169 Comments - MrJM - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 10:00 am: “Madigan thought he had a deal.” Seems to be a lot of that going around lately… – MrJM - Oswego Willy - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 10:02 am: Rauner’ response? “Trust me” MJM is indeed a Dealmaker, with any and every person willing to negotiate in good faith… …when the Speaker asks you to “show your work”, that isn’t a Math response, that is a 100% trust response; “I want it IN writing, I want it LOCKED in, I want ZERO suprises. This might very well be your last chance that I trust you, I’d treat it as such.” I could be all wet on this, I mean Governor Rauner recently said MJM is his “friend”, so there’s that… - John A Logan - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 10:05 am: Good for Madigan. That’s governing. - SAP - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 10:05 am: “This might very well be your last chance that I trust you, I’d treat it as such.” Exactly - Jorge - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 10:08 am: Let the games begin. - Loop Lady - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 10:08 am: and so it begins…taking Rauner to school…someone has to do it… - A guy - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 10:12 am: A good, logical and reasoned response and pledge of cooperation with a reasonable and logical request for the philosophical approach to a joint project. There is reason for hope. Like him or not, this Speaker is masterful in this arena. - Amalia - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 10:14 am: a few non accidents in the Madigan moves! - illinoised - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 10:14 am: Hurray for Madigan. At least we have one state leader who knows how to govern. - Hey Anonny Nonny - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 10:14 am: =Let the games begin.= The games have already begun. This is MJM trying to get Rauner to play the same game (I believe it was previously mentioned as comparing Rauner playing Chinese checkers to MJM playing chess - not even the same playing board). - the Cardinal - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 10:17 am: The Line in the Sand is being Drawn. Gonna be a Long Session. - Oswego Willy - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 10:19 am: Um, - A Guy -… ===rofessionally and cooperatively,” Madigan said. “That’s why I worked with the governor to address the current fiscal year’s budget. Now that decisions continue being made that impact a number of residents and families throughout the state, it’s important that the governor fully disclose how he reached those decisions.”=== That statement isn’t about everyone working together, pulling one way. That statement is about honesty. That statement is about trust. That statement is about clarifying, for the Governor, there will not be a “misunderstanding”…again. Reading comprehension is useful… - Jack Stephens - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 10:23 am: Always learn a lot from your posts IW….thanx! I hope Bruce reads this but I get the feeling he just obsessed with unions. I’m concerned for his health. - nixit71 - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 10:25 am: If only Madigan had this much concern regarding Illinois’ “budget decisions” in 1983…or 1993…or 2003…or 2013… - Jack Stephens - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 10:25 am: Meant “OW” not IW. - Langhorne - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 10:26 am: The GA can, w difficulty, pass a budget. But it means nothing if the governor freezes, cuts or just refuses to implement line items duly passed into law. He seems more than willing to inflict pain and undercut an agreement. Six weeks to go. This is an invitation (plea) from the speaker to finally engage and get on with it. Governing. Not grandstandin. Not campaignin. - Arsenal - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 10:27 am: “Madigan thought he had a deal.” Well then. Listen, as I’ve tried and failed to articulate before: Madigan may be right or wrong that “he had a deal”. There may have been no agreement on the part of the Governor, implicit or otherwise. Madigan may be being entirely unreasonable. It doesn’t matter. Madigan is gonna Madigan, and if he doesn’t trust the Governor anymore, he’s going to make everything very painful, even if his reasons for not trusting the Governor are shaky. Personally, on this one, I think his reasons are sound, but it doesn’t matter, “trust” isn’t objective. If Madigan honestly feels like it’s gone, it’s gone. - Wordslinger - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 10:27 am: “How we reached our decisions? Ever read Origin of the Species?” - Minnow - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 10:27 am: Rauner to Mike: “Mike,Mike,Mike. What is it about corporate greed that you don’t understand? I’m here to represent my people. We have no use for rules, contracts, government,and human dignity. I’m in charge of plundering everything in this state to make it ready for my carpetbagger friends to come in and buy up anything that can turn a profit. So stay out of the way, cause I always win. /snark intended/truth? - Jack Stephens - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 10:28 am: @nix: If Thompson and Edgar had this much concern BEFORE building and staffing the Illinois Prison Industrial Complex without any way to pay for it. Oh, and FYI those prison workers are union workers too. - john - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 10:34 am: Wordslinger - LOL. Great comment! - Oswego Willy - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 10:35 am: Oh - nixit71 -, Please remember the following to your drive-by; The 100 years of corruption, career politicians, 1/3 of the GOP GA is corrupt, and of course “shake and bring back” Springfield and Illinois. Trust is at play here, the budget is the manner the Speaker wants it measured against for the Governor. (Tips cap to - Jack Stephens -, thanks) - Shemp - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 10:41 am: I totally agree Rauner should be taken to task over the scorched earth, and Madigan is right to do it, but this? === - illinoised - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 10:14 am: Hurray for Madigan. At least we have one state leader who knows how to govern.=== Have we suddenly lost all perspective on how we found ourselves in this mess? - Jorge - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 10:41 am: Wordslinger, makes me laugh yet again. Hey Anony, Rauner can’t play the same game as “Da Speaker.” - Sunshine - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 10:44 am: ‘Governor’ Madigan has done such a great job leading the Illinois legislature to balance the budget and keep us in a surplus all these years. Now there is a fellow who can be trusted to do the right thing for the people of our great state. - walker - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 10:46 am: Usually these specific understandings on budget assumptions and arithmetic are discussed between staff behind closed doors. For Madigan to make this public is significant. - Demoralized - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 10:47 am: ==Now there is a fellow who can be trusted to do the right thing for the people of our great state.== That made me LOL. Thanks for the Friday pick me up. Raunerbots Unite! - Oswego Willy - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 10:48 am: - Sunshine - MJM is Speaker, the leader of 1/2 of 1/3 of Illinois Government. If that is too hard to understand how all this fits together, then you drive-by sheds no sunshine as to what is going on, or what has gone on in the past. Hope it made you feel good, don’t want it to be a total loss. - [Name redacted by Rich Miller] - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 10:49 am: The irony in Madigan asking for this is just too comical. I mean, let’s review how they passed the budgets that got us in this mess in the first place, before we crown him as a deal maker. - Wordslinger - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 10:49 am: Walker, dead on. Let’s see you work, whiz kids. Sell it. - nixit71 - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 10:51 am: There’s nothing I want more than the Speaker and Governor to build trust and work together. But Madigan has been the filling the flame throwers fuel tanks that has left the “scorched earth” (thanks, Shemp) of IL finances in his wake. For you guys to hoist him on your shoulders as sort sort of hero now, after 3 decades of highly questionable leadership and fiscal mismanagement, is comical. Better late than never, I guess. - 47th Ward - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 10:52 am: The Speaker just called the Governor’s bet. Now we get to see if the Governor likes his hand enough to raise the stakes. It sure looks like he’s bluffing, so I don’t see what raising the pot does for him, but hey, it’s poker and it wouldn’t surprise me if Rauner goes all-in. We still have a few cards left to play, but I don’t think Rauner is going to make his hand. As for the Speaker’s hand, he’s already shown us his cards: “…I believe that a budget solution should include a balance of spending cuts and additional revenue,…” I’m pretty sure that’s a winning hand. - Louis G Atsaves - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 10:52 am: Speaker Madigan seems to have come up with a sensible approach to dealing with Illinois budgeting problems. Let’s hope the rest of the adults in Springfield climb aboard. - Juvenal - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 10:52 am: They should ask Rauner to testify, and if he is a no-show make sure there is a name plate with an empty chair. - Oswego Willy - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 10:55 am: ===The irony in Madigan asking for this is just too comical. I mean, let’s review how they passed the budgets that got us in this mess in the first place, before we crown him as a deal maker.=== “The irony in Madigan asking for this is just too comical.” MJM is asking the governor to propose a budget, and show his work. There isn’t much comedy there, given that is the role of the Executive in Illinois government. “I mean, let’s review how they passed the budgets that got us in this mess in the first place, before we crown him as a deal maker.” Pat Quinn was ill-equipped to be Governor in deals like these, thus lump sums, and Blago threw away trust with everyone. Institutional knowledge is necessary to understand what happened beyond what others pretend what they think happened. - Sunshine - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 10:56 am: OW Must burn you to have someone point out the obvious…that Madigan has had control for many, many years and has done little more than to serve himself and his own interest. There was a time, long ago when I had hoped that Madigan would champion Illinois and the people of this great state, but he has, by his own actions, demonstrated that he feels it is more about power and less about beneficial results. Pretty sad really. - Wordslinger - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 10:56 am: J, no way the governor would testify on his comic book budget proposal. That’s why you pay superstars. “Buffers, yeah the family had lots of buffers, senator.” - Oswego Willy - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 10:57 am: ===Speaker Madigan seems to have come up with a sensible approach to dealing with Sonny Corleone and the trust factor when working with Sonny. Let’s hope the rest of the adults in Springfield climb aboard.=== Better. - Oswego Willy - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 10:59 am: ===Madigan has had control for many, many years and has done little more than to serve himself and his own interest.=== …with Jim Thonpson, with Jim Edgar, with George Ryan… MJM is not all-powerful. Please learn. - Finally Out (and now very glad to be) - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 11:00 am: Also a nice line from Rep. Currie: “…We can’t draft a budget with magic money that does not exist.” - Demoralized - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 11:01 am: ==Madigan has had control for many, many years == Yes. He has single handedly controlled the entirety of state government. The Senate. The Governor. I can give you a lesson in how government works if you want. - Mouthy - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 11:06 am: I’d say Madigan knows Rauner doesn’t have a clue or doesn’t want to put in the effort on how to create a budget that will get the state by. Show me the money governor appears to be the Speakers plan… - Cheswick - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 11:07 am: - Bill - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 10:49 am: Just pick another name, please. - Demoralized - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 11:07 am: ==Just pick another name, please.== Yeah. I thought that name was retired. - Anonymous - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 11:08 am: - Sunshine - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 10:56 am: Rauner, I am happy that you are reading Capitol Fax instead of other work today. You do enough harm everyday already. - Sunshine - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 11:09 am: MJM could have done far better for the people of Illinois, but he has amply demonstrated he prefers power games over beneficial results. Not speculation but actual results. Look where we are as a state. Perhaps one should take your their advice…..and learn. - Rich Miller - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 11:09 am: There is and will always be only one commenter named “Bill” on this blog. The above person may not know the history. He needs to change his name or he will not be allowed to comment further. - Wallinger Dickus - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 11:09 am: Many of the posters, as lucid and insightful as you may be, weren’t around when Governors Thompson and Edgar shorted the pension systems with “holidays” and union contract gimmicks. Blagojevich just put us on budget irresponsibility steroids. Madigan may be a constant in the flow of state budgets but there’s plenty of blame to go around. And the unmentionable is the Great Recession, the effects of which will linger yet a while longer. - Arsenal - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 11:10 am: “For you guys to hoist him on your shoulders as sort sort of hero now” Who, exactly, is doing that? Preferring Madigan’s approach to Rauner’s phoney-baloney budgeting doesn’t require all that much respect for MJM. - Anonymous - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 11:11 am: - Finally Out (and now very glad to be) - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 11:00 am: Also a nice line from Rep. Currie: “…We can’t draft a budget with magic money that does not exist.” Your out of work Rauner. A Budget is not just about giving to your Billionaire friends. - A guy - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 11:11 am: The Speaker sees this Governor as far different than any other he has ever experienced. Perhaps others should too. Follow his lead. He’s not daring him. That’s silly. He learned early something that is taking a lot of time for other people to catch up with. Not a surprise with the Speaker. Neither of these guys are kids in the alley. This will turn out to be as productive as it is fascinating. - Oswego Willy - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 11:13 am: - Sunshine - Let’s be very clear; Thompson, Edgar, Ryan, even Phil Rock, Pate Phillip, and Emil Jones… Lee Daniels and Tom Cross… Those past leaders, no matter the role, knew they had a partner with MJM, if they can find common ground, and when the had no common ground on an issue or issues, the Speaker sad so. No games, no “misunderstandings” You can still get “Fire Madigan” stuff, you know, if facing this reality is too much for you… - Demoralized - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 11:14 am: Sunshine As soon as you learn how government works let us all know. Last I checked the Speaker of the House doesn’t have absolute power and can do nothing without getting a few other people to go along with him. See Illinois Constitution. Also see How a Bill Becomes a Law - DPGumby - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 11:14 am: minnow nailed it - Demoralized - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 11:14 am: Sunshine Also, you must’ve been the brilliant mind behind the “Blame Madigan” T-Shirts - Demoralized - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 11:15 am: Sorry. “FIRE Madigan” - Apocalypse Now - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 11:16 am: MJM definition of trust “Lay all your plans on the table with full details. Let me review it to see, if I agree. If I don’t, I will criticize your plan. If I do, I will say there is trust and a working relationship. By the way, I will not tell you what I want or would like to see in a budget to clean up the mess my party created over the last 12 years.” - Skeptic - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 11:17 am: Note to RaunerBots: Your counter of “Madigan has had 30 years and look at the dishonest budgets” is a complete strawman argument. Like him or hate him, whatever side of his (arguably Machiavellian) maneuvering you’re on, when he said he was going to do something, he did. THAT’S what this is about. And that’s what Rauner didn’t do. - Demoralized - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 11:18 am: ==Lay all your plans on the table with full details.== He’s the Governor you dope. He’s the one that says he has “plans.” I think he’s going to have to share them eventually in the form of a bill. - Oswego Willy - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 11:20 am: ===The Speaker sees this Governor as far different than any other he has ever experienced. Perhaps others should too. Follow his lead. He’s not daring him. That’s silly. He learned early something that is taking a lot of time for other people to catch up with. Not a surprise with the Speaker.=== What?! lol “The Speaker sees this Governor as far different than any other he has ever experienced. Perhaps others should too. Follow his lead.=== No, MJM is warning the governor; be honest with me, or else. ===He’s not daring him. That’s silly.=== If you can’t read or read with comprehension, I can’t help you. The next step after this very well may be MOUs. That’s where this is at. Being an a apologist doesn’t make it less true. ===He learned early something that is taking a lot of time for other people to catch up with.=== …that Rauner’s word isn’t very reliable? We are all learning that pretty quick, thanks. ===Not a surprise with the Speaker.=== That he told the Governor to stop going back on his word, and let him (MJM) the truth from now on? Yeah, that sounds like MJM. - Wensicia - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 11:21 am: Condensed down into a few words: “We can’t trust you going forward.” The fact Madigan made this statement public was to provide protection for the GA. Rauner’s going to have to lay it on the table, publicly, before he reneges on whatever agreement they come to. - Honeybear - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 11:22 am: The cuts seem, to me, to have the hand of Arduin all over them. Maybe this is a way to show her handywork. They did a similar move in CA, highlighting her heartless cuts to the vulnerable. Maybe this is the same play? Blame/scapegoat Arduin and maybe the Governor can save a bit of face. Possible? - Lucky Pierre - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 11:22 am: So Madigan’s approach to budgeting is not phony baloney but Rauner’s is. There is plenty of blame to go around for sure but there are 100 times as many Madiganbots than Raunerbots commenting here. - Sunhine - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 11:23 am: As to Madigan’s success/influence, it clearly, clearly speaks for itself. One can only hope he decides to leave a legacy of accomplishment and not one of failure. Crowning him and then saying he had no influence won’t work. - Sunhine - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 11:24 am: …and no, I’m not completely in Rauner’s camp but am open to giving him a chance - Oswego Willy - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 11:26 am: ===Crowning him and then saying he had no influence won’t work.=== Is that you, John Kass? - Lucky Pierre - and - Apocalypse Now -, Governors propose budgets. Governors give Budget Addresses. Learn your state government, for all our sakes. - Demoralized - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 11:27 am: ==saying he had no influence won’t work.== *sigh* Nobody has said that. But the suggestion he’s done all of this on his own is asinine. - walker - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 11:28 am: To say that Rauner –”doesn’t have a clue”– on the budget assumptions and the arithmetic is not right. Nuding is a capable pro at this. (Gotta bank on Schnorf’s recommendation). Rauner is just uncomfortable showing the holes in his underwear right now. He’d better get to mending them real quick. - Arsenal - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 11:28 am: “So Madigan’s approach to budgeting is not phony baloney but Rauner’s is.” In this case? Yes. “Cuts and revenue” can work, that can balance the budget. Sure, the devil is in the details, but it’s a realistic plan. “Cuts and cuts and hope that $2 billion in pension payments disappear” is not. - VanillaMan - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 11:29 am: Mr. Speaker has lost his patience with the new administration’s antics, and has discovered that the new governor cannot be persuaded towards reason. Steps are being taken to prevent Mr. Rauner from causing more harm. - Demoralized - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 11:29 am: ==Nuding is a capable pro at this== Agreed. We should all be thankful for that. Unfortunately he doesn’t get to make the political decisions. He just has to figure out how to make them work. - Sunhine - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 11:30 am: Yeah, so I to can learn how to be recognized as a state on the bottom of the fiscally sound ladder. Good idea, good idea. Well, gotta run….off to a meeting with the Gov. - Oswego Willy - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 11:32 am: ===Well, gotta run….off to a meeting with the Gov.=== Tell him the Speaker would like some honesty. Thanks. - Soccermom - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 11:32 am: I may change my name: - [Name redacted by Rich Miller] - The Dude Abides - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 11:32 am: After watching Rauner operate for the last 3 months Madigan is now going to inject some sanity into the discussion. A few weeks ago Rauner mentioned that he hadn’t done anything illegal when specifying what he was going to cut and he would be correct in what. What he did do is do against what was implied during budget meetings with the Democrats. Madigan wanted to find out if the new Governor was a man who could be trusted. He has quickly found out the answer to that question. - Lucky Pierre - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 11:34 am: The legislature is a Co equal branch of government obviously your condescension and lack of self awareness is too much. The Speaker does not need Madiganbots to blindly defend every thing he has done. Even he admits there is plenty of blame to go around. Curious why there is not more criticism of the legislature. - Arsenal - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 11:37 am: “Curious why there is not more criticism of the legislature.” Because most people believe in personal responsibility. Can’t blame someone else for Rauner’s actions. - Oswego Willy - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 11:37 am: ===The legislature is a Co equal branch of government obviously your condescension and lack of self awareness is too much.=== You are a Dope, the Governor proposes the budgets. Is that too difficult for you? ===Curious why there is not more criticism of the legislature.=== You must be new here, everyone gets a turn in the barrel, and depending on the news of the day, they may get more. This Governor makes plenty of news and has co-opted the GOP GA, so there’s that too. This is not your Dad’s newspaper comments section… - Demoralized - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 11:38 am: ==Even he admits there is plenty of blame to go around== This. ==Curious why there is not more criticism of the legislature.== I think there is. The focus now happens to be on the guy who just got elected and says he wants to “Shake Up Springfield.” Right or wrong he’s in the spotlight right now. - BlameBruceRauner - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 11:40 am: The Speaker has had enough of the games. He has come out in a cordial manner through the media to give one last warning to the Gov. Bruce thinks he can pull all these social programs just so he can use them as bargaining chip later. Ill restore funding for “x” but support my “y”. Politically its very, very common to give and take, but to make the poor, sick, and dying the punch line to your joke of a budget is just immoral and sickening. - Wordslinger - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 11:44 am: – Madigan thought he had a deal.– I seem to remember a Madigan quote back in the day: “You only get one big lie.” - Lucky Pierre - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 11:44 am: You can tell when someone has a weak argument. I know you are but what am I. Sorry but I missed all your searing criticism of the democratic legislature that never happened Willy. - Norseman - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 11:46 am: Tim Nuding’s testimony about the short time to make budget decisions reminds me of Rich’s column on Rauner’s mistake in not requesting more time. - Vote Quimby! - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 11:48 am: From an article about the budget hearing at SIUE this morning… http://www.bnd.com/2015/04/17/3770074_state-senate-committee-hears-testimony.html?rh=1 The last paragraph: A handful of young people wearing Governor Bruce Rauner T-shirts briefly entered the hearing holding signs supporting his “tough choices” for Illinois. They remained only for a minute before leaving the hearing silently. - walker - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 11:48 am: LP: When final budget bills hit the floor, the commenters here will be all over the Speaker and Senate President. Wait and see. - Oswego Willy - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 11:49 am: Go back to, for one, the Lump Sum budgets… Making it about me isn’t helping. If you don’t know the roles of the branches, or willfully ignorant to their responsibilties, that’s on you. The Speaker thought he has a deal, Rauner went back on his word, enough so that MJM called the governor out, publicly. You do understand at least that? - Oswego Willy - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 11:52 am: ===When final budget bills hit the floor, the commenters here will be all over the Speaker and Senate President. Wait and see.=== All true… - Lucky Pierre - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 11:52 am: But Senator Cullerton said Rauner did not break his word, do you understand that? Which is correct? Both cannot be true. - Soccermom - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 11:55 am: The Speaker is not all-powerful, but Rauner would do well to take this to heart. In a war between the Governor and the Speaker, I know which way the smart money is going. - Arsenal - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 11:57 am: “You can tell when someone has a weak argument.” Is it when they abandon the substantive issue to focus on the meta-argument? - illinoised - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 11:58 am: Shemp, you might not have understood my comment. Look up the word “sarcasm” in the dictionary. Wow! - Arsenal - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 12:01 pm: “But Senator Cullerton said Rauner did not break his word” And he may be right or he may be wrong, but MJM appears to disagree. And that’s what matters. There’s no objective test for trust. If someone thinks you’ve lost theirs, you have. - Oswego Willy - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 12:02 pm: ===But Senator Cullerton said Rauner did not break his word, do you understand that? Which is correct? Both cannot be true.=== The Senate hearing on the Good Friday Massacre had more than on Senator say, “had I known, I wouldn’t had voted for the fix” There’s a lil “Good Cop / Bad Cop” going on, with Cullerton letting his caucus members rail on Rauner, while MJM tells Rauner about thinking he had a deal, and the Governor didn’t keep his word. Lots of moving parts here. MJM wanted to be clear, not that May is approaching… - Lucky Pierre - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 12:06 pm: Much easier to sell to as a doublecross than what Senator Cullerton said. That way there is a scapegoat. As other have said he is playing chess and others are playing checkers but he is able to avoid all the examinations of his motives unlike the Governor. - Wensicia - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 12:13 pm: It’s interesting the governor’s staff hasn’t come up with a quick response to the above. - Arsenal - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 12:15 pm: ” but he is able to avoid all the examinations of his motives unlike the Governor” Yes, no one EVER questions MJM’s motives… C’mon. No one’s saying MJM is all that great. They’re just saying that Rauner’s budget decisions stink so far, and we’re glad there’s going to be some legislative scrutiny of them. - Politix - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 12:16 pm: Testy group for a Friday. I cannot wait for the Governor’s response to this. Being asked to govern…huh. - Precinct Captain - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 12:17 pm: A guy - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 10:12 am: This might be the most delusional comment you have ever posted. Quite a feat. - Oswego Willy - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 12:18 pm: ===It’s interesting the governor’s staff hasn’t come up with a quick response to the above.=== “Hi Wensicia - I have attached the Fakeville resolution. And you can add Pretend Township and Fairytale City to the list of communities that have passed the resolution. Thanks, ck” - Six Degrees of Separation - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 12:19 pm: https://capitolfax.com/2014/03/07/bill/ Here’s the “Bill” history for those who do not know. - 47th Ward - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 12:21 pm: ===“One month ago, child care in Illinois had run out of money, court reporters were being sent home and prison guards were on the verge of missing payroll.=== Because four months ago Governor Rauner begged the General Assembly to allow the tax increase to expire. I mean, c’mon, how dumb do they think we are? I was born on a Tuesday, but it wasn’t last Tuesday. - Oswego Willy - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 12:23 pm: To the Update, Rauner’s response? “Just say turnaround agenda in it somewhere, for leverage. Look, we misled the Speaker, so what, who cares, he better get over it. Make it about anything but admitting we betrayed the trust.” Dopes. - Wensicia - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 12:26 pm: ==“One month ago, child care in Illinois had run out of money, court reporters were being sent home and prison guards were on the verge of missing payroll.== “So, I decided it was better to cut funding for the disabled, autistic children and medical screenings for low-income women instead!” — Rauner - Politix - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 12:27 pm: “He looks forward to working with the legislature to find a bipartisan solution that puts Illinois on the road to becoming the most competitive state in the country…” um so is he saying he’s down for a collab or no? WEIRD RESPONSE. - VanillaMan - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 12:30 pm: The response from the Governor’s office was a good one. Problem is, it will take a whole lot more bipartisanship, accomplishments and a whole lot less nutty-nut-nut antics from Bruce to heal the rifts he has deliberately created. Worse, the new governor has been deliberately bullying our lease fortunate in order to score political points and that won’t be forgotten. - BlameBruceRauner - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 12:30 pm: Pretty sure the Govs. response come from a spam bot. Same thing over and over. - Shemp - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 12:30 pm: Sorry illinoised. Just got wrapped up in all the other canonization of Saint Madigan, patron saint of plausible deniability. - A guy - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 12:31 pm: === Soccermom - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 11:55 am: The Speaker is not all-powerful, but Rauner would do well to take this to heart. In a war between the Governor and the Speaker, I know which way the smart money is going.==== The really smart money is going toward neither of them getting to this point. All the other money is not smart. BTW, still smitten. Don’t go changin’ (especially your name- it works) - Aldyth - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 12:37 pm: Of course, I am a progressive who has worked in human services all of my life. My perspective is definitely colored by an intense desire to see people succeed in life by getting them the skills and the help they need to get on that path. Every time I read one of Rauner’s response, it seems abundantly clear that he is here for business. People problems simply don’t matter in the cogs of industry. Ebenezer Scrooge (a well known fiscal conservative asked “Are there no workhouses?” Rauner doesn’t even seem to concern himself even that much. - Anonymouse - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 12:38 pm: Anyone saying good job to Madigan must be out of their minds or have a short memory. He’s been in charge for 30 years, if anyone is to blame for the hole Illinois is in its not Blago, Quinn, or Rauner, its him. Of course this sounds great, he’s a calculated man who makes smart calculated decisions, but he isnt looking out for this state, only himself. - Soccermom - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 12:39 pm: Oh for heaven’s sake– nobody here thinks the Speaker is a saint. But we do respect his effectiveness in leading his chamber. - steve schnorf - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 12:40 pm: Though I am not privy to it, I don’t doubt for a second that the administration has a plan for how they want to see this session end up. My guess is it isn’t that terribly different from how the House and Senate leaders foresee it all coming together. Some revenues, some cuts, some programmatic concessions on each side, and it ends up being soup. In my mind the larger problem will be the question of how long it takes to get there from here. - illinoised - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 12:41 pm: Shemp, no problem. As my friends would tell you, I have just as fiercely criticized Madigan as I have Rauner. With a supermajority of both houses of the GA and a couple of Democratic governors, Madigan IMHO is to blame for the lack of action in pushing through legislation aimed at increasing revenue. He and all members of the GA have been more concerned with being reelected than in doing what is right for the state of Illinois. - Anon. - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 12:44 pm: OK, I confess. I got my ideas from Squeezy. - Oswego Willy - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 12:47 pm: - steve schnorf -, Your expertise in these matters is well known, and your credentials are beyond reproach; Can you explain how important trust is in these times of crafting a budget, with the Four Tops and a Governor? - Bradley A. Zahn - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 12:54 pm: ==We can’t draft a budget with magic money that does not exist.== Does anyone remember if Representative Currie was involved in crafting the FY2015 budget with magic money that did not exist? - Any Mouse - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 12:55 pm: Are we really 100+ comments into a debate over who has the higher moral ground: - Buzzie - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 12:55 pm: When Rep. Currie is assigned to head a panel you know the Speaker is serious. - 47th Ward - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 12:56 pm: Bradley, don’t you think Currie would have voted to extend the 5% tax rate? When Rauner begged the General Assembly to let the rate fall to 3.75%, he took ownership of the problem and has been spending magic money ever since. - Shemp - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 12:57 pm: Winner! ===- Anon. - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 12:44 pm: OK, I confess. I got my ideas from Squeezy.=== - Any Mouse - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 12:57 pm: 1) The Rauner buget with $2 billion in imaginary pension savings. or 2) MJM and years of appropriating billions without actually paying the bills. - Oswego Willy - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 12:58 pm: ===Are we really 100+ comments into a debate over who has the higher moral ground:=== Welp, considering the press release by MJM is in response to thinking he had a deal, and now how the Speaker is planning to address Rauner and keeping his word on deals… …sounds like the discussion is about trust and giving trust, and even earning trust. - Oswego Willy - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 1:01 pm: ===1) The Rauner buget with $2 billion in imaginary pension savings. or 2) MJM and years of appropriating billions without actually paying the bills.=== This isn’t an “or” situation. The state needs a budget for FY2016. It’s Rauner’s now, like every governor before him (even lump sums are governors’, ask Pat Quinn). You need trust to pass budgets, does Rauner have it? - Demoralized - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 1:03 pm: ==millions of people around Illinois continue to be served by core state services== That’s kind of a further slap in the face to the autism issue. In other words, autism isn’t important. - Pot calling kettle - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 1:05 pm: ==Anyone saying good job to Madigan must be out of their minds or have a short memory. He’s been in charge for 30 years, if anyone is to blame for the hole Illinois is in its not Blago, Quinn, or Rauner, its him.== The Speaker’s detractors should Google “realpolitik.” That is how the Speaker runs his House. He knows that while voters claim to want a balanced budget, they are resistant to both program cuts and tax increases and will tend to punish folks who vote for such things. The best way to move past those barriers is to get Republican votes on unpopular, but necessary budget actions; that moves the unpopular votes somewhat off of the table at election time. Without Republican votes, the Dems cannot and will not pass such bills. - Huh? - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 1:08 pm: My take on the lame response from the timex watch is that he does not think that trust is necessary in politics. It shows that he doesn’t value or respect the relationship necessary to make the government work. - AnonymousOne - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 1:10 pm: ==autism isn’t important= Not to Rauner it appears. Nor is much of anything else other than corporations and the wealthy. Everyone is a slacker unless they’ve risen to his wealth level. Pick yourselves up by the bootstraps and get going!(I’d imagine he thinks). No place for needy people! No time for laggers! - downstate - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 1:17 pm: Either it’s a decidedly weak response or doubling down on who Rauner thinks should share the pain. Higher ground aside, as OW pointed out above this has the makings of a feud. He shouldn’t be surprised if his next big ask from the GA (budget or otherwise) suffers death by a thousand MJM-inflicted cuts. - Bradley A. Zahn - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 1:19 pm: ==47th @12:56== Great Point! thanks - Honeybear - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 1:21 pm: Update 1x Wait I thought the slogan was “Competitive and COMPASSIONATE”? No? not compassionate anymore? - nixit71 - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 1:21 pm: We could fund autism with all the revenue coming in from taxing retirement income . - walker - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 1:31 pm: Rauner’s response non-confrontational. Good. - Lucky Pierre - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 1:46 pm: Cutting funding to the local governments will be key. If there is less money from Springfield and more of the onus on the local government the odds that some of the 7,000 units of local government merge will be higher. - A guy - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 1:47 pm: ====Welp, considering the press release by MJM is in response to thinking he had a deal=== That’s a strong presumption that I know is based on a well regarded supposition, but that in itself doesn’t make it a fact. He could be offering this press release as a way of politely setting his parameters as a key player in the negotiations. I don’t know. You’re playing the “trust” card regularly here. Of course, it’s important. It can range from misunderstanding, lost in translation to out and out defiance. Lot of moving parts here. I’m counting on the Speaker and Governor (and all leaders for that matter) having decent lines of direct communication set up and functioning. - AnonymousOne - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 1:56 pm: ==we could fund autism with all the revenue coming in from taxing retirement income== Or how ’bout putting the income tax back where it was? For some when they think about taxing retirement income, the thought is one of snowbirds in Florida. They should all be that lucky. How about those in nursing homes, on expensive medication, those with age related disabilities? Seems we’d trade one group of vulnerable citizens for another unless senior citizens could be hand picked for their ability to pay taxes. Unless you’ve gone through the nursing home nightmare with a disabled parent, dipping into extended family income to pay the bills, I guess some wouldn’t understand how expensive aging can be. - PolPal56 - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 1:57 pm: Rauner: “Compassion? Don’t know what it means, but it sounds good. Competitive and compassionate - it’s the alliteration. And Donna said it sounded better than competitive and cold-hearted. We had quite the chuckle over that one.” - Demoralized - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 1:58 pm: ==I’m counting on the Speaker and Governor (and all leaders for that matter) having decent lines of direct communication set up and functioning.== Where’s that old presidential red phone from the Soviet days? - Skeptic - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 2:05 pm: “Madigan IMHO is to blame for the lack of action in pushing through legislation aimed at increasing revenue.” You mean by not extending the 5% tax that Rauner asked him not to extend? Shame. - walker - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 2:07 pm: ===I don’t doubt for a second that the administration has a plan for how they want to see this session end up. My guess is it isn’t that terribly different from how the House and Senate leaders foresee it all coming together.=== You’re probably right. Certainly hope so. The spending priorities will be fought fiercely over, but will be resolved. Realities and limitations will take us close to the same general budget, whether Quinn or Rauner is in the big seat. Makes some of the political fighting seem ironic. The big issue for Rauner: What is he going to do and say about the $2.2B proposed save in pension funding? Can he politically afford to give that one up, or will he try to force or finesse it somehow? - RNUG - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 2:08 pm: The way this is shaping up, there won’t be a lump sum budget for FY16. MJM will still make deals and trade-offs, but MOU’s aren’t going to be enough. I predict the GA is going to lock down appropriations as tightly as possible by explicit line items. There isn’t going to be room for any misunderstanding. The good news is that it may provide a more detailed examination of State spending than we’ve seen in years, which should serve as a basis for a real conversation about the State’s priorities, spending, and revenue needs. We’ll get a budget deal, but probably not on time, and Rauner isn’t going to have much flexibility to cut programs or reallocate funds beyond what is clearly authorized in the appropriation bills. I’ve always said politics is a great spectator sport … and this year is going to be one heck of a show. - Oswego Willy - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 2:09 pm: ===That’s a strong presumption that I know is based on a well regarded supposition, but that in itself doesn’t make it a fact.=== Hmm. From Rich… ===That mention of autism is no accident. Madigan thought he had a deal.=== I can read, and comprehend too. ===You’re playing the “trust” card regularly here.=== Because it’s in play. The Senate hearing on the Good Friday Massacre was all about trust. === Of course, it’s important. It can range from misunderstanding, lost in translation to out and out defiance. Lot of moving parts here.=== Nope. Trust is keeping your word. Nothing moving about that. ===He could be offering this press release as a way of politely setting his parameters as a key player in the negotiations.=== Nope. The Speaker wants Rauner to stick to what is agreed to. That’s what this is all about. Rauner’s word. Nothing more. Here is what is being…explained…by the Speaker; “I want it IN writing, I want it LOCKED in, I want ZERO suprises. This might very well be your last chance that I trust you, I’d treat it as such.” The Senators already said they would’ve been “red lights” has they known…it wasn’t Cullerton or MJM that issued the press release on Good Friday, and it’s MJM and Cullerton who habd the authority to make those cuts. Rauner’s deal that fell apart was Rauner’s own doing. Period. - Rich Miller - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 2:09 pm: ===lock down appropriations as tightly as possible by explicit line items=== Without an MoU, he doesn’t have to spend any of that money. - RNUG - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 2:11 pm: Rich, True. But even with an MOU, he could try to finesse money around unless the Ga puts up walls. - Rod - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 2:19 pm: RNUG I think you are correct, but an MOU will not create a constitutional confrontation over the scope of the Governor’s powers either. - nixit71 - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 2:42 pm: AnonymousOne - The majority of states have elderly that face those exact same problems you stated yet tax retirement income. Why is Illinois so different? - IL Held Hostage - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 2:48 pm: Day 102 - Demoralized - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 3:03 pm: ==Without an MoU, he doesn’t have to spend any of that money.== I’m not even sure that with an MOU he has to spend that money. Of course if he ignored an MOU I’m assuming that would be the equivalent of the “nuclear option.” - Demoralized - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 3:04 pm: ==unless the Ga puts up walls== I’ve been doing this for 18 years and there’s never been a wall I’ve encountered that can’t be scaled somehow. - Arsenal - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 3:06 pm: “That’s a strong presumption that I know is based on a well regarded supposition, but that in itself doesn’t make it a fact.” I’m basing my read on this on Rich’s writing- “Madigan thought he had a deal.” I don’t think Rich would report that if he didn’t get it from the Speaker’s office. Madigan feels betrayed. Personally, I’m not sure he should. I don’t recall anything from the Governor’s office saying they wouldn’t cut any further grants. But I’m not privy to every conversation, and I think it’s fair to say that if the GA knew this $26 million was going to be cut, they might have spares $26 million of their own from somewhere else. I also think it’s fair for the legislature to be upset that they weren’t consulted on this money, that it was cut on Good Friday, that it was followed up with $100 million in tax expenditures. That’s a lot of hinkiness that may not amount to a “betrayal”, but certainly would have changed some votes if they knew it was coming- so I accept that they feel hoodwinked. And if they feel so hoodwinked, the next leg of budget negotiations is going to be that much more painful. - sal-says - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 3:11 pm: “Governor Rauner remains committed to fixing Illinois’ fiscal crisis through the Turnaround Agenda and restructuring state government.” We’re here to cut, give handouts to big business AND WE DON’T CARE. /snark? - Rod - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 3:23 pm: Arsenal I think there were conclusions drawn by the Speaker based on how the protracted negotiations on HB 317 and 318 unfolded. The Speaker may even have helped clear log jams on specific cuts. But I agree with you and Senator Cullerton does too that no explicit promise was made by the Governor that the $1.6 billion would be the end of the cuts for FY 15. The Speaker has never said he was directly lied to or deceived by the Governor. Rich and others who have been legislative staff, lobbyists, or legislators have a feeling for an understanding or a deal underlying a piece of legislation after discussions you attend. I feel like that is what happened here and hence Rich’s comment. - sal-says - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 3:23 pm: Nix. == “Better late than never, I guess.”. == At this point we’re looking for the most adult person in the room. MJM wins. By a large amount. - Oswego Willy - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 3:36 pm: ===(Madigan) “… Now that decisions continue being made that impact a number of residents and families throughout the state, it’s important that the governor fully disclose how he reached those decisions.”=== “fully disclose” Rauner will not allow himself to be misled again, and Madigan will not let his Caucus be misled as to what the Governor may say one day, and do the opposite another day. Sounds an awful lot like a trust issue… - Oswego Willy - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 3:37 pm: “Madigan will not allow himself to be misled again, and Madigan will not let his Caucus be misled as to what the Governor may say one day, and do the opposite another day.” Apologies - sal-says - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 3:38 pm: Sunshine. == and no, I’m not completely in Rauner’s camp but am open to giving him a chance. == Chance to do what? . kill the IL middle class? . lower wages to poverty level? . turn all of IL over to 1%’ers? - Anonymous - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 3:49 pm: - sal-says - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 3:38 pm: Sunshine. == and no, I’m not completely in Rauner’s camp but am open to giving him a chance. == Chance to do what? . kill the IL middle class? . lower wages to poverty level? . turn all of IL over to 1%’ers? To the .1%’ers - OldSmoky2 - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 3:54 pm: ==The majority of states have elderly that face those exact same problems you stated yet tax retirement income. Why is Illinois so different?== Actually, about half the states have better overall tax environments for retirees according to Kiplinger, among others. The best way to send more retired Illinoisans flocking to those states, thus lowering Illinois state tax revenues even more, would be to impose more taxes on retirees. Adopting a progressive income tax would be a far better option if you’re looking to raise taxes. - Enviro - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 4:00 pm: “He looks forward to working with the legislature to find a bipartisan solution that puts Illinois on the road to becoming the most competitive state in the country.” This agenda sounds like a race to the bottom for the middle class in every state competing for low paying jobs with the only winners … the people at the top, the .01%. - Lucky Pierre - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 4:38 pm: Snowbirds either means to make a retiree income tax meaningful will certainly spend 6 months and a day in Florida or some other state that does not tax retirement income. We would be left with less tax revenue not more. The same is true with a millionaire tax. I think the only solution is a reduction in property tax coupled with a graduated income tax, as well as an expansion of taxes on services. - Oswego Willy - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 4:54 pm: ===I think the only solution is a reduction in property tax…=== Can’t do that at the state government level, or worse, not possible given the time frame and hurdles facing Rauner. You’re welcome. - Enviro - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 5:08 pm: Maintaining homes in two states would be even more expensive for most people than paying an Illinois state income tax. It would be expensive for retired people to move to another state such as Florida and then travel to visit their children and grandchildren in Illinois. These are personal choices that many people make, however they are not really good money saving decisions. Can people put a price on being near their children and grandchildren? I could never do that. - steve schnorf - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 5:31 pm: OW, that’s included in the “how we get there from here” - Lucky Pierre - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 5:34 pm: Can’t do a property tax reduction at the state level? That was part of Quinn’s tax plan know it all. I have heard Senator Cullerton mention it too. Obviously if the State funding went up for education the property tax levy could decline - Oswego Willy - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 5:39 pm: - steve schnorf - Fair enough. Much respect, as always. ===That was part of Quinn’s tax plan know it all.=== Ok, explain how that “happens” and cite the legislative and constitutional avenues. No matter the “who”, the avenue is the same; problematic at best Please, know things need to work, you obviously lack that knowledge. - Oswego Willy - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 5:42 pm: Rauner’s property tax freeze plan ===Freeze property taxes for two years by amending Illinois’ Property Tax Extension Limitation Law. The total property tax extension could not increase above the 2015 levy year, except for new construction or property in a TIF district. Voters would still be allowed to override the freeze via referendum.=== Give it a read… https://capitolfax.com/2015/02/05/what-rauner-didnt-say-yesterday/ - Anonymous - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 5:50 pm: “…We can’t draft a budget with magic money that does not exist.” Given the 2014 budget that she helped draft, I find that to be astoundingly hypocritical. - Lucky Pierre - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 5:50 pm: Well they probably aren’t as smart as you but the Senate President and former governor thought it was a good idea. You would probably feel better about yourself if you laid off the ad hominem attracks and lightened up a little bit. Cheers and have a nice weekend! - Oswego Willy - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 5:52 pm: So…nothing about Rauner’s Plan? Read up on it. - AnonymousOne - Friday, Apr 17, 15 @ 6:30 pm: nixit71@2:42 Yeah, I think we should do what other states do. I’ll bet you’d agree we should have a graduated state income tax rate, oh, say like Iowa’s with a top tax rate of 8.98% OR Wisconsin’s 7.65% or maybe Minnesota’s 9.85% ( all top rates in a graduated system, but you sound like a guy who has lots and wouldn’t concern yourself with helping out your parents ). So what do you say? Tax retirement income and tax you at, say 8%? Fair? Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.