Veto Session Begins Today

The veto session begins today (although the spring session has not officially ended) with a rare Committee of the Whole meeting in the House beginning at noon to hear testimony about HB 3688 and the amendatory vetoes applied by Governor Blagojevich. It should make for interesting listening. Audio and Video links are available at www.ilga.gov

The Taxpayers of Illinois Federation have come out in opposition to Governor Blagojevich’s veto of HB 677 in which he expanded the scope of the original bill and made it permanent. They favor a phase out of the provisions of the 7% solution especially now that the Governor’s actions have created more inequity in taxation and do not provide relief for other Illinois communities facing higher property tax rates than Cook County.

Watch for action this week on a capital spending bill. Apparently the Governor has attracted some Republican support for his plan for a capital bill. There is no doubt that such a bill is desperately needed but concerns have been expressed about funding such a plan on additional gaming expansion. There is the risk of losing over $6 billion in federal funds, the mass transit crisis, and school construction funding that all play into this picture. Isn’t it interesting the gaming industry is now the largest source of political campaign donations in Illinois?

Stay tuned this could be an interesting week in Springfield!