Greg asks a good question over at a New Can of Worms.
The liberal make up of the democrats makes a split a forgone conclusion. This is because they are all competing for government attention. Nationally, Republicans have determined they only want one thing from government and that is to be left alone.
It’s easier to unify around not wanting something than competing for funding…That’s the current national Republican coalition’s advantage.
Logrolling, Greg, logrolling builds coalitions. It isn’t pretty, but it always works.
That said he points out the recent strains between the Governor and, well, everyone else.
Let’s run down the issues:
The following is a summary of several issues Rich Miller is covering at the Capitol Fax:
1) Madigan on the budget–Blagorgeous wants to borrow for essentially current expenditures, Madigan thinks its irresponsible
2) Madigan on education–Madigan is actually worried that the Illinois Constitution may matter. Blagorgeous has moved to a position that is at least Constitutional
3) Everone on University’s health care options–DOA and being allowed to rebid
4) Everyone on reorganization of state agencies–Senate Exec Committee voted a bill out to kill the move
5) Hynes points out the State Constitution to Filan. Filan asks for an audit from the Comptroller apparently unaware of the only appointed State Officer who would normally be in charge of Audits. He’s called the State Auditor.
6) Madigan on trucking fees—Madigan is calling for relief for trucking companies from the last series of fees by Blagorgeous
7) Madigan on Spending–Madigan has called for reductions in Blagorgeous’ call for increased spending
Now there are some issues of tension between Madigan and Emil Jones.
1) The Willmette Bill advanced out of a sub-committee designed to kill it in the House. The Bill would allow for self-defense as a defense against charges for illegally having a hand gun where banned. It’s a strange bill for obvious legal reasons, but it uncovers a little known bit that the Illinois House is far more friendly to gun owners than people realize.
2) Educational issues with a compromise coming out of the Senate on the Board of Ed
3) Madigan brought Senate Minority Leader Frank Watson over for testimony on a bill to reduce the Governor’s ability to borrow
Mostly though, we aren’t seeing a circular firing squad, we are seeing a firing squad with a nice hair cut as the target.
Now to make it worse, Blagorgeous is playing hardball with lege members with press tactics:
THE HOLE Governor Blagojevich is employing an unusual, some say patronizing, lobbying method this week.
The governor is asking House Democrats to fill out a form that reveals whether they support or oppose six bills to increase business taxes which made it through the House Revenue Committee yesterday. The state representatives are required to put their names on the top of the form.
This is a highly unusual method, to say the least. Usually, legislative liaisons wander through the chamber or visit members in their offices and mark up their own rollcalls. This can lead to some misunderstandings and outright flip-flops, however, so the guv has decided to put everyone on record. Word is the governor’s staff has told some legislators that they want to use the form to find out “who our friends are.”
Jones has said no to ag ‘fee’ increases
JONES NIXES AG TAXES Senate President Emil Jones met with some farmers early yesterday morning, then returned to Springfield and said he wouldn’t back the governor’s tax hikes on farmers. The farmers were constituents of Sen. John Sullivan, Jones’ most highly targeted incumbent. The announcement was yet another blow to the governor, whose tax hike plans are rapidly falling apart.
Jones and Madigan have issues, but those are normal tensions. The Blagorgeous is starting to see a wholesale defection and given his apparent inability to do anything, but hold press conferences and look Blagorgeous, he is seriously reducing his ability to work with the Lege.
And he is making a fairly effective challenger within the party of Miguel de Valle.
Normally, the Executive has the ability to divide and conquer his legislative allies, but that is a balancing act and currently, the Governor has shown little ability to attract support and the Lege is showing a fairly decent ability to ignore him.
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