|
In both Connecticut and Rhode Island, the changes were approved when Democrats controlled the state assembly, but a Republican sat in the governor's office. Republicans opposed to the bill in both states accused Democratic supporters of trying to grab the governor's power. Even lawmakers in Illinois, where Blagojevich is now on trial for allegedly trying to profit from naming Obama's successor in Congress, balked at changing their state's law. "The reason it wasn't voted on, quite frankly, is because it was political," bill sponsor and Illinois Rep. Jack Franks said. "They worried if we had a special election we could lose Barack Obama's seat. It wasn't based on public policy, it was based on raw politics." Legislators in New Jersey, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania are still in session and could act on proposed changes to election law, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. New York Assemblyman Rory Lancman, a Democrat from Queens who sponsored the measure in his state, says as time passes, it becomes increasingly difficult to get the legislation approved. "Unless something gets done while people are still living in that particular crisis before moving on to the next one, it is very hard to get the stars to align," Lancman said.
[Associated
Press;
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
News | Sports | Business | Rural Review | Teaching & Learning | Home and Family | Tourism | Obituaries
Community |
Perspectives
|
Law & Courts |
Leisure Time
|
Spiritual Life |
Health & Fitness |
Teen Scene
Calendar
|
Letters to the Editor