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By DEANNA BELLANDI
Associated Press Writer | Tuesday, June 03, 2008 | (1 comment(s))
CHICAGO | Gov. Rod Blagojevich wants top lawmakers back at work quickly to fix a state budget that he says is $2 billion "out of whack" and unconstitutional, raising the prospect of another summer of gridlock at the Capitol.
"I think it's fair to say that the legislative process ought to continue and we do not have a budget for the state of Illinois," Blagojevich said Monday.
Blagojevich said he wants to meet later this week with legislative leaders to talk about fixing the deficit and passing a massive public works program that he says is needed to stimulate the state's economy.
Over the weekend, lawmakers adjourned for the summer after passing a $59 billion state budget without the necessary money to pay for it. The public works program died when Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan presided over a procedural vote that killed the gambling expansion other lawmakers wanted to fund the program.
Blagojevich says he and the legislative leaders have to "essentially get back to the drawing board." If he and the four legislative leaders can resolve the issues, Blagojevich said the General Assembly should have to reconvene for only a day or so to pass a new budget along with a capital program.
But if lawmakers again refuse to pass a capital program they could be in for a drawn-out fight over both the budget and construction.
The Democratic governor says he wants everything wrapped up by the end of June. That would be a switch from last year's record overtime session, which was marred by finger-pointing and ultimately never resulted in a public works program but produced a budget that still prompted Blagojevich to make significant spending cuts.
"We hope to have the full participation of every legislative leader in this process, it's difficult to be able to get things done without it," Blagojevich said. He wouldn't say if he would veto the budget.
House Speaker Michael Madigan signaled little interest in sitting down with Blagojevich and other legislative leaders to come up with a revised budget.
Unlike most years where the governor and legislative leaders sit down behind closed doors and devise a budget agreement, Blagojevich was mostly on the sidelines this time. Madigan and Senate President Emil Jones worked out the budget between House and Senate Democrats that landed on the governor's desk.
In a news conference after the session ended Saturday night, Madigan made it clear it's now up to the governor to make the budget work.
"The Legislature is not involved in spending decisions," Madigan said. "The Legislature is involved in authorizing spending, but the spending decisions are made by the governor."
Blagojevich said if it were entirely up to him "then I think things would be a heck of a lot better in Illinois because I'd make all those decisions myself."
The speaker said Blagojevich should change his leadership style, which he said "brings on conflict and confrontation rather than conciliation," if the governor wants to get more accomplished at the Capitol.
Madigan said his meetings with the governor have been "nonproductive" and he has seen more success in sending his top leaders to do such negotiating.
Madigan spokesman Steve Brown said Monday the speaker would send one of his point people on the budget and capital program to attend any meetings Blagojevich calls.
The speaker also has said the House would show up if Blagojevich calls special sessions.
Blagojevich wouldn't say Monday at what point he might call lawmakers back to Springfield if talks with legislative leaders don't result in a revised budget.
Associated Press Writer Ryan Keith contributed to this report from Springfield.
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Wonder how much... wrote on Jun 3, 2008 12:13 PM: