White: Stay quiet and avoid department budget cuts

SPRINGFIELD -- Secretary of State Jesse White may have discovered the secret to avoiding Gov. Rod Blagojevich's budget cuts -- stay mum.

"Last year, all of the constitutional officers critical of the governor's budget approach ... each one of them received a 3 percent decrease in their budget," White said in an interview with the Daily Herald. "I didn't say a word and I got a 3 percent increase. I think you know the rest of the story."

His speak-no-evil strategy was one topic that emerged during a recent hourlong interview with the Daily Herald. White also called for legislative leaders to resolve some of the state's most pressing issues -- namely the lack of road and bridge construction spending. He also shared his thoughts on donating organs and predictions for the Cubs.

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His budget observation shows how far things have come for White and Blagojevich since 2003, when the two publicly feuded after the governor reduced White's budget beyond figures they initially agreed to.

The spat between the two Democratic powerhouses became so contentious that White threatened to close offices statewide. Ultimately some funding was restored and driver's license offices were unaffected.

When Blagojevich cut more than $460 million from last year's budget, lawmakers took notice, with many believing the governor aimed his veto pen at his harshest critics.

The governor cut more than $4 million from Attorney General Lisa Madigan's budget. And Comptroller Dan Hynes didn't fare any better, as Blagojevich cut almost 3 percent from his budget. Both had clashed publicly with the governor.

Meanwhile, White was spared.

A Blagojevich spokeswoman denied there was any political motivation behind budget cuts.

"No. Keep in mind that the secretary of state is a revenue-generating office and there were logical reasons for keeping the increase intact," said spokeswoman Rebecca Rausch.

After the Daily Herald contacted the governor's office for reaction to White's comments, a spokesman for White promptly called the newspaper seeking to clarify a few of the things White said.

"His intent was not to single out any one person. He was trying to convey that everyone needs to work together," said White spokesman Henry Haupt.

During the interview, White said he and Blagojevich haven't spoken since the start of the year. But he suggested the second-term governor also try a different approach.

"Sometimes we take on a job but we won't take on the responsibility that goes on with it," White said. "I don't want to throw the baby out with the bath water because I have my budget I'm concerned about. But I do think he should play a more active role in the running of government."

White paused before adding, "That's not a criticism. That's a recommendation."