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| Illinois Dems use under-handed maneuver to fund Champ library. |
| 2014-04-23 |
| (CBS) -- A top Republican state lawmaker has accused Democrats of using an "under-handed and sneaky" maneuver to advance plans to set aside $100 million in state funds to bring President Barack Obama's presidential library and museum to Illinois. "Under-handed and sneaky"..... not again ? House Republican Leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) said Democrats pulled a fast one by using a procedural maneuver last week when the House Executive Committee approved the money at a hearing in Chicago. Caught everybody by total surprise, even those napping. "The Democrats who run the House of Representatives decided to change the format of the hearing, and proceeded with a vote without having any Republicans present," he said. On Thursday, the committee's chairman asked for a vote on the library funding plan, using the roll call of a committee meeting from the day before. Only five Democrats attended Thursday's hearing, but all nine members -- including four Republicans -- were at the earlier meeting, and all nine members were recorded as voting yes. "What they did last week was under-handed and sneaky, and offers further proof that they no longer can be trusted with taxpayer money," Durkin said. "No longer be trusted".....say whaaaa ? Durkin said now is not the time to be using public money on a presidential library. Let Champ and FLOTUS fund it. It's their library. "The state of Illinois is beyond broke. We can't pay our bills. We're $7 billion behind paying state vendors. We have pension systems that are barely afloat. Who in the world thinks that the state of Illinois can afford that right now?" he said. "To say that we are going to put $100 million aside in the hope that Illinois -- and, specifically, Chicago -- will be the recipient, or will be the designation of the Obama library, I believe it's inappropriate for that type of discussion at this time." Simple! Charge admission to the library. Sell dope, hoes, stolen cars, votes, Lotto tickets, BBQ, whatever it takes. House Speaker Michael Madigan has said the $100 million for an Obama presidential library would not come from the state's operating funds, but from borrowing used for construction funds. He's also said there is precedent for public funding for a presidential library, since the state earmarked nearly $100 million for the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield, which was completed in 2004. Mike Madigan, yea, watsaproblem? Everybody believes him. |
| Posted by:Besoeker |
| #9 Build in Kenya. |
| Posted by: JohnQC 2014-04-23 17:22 |
| #8 That's actually a pretty good, albeit expensive as hell, idea Doc W. |
| Posted by: Shipman 2014-04-23 16:07 |
| #7 Wrong. Save your money Chicago The Obama Presidential Library has been built and dedicated in Florence Montana. But both the Montana Democrats and Republicans object ! How do I know, the internet told me so, but I has to go to Maine's WCSH TV website to find out. |
| Posted by: Caribbean Pete 2014-04-23 14:26 |
| #6 I say let it go to Hawaii, where Champ wants to retire. Fewer locals to visit and who - on a vacation to Hawaii - would bother to add that to their itinerary? There must be some 'Roseland'-type neighborhoods in Honolulu. |
| Posted by: Bobby 2014-04-23 13:05 |
| #5 I've no problem with putting the Library in Chicago. It's got to go somewhere. I want it in the Roseland neighborhood, currently one of the most dangerous in all of Chicago. I figure with all the security, etc, putting the library there would clean up a good 4 to 6 blocks in every direction. Now THAT'S urban renewal! And notice no community activists would be required, though undoubtedly many would be paid. |
| Posted by: Steve White 2014-04-23 10:47 |
| #4 I recommend contacting ValJar and Tony Rezko. That $100m [less local fees and payoffs] should at least buy a nice vacant lot or old warehouse. We've got to start somewhere. |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2014-04-23 08:44 |
| #3 $100M won't get you much for a gubmnt building in Illinois. About 45-55% goes for the actual construction costs and the rest to the 'fees', 'studies' and payola for local/state/union (interchangeable and co-existent in Ill.) agencies. To top it off, wage and procurement rates for 'public works' in the Chicago area are about double the rates for the surrounding areas and the work will have to be performed 'Union Only' with only the highest craft-rate utilized (see 'payola' above). |
| Posted by: Mullah Richard 2014-04-23 08:30 |
| #2 Potential Presidential Library? You mean Outhouse, don't you? It would have the same stink. Or is that the idea? Curiousity, who would go? People who reallly had to poop? |
| Posted by: Redneck Jim 2014-04-23 02:32 |
| #1 $100 mil? Heck, all they need is one little display case to hold his autobiographies and his personal copies of "Das Kapital", "The Communist Manifesto", and "Rules for Radicals." Oh, wait. I forgot the Obamacare Wing. Never mind... |
| Posted by: PBMcL 2014-04-23 01:36 |