State+Governmet

Elections - Government - Illinois - Illinois State Government - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

Putback Amendment Doesn’t Get Enough Petition Signatures

May 9, 2010 by

From the Putback Amendment effort…

I wanted to send you a quick note letting you know how our efforts faired. Unfortunately, we did not acquire enough valid signatures to qualify for the ballot this year. No one is more disappointed in that result than I am.

For perspective though, to run for Governor (or any statewide office) you only need 5,000 valid signatures. Of the 11 candidates in the established parties who ran in the primary, at least 7 of those PAID signature gatherers. We need 100 times that and did not have the political parties supporting us and we had nominal funds to work with.
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Putback Amendment Doesn’t Get Enough Petition Signatures”

Barack Obama - Budget - DuPage County - Economy/Finances - Illinois - President - State Government - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Gov’t Waste: $250,000 for Green Roof for DuPage County Bldg (Illinois)

March 4, 2010 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

It’s stimulus, dontcha know? It’s gonna help us all, ya see? It’ll save the economy, of course. What is it? It’s $250,000 of wasted federal money going to plant some pretty foliage on top of the DuPage County, Illinois Administrative building to erect a “green roof” there.

That’s right, Illinois, your federal tax dollars are being wasted to plant some weeds on top of the DuPage County government building, plants that are supposed to save the county money in energy bills. Well, in about 20 or 30 years, that might actually be true when factoring in the $250,000 initial price tag.

Of course, one can easily assume that the DuPage County facility will have been torn down and a new boondoggle of a government building program will be stated to replace it long before that 30 years is up, right? In other words, the energy savings that might occur some 30 years from now will not likely be realized.

But, is it stimulus? Will it help anyone? Not really. This is money going to government from government. It is not money going to the private sector so that it can do something that will earn a return on investment. This helps no one but simply adds more tax money spent on more government.

And we all know that the most likely outcome of this whole “green roof” project will be a whole cadre off union louts hired to hold a rake or a watering hose for 7 hours a day, a cadre that will then retire at 50 with $50,000 a year pensions all paid courtesy of the Illinois tax payer.

Thank you Big Government Obama.
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Gov’t Waste: $250,000 for Green Roof for DuPage County Bldg (Illinois)”

Anti-Americanism - Chicago - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Government - House of Representatives - Illinois - Islam - Islamofascism - Liberals - Military - Religion - Society/Culture - State Government - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston - Western Civilization

This GOP Fakir Votes For Terrorists in Illinois

February 19, 2010 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

If you’ll recall, just last week I spoke of fake Republican Angelo “Skip” Saviano, State Rep from Elmwood Park. Well, Skippy has again proven his complete lack of Republican credentials with his latest apostasy. With this vote Skippy has once again proven to be a RINO (Republican In Name Only) that we’d be better off to be rid of in Illinois.

With his no vote on HB 4744, ol’ Skippy has not only voted to allow a governor, any governor, to sell state properties without prior approval of the people’s representatives, but he’s also basically given Democrat Governor Quinn the go ahead to sell the Thomson State Correctional facility to the federal government in order to allow terrorist to come live amongst us there.

That’s right, Skippy Saviano pretends to be a Republican but has voted to allow a Democrat to bring terrorists to live here.
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This GOP Fakir Votes For Terrorists in Illinois”

Chicago - Cook County - Elections - GOP - Illinois - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

Topinka Dodges Debate With Dodge

January 17, 2010 by

From the Jim Dodge for Comptroller campaign…

Jim Dodge, Republican Candidate for Illinois Comptroller, will appear on WTTW Channel 11’s ‘Chicago Tonight’ Monday, January 18 at 7 p.m., but his opponent Judy Baar Topinka has refused to appear on the show.

“‘ChicagoTonight’ producers said they invited Ms. Topinka and opened up any day of the week that would fit her schedule, but she has stated she will not appear on the program because her own schedule will not permit,” said Dean Casper, Dodge Campaign Manager. “We were willing to be flexible with ‘Chicago Tonight’ so as to get all Republican Comptroller Candidates on the show to discuss the issues. Ms. Topinka is avoiding debating us on television because in various forums for endorsements from Republican Townships and Counties, Jim Dodge has solidly beaten her winning more than a dozen. She is worried the public will see she is conducting business as usual and will not bring the necessary reform needed in Springfield like Jim Dodge will.”
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Topinka Dodges Debate With Dodge”

Children - Conservatives - Constitution - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - Illinois - Liberals - Republicans - Society/Culture - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

Put Back Amendment News

December 1, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

John Bambeneck is making headway with his Put Back Amendment and recently appeared on WCIA 3 News.

CHAMPAIGN–John Bambeneck says the state capitol is hopelessly broken. He says we send 177 legislators to Springfield, but power is only vested in the four leaders at the top. That’s why he’s proposing a package of reforms and calling on citizens to back him up. There’s a running list of petitions on his website called “The Putback Amendment.” He wants more transparent government. That means 7-day public viewing of all legislation before lawmakers vote. Plus he’s setting out to do away with a centralization of power. No more house and senate: Just one chamber. And no more than eight years in office. “They stagnate,” he said of lawmakers who’ve held the same post year after year after year. “They stop solving problems and start having more of a factory mindset.” “It’s not healthy from an organizational prospective to have the same person doing the same thing for decades on end,” he added.

Bambeneck references the Speaker of the House who’s held his post for almost 30 years. He says there’s a reason why we’ve term-limited positions like the presidency.

Representative Bill Black appreciates voters coming up with ideas for change. He says what Illinois has gone through is depressing. We have one governor in prison and possibly one on the way, but he says it isn’t the House of Representatives that got our state into trouble. In fact, it’s the House that brought about Blagojevich’s impeachment.

Budget - Business - Chicago - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Illinois - Society/Culture - State Government - Taxes - Truth in Accounting - Warner Todd Huston

Truth in Accounting TV Appearance

November 29, 2009 by 1 Comment

On Nov. 12th, WTTW 11, Chicago’s PBS station, did a roundtable segment about Illinois’ C minus grade on managing its money. The panel featured Sheila Weinberg of The Institute for Truth in Accounting, and Illinois non-profit think tank that we’ve discussed here many times.

This is a warning that Illinois has a budget disaster that will sink it unless addressed, and soon.

(cross posted at RedCounty.com)

Anti-Americanism - Budget - Business - Campaign Finance - Capitalism - Chicago - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Illinois - Jobs - Liberals - Society/Culture - State Government - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

A State Pensioner That Thinks He’s Blameless For Pension Mess

November 25, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

The Chicago Tribune printed a letter to the editor that perfectly describes the disconnect that state workers have between their pensions and the political process. These state workers stare wide-eyed in faux innocence pretending that they themselves, as individuals, are wholly innocent of the mess that is our state pensions are currently in.

But the truth is, the financial ruins that our states are in ARE the fault of state workers. It is their fault directly and without question. Their protestations of innocence is a lie. Sadly, it is a lie they tell themselves and they believe it.

Here is what former state employee Earl Shumaker of Sycamore, Illinois wrote to the Chicago Trib:
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A State Pensioner That Thinks He’s Blameless For Pension Mess”

Chicago - Constitution - Cook County - Elections - Illinois - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

Putback Amendment Gaining Steam

November 19, 2009 by

We have some great news from the trenches here. We just got a great poll result back that shows if voters have the chance to vote on Putback, they’ll likely vote for it.

Conference Call This Tuesday, November 24th at 9pm

On November 24th, we will be having a conference call for volunteers, supporters, donors and petition circulators on the Putback Amendment with the principal author, John Bambenek. The team will be available to answer questions related to circulating petitions, provide in-depth information about the amendment, and to let you know our plans to make the Putback Amendment a reality for Illinois! If you can tune in, please do.
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Putback Amendment Gaining Steam”

Chicago - Constitution - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - Illinois - Liberals - Republicans - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

The Putback Amendment, Putting Voters Back in Charge

November 12, 2009 by

Momentum is building across the State of Illinois for the Putback Amendment. We have volunteers in every corner of the state gathering signatures and just completed a big week of events all across the state. Together we CAN bring reform to Illinois. We all know Springfield will give us more of the same, together we can change the way business is done!

Our biggest needs are volunteers getting signatures and donations. Please consider getting signatures for the amendment before the holidays in your own neighborhoods.

Volunteers Needed in Chicago for Nov 14, 21, and 22!

There are several big events and rallies in Chicago the next two weekends and we need volunteers with petitions to gather signatures there. Some of the events are partisan in nature, but the Magnificent Mile Light Festival is a non-partisan event attended by many in Chicago and the surrounding area. If you have a few hours to spare, please contact John Bambenek at jcb@putbackamendment.com.
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The Putback Amendment, Putting Voters Back in Charge”

Anti-Americanism - Business - Chicago - Conservatives - Cook County - Elections - GOP - Illinois - Jobs - Republicans - Society/Culture - State Government - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Steve Rauschenberg: Why is Ill. 46th in Job Creation?

November 6, 2009 by

Steve Rauschenberg (R, Elgin) is talking jobs for the Illinois economy. Rauschengerger says in his new video, “For Illinois to have a strong future we need strong job growth in Illinois and today we don’t have it.”

Steve Rauschenberger is running to regain his old Senate seat in the 22nd District which encompasses part of DuPage County and western Cook County.

(Cross posted at RedCounty.com)

Chicago - Conservatives - Constitution - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - GOP - House of Representatives - Illinois - Republicans - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

Efforts for Reform: The Put Back Amendment

October 29, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Gubernatorial candidate Adam Andrezejewski and several other key leaders joined Main Street Campaigns in endorsement of the Put Back Amendment ( www.PutBackAmendment.com) on Thursday, October 29, 2009.

“The people of Illinois have waited long enough for reform. Voters are tired of legislative loopholes and political practices that lead to unfair policies and corrupt our government,” said Main Street Campaigns Executive Director Will O’Brien, a Democrat.

“The time has come to give Illinoisans the chance to truly change and reform the infamously corrupt system we have had for far too long,” said John Bambenek, author of the amendment and Main Street Campaigns Political Director.

The amendment will feature four needed reforms to clean up state government, including:

  • Term Limits
  • Seven-Day Public Viewing of All Legislation
  • End Gerrymandering
  • Equal Ballot Access

View the amendment at www.PutBackAmendment.com.
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Efforts for Reform: The Put Back Amendment”

Chicago - Cook County - Crime - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - Illinois - Liberals - State Government - The Law - Warner Todd Huston

Local Lawmakers Votes on Cook County Tax Repeal Bill

October 15, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

The Daily Herald posted the votes of the Chicago area legislators on the bill to repeal the Cook County sales tax hike.

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois House voted 65-51 to reject a plan that would have repealed the Cook County sales tax increase and required voter support for such tax increases. The proposal needed 71 votes for approval.

Local House members voting “yes”:
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Local Lawmakers Votes on Cook County Tax Repeal Bill”

Cook County - Elections - Illinois - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

Illinois Blogger Makes Bid for 62nd District

October 7, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Paul Mitchell of Hainesville has been running the Thoughts of a Regular Guy blog for at least 6 years at this point. Now, he’s decided to stop opining and start doing and so Mitchell recently announced a run for the 62nd District’s House seat in Springfield.

Mitchell has signed American’s for Tax Reform’s no-tax pledge, and has already spoken at several events in the area.

Mitchell is the second long-time blogger in Illinois that has stepped away from the keyboard to throw a hat in the ring. Matt Burden of the blog BlackFive is running for the 41st District seat.

Look for Paul Mitchell for the General Assembly, 62nd District on the web.
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Illinois Blogger Makes Bid for 62nd District”

Cook County - GOP - Illinois - Society/Culture - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

Cook County and Naperville Nix Video Gambling

October 7, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Some news on the video gambling front. When the Ill. Legislature passed the OK for video gambling it included an opt out clause. Many cities and counties across the state are in the process of deciding if they want video gambling in their jurisdictions. This week, both Cook County and the city of Naperville decided that “no” is their choice.

The Cook County Board ruled on Tuesday that video gambling will be banned in unincorporated areas with an amendment by Commissioner Bridget Gainer of Chicago. The amendment won by a 10-4 vote.

Also on Tuesday, the City of Naperville voted 7-0 to ban video gambling within the city limits.

The new ordinance councilmen approved says the machines would “present a variety of adverse impacts on the residents of Naperville including the potential for corruption, impact on the costs of law enforcement, regulatory difficulties and high social costs.”

For more information, check out the website of Illinois Church Action.
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Cook County and Naperville Nix Video Gambling”