Madigan tightens purse strings
Once again, Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan has let the governor know who's boss.
Speaker Michael Madigan doesn't speak much in public. When he does, people listen.
Last week, Madigan drew considerable attention when he criticized Gov. Pat Quinn for a sweetheart agreement Quinn signed last year with a state employees' union. He further said the Legislature needs to start setting financial limits on how much money the executive branch can offer in union negotiations.
Traditionally, the executive branch has negotiated agreements with union employees and sent the bill to the General Assembly. Madigan said that approach could pose a problem because the state might not have the money to pay the bills.
Indeed, that's what is happening now.
Last year, Quinn signed an agreement with a state employees union in which he promised not to lay off any employees until July 1, 2012. Having signed the agreement promising no layoffs, Quinn now is asking the Legislature to appropriate additional money the state can't afford to keep his promise.
Quinn also has drawn union ire for summarily cancelling pay raises for union employees that he says the state cannot afford.
Madigan's criticism is right on the money. If the Legislature is going to have to appropriate the money, it ought to play a role in how much is spent. But no system is foolproof so long as the unions play such a powerful political role.
What is the "powerful political role" thing about not honoring a signed, legal contract? State employees pay taxes. They support the local economy through sales taxes. They pay property taxes. How is it that contracts with insurance companies, utility companies, realtors, medical services, etc... can be honored; but a contract with employees cannot? The reason that state employees unionized in the first place was to legally require the Illinois politicians to honor their "promises". Look what they did to the pension programs. They paid into their pension program, and the judicial pension program because they said the amount was "insignificant" compared to what was to be paid into the state employee pension program. They used the money for pork barrel projects that enriched themselves with "campaign donations". When the state employees have a union that can payoff the legislators, and the governor for better working conditions, safety in the workplace, ending nepotism in the lower ranks, ending shake downs for campaign donations (The Friends of George Ryan), and raises; it is bad? Gee Whiz, why don't you look at the Speaker of the House, Mr. Madigan? Do some homework on his private income; and have the courage to publish it.
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