Blagojevich pulls funds meant for mandate on seniors

If you read the Capitol Fax and any story provided on the blog, you might stories about how the legislature was able to hammer out a budget agreed to by both parties only for the governor to veto it later on. He might delegate negotiations to a subordinate but then what ever that subordinate might have hammered out, magically that agreement comes to naught with the governor.

Lately the governor has been slashing things in order to close a budget whole. One report I saw suggest that while he called the legislature in to discuss the budget and he seemed to want to stave off the cuts hoping that there could be a new spending plan. There must be no need anyway since the legislature returned so that he could make the cuts anyway.

Anyway what about those free rides for seniors on public transit:

Another sucker punch from Springfield has transit agencies scratching their heads.

Facing a funding crisis in January, area riders were spared fare hikes and service cuts when the General Assembly approved a sales tax increase to keep the Chicago Transit Authority, Metra and Pace afloat.

But before signing the plan, Gov. Rod Blagojevich threw a curve ball at lawmakers by adding a proviso that senior citizens must ride free. Although considered an unfunded mandate, the new policy was swallowed by the three agencies as a necessary evil that allowed the funding reprieve to happen.

But Wednesday, Blagojevich pulled the plug on $37 million that had been allocated to the Regional Transportation Authority to partially reimburse the agencies for offering reduced-fare rides to seniors, students and people with disabilities.

The cut was part of the governor's $1.4 billion budget-balancing purge during a special session of the legislature.

Regional Transportation Authority officials seemed a little flummoxed by the move, saying they were still studying its repercussions.

Metra representatives took no joy in the news.

"Unfortunately, it's another hit for us," Metra spokeswoman Judy Pardonnet said.

And with rising fuel costs, "expenses are going up and ridership is going up," she said.

"It's several million that will have to come out of the operating budget we were just trying to build up. Now, we'll have to pay the difference."

And the long term consequences continue while the games continue. Story via The Capitol Fax. If you're going to give out a freebie then how about paying for it!

Also at the Capitol Fax, Blagojevich: The Game is on!