Pantagraph.com Weather forecast, local radar and more
NewsWednesday, October 3, 2007 5:56 PM CDT
Comments Comments (11) | E-mail this page E-mail this page | Print this page Print this page | Enlarge type Enlarge type | Reduce type Reduce type | Search archives Search archives | RSS RSS feeds | Add to My Yahoo! Add to My Yahoo!
House vetoes Blagojevich on budget
By Mike Riopell
mike.riopell@lee.net
Advertisement

SPRINGFIELD -- House lawmakers Tuesday rebuked Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s budget cuts in an effort to restore millions in spending for lawmakers’ pet projects and other programs.

The move was an expected extension of the feud between Blagojevich and House Speaker Michael Madigan, a fellow Chicago Democrat. Madigan recently held public hearings around the state to draw attention to the governor’s moves.

Many lawmakers have decried Blagojevich’s decision to cut almost $463 million from the state budget approved in August. They said the money – much of it requested by lawmakers - is needed to provide local human services.

Blagojevich contended that much in the lawmaker requests was excessive, unnecessary spending.

The measures to override Blagojevich’s budget vetoes received only four ’’no’’ votes in the 118-member House. The money that the governor cut won’t return to the budget unless the Senate acts, too.

Senate President Emil Jones has said that he’ll side with Blagojevich and not call a vote to override the cuts.

’’I’ve already stated my position on that,’’ Jones said Tuesday.

State Rep. Chapin Rose, R-Mahomet, said he voted to override Blagojevich to get human service money for local agencies.

’’I voted against the governor and for my district,’’ Rose said.

House lawmakers didn’t vote to restore all the money, though. They left intact some of the cuts Blagojevich made to his own offices and programs.

The governor wanted to use the money cut from the budget toward a new healthcare expansion program.

"It’s disappointing that after under funding health care in their budget, now House members voted to take health care away from chronically-ill children and life-saving cancer screenings and treatment from uninsured women," said Blagojevich spokeswoman Rebecca Rausch.

The budget legislation is House Bill 3866.

Video
Most commented stories
Browse online archives
Recent issues:
Reader comments on this story - 11 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.

Union Firefighter wrote on Oct 3, 2007 3:55 PM:

" Senate President Emil Jones is so far up Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s ass. They are both Chicago crroks. "

Cynic wrote on Oct 3, 2007 2:32 PM:

" I like that headline "House vetos Blagovich". If only it could come true. "

BILLY BOB wrote on Oct 3, 2007 10:56 AM:

" I sure hope that the citizens of Illinois research thier Senate representatives stand on this issue. Its time the voters ousted the puppets. My representative is elected to represent me his constituant, not fall in line like a bunch of sheep and follow the orders of a misguided govenor. You can bet I'll be watching and campaigning for someone new if necessary. "

nuts wrote on Oct 3, 2007 10:52 AM:

" how about a re-call like they did out in california? this guy has a lot of nerve. he takes money from those who really needs it and sticks it back into his own pocket. isn't this thievery? come on peeps. let's get this crook out of office. we need to be able to stop all these people from giving themselves payraises when they don't even work for us anymore. "

Can we get Jones and Blago indicted for something and end this nightmare? wrote on Oct 3, 2007 9:32 AM:

" Sure its easy! Just Ask Ex Governor Georg Ryan. To be truthful he is saving the federal government mega bucks by just staying at home. "

What! wrote on Oct 3, 2007 7:42 AM:

" Blogo talking about excessive spending! He's got some nerve after wasting taxpayers money to ride and pimp him up! "

Guess what wrote on Oct 3, 2007 7:40 AM:

" Only one chronically ill is Blogo and it's mentally ill! "

Country Girl wrote on Oct 2, 2007 11:19 PM:

" I don't understand how Emil cannot bring it up for a vote. How could the senate get around this? If someone knows the answer please explain it to me. "

MOAB wrote on Oct 2, 2007 9:00 PM:

" The longer this goes on, the better; I just wish that these articles could be printed and then nailed to the foreheads of every single person that voted for our illustrious governor. "

Rolling Eyes wrote on Oct 2, 2007 7:59 PM:

" Good job House! Can we get Jones and Blago indicted for something and end this nightmare? "

perhpas.. wrote on Oct 2, 2007 6:02 PM:

" Illioniosians should cut his hair cuts, jet trips and whatever else he is making us pay for. What a joke of a gov he is. "
Add your own comments

Please read the rules before posting comments.

You must be logged in to leave comments.
If you don't have a member ID, please register.

*Member ID:
*Password:
Remember login?
(requires cookies)
  Forgot Your Password?
 
Lee Enterprises Customer Service | 301 W. Washington St., PO Box 2907, Bloomington, IL 61701-2907 | Ph. 309-829-9000 | 800-747-7323
Copyright © 2008, Pantagraph Publishing Co. and Lee Enterprises. All rights reserved. | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy