SPRINGFIELD-Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s impeachment trial turned Wednesday to issues that had nothing to do with allegations he tried to sell President Barack Obama’s vacated Senate seat – instead focusing on accusations he broke hiring laws, wasted taxpayer money and illegally defied the state Legislature.

Impeachment prosecutor David Ellis opened the third day of proceedings by saying he planned to trim his witness list to avoid repeating material, meaning testimony could wrap up Wednesday.

Among those expected to testify were Auditor General William Holland, whose reviews of government agencies often found examples of mismanagement and improprieties under Blagojevich, and experts on the powers of a legislative committee the governor defied.

But Ellis said he may cut testimony from lawmakers describing the findings of the House investigation and testifying on the damage the Blagojevich scandal has done to the state.

Republicans objected, saying they wanted to hear from every possible witness, even if they’re just summarizing the conclusions of the Illinois House impeachment probe.

“I’ll sit here on Super Bowl Sunday, if I have to, to make sure the governor of the great state of Illinois gets a fair trial,” said Sen. Kirk Dillard, R-Hinsdale.

As he’s been throughout the impeachment trial, Blagojevich was a no-show Wednesday. The Democratic governor says he’s done nothing wrong and that the trial rules are unfair. He spent the trial’s first two days giving interviews to the national news media and talk shows in New York.

On Wednesday, Senate President John Cullerton, D-Chicago, called on Blagojevich to defend himself before the Senate. He said the governor needs to explain how secretly recorded conversations in which Blagojevich appears to discuss demanding campaign contributions in exchange for signing legislation were taken out of context.

“If he wants to come down here instead of hiding out in New York and having Larry King asking questions instead of the senators, I think he’s making a mistake,” Cullerton said. “He should come here and answer the questions and provide the context he claims that these statements are being taken out of.”

Blagojevich, 52, doesn’t deny making the comments alleged by federal prosecutors. But he says they were taken out of context and don’t amount to anything illegal.

In the recordings, which were played during Tuesday’s session, one person, identified as Blagojevich’s brother and campaign chairman Robert Blagojevich, assures the governor that a horse racing track owner “is good for it” and just has to decide “what accounts to get it out of.”

Another person, lobbyist and former Blagojevich chief of staff Lon Monk, assures him the track owner knows he must keep his “commitment” soon. Blagojevich replies with comments like “good” and “good job.”

The allegation at the center of the tapes is that Blagojevich improperly pressured John Johnston, owner of two Chicago-area harness-racing tracks, to donate money by the end of 2008, when a new ethics law would take effect and restrict donations. Prosecutors say Blagojevich threatened not to sign legislation giving tracks a portion of casino-generated revenue unless he got the donation.

It’s not clear whether Johnston ever made a donation; federal prosecutors have seized Blagojevich’s campaign records. Johnston has not been charged with any illegal activity, and his attorney denies Johnston ever requested any quid pro quo.

None of the people on the calls specifically mention money. Monk and Robert Blagojevich have not been charged with any crime.

The governor was arrested last month on a variety of corruption charges, including scheming to benefit from appointing President Barack Obama’s U.S. Senate replacement and demanding campaign contributions in exchange for state services.

Lawmakers, who could vote within days on whether to remove Blagojevich, heard only a few minutes of FBI tapes. But an FBI agent vouched for the accuracy of many other Blagojevich quotes that were included the federal criminal complaint.

If the Senate convicts him, Blagojevich will be removed from office and replaced by Lt. Gov. Patrick Quinn, a fellow Democrat.