Friday farming ...

One for the weekend
State Rep. Jim Meyer, a Naperville Republican, was among the GOP members giving Democrats a hard time Thursday for not bringing to a vote a plan to suspend the state’s sales tax on gasoline at a time when prices hover around $4 a gallon.

Critics say it’d cost the state millions at a time when the budget is in the red and would save motorists a couple dimes per gallon – at best.

Anyway, during Meyer’s floor speech, he said he thought lawmakers on both sides of the aisle were good people and he couldn’t name anyone who didn’t deserve to be there.

That’s just too good to pass up. Let’s see if anyone’s reading today. Who do you think shouldn’t be in Springfield and why?

Where in the world is ... Eddie Washington?

Daily Herald Capitol reporter Amber Krosel noticed that Eddie Washington had been missing session days. So, she gave the Waukegan Democratic state representative a call to find out why.

"I'm just surprised. That's very thoughtful of you to recognize I haven't been there. How many people would just out of the clear blue would just take interest?" Washington told Krosel. "I won't forget this."

Turns out, Washington injured his leg when he slipped on ice campaigning during primary season. He’s been on crutches and his doctors suggested he not travel much.

"Other than that I'm above ground and I'm OK," Washington said. "I'm working to get back in the driver's seat."

Let’s see. What is it that Rep. Washington missed? Recall amendment? No, that didn’t happen. There’s still no state construction plan. No budget fix. But there’s certainly been lots of fuss for not a whole lot getting done.

"I left there and it was like that," he said. "When I return, it's still going to be that way."

Read Amber Krosel’s story at: http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=183676&src=109