No ethics bill this spring?
The Daily Herald reports that the governor's massive ethics bill will be delayed.
In fact, the plan’s Senate sponsor acknowledged Tuesday there’s little interest in the ideas this spring.
“We’re not going to pass it by the end of this week,” said State Sen. Carol Ronen, a Chicago Democrat. “We’re going to take the summer to be reviewing this.”
Ronen said she still plans to move the plan but needs to make some adjustments. The General Assembly could take it up during its brief November session or even later in January 2006.
A spokeswoman for the governor said Blagojevich’s aides have been meeting with interest groups and lawmakers to try to hammer out details.
It's good to know that the ethics bill may not hold up the adjournment. It's also good to know that the governor is working on a compromise. Maybe he is learning, after all.
posted by Rich Miller @ 5/25/2005 08:05:00 AM
10 comments
10 Comments...
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I guess I agree that it's a good thing that the ethics legislation will be reviewed.
But let's be clear: the Governor is to blame for waiting three months or so before issuing his press release that "rocked my world." We should have had additional ethics reform this year, and his delay in issuing a proposal -- and failure to get the appropriate groups' input -- is the cause of the delay.
Does anybody not believe this is exactly the plan they had in mind all along?
What are the compromises? If they are in the direction of fewer protections against state government corruption, I would see this as evidence that the Dems (Ronen, Blago) really don't want ethics reform.
Think the changes will include allowing the public to look at legislative staffers' time sheets?
Cal, get over it. Please don't clog this blog with your rants about Mike Madigan. Keep that stuff on the IL Leader website.
Aw, leave Cal alone. He can post here. His rants are usually a lot more mild than some I get.
Like it's going to be any easier for the Gov to get this thing passed after the world gets a glimpse at his next D-2's and the millions that he has raised since announcing his system-rocking proposal. HYPOCRITE. PHONY. FRAUD. Take your pick.
He managed to take great reform ideas and dilute them solely by virtue of his association with them.
The ideas are the baby, he truly is the bathwater.
I'm guessing the compromises will bring about some consistency concerning business activities of family members. Currently the spouse of a registered lobbyist cannot serve on any board or commission etc. I believe I heard that people like fathers in law of certain officials will be barred from ownership or activities in the environmental area. However, apparently the spouse of a governor can engage in any business with anyone as long as the spouses keep their professional activities separated. Not sure what the compromise should be-probably just trust the governor because he would never do anything unethical.
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GRod has been off his game lately. But this may be classic GRod waiting to happen. With great fanfair, he will re-announce the proposal. He always announces things twice, at least. Perhaps he will even pound the podium in January and "demand" reform.
Any compromise gets balmed on the legislature and any step forward is a result of his leadership. Just in time for the primary.
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