Jan 15, 2008 5:21 pm US/Central
Governor Pushes CTA Plan
Blagojevich Promises To Travel To Springfield For Thursday's Vote
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
Governor Rod Blagojevich spent another day Tuesday pushing his plan to give senior citizens free rides on buses and trains as part of a mass transit funding bill.
CBS 2's Mike Parker reports, once again the governor appeared with a mostly sympathetic audience at an assisted-living facility in Chicago.
To rounds of unsurprising applause, Blagojevich called on residents of a North Side senior living center to pressure lawmakers to support his changes in the mass transit funding bill. CTA officials have said if the system doesn't get the necessary funding, they'll increase fares and cut service starting on January 20.
The governor's proposed legislative changes would provide free rapid transit bus and train rides for Illinois residents over 65.
"RTA, Metra, Pace and the CTA will be in a much better place financially than they have been and all of our seniors can take public transportation for free," the governor said.
By raising the regional sales tax, the amended bill would pump some $500 million into the Chicago area transit system for operations, and would more than cover the estimated $30 million cost of scrapping senior fares.
"We do think we deserve a free ride because if you live to be 65 in Illinois, you've paid your share of taxes over the years," Beryl Clemens of Metro Seniors in Action said.
The co-sponsor of the original senate funding bill, says he believes it will pass again when it comes up.
"It wasn't easy getting the 30 votes. It's not going to be easy getting it on Thursday but I believe everybody knows how important it is. Doomsday is here. There's no more time," State Sen. John Cullerton (D-Chicago) said.
The governor is promising to be in Springfield for the vote.
"No hockey games. I'm going to be there on Thursday. No Hannah Montana concerts," he said.
Wednesday, the day before the vote in the state capitol, a house committee will meet in Chicago to discuss the amended bill. They may hear from some lawmakers who will claim the governor does not have the constitutional authority to rewrite the proposed law. A spokesman for the governor disputes that and says he has legal experts who'll back him up.
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