Jul 3, 2009 6:34 pm US/Central
Sen. James Meeks Backs Quinn's Budget Decisions
Meeks Backs Quinn's Run For a Full Term, Criticizes Fellow Legislators Actions in State Budget Crisis
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
It's no holiday for those battling over the state budget.
Lawmakers are maneuvering to override the governor's budget veto, but Governor Pat Quinn is taking on a powerful new ally.
Friday, State Senator James Meeks praised Quinn's honesty and he accused Quinn's longtime nemesis, House Speaker Mike Madigan or making "dangerous political decisions".
CBS 2's Political Editor Mike Flannery reports.
Just a few days ago, Rev. Sen. Meeks was criticizing the governor for supposedly not working hard enough to get a budget deal. Friday, Meeks told CBS 2 he's ready to back Quinn for a full term next year and defended Quinn's handling of the budget crisis.
After a long meeting in the governor's office Friday, a leader of the General Assembly's Black Caucus scolded those who blame the budget battle mess on Patrick Quinn.
"I do not think the governor is the problem," Meeks said.
The South Side Democrat, who also pastors one of Chicago's largest church congregations, offered some of the sharpest criticism yet of fellow Chicago Democrat and House Speaker Mike Madigan. He blasted Madigan for not pushing an income tax increase through the House, after it passed in the Senate.
"That is a political decision, not a decision based on what's right or wrong, that's a decision based on what's politically expedient," Meeks said. "We are moved into a dangerous position when we are making political decisions and not decisions that are right or wrong."
For his part, Madigan this week has blasted Quinn's handling of the budget crisis. He said the governor's alleged flip-flops have undercut Quinn's credibility and made the mess much worse.
"Well, that's absolutely wrong," Quinn said. But he said he's not surprised by the comment.
"That particular individual once called me not worthy of being called an Irishman. So, he has made some mistakes along the way," Quinn said.
"Gov. Quinn's being accused of flip-flopping. When he makes a compromise because of the leadership, and then the leadership don't support the compromise, they criticize him as a flip-flopper. And I think that's unfair," Meeks said.
The governor's ruled out one budget bailout move. He said Illinois will not issue printed IOUs, as the all-but broke State of California is now doing. The next deadline in this crisis? July 15th, when thousands of state employees get paychecks they won't be able to cash unless the state puts some money in the bank.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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