December 11, 2008
Springfield's Mobile Home, Blago Redux, auto bailout passes the House, states in trouble, trials denounced by 9/11 families
Springfield
A Lincoln-era home that has caused controversy in the capital city, will finally find its way off the middle of a downtown city street. The Maisenbacher home will be transferred to its permanent lot Friday, but the foundation has yet to be poured. The owners, prominent bussiness owners Court and Karen Conn, purchased the home in hopes the city would help fund the transfer and renovation with Tax Increment Financing funds.
The house was moved nearly a month ago and the project was halted to a stop after the Springfield City Council refused to approve over $800,000 dollars for a foundation and renovation.
A loan of $165,000 dollars was denied by a bank for the foundation. The rental company providing the equipment the house is resting on in the middle of Jackson Street says it will start charging the Conns one-thousand-dollars a day, if the equipment is not returned soon.
Springfield's Mayor Tim Davlin, who supported Gov. Blagojevich for re-election in 2006, is refusing to comment on the arrest of the Illinois governor. His spokesperson says he is busy with city business.
Illinois
Illinois Representative Jesse Jackson Jr. is denying he is SENATE CANDIDATE 5 in the complaint against Gov. Blagojevich. In the 76-page report, an aid for SENATE CANDIATE 5 offered to raise $500,000 for Blagojevich in exchange for the senate seat.
A Nov. 9th Report from KHQA calls into question whether President Elect Barrack Obama had contact with Blagojevich concerning the senate appointment. "Obama met with Governor Rod Blagojevich earlier this week to discuss it. Illinois law states that the governor chooses that replacement," according to the news organization.
Having denied contact with Blagojevich about the appointment, Barrack Obama has joined other Democratic leaders in calling for Blagojevich to resign.
The Illinois Legislature plans to meet next week to discuss the best way to strip the appointment power from the current Governor. Senator Dick Durbin has called for a special election for voters to choose the next Illinois senator. In order to do this, special legislation must be passed. However, the Governor can block or veto the bill that would strip him of his appointment power.
Another option the Legislature has is to vote for impeachment. This would start in the house, and if passed, the Senate would hold a trial against the Governor.
Both options could take the debacle into the new year. If the Governor decides to choose a Senator to replace the President Elect, the Senate could deny his choice.
National
The Senate Democratic Caucus has joined Barrack Obama in calling for Governor Blagojevich to resign. 50 members signed a letter asking for Blagojevich to resign, allowing for his successor to pick the next senator.
The House of Representatives passed the controversial $15-billion dollar automotive rescue plan 237 - 170. The bill is expected to run into hurdles as it enters the Senate.
Free Internet? The White House says no. The Bush administration has denounced a plan by the Federal Communication Commission in hopes to derail the proposal. The FCC is set to approve its plan for a free, nationwide wireless Internet.
Google has decided to ramp up their powerful street view feature for their mapping site. Maine, West Virginia, North Dakota, and South Dakota now have some coverage from Google's Street View. Cities now covered include Memphis, Tenn., Charleston, S.C., and Birmingham, Ala.
National Public Radio is joining a slew of other media in falling on hard times. NPR has announced it will cut 7 percent from their workforce. Other cuts announced include 10 percent from the National Football League and 2,200 jobs from Office Depot.
A report from the Center of Budget and Policy Priorities said 43 states suffer from budget shortfalls either now or next year. Of these, 16 states decided to cut funding for health and education while 20 others plan cuts in their state's workforce.
A letter posted on an ACLU website indicates 33 families of victims from the 9/11 terror attacks denounce the military tribunals being used on 'enemy combatants' as being illegitimate and unfair. The statement says "Many of us do not believe these military commissions to be fair, in accordance with American values, or capable of achieving the justice that 9/11 family members and all Americans deserve." The BBC reports that other family members of 9/11 victims taken to the trial by the Pentagon praised the trials as being fair.
