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NewsFriday, September 7, 2007 1:59 PM CDT
Madigan sets hearings on 'savage cuts' in state budget
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SPRINGFIELD — House Speaker Michael Madigan accused the governor of making “savage’’ cuts to the state budget and on Thursday announced a series of hearings meant to build support for reversing them.

Madigan, D-Chicago, plans 19 hearings from Marion to Chicago, beginning Wednesday and running through Sept. 27, to give groups harmed by the cuts a chance to explain the impact. In Central Illinois, hearings are planned in Decatur, Pekin and Urbana.

“The governor’s savage cuts will have seriously adverse consequences for millions of Illinois residents,’’ Madigan said in a statement. He said the governor made the cuts as “political vengeance’’ against his legislative opponents.

Gov. Rod Blagojevich vetoed $463 million in spending before signing the state budget into law.

He denies politics had anything to do with the cuts, maintaining he simply trimmed spending that isn’t necessary in a tight budget.

The cuts included health care for the poor, raises for providers of home care for the developmentally disabled and a variety of projects requested by individual lawmakers.

The Democratic governor cut most projects supported by House Democrats and Senate Republicans, two groups that opposed many of his proposals. He spared projects for Senate Democrats and House Republicans, whose support he needs to keep the budget vetoes from being reversed.

Senate President Emil Jones, D-Chicago, has said he won’t allow any votes to override the vetoes.
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Reader comments on this story - 7 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.

to: wonder wrote on Sep 7, 2007 12:31 PM:

" Apparently Emile Jones, like Blago..., thinks he has the power to do pretty much whatever he wants with the state legislature. As president of the Senate he is suppose to preside, not rule. I think he has forgotten this in his zeal to blindly follow his fellow Chicagoan. There is something rotten in all this. "

Gary RainH2O- Ameren wrote on Sep 7, 2007 8:53 AM:

" I support Blago and Emil in whatever they feel is best for Illinois. "

Wonder wrote on Sep 7, 2007 8:48 AM:

" "Senate President Emil Jones, D-Chicago, has said he won’t allow any votes to override the vetoes. " He won't ALLOW. Senator Brady you need to be all over this. He won't ALLOW? "

Agree with MarineMom wrote on Sep 7, 2007 8:19 AM:

" I'm a Democrat and the Governor has lost alot of my respect with this budget mess and the obviously politically motivated cuts. You can't play the money card after those raises and the commuting "

Tax payer wrote on Sep 7, 2007 8:06 AM:

" Does the governor believe having tax payers flip the bill so he can fly to Springfield necessary in a tight budget? "

MarineMom wrote on Sep 7, 2007 6:19 AM:

" Its amazing that the state can spend 130,000 on remodeling an airplane, 6000 a day to fly Rod from Chicago to Springfield everyday, give themselves a 9.7% raise, but they cant afford to help the poor. Something is definately wrong with this picture! "

Crooks wrote on Sep 7, 2007 5:47 AM:

" Rod's a crook and an imbecile. Thanks to all you down the line voters who put this buffoon into office. "

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