By: Mark Glennon*
Illinois Senator Martin Sandoval (D-Chicago) is a sponsor of HB3004. It would extend borrowing authority for the Regional Transportation Authority and Chicago Transit Authority.
However, the bill would also ease the way for a state bailout of those authorities through purchase of their bonds by the Illinois Treasurer. If those authorities default on any note the Treasurer buys, the bill directs the Illinois Comptroller to offset bond payments from state aid that otherwise flows to the defaulting authority. Both the Illinois Policy Institute and I wrote earlier about concerns over the bill. It would prioritize bond payments, if a default occurred, over taxpayers dependent on transportation services.
Watch as Sen. Dale Righter (R-Matoon) asked on Tuesday some simple questions about the bill. Sandoval has no idea what his bill is about.
Sen. Jim Oberweis (R-Sugar Grove) later briefly and politely stated his reasons for opposing the bill.
Sandoval responds, “I know that the senator from Mattoon enjoys getting his jollies off my bills. I understand your approach to life, maybe because I’m a Mexican. … Generally, on my bills, you like to get up and you like to joust and like to make me fizzle in my chair…because you’re such a nice guy.”
“Senator Oberweiss, Sandoval says, “I hope to never see you again in my committee.”
Watch it yourself:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60tqEpj23XA&feature=youtu.be
Most of the rest of the General Assembly surely doesn’t know what the bill means, either, which is true of much of what it rushed through this week. The bill passed both houses so it’s now up to Governor Rauner whether it becomes law.
*Mark Glennon is founder of Wirepoints. Opinions expressed are his own.
Expect no retraction or apology. This what they do.
The state’s existing buyout program for its own pensions is the precedent for Chicago, which should be a warning: Look out for similar exaggerated claims and shoddy analysis.
The INN video title incorrectly states it is a heated exchange in the House. It is a heated exchange in the Senate. At the 3:15 point In the INN video, Republican Senator Karen McConnaughay states: “This bill is before us each and every year. And for reasons that started over in the House, instead of giving, the decision was made to give the RTA expanded borrowing, bonding authority. But somehow over in the House, it was decided to make them come over and redo it every single year. So we pass this bill every single year.” The video then cuts… Read more »
A truly shocking display of gross incompetence by Mr. Sandoval, who unfortunately is representative of most of the Democrats in Springfield.