Illinois House Democrats meet today in Northbrook to hear testimony on close to a half-billion dollars in state budget cuts. Individual towns, social service programs and arts organizations are set to testify about the effects of Governor Rod Blagojevich’s vetoes. The governor has called them “pork” — promising to direct money away from individual members’ pet projects and toward expanding health care. But recently, the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability analyzed the cuts. The nonpartisan watchdog group came to rather different conclusions. Ralph Martire is the Center’s Executive Director, and he joins us by phone.

Music Button: Masters of Groove, “Wow Wow” from the CD Masters of Groove meet DJ-9 (Jazzateria records)