1. - Ahoy - Wednesday, Jun 17, 09 @ 1:25 pm:

   Cullerton mis spoke. He said that they need Republican’s in the Senate to vote for a tax increase. The Senate does not need Republican votes. They already have a super majority. Stop complaining.




2. - Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jun 17, 09 @ 1:26 pm:

   lol. You think they can get 36 out of 37 to vote on that? Really? What world are you living in?




3. - Boxing Cross - Wednesday, Jun 17, 09 @ 1:29 pm:

   Probably not a special session…no need just reconvene regular session kiddos

   BTW BoxedTom repeated his nonsense about six straight Dem budgets…he forgets that he voted for three of them. N




4. - Judy - No Peotone - Wednesday, Jun 17, 09 @ 1:39 pm:

   Regarding the budget talks - I wonder how many legislators have really looked at each line item on the budget and if it were determined to be direly needed. On items that are absolutely needed should be included in the budget at a time when we are facing such $11.6 billion debt. For instance, the Governor wants $100 million for land banking for the long proposed airport near Peotone. He proposes budget cuts to state agencies that provide services to people and with those cuts there would be a loss of jobs - but he supports land banking for Peotone because it could potentially create jobs. Our legislatures need to get serious about their spending of our money and they need to cut out all pork before they consider increasing our taxes.




5. - anon - Wednesday, Jun 17, 09 @ 1:40 pm:

   I may become a republican. Can’t anybody put the good of the people before politics?




6. - anon - Wednesday, Jun 17, 09 @ 1:47 pm:

   Rich, I realie that this is spomewhat unrelated to the thread topic, but I think you should do a QOTD on the fundraising efforts of the members of the GA and get reader feedback on who is asking them to do what and what the general mood is out there.

   Personally, I can’t believe the number of invitations and calls I’ve received. How can somebody solicit funds for a politician when the economy is in the tank and the general assembly gets nothing done. I would love to hear what others have to say.




7. - wordslinger - Wednesday, Jun 17, 09 @ 1:51 pm:

   What can they possibly talk about in these interminable meetings? It’s a big game of chicken.




8. - Bill Lee - Wednesday, Jun 17, 09 @ 1:51 pm:

   Judy -
   What ‘line’ is this “$100 million for land banking for the long proposed airport near Peotone” coming from? Agency, appropriation, etc?




9. - party of one - Wednesday, Jun 17, 09 @ 1:56 pm:

   Rich, the Senate Democrats passed a larger increase than Quinn’s in the last days of session. They could put the 36 votes on a tax increase today if they wanted to. I think Madigan could pass it too if he really wanted to but he wants to drag repubs along with him.




10. - Yellow Dog Democrat - Wednesday, Jun 17, 09 @ 2:02 pm:

    Watching the clips, its pretty clear to me that unless something changes in the next 48 hours, we will not be passing a tax increase next week.

    How in the world can Democrats agree to a list of specific budget cuts in exchange for a tax increase if Republicans won’t provide them with a list?




11. - Yellow Dog Democrat - Wednesday, Jun 17, 09 @ 2:03 pm:

    Regarding Special Session:

    If no Special Session is called, members don’t get their per diem.




12. - Obamarama - Wednesday, Jun 17, 09 @ 2:18 pm:

    ===Gov. Pat Quinn met for two hours today with Democratic and Republican leaders for two hours at his Chicago office===

    Another bang-up piece of literary craftsmanship by the Trib.




13. - Corey - Wednesday, Jun 17, 09 @ 2:27 pm:

    Everyone knows MJM has the votes for a tax increase. You’d have to be a fool not to think so. Take for instance Representative Zalewski from Chicago’s southwest side, a 30 year old kid whose father also happens to be a Chicago alderman and 23rd Ward Democratic Committeeman of Cook County - all adjacent to MJM’s powerhouse 13th Ward. MJM blessed the “appointment” of the kid when the father asked. Does anyone really think if MJM said you need to vote for this kid, Zalewski Jr. would actually say no to him.
    Regardless, MJM is tactical to drag the GOP with him on the tax increase; Cullerton left his leadership playbook at home on this one.




14. - Big West - Wednesday, Jun 17, 09 @ 2:30 pm:

    YDD - A specific list isn’t exactly what the GOP is after. Plus, they’ve smartened up. Unless the Democrats throw one of their coveted constituencies under the bus, they’ll get no GOP help. Basically, the Dems have to agree to pension reform (under the bus goes unions, particularly teachers), managed care for Medicaid (under the bus goes public healthcare), and a redistricting amendment (a post-2010 Democratic drawn map could take the IL GOP into obsolesence).

    The GOP leadership doesn’t think they have much to lose should the budget cuts stand. They can claim they made “tough choices” and “held the line” on taxes. Democrats, meanwhile, will be blamed for a massive failure to fund social services (a core Democratic value).




15. - The Doc - Wednesday, Jun 17, 09 @ 2:52 pm:

    Big West, your logic escapes me.

    If I live in a district that is represented by a Republican, and massive service cuts and layoffs directly impact my quality of life, it’s of no particular concern to me that a horde of faceless Democrats are labeled culpable by the minority party. I’m directing my ire at my rep, his or her party notwithstanding.

    This sinking ship will disproportionately affect Dems only by virtue of the fact that there are more of them in the GA.




16. - Corey - Wednesday, Jun 17, 09 @ 3:00 pm:

    Agreed, Doc. How’s this for a compromise: only cut social services in the districts of those legislators who don’t vote for a tax increase. If you vote yes on tax increase, your district bears fruit of your labor. If not, the social service facilities you geographically represent are out.

    How fast would Cross balk on that? We always did it that way with capital bills, giving preference to projects in favorable districts. Why not continue the philosophy with social services if Cross doesn’t want to play ball?




17. - wordslinger - Wednesday, Jun 17, 09 @ 3:04 pm:

    –Regardless, MJM is tactical to drag the GOP with him on the tax increase; Cullerton left his leadership playbook at home on this one.–

    I think Cullerton’s playbook was comprised of three chapters:

    1. I’m not Emil

    2. I’m not Madigan’s lackey

    3. I can deliver the goods

    Looks like it went according to plan.




18. - wizard - Wednesday, Jun 17, 09 @ 3:17 pm:

    Corey-don’t think they could legally cut services in districts where the rep didn’t vote for an increase. Could be wrong tho.




19. - Corey - Wednesday, Jun 17, 09 @ 3:21 pm:

    Wiz, not sure myself. Good food for thought though. Technically, General Assembly only makes appropriations in an operating budget. If GA funds liabilities short, it’s up to executive branch, e.g. Quinn, to make necessary reductions at his discretion. An example off top of my head was Blago shutting down state parks at last year’s impasse - he did that with one swipe of the pen…no?




20. - A Citizen - Wednesday, Jun 17, 09 @ 3:22 pm:

    It is always darkest just before it turns completely black. Sure hope the musical chairs ends next week - this thing’s giving me an ulcer.




21. - fed up - Wednesday, Jun 17, 09 @ 3:25 pm:

    Corey, so would Mcain be president in the states he won. Would Stroger be coard president of chicago cook co. and claypol the president of the rest of cook co. How far do we take your little plan.




22. - fed up - Wednesday, Jun 17, 09 @ 3:31 pm:

    I really don think the GOP has alot to lose by not voting for a tax increase without something substantial in return. Their districts will not be as hard hit. Hinsdale needs fewer state services than Roseland. Face it the fall isnt as high for the GOP if people get sick of the way the state is being run and demand change a lot more Dems are up for election than GOP. They can be the party of change.




23. - Anon - Wednesday, Jun 17, 09 @ 3:32 pm:

    ==Corey, so would Mcain be president in the states he won. Would Stroger be coard president of chicago cook co. and claypol the president of the rest of cook co. How far do we take your little plan. ==

    Actually, the logical extension of the plan would be to not impose the tax increases in the districts of those who voted against them. Nullification writ small.




24. - Obamarama - Wednesday, Jun 17, 09 @ 3:38 pm:

    ===Their districts will not be as hard hit. Hinsdale needs fewer state services than Roseland. ===

    You’re killing me. In a state with as many conservative rural areas as Illinois, you’re going to pick out one of the wealthiest suburbs in the state and use it as evidence that GOP districts don’t need as many services? Forgive me, I guess that I forgot that neglected or abused children only exist in blue districts. The same thing for elderly people in need of healthcare–strictly a blue district problem. Get a clue.




25. - ilrino - Wednesday, Jun 17, 09 @ 3:58 pm:

    So what do Cross and Radogno want, if they’re even together on this? Reform of what?

    Budgeting? What does he want to cut?
    Redistricting? Is there a plan out there?
    Managing medicaid? Studies show it won’t save us money.
    Split pensions? A number of Dems will vote for that.

    It’s interesting now as I listen around in my strongly repub area, virtually all agree an income tax is a foregone conclusion and needed.

    So what’s Cross’ strategy here?




26. - Deeda - Wednesday, Jun 17, 09 @ 4:14 pm:

    There were 25-30 protesters outside some State Reps office today. I believe Schaumburg and Lake Villa.




27. - 815Sox - Wednesday, Jun 17, 09 @ 4:38 pm:

    I’m a progressive always have been, I also work in the human services field. I understand where Democrats are coming from but too much is at stake. Get the income tax raise passed and then work on educating the populace on why these services are so desperatly needed. I’d be more then willing to come and speak to there nessicity. Children’s lives are literally hanging in the balance.

    You could easily flip this one back on the Republicans. Just basically say they were willing to put politics before people.




28. - 815Sox - Wednesday, Jun 17, 09 @ 4:39 pm:

    Also, the Democratic Party in Illinois needs to continue to call on the GOP to present alternatives. Its easy to sit and critize.

    This thing is a mess. We are being told to conduct buisness as usual at my agency and we are doing our best. But you can feel the anxiety around the office.




29. - Abe's Ghost - Wednesday, Jun 17, 09 @ 4:42 pm:

    Increasingly seems that no one has any idea of what to do. Quinn at least has a proposal; it may not be the best, but he’s consistent. None of the other players have offered any coherent alternative.




30. - Plutocrat03 - Wednesday, Jun 17, 09 @ 6:01 pm:

    So the Dems played patty cake all year, did nothing and you expect the Republicans to wear the jacket n the tax increase. What stupidity.

    The most cynical thing I have seen. The needy will suffer solely because of the dysfunctional Democratic leadership who want to fill their wheelbarrows with pork and to protect their behinds more than helping the needy.

    The Democrats could have passed any budget they wanted without a single Republican vote. Their cowardice is awesome. I never realized how wide the yellow streak across the back of an Illinois Democrat was.

    Shame on them and those who voted for them.




31. - Big West - Wednesday, Jun 17, 09 @ 6:03 pm:

    I agree that Cross and Rodogno should come up with cuts, but they don’t have to. They’ve clearly made several suggestions, but with the need for GOP votes on a tax increase, they have a pretty good position to deal from. It’s absolutely true that folks receiving services are just as screwed in Republican districts, but those legislators seem comfortable portraying they are more concerned about taxation than service. That means they can play the politics. The Republicans have no statewide officeholders. They are in the minority in both chambers of the General Assembly. The have nothing to lose.




32. - obamarama - Wednesday, Jun 17, 09 @ 6:09 pm:

    Their districts will not be as hard hit. Hinsdale needs fewer state services than Roseland. Forgive me, I guess that I forgot that neglected or abused children only exist in blue districts. The same thing for elderly people in need of healthcare–strictly a blue district problem. Get a clue.

    I didnt say they dont need any services I said they need fewer but thats right you cant tell the differance. You need to get a clue Fewer services not no services. But dont let the truth get in the way. Very typical




33. - Princess - Wednesday, Jun 17, 09 @ 6:20 pm:

    Big West “those legislators seem comfortable portraying they are more concerned about taxation than service. That means they can play the politics. The Republicans have no statewide officeholders. They are in the minority in both chambers of the General Assembly. The have nothing to lose”.

    Guess I really know very little about strategy games but I was just reading the new “Human Impact of Budget Cuts” that AFSCME put up this afternoon on their IL Council 31 site. Beyond me how the Republicans can honesty think they will ever take any statewide offices if these cuts take place.

    Really? Is this anyway to rebuild one’s party and give citizens the opinion that we’d all be better off ‘voting for change’ when it is obvious that ‘change’ to the Republicans means it’s okay to destroy IL citizens. Hey, they held the line, they did not raise taxes, they allowed cut, cut, cut, suffer, suffer, suffer.

    Surely I’m missing where this plays in favor of Republicans or shows any change that would be in the state’s best interest. I mean to each their own, but I’m missing it here.




34. - So Blue Democrat - Wednesday, Jun 17, 09 @ 6:24 pm:

    How many Republicans voted for IL Cares Rx that provides pharmaceutical assistance to seniors? This is a major program that may be eliminated with the budget cuts.

    When they talk of pension reforms, will their pensions be affected?




35. - Boxing Cross - Wednesday, Jun 17, 09 @ 6:38 pm:

    Wow, Can you imagine being the pols standing there talking about remap when home health care workers are getting tossed. That is really getting Boxed!
    Hard to believe the Circular Firing Squad has scored a major coup.
    hats off to TugBoat Andy & his crew




36. - Big West - Wednesday, Jun 17, 09 @ 6:55 pm:

    Princess, I agree the situation is awful, and I’m no fan of the politics here. It’s important to realize that legislators are getting tons of calls demanding income taxes not be raised. A lot of Republicans win elections attacking “tax and spend” Democrats. Moreover, editorial boards are walloping Democrats on “reform” while not exactly embracing tax increases. Meanwhile, Democrats have seen their Governor indicted and removed from office, and have a junior Senator who is hopelessly tainted. I’m not saying Republicans have cornered the market on a good message by allowing state services to be decimated. I think their winning message could be that Democrats spent us into the crisis and it’s unfair to burden taxpayers with the fix. Again, it’s a position full of inaccuracy, but it’s not like the media is report it that way.

    Plus, I expect the Republican mantra looks something like this: no politician has ever lost an election for not raising taxes.




37. - Easy - Wednesday, Jun 17, 09 @ 7:04 pm:

    Can you imagine being the Speaker of the House and Democratic Party Chairman and sticking it to the unions that fund your campaigns just to better position your daughter for a run against the incumbent Dem Governor.




38. Pingback Boiler Room » Blog Archive » Broken Budget Countdown - 13 days to go - Wednesday, Jun 17, 09 @ 7:30 pm:

    […] The crux of the Republican position is basically that there have not been enough reforms – budgetary and ethical ­– and that there should be no consideration of a tax increase until those reforms are approved and the budget is cut. They still complain about being excluded from meetings prior to the May 31 budget deadline; legislative Democrats hotly dispute that. They say Republicans were in the loop. […]




39. - wordslinger - Wednesday, Jun 17, 09 @ 8:07 pm:

    Pluto says…

    ==The most cynical thing I have seen. The needy will suffer solely because of the dysfunctional Democratic leadership who want to fill their wheelbarrows with pork and to protect their behinds more than helping the needy.

    The Democrats could have passed any budget they wanted without a single Republican vote. Their cowardice is awesome. –

    What’s your point? Should the Dems have passed the tax increase or not? You’ve been kicking them for even thinking about it. Now you’re kicking them for not doing it.

    Cynical? Cowardice? You’re blessed with the Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Make a tough call, dude.




40. - Dogtired - Wednesday, Jun 17, 09 @ 8:13 pm:

    Will the legislators be getting paid to return to Springfield to approve a budget that they should have already done (maybe even get overtime)? Is it right for legislators to take any pay for not doing their job the first time around, especially when they are asking for concessions from state employees? Someone needs to stand up and demand that our legislators set the example and sacrifice, like they want the whole rest of the state to do!!! If the legislators agreed to work without pay, the public might take them more seriously.

    Here’s a quick way to trim the Capital Plan: No money to churches!!! Why should we be paying for churches to fix their roofs? Why not have people support their churches the old fashioned way, not asking the state taxpayers to pay for your church??? What happened to the separation of church and state??? How dare they threaten layoffs, when they take money to return to Sprigfield to do something that the state taxpayers already paid them to do!!!




41. - Pete Granata - Wednesday, Jun 17, 09 @ 8:36 pm:

    Easy- MJM is hurting his daughter. I am an AFSCME retiree and can tell you that in conversations with fellow politically active retirees (or soon to be) we know who has left us standing at the gallows. If there is an end game here please enlighten us. End game or no end game we have the majority in both houses (or had). ” Morality is on the side of the heaviest artillery”—Napoleon




42. - wordslinger - Wednesday, Jun 17, 09 @ 9:05 pm:

    –” Morality is on the side of the heaviest artillery”—Napoleon–

    How’d that guy end up?




43. - Pete Granata - Wednesday, Jun 17, 09 @ 9:23 pm:

    worslinger–It is my understanding that he retired to the Island of Saint Helena (apparently not by choice) with a single tier pension and health care. No mention of furlough days.




44. - yifguhtf - Thursday, Jun 18, 09 @ 5:49 am:

    tfhgvvg http://www.linkedin.com/in/rt56rt7ju tiava for kujgbjvhg http://www.linkedin.com/in/jyuyt thumbzilla ppv




45. - Boxing Cross - Thursday, Jun 18, 09 @ 9:03 am:

    Wow Trib nails BoxedTom and the Senate GOP Leader right between the eyes this a.m. (P1 Editorial does not help hwho wants to be back by the ESOP/Wrigley scandale posse?)
    “There’s a culture in Springfield of saying we’re just going to keep spending and hopefully someday, somehow, we’ll solve the problem,” said House Republican leader Tom Cross of Oswego. “All we’re saying is everybody else makes changes, everybody else cuts back, everybody else reforms. We need to do that, too, and until you do that, don’t come looking for more money.”

    Republicans have yet to spell out many specifics about budget cuts, instead pointing broadly to moving the poor into managed health care and revamping pension benefits for state workers….”

    And those ideas do not put a dime in the till next year.




46. - Bill - Thursday, Jun 18, 09 @ 12:30 pm:

    I work for a not for profit that has recieved notice of a major budget cut from DHS. I expect we will layoff about 20% of our still existing staff, we laid off 10% only one week ago due to weak fund raising. I will be honest here, I am being told to go to a rally to hear Gov Quinn talk about a tax increase and how the General Assembly needs to be pressured. I think Quinn is full of air, he is a paper tiger and he is being eaten alive. By putting forward notices of cuts to social services agencies he has put himself in a box. Quinn is a failure as a politican, he thinks he is above it all when he is actually a big part of the problem himself. We can not get 1.5% income tax increase, so how about .5% with cuts can we get that? This all or nothing stuff is the stuff of fools.

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