* From Lance Trover on the Senate-passed one-month budget…
The unbalanced one-month budget does not provide full-pay for all state employees, and the governor has been clear that an out-of-balance one month budget is the same as an out-of-balance 12-month budget.
Last year the General Assembly passed a law to guarantee their salaries are paid with or without a state budget.
As a matter of fairness, the governor would support a similar continuing appropriations for this fiscal year for all state employees.
All of a sudden he’s Mother Jones.
*** UPDATE 1 *** I asked Speaker Madigan’s spokesman Steve Brown for a comment.
“The real solution is have a budget… and not non-budget issues,” he said.
“The continuing appropriation was designed to protect different groups from political shenanigans, as we’ve seen with previous governors and we’ve sort of seen suggested with this governor,” Brown added, a clear reference to Pat Quinn vetoing legislator salaries and Gov. Rauner vetoing legislative pay raises.
“But aren’t state workers being subjected to ‘political shenanigans’?” I asked.
“That could come to a halt quickly if you just pass a budget,” Brown said. “The better way to do it is have a full budget approved for Fiscal Year 16.”
Brown also suggested that Gov. Rauner could’ve avoided this problem by not vetoing state worker salaries from the budget to begin with.
That’s a fair point.
*** UPDATE 2 *** From Senate President John Cullerton’s spokesperson Rikeesha Phelon…
The policy is worth reviewing. That said the administration is asking the public to dismiss the fact that they chose a shutdown. The words are nice but the actions tell a different story.
*** UPDATE 3 *** From Leader Durkin’s office…
Dear Speaker Madigan,
Tomorrow will be our sixth week since our scheduled adjournment without an enacted budget. During that time little progress has been made, and we are no closer to a solution than we were on May 31st. An enacted budget requires fairness to the taxpayers and our job creators.
Twelve years of reckless spending by the Democrat majority has produced nothing more than record deficits and one of the highest rates of unemployment in the country. Illinois currently has the 13th highest unemployment rate, while nationally ranking 29th in job creation and 42nd in wage growth.
I continue to believe, as do a great a majority of Illinoisans, that we cannot tax our way out of Illinois’ fiscal mess. Our budget solutions cannot be devoid of reform. To grow our economy and balance the budget, we must enact job-creating reforms that yield higher revenues while also reducing government spending.
This week, the Democrat majority will likely attempt to pass a short term budget that, according to the Illinois Office of Management and Budget, would put the state on a course to spend $4 Billion more than it can afford. Accordingly, I respectfully request that you hold an accompanying roll call vote on legislation that would raise taxes for Fiscal Year 2016 by $4 Billion to satisfy your caucus’ spending desires.
While our caucus will oppose both measures, if no such vote on a tax increase occurs or if such legislation fails to pass, we will all have a clear indication that rank-and-file members of your caucus agree with Governor Rauner that reform is necessary before revenue is even considered.
Sincerely,
Jim Durkin
House Republican Leader
- Tournaround Agenda - Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 3:54 pm:
Or everyone in Springfield could finally quit posturing and twisting themselves into legal knots and pass a budget. No? Just a crazy thought, pay it no mind.
- LizPhairTax - Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 3:55 pm:
Sorry dude. You wanted this. You got this.
- A guy - Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 3:56 pm:
I bet the Jones children will appreciate it. lol
I think if I were the Speaker and the Senate Pres, I’d take that offer pretty quick.
- CharlieKratos - Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 3:56 pm:
Good cop to the workers, bad cop to the union. Divide and conquer.
- Because I said so... - Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 3:56 pm:
Lip service, nothing more.
- Frenchie Mendoza - Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 3:57 pm:
I do hope that there’s some behind-the-scenes stuff — good stuff, horse-trading — going on with AFSCME. I wonder if the gov’s unusual generosity here is worth AFSCME cutting out the stuff about raises. Although I know there’s still the sticking point about insurance.
- Liberty - Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 3:58 pm:
As usual, his statement makes no sense.
CharlieKratos, A good cop to the workers wouldn’t gut everyone’s insurance.
- Obamas Puppy - Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 3:59 pm:
Sinking approval ratings tend to influence your policy decisions. Taking your right wing for granted can cause any Republican heartaches…
- Tony - Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 4:01 pm:
Hair on the back of neck is really standing up now.
- Mokenavince - Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 4:01 pm:
The chickens have come home to roost .We will see how the Speaker wiggles out of this. The games should end and our elected official’s should put their noses to the grindstone.
Looks like our legislators will also have to wait for their pay.
- Skeptic - Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 4:04 pm:
“Although I know there’s still the sticking point about insurance.” And overtime and privatization and automatic promotions and …
- Just Saying .... - Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 4:06 pm:
Interesting move. Critics of this proposal may argue you cannot bind one GA over another by guaranteeing salaries for state workers year after year. But, that will nonetheless raise issues whether the legislature was within their power to enact continuing appropriate for themselves and judges in the first place. Right? Moreovet, Didn’t the “People if Illinois” get harmed when these continuing appropriate clauses got enacted in the first place? Where are these lawsuits on behalf of the People?
- vole - Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 4:07 pm:
Theres a Mother Jones ad brewing in Rauner, Inc. land.
- Mason born - Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 4:09 pm:
Gotta wonder what took so long to make that statement. It is the correct course of action and avoids all the court mess.Should have included the av with his vetoes.
Now how does ga shoot it down.
- MOON - Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 4:10 pm:
It looks like the Governor has now blinked at least 2 times.
The first blink was funding education.
The second blink is wanting to pay State employees without a balanced and passed budget.
I wish he would make up his mind a quit this game.
- CharlieKratos - Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 4:10 pm:
Liberty, he’ll drop the insurance demands, but leave in the anti union language.
- Dan Johnson - Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 4:12 pm:
That’s a good line.
- Stones - Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 4:12 pm:
Correct me if I am wrong but didn’t the Governor propose an out of balance budget as well? Does Trover think state employees are going to buy this garbage coming out of the Governor’s office? Since when did the Governor become the state workers friend?
- JackD - Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 4:15 pm:
Why isn’t the governor’s suggestion in violation of the constitution? Why is payment of state employees more important than the payment of state venders and their employees who do much of the work in the care of the poor?
- Wordslinger - Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 4:16 pm:
Yeah, that veto of state worker pay kind of steps on today’s message.
You really can’t avoid responsibility for the state budget when you’re the governor, no matter how hard you spin.
What are you there for?
- Tournaround Agenda - Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 4:20 pm:
Gov. Rauner, you vetoed the budget, saying it was unconstitutionally unbalanced. Now you want to avoid the pain of vetoing that budget while holding out on passing one until your Turnaround Agenda items are met. A Guy, what reason do Madigan and Cullerton have to help the governor avoid wearing the jacket for his actions? I’m thinking the unions are pretty sure Rauner’s not their friend by now.
- AC - Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 4:22 pm:
It all started happening after Governor Rauner saw the ghost of Cesar Chavez at the mansion. At that moment, he knew why he was elected Governor, it was to be a champion of the workin’ people, the poor and the disadvantaged. Mother Jones spoke to him in a dream, at least that’s what he thought happened, the truth is he nodded off in a meeting at CMS about software integration, while AFSCME workers protested outside. At least, that’s what I imagine happened. /s
- Anonin' - Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 4:23 pm:
Remember a few hours ago the TeamBungle and The Bobblehead were off to appeal —- a process that could take weeks — so let’s see your bill Bobs’
BTW Speakin’ of behind the scenes how about thos ads? very helpful
And the how the 30% of the GOPie reps and senators who have not cashed their TeamBungle rental checks — more than a little embarrassing
- Buster - Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 4:23 pm:
The mind reels.
Spare us, Larry, Moe and Shemp!
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 4:26 pm:
AC– was it the ghost of Cesar Chavez, or the ghost of Blago?
- tominchicago - Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 4:27 pm:
The difference between being speaker and being the minority leader is that the speaker can schedule show votes while the minority leader can only write letters wishing for them.
- Wensicia - Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 4:27 pm:
Rauner thought school funding was important, but state worker paychecks? Naaa.
“But, but…I’ll take it back! Please, send that part of the budget back to me!”
- Gooner - Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 4:27 pm:
I’m not sure what the big deal is. Senate Republicans posted a nice little chart on their Facebook page saying that it is not big deal.
Everything is fine. There is no reason for all this concern.
- 4 percent - Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 4:29 pm:
Madigan should tee up the continuing appropriation with the temporary budget and see what happens.
- A guy - Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 4:33 pm:
Here’s how it looks out in the prairie. Speaker and AG Madigan went to court to stop payments to state employees after Munger and Rauner went to court to keep paying state employees.
One judge said pay some something. Another said pay no one nothing.
Rauner offers a way for GA to send him a similar appropriation bill to the one “they” enjoy risk free.
Speaker’s speaker says no. S Pres’ speaker says maybe.
That’s what they see. Now it’s time to get in the line you like best. We’ll see.
- Arsenal - Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 4:35 pm:
==Here’s how it looks out in the prairie.==
You hope.
- Mason born - Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 4:37 pm:
Ok so the way this looks to me is MJM will pass a short termbudget to provide services to his members concerns but the rest of State Employees are pawns in political games and must have a full budget. So avoid leverage that impacts MJM but punish pawns that put leverage on Rauner. Well state workers you know where you stand. If the Speaker needs you your on easy st. If not soup line.
As for the veto the first time seems like the gov shoul eat crow and ask to have it sent back.
- AC - Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 4:37 pm:
Anonymous - Blago is still very much alive, in reality, and in spirit. It’s like he never left.
- phocion - Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 4:39 pm:
Well played, Leader Durkin.
- Anonin' - Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 4:41 pm:
Could someone hand Durkie a calculator …add up the mandated spendin’ + K-12 spendin’ + court he agreed on = unbalanced budget !
Opps
- Me too - Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 4:41 pm:
Times like this in thankful for my epilepsy if you know what I mean. /s
- Me too - Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 4:42 pm:
I’m
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 4:44 pm:
I have said for a long time, and been ignored, that the dems will hold a vote for a tax increase and put some votes on it…the safe ones…and the republicans will vote no. When the measure fails MJM can say that his party put X amount of votes on the bill and had the republicans…who called for this vote…only put Y amount we would have the needed revenue.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 4:46 pm:
The dems just might hold that tax vote and they can put a certain amounts of yes votes on that and stay safe. It would have zero republican votes and MJM can say hey you wanted this vote and if you had put just Y votes on this thing we would be there.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 4:47 pm:
Wonder if Governor Rauner thinks it’s worth it now?
- Michelle Flaherty - Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 4:48 pm:
the gov has said he’ll do everything within his power to make sure state workers are paid.
Does that include self-funding payroll?
I mean all state employee payroll is around $3 billion annually. So the gov could cover three or four months himself.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 4:49 pm:
- A Guy -,
Rauner wanted it, what, now it matters what others think?
Rauner should say its worth it, over and over…
… in Ads…
- Me too - Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 4:50 pm:
Guy, virtually no one, not even the staunchest Republican state worker thinks Rauner is their friend. As for the rest of the folks on the prairie, they think government workers are overpaid fat cats, as you’ve oft en reminded us. To the general public this looks like Rauner is protecting government fat cats at the expense of the “taxpayer”. Oh, and he’s flip flopping, so they’ll probably see it as him saying one thing to get elected but then fighting for the status quo. It’s not the right way to see it, but for folks with the attention span of a goldfish, its as complex as it gets. Or maybe they see it your way, but public sentiment would seem to suggest standing up for state workers isn’t really popular after years of demonizing their salaries, benefits and pensions as extravagant. Go figure.
- Politix - Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 4:51 pm:
“Brown also suggested that Gov. Rauner could’ve avoided this problem by not vetoing state worker salaries from the budget to begin with.”
Why not LEAD with this, Steve? Good lord. And you were having such an up day with the robots.
- Nick Name - Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 4:53 pm:
“…reform is necessary before revenue is even considered.”
Again, holding an entire state hostage for the sake of Rauner’s middle class-killing private agenda. Absolutely reprehensible. Between the three of them, Rauner, Radogno, and Durkin seem hell bent on destroying the Illinois Republican Party.
- AC - Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 4:54 pm:
“Crisis creates opportunity” according to Rauner, until it doesn’t.
- Robert the Bruce - Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 4:55 pm:
Anonymous @4:46, good point. I hope they don’t do that though - might it be tougher for a republican to later vote yes to a tax hike if they vote no to this vote?
- Juice - Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 4:56 pm:
OW- not to get into a philosophical topic here, but how much executive authority does the Governor want to give up just so he can get the GA to move on his anti-middle class agenda and avoid his responsibility on revenue? First he says his vetoes don’t matter. Now he is saying that he wants continuing approps for all payroll? That means if he wants to shut down a facility, or merge agencies, or just reduce staffing levels, he is giving up a tool that he has to help put that in motion.
- Nick Name - Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 4:58 pm:
“Absolutely reprehensible. Between the three of them, Rauner, Radogno, and Durkin seem hell bent on destroying the Illinois Republican Party.”
Sorry, I didn’t mean to imply that destroying the Ill. GOP is reprehensible. But that holding the budget hostage for the sake of Rauner’s agenda impacts real people, and may leave thousands destitute.
Destroying the state GOP may merely be an unintended consequence.
- Wensicia - Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 5:00 pm:
Since Republicans refuse to vote yes on anything, even their boss’s agenda items, what’s Durkin’s point?
- wowsers - Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 5:02 pm:
If he wants a continuing appropriation, have Durkin or Radogno file it. At what level? That’s when you’ll really see what Rauner is all about.
- Anonin' - Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 5:05 pm:
Hey how come Capt. Fax has excluded the Senate Minority Leaders from Update-apalooza? Or has he? Seems very unfair….that idea that TeamBungle start payin’ folks with Bobblehead Bucks is a cute one….we could all stand a big long line around the mansion and get our bucks and thank the Bobs for lookin’ out for the worker. And then watch him sue us to stop fair share collections
- Anonworker - Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 5:07 pm:
Rauner just sent out another email blast to workers. It’s a hoot.
- Me too - Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 5:09 pm:
And the sincerest of e-mails about protecting the workers just went out from the gov. He’s gonna fight those naughty Madigan’s for trying to stop state workers from being paid gosh darn it.
- Anon - Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 5:18 pm:
I didn’t vote for him. Those who did, and those who stayed home, are now paying the price. You’ve been instructed to believe that a “career politician” is a bad thing. Well, you got the “I’m not a politician guy”…how’s that working for you?
- The Dude Abides - Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 5:22 pm:
@Phocion, Don’t give Durkin credit, give credit to the Governor’s office, they told him what to write. Again, the Governor vetoed the appropriation that would have paid salaries to the workers, now he is pretending to go to bat for them. It’s just being sly to pass the blame. Remove all the anti worker poison pills from the turnaround agenda and there may room to work on passing some of the Governor’s agenda.
- Wordslinger - Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 5:24 pm:
Guy, as spokesman for the prairie, perhaps you should inform the masses that Speaker Madigan did not go to court on anything, contrary to your uninformed statement.
I’m sure most of them have the mental capacity and maturity to distinguish between the Constitutional roles of the speaker and the attorney general, even though, gee wiz, they’re related and have the same last name.
They can also probably put together the facts that the governor vetoed the state salary approp that he later sought to spend without authorization, which the court found unconstitutional.
I’m sure a whiz kid like you can make sense of those actions and relate how it’s all part of the well-thought-out plan.
- ihpsdm - Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 5:34 pm:
I’m not understanding the game that is being played by our beloved Governor? Why is Rauner lying to the state workers? I thought he wasn’t going to run for another term, so why even pretend that he has their best interests in mind?
- West Side the Best Side - Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 5:36 pm:
Durkin’s tea party use of “Democrat” seems really petty. If a man spells his name J O N E S, but pronounces it “Smith,” you call him Mr. Smith. A small thing I know in the overall scheme of things, but just a way to belittle people you are suppossed to be working with in the interests of all the people. I feel better now, thanks. (And yes I did omit the honorific on purpose.)
- walker - Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 5:44 pm:
Simply don’t believe Durkin wrote that letter. Not his style; not words he typically uses. He signed it of course. Must be time in Rauner’s ever-developing “plan” to ask for a “sham” vote on taxes. Turnabout might be fair play, but it’s more wasted time.
- UIC Guy - Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 5:46 pm:
So we can restore the budget items one by one, as the Gov realizes (long after most people) that not funding them will cause immediate pain and (therefore) protest. Pretty soon we’ll be funding almost everything except, of course, the pension systems: not funding them for a year (or two or four) causes no *immediate* pain. —That’s a great idea. I wonder if anyone ever thought of that before: just don’t fund the pension systems until it becomes convenient to do so….
- Wordslinger - Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 5:48 pm:
I’m not sure why Durkin let that letter go out. Plenty of Republicans will be voting for the tax increase when the governor tells them to.
- Gooner - Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 5:53 pm:
So apparently the answer to the question “At what point will Republicans cast actual votes?” is “When the Speaker offers $4 billion in tax hikes.”
Until then, it looks like Republicans will continue to do nothing at all.
- Concerned - Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 5:55 pm:
Maybe take the Governor’s out-of-balance budget, remove the “savings” that were dependent on the pension “fix” that was found 7-0 to be unconstitutional, and present that to the GA.
Will Republicans vote “present” or “no” to that? Will the Governor veto his own budget?
Stay tuned for more developments as the administration twists itself in knots!
- Triple fat - Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 5:56 pm:
A guy - this is how a guy who lives in an area known as Deck’s Prairie sees it. We have a Governor who has no idea of what he is doing. Who is in way over his head because he can’t actually purchase the State load it up in debt and the declare a dividend for himself… He should resign and do what he knows best… Destroy private sector jobs while enriching himself.
- À guy - Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 6:02 pm:
Sling, visit the prairie. Really. Share your wisdom there. They really dig super smart guys like you who teach them how to think right. We all need you.
- Norseman - Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 6:06 pm:
Full fiscal year continuing approp for salaries AND the question is what would a large number of the State employees do? There is no money for grants so there’s no need to process grant applications, issue grants or monitor grant compliance. There is no money for staff to travel for inspections. There is no money for toilet paper. …
- Triple fat - Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 6:11 pm:
A guy - one more question… May we all call you Lance? I would just feel better using your real name Lance.
- Thoughts Matter - Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 6:12 pm:
Norseman - state agencies are up and running - want your Drivers license or plates renewed - maybe a coy of your vehicle title? Foid card? Professional license for certain professions?
- Macbeth - Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 6:25 pm:
Durkin’s full of it. A “great majority” didn’t elect Rauner. He won — fair and square — but by a “slight majority”.
However, Rauner didn’t *run* on the non-budget issues he’s pushing now. Had he run on these issues, he would have — without a doubt — lost by a “great majority”.
So, yeah, Durkin better go back and review the results. I realize he’s an important guy and all — and he’s getting paid while state workers are not — but he might be better served by toning down the hyperbole and giving up his salary until state workers are paid.
Durkin? Durkin?
- park - Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 6:30 pm:
All in all, the Madigan family is not looking too good today. Of course its only Tuesday.
- DuPage Dave - Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 6:34 pm:
“Democrat majority”? Really? That’s all you got?
Like Casey Stengel said “Can’t anybody here play this game?”
- Norseman - Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 6:36 pm:
=== Norseman - state agencies are up and running - want your Drivers license or plates renewed - maybe a coy of your vehicle title? Foid card? Professional license for certain professions? ===
Check the calendar! It’s July 7th. The new fiscal year just started and staff and a lot of things are running off of FY 15 expenditures. At some point the postage for those FOID cards or licenses will be used up. Where will the money come from to cover mailing? Does the SOS have enough of the driver’s license blanks to cover the entire fiscal year?
- DuPage Dave - Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 6:37 pm:
For the record, the margin between “Rauner votes” and “All other votes” was 19,564 out of 3,627,690 votes cast, or 0.54 percent.
Hardly an epic victory. The guy (and his trolls) act like he got 90 percent of the vote when he couldn’t even get 51 percent.
- Wordslinger - Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 6:40 pm:
Guy, your uninformed, fact-free posts don’t gain any relevance by your silly claims to speak for anyone other than yourself.
But feel free to explain the Big Brain thinking that went into the governor asking a judge to sign off on spending that he previously vetoed. I think you’re the guy for that job.
- Emanuel Can't - Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 6:44 pm:
Du page Dave, what does that mean? All other votes cast? Rauner stomped Quinn. Definitely a much bigger win than Quinn received in 2010. Regardless, as JFK said, “a margin of one is still a mandate.” Get over it. Rauner is the Governor. The people want things changed in Springfield.
- Ihpsdm - Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 6:47 pm:
What job-creating reforms are going to generate billions of dollars in the short-term? It can’t be the Turn Around Agenda, can it? Or….maybe just voting “Present” on bills will create billions of dollars?
- RNUG - Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 7:00 pm:
== At some point the postage for those FOID cards or licenses will be used up. ==
Which is why I renewed one of my vehicles license plates yesterday, two months early. I may decide to do it for the other vehicles since they also come due in the fall. Hoping they’ll have it all sorted out by November when I have to renew my DL.
- Macbeth - Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 7:05 pm:
There will be no budget until fall or early winter. This is Rauner’s plan. It’s always been the plan.
- RNUG - Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 7:05 pm:
== The people want things changed in Springfield. ==
Not really, because they also voted to maintain the status quo in the General Assembly makeup.
About all you can read into Rauner’s win is either (a) he wasn’t Quinn or (b) the voting public wanted some business efficiencies brought to state operations, not wholesale change. The public DEFINITELY didn’t vote for union busting since that wasn’t mentioned at all during the general campaign and only very, very early in the primary before Rauner went into stealth mode on his ‘Turnaround Agenda’.
- Filmmaker Professor - Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 7:17 pm:
“Rauner is the Governor. The people want things changed in Springfield.”
The people wanted to CHANGE Governors, from Quinn to Rauner.
The people also wanted NOT TO CHANGE the Democratic majorities in both chambers, and therefore, NOT TO CHANGE leaders Madigan and Cullerton.
So which one is it: change or no change? Seems like a draw to me.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 7:22 pm:
===change or no change? Seems like a draw to me.===
You gotta be kidding me.
They may eventually grow sour on Rauner’s brand of change, but have you ever seen any right track wrong track numbers for this state?
C’mon, man.
- The Way I See It - Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 8:04 pm:
Job creating reforms that yield higher revenues??? You mean lowering wages and sucking wealth away from all but the wealthiest in our state?
Putting his name to this ridiculous letter proves that Durkin has “Minority Leader” written all over him. “Majority Leader”? Never, even if Rauner and his money makes a R majority a reality.
- efudd - Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 8:16 pm:
Does anyone really, I mean really, see this dude going through this three more times, let alone seven?
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 8:23 pm:
- Juice -,
Sorry, I’ve been traveling today.
I think you’re on the premise, but yiu’re missing the rub;
Rauner vetoed the budget in the first place.
Besides the simple significance of creating the crisis (which Rauner says is worth it) and the missing leverage, I feel, and thought from the beginning; Rauner vetoed it “all”, less schools, to avoid ownership. It’s clean, no… why cut here, not there, why save this, not that.
Yep. A clear decision. Governors own those. No one has a veto but the governor. So, this is Rauner’s. Congratulations, governor.
The power, of the Executive, was “misused”, to prove a “point” and it Royally backfired on the man who never, ever, made a mistake, ever.
If the Rauner Crew would spend more time governing, and less time trying to “not own” decisions, they’d be better off.
Sorry for the late response. Much respect, OW
…
- Percival - Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 8:31 pm:
I’m still cynically snickering over all this “Republicans have to do something” stuff. Given the Democratic majorities, GOP leaders are simply ignored until Madigan and Cullerton get in a tight corner, then its all the GOP’s fault for not voting the way these two want. I watched Cullerton pull this stuff in the media ad nauseum over the temporary tax hike, simply because the Democrats didn’t want the blame for voting it in on their own (though they caused the need for it) and here it comes again.
- Lt Dan - Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 9:15 pm:
Does the Federal Order pay and fund DCFS at 2015 levels until new budget is reached?
- SAP - Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 9:44 pm:
If the governor wants to convince state employees that he is a friend of the working man, all he needs to do is hire a mini-me with a broom and explain how they’ll sweep out all the evil incumbents.
- Fannie - Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 10:28 pm:
Why would Republicans vote for a tax increase? Would Rauner approve a budget balanced on tax hikes? Seems like it goes completely against everything he’s been saying so far. Not sure what the game plan is.
- RNUG - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 7:10 am:
== Why would Republicans vote for a tax increase? ==
Because Rauner’s proposed budget is also $3B+ short of revenue. He needs the tax increase to balance HIS budget.
- Angry Chicagoan - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 7:10 am:
Judging by the Tribbie comment boards, Rauner and the Republicans have quite the fan club . . . for now. Then again, the Tribbie comment boards are to the right of Yahoo!, which is saying something. Most there are falling for the “I just want to protect the employees” schtick. Question is, how far does that sentiment spread? Are people really that stupid? And are the Madigans making a mistake by “owning” the situation with these lawsuits?
- A guy - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 9:03 am:
=== Triple fat - Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 6:11 pm:
A guy - one more question… May we all call you Lance? I would just feel better using your real name Lance.===
Sure. You can even call me Ray, some people call me Jay, but you don’t have to call me Johnson.