Eric Zorn explains why calling for 10% across-the-board cuts in the state budget wouldn’t solve our money problems. I happen to disagree with him about the value/ROI of a forensic audit of state spending, however. Here’s another discussion, including a recap of Adam Andrzjewski’s arguments in support of such an audit, here.
Category: State Campaigns
Brady’s Conflicts of Interest
The Chicago Trib reports that Bill Brady, Republican candidate for governor, almost certainly has benefited from votes he’s cast as a state senator. In 2003, the state legislature gave the local government authority to take land for sewers along Curtis Road east of Brady’s property. A final vote to enact the law occurred Nov. 4,…
Brady & His Tax Returns
While the hoo-ha over State Sen. Bill Brady’s reluctance to disclose his tax returns is understandable — we are the transparency crowd here, after all — I also understand his reluctance under the circumstances. Additionally, the actual content of the returns don’t concern me much. We all are careful to pay only what we have…
Post-Election Open Thread
For election judges at the NIU Rec Center, here’s how Election Day played out yesterday: From 6 a.m. to 4 p.m., 856 people came in to use the Campus Recreation Center. In the same amount of time, 2 people came to vote. By 6 p.m., the total was up to 3 voters and one more…
Dear Bad Politicians
Dear Bad Politicians, the State of Illinois called. She is changing the locks on February 2. “I spent so many nights thinking how you did me wrong.” “Go on now go walk out the door just turn around now ’cause you’re not welcome anymore.” Message for Bad Politicians
Election Judge Notes
I’ve been an election judge on the Northern Illinois University campus for two years now. If memory serves our precinct got 62 votes in the 2006 General, “winning” the “contest” over the other three precincts stationed at the Recreation Center. From then it was all downhill, the lowlight having only 4 or 5 ballots rattling…
Con-Con Talk
At least one local educator is telling children that a state constitutional convention (con-con) equals elimination of their beloved teachers’ pensions. Evidently the subject of special-interest propaganda, along with the dangers of driving and drugs and death-metal music, must be discussed with the offspring both early and often. So be it. I’ll also go on…
Mail from Senator Burzynski
Well, what do you know. I cannot remember the last time our State Senator here in District 35 sent me anything, and now I have a “Legislative Survey” from him in hand. You too? Maybe Sen. Burzynski is taking Ryan Gailey, his opponent in the next election, seriously. I like the thought. Nothing personal, just…
Bob Pritchard & Fundraising
State Rep. Bob Pritchard is the incumbent this fall and fair game for scrutiny. However, this is not really about him so much as it is about the general need for campaign finance reform in Illinois. From a Daily Chronicle report on the defeated May 2004 IL House legislation to ban horse slaughter in the…