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CAT Tracks for June 1, 2012
GOOD NEWS...BAD NEWS II |
IL Republicans abandon their attack on pensions...
...Governor Quinn still damned and determined.
Give credit to the IEA and its allies for slowing down the pension-cutting train.
Pat yourself on the back if you answered the "call to action" and sent e-mails and/or telephoned your legislators.
Legislators know that union members vote...
...your voice in opposition gave them pause!
But...
It ain't over until it's over!
Enjoy the summer, but be alert for the next round...
From the KFVS TV Channel 12...
Pension cuts postponed in Illinois Legislature
By CHRISTOPHER WILLS and SHANNON MCFARLAND
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - The top Republican in the Illinois House says he's shelving legislation to rein in ballooning government pension costs.
House Minority Leader Tom Cross, R-Oswego, said he consulted with Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn before concluding the legislation could not pass before the General Assembly ended its spring session Thursday night. He said Quinn will soon call lawmakers back to Springfield to try again.
Legislators were on the verge of addressing two other financial problems. They approved a $2.7 billion plan to shore up Medicaid earlier in the session, and they began sending pieces of a Spartan new budget to Quinn's desk Thursday night.
From the KFVS TV Channel 12...
Gov: 'Inaction on pension reform is not a choice'
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Gov. Pat Quinn says it's been a productive legislative session, but work on stabilizing the state's pension system must continue.
House Minority Leader Tom Cross said Thursday he couldn't find enough support to pass his version of the pension plan. That means he's shelving the legislation at Quinn's request.
Quinn will bring lawmakers back to Springfield this summer for more work on the issue.In a statement, Quinn says he's calling a meeting with top Democratic and Republican leaders in the coming week so they can come up with a pension reform agreement.
The Democratic governor says inaction on pension reform is not a choice.
And, finally, an interesting "Thumbs Down" from the Southern Illinoisan...
...providing insight into the behind the scenes machinations of Michael Madigan and his minions.
Thumbs down … to news that proposed legislation intended to curb the rising cost of public pensions in Illinois would reduce the benefits for recipients, except for the judges. Judges receive the highest average annual pension of any public employee, yet their benefits would remain untouched, according to legislation introduced by Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. The nearly 1,000 retired judges earn an average annual pension of more than $112,000. The average public employee retiree draws an average annual pension of about $40,000. Madigan danced around questions of whether the omission of judges was a way to get a favorable ruling from the Illinois Supreme Court in the case of a lawsuit and appeals, according to an Illinois Statehouse News story by Andrew Thomason. Huh. Mel Brooks said it’s good to be the king. Doesn’t sound like it’s too bad being an Illinois state judge, either.
Associated Press
