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| Lawamakers Want a Second Look at Bill Giving Governor More Budget Power |
(IRN)-Let's recall the episode in which then Governor Rod Blagojevich, by then under arrest, appointed Roland Burris to the U. S. Senate seat formerly held by now Present Barack Obama.
State Senator Matt Murphy (R-Palatine) is sponsoring a bill which would call for a special election when a U. S. senator from Illinois departs mid-term. That's already the case when a member of the state's U. S. House delegation leaves.
During a subcommittee discussion, Senate President John Cullerton (D-Chicago) was not unsympathetic but was concerned about the costs, and asked whether voting by mail could be an option. Murphy agreed it's worth some thought.
Also, another senator wants to take back some of the power given to the governor during one of the bills passed during the late-night lame duck sessions of January. Senator Dale Righter (R-Charleston) says the governor should not have the ability to cut budget items which are mandates. Subcommittee chairman Senator Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) told Righter he is concerned the bill does not set out specific mandates, such as a number of nursing home beds. That bill is also going to get more study before it goes anywhere.
SB 1594 would call for a special election in the event of a U. S. Senate vacancy in Illinois. It remains in the Senate Executive Committee's Election Law Subcommittee.
SB 1665 would revoke the governor's power to make budget cuts to mandated items. It remains in the Senate Executive Committee's State Government Operations Subcommittee.
(Source: Illinois Radio Network) |
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| 03 15 11 by Newsroom |
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