:18 PM:

" Thomas jefferson said it best when he said "The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." "

kinda cool to see wrote on Aug 16, 2007 12:47 PM:

" that this hasn't turned into a huge bi-partisan blog. They are ALL equal opportunity scum bags, just the governor (regardless of party affiliation) is the biggest one of all. Yes there should be a recall election. "

Out a stater wrote on Aug 16, 2007 11:54 AM:

" Gov. doesn't have authority to enact new health plan.......and just "WHY NOT" Seems he is enacting what ever he feels is necessary to suit the voters that voted him in office. Big city folks that is. "

Who did he promise wrote on Aug 16, 2007 11:35 AM:

" I want to know who he promised this health care plan to.......and what he is supposed to get in return. I guarantee you he is fighting so hard for it because there are some kickbacks to him if it gets passed.........what a joke. I voted JUDY!! "

Former BN resident wrote on Aug 16, 2007 11:13 AM:

" I'm glad to see people on both sides of the isle outraged! This guy is out of control and Jones is in his pocket for some reason. I never thought I would see the day where I was happy that Madigan was holding the line on spending. "

Cavewoman wrote on Aug 16, 2007 10:59 AM:

" I knew Judy should have won. Maybe she doesn't have looks or charisma (and Blago does?), but at least she knows how to balance a checkbook. "

Country Girl wrote on Aug 16, 2007 10:09 AM:

" i hadn't realized that this 9.6% was on top of what was in the budget. Boy we could use that kind of increase in income "

br549 wrote on Aug 16, 2007 8:18 AM:

" wish i could get a 13.5 percent raise on my social security each year. it must be hard trying to live on 150 thousand a year. is this where the tax increase on cigarettes is going? it's sad that these people can't agree on anything else but they can all approve a pay raise for themselves "

Here we go wrote on Aug 16, 2007 8:04 AM:

" Where are the dems screaming he violated the constitution? All I see on these comment boards is how bad Bush is. He is shredding the constitution for his gain. Sounds kinda familiar with Rod the Bod. Yet, I am not seeing the outrage from the dems. "

bert wrote on Aug 16, 2007 7:49 AM:

" stayed tuned for the court ordered stay and constitutional lawsuit if helmet head tries this "

question wrote on Aug 16, 2007 7:36 AM:

" so what "pork" and "special projects" are getting the veto?? he MIGHT have more support from me and your average voter (not congressmen) if that were to be explained. "

Rolling Eyes wrote on Aug 16, 2007 7:31 AM:

" What has Blago been subpoenaed for? Why has that story been buried? "

Waiting wrote on Aug 16, 2007 7:30 AM:

" I'm waiting for him to apologize. He sold us out a LONG time ago!!! I am also waiting for the fools that elected the worthless scum (TWICE!!!!) to apologize to the people of Illinois. Why would ANYONE vote for him once let alone turn around and do it a second time??? Was it his sterling record or impending indictment? "

/////////////// wrote on Aug 16, 2007 7:27 AM:

" do the people south of i.80votes really count?am i the only person that thinks we are getting the shaft?this health care will take care of all the people in chicago that cant find a pair of work boots "

Bridges? wrote on Aug 16, 2007 7:23 AM:

" That’s real smart cut money for bridges. I believe that's what Minnesota's governor did also, to fund his own ideas. "

tax the roads wrote on Aug 16, 2007 6:22 AM:

" Why are we not taxing the road ways around chicago more heavily? It appears we easily could charge tolls for a greater number of roads than we are. "

Krusty Krab wrote on Aug 16, 2007 5:49 AM:

" I thoughts socialists were supposed to be kind, benevolent, and liked to listen to what people have to say. It seems to me the people have spoken, via their representatives, that there is to be no socialized healthcare in Illinois in this budget. So what would the Gov's actions here be considered? Hmmmmm. At least Hugo Chavez got his congress to officially have over their power to their new dictator. "

recall wrote on Aug 16, 2007 4:55 AM:

" I encourage everyone to wite to their Senators, and Represetatives. Tell them they will not get your vote if they do not push for an amendment to our Illinois Constitution, allowing for a recall vote. If we had one now, I really don't think Blagojevich would still be our Governor. At least I didn't vote for him. "

MRS. wrote on Aug 16, 2007 1:28 AM:

" Does it really matter to this nut if it is legal or not? "

Iguchi wrote on Aug 15, 2007 10:00 PM:

" There you go Illinois. CUt back on fire trucks and ambulances for the small towns, but get your raise for working 8 days in 3 months.... there you go. He is an idiot and so is everyone that voted for him just because he is of your political party. A liberal friend of mine told me... it is democrats like him that make the republicans look good. "
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