1. - Nikoli - Thursday, Jul 9, 09 @ 3:52 pm:

   Is there really anything left to be said about Quinn and flip-flopping anymore?
   I mean, the guy hasn’t stayed on one course of action yet. He’s all over the place.
   At this point, it should come as no surprise when he flops all over the place.




2. - CircularFiringSquad - Thursday, Jul 9, 09 @ 4:03 pm:

   This should go in the county election non-stories ( i.e. Houli a candidate for anything other than retirement and a long ride with the FOI filly)but it is too desperate since it suggests BrickheadJoe will not run for Ag
   “Right now, obviously, the plan is the plan,” Birkett said. “I didn’t formally announce, but I was indicating I would not be a candidate for governor and was looking at the attorney general’s race, and that’s the way it stands right now.

   Now this suggest the Brick’s announcement video wasn’t meant to be an announcement. Fire the cameraman for putting words into the Brick. So disregard. Also note that the Brick’s in-house Daily Herald PR person, Christy G., did not pen this so who knows




3. - Little Piggy - Thursday, Jul 9, 09 @ 4:08 pm:

   Hopefully he will line item veto all the Pork out of this bill and save millions if not 100’s of millions. Not likely though.




4. - Stones - Thursday, Jul 9, 09 @ 4:08 pm:

   Gov. Quinn is finding out that it was easier to throw stones rather than be pelted with them.




5. - Will County Woman - Thursday, Jul 9, 09 @ 4:09 pm:

   Oh really now????? So, he’s willing to negotiate and actually compromise with the legislators on more realistic and reasonable terms after all ? Wow…um..okay.




6. - zatoichi - Thursday, Jul 9, 09 @ 4:13 pm:

   I once worked for a boss who’s plan of action changed based on whatever the the most recent conversation with a major customer was about. Assigned priorities changed with the wind, written goals were just moving targets, and conflicts were always the faults of others who simply did not see the big picture. Deja vu again.




7. - Speaking at Will - Thursday, Jul 9, 09 @ 4:14 pm:

   Fiction Headlines from our flip flopping Gov.

   12 noon.
   Gov. Quinn Announces Switch to Republican Party. Will Run Against Madigan for A.G.

   1pm
   Gov. Quinn Announces Switch to Green Party.
   Will run against Rich Whitney in Gov. Primary.

   2pm
   Gov. Quinn switches back to Democratic Party, to run against himself in primary.

   3pm
   Announces that he “thought he was wrong once, but he was mistaken.”




8. - Yellow Dog - Thursday, Jul 9, 09 @ 4:16 pm:

   Someone save Quinn a slot on the 2016 Men’s Gymnastics Team.




9. - Rich Miller - Thursday, Jul 9, 09 @ 4:19 pm:

   I think I need a neck brace from all this flopping around.




10. - 815Sox - Thursday, Jul 9, 09 @ 4:27 pm:

    This ought to fly :P




11. - RepubDream - Thursday, Jul 9, 09 @ 4:29 pm:

    My god the republicans have got to be jumping up and down with joy at the prospect of running against Quinn. Hynes won’t fair any better.




12. - Shore - Thursday, Jul 9, 09 @ 4:32 pm:

    according to the sun-times burris is out.

    let the kirk-alexi battles begin!




13. - this voter will remember - Thursday, Jul 9, 09 @ 4:35 pm:

    Maybe his medication needs to be adjusted. Quinn is not bi-polar, is he?




14. - 47th Ward - Thursday, Jul 9, 09 @ 4:36 pm:

    Headline July 15: Quinn urges budget veto override.




15. - Yellow Dog - Thursday, Jul 9, 09 @ 4:41 pm:

    The Big Question is:

    Is That a five-month budget at:

    - FY ‘10 introduced levels
    - FY ‘09 Introduced levels
    - FY ‘09 Actual levels
    - FY ‘08 Actual levels




16. - Niles Township - Thursday, Jul 9, 09 @ 4:43 pm:

    This is really Quinn’s problem. He is a good guy with his heart in the right place, and actually has some good ideas on how to make the state a better place. The problem is he is no way an administrator. He is the idea guy and the guy to hold the press conference. He needs a stronger chief of staff to manage him. He needs a lower wattage Rahm Emanuel type. Every idea that PQ has does not need to be discussed with the press. But that is just how he his. Again, I think he his an honest good man that could actually be a good governor given the time and a chief of staff that knows how to manage him.




17. - Will County Woman - Thursday, Jul 9, 09 @ 4:55 pm:

    @ Niles Township,

    I agree.

    Would quinn be interested in being Lt. Gov again? He did well there and raised that office to a much higher standard. In the executive leadership role he currently holds, he has failed.

    the incumbent advantage is being blown out of proportion. the incumbent advantage can work only if the incumbent is effectively doing his job

    let’s have no more talk about Quinn inheriting a mess, because his leadership style, or lack of leadership ability, has nothing to do with blago and what messes he left behind. the governor’s office was/is quinn’s to lose.




18. - A Citizen - Thursday, Jul 9, 09 @ 4:57 pm:

    A fish out of water flip flops until it runs low on energy then it just flops and flops. I’m thinking PQ has become a Flop Flopper. Sad but true.




19. - Josh - Thursday, Jul 9, 09 @ 5:05 pm:

    Yellow Dog asks the most appropriate question….furthermore, does he expect to see a specific appropriations bill other than what the GA already passed?




20. - Bookworm - Thursday, Jul 9, 09 @ 5:49 pm:

    Is SB 1221 the capital bill in question, which Quinn says he will sign on Monday? It’s about 1,000 pages long and loaded with all sorts of projects.

    In addition, it contains provisions that amend HB 2145 and SB 1197 to remove the restrictions on spending that Quinn referred to in his veto message for HB 2145.

    So, if this is the bill Quinn signs on Monday, that means the GA can override one or both of Quinn’s recent vetoes on Tuesday, thereby making those bills law AND addressing the governor’s objections in one fell swoop.




21. - state employee - Thursday, Jul 9, 09 @ 6:08 pm:

    Not acceptable and flaunts the state constitution.

    Get it done now - full year balanced budget and it means raising taxes, preferably fairly which means more taxes for those who are more wealthy. Also close gaping corp tax loopholes, which are offshoring all profits and pay no IL taxes.
    Don’t borrow more and more and more and more money. That’s not acceptable either.




22. - Rich Miller - Thursday, Jul 9, 09 @ 6:09 pm:

    state employee, just how do you expect that long list of yours to pass?

    “Not acceptable,” indeed.




23. - state employee - Thursday, Jul 9, 09 @ 6:10 pm:

    See State of Vermont’s system for fair taxing please.




24. - state employee - Thursday, Jul 9, 09 @ 6:11 pm:

    I have no expectations but I tell it like it is, Rich, what need to be done.




25. - Rich Miller - Thursday, Jul 9, 09 @ 6:13 pm:

    First: Read the constitution.

    Second: Get a clue.




26. - Emily Booth - Thursday, Jul 9, 09 @ 7:01 pm:

    Afscme distributed a flyer today urging members to call their reps and it mentioned filing a lawsuit.

    I think Pat Quinn is an extrovert. They do all of their thinking out loud and it always sounds like they’re flip-flopping.




27. - Bookworm - Thursday, Jul 9, 09 @ 7:10 pm:

    Actually SB 1221 (which was sent to the Governor this afternoon) removes EXACTLY those provisions of the two vetoed bills that Quinn cited as being potentially unconstitutional. If he signs this bill on Monday, then the GA can override one or both vetoes on Tuesday, secure in the knowledge that the potential constitutional problems will be instantly fixed.

    Also, there’s nothing unusual about passing bills that correct or modify other bills, or that are contingent upon the passage of other bills. If anyone has questioned the constitutionality of that practice, I’m not aware of it.




28. - Princess - Thursday, Jul 9, 09 @ 8:00 pm:

    Emily “Afscme distributed a flyer today urging members to call their reps “–

    Nothing new, really, the ‘call your rep’ has been a ongoing thing for some time now. Just some new items this time to titch about.

    The games of ‘huff-puff’ are getting quite Ryanish now. Give us what ‘we’ want or ‘I’ will toss out another 2,500.

    In my own opinion pretty silly vindictive tactic which makes little sense. Really, think about it. Make cuts with 2,600 tossed. That’s one thing, but gimme gimme or another round goes?

    Either the state needs the workers or they don’t. If the state only plans to make layoffs if the state does not get what it wants by trying to open the contract, then maybe the state in sunshine does indeed have workers kept around for unnecessary reasons. Only need x amount of workers. Are they laying off to make budget cuts and streamline or making threats because somebody wants to bust contracts?

    Considering negotiations are to be in good faith, what’s with the threats? Why the strongarm attempt? As a tax payer I would not want to think the state kept 2,500 workers they did not need just because the workers gave a bit of concession.




29. - Anonymous - Thursday, Jul 9, 09 @ 8:49 pm:

    Princess:

    Get a clue. The state can’t afford to lose most of the 2,600 now in the process of receiving layoff notices, let alone another 2,500. Perhaps there needs to be some shuffling of employees around agencies to balance things out but overall most state agencies are struggling to do things they are required by law to do. (By the way, I’m not in the union so I don’t have a particular dog in this fight).

    Everybody wants cuts to be made but, as usual, there are complaints about certain cuts. Payroll is a decent size part of the budget so obviously you go there for some cuts. This type of negotiating is done with any negotiation (public or private sector). They are giving the union an option - take 12 furlough days or there will be more layoffs. The union has a choice.

    I will be taking my 12 furlough days (not union) and I believe that if some have to take them then all should take them. Sure, it sucks. It’s a 4.5% ($3,000 +) pay cut for me. I don’t like it. But, it’s better to have a job than be laid off.




30. - VanillaMan - Thursday, Jul 9, 09 @ 11:05 pm:

    OK Mr. Governor. Start dealing. We have work to do!




31. - state employee - Thursday, Jul 9, 09 @ 11:57 pm:

    Rich,
    Huh? Why the rude tone and insults, I meant no offense to you and don’t insult you? I have only ever complimented and thanked you for this blog website.

    I haven’t read the state constitution, nor do I plan to, but I do know that it requires a full year budget to be passed by 5/31, and at the latest 6/30, and also requires full funding of the pensions every year. I don’t know the last year that both of these have been done. That is part of the problem that led us here and yet this year–no budget for the full year by the deadline, and proposals AGAIN to borrow to fund the pensions.




32. - Anonymous - Friday, Jul 10, 09 @ 12:08 am:

    What bothers me most about him is that he shoots off his mouth on a position before he knows if he can get support in the GA for it.

    That’s just a like a litigator asking a question of someone testifying in open court without knowing the answer. A “surprising” answer or response can kill your case in law or politics.

    It’s been said that politics is much like an iceberg; less than 10% is visible and 90% is hidden from view. It’s the 90% unseen that sinks you.

    The problem is that Quinn asks the political questions to which he doesn’t have an answer, and refuses to identify and control that 90% that’s hidden from view.

    We need a Guv with better vision who knows how to make government work, a Vallas or Dillard type.

    Quinn just doesn’t have it in him to lead, plan,implement, or inspire.

    Good intentions are worthless in Springfield.




33. - NeveroddoreveN - Friday, Jul 10, 09 @ 8:31 am:

    Rich i think you have been alluding to this for months now about the temporary budget. Something gets passed that buys them enough time to see who will run against them so that they can vote in favor or against a tax increase based on their opponents strength. Well predicted. But can you tell me who wins the AL and NL Central?




34. - Princess - Friday, Jul 10, 09 @ 8:48 am:

    Anonymous from last night, don’t know why I’m bothering as new day page will be up soon, but ol’ Princess is not as clueless as you seem to think she is.

    Don’t have to tell me about short staffed agencies. What I said was just not what ‘you’ wanted to hear. Frontline has gotten the kick in the rear while Rod padded and stuffed everywhere but. Care to take a look at the workload put on frontline while programs where expanded to make good headlines?

    I guess the difference bewteen me and you right now is a contract bargained in good faith with concessions already made prior to signing. Should we open all contracts in all areas of the state business and just tell em ’sorry, we’ve decided your contract sucks and you should share pain too’.

    There is a difference between ‘a job is better than being laid off’ and trying to weaken labor groups I don’t intend to be sucked into the play for union contracts being made here.




35. - state employee - Friday, Jul 10, 09 @ 9:35 am:

    Kudos, Princess!




36. - wordslinger - Friday, Jul 10, 09 @ 10:31 am:

    Whatever. Quinn’s exhausting.

    Is that something adults do now?

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