Blago Calls Lawmakers Back to Springfield

Governor Rod Blagojevich called on lawmakers yesterday to return to Springfield August 12 and 13 for a special session to work on the state's spending. Blago doesn't expect lawmakers to deal with his recent budget cuts, however. “Unless they find the funding, there’s nothing much more to do with the budget,” said Blagojevich spokesman Lucio Guerrero. Instead, he wants them to address the state's need for both an education funding plan and a capital spending plan. “Last week former U.S. Speaker Dennis Hastert and I sat with leaders from the four caucuses to present a compromise that addresses many of the concerns that legislators had posed with the previous capital plan. Now that they have had time to review our proposal, I will convene a special session so that they can pass a plan this summer that will repair and rebuild our states infrastructure and put Illinoisans to work,” said Governor Press Release, in an, erm, press release.

The governor would like legislators to consider a plan favored by State Senator (and pastor) James Meeks, that would greatly increase education funding. That plan calls for an income-tax increase, which Blago opposes. According to Guerrero, the governor would like lawmakers to consider other ways to increase spending. He's supported expanded gambling in the state, as well as selling or leasing the state lottery.

But a new campaign that Blago is kicking off today could leave those lawmakers none-too-happy. That's because the governor says he'll use his amendatory veto to rewrite bills he thinks he can make better as part of his "Rewrite to Do Right" campaign. Already some legislators are upset. "He apparently thinks he is king, not governor," said Republican state Senator Christine Radogno of Lemont. House Speaker Mike Madigan's office is taking a more cautious approach, saying that they'll take a look at changes before deciding what to do. Blago isn't worried, though. "The Legislature passes laws and the governor has the opportunity to rewrite those laws," he said Tuesday.