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State Rep Jack Franks fired a new salvo in the battle to take Blago out of office late Wednesday night. Noting that Blagojevich has the power to balance the budget without ordering the General Assembly back to session next week, he charged that the governor is exhibiting a lack of leadership. "He won't compromise. He threatens layoffs and cuts to social programs," Franks said. "It's just a game to him. ... He won't make hard choices." Franks is pushing for the House to form a special committee to determine if there is enough evidence to impeach the governor.
State representatives have complete discretion when it comes to impeachment. If they determine that there is enough evidence to begin proceedings, a trial in the senate will follow. House Speaker Mike Madigan circulated a talking-points memo earlier last month laying out reasons to investigate Blago's possible misdeeds.
Blagojevich dismissed talk of impeachment. "I think it's a sideshow and ridiculous and I think they need to do the right thing and pass their revenue so they can have a balanced budget, which is a constitutional requirement," Blagojevich told CBS2.
"It's time for the speaker to join the rest of the legislative leaders who have been working with the governor to pass a capital bill that will put thousands of people to work," Blagojevich spokeswoman Abby Ottenhoff told the media yesterday.
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"Impending" seems a bit optimistic at this point, but I do hope that optimism is warranted.
And for anyone who does not know: Franks is a hack, a guy who likes the media spotlight as much as anyone, a guy more interested in his own ego than public service, sort of like Blago though with less power to do so much damage.
Uh, I think I'm gonna side with Blago on this one. While Blago has the power to balance the budget, the legislature sent him an unbalanced budget and basically said "you do it." I don't blame Blago for calling them back and telling them to send him a reasonable budget.
Or, am I missing something here?
As sad as it is, I have to agree that Blago's got the upper hand here. If the legislature refuses to make the tough decisions for a budget balanced the way they want it, then they're just asking Blago to slash and burn at will, and they'll get what they deserve. They're just hoping they can pass the buck. It's all just a game to every single one of them.
They're just hoping they can pass the buck. It's all just a game to every single one of them.
So true, even if I do support impeaching Blago.
Actually the state house passed a zero growth balanced budget. The state senate led by Blago lackey E. Jones refused to even consider a zero growth budget so the state house sent blago an un balanced budget for him to cut down to size and now he is whinnning.
Governor Hairstyle needs to give George Ryan a call and ask which bunk is most comfortable.
Start investing in cigarettes now Blago, those things are like currency in prison.
After Blago, I'd like to see Strodger and Madigan spend some time in one of our state's fine correctional facilities.
But I'm a dreamer.
True story:
Blago was at Navy Pier eating at my restaurant last night. He was in the section one over from me.
His brother paid, and left a 20% tip.
Meanwhile, our state doesn't have a balanced budget yet...