Rauner is technically correct that the General Assembly has a constitutional duty to pass a balanced budget. But he always neglects to mention the GOVERNOR first has constitutional duty to PRESENT a balanced budget, and Rauner has never done so.
What is wrong with the media in this state?
- Chicago Cynic - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 12:48 pm:
You’re right governor - it is outrageous. So where’s your balanced budget?????
- beenthereseenthat - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 12:48 pm:
Lewis Carroll would be so proud, “follow me down the rabbit hole”.
Ok, if the man who is Governor of the 5th largest state in America, and that Office of the Governor is considered to be one of the strongest constitutionally created Executives of all state governors, and that governor says he’s feeble, who am I to say he’s not?
HE needs to present a budget and one that is balanced. The section of the Illinois Constitution first states that is the Governor’s responsibility - before it even mentions anything about the General Assembly.
Can you imagine Big Jim, Edgar, Ryan or Quinn constantly whinin’ about how impotent they are to do anythin’? Whatever you might say about any of them, they weren’t scared of the job.
This governor ducks all responsibility and plays the Madigan boogeyman like Blago.
===Governor Rauner plans to increase pressure on Democrats over budget===
How can he do that exactly? He said he wasn’t going to work on the budget. So how is saying he’ll put pressure on democrats going to do anything? Democrats passed a budget. Governor vetoed, and said no budget until I get carte blanche. Am I wrong here, dude?
===C’mon dems, raise that state income tax to 5-6%. Everything will be fine if you do that!===
I will agree 100%, no snark. Absolutely.
Now, I’ll only agree if you stipulate that Rauner can not handle the office of Governor and Democrats are to decide the monetary values of all Rauner’s agencies and programs, and… Rauner will not Veto the Democrats running the Executive monetary priorities.
I mean, if Rauner can’t decifer what he wants in a budget, if Rauner admits he can’t do it, I’m all in with you..,
I agree with Ducky… it’s governing by press conference. If he wants a budget, he can propose one and then he can visit legislators and lobby for it… without requiring non-budget issues to be surrendered to him first. Also, down-staters do not care if Chicago gets a casino. Nor do the collar counties, as they have casinos readily available to them. I am so ashamed of being a Republican right now, but I want to be able to vote in Republican primaries.
How many times now have state GOP lawmakers followed Rauner’s orders and voted “present” and failed to support a property tax freeze? At least a dozen times this year?
How does this guy get away with this stuff? Oh right, weak reporters.
Hijacking a party is just that, hijacking. Rauner is a Raunerite, I don’t blame him for that, I blame him for selling his Raunerite ideals as Republican thru the hijacked GOP GA
Is there a way to turn the sound off by default on the Scribbed Live widget? I know you can click on the gear-looking icon in the top right and mute the sound but any time you refresh the page it comes back on. Also, there is this stream in this post plus there are a few Scribbed streams if you scroll down the sidebar and you have to turn the sound off on all each time you refresh the home page. It would be helpful if by default we could be free of that constant tick, tick, tick sound. Thanks.
He’d have to come up with actual answers, if cornered by the media. He can’t handle that. He much prefers to cut and run, mumbling something about Madigan on the way out.
Can I just point out how tasteless it is for Rauner to challenge Dems to pass a veto proof budget when they currently don’t have veto proof majorities due to the death of Rep. Golar?
It will likely be November before she is officially replaced. Which means the Governor’s challenge is just a cute way of doing nothing for another month. Not sure he needed to make a speech to accomplish that.
What the Governor seems to fail to realize is that the GA does not need a budget and will continue to operate without one.
However, the budget is there for the benefit of the executive branch. Not the Governor’s problem, indeed! Durkin is apparently on Mars drinking the newly found water.
===Sen. Radogno: Gov. Rauner offered two things today - reforms & compromise. Democrats have to compromise if we are to avoid their tax hike.===
Ramblings of a madwoman. 1)the only people talking about tax hikes are republicans like yourself 2)compromise is a two-way street. Do you recall the votes on the senate floor for the property tax freeze? Or how about worker’s comp reform? 3)Could you please explain how a tax hike could be avoided? Have a few details.
=== When asked why Rauner mentions supermajority passing tax hike when 2 Dems won’t vote for it, Durkin said “not the governor’s problem.” ===
Is that like saying the GOP should pass Rauner’s reforms when they don’t have a majority to vote for it? Repeat after to me, “that’s not Madigan’s problem.”
I’ve lost all respect for Durkin. He’s simply a legislative supervisor for Rauner. He’s not a leader.
I don’t blame Rauner for cuttin’ and runnin’. That’s why he has the GOP GA Leaders on the line for his $20 million.
I also don’t blame Rauner for cuttin’ and runnin’ because all Mary Ann Ahern can do is tweet a picture of a car. It’s not like Ahern has asked anything of substance of Rauner or is carrying Rauner’s water, so why talk to her? You don’t.
Rauner isn’t afraid of media backlash, and the media that’s willing to engage makes sure not to go too deep into things because if Rauner’s own lack of availability.
Great tweet Mary Ann, you’re on that “front line”…
Pay attention to what they do, not what they say. Specifically, pay attention to Team Rauner hyping the speech then hustling him out of there with no questions.
Really? 99 days without a budget and he can’t answer a few questions? Pathetic.
The responses I’m hearing are $9-11 million dollar responses. The $20 million I guess is so they stay co-opted, but for $10 million, Rauner could’ve gotten the same talking points.
It’s really starting to sound like, “I know my term paper was due last semester, but see…see all the notecards I’ve written!”.
I am looking forward to the news article/show that outlines the role the Gov was supposed to have had at the start of the budget “impasse”. Let’s start there.
When the GOP GA is all “green” on that “tax increase”, and Governor Rauner signs that tax increase, The Rauner Tax will be Bruce’s and GOP members will be held accountable for it too.
Because, the cost of the Rauner Budget passing will be the Rauner Tax passing, and the GOP GA paying the freight with all that green on the boards.
Could someone do the math for me/us in the House. Currently (with Rep. Golar’s death) there are 70 House Democrats elected to the chamber. How does that equal enough votes to pass a tax increase? Does anyone ask this of him?
=== Sen. Radogno: Gov. Rauner offered two things today - reforms and compromise. Democrats have to compromise if we are to avoid their tax hike. ===
These “quotes” have to be false. Surely Radogno wouldn’t say something this silly. Dems have to compromise to avoid their tax hike? She should say the Dems have to compromise to get the Rauner/Durkin/Radogno tax hike!
OW: Yes, the GOP may have been hijacked, but most members of the GA have 2 feet and a spine, with which they can climb off the runaway bus to nowhere and get back to work. I know-I know–there would be consequences. $$$
Heaven forbid they should think of the citizens of Illinois first. Maybe I’m just too independent-minded. Left any party affiliation long ago.
To Team Rauner and the Sham wows: When you have to issue a statement after your candidate/governor speaks, to clarify what he meant/should have said - the event didn’t go well.
anon, Care to explain how we can operate without a tax increase when the state is only spending what has been ordered by the courts and is expected to run out of money in the spring? Have you seen the Comptroller projection of a 2 billion dollar increase by the end of this year compared with last in our bill backlog?
“Just last month we saved taxpayers $22 million by ending a bad deal with the Lottery and have now put a new, competitive Lottery contract out to bid.”
How can you know how much you’ve saved until you’ve signed a new contract? This is the kind of thing that makes me distrust everything that team says.
I was there and his campaign speech ruined my lunch. This guy just won’t budge. He said he needs our help. “Talk to your legislators, Dems and Republicans.” And tell them what Governor? That you refuse to compromise one inch and are holding the state hostage until you get everything you want? And they you don’t seem to care that you are doing an enormous amount of damage; that families are suffering?
You are the Governor. Start governing!
The governor’s staff points out the many times in the past Democrats have reached bi-partisan agreement, or done things one would associate with Republicans. Does that make the Gov look good or inept right now?
We spend a lot of time noticing the things that are going very badly in state government right now. No doubt there have been some smart changes made, and money appropriately saved, by the new management team. Crises can push some fixes on the small stage. Good reminder to brag on those. They are completely overshadowed, and they don’t count for much in today’s overall context.
Perhaps MJM and Cullerton can “give a few things” like Rauner does. They’ve compromised just like Rauner, didn’t extend the tax increase at Rauner’s request. The House didn’t pass anti-business legislation this year, that is a concession. The House let Rauner give budget AND state of the state speech in the chamber - CONCESSION!
caught the car and still doesn’t know what to do w/ it.
- Gruntled University Employee - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 2:21 pm:
Perhaps it’s time for the GA to resurrect Rauner’s original budget word for word, deficits and all, pass it, and force him to have to veto his own out of balance budget. Maybe that will put the pressure back on the executive branch to craft a balanced budget for the GA to debate.
Serious question: is it even mathematically possible for the Governor to introduce a balanced budget at this point? If not, what becomes of his Constitutional duty to introduce one?
Classic Rauner: bolt before you have to explain yourself to those that deserve to know.
The sad thing is, this works well for him. Let’s go back to the Republican primary debate at the Springfield Hoogland Center on Feb. 18. At the conclusion, Rauner bolted out the back door, refusing to speak with media; in my estimation, 80% of the reporters followed him. Maybe 10% wanted to talk with Dillard. A few spoke with Rutherford and Brady for a few seconds, leaving those two guys standing there trying not to look awkward.
If Rauner stopped to give reporters full details about what he had in mind, we would have Governor Dillard now and he would be working with the Dem’s to avoid what we have now.
But Rauner full well knew it.
Campaigning and governing by soundbyte and hype is disingenuous at best, deceitful and fraudulent at worst.
I’m reluctant to give the Governor any credit for finding several million in operational savings at various agencies when he was the one who demanded that the temporary tax increase lapse resulting in a loss of $5 billion annually. He’s stood in the way of any negotiations or progress toward a budget solution and his own administration’s actions have been a net negative, even counting these agency savings.
Oswego Willy, “Rauner isn’t a Republican” is an example of the “no true Scotsman” fallacy. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No_true_Scotsman. He ran as a Republican, got elected as a Republican, and serves as a Republican. He’s a Republican.
- Facts are Stubborn Things - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 2:29 pm:
Amazing that we have a Gov. that is refusing to negotiate a state budget! He indicates that the Democrats need to first gut their core constituency and then he will allow them as majority party in both houses to pass a politically difficult vote on taxes. That would be a good trick if you could do it. Rauner is asking for the impossible and he knows it.
Except, IllinoisGO and the Turnaround Agenda PACs seem to have similar goals. No, not seem, do have similar goals.
IllinoisGO is to elect Democrats that support the Rauner Agenda. And, with the Turnaround Agenda PAC designed to, you guessed it, support the Turnaround Agenda, it appears Rauner is Agenda-Driven, like Rod Blagojevich, who also advocated a PAC with a Spicy Name that, you guessed it was Agenda-Driven.
Now this Agenda-Driven ideal, you back it with over $29 million to be given… wait for it… to Democrats and Republicans as rewards or Disipline, that’s creating what Rod Blagojevich wanted; a Governor’s Caucus, rooted to the governor’s needs and wants, not to a party’s linkage.
Rauner wants and is politically running the Blagojevich dream.
Rauner is not a Republican, Rauner hijacked the weaker, easier vehicle to make a Raunerite Agenda real.
If you have anything other than Wiki to refute these specific aspects, that would be helpful.
Oswego Willy, feel free to research the no true Scotsman fallacy on whatever sources you please. Rauner is certainly agenda-driven. But he is, incontrovertibly, a Republican, and no amount of you saying “he’s not realllly a Republican” will change that.
You being frustrated doesn’t make me a troll, Oswego Willy. My comment was substantive and not intended to throw the discussion off track. You set forth a logical fallacy and I noted it. It’s not debatable that Rauner was elected as a Republican. Even aside from the facts that Rauner identifies as a Republican and was elected as one, Rauner’s reign has been hyper-partisan.
So, is Radogno signalling that she and the Dems have a tax increase figure in mind and hers is lower than theirs? If so, let’s hear it from both sides. Why such a secret? How much?
===You set forth a logical fallacy and I noted it.===
Actually, you didn’t.
===Even aside from the facts…===
lol.
===Rauner’s reign has been hyper-partisan.===
A Raunerite Partisan at that.
It’s been discussed here, not only by me, but by many, including our Host;
Rauner hijacked the ILGOP because it was there to be hijacked, wrapping himself around the purchased ILGOP brand, and knowing the impossibility of running as an Indie wasn’t an option, used the ILGOP as the vehicle to begin Raunerite governing, including Ken Dunkin and IllinoisGO to make 60 and 30 Raunerite GA members possible.
Where is YOUR Constitutionally Mandated Balanced Budget?
If you have no intention of fulfilling the duties of the office….
…..then resign.
Best,
Jack
- Gruntled University Employee - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 3:14 pm:
Willy, in no way do I agree with the troll, but, as a Democrat that took immeasurable amounts of grief from Republicans over Blagojevich… If the shoe fits…
The only difference is Rauner living in Chicago, voting in a Democratic primary, supporting Forrest Claypool, and no GOP electoral GOP pedigree as an elevated GOP official.
Rod was a Democratic state Rep., Congressman and then evolved with his own Queeg-Like processes to think his own Caucuses would help him, even guide him to the White House.
Rauner wants those he can own or buy, to leverage.
I hear ya - GUE -, Rauner got here thru flying false colors, then co-opting the ruins. Rod tried from breaking off, and trying to build from scratch.
Really?Yikes: If Ford bought all GM’s cars, took the GM labels off and replaced them with Ford, does that make them Fords? OW’s point of view (which I share) is that the answer is “no.” They’re GM’s with another name on it.
==Democrats’ only ’solution’ is more tax and spend!==
Isn’t Rauner’s plan to bust unions first, and then tax and spend nearly the same as the Democrats?
- Grandson of Man - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 3:39 pm:
Rauner’s still at it with limiting collective bargaining. No surprise there.
Rauner mentions limitations on collective bargaining for federal employees. That doesn’t seem to have worked out so well (duh!), as our national debt is $18 trillion. Limiting collective bargaining did not offset spending billions (and trillions in the long run) on the Iraq War and any other expenditures by politicians of both parties. The CBO estimated that the Bush tax cuts added substantially to the debt.
Rauner goes on to cite examples of limited limitations on bargaining, not the sweeping changes he’s proposing.
As some have asked, let’s see some numbers on what limiting collective bargaining will bring as far as savings, revenue and economic growth. Rauner does not provide these numbers. What happens if severely curtailing bargaining rights results in sluggish economic/revenue growth?
There is another way to limit spending that preserves collective bargaining–tough contract negotiations. Rauner ironically is involved in negotiations as he wants to strip away collective bargaining rights. Why doesn’t he support politicians proving their mettle at the negotiation table in a way that preserves the democratic choices made by voters and union members?
-take away union health insurance completely and throw them on the healthcare exchange with subsidies because they would qualify (family of 4, 400% poverty is $97,000. Probably a $10,000 deductible though /s),
-increase union work hours 37.5 to 45.
-cut union payscale, and NO step raises. (only raises if the administration likes you or is related to you.)
-make sure union employees only get $5 if they become disabled at work, and a box of donuts. (No need for worker’s comp at all, cap payouts at $5 and medical covered by healthcare exchange.)
-and lastly, be sure to increase all union member’s retirement contributions and their property taxes.
Gov Rauner, of course it is reasonable to do all this in one year. How did we ever get along without you?
What Rauner proposed was “borrow and spend”, at 7.5% interest per year.
What we are currently doing is borrowing and spending at 12% interest per year.
If Republicans had a plan that did not involve spending, we would have seen it by now.
So, essentially your choices are:
1. Pay as you go (Democratic proposal)
2. Borrow at 7.5% per year (proposed Rauner budget)
3. Borrow at 12% per year (Rauner stonewall).
In case you were not listening carefully, Democrats are not flinching, twitching, inching, creeping, etc. They do not care if Rauner is “winning” the public relations battle.
I agree with all those who blame only Rauner. He should ignore the legislature and impose his own budget on the state! He then can appoint Oswego Willy to command the National Guard to impose martial law! I am a certified member of such silliness!
Everyone needs to sit down and start talking. Including the two “what’s the use of talking” twins.
Is it time for a Writ of Mandamus to the Illinois Supreme Court which would demand that the governor do his required presentation of a balanced budget as required by the Illinois constitution? Word is he hasn’t bought the Il Supreme Court yet.
I actually hope the National Guard doesn’t occupy Illinois Government… Nothing to cheer about there, but Rauner will own that too. “Why?” Governors are Commander in Chiefs, can’t blame MJM on that.
Louis, Bruce Rauner does not have the courage to impose his own budget on the state. He does not have the courage to call legislative leaders together for a meeting. Rauner does not even have the courage to answer questions from the media.
No, your hero is a feckless leader.
We could use Willy here.
Where is Tom Cross? Wasn’t he wanting to file lawsuits when G.A. and Governor failed to pass a balanced budget. I suggest now that the Gov and G.A. have a better idea of how much is needed for FY16, that they tally what is owed and what is planned for the next 9 months and compare that to estimated revenues. The answer should be clear.
- Facts are Stubborn Things - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 6:18 pm:
Dems need to call a budget summit and invite the republican leadership and Gov. Rauner to negotiate a budget. If they refuse to come they need a presser showing the empty seats and the damage those empty seats are causing.
== Isn’t Rauner’s plan to bust unions first, and then tax and spend nearly the same as the Democrats? ==
Given all the court orders, the drop in revenue from all the social service workers being laid off, and the eventual need for lots of contractors to fix all the crises / problems he has created, Rauner will probably end up spending more than the Democrats proposed.
Given all of Rauner’s comments yesterday about unions and labor negotiations and health insurance, how can anyone keep a straight face and claim Rauner will bargain in good faith on the AFSCME contract - and health insurance for state and state university employees?
- illinoised - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 12:44 pm:
As expected, nothing new. Waste of time.
- Flynn's mom - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 12:46 pm:
I have the most extraordinary feeling of deja vu.
- too obvious - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 12:48 pm:
Rauner is technically correct that the General Assembly has a constitutional duty to pass a balanced budget. But he always neglects to mention the GOVERNOR first has constitutional duty to PRESENT a balanced budget, and Rauner has never done so.
What is wrong with the media in this state?
- Chicago Cynic - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 12:48 pm:
You’re right governor - it is outrageous. So where’s your balanced budget?????
- beenthereseenthat - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 12:48 pm:
Lewis Carroll would be so proud, “follow me down the rabbit hole”.
- Ducky LaMoore - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 12:51 pm:
I get an incredible feeling of nostalgia listening to this. It is Blagojevichian.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 12:51 pm:
So, Rauner is feeble?
Ok, if the man who is Governor of the 5th largest state in America, and that Office of the Governor is considered to be one of the strongest constitutionally created Executives of all state governors, and that governor says he’s feeble, who am I to say he’s not?
- Anon. - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 12:52 pm:
And behind curtain number 3 is . . . , well, nothing, but it’s all the fault of Speaker Madison and the legislators he controls.
- anon - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 12:56 pm:
C’mon dems, raise that state income tax to 5-6%. Everything will be fine if you do that!
- Norseman - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 12:56 pm:
Yada, yada, yada. Wake me when he says something different and helpful.
- siriusly - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 12:56 pm:
I’m here today to say it’s time to move forward and come together.
Let’s start by doing everything I want.
- Joe M - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 1:00 pm:
HE needs to present a budget and one that is balanced. The section of the Illinois Constitution first states that is the Governor’s responsibility - before it even mentions anything about the General Assembly.
- Wordslinger - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 1:00 pm:
Gov. Helpless Victim runnin’ the same old grift.
Can you imagine Big Jim, Edgar, Ryan or Quinn constantly whinin’ about how impotent they are to do anythin’? Whatever you might say about any of them, they weren’t scared of the job.
This governor ducks all responsibility and plays the Madigan boogeyman like Blago.
- AC - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 1:01 pm:
Einstein’s definition of insanity is on full display.
- Ducky LaMoore - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 1:01 pm:
===Governor Rauner plans to increase pressure on Democrats over budget===
How can he do that exactly? He said he wasn’t going to work on the budget. So how is saying he’ll put pressure on democrats going to do anything? Democrats passed a budget. Governor vetoed, and said no budget until I get carte blanche. Am I wrong here, dude?
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 1:01 pm:
===C’mon dems, raise that state income tax to 5-6%. Everything will be fine if you do that!===
I will agree 100%, no snark. Absolutely.
Now, I’ll only agree if you stipulate that Rauner can not handle the office of Governor and Democrats are to decide the monetary values of all Rauner’s agencies and programs, and… Rauner will not Veto the Democrats running the Executive monetary priorities.
I mean, if Rauner can’t decifer what he wants in a budget, if Rauner admits he can’t do it, I’m all in with you..,
- thoughts matter - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 1:02 pm:
I agree with Ducky… it’s governing by press conference. If he wants a budget, he can propose one and then he can visit legislators and lobby for it… without requiring non-budget issues to be surrendered to him first. Also, down-staters do not care if Chicago gets a casino. Nor do the collar counties, as they have casinos readily available to them. I am so ashamed of being a Republican right now, but I want to be able to vote in Republican primaries.
- too obvious - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 1:05 pm:
How many times now have state GOP lawmakers followed Rauner’s orders and voted “present” and failed to support a property tax freeze? At least a dozen times this year?
How does this guy get away with this stuff? Oh right, weak reporters.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 1:05 pm:
- thoughts matter -
Rauner isn’t a Republican.
Hijacking a party is just that, hijacking. Rauner is a Raunerite, I don’t blame him for that, I blame him for selling his Raunerite ideals as Republican thru the hijacked GOP GA
- AC - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 1:05 pm:
What supermajority is he talking about? Did Dunkin resign?
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 1:10 pm:
Notice how he flew out of there before any arrows could be withdrawn from their quivers.
- Ducky LaMoore - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 1:10 pm:
===After his speech, @GovRauner quickly slips out the back and into SUV convoy avoiding any Chicago media questions===
Maybe now the mainstream media will get out the hammer? Won’t hold my breath….
- Arsenal - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 1:11 pm:
==When asked why Rauner mentions supermajority passing tax hike when 2 Dems won’t vote for it, Durkin said “not the governor’s problem.”==
And the clear majority that is against Rauner’s anti-worker fanfic isn’t Madigan’s problem, either.
But the difference is, Democrats aren’t refusing to discuss the budget until a tax hike is passed.
- The Captain - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 1:11 pm:
Is there a way to turn the sound off by default on the Scribbed Live widget? I know you can click on the gear-looking icon in the top right and mute the sound but any time you refresh the page it comes back on. Also, there is this stream in this post plus there are a few Scribbed streams if you scroll down the sidebar and you have to turn the sound off on all each time you refresh the home page. It would be helpful if by default we could be free of that constant tick, tick, tick sound. Thanks.
- Norseman - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 1:11 pm:
=== MikeFlanneryFOX32 @PoliticalEditor 30m30 minutes ago
.@govrauner: Dems have doubled down on status quo… ===
So we now have a status quo of the status quo? Kinda on the order of super secret probation.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 1:11 pm:
Uh, Radogno, Rauner is on the record supporting a tax increase.
- Aldyth - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 1:14 pm:
He’d have to come up with actual answers, if cornered by the media. He can’t handle that. He much prefers to cut and run, mumbling something about Madigan on the way out.
- AC - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 1:15 pm:
==Democrats have to compromise if we are to avoid their tax hike.==
I’d love to see the math supporting that!
- ILPundit - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 1:17 pm:
Can I just point out how tasteless it is for Rauner to challenge Dems to pass a veto proof budget when they currently don’t have veto proof majorities due to the death of Rep. Golar?
It will likely be November before she is officially replaced. Which means the Governor’s challenge is just a cute way of doing nothing for another month. Not sure he needed to make a speech to accomplish that.
- A Jack - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 1:17 pm:
What the Governor seems to fail to realize is that the GA does not need a budget and will continue to operate without one.
However, the budget is there for the benefit of the executive branch. Not the Governor’s problem, indeed! Durkin is apparently on Mars drinking the newly found water.
- Ducky LaMoore - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 1:18 pm:
===Sen. Radogno: Gov. Rauner offered two things today - reforms & compromise. Democrats have to compromise if we are to avoid their tax hike.===
Ramblings of a madwoman. 1)the only people talking about tax hikes are republicans like yourself 2)compromise is a two-way street. Do you recall the votes on the senate floor for the property tax freeze? Or how about worker’s comp reform? 3)Could you please explain how a tax hike could be avoided? Have a few details.
- Norseman - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 1:19 pm:
=== When asked why Rauner mentions supermajority passing tax hike when 2 Dems won’t vote for it, Durkin said “not the governor’s problem.” ===
Is that like saying the GOP should pass Rauner’s reforms when they don’t have a majority to vote for it? Repeat after to me, “that’s not Madigan’s problem.”
I’ve lost all respect for Durkin. He’s simply a legislative supervisor for Rauner. He’s not a leader.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 1:20 pm:
I don’t blame Rauner for cuttin’ and runnin’. That’s why he has the GOP GA Leaders on the line for his $20 million.
I also don’t blame Rauner for cuttin’ and runnin’ because all Mary Ann Ahern can do is tweet a picture of a car. It’s not like Ahern has asked anything of substance of Rauner or is carrying Rauner’s water, so why talk to her? You don’t.
Rauner isn’t afraid of media backlash, and the media that’s willing to engage makes sure not to go too deep into things because if Rauner’s own lack of availability.
Great tweet Mary Ann, you’re on that “front line”…
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 1:21 pm:
Someone please explain again- term limits, redistricting, right to work = thriving economy?
- Norseman - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 1:21 pm:
Repeat after
tome, “that’s not Madigan’s problem.”- illinoised - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 1:22 pm:
The media consistently gives Rauner a pass. Newspaper headline today: “Rauner increasing pressure on Democrats for budget deal.” Right.
- 47th Ward - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 1:23 pm:
Pay attention to what they do, not what they say. Specifically, pay attention to Team Rauner hyping the speech then hustling him out of there with no questions.
Really? 99 days without a budget and he can’t answer a few questions? Pathetic.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 1:24 pm:
I still say Rauner overpayed for the GOP GA.
The responses I’m hearing are $9-11 million dollar responses. The $20 million I guess is so they stay co-opted, but for $10 million, Rauner could’ve gotten the same talking points.
- Liberty - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 1:33 pm:
That dog don’t hunt.
- Frenchie Mendoza - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 1:34 pm:
Radogno has no idea what she’s talking about. Apparently, she didn’t get the secret memo. Or, more likely, got it but didn’t read it.
The tax hike is not “the dems tax hike.” It’s the tax hike. It’s the one Rauner — her boss — supports.
What, you want to avoid the “dems tax hike” and then hike it yourself?
Go ahead, Rodogno. Do whatever. But before you start tweeting all the partisan rah-rah blather, at least get your facts straight.
And read the secret memos from your boss.
- anon - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 1:34 pm:
Sure OW, give the checkbook to the dems, they’ve done wonderful things with money the past…………
Never mind
- Anon221 - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 1:37 pm:
It’s really starting to sound like, “I know my term paper was due last semester, but see…see all the notecards I’ve written!”.
I am looking forward to the news article/show that outlines the role the Gov was supposed to have had at the start of the budget “impasse”. Let’s start there.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 1:37 pm:
When the GOP GA is all “green” on that “tax increase”, and Governor Rauner signs that tax increase, The Rauner Tax will be Bruce’s and GOP members will be held accountable for it too.
Because, the cost of the Rauner Budget passing will be the Rauner Tax passing, and the GOP GA paying the freight with all that green on the boards.
- 360 Degree TurnAround - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 1:38 pm:
Could someone do the math for me/us in the House. Currently (with Rep. Golar’s death) there are 70 House Democrats elected to the chamber. How does that equal enough votes to pass a tax increase? Does anyone ask this of him?
- Norseman - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 1:39 pm:
=== Sen. Radogno: Gov. Rauner offered two things today - reforms and compromise. Democrats have to compromise if we are to avoid their tax hike. ===
These “quotes” have to be false. Surely Radogno wouldn’t say something this silly. Dems have to compromise to avoid their tax hike? She should say the Dems have to compromise to get the Rauner/Durkin/Radogno tax hike!
- South Central - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 1:39 pm:
OW: Yes, the GOP may have been hijacked, but most members of the GA have 2 feet and a spine, with which they can climb off the runaway bus to nowhere and get back to work. I know-I know–there would be consequences. $$$
Heaven forbid they should think of the citizens of Illinois first. Maybe I’m just too independent-minded. Left any party affiliation long ago.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 1:40 pm:
===Sure OW, give the checkbook to the dems, they’ve done wonderful things with money the past…………===
So, you think Rauner should come up with a budget and a structured roll call to pass it?
Yeah, me too.
===C’mon dems, raise that state income tax to 5-6%. Everything will be fine if you do that!===
I guess to you, your comment looks really silly now…
- 360 Degree TurnAround - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 1:41 pm:
To Team Rauner and the Sham wows: When you have to issue a statement after your candidate/governor speaks, to clarify what he meant/should have said - the event didn’t go well.
- AC - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 1:41 pm:
anon, Care to explain how we can operate without a tax increase when the state is only spending what has been ordered by the courts and is expected to run out of money in the spring? Have you seen the Comptroller projection of a 2 billion dollar increase by the end of this year compared with last in our bill backlog?
- Skeptic - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 1:42 pm:
anon: Unless the D’s have enough votes to override a veto (and we’ve seen how that works out) any tax hike will have Rauner’s signature on it.
“By modernizing the [DFPR] system, we are reducing process time by 50% and can save millions of dollars as a result.”
Right, I’m sure a project that large was initiated, designed, built, tested and implemented in 9 months.
- UIC Guy - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 1:54 pm:
“Just last month we saved taxpayers $22 million by ending a bad deal with the Lottery and have now put a new, competitive Lottery contract out to bid.”
How can you know how much you’ve saved until you’ve signed a new contract? This is the kind of thing that makes me distrust everything that team says.
- Wordslinger - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 1:57 pm:
Can’t the superstars get the governor one of those crying baby dolls to carry around so he’d have an excuse to constantly duck questions?
The real thing worked for the the other guy who spent his days hiding in the bunker.
- anon - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 1:59 pm:
MJM and Cullerton need to give a few things and in return, a state income tax increase up to about 4.5% will probably be implemented.
- Annoyed - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 2:04 pm:
I was there and his campaign speech ruined my lunch. This guy just won’t budge. He said he needs our help. “Talk to your legislators, Dems and Republicans.” And tell them what Governor? That you refuse to compromise one inch and are holding the state hostage until you get everything you want? And they you don’t seem to care that you are doing an enormous amount of damage; that families are suffering?
You are the Governor. Start governing!
- walker - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 2:05 pm:
Two reactions:
The governor’s staff points out the many times in the past Democrats have reached bi-partisan agreement, or done things one would associate with Republicans. Does that make the Gov look good or inept right now?
We spend a lot of time noticing the things that are going very badly in state government right now. No doubt there have been some smart changes made, and money appropriately saved, by the new management team. Crises can push some fixes on the small stage. Good reminder to brag on those. They are completely overshadowed, and they don’t count for much in today’s overall context.
- 360 Degree TurnAround - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 2:05 pm:
Perhaps MJM and Cullerton can “give a few things” like Rauner does. They’ve compromised just like Rauner, didn’t extend the tax increase at Rauner’s request. The House didn’t pass anti-business legislation this year, that is a concession. The House let Rauner give budget AND state of the state speech in the chamber - CONCESSION!
- DonaldTrump - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 2:07 pm:
A lot of whining on here. And nobody seems to be looking out for the citizens of Illinois except the Governor.
- Wordslinger - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 2:09 pm:
UIC Guy, the governor missed a trick on the lottery.
He should have touted the revenues for continuing to sell tickets for jackpots the state knows it cannot legally pay.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 2:10 pm:
===And nobody seems to be looking out for the citizens of Illinois except the Governor.===
Ugh.
@RonSandack: I’m frustrated 2, but taking steps towards reforming IL more important than short term budget stalemate.
Rauner is causing the stalemate. Ron Sandack says its so. The stalemate is hurting Illinois. On purpose.
- Arsenal - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 2:18 pm:
==MJM and Cullerton need to give a few things and in return, a state income tax increase up to about 4.5% will probably be implemented.==
“Hey Dems, if you vote for these things you HATE, I’ll LET you vote for these things that will get you fired,” said the worst deal-maker in history.
- D.P.Gumby - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 2:18 pm:
caught the car and still doesn’t know what to do w/ it.
- Gruntled University Employee - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 2:21 pm:
Perhaps it’s time for the GA to resurrect Rauner’s original budget word for word, deficits and all, pass it, and force him to have to veto his own out of balance budget. Maybe that will put the pressure back on the executive branch to craft a balanced budget for the GA to debate.
- Really?Yikes - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 2:22 pm:
Serious question: is it even mathematically possible for the Governor to introduce a balanced budget at this point? If not, what becomes of his Constitutional duty to introduce one?
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 2:22 pm:
====MJM and Cullerton need to give a few things and in return, a state income tax increase up to about 4.5% will probably be implemented.===
If you are clueless as to how the General Assembly works, or how a structured roll call with the guarantee of no Veto works to get a budget deal done…
I can’t believe how far the art and science of governing, and caucus politics and governing, has regressed.
- Gumby - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 2:25 pm:
Classic Rauner: bolt before you have to explain yourself to those that deserve to know.
The sad thing is, this works well for him. Let’s go back to the Republican primary debate at the Springfield Hoogland Center on Feb. 18. At the conclusion, Rauner bolted out the back door, refusing to speak with media; in my estimation, 80% of the reporters followed him. Maybe 10% wanted to talk with Dillard. A few spoke with Rutherford and Brady for a few seconds, leaving those two guys standing there trying not to look awkward.
If Rauner stopped to give reporters full details about what he had in mind, we would have Governor Dillard now and he would be working with the Dem’s to avoid what we have now.
But Rauner full well knew it.
Campaigning and governing by soundbyte and hype is disingenuous at best, deceitful and fraudulent at worst.
- The Captain - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 2:25 pm:
I’m reluctant to give the Governor any credit for finding several million in operational savings at various agencies when he was the one who demanded that the temporary tax increase lapse resulting in a loss of $5 billion annually. He’s stood in the way of any negotiations or progress toward a budget solution and his own administration’s actions have been a net negative, even counting these agency savings.
- Really?Yikes - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 2:27 pm:
Oswego Willy, “Rauner isn’t a Republican” is an example of the “no true Scotsman” fallacy. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No_true_Scotsman. He ran as a Republican, got elected as a Republican, and serves as a Republican. He’s a Republican.
- Facts are Stubborn Things - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 2:29 pm:
Amazing that we have a Gov. that is refusing to negotiate a state budget! He indicates that the Democrats need to first gut their core constituency and then he will allow them as majority party in both houses to pass a politically difficult vote on taxes. That would be a good trick if you could do it. Rauner is asking for the impossible and he knows it.
- Wordslinger - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 2:30 pm:
Some crack work by the superstar scheduling and p.r. staff, as the governor will own the news cycle.
Absolutely nothing going on today. On West Madison. Or in Pittsburgh.
- Austin Blvd - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 2:36 pm:
Beginning to think Rauner is very nice unclear on the concept of what motivates Democrats.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 2:38 pm:
- Really?Yikes -,
Hmm. You got me.
Except, IllinoisGO and the Turnaround Agenda PACs seem to have similar goals. No, not seem, do have similar goals.
IllinoisGO is to elect Democrats that support the Rauner Agenda. And, with the Turnaround Agenda PAC designed to, you guessed it, support the Turnaround Agenda, it appears Rauner is Agenda-Driven, like Rod Blagojevich, who also advocated a PAC with a Spicy Name that, you guessed it was Agenda-Driven.
Now this Agenda-Driven ideal, you back it with over $29 million to be given… wait for it… to Democrats and Republicans as rewards or Disipline, that’s creating what Rod Blagojevich wanted; a Governor’s Caucus, rooted to the governor’s needs and wants, not to a party’s linkage.
Rauner wants and is politically running the Blagojevich dream.
Rauner is not a Republican, Rauner hijacked the weaker, easier vehicle to make a Raunerite Agenda real.
If you have anything other than Wiki to refute these specific aspects, that would be helpful.
- Austin Blvd - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 2:38 pm:
Begunning to think Rauner is very unclear on the concept of what motivates Democrats.
- Precinct Captain - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 2:40 pm:
==Additionally, the unbalanced budget passed by the legislature in May assumed $750 million in savings in group health.==
Um, governor your own proposed budget had those same savings.
- Really?Yikes - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 2:41 pm:
Oswego Willy, feel free to research the no true Scotsman fallacy on whatever sources you please. Rauner is certainly agenda-driven. But he is, incontrovertibly, a Republican, and no amount of you saying “he’s not realllly a Republican” will change that.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 2:44 pm:
Ugh.
I’ll stop feeding the Troll. My bad thinking -Really?Yikes - is worth responding to.
My bad.
- Politix - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 2:49 pm:
Gah - Madigan’s talking points are as tired as the governor’s.
- Really?Yikes - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 2:57 pm:
You being frustrated doesn’t make me a troll, Oswego Willy. My comment was substantive and not intended to throw the discussion off track. You set forth a logical fallacy and I noted it. It’s not debatable that Rauner was elected as a Republican. Even aside from the facts that Rauner identifies as a Republican and was elected as one, Rauner’s reign has been hyper-partisan.
- Cassandra - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 3:00 pm:
So, is Radogno signalling that she and the Dems have a tax increase figure in mind and hers is lower than theirs? If so, let’s hear it from both sides. Why such a secret? How much?
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 3:04 pm:
===You set forth a logical fallacy and I noted it.===
Actually, you didn’t.
===Even aside from the facts…===
lol.
===Rauner’s reign has been hyper-partisan.===
A Raunerite Partisan at that.
It’s been discussed here, not only by me, but by many, including our Host;
Rauner hijacked the ILGOP because it was there to be hijacked, wrapping himself around the purchased ILGOP brand, and knowing the impossibility of running as an Indie wasn’t an option, used the ILGOP as the vehicle to begin Raunerite governing, including Ken Dunkin and IllinoisGO to make 60 and 30 Raunerite GA members possible.
- Jack Stephens - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 3:07 pm:
Bruce,
Where is YOUR Constitutionally Mandated Balanced Budget?
If you have no intention of fulfilling the duties of the office….
…..then resign.
Best,
Jack
- Gruntled University Employee - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 3:14 pm:
Willy, in no way do I agree with the troll, but, as a Democrat that took immeasurable amounts of grief from Republicans over Blagojevich… If the shoe fits…
- Formerpol - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 3:21 pm:
Democrats’ only ’solution’ is more tax and spend!
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 3:28 pm:
- GUE -,
I sympathize, lol.
The only difference is Rauner living in Chicago, voting in a Democratic primary, supporting Forrest Claypool, and no GOP electoral GOP pedigree as an elevated GOP official.
Rod was a Democratic state Rep., Congressman and then evolved with his own Queeg-Like processes to think his own Caucuses would help him, even guide him to the White House.
Rauner wants those he can own or buy, to leverage.
I hear ya - GUE -, Rauner got here thru flying false colors, then co-opting the ruins. Rod tried from breaking off, and trying to build from scratch.
- anon - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 3:30 pm:
No givey by the dems, a complete stalemate. OW, you and your fellow dems OWN this baby!!
- Skeptic - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 3:32 pm:
Really?Yikes: If Ford bought all GM’s cars, took the GM labels off and replaced them with Ford, does that make them Fords? OW’s point of view (which I share) is that the answer is “no.” They’re GM’s with another name on it.
- Skeptic - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 3:32 pm:
…which has nothing to do with a logical fallacy.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 3:34 pm:
- anon -,
Weren’t you dismissed once on this Post already? lol.
Governors own, they always do, way before Rauner, way after Rauner, it’s true, was true, will be true. Even Candidate Rauner knew. “Pat Quinn failed”…
- AC - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 3:36 pm:
==Democrats’ only ’solution’ is more tax and spend!==
Isn’t Rauner’s plan to bust unions first, and then tax and spend nearly the same as the Democrats?
- Grandson of Man - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 3:39 pm:
Rauner’s still at it with limiting collective bargaining. No surprise there.
Rauner mentions limitations on collective bargaining for federal employees. That doesn’t seem to have worked out so well (duh!), as our national debt is $18 trillion. Limiting collective bargaining did not offset spending billions (and trillions in the long run) on the Iraq War and any other expenditures by politicians of both parties. The CBO estimated that the Bush tax cuts added substantially to the debt.
Rauner goes on to cite examples of limited limitations on bargaining, not the sweeping changes he’s proposing.
As some have asked, let’s see some numbers on what limiting collective bargaining will bring as far as savings, revenue and economic growth. Rauner does not provide these numbers. What happens if severely curtailing bargaining rights results in sluggish economic/revenue growth?
There is another way to limit spending that preserves collective bargaining–tough contract negotiations. Rauner ironically is involved in negotiations as he wants to strip away collective bargaining rights. Why doesn’t he support politicians proving their mettle at the negotiation table in a way that preserves the democratic choices made by voters and union members?
- Ducky LaMoore - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 3:49 pm:
===Democrats’ only ’solution’ is more tax and spend!===
Yep. That’s what governments do. They tax so they can spend. The republican solutions are; more spend and spend, or do nothing.
- sal-says - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 3:55 pm:
== · As you know, we have entered an unprecedented fourth month without a balanced budget. ==
Couldn’t possibly be because IL’s GOP Non-Governor STILL hasn’t submitted his balanced budget to the IL GA yet, after about, oh, 7 months. Stroke
- Dee Lay - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 3:55 pm:
I love the fact he spoke at a tourism bureau that hasn’t received any state funding since July 1.
So in other words, he used a victim’s podium to drop G’s and claim victimhood.
Lovely.
- cdog - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 3:56 pm:
The obvious solution is to -
-take away union health insurance completely and throw them on the healthcare exchange with subsidies because they would qualify (family of 4, 400% poverty is $97,000. Probably a $10,000 deductible though /s),
-increase union work hours 37.5 to 45.
-cut union payscale, and NO step raises. (only raises if the administration likes you or is related to you.)
-make sure union employees only get $5 if they become disabled at work, and a box of donuts. (No need for worker’s comp at all, cap payouts at $5 and medical covered by healthcare exchange.)
-and lastly, be sure to increase all union member’s retirement contributions and their property taxes.
Gov Rauner, of course it is reasonable to do all this in one year. How did we ever get along without you?
- Juvenal - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 4:22 pm:
Formerpol -
What Rauner proposed was “borrow and spend”, at 7.5% interest per year.
What we are currently doing is borrowing and spending at 12% interest per year.
If Republicans had a plan that did not involve spending, we would have seen it by now.
So, essentially your choices are:
1. Pay as you go (Democratic proposal)
2. Borrow at 7.5% per year (proposed Rauner budget)
3. Borrow at 12% per year (Rauner stonewall).
In case you were not listening carefully, Democrats are not flinching, twitching, inching, creeping, etc. They do not care if Rauner is “winning” the public relations battle.
- Gumby - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 4:31 pm:
Oh, Rauner owns this. He bought it.
- Louis G. Atsaves - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 5:00 pm:
I agree with all those who blame only Rauner. He should ignore the legislature and impose his own budget on the state! He then can appoint Oswego Willy to command the National Guard to impose martial law! I am a certified member of such silliness!
Everyone needs to sit down and start talking. Including the two “what’s the use of talking” twins.
- Roscoe Tom - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 5:07 pm:
Is it time for a Writ of Mandamus to the Illinois Supreme Court which would demand that the governor do his required presentation of a balanced budget as required by the Illinois constitution? Word is he hasn’t bought the Il Supreme Court yet.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 5:07 pm:
- Louis G Atsaves -
“Pat Quinn failed…”
Remeber? I do.
I actually hope the National Guard doesn’t occupy Illinois Government… Nothing to cheer about there, but Rauner will own that too. “Why?” Governors are Commander in Chiefs, can’t blame MJM on that.
- AC - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 5:22 pm:
It’s hard to describe the situation as symmetrical when only one person is refusing to negotiate a budget.
- Austin Blvd - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 5:40 pm:
Louis, Bruce Rauner does not have the courage to impose his own budget on the state. He does not have the courage to call legislative leaders together for a meeting. Rauner does not even have the courage to answer questions from the media.
No, your hero is a feckless leader.
We could use Willy here.
- Wordslinger - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 5:45 pm:
Louis likes to pretend the FY16 fiscal meltdown and sabotage of core responsibilities was not the plan.
Tnis is the “leverage” Louis. This is the political plan, the hostage-taking, in action.
Did you not understand that word “leverage” has real-world consequences, as opposed to rne governor’s “reforms” undefined benefits?
- Omay - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 5:50 pm:
Where is Tom Cross? Wasn’t he wanting to file lawsuits when G.A. and Governor failed to pass a balanced budget. I suggest now that the Gov and G.A. have a better idea of how much is needed for FY16, that they tally what is owed and what is planned for the next 9 months and compare that to estimated revenues. The answer should be clear.
- Facts are Stubborn Things - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 6:18 pm:
Dems need to call a budget summit and invite the republican leadership and Gov. Rauner to negotiate a budget. If they refuse to come they need a presser showing the empty seats and the damage those empty seats are causing.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 6:35 pm:
- Austin Blvd -, thanks for your kind words today, OW
To the Post,
The FY2016 budget, labor peace.
I know I didn’t ask too much, but I asked for the possible, I asked what is expected.
“Bruce Rauner failed… ”
Two things I asked. Two.
- RNUG - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 10:49 pm:
== Isn’t Rauner’s plan to bust unions first, and then tax and spend nearly the same as the Democrats? ==
Given all the court orders, the drop in revenue from all the social service workers being laid off, and the eventual need for lots of contractors to fix all the crises / problems he has created, Rauner will probably end up spending more than the Democrats proposed.
- Joe M - Thursday, Oct 8, 15 @ 7:29 am:
Given all of Rauner’s comments yesterday about unions and labor negotiations and health insurance, how can anyone keep a straight face and claim Rauner will bargain in good faith on the AFSCME contract - and health insurance for state and state university employees?