House Speaker Michael Madigan said Thursday that Gov. James Thompson`s veto of a Medicaid spending measure represents ”an uncaring attitude” and he vowed to overturn the action.
On Wednesday, Thompson vetoed a measure authorizing him to spend $155.6 million for the cash-strapped state Medicaid program, saying that the state could not afford it and that it could jeopardize the integrity of the state`s budget.
The Medicaid budget ran dry earlier this spring, creating prolonged delays in payments to medical providers for treatment of the state`s 1.1 million Medicaid recipients.
Madigan said he opposed Thompson`s compromise solution-a $30 million pool for making emergency payments to health-care providers threatened with bankruptcy-because it would give the governor complete discretion.
”Quite frankly, I don`t trust this governor in regards to whom he would decide to give money to,” Madigan said. ”I`ve seen this administration on too many occasions play favorites.”
Madigan will need full allegiance of his fellow Democrats and some Republican defectors to override the veto. The vote is scheduled for May 25.
In legislative action, the House passed a measure on home-equity insurance that will act as a back-up proposal in case the Chicago City Council does not act on the issue. The House bill, which contains no substantive provisions, could be amended later in the Senate, which already has approved a sweeping home-equity program funded by a tax of 12 cents per $100 of assessed valuation.
A plan for home-equity insurance, which would protect property owners against declining property values caused by racial shifts in communities, has been rejected by a council committee, although aldermen who favor the measure- mostly those representing Southwest and Northwest Side neighborhoods-hope to win approval on the council floor.
Critics of the plan in the council contended that it is racist and unnecessary because integration has not been proven to drive down property values.
Also Thursday, the Senate voted 49-2 to create a program to protect the equity of suburban homeowners whose real estate values might decline because of the construction of the superconducting supercollider being sought by state officials. The bill also would guarantee that local taxing districts not lose tax revenues because of any drop in their property tax base.
Sen. Forest Etheredge (R., Aurora) said the measure shows that state officials are acting responsibly in preparing a site for the project. He said federal officials will take that into consideration when looking at Illinois as a possible site.
Legislation requiring motorcycle riders under age 18 to wear helmets was rejected by a four-vote margin in the House.
Rep. John Cullerton (D., Chicago), who indicated that he may revive the measure later this year, said a growing number of lawmakers favor the legislation because 56 legislators voted for it compared with 42 last year. Sixty votes were needed for passage.
