Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich delivered his annual State of the State address to lawmakers in Springfield Wednesday.
Gov. Blagojevich’s 40-minute speech was defined by numerous attacks on Washington, a couple of new initiatives, and rehashing of a few others.
On the list of initiatives leaked to the press in recent weeks were his public works proposal, which involves road construction and infrastructure projects.
And his plan to raise money for school construction by putting bingo-style lottery games called Keno in Illinois bars.
On the list of what’s new, Blagojevich pitched a plan to guarantee healthcare for veterans, and a $1,000 tax credit for parents of college freshmen and sophomores.
Blagojevich also says he wants to expand drug treatment in state prisons, and promised to again pitch a state-wide assault weapons ban.
Still, where his speech didn’t skimp on new initiatives, it may have been a bit light on how he expects to fund his plans, something that’s expected to raise eyebrows among some lawmakers and pundits.