Doug Finke: A columnist's moment of silence
*In recognition of our new state law, the column this week will begin with a moment of silence.
(Pause)
Yeah, well that was productive, wasn't it?
*Some of our state's illustrious political leaders probably wished Comptroller DAN HYNES had observed some moments of silence last week.
Hynes spoke in Springfield toa small group of folks who follow state government and politics. Hynes offered observations about this year's session, which he called "absurd."
The highlight was Hynes reducing events of the spring session to a fairy tale format. It's too long to repeat here, but you can find the whole thing at www.sj-r.com/opinion. If nothing else, it shows that Hynes actually can loosen up once in a while.
Hynes wasn't selective in his other criticisms, lumping the governor, House speaker and Senate president together as people whose egos have run amok to the detriment of the state. And without mentioning Gov. ROD BLAGOJEVICH by name, Hynes skewered the governor, juxtaposing some of Blagojevich's favorite lines (like following the Golden Rule) with the governor's actions. Hynes' conclusion? Blagojevich's actions don't speak of principles, they're "hypocrisy."
Hynes' remarks appeared to be well received.
*The Laborers Union did a news conference in Springfield last week to promote a state capital construction program. The union's members rely heavily on construction projects for employment, and a big part of those are public construction projects.
That was followed by a House committee that met for hours to hear from people who want a capital plan. And these were just the latest in a string of news conferences and other events to promote a capital bill.
OK, already. We get it. Everyone knows the state needs a construction plan. Have you heard a single lawmaker, or anyone else for that matter, say they don't want to build new roads, bridges, schools, airports, water projects and on and on and on? No. The least controversial issue in the Capitol today is a capital plan.
That is, everyone agrees they want to spend money. There isn't any such agreement on how to raise the money they want to spend. And that's the whole problem. Until there's a way to pay for all of these projects, there won't be any projects.
Expanded gambling is the frontrunner. Right now, it's the only runner. And while there appears to be more momentum for a gaming bill this year than in the past, history shows gaming bills are no sure thing.
So, now that we know everyone wants capital, maybe these individuals and groups should instead devote their attention to getting a funding bill passed. It would be a better use of their time.
*Incidentally, if a gaming expansion bill ever does come to a vote in the House, it will provide an interesting test of political agility for many representatives.
An expansion bill will almost certainly call for at least one new casino in Illinois and allow all of the existing riverboats to expand their operations. What's the big deal? Just that in 2005, the House voted 67-42 to get rid of riverboat gambling. Not limit expansion, get rid of it altogether.
Yeah, it was a symbolic vote related to other budget issues going on at the time. It had no chance of passing the Senate, so there was no danger that the state would lose its gambling cash cow. Still, 56 current members of the House are on record as voting to eliminate riverboat gambling.
Don't think that old vote will be ignored. The anti-gambling Illinois Church Action on Alcohol and Addiction Problems is distributing copies of the roll call. ILCAAAP is also distributing copies of its candidate survey from last year's election. Thirty-one House members responded, and most of them said they oppose new casinos. Most of them also said they oppose slot machines at horse racing tracks, another idea being floated.
It's a good bet that at least some of these people will be changing their tunes if an expansion bill tied to capital comes along. That's when we'll see some real fancy footwork.
*"When I see a pile of manure, I look for a pony" -- Rep. FRANK MAUTINO, D-Spring Valley, explaining how he is an optimist.
He's had plenty of opportunities to search for a pony at the Capitol this year.
Doug Finke can be reached at (217) 788-1527 or doug.finke@sj-r.com.