Now what?

Patrick Quinn faces oddball past, daunting future as governor
By Kevin McDermott and Kari Andren
POST-DISPATCH SPRINGFIELD BUREAU   02/01/2009

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Now what?
After almost two months under a brutal national spotlight, Illinoisans might be tempted to think their problems were solved when ex-Gov. Rod Blagojevich was shown the door Thursday by a unanimous state Senate vote.
But now, [...]

Welcome, 96th Illinois General Assembly

Blagojevich gets cold shoulders from lawmakers during seating ceremony
By Kevin McDermott and Kari Andren
POST-DISPATCH SPRINGFIELD BUREAU 01/15/2009

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Impeached Gov. Rod Blagojevich on Wednesday was greeted with deafening silence by a packed Illinois Senate chamber as he formally swore in the 59 state senators who will decide later this month whether to remove him [...]

Massage Therapy story #4

Therapists see licensing bill as aid to profession
Monday, July 07, 2008
BY KARI ANDREN, For The Patriot-News
Jennifer Callahan is tired of the bad rap her profession as a massage therapist sometimes gets. She’s ecstatic at the possibility of having the word “licensed” added to her job title.
Callahan, a nationally certified massage therapist in Hampden Twp., said [...]

Budget Survival Guide

As important as stamina: tricks to help folks cope

By Kari Andren, Special to the Morning Call
Coffee, NERF balls, diet sodas and plenty of blankets and pillows — that’s how state lawmakers and their staff survive the 24/7 days of budget negotiations.
As legislative leaders and the governor’s staff huddle in private for endless hours in [...]

Moving chess pieces

Education funding a casualty amid state budget talks
GOP-led Senate cuts nearly $118 million out of Rendell plan.
By Kari Andren |Special to The Morning Call
June 19, 2008

| The Republican-controlled state Senate on Wednesday put down its marker in this year’s budget debate, passing a spending plan that slashed nearly $118 million in basic education [...]

My first Morning Call story

Monday I began my rotation writing for the prestigious Morning Call of Allentown. Today my first in-print story appears, but also check my boss’ blog, Capitol Ideas, for stuff that doesn’t make it in print!

Ban on lobbyist gifts goes to full Senate – with suggestions
Some on committee see a loophole or prefer disclosure.
By Kari [...]

A study in contrasts

Pa. state policy staffer is board game expert, too.
HARRISBURG – By day, Erik Arneson is a top legislative staffer, mulling over politics and policy.By night, he is an expert gamer for the online information source About.com, battling Imperial stormtroopers. He spends evenings, weekends and even vacations playing games and writing reviews and articles for the [...]

Because We’re All Important

PA state Senate panel to hear from administration on furloughs
By Kari Andren
INQUIRER HARRISBURG BUREAU
HARRISBURG – The Senate State Government Committee will hear testimony today from Rendell administration officials about furloughing government workers should the state budget fail to be approved on time again.
Naomi Wyatt, secretary of administration, said Friday that without a budget in place, [...]