Blagojevich Faces Obstacles Entering Second Term as Governor

Springfield, IL - As Governor Rod Blagojevich prepares for his second term, there are questions about how much hell be able to get done. Blagojevich, the second Democratic governor to win re-election in Illinois history, will be sworn into office on Monday, but a few things could hamper the success of his next term. He is currently facing a federal investigation alleging hiring fraud within his administration and hes facing criticism from both parties about spending. Illinois voters elected Blagojevich to a second term after he promised to do more of the same. In his campaign he said he would raise the minimum wage, spend more money on schools and health care coverage, and hold the line on taxes. "I want to move our state toward universal health care coverage," Blagojevich said on election night in Chicago. "I want smaller class sizes. I want to get retired teachers to come back and pay them to educate our younger teachers to be better trained." But theres the question of how these programs are being funded without cutting the budget or raising taxes. Blagojevichs opponent in the November election, Judy Baar Topinka, said the governor is driving the state deeper into debt by paying for new spending with borrowed money. But Blagojevich says hes responsible for reducing the states multi-billion-dollar budget deficit. According to a report by the Illinois State Comptroller, the states general deficit hit $3.064 billion at the end of Fiscal Year 2005. Thats about $500 million more than the $2.495 billion hole that existed at the end of FY 2004. But it is still below the record deficit of $4.166 billion in F.Y. 2003, when Blagojevich took office. Republican lawmakers say Blagojevich is dipping into peoples retirement money in order to balance the budget. The states pension system has a $38 billion gap between assets and future obligations. But Blagojevich says under-funding of state pensions began under previous Republican administrations, and that hes significantly cut pension liabilities since taking office. During his next four years, Blagojevich says he wants to continue his first-term efforts to increase stem cell research funding, create jobs, and not increase sales or income taxes. Blagojevichs inaugural schedule Monday in Springfield begins with a prayer service at 9 a.m. The actual ceremony begins at 11 a.m. During his inaugural ceremony, Blagojevich will honor the recipients of his "People are Todays Heroes", or P.A.T.H. Awards. These are people who, through hard work and commitment, have improved the lives of others in their community. Local honorees include React and Lifeline Helicopter Services, 18-year-old Jessica Bacon from Rockford, and Stephenson County Health Department nurse Sharon Lang. Those honored have helped Illinois move forward in either health care, public safety, education, and environmental development.