(Springfield, IL) — July 27, 2010. This is what statesmanship looks like.
State Journal-Register political reporter Bernie Schoenberg today reports that State Senator Larry Bomke (R-Springfield) has asserted the kind leadership that has been gravely absent from GOP lawmakers until now.
State Sen. Larry Bomke, R-Springfield, told Gov. Pat Quinn’s chief of staff Monday he would be open to a tax increase if it were specifically targeted to pay for borrowing that could pay off the state’s current bills.
Bomke … asked about a plan to eliminate the state’s deficit. He said he asked if there is “any thought to doing some short-term borrowing – five, 10, 15, 20 years, and maybe passing a tax? Pay off our bills, make us whole again, and then using a tax to pay off those bonds.
Yep, that is what leadership looks like–a plan. It’s the Bomke Plan.
On the Illinois budget leadership question, Bomke gave only lukewarm support to his GOP colleague and gubernatorial candidate Bill Brady:
“I’m not running for governor,” Bomke said. “I think Bill Brady probably has a plan, and at some point, I’m sure he’s going to disclose it.”
That statement just oozes frustration, no?
Gov. Pat Quinn
I do not know Sen. Bomke, couldn’t pick him out of a lineup.
But he is a statesman exhibiting simple common sense and political courage.
I would hope he’d be in favor pf progressive taxation; not punitive or confiscatory and distinguishing between money made with one’s own labor and coupon clipping, etc. etc. But what he has already said is a good and fair beginning.
This is a person individuals of either political party should encourage and support.
Posted by Philip Krone | July 27, 2010, 10:50 AMBomke ‘thinking’ Brady has a plan isn’t a bad start either for Brady. The only reason why I haven’t been able to support Brady is the issue of reapportionment; if Brady can make himself appear to be reasonable and fair on this issue (obviously leaning Republican, but not egregiously so) he will do very well.
No good golfer wants an nunfair advantage or handicap. A really good golfer likes to play with those of comprable almost equal ability.
Mike Madigan doesn’t hae to hold all the cards. He’s so smart that he doesn’t need a full deck. He is the sharpest knife in the drawer, the brightest bulb on the replacement shelf, etc., etc., etc. He has only one objective. LISA, LISA, LISA. (Not that his other kids are chopped liver.)
And I cannot say it often enough. He needs to remain Speaker for the first two years of Lisa’s term as Governor, and then he should leave Springfield forever, except for Inaugurations and family dinners at the mansion. If it can’t be done by phone, internet, or other electronic devices he needs to learn more aboutusing them.
For more than thirty years I’ve been good friends with Mike, John Cullerton, Ed Burke and Rich Daley, each in different ways. Each have their own attributes but they truly share a love for the governments they run and a realistic, idealistic understanding of how things run and get accomplished.
None is perfect.
I am also happy to now add Toni Preckwinkle, Forrest Claypool, John Fritchey and a few others to this list as well as the Mellman.
Ike Carothers will be my friend regardless of what greaduate school he goes to. And carrie Austin, Fredrenna Lyle and the incomparable Jesse White are also special.
Don’t want to forget the Hispanics, especially Danny Solis, Manny Flores, Juan Saldana, Raphael Vargas, etc.
And the great ladies too including Dawn Netsch, Barbara Flynn Currie, Carol J. Ronen, Mary Ann Smith.
And too many of blessed memory: Dick Ogilvie, Roy and Sally Sandquist, the irrepressible Kathy Osterman, John Waner, Bob Merriam, Ben Adamowski and RICHARD J. DALEY.
I am truly grateful for all those whom I have really known well.
Many people will wonder what I’m smoking. Nothing really.
Posted by Philip Krone | July 27, 2010, 11:07 AMBomke ‘thinking’ Brady has a plan isn’t a bad start either for Brady. The only reason why I haven’t been able to support Brady is the issue of reapportionment; if Brady can make himself appear to be reasonable and fair on this issue (obviously leaning Republican, but not egregiously so) he will do very well.
No good golfer wants an unfair advantage or handicap. A really good golfer likes to play with those of comparable almost equal ability as in the no handicap PGA.
Mike Madigan doesn’t have to hold all the cards. He’s so smart that he doesn’t need a full deck. He is the sharpest knife in the drawer, the brightest bulb on the replacement shelf, etc., etc., etc. He has only one objective. LISA, LISA, LISA. (Not that his other kids are chopped liver.)
And I cannot say it often enough. He needs to remain Speaker for the first two years of Lisa’s term as Governor, and then he should leave Springfield forever, except for Inaugurations and family dinners at the mansion. If it can’t be done by phone, internet, or other electronic devices he needs to learn more about using them. But in the interim everything is geared to 2014 for LISA, LISA, LISA.
For more than thirty years I’ve been good friends with Mike (Madigan), John Cullerton, Ed Burke and Rich Daley, each in different way and not necessarily frequent visits. Each have their own attributes but they truly share a love for the governments they run and a realistic, idealistic understanding of how things run and get accomplished.
None is perfect.
I am also happy to now add Toni Preckwinkle, Lisa Madigan, Forrest Claypool, John Fritchey and a few others to this list as well as the Mellman.
Ike Carothers will be my friend regardless of what graduate school he goes to. And Carrie Austin, Fredrenna Lyle and the incomparable Jesse White are also special.
Don’t want to forget the Hispanics, especially Danny Solis, Manny Flores, Juan Saldana, Raphael Vargas, etc.
And the other great ladies (Lisa already having been mentioned) including Dawn Netsch, Barbara Flynn Currie, Carol J. Ronen, Mary Ann Smith.
And too many of blessed memory: Dick Ogilvie, Roy and Sally Sandquist, the irrepressible Kathy Osterman, John Waner, Bob Merriam, Ben Adamowski and RICHARD J. DALEY.
I am truly grateful for all those whom I have really known well.
Many people will wonder what I’m smoking. Nothing really.
Posted by Philip Krone | July 27, 2010, 11:12 AM