Gov aide ridicules Dems' construction plan

SPRINGFIELD -- House Democrats positioned their own newly crafted state construction package Tuesday for a possible vote, but the plan was immediately ridiculed as too small by Gov. Blagojevich's office.

While the governor and his legislative allies are seeking a $34 billion capital program, the plan that advanced out of a House panel would free up $1.8 billion for Illinois roads, bridges and other construction needs.

The House plan would authorize $360 million in state borrowing, which would be used to leverage federal transportation and transit dollars.

"This is designed to make sure Illinois doesn't lose any federal funds," said Steve Brown, spokesman for House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago).

Blagojevich's office belittled the effort as too little.

"This House action puts us 1 percent closer to meeting our state's infrastructure needs," gubernatorial spokesman Lucio Guerrero said. "Before they start pounding their chests to congratulate themselves, it's our hope they intend to go back to work and pass the other 99 percent necessary to meet our state's infrastructure needs."

Last week, the House overwhelmingly defeated a gambling expansion package that was the funding linchpin of Blagojevich's capital program.