Quinn seeing green

Gov. Pat Quinn is at an environmental news conference this afternoon.
He just described the $30-plus billion state construction program -- financed with video gambling, higher liquor taxes and vehicle fees -- as the "greenest capital bill ever."

Not sure about ever, but it's certainly the greenest in the last decade.

Later, Quinn was asked about the ongoing back and forth between himself and Comptroller Dan Hynes over a short-term borrowing deal to help the state pay bills. Quinn and Hynes are Democratic rivals in the upcoming primary for governor. Fittingly, in his role as comptroller, Hynes must sign off on any borrowing plan the governor wants (as does the state treasurer).

Quinn has taken a beating in recent days for what appear to be loosely sketched out borrowing plans and an inability to provide details about the hundreds of millions he wants to borrow.

In response, Hynes told Quinn "no" and here's what Quinn said Friday.

"No is not a policy in a fiscal emergency."

Someone might want to tell Jim Edgar that. He earned the nickname "Governor No" for a reason back in the economically troubled early 1990s.