-
Feb 27, 2006 6:40 pm US/Central
-
Digg |
Facebook |
E-mail
|
Print
Black Lawmakers May Support Third-Party Candidate
Want Blagojevich To Rethink Tax Pledge
by Mike Flannery
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
In a new political bombshell, leading African-American legislators and others said Monday they may support an independent third-party candidate against Rod Blagojevich this fall.
CBS 2 Political Editor Mike Flannery explains why they are bashing Blagojevich.
In happier times, the governor was a regular visitor to the huge South Side church founded by Rev. James Meeks. But State Sen. Meeks and others were infuriated last week when Rod Blagojevich told reporters in Springfield that, if re-elected, he would refuse to raise either the sales tax or the income tax.
"If the governor does not take back his pledge, and if the governor is not willing to work with the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus, it's a third candidate that I'm hoping will step forward," Meeks said.
While Democrat Meeks hinted that he himself might become a third party candidate for governor, he and his allies favor tax increases for local public schools.
"We are certainly among those disheartened to hear the governor as well as all the Republican gubernatorial candidates who've taken the tax pledge. It may be good politics. But it's bad policy," said Rev. Jennifer Kottler.
Blagojevich declined to comment, issuing a conciliatory written statement:
"We...share many of the concerns expressed today."
He touted his proposed "universal pre-school" plan and the $3.8 billion he claims to have given public elementary and high schools in new funds during his four years.
Critics complain too much of it's been borrowed.
"If we're gonna be honest, if we're gonna to something about school funding reform, we absolutely have to put the tax system on the table," said Ralph Martire.
Sen. Meeks said he and others in the General Assembly's Black Caucus would also work to block approval of the governor's proposed budget this spring unless Blagojevich withdraws the no sales tax, no income tax increase pledge.
(© MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)