* As we discussed yesterday, Gov. Rauner says he won’t agree to any stopgap budget for the last six months of this fiscal year unless the General Assembly approves a permanent property tax freeze and term limits. Early this morning, Rauner posted a video to his Facebook page explaining himself. Here’s my copy…
“These reforms would let job creators know it is a new day in Illinois, and that long term we’ll be a better place to invest,” Rauner said. “We are at a key turning point in Illinois’ history.”
Madigan has said the governor should drop demands that are not directly related to the budget, and the veteran speaker, first elected in 1970, has long said the state already has term limits in the form of elections.
The Rauner Facebook gambit is a way to try to frame up the final day of the General Assembly’s fall session at a time when both sides have been trying to pin blame on the other for a lack of a full state budget since July 2015 and are doing so again with a stopgap plan about to run out.
While both sides have long said a combination of tax increases and budget cuts will be needed to help balance the books, Madigan tried to flip the script Wednesday. The long-serving speaker suggested the first-term governor’s push for a deal in the coming weeks is an effort to muscle though a tax increase during the lame-duck session — the couple of weeks in January when lawmakers who did not win re-election could take tough votes on their way out the door.
In the 2-minute video, Rauner called Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s refusal to talk about reforms and push for another stopgap budget “unacceptable.” Rauner also brought up Madigan’s comment last December that the state income tax rate should be raised back to at least 5 percent to help balance the state’s finances. Rauner has said he’ll support a tax hike only if it comes alongside reforms.
“More deficit spending would be a failure for the people of Illinois. It would force more job creators out of the state and force an even bigger tax hike in the future,” Rauner said in the video. “I’ve informed the speaker that the only way that I could possibly accept another stopgap spending plan is if we include two powerful bipartisan reforms with it: term limits and a permanent property tax freeze. These two reforms would let job creators know that it it is a new day in Illinois, and that long term, it will be a better place to invest.”
The Rauner-backed bill would freeze property tax levies for all units of government and give communities local control of their property taxes through referendum. More local control of bargaining is one of the governor’s sought-after goals. Under the bill, local communities would be able to control their property taxes directly, the governor’s office said.
The term limits resolution would allow voters to decide in the 2018 election whether to adopt term limits. Legislators would be limited to 10 years of service in the Illinois General Assembly, and Rauner and other constitutional officers would be limited to eight years of service. There are two proposed resolutions, one in the House and one in the Senate.
As I get older I understand life is beautiful and only for a blink of an second. The secret sauce of life is to give and understanding. The GOP and Dems need to come together and do what’s best for IL. It saddens me that people are having a hard time and some in power are placing ego and ideology over the people. It’s time to work together.
That will really help the cities with still expanding fire and police pension problems that have no other means of raising revenue. So typical. Freeze someone else’s taxes to create another problem and do nothing to fix your problem. The State created the local property tax problem by creating unaffordable fire police pension plans and failing to properly fund schools. So sick of this State.
I think the new comptroller should announce she’s getting ready to stop paying anyone and going to shut the government down on January 1st. That has worked in the past and should be tried now.
Does he really believe this nonsense? I want to believe he is overplaying his hand with this one, seeing as it is patently ridiculous, but the current climate is one where people dig their heels in. We’ll see.
“Numba one… I vant all of our prisoners released and on da roof of your building to be picked up by our hellie-copters. Numba two… ve vant your leedurs to stand at da corner of Capeetal and ate street, vearing black ovahcoats vit red roses in da left lapels.
Zen, ve vill drop from our hellie-copter da real list of deemands to your little leedurs, vit furthur instructions.
Deeveeate from dees instructions, dare will add a-nutter name to BossMadigan.Com every hour… until vee decide uve had eenuf.
-no tie
-droppin’ g’s
-”bidness” instead of business
He has no respect for the commoners and is counting on you buying the bill of goods he is selling.
- Last Bull Moose - Thursday, Dec 1, 16 @ 9:49 am:
Rauner’s balanced budget has never been seen. It is a pig in a poke.
Madigan could make this offer. “When Leader Durkin submits Governor Rauner’s balanced budget as a bill we will do two things. First we will scrub any non-budget items from it. Then we will offer the bill for an up or down vote as submitted an scrubbed.”
Two Common sense reforms that will be ridiculed here; but that will resonate with the average Illinois resident and voter. In the words of Trump “what do you have to lose” ? decades of one party Dem rule over the legislative process put us where we are today.
Best piece of direct PR this Governor has undertaken ( he, struggles - to be polite - off the cuff). Yes, it’s a carefully produced piece, and he’s reading it, but the message is a good one and goes to citizens directly.
A new front opened on the continuing war and non-stop campaign ahead of the 2018 elections.
Is the permanent property tax freeze “clean” or does it still include getting rid of prevailing wage?
- The Dude Abides - Thursday, Dec 1, 16 @ 10:00 am:
As I’ve said before Rauner loves playing this game with Madigan. While their game of one upping is going on, the health of the state worsens day by day. That is not the leadership that the state desperately needs. So now the Governor is on record of saying no more stop gap budgets without term limits, which will never happen as long as Madigan is Speaker. What happens if the state can’t agree on a full budget? What if one side decides to use K-12 appropriations as leverage? The Governor keeps upping the ante and his demands change by the week. They are playing a dangerous game. They are actually increasing the likelihood of no full budget during his 4 year term.
“More deficit spending would …. force an even bigger tax hike in the future.” yet that is exactly what rauner has been doing since day one.
That is the golden nugget of truth in rauners latest homily
about reforms, not that he realizes it. The salesman gives good message, always pitching buzzword-bs to the public. His preconditions are just cover for starving the beast. Crush madigan. Crush unions. Crush government at all levels.
The mushrooms need to rise up and force an end to this insanity.
It will be good to have ALL of the democrats on the record as being against issues that are popular with bipartisan majorities- term limits, a property tax freeze and any reform of state government or our business environment.
Should make for some very uncomfortable town halls for them. Plus all of the House Democrats will be on the record voting for Madigan for Speaker.
Rauner is cleaning the Speaker’s clock. He’s perfectly framing the argument - the reason we don’t have a budget is because Mike Madigan (and by extension your state representative who elected him Speaker) won’t even bring a vote to the floor for term limits and holding the line on your property taxes.
–I think the new comptroller should announce she’s getting ready to stop paying anyone and going to shut the government down on January 1st. That has worked in the past and should be tried now.–
When did that work in the past?
If I recall correctly, with K-12 in the clear, something like 90% of current state spending is dictated by the courts: consent decrees and the standing order to pay state employees without an appropriation.
That’s why higher ed and state vendors are getting tuned up so badly.
All Rauner is doing is running up the backlog of bills.
Define “property tax freeze.” Define “permanent.” What, exactly, will you freeze? The tax rate? The annual levies of local taxing bodies? Assessed valuations of homes? Or maybe the EAV is local taxing districts?
And about the EAV, if a taxing district’s EAV increases, and increases enough to actually drive a local tax rate down — it does happen; I’ve seen it happen — does a permanent property tax freeze mean the tax rate is not allowed to go down?
Finally, Gov. 1.4 percent, how is this related to the state budget, which is funded not by property taxes, but by income taxes? Show your work.
Never mind that they are conditions he unilaterally imposed - they are both extremely popular and they both are designed with the Speaker in mind: Madigan won’t allow term limits because he wants to stay in power forever, and he won’t agree to a property tax freeze because then he can’t make his millions lowering them.
We can debate term limits all day long but the fact is that term limits have absolutely nothing to do with the budget, which should be the number 1 priority. And I’ll guarantee you that, while good campaign fodder, 99% of elected officials want nothing to do with term limits - both Republicans and Democrats.
==property tax freeze==
The Democrats aren’t opposed to a property tax freeze. They are opposed to the anti-union measures included in the Governor’s proposal.
Explaining??? I would of taught he would explain with real numbers how this improves the budget
I think he just saying my way or no way, grow up and get out of the sand box
Rauner’s spiel has always boiled down to, “trust me, I know what I’m talking about.”
He’s wants us to believe that in Illinois term limits will encourage business while ignoring that states without term limits, like California, have healthy economies.
===legislators would be limited to ten years of service ===
In other words, if a term limits amendment was approved at the next opportunity in 2018, it would not limit anyone’s term until 2028. The two-term limit on constitutional officers would allow Rauner to serve two more terms in violation of his pledge to serve no more than two terms.
I may be wrong, but I thought Rauner explained his property tax freeze a long time ago. If government X levied for 1 million last year it can only levy for 1 million this year unless voters approve an increase. He stated before that he was willing to test it out for 2 or 3 years, but now apparently he wants to make it permanent again.
What’s exciting for me with the new Raunerbots praisin’ this move is that Rauner as governor has no budgetary successes, possible state universities closing, social service organizations closed…
… and Rauner has to run statewide.
Madigan just in his district.
“Pat Quinn Failed”
That solid ground Rauner stands on is quicksand. You don’t fall all the way through with quicksand… you slowly go too far down that even wiggling makes the sinking go faster.
Raunerbots,
Rauner could call them all back for a Special Session, during Lame Duck I guess(?)
Would you want that, I mean, if it’s even remotely possible?
- The Dude Abides - Thursday, Dec 1, 16 @ 10:23 am:
How many of the state’s 12.9 million citizens will see this message?
Nick Name: Check out HB 6630 which was filed last night. It’s the Governor’s permanent freeze. It’s basically the previous PTELL with a 0% cap, meaning local governments will have to go to referendum for any property tax increase. It also removes exemption for home rules.
Term limits have the effect of making the tough votes- like tax increases easier because the fear of not getting reelected diminishes significantly. One only has to look at all the ridiculous “temporary” fixes that have had to be patched together through the years to give the illusion of a balanced budget.
“Democrats aren’t opposed to a property tax freeze”
Except they are opposed to removing any of the mandates from Springfield that have caused property taxes to skyrocket.
They have never explained how their version of a property tax freeze would work because there is not enough flexibility for the local government to control expenses.
So far zero reforms of state government or our business environment in almost two years.
=It will be good to have ALL of the democrats on the record as being against issues that are popular with bipartisan majorities- term limits, a property tax freeze and any reform of state government or our business environment.=
So why aren’t I hearing from the so called “job creators” that term limits and property tax freezes are keeping them from investing in Illinois? Please explain how either of these issues help our economy?
I’m not saying that these aren’t popular political moves, but at what point does our governor commence to governing?
In this post-truth world, messaging is all that matters. Trump decries his “sacrifice” as a job creator, while Bruce promises that a “tax freeze” and “term limits” are somehow revenue generating.
Wouldn’t term limits result in many more lame ducks in the GA. And wouldn’t more lame ducks potentially result in more lame duck tax increases and even worse legislation?
I don’t think people have really thought this issue through in their zeal to punish those members with whom they disagree.
Members are accountable to their districts since they want to keep their job. Term limits eliminates that accountability and is sophomoric thinking.
Can’t wait to hear from the municipal leagues about the wisdom of a permanent property tax freeze, including on homerule communities. This certainly isn’t an example of local control, which Republicans are usually so fond of extolling.
- lake county democrat - Thursday, Dec 1, 16 @ 10:44 am:
“These guys really don’t have a lot of respect for the intelligence of the citizenry. ”
Which person is it blocking the people from voting on term limits and ending gerrymandering?
Shemp: The State created the property tax problem by underfunding public education. The pension problem at the local level pales in comparison.===
In terms of absolute dolllars, yes. But in terms of increasing costs, the local fire/police pension funds have been driving non-ptell pension levies through the roof the last few years. With most funding ratios in the 40’s and 50’s, pension levies are only going to climb higher or there will be fire/police staffing cuts. Perhaps if the property tax freeze came with the ability for non-home rule cities to authorize sales tax increases, that would help, but that has a snowball’s chance….
In the time between my first comment on this post to this one, despite things going as I thought they would, I’m sorely disappointed. Do none of the Raunerites not care that he gloatingly does nothing to improve anything? You people latch onto issues that will have 0 effect on you or, worse, a negative effect on the State and, in turn, you. Term limits?? It’s not going to happen, and so what. A permanent property tax freeze? How permanent? And why when we are broke?
Losing my cool over this nonsense today. Think. And if you think that these “reforms” are designed to do anything other than instigate, think harder.
If term limits were to be passed, it would have to be put on the ballot as a constitutional amendment
- lake county democrat - Thursday, Dec 1, 16 @ 11:02 am:
Grand Avenue:
As I understand, that’s what Rauner is asking: that they put it up for a referendum vote. It would likely pass given the strong support shown for it in polls, but after more public debate it might not. Same for ending gerrymandering - it doesn’t require people spending millions and volunteers donating their time to get signatures for a petition the Illinois Supreme Court might strike (they’ve twice refused to say whether ANY redistricting reform petition is constitutional) - the legislators can put it on the ballot themselves.
- Twirling Towards Freedom - Thursday, Dec 1, 16 @ 11:04 am:
The House passed a two year property tax freeze last year. Rauner said it was no good because it didn’t also limit collective bargaining. Is he now saying he wants a property tax freeze without the bargaining limits? That seems to contradict what he said last year; that the freeze and bargaining limits go hand in hand because the limits would save money for local governments.
===How about a compromise: just put term limits on the ballot===
LCD, look, I know this is your issue. I don’t agree with you, but I understand your points and you’ve been a long-time champion of term limits.
Even if Rauner would accept putting that on the ballot as enough for him to sign a stop-gap, what will Rauner demand in six months? And what about six months after that?
No. Don’t negotiate with hostage takers. It only encourages more hostage-taking.
=Property taxes specifically and relative costs of doing business are directly related to business expansion and job creation within a state.
Term limits are a political calculation=
I’ll agree with your position on term limits and suggest that it also applies to property taxes. It’s nothing more than a political calculation.
There’s a cost associated with running government (state or local). Freezing property taxes simply shifts the burden from one taxing body to another. It does nothing to change the overall equation. It’s disingenuous to talk about any changes in the tax structure without addressing the corresponding changes in other taxing mechanisms.
But since you’ve got all of this sorted out tell me how the “job creators” feel about higher sales, fuel, or state income taxes in lieu of property taxes? Most job creators that I know are smart enough to figure out that whether its a buck or ten dimes the result is the same.
–Term limits have the effect of making the tough votes- like tax increases easier because the fear of not getting reelected diminishes significantly.–
LOL, is that what this is all about? To allegedly make it easier to raise taxes ten years from now? That’s worth a $10 billion bump in the backlog of bills in two years? You’re a laugh riot.
–Property taxes specifically and relative costs of doing business are directly related to business expansion and job creation within a state.–
LP, you really need to include some facts and data in your Econ 101 term papers. Remember the citations, too, or you won’t get a smiley face.
In 2015, Illinois ranked third among the states with 413 new sited corporate projects with a minimum of a $1 million investment and 20 new jobs. Illinois was also third in 2014.
Last year, foreign investors poured $3.2 billion in new Chicago metro commercial real estate, a record.
Ford is investing $1 billion to expand production at its two South Side plants.
“So why aren’t I hearing from the so called “job creators” that term limits and property tax freezes are keeping them from investing in Illinois? Please explain how either of these issues help our economy?”
They’re saying it, but you aren’t listening.
Here is a quote from a Chicago-area site selector in regards to the importance of property taxes:
“All of Illinois’ strengths are outweighed by glaring weaknesses. Property taxes are a huge factor. Cook County is off of a lot of [relocating company] radars these days with the exception of HQs and offices. Workers comp is currently a 2:1 savings in all of our neighboring states. These are weaknesses that rest at the legislative level. As far as our state ED incentives, our tools are old and irrelevant.”
I pasted that straight off of my meeting notes.
This site selector is a guy who works everyday with companies to find new locations for projects around the country. He isn’t a lobbyist - he has no political axe to grind - he gets paid whether his clients locate in Chicago or in Indianapolis or in Bakersfield.
In his comments, he is saying exactly what Illinois needs to do to lure relocating companies and create jobs. But no one is listening.
Wow, Sulla, thanks for taking such great notes. I bet you have a keen notebook.
Did you see the links I provided showing hundreds of new projects and billions in new investment in Illinois sites in the last year?
Do those facts matter? Or should we just go with your notes?
- lake county democrat - Thursday, Dec 1, 16 @ 2:13 pm:
47th - sorry for the belated response - fair point but you could address that by making the stopgap budget permanent until the referendum is held or it’s replaced by a proper budget. Or alternatively the vote could be contingent - if this battle continues through 2018, no referendum. And you’ll have an endless talking point if he rejects - that the Dems offered to meet him halfway, he’s all or nothing (or shifting the goalposts).
- Rocky Rosi - Thursday, Dec 1, 16 @ 9:39 am:
As I get older I understand life is beautiful and only for a blink of an second. The secret sauce of life is to give and understanding. The GOP and Dems need to come together and do what’s best for IL. It saddens me that people are having a hard time and some in power are placing ego and ideology over the people. It’s time to work together.
- Shemp - Thursday, Dec 1, 16 @ 9:40 am:
That will really help the cities with still expanding fire and police pension problems that have no other means of raising revenue. So typical. Freeze someone else’s taxes to create another problem and do nothing to fix your problem. The State created the local property tax problem by creating unaffordable fire police pension plans and failing to properly fund schools. So sick of this State.
- Chucktownian - Thursday, Dec 1, 16 @ 9:41 am:
I think the new comptroller should announce she’s getting ready to stop paying anyone and going to shut the government down on January 1st. That has worked in the past and should be tried now.
- AlfondoGonz - Thursday, Dec 1, 16 @ 9:42 am:
Does he really believe this nonsense? I want to believe he is overplaying his hand with this one, seeing as it is patently ridiculous, but the current climate is one where people dig their heels in. We’ll see.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Dec 1, 16 @ 9:44 am:
“Numba one… I vant all of our prisoners released and on da roof of your building to be picked up by our hellie-copters. Numba two… ve vant your leedurs to stand at da corner of Capeetal and ate street, vearing black ovahcoats vit red roses in da left lapels.
Zen, ve vill drop from our hellie-copter da real list of deemands to your little leedurs, vit furthur instructions.
Deeveeate from dees instructions, dare will add a-nutter name to BossMadigan.Com every hour… until vee decide uve had eenuf.
One Hour!”
- Anonymous - Thursday, Dec 1, 16 @ 9:47 am:
Its pretty clear who this message is for.
-no tie
-droppin’ g’s
-”bidness” instead of business
He has no respect for the commoners and is counting on you buying the bill of goods he is selling.
- Last Bull Moose - Thursday, Dec 1, 16 @ 9:49 am:
Rauner’s balanced budget has never been seen. It is a pig in a poke.
Madigan could make this offer. “When Leader Durkin submits Governor Rauner’s balanced budget as a bill we will do two things. First we will scrub any non-budget items from it. Then we will offer the bill for an up or down vote as submitted an scrubbed.”
- Lech W - Thursday, Dec 1, 16 @ 9:53 am:
Two Common sense reforms that will be ridiculed here; but that will resonate with the average Illinois resident and voter. In the words of Trump “what do you have to lose” ? decades of one party Dem rule over the legislative process put us where we are today.
- MAD MAX - Thursday, Dec 1, 16 @ 9:55 am:
Didn’t we “adopt” a millionaire’s tax some time ago? So term limits resolution, he’ll listen to, but he doesn’t have to enact the other?
- Benjamin Franklin - Thursday, Dec 1, 16 @ 9:56 am:
Illinois Democrats must indeed all hang together or, most assuredly, they shall all hang separately.
- Deft Wing - Thursday, Dec 1, 16 @ 9:58 am:
Best piece of direct PR this Governor has undertaken ( he, struggles - to be polite - off the cuff). Yes, it’s a carefully produced piece, and he’s reading it, but the message is a good one and goes to citizens directly.
A new front opened on the continuing war and non-stop campaign ahead of the 2018 elections.
- Grand Avenue - Thursday, Dec 1, 16 @ 9:59 am:
Is the permanent property tax freeze “clean” or does it still include getting rid of prevailing wage?
- The Dude Abides - Thursday, Dec 1, 16 @ 10:00 am:
As I’ve said before Rauner loves playing this game with Madigan. While their game of one upping is going on, the health of the state worsens day by day. That is not the leadership that the state desperately needs. So now the Governor is on record of saying no more stop gap budgets without term limits, which will never happen as long as Madigan is Speaker. What happens if the state can’t agree on a full budget? What if one side decides to use K-12 appropriations as leverage? The Governor keeps upping the ante and his demands change by the week. They are playing a dangerous game. They are actually increasing the likelihood of no full budget during his 4 year term.
- GA Watcher - Thursday, Dec 1, 16 @ 10:00 am:
Shemp: The State created the property tax problem by underfunding public education. The pension problem at the local level pales in comparison.
- Langhorne - Thursday, Dec 1, 16 @ 10:03 am:
“More deficit spending would …. force an even bigger tax hike in the future.” yet that is exactly what rauner has been doing since day one.
That is the golden nugget of truth in rauners latest homily
about reforms, not that he realizes it. The salesman gives good message, always pitching buzzword-bs to the public. His preconditions are just cover for starving the beast. Crush madigan. Crush unions. Crush government at all levels.
The mushrooms need to rise up and force an end to this insanity.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Dec 1, 16 @ 10:04 am:
At least he’s not Tweeting yet.
- Lucky Pierre - Thursday, Dec 1, 16 @ 10:06 am:
It will be good to have ALL of the democrats on the record as being against issues that are popular with bipartisan majorities- term limits, a property tax freeze and any reform of state government or our business environment.
Should make for some very uncomfortable town halls for them. Plus all of the House Democrats will be on the record voting for Madigan for Speaker.
- Grand Avenue - Thursday, Dec 1, 16 @ 10:11 am:
Rauner is cleaning the Speaker’s clock. He’s perfectly framing the argument - the reason we don’t have a budget is because Mike Madigan (and by extension your state representative who elected him Speaker) won’t even bring a vote to the floor for term limits and holding the line on your property taxes.
- wordslinger - Thursday, Dec 1, 16 @ 10:11 am:
–I think the new comptroller should announce she’s getting ready to stop paying anyone and going to shut the government down on January 1st. That has worked in the past and should be tried now.–
When did that work in the past?
If I recall correctly, with K-12 in the clear, something like 90% of current state spending is dictated by the courts: consent decrees and the standing order to pay state employees without an appropriation.
That’s why higher ed and state vendors are getting tuned up so badly.
All Rauner is doing is running up the backlog of bills.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Dec 1, 16 @ 10:11 am:
===At least he’s not Tweeting yet.===
I have a “hunch” tweeting is coming.
Soon.
- Nick Name - Thursday, Dec 1, 16 @ 10:11 am:
Dear Gov. 1.4 percent,
Define “property tax freeze.” Define “permanent.” What, exactly, will you freeze? The tax rate? The annual levies of local taxing bodies? Assessed valuations of homes? Or maybe the EAV is local taxing districts?
And about the EAV, if a taxing district’s EAV increases, and increases enough to actually drive a local tax rate down — it does happen; I’ve seen it happen — does a permanent property tax freeze mean the tax rate is not allowed to go down?
Finally, Gov. 1.4 percent, how is this related to the state budget, which is funded not by property taxes, but by income taxes? Show your work.
Best,
Nick Name
- Piece of Work - Thursday, Dec 1, 16 @ 10:12 am:
Compromise MJM. I realize that is a foreign word to you and you fear people may not think quite as highly of you, but just give in some.
- Grand Avenue - Thursday, Dec 1, 16 @ 10:13 am:
Never mind that they are conditions he unilaterally imposed - they are both extremely popular and they both are designed with the Speaker in mind: Madigan won’t allow term limits because he wants to stay in power forever, and he won’t agree to a property tax freeze because then he can’t make his millions lowering them.
- Demoralized - Thursday, Dec 1, 16 @ 10:16 am:
==term limits==
We can debate term limits all day long but the fact is that term limits have absolutely nothing to do with the budget, which should be the number 1 priority. And I’ll guarantee you that, while good campaign fodder, 99% of elected officials want nothing to do with term limits - both Republicans and Democrats.
==property tax freeze==
The Democrats aren’t opposed to a property tax freeze. They are opposed to the anti-union measures included in the Governor’s proposal.
== reform of state government==
Such as?
- 13th - Thursday, Dec 1, 16 @ 10:16 am:
Explaining??? I would of taught he would explain with real numbers how this improves the budget
I think he just saying my way or no way, grow up and get out of the sand box
- wordslinger - Thursday, Dec 1, 16 @ 10:16 am:
A new addition to the Raunerbot collection of meaningless weasel words: Permanent property tax freeze.
What does that mean? Current property tax collections are frozen, forever?
How would that work? What would make it “permanent,” unalterable, by future General Assemblies and governors?
Are there examples of other statutes that are “permanent,” and can never be changed?
These guys really don’t have a lot of respect for the intelligence of the citizenry. But since they continue to get away with it…..
- Sir Reel - Thursday, Dec 1, 16 @ 10:19 am:
Rauner’s spiel has always boiled down to, “trust me, I know what I’m talking about.”
He’s wants us to believe that in Illinois term limits will encourage business while ignoring that states without term limits, like California, have healthy economies.
- Rufus - Thursday, Dec 1, 16 @ 10:21 am:
How Does term limits Help resolve the budget issues?
- anon - Thursday, Dec 1, 16 @ 10:22 am:
===legislators would be limited to ten years of service ===
In other words, if a term limits amendment was approved at the next opportunity in 2018, it would not limit anyone’s term until 2028. The two-term limit on constitutional officers would allow Rauner to serve two more terms in violation of his pledge to serve no more than two terms.
- Realist - Thursday, Dec 1, 16 @ 10:22 am:
I may be wrong, but I thought Rauner explained his property tax freeze a long time ago. If government X levied for 1 million last year it can only levy for 1 million this year unless voters approve an increase. He stated before that he was willing to test it out for 2 or 3 years, but now apparently he wants to make it permanent again.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Dec 1, 16 @ 10:22 am:
What’s exciting for me with the new Raunerbots praisin’ this move is that Rauner as governor has no budgetary successes, possible state universities closing, social service organizations closed…
… and Rauner has to run statewide.
Madigan just in his district.
“Pat Quinn Failed”
That solid ground Rauner stands on is quicksand. You don’t fall all the way through with quicksand… you slowly go too far down that even wiggling makes the sinking go faster.
Raunerbots,
Rauner could call them all back for a Special Session, during Lame Duck I guess(?)
Would you want that, I mean, if it’s even remotely possible?
- The Dude Abides - Thursday, Dec 1, 16 @ 10:23 am:
How many of the state’s 12.9 million citizens will see this message?
- GA Watcher - Thursday, Dec 1, 16 @ 10:24 am:
Nick Name: Check out HB 6630 which was filed last night. It’s the Governor’s permanent freeze. It’s basically the previous PTELL with a 0% cap, meaning local governments will have to go to referendum for any property tax increase. It also removes exemption for home rules.
- Lucky Pierre - Thursday, Dec 1, 16 @ 10:26 am:
Term limits have the effect of making the tough votes- like tax increases easier because the fear of not getting reelected diminishes significantly. One only has to look at all the ridiculous “temporary” fixes that have had to be patched together through the years to give the illusion of a balanced budget.
“Democrats aren’t opposed to a property tax freeze”
Except they are opposed to removing any of the mandates from Springfield that have caused property taxes to skyrocket.
They have never explained how their version of a property tax freeze would work because there is not enough flexibility for the local government to control expenses.
So far zero reforms of state government or our business environment in almost two years.
- Pundent - Thursday, Dec 1, 16 @ 10:32 am:
=It will be good to have ALL of the democrats on the record as being against issues that are popular with bipartisan majorities- term limits, a property tax freeze and any reform of state government or our business environment.=
So why aren’t I hearing from the so called “job creators” that term limits and property tax freezes are keeping them from investing in Illinois? Please explain how either of these issues help our economy?
I’m not saying that these aren’t popular political moves, but at what point does our governor commence to governing?
- Jocko - Thursday, Dec 1, 16 @ 10:33 am:
In this post-truth world, messaging is all that matters. Trump decries his “sacrifice” as a job creator, while Bruce promises that a “tax freeze” and “term limits” are somehow revenue generating.
- Lech W - Thursday, Dec 1, 16 @ 10:33 am:
==How many of the state’s 12.9 million citizens will see this message?
It has the lead on both the Tribune, Suntimes,
- A Jack - Thursday, Dec 1, 16 @ 10:34 am:
Wouldn’t term limits result in many more lame ducks in the GA. And wouldn’t more lame ducks potentially result in more lame duck tax increases and even worse legislation?
I don’t think people have really thought this issue through in their zeal to punish those members with whom they disagree.
Members are accountable to their districts since they want to keep their job. Term limits eliminates that accountability and is sophomoric thinking.
- Lucky Pierre - Thursday, Dec 1, 16 @ 10:38 am:
Property taxes specifically and relative costs of doing business are directly related to business expansion and job creation within a state.
Term limits are a political calculation
- A Jack - Thursday, Dec 1, 16 @ 10:41 am:
Wouldn’t term limits result in more lame ducks and the potential for more lame duck tax increases and other equally bad legislation?
- Nick Name - Thursday, Dec 1, 16 @ 10:42 am:
@GA Watcher: thanks.
- lake county democrat - Thursday, Dec 1, 16 @ 10:42 am:
How about a compromise: just put term limits on the ballot.
- Doesn’t cost anything (other than trivial administration costs).
- Supported by over 80% of the voters (consistently according to Paul Simon Institute Polls).
- Won’t hamstring future budgets like a property tax cap might.
I guess the hostages aren’t suffering enough to even suggest something like that.
- anon - Thursday, Dec 1, 16 @ 10:43 am:
Can’t wait to hear from the municipal leagues about the wisdom of a permanent property tax freeze, including on homerule communities. This certainly isn’t an example of local control, which Republicans are usually so fond of extolling.
- lake county democrat - Thursday, Dec 1, 16 @ 10:44 am:
“These guys really don’t have a lot of respect for the intelligence of the citizenry. ”
Which person is it blocking the people from voting on term limits and ending gerrymandering?
- Shemp - Thursday, Dec 1, 16 @ 10:47 am:
===- GA Watcher - Thursday, Dec 1, 16 @ 10:00 am:
Shemp: The State created the property tax problem by underfunding public education. The pension problem at the local level pales in comparison.===
In terms of absolute dolllars, yes. But in terms of increasing costs, the local fire/police pension funds have been driving non-ptell pension levies through the roof the last few years. With most funding ratios in the 40’s and 50’s, pension levies are only going to climb higher or there will be fire/police staffing cuts. Perhaps if the property tax freeze came with the ability for non-home rule cities to authorize sales tax increases, that would help, but that has a snowball’s chance….
- AlfondoGonz - Thursday, Dec 1, 16 @ 10:48 am:
In the time between my first comment on this post to this one, despite things going as I thought they would, I’m sorely disappointed. Do none of the Raunerites not care that he gloatingly does nothing to improve anything? You people latch onto issues that will have 0 effect on you or, worse, a negative effect on the State and, in turn, you. Term limits?? It’s not going to happen, and so what. A permanent property tax freeze? How permanent? And why when we are broke?
Losing my cool over this nonsense today. Think. And if you think that these “reforms” are designed to do anything other than instigate, think harder.
- wordslinger - Thursday, Dec 1, 16 @ 10:48 am:
Has Sen. Radogno found those “metrics” she was talking about yesterday that demonstrate how these two issues are “integral to the state budget.”
She claimed that they exist, she just didn’t have them “at her fingertips.”
Is any media member under the Dome going to follow up and insist on seeing them?
No hurry. It’s only been about two years now of reporting fact-free weasel words, unchallenged.
Meh, just report “budget impasse” and “reforms,” and call it a day. Like every other day.
- walker - Thursday, Dec 1, 16 @ 10:50 am:
Have never heard or read of a company decision maker list political term limits as something they’re looking for in a new location.
- Grand Avenue - Thursday, Dec 1, 16 @ 10:54 am:
If term limits were to be passed, it would have to be put on the ballot as a constitutional amendment
- lake county democrat - Thursday, Dec 1, 16 @ 11:02 am:
Grand Avenue:
As I understand, that’s what Rauner is asking: that they put it up for a referendum vote. It would likely pass given the strong support shown for it in polls, but after more public debate it might not. Same for ending gerrymandering - it doesn’t require people spending millions and volunteers donating their time to get signatures for a petition the Illinois Supreme Court might strike (they’ve twice refused to say whether ANY redistricting reform petition is constitutional) - the legislators can put it on the ballot themselves.
- Twirling Towards Freedom - Thursday, Dec 1, 16 @ 11:04 am:
The House passed a two year property tax freeze last year. Rauner said it was no good because it didn’t also limit collective bargaining. Is he now saying he wants a property tax freeze without the bargaining limits? That seems to contradict what he said last year; that the freeze and bargaining limits go hand in hand because the limits would save money for local governments.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Dec 1, 16 @ 11:07 am:
===Is he now saying he wants a property tax freeze without the bargaining limits?===
If Rauner is, that would be news.
Nothing so far indicates the backing off the labor demands with property taxes.
- 47th Ward - Thursday, Dec 1, 16 @ 11:09 am:
===How about a compromise: just put term limits on the ballot===
LCD, look, I know this is your issue. I don’t agree with you, but I understand your points and you’ve been a long-time champion of term limits.
Even if Rauner would accept putting that on the ballot as enough for him to sign a stop-gap, what will Rauner demand in six months? And what about six months after that?
No. Don’t negotiate with hostage takers. It only encourages more hostage-taking.
- Rabid - Thursday, Dec 1, 16 @ 11:11 am:
There must be some state that after trem limits were enacted the job creators came?
- Twirling Towards Freedom - Thursday, Dec 1, 16 @ 11:13 am:
I don’t see anything in HB 6630 about limiting bargaining or other labor demands. Isn’t that Rauner’s proposal?
- Pundent - Thursday, Dec 1, 16 @ 11:31 am:
=Property taxes specifically and relative costs of doing business are directly related to business expansion and job creation within a state.
Term limits are a political calculation=
I’ll agree with your position on term limits and suggest that it also applies to property taxes. It’s nothing more than a political calculation.
There’s a cost associated with running government (state or local). Freezing property taxes simply shifts the burden from one taxing body to another. It does nothing to change the overall equation. It’s disingenuous to talk about any changes in the tax structure without addressing the corresponding changes in other taxing mechanisms.
But since you’ve got all of this sorted out tell me how the “job creators” feel about higher sales, fuel, or state income taxes in lieu of property taxes? Most job creators that I know are smart enough to figure out that whether its a buck or ten dimes the result is the same.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Dec 1, 16 @ 11:33 am:
We need a sign when people come in to this state that reads. WELCOME TO ILLINOIS WE WORK HARD RAISE TAXES AND STARVE.
- logic not emotion - Thursday, Dec 1, 16 @ 11:34 am:
Property tax freezes are good for sound bites; but they actually penalize those entities most which have been conservative with their levy rates.
The fiscally responsible response to this threat would be for those entities to raise their levies to the max possible.
- wordslinger - Thursday, Dec 1, 16 @ 11:34 am:
–Term limits have the effect of making the tough votes- like tax increases easier because the fear of not getting reelected diminishes significantly.–
LOL, is that what this is all about? To allegedly make it easier to raise taxes ten years from now? That’s worth a $10 billion bump in the backlog of bills in two years? You’re a laugh riot.
–Property taxes specifically and relative costs of doing business are directly related to business expansion and job creation within a state.–
LP, you really need to include some facts and data in your Econ 101 term papers. Remember the citations, too, or you won’t get a smiley face.
In 2015, Illinois ranked third among the states with 413 new sited corporate projects with a minimum of a $1 million investment and 20 new jobs. Illinois was also third in 2014.
Last year, foreign investors poured $3.2 billion in new Chicago metro commercial real estate, a record.
Ford is investing $1 billion to expand production at its two South Side plants.
http://siteselection.com/issues/2016/mar/cover.cfm
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20151110/NEWS05/151119985/ford-eyes-1-1-billion-investment-in-chicago-area-factories
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/realestate/20151214/CRED02/151219941/foreign-investment-in-chicago-real-estate-hits-a-new-high
- sulla - Thursday, Dec 1, 16 @ 11:56 am:
“So why aren’t I hearing from the so called “job creators” that term limits and property tax freezes are keeping them from investing in Illinois? Please explain how either of these issues help our economy?”
They’re saying it, but you aren’t listening.
Here is a quote from a Chicago-area site selector in regards to the importance of property taxes:
“All of Illinois’ strengths are outweighed by glaring weaknesses. Property taxes are a huge factor. Cook County is off of a lot of [relocating company] radars these days with the exception of HQs and offices. Workers comp is currently a 2:1 savings in all of our neighboring states. These are weaknesses that rest at the legislative level. As far as our state ED incentives, our tools are old and irrelevant.”
I pasted that straight off of my meeting notes.
This site selector is a guy who works everyday with companies to find new locations for projects around the country. He isn’t a lobbyist - he has no political axe to grind - he gets paid whether his clients locate in Chicago or in Indianapolis or in Bakersfield.
In his comments, he is saying exactly what Illinois needs to do to lure relocating companies and create jobs. But no one is listening.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Dec 1, 16 @ 12:08 pm:
===Here is a quote from a Chicago-area site selector in regards to the importance of property taxes:===
Hmm.
===I pasted that straight off of my meeting notes===
Hmm… and your detailed notes neglected when, where, and who exactly is saying this, and in what context?
Your transcribing here is… lacking.
- Jocko - Thursday, Dec 1, 16 @ 12:19 pm:
sulla @ 11:56 am:
Tell that to McDonalds, ConAgra, Insight Global Mead Johnson, Motorola Solutions, Sawdust Investments, and Stats.
- btowntruth from forgotonnia - Thursday, Dec 1, 16 @ 12:20 pm:
Rauner said “bidness owners”.
Seriously…he said “bidness owners”.
And who knew he was so powerless that he couldn’t propose a balanced budget?
- wordslinger - Thursday, Dec 1, 16 @ 12:28 pm:
Wow, Sulla, thanks for taking such great notes. I bet you have a keen notebook.
Did you see the links I provided showing hundreds of new projects and billions in new investment in Illinois sites in the last year?
Do those facts matter? Or should we just go with your notes?
- lake county democrat - Thursday, Dec 1, 16 @ 2:13 pm:
47th - sorry for the belated response - fair point but you could address that by making the stopgap budget permanent until the referendum is held or it’s replaced by a proper budget. Or alternatively the vote could be contingent - if this battle continues through 2018, no referendum. And you’ll have an endless talking point if he rejects - that the Dems offered to meet him halfway, he’s all or nothing (or shifting the goalposts).
- Honeybear - Thursday, Dec 1, 16 @ 4:13 pm:
This will all come to a head in the middle of January
- Nickname Me - Friday, Dec 2, 16 @ 4:27 am:
“just two items”
haha
- Demoralized - Friday, Dec 2, 16 @ 8:08 am:
==This will all come to a head in the middle of January==
Last time it wasn’t settled for 12 months. Why do you think all it will take is 2 weeks this time?