* Earlier this week, Democratic state Sen. Daniel Biss wrote an op-ed for Crain’s…
We need to look to economically successful states—Massachusetts, Minnesota and others—that have similar values and political traditions as ours in Illinois… If we sit down, work together and study these examples, I am confident the General Assembly and Gov. Rauner can come together to craft a reform agenda that puts Illinois on a path to fiscal stability and enhanced economic vitality.
* Republican state Sen. Matt Murphy responds in the same publication today…
I found these words very enlightening, as the governor and Republicans in Illinois agree with Massachusetts and the reforms they have made. I am left wondering why Democrats in Illinois cannot agree with Democrats in Massachusetts.
In 2011, Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick signed legislation that gave cities in his state greater collective bargaining flexibility in crafting more affordable health insurance packages for government workers. More than $200 million has been saved by this act—an act taken by a Democratic governor in a Democratic state.
Gov. Bruce Rauner’s proposal seeks to also give units of local government in Illinois the same abilities that Democrats in Massachusetts gave to their towns. Republicans in the General Assembly agree; Democrats in the General Assembly refuse to consider it.
Massachusetts property owners currently pay half the taxes that Illinois property owners pay. The governor’s proposal to deliver a property tax freeze with tools to control costs at the local level will help bend the curve toward lower property taxes across the state. Republicans in the General Assembly agree; Democrats refuse to consider it.
Finally, Massachusetts has the fourth lowest workers’ compensation costs in the nation. Even in such a liberal state, their workers’ compensation system is more competitive—in part because they have adopted reforms that ensure employers don’t have to pay for injuries that aren’t primarily work related. Gov. Rauner has proposed similar reforms in his workers’ compensation proposals. Republicans in the General Assembly agree; Democrats refuse to consider it.
Sen. Biss and members of his party refuse to negotiate on reforms that could save Illinois taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars a year. Yet they continue to defend the failed status quo that has held Illinois back from making the same achievements that deep blue Massachusetts has achieved. As you read this, do you know what the Democrats’ plan is to turn Illinois around, other than raising taxes again?
The part about collective bargaining at the local level is only a fraction of what Gov. Rauner is pushing. If it was the only thing, it might’ve had a chance.
Also, we looked at the Massachusetts workers’ comp system yesterday.
- Dome Gnome - Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 4:34 pm:
As others have pointed out, “Massachusetts imposes a 5.1% tax (effective January 1, 2016) on both earned income (salaries, wages, tips, commissions) and unearned income (interest, dividends and capital gains.); certain capital gains are taxed at 12%.” Okay, let’s start there.
- Beaner - Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 4:38 pm:
Massachusetts has an Income Tax Rate of 5.1%. So they use more Income Tax to fund local schools than property tax.
- Dance Band on the Titanic - Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 4:40 pm:
Beaner - Sounds like the explanation as to why their property taxes are lower.
- The Dude Abides - Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 4:40 pm:
Senator Murphy is singing the party line which is you either agree with Rauner for you are for the status quo. There’s no gray area, it’s one or the other. Give me a break, show some statesmanship and find some middle ground. Accept the fact that you are the Minority party and you will only get some of what you want, not most of what you want.
- The Dude Abides - Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 4:41 pm:
meant “or” not “for” in first sentence.
- Anon2U - Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 4:44 pm:
Dome Gnome,
Ok. Now let’s look at the proven results from Mass. that are also proposed by Rauner, scale them, and let’s get to compromisin’!
- Downstate - Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 4:48 pm:
Seems like both sides could focus on “causation” of workman’s comp. to find middle ground.
We can raise taxes to 5%, but our problems still don’t go away.
Some snark in this idea, but why don’t we pass the necessary legislation for Chicago to impose their own income tax? They could then have all the tools they need to correct their deficit problems.
- PMcP - Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 4:55 pm:
To be honest a 1% income tax in Chicago would effectively solve the City’s problems, and ensure that suburban commuters pay into the city proper. It’s really not a bad idea
- 47th Ward - Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 5:04 pm:
===If it was the only thing, it might’ve had a chance.===
Somebody ought to put it in bill form and run it on the floor. Let’s see how many Rs back Murphy up. My guess, not enough.
Call the bluff. Rauner won’t accept a modest compromise. He’s going for total war and, unfortunately, that’s exactly what he’s going to get.
- Now What? - Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 5:05 pm:
Poor Matt Murphy continues to make poor choices by being a mouthpiece for an unpopular governor who believes he has a mandate. Show some leadership Senator and listen to your constituents who want to see compromise without the Turnaround Agenda. Stand up to this unpopular governor and save your political future.
- Langhorne - Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 5:18 pm:
Matty–
What can you pass? What can you compromise on to get 30/60? Anything? In the meantime, its ok for everything to collapse, right? Shakeout. Strategic mergers. Winning
- anon - Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 5:20 pm:
- 47th Ward - Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 5:04 pm:
Somebody ought to put it in bill form and run it on the floor
Only if the Speaker lets it out of the Rules committee.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 5:29 pm:
Senator Murphy:
This is even better than your “Massachussetts has gay marriage, Illinois should too!” Op-Ed.
Kudos.
To the post: you can always tell when someone has no actual argument in favor of a public policy; their best argument is “Everybody else is doin’ it.”
Again, with few exceptions, business leaders across the state have consistently said the most important thing the governor and his GOP allies can do to grow our economy is pass the last final pieces of a spending plan and the revenue to pay for our shared priorities.
The financial collapse of state government brought on by Rauner’s inability to do what even his least competent predecessors could muster is creating a black hole in the center of our state that threatens to destroy our entire economy.
We are approaching the Event Horizon of that black hole very quickly now as a state and while Chicago will survive it, downstate will not.
- Anon2U - Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 5:31 pm:
=It’s really not a bad idea=
Yes it is.
- Sue - Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 6:02 pm:
Bliss is a very thoughtful moderate guy. Rauner could do a lot worse finding a high profile role in the administration for him and assign him a role in coming up with a buget proposal some Dems could support. His decision not to seek reelection says a lot about the quagmire down in Springfield.
- Sue - Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 6:32 pm:
PmcP- first of all, one percent wouldn’t solve Chicagos problems. Second, why ask anyone to pay more in taxes absent substantial reforms needed to finally dig out of this morass
- Michelle Flaherty - Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 7:06 pm:
There’s no one I trust more for advice than a guy who lost a primary for lt. gov to Jason Plummer.
Please, Matt, tell me more about what the people really want.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 7:12 pm:
Sue -
Biss was just re-elected in 2014 and is not up for re-election.
He mulled a run for comptroller but decided not to file, which explains you confusion.
In announcing his decision not to run statewide, Biss stated in essence that a factor in his decision was that He can best serve the people of Illinois by remaining in the Senate to help stave of the attacks by Darth Rauner on the middle class, the poor, elderly, disabled, and most recently rape victims.
He did not actually refer to the governor as “Darth Rauner,” just to be clear.
- DuPage - Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 8:49 pm:
Maybe a better way to lower workers comp costs would be to crack down hard on unsafe employers, which would result in fewer injuries to begin with.
- A. Nonymous - Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 11:28 pm:
The status quo before Rauner was for Springfield to create unnecessary drama, not the least of which included skipping payments on bills due.
What has Rauner changed?
Nothing.
Rauner is for the status quo.
Murph can expect another donation from Rauner in 3, 2, 1….
- Just Me - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 7:30 am:
I don’t think it is quite true or completely accurate to say that Governor Rauner’s proposals relating to causation in workers’ compensation cases have “not been considered” by this General Assembly. In fact, both chambers have considered and voted on this type of proposal and rejected it. On May 22, 2015, HFA #1 to HB1287 lost 0-69-38 in the House. On May 28, 2015, the Senate Judiciary Committee voted down an amendment to SB0994. Both of these amendments contained strict “major contributing cause” language that is desired by Governor Rauner.
- Earnest - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 8:52 am:
Somehow I don’t think Governor Patrick insisted on an all or nothing, hostage-taking course towards improving his state. He governed and the state is much better off because of it.