Mutiny

12:08 pm, 2/1/05

Mutiny
About a month ago, I observed that the State of Illinois was likely to have to pay out millions for flu shots the Governor had bought but couldn't get the rights to import, and which were actually spoiling in European coolers. Illinois Comptroller Dan Hynes has now informed Governor Blagojevich that if he wants to give our money to the Krauts, they'll have to fight us for it:

Illinois Comptroller Dan Hynes says he won't go along with Governor Rod Blagojevich's (bluh-GOY'-uh-vitchz) two-and-a-half (M) million dollar agreement to buy flu vaccine from overseas.

In a letter to the governor's chief of staff today, Hynes' office says the vaccine contract wasn't submitted until January 24th. That's three months after Blagojevich struck the deal to import the vaccine.

The letter also notes that Blagojevich hasn't been able to obtain permission from the U-S Food and Drug Administration to import the shots. And Hynes says that should let the state cancel the contract under a provision about "circumstances beyond its reasonable control."

Hynes spokesman Alan Henry says the vaccine companies will have to sue the state if they still feel entitled to the money.

I believe Hynes' thesis about "circumstances beyond our reasonable control" is incorrect: Blagojevich made this agreement knowing full well it would blow up in his face, because he wanted to get his mug on CNN. This is "malfeasance beyond our reasonable control", and if the Germans want their money, they should bill Rod directly.