Tom Kacich's News-Gazette column on Wednesday (scan at right - click on image for larger version) had some interesting quotes from freshman Democratic Sen. Mike Frerichs:
"The Governor put out this big legislative proposal that has next to no legislative support, but he continues to hold on and say, 'Hey, we can all go home as soon as you vote for my budget,'" Frerichs said. "It's clear that that's his tactic: to keep us away from our families and our other jobs, for those who have other jobs, until we're sick and tired and we're willing to cave in."
...
If anyone breaks the budget logjam, Frerichs said, it will have to be Senate President Emil Jones, D-Chicago.
"I think it's up to the Senate president to say, 'I've hung with you, but it hasn't gotten us anywhere. My members have these priorities - education funding, proper funding of pensions, property tax relief - and if you're not willing to get those, then I'll go work with the speaker and we'll override your veto.'
"If that happens, then the governor really becomes irrelevant. If you can get those four legislative leaders to get together, it will make the next three years very interesting."
He said the Senate Democrats have urged Jones to break with Blagojevich, "but the whole caucus has not spoken with any unanimity yet."
A few points:
- Kudos to Sen. Frerichs for identifying the problems that caused this debacle - Gov. Blagojevich's unrealistic demands, and Senate President Emil Jones' loyalty to Blagojevich. While Frerichs wasn't as critical of Jones and Blagojevich as I think he should have been, even this mild public differing has exceeded my expectations of him, and it would be unfair of me to not acknowledge it.
- That said, it should be noted that Frerichs bears some small responsibility for both Blagojevich and Jones' power. Frerichs was Blagojevich's Champaign County guy in 2002. Frerichs voted this year (along with every other Senate Democrat) to keep Jones, his largest campaign contributor, as Senate President.
- It may not be indicative of anything, but Frerichs did not list either "health care" or "electricity rates" as priorities of the Senate Democratic caucus.
- Kudos to Kacich for a very timely column with great quotes from both Frerichs and Rep. Naomi Jakobsson. You should read the whole thing for more.
"It may not be indicative of anything, but Frerichs did not list either "health care" or "electricity rates" as priorities of the Senate Democratic caucus."
I doubt that it means anything. From the context, it looks like Mike was just offering a few subjects as quick examples to demonstrate his point, rather than providing a full scale laundry list of priorities. I know that he has spoken at great length elsewhere about electricity rates and health care.
I also think that Mike's past support for Rod and Emil just makes these public comments all the more significant. For a freshman senator only six months into the job, it would be very easy to simply lay low and play it safe. Instead, Mike is directly challenging the so-called leadership in Springfield, and demonstrating notable leadership of his own on behalf of his constituents. Kudos to you for acknowledging it...
Frerichs wouldn't be making these sorts of statements unless he was getting the nod from someone higher up the food chain. It's definitely not Emil Jones. Is it possible someone from the House leadership is pressuring our local senator?
"Is it possible someone from the House leadership is pressuring our local senator?"
Doubtful.
More likely, it's an effect of the Senate Democratic caucus being very fractured, due to Jones' leadership missteps this year, and the scandals surrounding him.
Dont be so sure:
House Speaker Michael Madigan hand-delivered letters to senators today touting the education benefits of the budget he pushed through the House.
The Southwest Side Democrat took the time to note that the Chicago Public Schools would get $105 million under the budget the House passed at the end of May, about $7 million more than he had believed when the measure was approved.
But some senators believe there is an additional message--in the letter and in Madigan’s personal delivery.
"It’s a clear attempt to split the caucus," said Sen. Kwame Raoul (D-Chicago).
There's a clear difference between being able to "split the caucus" and being able to exert pressure.
Speaker Madigan isn't really in a position to exert any significant pressure on Sen. Frerichs anyway. He can try persuading him, but that's a bit different than "exerting pressure," IMHO.
Kudos to Gordy for changing the picture he uses when he posts about Frerichs! Way better than the old one that he always used. Anyway, Frerichs has been consistant in many forums that I've seen him in before and after the budget impass saying how fustrated he is with the "leadership" in Springfield. He's got a four year term that right off the bat will allow him to be a little more candid than those who have to run next year so I think we are seeing Senator Frerichs' true feelings here. He's been fantastic in my view so far.
"Kudos to Gordy for changing the picture he uses when he posts about Frerichs!"
Don't give me too much credit - I lost the old one, and didn't want to go looking for it. :-)
"He's been fantastic in my view so far."
He's been a non-entity in my view so far, largely due to the very leadership about which he's now complaining, but which he originally supported and in some small part empowered.