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Rauner thinks he sees momentum

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* Gov. Rauner told WJBC Radio yesterday that he wants voters to call their Democratic legislators and ask them to tell Speaker Madigan to support his agenda. And the governor thinks it’s starting to work…

“[Speaker Madigan] pays attention to what his members say. Now, he’s got a lot of control over them, he controls the spigot of campaign cash to the members, that’s the reason they live in fear of him and he controls them.

“But you know what? If people around the state, the people of Illinois, call their state Representative, call their members of the General Assembly and say, ‘Look, we don’t like taxes, but Rauner’s willing to compromise. We don’t want an unbalanced budget and we do need reforms, term limits, redistricting reforms property tax reforms and pro-growth job creation reforms. We need those. Please, tell the Speaker to support it.’

“They’ll do it. They’ll go to the Speaker and do it. I’ve already heard that some are starting to do it and more of your listeners need to call in.”

The governor said much the same thing about how his ideas have “bipartisan support” during his press conference today.

* What all legislators most want from their leader is, mainly, protection from people like, well, Gov. Rauner…

Hundreds of guys depended on Paulie and he got a piece of everything they made. And it was tribute, just like in the old country, except they were doing it here in America.

And all they got from Paulie was protection from other guys looking to rip them off. And that’s what it’s all about. That’s what the FBI could never understand.

That what Paulie and the organization does is offer protection for people who can’t go to the cops. That’s it. That’s all it is. They’re like the police department for wiseguys.

A leader’s main political role is to protect his or her members from the other side’s attacks. This is done partially by carrying out attacks against the other side (offense is the best defense).

Regardless of whatever else you think of him, Madigan has done this so well for so many years (even under a Republican district map) that he has earned their loyalty.

* Do they fear Madigan? Yes, of course. But, mainly, they fear that he’ll withdraw his so far all but impenetrable cloak of protection.

He does lose some incumbents here and there. But nobody can say with a straight face that he didn’t give it his very best shot.

So, as long as they’re convinced that he’ll do everything he possibly can for them, and - just as importantly - as long as the governor’s economic “reform” demands continue to strike at the heart of the Democratic Party’s very existence, I doubt that there is or will be significant pressure from below.

* But that, too, is part of the problem here. Madigan’s steadfast refusal to engage much at all on Rauner’s “non-budget issues” is simply wrong-headed.

Let’s return to my Crain’s Chicago Business column for a moment…

(T)he Democrats need to realize that when state income taxes were relatively low, businesses could grudgingly overlook Illinois’ faults, such as over-regulation and “generosity” to favored groups.

That tolerance ended with the 2011 tax hike, which mostly expired in January.

If the Democrats want to restore some of that tax hike, they have to offset it with some real reforms.

Madigan and the Democrats need to wake up to this reality. The days when Democrats can over-regulate and over-reward their friends are, um, over. The tax hike, which was absolutely needed, broke the dam.

To return to my favorite genre, it’s like that NSFW scene in “Donnie Brasco” when the wiseguys are reduced to breaking open parking meters.

We need some growth in this state, man, and the Democratic Party right now isn’t proposing nearly enough (if any) ideas to help create that climate.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 11:26 am

Comments

==Madigan’s steadfast refusal to engage much at all on Rauner’s “non-budget issues” is simply wrong-headed.==
Yes. And hypocritical. Anyone here think Madigan has never discussed non-budget issues in order to get budgets passed?

Comment by Robert the Bruce Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 11:29 am
Bruce Rauner needs to seriously watch the TWO Godfathers (There was a 3rd?) and Goodfellas. Honestly watch.

Rauner keeps ratcheting the rhetoric, the less of a chance that “Tommy, Jimmy, and Henry” will tell Paulie what to do.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 11:29 am
Busting public sector unions and depressing wages of consumers doesn’t seem to be a path to growth.

Comment by The Way I See It Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 11:29 am
Economic stagnation and low population growth will not pay the bills of Illinois state government.

Comment by Steve Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 11:32 am
Put some of that $20 million behind it, governor.

Go on the TV, look in the camera and ask the people to help you in gutting collective bargaining, ending prevailing wage and raising taxes.

Why wouldn’t you?

Comment by Wordslinger Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 11:33 am
Rauner has a mixed message:

1) Mike Madigan controls all the Democrats in Springfield so he should pass a tax increase right now.

2) Democratic members should tell Mike Madigan to change his ways and support the Rauner agenda, he listens to them.

Comment by The Captain Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 11:34 am
===Busting public sector unions and depressing wages of consumers doesn’t seem to be a path to growth. ===

You’ve completely missed my point.

Your side has not come up with any sort of “path to growth” except deride the governor’s proposals.

I firmly believe that most of the governor’s current proposals are wrong-headed and should be jettisoned. That doesn’t mean we don’t need a “path to growth.”

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 11:35 am
Rauner isn’t interested in growth, he’s interested in breaking unions and depressing wages. Anyone that can’t see that is a fool.

Comment by Daniel Plainview Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 11:37 am
I’m rolling a theory around in my head that, if you truly have momentum, you don’t have to go on a radio tour across the state to drum up momentum.

Comment by Concerned Observer Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 11:38 am
===Rauner isn’t interested in growth===

I think you’re wrong, but that’s beside the point.

The Democrats have expressed ZERO interest in growth.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 11:40 am
===Why wouldn’t you?===

I know, right? It’s almost as if he’s embarrassed to tell people what his “pro-growth job creation reforms” really are. Like weakening worker safety laws and protecting businesses whose products injure people, lowering wages and pulling the rug out from retirees, that sort of thing.

There must be a reason he’s never fully articulated his agenda, why he’s never given a full-throated defense of his demands. I wonder what it could be?

Maybe the Tribune will explain it for us someday. They seem to approve of Rauner’s plan, but for whatever reason, they haven’t spelled it out clearly either.

Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 11:41 am
Rauner is no MJM. BVR proved that he would throw his members under the bus when he signed that education approp. MJM would never expose his caucus like that. THAT’S what BVR doesn’t get. It’s not all about the money, and it never has been. The supporters of the Republican party have ALWAYS had more money than the Dems… by their very nature. BVR has lived in this state a long time. He could have dumped $5M a DECADE ago into the State GOP fund to help out the “party” but he didn’t. Because he didn’t care then. It wasn’t about him. Now it is… so now he is attempting to play politics.

Now, he isn’t bad at playing politics by any means. He has made some shrewd moves, in my opinion. However, I just don’t think BVR is the kind leader that will gain true loyalty and trust — which in my opinion is the key to longevity in politics.

Comment by Centennial Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 11:42 am
Will more Democrats break rank with Madigan, as Rauner seems to be implying - or at least hoping for - or will more Republicans break rank with Rauner - which seems as much or more of a reality as the other.

Comment by Joe M Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 11:43 am
Rich, I believe the Democrats have been pushing to find a way to lower WC costs through looking at the insurers. That would be any easy win for Rauner, so why isn’t he all in?

It doesn’t harm the workers, and it might give some rich folks a modest haircut. There is no other explanation.

Comment by Daniel Plainview Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 11:44 am
===lower WC costs through looking at the insurers===

That does nothing for the self-insured.

Next!

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 11:46 am
It’s unfortunate when democrats had a supermajority they did not do progressive things such as put in progressive income tax, raise minimum wage, raise overtime pay threshold, guarantee sick leave pay, encourage private sector union growth etc. Instead we got patronage hiring and regressive tax hike. Will be anxious to see in 2018 if there any lessons learned.

Comment by Very Fed Up Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 11:48 am
Are a lot of small businesses self insured?

The self insured got a good deal out of the cost reductions previously enacted.

If Rauner wants to help the big manufacturers, he probably should have thought twice about the ComEd deal.

Comment by Daniel Plainview Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 11:51 am
Rauner’s seeing momentum from his anti-Madigan campaign, is wishful thinking. Rich’s criticism of Dems having no clear growth agenda is well made. It’s hard to play defense and offense simultaneously but pros must do it.

Comment by walker Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 11:52 am
In this instance, Rauner views Illinois as an optical illusion that makes it appear as if movement exists, when there is no movement. This seems consistent with his exaggerated perception that even modest changes to his proposals would magically convert them to sham reforms. His fantastical view of state politics is certainly fascinating, it just isn’t particularly helpful.

Comment by AC Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 11:52 am
==Are a lot of small businesses self insured==

More than you think

==The self insured got a good deal out of the cost reductions previously enacted.==

Not as much as you think

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 11:54 am
==We need some growth in this state, man, and the Democratic Party right now isn’t proposing nearly enough (if any) ideas to help create that climate.==

Absolute truth! If only every Illinoisan could open their eyes and see this…….

Comment by Mattman Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 11:54 am
The minions are not going to rise up and demand the speaker cave. That would be akin to a stampede at a worm ranch.

They are, however, probably engaging a field operation: treat every caller nicely, get contact info, respond. Rauner is giving them a dataset on potential lost voters, to turnaround.

Lou, babs, and a couple others, should go to mjm and say lets develop some counter offers, like cullerton was trying to do. If rauner bites, get on w the budget, everyone claims victory. If rauner views it as starting to cave and insists on total victory, he gets total failure

Comment by Langhorne Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 11:56 am
If rauner isnt funnelling callers thru an 800 number, how can he know the response?

Comment by Langhorne Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 11:59 am
Rich -

I don’t say this often, but you are dead wrong on this one.

What Democrats have learned the hard way is that no matter what they do to promote economic growth or government reform, it will never, never, EVER be enough for the current Chicago Tribune editorial board.

So, Democrats have wisely realized there is no point in cutting a deal to try to please the Tribbies and their followers when their appetite is insatiable.

That does not mean that Democrats will not continue to press for policies that grow the economy — like investing in schools, expanding the sales tax base while lowering the rate, improving job training — but you cannot negotiate with someone who will never be satisfied.

Comment by Juvenal Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 12:00 pm
===it will never, never, EVER be enough for the current Chicago Tribune editorial board.===

Who cares???

I surely don’t.

How about appeasing me?

lol

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 12:01 pm
===wisely realized there is no point in cutting a deal to try to please the Tribbies and their followers when their appetite is insatiable===

Get yourself out of campaign mode and get to governing.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 12:04 pm
I would like to see the Dems get behind a few initiatives:

The move to consolidate governments. This can save some money and eliminate some unnecessary red tape.

The flip side is a move to encourage cooperation between government agencies. They can provide redundant services due to turf issues. We don’t need multiple agencies providing the same services.

More focus on fraud prevention in government programs and tax collection (likely through use of data analytics.) The dollar amounts may not be huge, but it undermines people’s confidence in government.

I would also develop initiatives to keep Illinois tourist money in Illinois. We export a lot of money to Wisconsin, Michigan, and other states. Lets keep it here.

Comment by Chicago Guy Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 12:11 pm
Ok, you want a Democrat’s view of growth Mr. Miller, here goes:

1.) Raise taxes to fully fund needed services (which services are “needed” has to be debated, of course).
2.) Work on Workers Comp. but don’t race to the bottom with other states. A plan that includes causation will, eventually, place workers comp into the courts. That’s not a winner for anyone. One thing that can happen on workers comp is to have the state sell it to businesses, like flood insurance. Spread the risk, level the rates, add some kind of predictability into the system.
3.) Invest in infrastructure.
4.) Invest in Education (K-College). Large research universities are huge economic drivers.
5.) Work with local communities to leverage the strengths of each one, individually. Peoria, implements, Rockford, aerospace, Decatur - agriculture, etc.
6.) Eliminate municipalities and work on regional forms of government. Cities are irrelevant any more. Regions are economic drivers. Too often, you go across the street and the laws, taxes, and regulations are all different. Regionalism would allow the various parts of the state to actually think outside of their goofy municipal boundaries.
7.) Tax services, while lowering sales taxes.
8.) Implement an employment tax credit. That works like this, for every dollar over a minimum salary an employer pays to an illinois resident, they receive a tax credit for a portion of their salary. So let’s say that the minimum is $20 per hour. If you pay a person $21 per hour, you will receive $.25 per hour in a tax credit (or whatever, I don’t have time to do the math).
8.) Finally, pass a constitutional amendment that allows for a progressive tax structure. Geeze, why is that so hard to do. It makes so much sense. Let’s just do that already.

There you go Mr. Miller. A few “Democratic” ideas.

Comment by Democratic Response Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 12:13 pm
“The Democrats have expressed ZERO interest in growth.”

I have been told repeatedly by every republican I have ever met that tax cuts are extremely growth oriented. The Dems just cut our income taxes by 25% in the last year. Have patience and let that trickle down percolate.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 12:14 pm
Zero based negotiating doesn’t work. Miller’s working his bum off trying to explain it here. Some get it, some don’t.

Comment by A guy Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 12:16 pm
“….like investing in schools, expanding the sales tax base while lowering the rate, improving job training.”
———-

So, the short story is:

1) Spend more money on government bureaucracies.
2) Expand taxes in the private sector.

Yeah, there’s a pro-growth agenda. NOT.

You want growth? Spending more on government is not going to deliver it (except for the favored political cronies).

The Democrats need to come up with a serious pro-growth agenda. Say what you will, but at least Bruce Rauner has indicated that he is willing to move on some items. Madigan, not so much.

I’m betting it’s going to be a race between the first hard freeze and a new Illinois budget.

Comment by Judgment Day (on the road) Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 12:20 pm
===The Dems just cut our income taxes by 25% in the last year==

Yeah, and they want them to go back up again.

C’mon, you’re not dealing with children here.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 12:21 pm
Rich, you are a very wise man (not a wiseguy).

But Rauner is going at it as if he will be able to force unconditional surrender, and he doesn’t have to troops for that. He can probably extract some compromises on some things (like workers comp, maybe project labor agreements) and maybe begin turning the ship a bit toward economic growth, but he has to settle for less than total victory, and the personal attacks are not helpful in getting to a place where compromise is on the table.

Comment by Harry Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 12:22 pm
Rauner also saw his shadow and predicted 6 more weeks of a budget impasse.

Comment by ihpsdm Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 12:23 pm
===A few “Democratic” ideas.===

Fine, now sell them to the leaders or go get your shine box.

lol

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 12:24 pm
=== the personal attacks are not helpful===

Agreed, but MJM is a big boy.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 12:25 pm
“Yeah, and they want them to go back up again.”

Psst, So does Rauner. Not so growth oriented.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 12:26 pm
===3.) Invest in infrastructure.
4.) Invest in Education (K-College). ===

Politicians but esp. Democrats say “invest” when they really mean “spend on what I like.”

Comment by Harry Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 12:29 pm
@Daniel Plainview 11:43 =…find a way to lower WC costs through looking at the insurers. That would be an easy win for Rauner, so why isn’t he all in?

Lots of big insurance companies are located here, (Allstate, State Farm, etc.). They have a lot of influence and money. They don’t want any changes that would lower their profits. Also, insurance companies are big investors. A lot of money is made by Rauner’s buddies in managing those investments. Rauner above all represents them.

Comment by DuPage Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 12:35 pm
So, Mr. Harry, do you not like infrastructure or education? Invest means to invest. Stop using D.C. talking points. Yes, we NEED more infrastructure and education spending. Yes, NEED.

“But… but… but… unions, bad. Pay teachers less”.

Well, then who is going to be a teacher? I have an idea, let’s pay teachers minimum wage and get the folks working fast food to do our teaching.

Comment by Democratic Response Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 12:36 pm
@Democratic Response - 2 of your points call for raising income tax, yet you fail to mention taxing retirement income. And a progressive tax structure is not progressive if you exclude the fastest growing segment of the population.

Comment by nixit71 Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 12:37 pm
Sure Mr. Nixit, I’m ok with that, but it’s not a main point. And no, I talked about “raising” income taxes once. You can call a progressive income tax as raising income taxes, but only if you’re in the upper bracket. The lower brackets may see a decrease, so there, I just lowered taxes too.

Comment by Democratic Response Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 12:42 pm
===Politicians but esp. Democrats say “invest” when they really mean “spend on what I like.”===

Politicians but esp. Republicans say “reform” when they really mean “cut”.

Comment by PublicServant Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 12:44 pm
So, MJM is a Capo and the Dems are foot soldiers? Paul Sorvino played a great Paulie.

Comment by Keyser Soze Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 12:49 pm
A progressive tax is unconstitutional. Until the Constitution is changed, that is not an option, much like pension reform that impacts existing benefits.

Taxing retirement income will drive the snowbirds away. If they aren’t in Illinois spending their retirement income at least six months a year, this will end up hurting more that it will help. Selling their homes will also lead to a housing surplus that will cause home values to decrease as well.

Comment by ihpsdm Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 12:51 pm
I think that both the Senate GOP and the House GOP both have a chance to make it out of the super minority. That in and of itself is momentum. And you have to win elections first before you can make public policy. So yes, claiming momentum is a bit short-sighted at the end of July 2015, but if the GOP makes gains at the state level in November 2016 then those who act as though Rauner is speaking out of his rear will have to eat a collective hat.

Comment by Team Sleep Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 12:57 pm
=== That in and of itself is momentum===

It’s also a year and a half away.

How about governing?

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 12:57 pm
- Democratic Response -

You sure have some interesting ideas. I just highly doubt many suburbs want to be apart of Chicago with their fine public school system. I actually think a lot of suburbs will like to be in a different county than Chicago.

Comment by Steve Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 1:15 pm
Quite a contrast in what the new billionaire Governor of Minnesota in 2011, who also inherited a deficit, actually did - and what the new billionaire Governor in Illinois is not doing, as far as economic growth goes.

The Minnesota Governor raised the top income tax rate from 7.85% to 9.85% - and raised the minimum wage to boot - both things that conservatives warned would cause small and large businesses to leave the state. But instead, Minnesota’s economy had grown - and its unemployment rate has fallen. And the state has a billion dollar surplus. I couldn’t find where Minnesota did any of the turnaround agenda items Rauner is trying to do.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/carl-gibson/mark-dayton-minnesota-economy_b_6737786.html

Comment by Joe M Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 1:21 pm
Joe, there’s little doubt that Minnesota was a success. But if you think we could get away with that here you’re nuts.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 1:24 pm
None the less, Rich, what Joe described IS a growth agenda, and we ought to go about getting where we need to be to implement it. You’ve got some good ideas that you put forward, and they might be able to get done here in the short term, but we ought to be shooting for being more like Minnesota and less like Kansas, but the supply-siders that Rauner is so fond of have had nothing but failures as a result of their austerity-oriented policies.

Comment by PublicServant Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 1:34 pm
No more nuts than Rauner thinking he is going to get his way 100% - or than Madigan thinking he is going to get his way 100%. And that is why we are in a stalemate. People are too dug into their stances and party platforms. I thought that was the point to this line of posts - thinking out of the box to get out of the stalemate.

I predict that in my lifetime Illinois will see a progressive income tax and a raise in the minimum wage. The minimum wage already won big as an advisory item in the last election.

Comment by Joe M Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 1:40 pm
=== Joe, there’s little doubt that Minnesota was a success. But if you think we could get away with that here you’re nuts. ===

That’s because Rauner and the GOP will fight to the death to prevent Illinois from adopting the reforms that work in Minnesoa.

Comment by nona Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 2:02 pm
=== Rauner and the GOP will fight to the death to prevent Illinois from adopting the reforms that work in Minnesoa===

Well, yeah, but mainly because business types will go batstuff crazy if we do that.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 2:06 pm
Many business owners aren’t going to want to pay Minnesota’s top income tax rate. It doesn’t matter how it is sold. Capital is mobile. Is Minnesota such a success?

https://www.illinoispolicy.org/did-higher-taxes-create-the-minnesota-miracle/

Comment by Steve Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 2:15 pm
==That’s because Rauner and the GOP will fight to the death to prevent Illinois from adopting the reforms that work in Minnesota.==

IL doesn’t tax retirement income. In opposite-land, Minnesota taxes all retirement income, including Social Security, at rates that exceed IL’s 5% “temporary” tax rate (on only those working). Does that “Minnesotan reform” work for you? Because for most folks recommending Minnesota’s financial plan (most of whom just happen to be retired), it rarely does.

Comment by nixit71 Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 2:17 pm
Whoever coopts the other wins.
The Governor wants reform. Give it to him so hard he can’t keep up.

Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 3:04 pm
==Is Minnesota such a success?==

I’m not sure I’d rely on the Illinois Policy Institute in deciding if what Minnesota did is a success or not. Nor would I rely on the Huffington Post article I cited.

I don’t know, do a Google or Google News search of - Governor Minnesota Success - and tally the results of what different sources are saying. Then make up your own mind.

Comment by Joe M Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 3:06 pm
Regardless of what people think of Governor Dayton’s policies, he was able to accomplish all of his economic reforms when the DFL Party held the Governor’s office, the MN State Senate and the MN State House. Everything that was moved out of the MN legislature and signed into law by Governor Dayton was done when the DFL Party basically had the run of the place (and had large enough majorities in each party to allow for potential “no” votes). That is a key component to the equation and not an indictment or stroke of support on the measures.

Comment by Team Sleep Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 3:15 pm
I’m not sure what momentum Rauner is seeing but this is momentum in the other direction…
“For the 6th time, the IL House rejected Gov. Rauner’s proposed pay cut for construction workers and elimination of full bargaining rights for local government employees and school teachers. Amendment 2 to HB681 was defeated with all of the 66 Democrats present voting “No”. Five Republicans voted against Rauner’s scheme: Rep. Moffitt (R-Galesburg), Rep. Meier (R-Highland), and instead of voting “present” as they had in the previous roll calls Rep. Bellock (R-Westmont), Rep. Bryant (R-Mt. Vernon) and Rep. Brady (R-Bloomington) each voted against the amendment for the first time.”
Maybe Rauner should reconsider his end-game. Even his pay-offs, er, I mean “Campaign Donations” couldn’t keep 5 Republicans from crossing the line and casting a “NO” vote. 71 votes (including Republican) to defeat this legislation are in veto proof territory.

Comment by Bulldog58 Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 3:28 pm
Expand gaming. Legalize and regulate hemp and marijuana. Cut local business licensing fees and start-up costs in half. Business tax deductions for the purchase of Illinois manufactured goods and products.

Comment by Mittuns Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 3:39 pm
+++ Rich Miller - Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 2:06 pm:

=== Rauner and the GOP will fight to the death to prevent Illinois from adopting the reforms that work in Minnesoa===

Well, yeah, but mainly because business types will go batstuff crazy if we do that.++++

Not much support south of St. Paul for the Canadian model. No sir.

Comment by A guy Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 3:53 pm
= If the Democrats want to restore some of that tax hike, they have to offset it with some real reforms. =

Such as lower wages for everyone except the .01% ?

Comment by Enviro Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 4:29 pm
I’d suggest doing the core functions of state government well — education,transportation, justice, social welfare — are the bread and butter of any “growth agenda” coming out of Springfield.

The best investments are keeping on top of infrastructure and getting back in the business of higher education. The spinoffs from both have proven to tremendous over the years.

The corporate welfare, the reactionary Rauner agenda, has nothing to do with economic growth.

The idea that you can pass a few bills in Springfield and adjust the “economy” like a thermostat is ridiculous. But doing the job of state government well can prime the pump.

Comment by Wordslinger Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 5:02 pm
==I firmly believe that most of the governor’s current proposals are wrong-headed and should be jettisoned. That doesn’t mean we don’t need a “path to growth.”==

Someone who clearly ==gets it==? This guy ^

Comment by Formerly Known As... Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 5:22 pm
==The Dems just cut our income taxes by 25% in the last year.==

The 3.75% tax rate is still higher than the 3.00% tax rate we were paying before the 2011 tax increase.

Income taxes are down from 2014, but up from 2010.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 5:25 pm
Rich:

The Democrats have pushed for insurance reforms that would ensure work comp savings are passed on to ratepayers.

It worked for medical malpractice, better than anything, it would work for comp.

The Tribune and Rauner were nonplussed because it didn’t stick it to the unions and work comp attorneys, which is all Rauner and the Tribune seem to care about.

What’s your objection?

Comment by Juvenal Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 5:37 pm
Democratic Response @ 12:13. Thank you for that succinct list of helpful reforms!

Most of us probably agree that reforms to the status quo are desirable. But “reform” is a value-neutral word. The Governor’s turnaround agenda are definitely reforms to the status quo, so he can fairly call himself a reformer.

Maybe Rich is saying that Democratic leadership should be doing more today than just seeking a 2016 budget while defending and deflecting the Governor’s proposed reforms.

That Democratic leadership should be outlining their own path to growth–by introducing bills and referenda that incorporate reforms desirable to Democratic voters.

It’s better to be for something tangible–it gives voters hope when our elected officials have a clear agenda and are on the move forward.

Comment by James Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 6:05 pm
Rich in your column you also suggested that the State should amend its prevailing wage laws and that using union labor for home building is cost prohibitive.

Every University study that I have read says that repealing prevailing wage laws doesn’t reduce projects costs, but do reduce the workers wages. Can you provide your source which contradicts these studies?

Also regarding the cost prohibitiveness of union built homes, where did you gleam this information from?

I personally know subdivision after subdivision built with union labor and the prices of these homes had to be reasonable since they are all sold and the developer is still building homes with union labor.

Comment by Chicago 20 Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 7:23 pm
First it is necessary to define what is ‘growth’ is the mean and be measured.

Growth is NOT change in DOW, Or S&P Or any other wall street indicator.
Growth is NOT have a high business count.
Growth is NOT having more millionaires or heaven forbid billionaires.
Growth is NOT just the construction of new, expensive buildings.
Growth is beyond staying current (population, technology, maintenance) is not necessary.

Gov. Bruce nor Rich nor any other GOP member has clearly shown how growth happens with any item of the GOP agenda. The entire agenda is based on marketing and causing turmoil. Note Gov. Bruce can only cause turmoil because the Laffer / Koch ideas are known failures as shown in Louisiana, Wisconsin, Kansas, New Jersey.

Comment by IL17Progressive Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 8:20 pm
What’s the most likely endgame with the budget? There’s a lot of federal money that is subawarded out of my office and many other state offices. In my department, we haven’t been allowed to put out a new grant or contract or allow any extensions since April- even though we’re working with federal moneys. There is a lot on the line here- and from my perspective, it looks like there is a lot of empty rhetoric but very little dialogue or compromise. I care deeply about the things we do and this situation is pointless and demoralizing. What’s the end game?

Comment by Frustrated employee Wednesday, Jul 22, 15 @ 1:22 am