'Morning Shift' #45: Lame duck legislature

November 9, 2012

View the story "'Morning Shift' #45: Lame duck legislature " on Storify'Morning Shift' #45: Lame duck legislature On Friday's Morning Shift, we look at the week in review. We also talk to Derrick Smith about his re-election, look at what's ahead for marriage rights in light of Wednesday's election results across the country, and talk to WBEZ's statehouse reporter Tony Arnold about this year's lame ducks. Storified by · Fri, Nov 09 2012 07:11:39State Representative Derrick Smith of Illinois’ 10th District was expelled from office earlier this year when he was arrested for allegedly taking a $7,000 bribe. He won back the seat in Tuesday’s election. Smith joins us to talk about what his plans are for the future.Same-sex marriage was on the ballot Tuesday in four states. Maryland, Maine and Washington voted to extend marriage rights to gay couples, while Minnesota shot down a constitutional amendment defining marriage as solely between a man and a woman. We talk with one of Illinois’ leading voices on marriage equality, state Representative Greg Harris of Illinois’ 13th District to learn what’s ahead for marriage rights in Illinois.Out Front RallyGovernorDaytonAfter elections, it’s not uncommon to see a flurry of activity in Springfield, as legislators who lost their reelection bids or are retiring feel emboldened to take on issues that might divide their constituents. Tony Arnold, who covers the statehouse for WBEZ, looks at what this year’s lame ducks might do before they leave office, and David Morrison, the deputy director of the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform, looks at how lame-duck sessions affect the legislative process.
Finally, Alexandra Salomon, producer anddirector of WBEZ’s Worldview,and Ted Fishman, author of the books China Inc. andShock of Gray,review the week in news, including stories you might have missed in the wake of the presidential elections.