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House overrides governor's line-item
vetoes
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From Sen. Frank Watson
[October 04, 2007]
The focus will now shift to the Illinois
Senate, after the Illinois House voted overwhelmingly on Tuesday to
override almost all of the governor's line-item vetoes and
reductions to the budget, which was approved by the General Assembly
in August.
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 A majority of the $463 million was restored, though House members
elected to uphold $39 million in cuts to programs directly under the
governor's control.
The overrides were not unexpected; House Speaker Michael Madigan
and other representatives have been vocal critics of what many
lawmakers, public service organizations and local leaders contend
are unfair, politically motivated vetoes.
Over the last month, hearings were conducted across the state to
highlight how the governor's vetoes would have a devastating impact
on programs that assist some of the state's most vulnerable
residents --including senior citizens, the developmentally disabled,
schools and Illinois veterans.
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 Despite the cuts to many important public services, to date
Senate President Emil Jones continues to resist allowing a Senate
vote on the vetoed legislation. However, Jones can only block a
Senate vote if his fellow Senate Democrats support his position.
Local communities, advocates for veterans, the developmentally
disabled, those who treat alcohol and substance-abuse patients, and
those who work with the mentally ill are expected to push hard to
return the budget to its original condition.
It's important to note that the governor's "cuts" will not reduce
any state spending, and in fact could end up costing taxpayers far
more. The governor has said he wants to use the $463 million he
removed from the budget to launch a major health care initiative
that will cost more than $2 billion once it is fully implemented.
For more, visit
www.senategop.state.il.us.
[Text from Capitol Connection file
received from Illinois Senate Republication Leader
Frank Watson]
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