(The Associated Press circulated the following on November 27.)
CHICAGO — The political tug-of-war over a mass-transit bailout got more complicated Monday when Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan said he’d support a Republican-backed funding plan, but seemed to leave a statewide construction program in limbo.
Republicans want a capital program to build roads, bridges and schools around the state in exchange for helping suburban and Chicago-area transit riders, but there remained no apparent deal on that front Monday.
Still, Republicans are “hopeful” that Madigan will continue “to make good on his promise to work to pass a capital bill,” said David Dring, a spokesman for House Minority leader Tom Cross of Oswego.
The governor and lawmakers have been at a standstill over a mass-transit bailout and the thornier issue of a capital program that would be funded by an expansion of casino gambling. Two short-term bailouts from Blagojevich have helped prop up the transit agencies, but that money runs out in January when riders face fare increases and service cutbacks at the Metra commuter rail system, the Pace suburban bus system, and the Chicago Transit Authority.
In a letter to lawmakers Monday, Madigan said he would “compromise” and advance legislation modeled on a Republican proposal to redirect state sales tax revenue on gasoline purchases in Cook and the “collar” counties to the transit agencies.
Madigan backed away from a regional sales tax increase proposal to come up with the money, even though he says it’s still a solution he prefers.
Blagojevich said in a letter to lawmakers last week that he liked the “concept” of redirecting the sales tax revenue on gas.
He has suggested that money be replaced in the state budget by “closing corporate loopholes.”
Cross has said other options include taking money from special-purpose state funds, possibly raising car title fees and decreasing the amount of money the state would have to turn over if mass transit fares were raised 10 to 15 percent.