59 Comments - Ducky LaMoore - Tuesday, Feb 2, 16 @ 11:03 am: Munger decided to schedule all of her press conferences this way so that the governor isn’t live-blogging breakfast while she explains how people will be a-sufferin’. - Anonymous - Tuesday, Feb 2, 16 @ 11:06 am: The war continues, without mutual compromise in sight. - wordslinger - Tuesday, Feb 2, 16 @ 11:07 am: I’d be curious as to who scheduled first, or whether the schedules were coordinated. Because as the skipper is talking about re-arranging the deck chairs, the lookout will be screaming “iceberg!” - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Feb 2, 16 @ 11:08 am: If Munger approaches this as the Constitutional Officer, she’ll be fine If Munger throws in that “reforms are necessary” while being troubled, that will NOT work. The second, as a Constitutional, she decides to take a side that “reforms are needed” to pay bills that are due regardless, she’ll lose the message and the day. Be the Comptroller, dont explain away why there is a backlog as “reforms are needed” … Please. - 360 Degree Turnaround - Tuesday, Feb 2, 16 @ 11:14 am: Why does the governor and comptroller need an audit of expenditures they control? - Ducky LaMoore - Tuesday, Feb 2, 16 @ 11:16 am: ===Rauner wants Cullerton to “follow through” on pension reform. Says he doesn’t know why there’s “foot dragging going on.”=== The man who claims he doesn’t read the news is surprised at foot dragging?! Well gov, if you would have picked up a newspaper in the last four years, you would know the foot dragging comes from the ILSC that has roundly rejected the pension theft bills that you just can’t help but to keep pushing. What is that line about being doomed to repeat history? - 360 Degree Turnaround - Tuesday, Feb 2, 16 @ 11:18 am: Somebody ask Munger where the state’s money is being spent. - TD - Tuesday, Feb 2, 16 @ 11:19 am: $500 million saved through Procurement reform each year. I thought the policy of the procurement code was competitive selection to produce the best value for the State. /snark I’d like to see a third party’s objective review of that projected cost savings. - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Feb 2, 16 @ 11:20 am: The legislative process is inherently slow. The fast tracking is for “agreed” items. The Pension Bill has many hurdles to jump. Many. - Anonymous - Tuesday, Feb 2, 16 @ 11:22 am: The satire of these dueling conferences. Rauner’s procurement focus and resulting savings juxtaposed with Munger’s numbers on what the impasse is costing the State. Not the same ballpark…not even the same sport. - TDTD - Tuesday, Feb 2, 16 @ 11:23 am: 11:22 was me - 360 Degree Turnaround - Tuesday, Feb 2, 16 @ 11:23 am: Where is the consent decree money being spent by the Governor? Follow the consent decree money and you will find his priorities. Are travel vouchers being paid while LSSI falters? - Sir Reel - Tuesday, Feb 2, 16 @ 11:24 am: It’s like Rauner wants the pension fix to move now! so he can plug the “savings” into his budget. Wait, that was last year. - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Feb 2, 16 @ 11:28 am: Ugh… “Some reforms should be on the table” - Comptroller Munger. When they say “Last Question”… Do. Not. Respond. All the good, was just about blown up. C’mon… You are not helping yourself. - East Central Illinois - Tuesday, Feb 2, 16 @ 11:33 am: Monique Garcia @moniquegarcia “Rauner says he has directed board of Ed to see if CPS meets criteria for takeover, and asked they look for possible superintendents.” Did Rauner really just say this?? He wants the state to take over CPS?? - Too Big to Fail - Tuesday, Feb 2, 16 @ 11:33 am: So what exactly have we learned from these press conferences? - Trolling Troll - Tuesday, Feb 2, 16 @ 11:34 am: She is the “wingman” - cdog - Tuesday, Feb 2, 16 @ 11:34 am: $10,000,000,000 - $12,000,000,000 backlog by fiscal end? Obscene. “We’ll never run out of money.” Sick. - Mama - Tuesday, Feb 2, 16 @ 11:35 am: The Comptroller said, “Somewhere around $10 and $12 billion in backlogged bills by end of the fiscal year.” I can’t wrap my head around that much money. How much additional taxes will it take to pay off this backlog? - Team Sleep - Tuesday, Feb 2, 16 @ 11:36 am: ECI - with respect, did you miss the press conference two weeks ago? Rauner, Radogno, Durkin and Sandack - which sounds like an accounting firm - advocated it pretty heavily then. - The Man on 6 - Tuesday, Feb 2, 16 @ 11:36 am: ==Comptroller Munger: “We will never run out of money due to revenues coming in.”== Not being able to pay existing bills with the amount of revenue you have coming in is the exact definition of “running out of money”. Good luck with your 2018 primary challenge, Leslie. - Mama - Tuesday, Feb 2, 16 @ 11:38 am: ” $1.2 billion more in spending, $5 billion less in revenue = $6.2 billion.” This is the best statement of facts from the State Comptroller. At least she acknowledge the State needs more revenue. - Frenchie Mendoza - Tuesday, Feb 2, 16 @ 11:40 am: What — and where — is this “criteria for takeover” for CPS? I mean, can a governor just come in and take over a school system? - East Central Illinois - Tuesday, Feb 2, 16 @ 11:41 am: Team Sleep - Yes, I remember that press conference, but this directive by Rauner to the Board of Ed to check on criteria for CPS to be taken over by the state seems like a double-down on the bet by Rauner; especially on the heels of the CTU-CPS news from yesterday. - Mama - Tuesday, Feb 2, 16 @ 11:42 am: “Munger took a question about all of those “non budget issues” that are holding up a budget. She said some would spur revenue, which means they are budget related.” Please explain how the TA is they budget related? - Mama - Tuesday, Feb 2, 16 @ 11:46 am: “I mean, can a governor just come in and take over a school system?” Yes & no if there is a good reason to take over a school, ISBE can take it over. Other schools, like East St Louis, have been taken over by ISBE in the past. - Mama - Tuesday, Feb 2, 16 @ 11:48 am: “What — and where — is this “criteria for takeover” for CPS?” Try Google: Illinois School Code - Anon221 - Tuesday, Feb 2, 16 @ 11:52 am: “The mayors of Chicago…”- classic Rauner. If he gets control of CPS, and he WILL want control of CPS just like he wants to control Procurement and have Sweeps Authority, then he has a national stage to do the charter-voucher-non-union experiment. Quite frankly, Ounce will benefit from this as well. - Handle Bar Mustache - Tuesday, Feb 2, 16 @ 11:53 am: Not one democratic legislator at the “procurement reform” press conference? How is it going to happen with zero bipartisan support? Did someone ask the governor? - TD - Tuesday, Feb 2, 16 @ 11:53 am: Yes, because ISBE is a bastion of competence. Is the Gov trying to unload some shrink-wrapped textbooks that he’s storing at the fairgrounds? Motivated seller! /snark - My New Handle - Tuesday, Feb 2, 16 @ 12:09 pm: I wonder how Dunkin would vote on this. - My New Handle - Tuesday, Feb 2, 16 @ 12:10 pm: “This” meaning CPS takeover. - deadguy - Tuesday, Feb 2, 16 @ 12:21 pm: I can’t imagine how big of a tax increase will be needed in 2019 in order to balance the budget. We may have to see a flat tax of 7-8% since the Constitution doesn’t allow for a graduated income tax. - steve schnorf - Tuesday, Feb 2, 16 @ 12:29 pm: The $500 million savings may have at least partially come from the consultants used by Governor Quinn’s TAB commission. The consultants assigned to the general government services included in the report a statement that $500 million could be saved thru a purchasing review. She told us she based the number on her group’s prior experiences with purchasing reviews done elsewhere. - Handle Bar Mustache - Tuesday, Feb 2, 16 @ 12:32 pm: Schnorf! You’re back! Where have you been?! I’ve missed you here. Thanks for the background. - Beaner - Tuesday, Feb 2, 16 @ 12:37 pm: Please, does anyone have a bill number for the Procurement Legislation? Thank you. - The Electrician - Tuesday, Feb 2, 16 @ 12:49 pm: HB 4644 - Bluegrass Boy - Tuesday, Feb 2, 16 @ 12:56 pm: Isn’t the current procurement process a direct response to previous scandals, misappropriations and contract steering we’ve had under previous Governors? Are we to believe that won’t be taking place under this Governor? For someone who refuses to get a budget in place he seems like he’s awfully anxious to “streamline things”, take control, and start awarding state contracts to his friends quickly and efficiently. - burbanite - Tuesday, Feb 2, 16 @ 12:57 pm: Would the procurement reform truly be considered a “reform” so the Gov. can say he got a reform passed? - here we go again - Tuesday, Feb 2, 16 @ 1:04 pm: Does anyone know if the Comptroller’s numbers include the 12% interest from the Prompt Payment Act? - A guy - Tuesday, Feb 2, 16 @ 1:17 pm: On the bright side; your pension payments are being dutifully paid. As they should be. - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Feb 2, 16 @ 1:21 pm: ===…your pension payments are being dutifully paid. As they should be.=== Who is the “your” in your sentence referring to? Thanks. - A guy - Tuesday, Feb 2, 16 @ 1:24 pm: +++ Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Feb 2, 16 @ 1:21 pm: ===…your pension payments are being dutifully paid. As they should be.=== Who is the “your” in your sentence referring to? Thanks.+++ A significant number of people who comment here regularly about every last thing that’s being cut or delayed. You’re welcome. - Annonin' - Tuesday, Feb 2, 16 @ 1:30 pm: The jibber jabber from these two is bad enough when they go non concurrently…but in stereo — yikes. 1. Just remember Flint when the GOPies and the SuperStars talk “takeover” 2. Just remember MSI and too many to list GOPie scams under George when GOPie talk procurement reform 3. Just remember Ds will use same funding source as SuperStar budget for colleges and MAP 4. Just remember …..(fill in the blank) Apparently SuperStars do not like calling their CPS scheme a “bailout” if it walks like a duck… - wordslinger - Tuesday, Feb 2, 16 @ 1:40 pm: –On the bright side; your pension payments are being dutifully paid. As they should be.– As required, by law. State contributions to the pension system are once-again being shorted, running one month behind due to lack of funds, as Munger pointed out today. - Anonymous - Tuesday, Feb 2, 16 @ 1:45 pm: Oh and did we mention it looks this is a message to fellow 1%ers to tube the CPS bond deal… correction … bungled message - A guy - Tuesday, Feb 2, 16 @ 1:46 pm: In this state “one month behind” is akin to paying in advance. - walker - Tuesday, Feb 2, 16 @ 2:29 pm: This procurement reform undoes some previous procurement reforms designed to prevent specific identified risks for corruption, which were in turn created by then previous procurement reforms designed to streamline processes and cut costs. Color me skeptical of most politically-touted good government “reforms.” Just hire the right people and let them do their jobs. - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Feb 2, 16 @ 2:32 pm: ===A significant number of people who comment here regularly about every last thing that’s being cut or delayed.=== Is it their fault is required by law? Are you shaming them… or… I’m confused. - wordslinger - Tuesday, Feb 2, 16 @ 2:38 pm: –In this state “one month behind” is akin to paying in advance.– It is painful to watch. On Dec. 31, 2014, the state bill backlog was $4.3 billion, according to the comptroller’s office. It’s incredible that the status quo is now that we’re looking at an increase to as much as $12 billion in backlog by June 30, as the comptroller outlined today. Nearly $8 billion in new debt in just 18 months. That would seem to be a very pressing problem. Surprisingly, it did not make the governor’s Top Ten list of priorities in his SOS speech. - deadguy - Tuesday, Feb 2, 16 @ 3:13 pm: The Governor wanted to shake things up in Springfield and he certainly did. Creating a backlog of 8 billion dollars takes a lot hard work. - A guy - Tuesday, Feb 2, 16 @ 3:31 pm: Would you care to elaborate on what’s being paid that wasn’t before that now has ballooned that debt. It’s honest debt, though sinful. We’re meeting one obligation and shirking many others. Everyone grab a handle on this problem. There are many long time owners. - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Feb 2, 16 @ 3:41 pm: ===We’re meeting one obligation and shirking many others.=== What does that mean? You do realize Governor Rauner, by holding hostage a budget has personally increased the state’s debt, right? The campaign is over - A Guy -, the dorm room thinkin’ to what to do is long past. Rauner’s choices, vetoes, hostages, the K-12 signature… Governor’s own, like increasing debt, governors own the debt of their governments, especially if they decide short term pain is more important than a budget. Right? Exactly right. - wordslinger - Tuesday, Feb 2, 16 @ 3:46 pm: –Would you care to elaborate on what’s being paid that wasn’t before that now has ballooned that debt.– Ummmmmm, come again? An increase in a backlog of bills means fewer bills are being paid now than were before, thereby increasing debt. Would you care to read the comptroller’s reports yourself? I’m not making those numbers up. They’re not secrets. They’re online. I pointed out that as of Dec. 31, 2014, the comptroller’s office reported the backlog of bills at $4.3 billion. Today, Comptroller Munger projected that backlog will grow to as much as $12 billion by June 30. If you have an issue with those reports, take it up with the comptroller. - A guy - Tuesday, Feb 2, 16 @ 3:47 pm: No Willy. I think we have a philosophical difference that goes well beyond anything discussed or concocted in a dorm room. - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Feb 2, 16 @ 3:53 pm: ===I think we have a philosophical difference that goes well beyond anything discussed or concocted in a dorm room.=== Like what, Illinois needs a budget versus hurting people and services to decimate unions to even talk about getting a budget? Nah. That’s dorm room. - The Dude Abides - Tuesday, Feb 2, 16 @ 3:55 pm: With the debt we’re running up restoring the income tax to 5% won’t cut it any more. I don’t know how to explain this Administration. It’s kind of like having a radical Tea Party Republican Governor in a Democrat leaning state who insists that you’d better pass his unpopular agenda because if you don’t I will start breaking things. He’s going on his 13th month of continually digging us in a hole. - Columbo - Tuesday, Feb 2, 16 @ 4:00 pm: So the Governor will veto SB 2043 (MAP and CC’s)funding of $721 million because there is no revenue source. But with procurement reforms, which likely will add $0 to the FY 16 state coffers, he’ll agree to pass $1.68 billion in funding he says we don’t have. Is this what he means by “winning”? - cdog - Tuesday, Feb 2, 16 @ 6:16 pm: February 17 the rubber-talk meets the road. Mr. Everybody-but-me-needs-to-be-Fiscally-Responible has to show us how it’s done! Revenue in, Expenses out. No more loopy-talk allowed this year at the Budget Address. If he has any integrity at all, he will address the colossal failure of his FY16 GOP-style scorched earth strategy. What awful governing and inept political maneuvering that has produced a projected $12,000,000,000 backlog. A man of integrity and truth will introduce a budget that is truly in balance and not full of confidence games. I cannot imagine being a GOP legislator and being required to defend this dude and play his confidence game. Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.