carpsniper
07-13-2007, 09:10
Tell me again, why did you guys vote this nit-wit in as Governor? Heck, I'd rather have George Ryan back. At least all he wanted was our money. :rolleyes:
"Legislators balk at gun-vote push Call for House action seen as budget ploy
By Jeffrey Meitrodt and Ray Long Tribune staff reporters Published July 12, 2007 SPRINGFIELD -- Gov. Rod Blagojevich's special session on controversial gun-control legislation fell flat Wednesday when the House sponsor said he did not have support for the bill's approval and called for lawmakers to concentrate on ending the six-week budget deadlock.
"Today, we stand in agreement that we must resolve this budget impasse," said Rep. Harry Osterman (D-Chicago), the bill's sponsor and a longtime gun-control advocate. He said ending the budget stalemate is the state's "No. 1 priority."
The Far North Side lawmaker said it would be irresponsible to call the gun legislation for a vote knowing the bill would fail. The bill Blagojevich targeted in the special session would ban large-capacity gun magazines, often used in semi-automatic, assault-style weapons.
"I will not be calling the bill for a vote today, tomorrow or until such time that I have the votes to pass the bill," Osterman said.
Moments later, the House adjourned. The governor has declared that lawmakers must remain in Springfield until they reach a budget deal, calling them each day into special sessions that have dealt with issues mostly linked to fiscal matters.
But his call for passage of the gun-magazine bill in the middle of the budget debate angered lawmakers on both sides of the gun-control debate. They said Blagojevich's efforts were aimed at splitting House lawmakers over the budget. Democrats and Republicans have stood solidly against the governor's plans for major increases in spending but are sharply divided over gun control.
The gun bill is even tougher to pass in overtime because it would need a supermajority of 71 votes in the House to be approved. Legislators blew by their adjournment deadline May 31. Osterman said he didn't have a simple majority of 60 votes that was needed before overtime.
Jennifer Bishop, a field director for the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, welcomed the governor's actions to bring attention to the debate, saying, "It's urgent, it's serious and it's life and death."
"Legislators balk at gun-vote push Call for House action seen as budget ploy
By Jeffrey Meitrodt and Ray Long Tribune staff reporters Published July 12, 2007 SPRINGFIELD -- Gov. Rod Blagojevich's special session on controversial gun-control legislation fell flat Wednesday when the House sponsor said he did not have support for the bill's approval and called for lawmakers to concentrate on ending the six-week budget deadlock.
"Today, we stand in agreement that we must resolve this budget impasse," said Rep. Harry Osterman (D-Chicago), the bill's sponsor and a longtime gun-control advocate. He said ending the budget stalemate is the state's "No. 1 priority."
The Far North Side lawmaker said it would be irresponsible to call the gun legislation for a vote knowing the bill would fail. The bill Blagojevich targeted in the special session would ban large-capacity gun magazines, often used in semi-automatic, assault-style weapons.
"I will not be calling the bill for a vote today, tomorrow or until such time that I have the votes to pass the bill," Osterman said.
Moments later, the House adjourned. The governor has declared that lawmakers must remain in Springfield until they reach a budget deal, calling them each day into special sessions that have dealt with issues mostly linked to fiscal matters.
But his call for passage of the gun-magazine bill in the middle of the budget debate angered lawmakers on both sides of the gun-control debate. They said Blagojevich's efforts were aimed at splitting House lawmakers over the budget. Democrats and Republicans have stood solidly against the governor's plans for major increases in spending but are sharply divided over gun control.
The gun bill is even tougher to pass in overtime because it would need a supermajority of 71 votes in the House to be approved. Legislators blew by their adjournment deadline May 31. Osterman said he didn't have a simple majority of 60 votes that was needed before overtime.
Jennifer Bishop, a field director for the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, welcomed the governor's actions to bring attention to the debate, saying, "It's urgent, it's serious and it's life and death."