Pot, meet kettle
Friday, May 29, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Remember this tweet from yesterday?…
* The back story…
When Democratic Sen. William Haine of Alton asked whether defense attorneys were a part of the development of the tort reform bill, Radogno said, “I don’t think we should have the lobbyists drafting the bills.”
“I’m shocked, I’m shocked that you would say that,” said Haine, feigning surprise.
Then Rauner’s deputy chief of staff, Rich Goldberg, interjected, “I know Governor Rauner is not from Springfield. I’m not from Springfield. A lot of us are not from Springfield. The culture in Springfield has to change. That lobbyists, it’s status quo for them to help write your legislation, Governor Rauner wants to get the lobbyists out of government.”
Later, Goldberg added, “To accept the status quo of special interests and lobbyists writing legislation is something that we reject and it is really the reason why …”
Haine interrupted: “I’m not suggesting they write the legislation. I’m suggesting that the way we have historically done things here and in all states of the union, and Congress, is to have people in the room negotiating with the legislators who know the consequences to their groups.”
* OK, first of all, Radogno’s claims are completely unbelievable.
Defense bar lobsters may not have been physically at the table when the legislation was drafted, but, c’mon, man. Where did that language come from? The defense bar and its allies, obviously. It didn’t just organically spring up outta nowhere.
* Secondly…
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
And…
RIGHT TO ASSEMBLE AND PETITION
The people have the right to assemble in a peaceable manner, to consult for the common good, to make known their opinions to their representatives and to apply for redress of grievances.
The founders of this nation and the drafters of our own state Constitution realized that the government truly needed input from the governed. That’s only logical.
Of course some lobbyists can get outta hand. This is not a perfect system, to say the least.
But legislators and governors are not all-knowing gods. They simply can’t, and shouldn’t, pass legislation without first consulting the people, businesses, groups, whatever who are being impacted by that legislation. It’s stupid governance to do otherwise. How would a lawyer from Skokie know anything about a farm bill without talking to farmers and their representatives and the folks on the other side?
* Haine is right. You don’t let lobsters write bills on their own, which is what the GOP did with their tort reform bill, whether they admit it or not. But you need to bring stakeholders into the room at some point so you don’t mess things up.
- Politix - Friday, May 29, 15 @ 12:12 pm:
Only Republicans and the 1% should get a say.
- Tom Joad - Friday, May 29, 15 @ 12:12 pm:
If not stakeholders brought in, ALEC pre-packaged bills are brought in by the GOP.
- Concerned - Friday, May 29, 15 @ 12:12 pm:
And if we had term limits, the need for outside input (read “lobbyists”) would go way up!
- Wordslinger - Friday, May 29, 15 @ 12:13 pm:
Radogni and Goldberg are being awfully silly. How can they “harrumph” like that with a straight face? Who’s supposed to believe them?
- Oswego Willy - Friday, May 29, 15 @ 12:14 pm:
If you had to make a list now of the people/grouos/organizations that Rauner and his Press Shop have not singled out as an enemy, how deep can you go?
Rauner, himself, bragged about meeting the Speaker, Speaker Madigan no less, about Schools, and what Rauner and his organization was looking to accomplish through the legislature and the legislative processes.
I really can’t see how that “wonderful” story of “action” can be seen differently, unless the action isn’t what Rauner personally wants.
It’s breathtaking the lack of self awareness…
- Precinct Captain - Friday, May 29, 15 @ 12:20 pm:
Wow, so you’re telling me that Governor Rauner and his Republican allies lie about the origins of their legislation? I’m shocked Bruce Rauner or his allies would tell a lie. Just shocked.
- Anonymiss - Friday, May 29, 15 @ 12:24 pm:
>>They simply can’t, and shouldn’t, pass legislation without first consulting the people, businesses, groups, whatever who are being impacted by that legislation. It’s stupid governance to do otherwise.
Agreed, and in part, this is the reason and importance of unions as well. The Governor ought to be reminded of this, as he tries to eliminate collective bargaining rights. Those doing the work who have the front-line experience of impact should be part at the table and respected with a good faith approach. (See also: pensions.)
- out of touch - Friday, May 29, 15 @ 12:26 pm:
Leader Radogno’s presentation of the bill included testimony from the Gov’s office (Goldberg) and the IL Chamber of Commerce. But lobbyists shouldn’t be involved? Oh, please.
- Finally Out (and now very glad to be) - Friday, May 29, 15 @ 12:27 pm:
In short Rich…excellent points!
- dawn - Friday, May 29, 15 @ 12:30 pm:
Who do you think is calling the shots for the guv? I mean who is counseling him and his staff on strategy? The cummincations dept? Im not being snarky…I just can’t understand what they are doing…
- JackD - Friday, May 29, 15 @ 12:32 pm:
Maybe defense attorneys did some drafting. More likely insurance company attorneys. Plaintiff’s attorneys are market makers for defense attorneys.
- Montrose - Friday, May 29, 15 @ 12:37 pm:
I can only imagine the type of legislation that would come out of Springfield if it was all developed without the input of interest groups. What a mess that would be.
- Cheswick - Friday, May 29, 15 @ 12:39 pm:
== Radogno said, “I don’t think we should have the lobbyists drafting the bills.” ==
Did she always think that, or just since Rauner entered the scene?
- Keyser Soze - Friday, May 29, 15 @ 12:40 pm:
What? Disenfranchise lobbyists? What happened to the First Amendment? The naivete, at this level of government, is astonishing. We all know that this summer will host a pitched battle between the political class and the outsiders. I’m not picking a winner but jeeze, they parties have to play by the rules. And, by the way, the ongoing quarantining of administration staffers from the lobbyists isn’t contributing to good government; quite the opposite. Communication is a good thing.
- This would be funny if it wasn't so sad... - Friday, May 29, 15 @ 12:42 pm:
Clearly governing is not the mission of this administration. They lack the experience, and skill set to do so. Their style of governing will be to use the millions of $$$ that their special interest 1% ‘ers provide in an attempt to rule via media. I’m a Republican and agree that we need reforms in many areas…but the approach by this administration is way off base and is quickly alienating my GOP affiliations. Madigan put the GOP issues out there and the GOP refused to vote Y or N…in my mind this told me the GOP had no courage or intent to vote on issues that had not been discussed in ions. The GOP under this administration is clearly not concerned about good government as much as it is concerned about regaining power. SAD days ahead…
- Anonymous - Friday, May 29, 15 @ 12:42 pm:
Of course, you need to have stakeholders in the room. You can’t write legislation unless you understand *all* the concerns of parties affected by it. Interest groups shouldn’t *write* the legislation, but how can legislators, who are not (necessarily) plaintiff’s/defense bar, teachers/administrators, judges/prosecutors/defense lawyers (I could go on and on) understand the needs and concerns of those groups unless they sit down and *talk* to them?
Just because someone’s interests are affected by legislation doesn’t make them an evil lobbyist. (I’m not saying that the term “lobbyist” equates to “evil”, just that some people, apparently, either believe that or pretend to do so.)
- MeatCleaver - Friday, May 29, 15 @ 12:43 pm:
It’s simple, good luck the next three years without the assistance of lobbyists and the input of the groups they represent.
I would imagine folks outside of the Governor’s office working on policy are cringing reading this kind of rhetoric.
- Anonymous - Friday, May 29, 15 @ 12:49 pm:
Lobbyists weren’t involved in writing any of the governor’s bills? That’s rich. That’s as rich as an iceberg made of gold. You could say that’s a real rich goldberg.
- JS Mill - Friday, May 29, 15 @ 12:49 pm:
Rich, Amen.
- Louis Capricious - Friday, May 29, 15 @ 12:52 pm:
This is a remarkably short-sighted and dangerous game they’re playing. Sure, railing against unnamed “lobbyists” sounds great on TV and helps them win the news cycle. But it’s only a matter of time until it becomes clear who their own favored lobbyists are - and that those people are indeed penetrating the administration and influencing its actions.
- Norseman - Friday, May 29, 15 @ 12:52 pm:
More banal talk from the Governor’s office and their purchased allies to justify every attempt to limit public input into the process. Like it or not, lobbyist - good or bad - represent different sectors of the public.
- NewWestSuburbanGop'er - Friday, May 29, 15 @ 12:52 pm:
https://youtu.be/SjbPi00k_ME
- Norseman - Friday, May 29, 15 @ 12:54 pm:
*** == Radogno said, “I don’t think we should have the lobbyists drafting the bills.” ==
Did she always think that, or just since Rauner entered the scene? ***
My money is on “since Rauner entered the scene”.
- relocated - Friday, May 29, 15 @ 12:56 pm:
Early in my time with the GA they passed a small license fee on canoes. Just a couple of bucks, not gonna hurt anyone right? Turns out that it put put lots of boy scout troops and church groups in an untenable position, causing them to have to decide between busted budgets or eliminating their programs. Luckily it was cleaned up in the fall and not for profits were exempted. If lrgislaors cant see the unintended effects of something that simple, how can they be expected of tort reform, communications rewrites, or any other industry reform without consulting the affected parties?
- Just sayin - Friday, May 29, 15 @ 12:58 pm:
You know Rauner Derangement Syndrome has reached epidemic levels when people wrap the corrupt practice of lobbyists writing legislation most legislators don’t get until moments before they vote on it under the umbrella of the first amendment.
Sure, the first amendment says lobbyists can write the bills behind closed doors while leaving the mushroom legislators in the dark.
Not even the Soviet Union was the flagrant as you pinko corrupt hacks are.
- Rich Miller - Friday, May 29, 15 @ 12:59 pm:
===You know Rauner Derangement Syndrome has reached epidemic levels when people wrap the corrupt practice of lobbyists writing legislation most legislators don’t get until moments before they vote on it under the umbrella of the first amendment. ===
Can you read?
Seriously, are you that completely moronic?
- TwoFeetThick - Friday, May 29, 15 @ 1:18 pm:
Jeez, does a cart follow Leader Radogno around to shovel up all the hypocrisy she leaves in her wake?
- zonz - Friday, May 29, 15 @ 1:21 pm:
OW
who’s NOT on Rauner’s enemies list yet?
every one of the capitolfax commenters with a handle that begins with these four letters: a-n-o-n
Just too many of ‘em to identify one from the others.
- Demoralized - Friday, May 29, 15 @ 1:27 pm:
Clueless. Completely clueless.
You can’t pass legislation unless some stakeholders are part of the process. That’s just a fact of life.
Also, I’m sick of this “I’m not from Springfield” nonsense. So what. It’s Rod Blagojevich all over again. Anything “from” Springfield is bad. If they want to get anything done they better grow up and realize that they have to work within the process no matter how much they might dislike it.
- zonz - Friday, May 29, 15 @ 1:27 pm:
um, lobbyists don’t care how much Rauner+allies rail against them
……….as long as Rauner+allies take the calls and do the meetings that lobbyists want taken/done
_____________________
- Louis Capricious - Friday, May 29, 15 @ 12:52 pm:
This is a remarkably short-sighted and dangerous game they’re playing. Sure, railing against unnamed “lobbyists” sounds great on TV and helps them win the news cycle. But it’s only a matter of time until it becomes clear who their own favored lobbyists are - and that those people are indeed penetrating the administration and influencing its actions.
- 1776 - Friday, May 29, 15 @ 1:30 pm:
I could share batches of emails from the administration asking for language from lobbyists for many parts of their turnaround agenda.
- Rich Miller - Friday, May 29, 15 @ 1:32 pm:
===I could share batches of emails from the administration===
Send ‘em over, please.
- Langhorne - Friday, May 29, 15 @ 1:33 pm:
===”I know Governor Rauner is not from Springfield. I’m not from Springfield. A lot of us are not from Springfield. The culture in Springfield has to change. ==
Wow. Such hubris. Who, exactly, is NOT on their enemies list?
- Skeptic - Friday, May 29, 15 @ 1:37 pm:
Also, I’m sick of this “I’m not from Springfield” nonsense. Yup. And look on the flip side of I-80 where the mantra is “I’m not from Chicago…” Just quit already.
- Wordslinger - Friday, May 29, 15 @ 1:42 pm:
– Not even the Soviet Union was the flagrant as you pinko corrupt hacks are.–
Somebody got the weekend started early. I hope that’s the explanation, anyway.
- Ghost - Friday, May 29, 15 @ 1:47 pm:
Since the Governor retains control of his financial business, no blind trust, why is he not a special interest again?
- Rich Miller - Friday, May 29, 15 @ 1:47 pm:
===Somebody got the weekend started early===
I hope not, because he’s posting from a hospital in central Illinois.
Then again…
- Louis Capricious - Friday, May 29, 15 @ 2:09 pm:
zonz: My point had nothing to do with how lobbyists might feel about about how they’re perceived. The point is that lobbyists will continue to operate and do what they do - and that includes getting inside the Rauner administration. When you speak in absolutes (i.e. lobbyists are bad and shouldn’t be writing bills) and yet you continue to go about business as usual, albeit with your own favored crew, you are asking for trouble.
- nona - Friday, May 29, 15 @ 2:09 pm:
I’d like to hear Durkin and Radogno swear they have never permitted lobbyists they like to write bills.
- A guy - Friday, May 29, 15 @ 2:16 pm:
+++ Rich Miller - Friday, May 29, 15 @ 1:47 pm:
===Somebody got the weekend started early===
I hope not, because he’s posting from a hospital in central Illinois.
Then again…+++
Give the dude credit then…he’s typing with his nose because of the restraints and the gag.
- Norseman - Friday, May 29, 15 @ 3:08 pm:
*** +++ Rich Miller - Friday, May 29, 15 @ 1:47 pm:
===Somebody got the weekend started early===
I hope not, because he’s posting from a hospital in central Illinois.
Then again…+++
Give the dude credit then…he’s typing with his nose because of the restraints and the gag. ***
Hat tip.
- Precinct Captain - Friday, May 29, 15 @ 3:31 pm:
==- A guy - Friday, May 29, 15 @ 2:16 pm:==
The Raunerbot money must be good if he’s willing to go through all that just to post a blog comment.
- Gooner - Friday, May 29, 15 @ 3:31 pm:
As a former member of a Legislative Committee for a certain defense bar organization, the idea that the bar groups had no role is insane.
We held weekly meetings during session to monitor and provide guidance as to what is going on.
As importantly, other than defense lawyers, how many people really understand contribution actions? It is complex stuff that means a lot to defense lawyers.
The idea that the group would have changed in the few years since I’ve been gone strains credibility.
- Chicago Cynic - Friday, May 29, 15 @ 4:04 pm:
Rich, I’m really glad you made the first amendement point Rich. That was my first thought and have texted GOP lobbyist friends saying now that your first amendment rights have been suspended, you should have a lot of time on your hands. It’s ridiculous and so clearly unconstitutional. I affects his friends probably more than his enemies but he probably doesn’t care.
And cmon, everyone knows lobbyists are often involved in drafting legislation. This is not news. In some cases, like the Exelon bill, they write the whole bill. In others, they just contribute some language. But this sanctimony is pretty silly.
- A guy - Friday, May 29, 15 @ 4:30 pm:
===The Raunerbot money must be good if he’s willing to go through all that just to post a blog comment.===
You’re selling Miller short. That’s more dangerous than a lobbyist sneaking into the bill drafting room.
- Thunder Fred - Friday, May 29, 15 @ 4:57 pm:
Sneaking into the bill drafting room? Have you ever been to the Capitol? Do you know what LRB is? Pretty amateurish for someone who posts 50 times a day.
- Anon - Friday, May 29, 15 @ 5:51 pm:
…and dont let them fundraise for you either if thats the case.
- MyTwoCents - Friday, May 29, 15 @ 6:55 pm:
So the head of the IL Farm Bureau (a lobbying organization if I ever heard of one) is hired to head the Ag Department, at least 2 other lobbyists have been hired by the Admin that I can think of, and I’m sure there are others and then the GOP is so anti-lobbyist? Hypocrisy doesn’t begin to describe the new Administration.