Veto power starts battle

In a move that jeopardizes a tamer health insurance expansion plan, Gov. Rod Blagojevich launched a fresh assault on House Democrats by rewriting a measure to force insurance companies to cover dependents well into their 20s.

Blagojevich promised the move is just the beginning in his attempt to strong-arm proposals through the state legislature that have previously failed.

"Unfortunately, (House Speaker) Mike Madigan has decided to oppose every initiative we propose," the governor said at a downtown news conference Wednesday. "What are you supposed to do to do right by the people?"

In announcing his new legislative moves, Blagojevich began a full verbal offensive against Madigan, a fellow Chicago Democrat, and the House Democrats who follow him.

Madigan and Blagojevich have been enemies for years and the battle only continues to escalate, leading to further legislative gridlock.

"They kill jobs. They kill education funding. They try and take away health care from people," Blagojevich said of House Democrats.

Blagojevich also said Madigan and House Democrats are for "blocking everything that is good for people," and they only are "for raising taxes on people."

A spokesman for Madigan declined to comment.

The governor used his amendatory veto powers to rewrite approved legislation that allows college students to stay on their parents' insurance if they reduce course loads for medical reasons. Blagojevich's additions would allow parents to keep dependents on their coverage plan until they are 26 years old. Parents of veterans could keep dependents covered until the age of 30.

The governor's office says the plan would allow up to 300,000 uninsured residents get coverage. The measure is similar to an element of the governor's failed health care expansion proposal.

By amending the legislation, the governor effectively rejected the plan that was sent to him. If his amendments don't pass, the underlying health insurance expansion will not become law.

Lawmakers could vote to override the veto, which would save the underlying legislation. That measure was approved this spring 105-3 in the House and 56-1 in the Senate.

The governor says he is eyeing 50 pieces of legislation that he may also drastically rewrite in the coming weeks. He said the legislation he is risking is "incremental" as compared to the big changes he wants to make with his amendatory veto.

But state Rep. Fred Crespo, who helped push the underlying health insurance legislation, said the governor's move is wrong.

"Now the governor, by doing this, risks us not getting anything at all," said the Hoffman Estates Democrat. "Many of us are getting sick and tired of this little game. It is hurting people."

State Rep. Chuck Jefferson, a Rockford Democrat who sponsored the legislation, said he plans to push for an override.

For his part, Blagojevich's rhetoric on Wednesday may do little to win votes for his proposals.

He has called lawmakers back into session next week to go over his latest proposal for a $25 billion public works plan backed by leasing out the state lottery. The health insurance mandate may also get a vote.

Blagojevich said lawmakers shouldn't complain about yet another summer of overtime sessions.

"Get to work. Stop making excuses and earn your pay," he chided. "That is what they ought to do."

Meanwhile, Blagojevich's liberal use of amendatory veto powers may raise legal concerns.

On three separate occasions the Illinois Supreme Court has ruled the governor does not have the unilateral ability to wholly rewrite legislation. If Blagojevich's changes are approved, a lawsuit could follow based on those earlier rulings.

The governor's office was careful to point out the original language of the underlying measure remains intact.

• Daily Herald Senior State Government Editor John Patterson contributed to this report.

Veto: Governor's moves might raise legal concerns