The Capitol Buzz....

The state senate voted 55-0 this week to override Gov. Blagojevich’s veto of HB 824 (Rep. Fritchey, D-Chicago/Sen. Harmon, D-Oak Park), which was designed, say its’ supporters, to end “pay to play” politics in Illinois.  HB 824, which is now the law, prohibits contractors with greater than $50,000 in State contracts from making campaign contributions to the campaign of the Executive Branch constitutional officeholder awarding the contracts and to candidates for the office awarding the contracts. The bill had previously passed the Senate and the House but Gov. Blagojevich employed his power of amendatory veto in what he said was an attempt to “improve” the bill by: 1) Expanding the “pay-to-play” prohibition to include General Assembly members, candidates for the General Assembly, and State parties, (2) Requiring legislators to vote in favor of pay raises in order to receive them, (3) Barring (with exceptions) outside employment by legislators with any state, county, or municipal government, and (4) Requiring legislators and candidates for the General Assembly to disclose lobbying activity before boards, commissions or units of local government by themselves and their spouses.

 

The Illinois Education Labor Relations Board would have its funding restored under SB 790 (Sen. Schoenberg, D-Evanston/Rep. Hannig, D-Litchfield), which sweeps $221,250,000 into the General Revenue Fund. The version that passed both chambers would sweep identified amounts from specific funds thereby providing sunshine on the sweeps.  This reinstatement will allow the Board to avoid having to cut staff due to budget concerns. SB 790 passed the House on a vote of 97-16-00. The Senate passed the bill on a vote of 40-15-00. The bill still must be signed by the Governor to become law.

 

The latest list of IPACE-recommended legislative candidates is now available on the IPACE webpage, and will be updated as additional recommendations are made.  IPACE-recommended candidates are members of "Team IEA," which has long welcomed all candidates, regardless of political party, who share our values and goals.  Our bipartisan approach has allowed IEA to successfully advocate for our members, even during times of significant political change.  Please use this handy list when making your decisions on Election Day. 

 

The IEA Legislative Committee is seeking in your input on the official policy-making document of the IEA, the Legislative Platform for 2009-2010.  The Platform will be approved at the 2009 Representative Assembly in Rosemont.  To read the 2008-2009 Platform, please log on to the IEA web page (www.ieanea.org).  Also, each Regional Office was e-mailed this document and should be able to give you a copy.

 

If you have any concerns or suggestions, you have several ways of voicing your comments.  Every region council chairperson will receive a request from an IEA Legislative Committee member to attend one of their Council meetings in October, November, or December to discuss the Platform.  You may also complete a Legislative Platform Input Form and return it by December 12, 2008, to the LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM, Illinois Education Association, Government Relations Department, 100 E. Edwards Street, Springfield, IL  62704.

 

Members of the 2008-2009 IEA Legislative Committee are:

 

Jim Duffy (IEA-R) - Chairperson
Patti Bloom (Region 12)
Sheila Bowens (Region 45)
Martha Bowman (IEA-R)
Le-Ann Broshous (Region 29)
Bryce Cann (Region 50)
Valerie Dranias (Region 52)
Steve Droesch (Region 25)
Fran Grier (Region 18)
Larresa Kleinertz (Region 11)
Ja-mese McGee (Region 27)
Patricia Meloy (Region 64)
Cathy Stewart (Region 1)

Unless the Governor calls a special session, the General Assembly is next scheduled to arrive in Springfield for the Veto Session, which is scheduled for November 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, and 21, 2008.

Veto
A veto is an action of the Governor in disapproval of a bill sent to him or her by the General Assembly.  There are various kinds of vetoes:

 

Amendatory Veto
The Governor returns the bill to the General Assembly with specific recommendations for change.  The General Assembly may do nothing and the bill dies, the General Assembly may override the veto, or the General Assembly may accept the Governor's proposed changes.

 

Line Item Veto
The Governor vetoes an item in an appropriation bill. The General Assembly may do nothing and the item dies, or the General Assembly may override the item veto.  In either event, the remainder of the bill becomes law.

 

Reduction Veto
The Governor reduces the amount of an item of an appropriation bill.  The General Assembly may do nothing and the reduction stands, or the General Assembly may restore the item to its original amount.  In either event, the remainder of the bill becomes law.

 

Total Veto
The Governor vetoes the bill in its entirety. The General Assembly may do nothing and the bill dies, or the General Assembly may override the total veto.