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* I tried and tried to get the House Speaker yesterday to talk about the bright side of this week’s developments. Somebody else finally got this out of him…
Madigan warned that a final budget agreement remains distant, despite the governor’s change in positions.
“I think there’s a mixed answer. Obviously, the governor has restored some programs, and that’s good,” Madigan said. “But we are still a far way away from a resolution.”
He’s right on both points.
But he needs to realize the progress here.
* Gov. Rauner’s press release…
“I want to thank General Assembly members on both sides of the aisle who helped craft and ensure reasonable and responsible compromises to the issues addressed today. As a result of their efforts, now we are able to move forward on providing child care for working families in a more financially-responsible way, and we are able to continue our long-term transformation towards better and community-based care for our seniors.
“This week, we were also able to reach an agreement on unemployment insurance reform so we can take a small step forward in our effort to make Illinois more competitive and grow jobs. I urge the legislature to act on this legislation as soon as possible and send the unemployment insurance reform bill to my desk.
“While we made progress today by working together, we did not accomplish all that we could, and the biggest issues remain. We still need major structural and economic reforms. We need term limits and a truly balanced budget. We need true, long-term property tax relief while finding ways to help school districts and local units of government. I know that not all of these are easy, but I’m confident we can accomplish a tremendous amount if everyone is willing to work together.”
Measured, hopeful and pragmatic.
Much, much more of this, please.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Nov 11, 15 @ 9:30 am
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Looks like the Rauner Crew took the keyboards away from those with the tired talking point drivel.
This… This is what a Governor’s Press Shop should sound like.
Geez, 9 months, about time.
Now, Legislative Shop, find and do the doable. Count noses, work. The snarky letter time is over.
Please, keep this up, Rauner Crew. Govern. Please.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Nov 11, 15 @ 9:35 am
Yes, kudos to Rauner’s crew for doing their job after 9 months.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Nov 11, 15 @ 9:46 am
== Much, much more of this, please. ==
YESSSSSSSSS !
Comment by sal-says Wednesday, Nov 11, 15 @ 9:46 am
This fight could be settled quickly if Rauner would forget about his turnaround agenda which is irrelevant to the budget issues and for which there is far from majority support.
Comment by Truthteller Wednesday, Nov 11, 15 @ 9:47 am
We’re nearly a year into Gov. Rauner’s tenure and for the first time, we’re observing what we hope is some level of pragmatism, and that’s only because he’s relenting on things that should never have been at issue in the first place. It’s depressing how low he’s set the bar for actual governing.
Comment by slow down Wednesday, Nov 11, 15 @ 9:51 am
What is good for the state is often secondary to what is good for Madigan. Until he submits Rauner or something helps moves him closer to that goal, there seems to be very little bright side from Madigan’s perspective.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Nov 11, 15 @ 9:51 am
Another ” - Anonymous - ” Raunerbot…
===What is good for the state is often secondary to what is good for Madigan.===
Trolls…
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Nov 11, 15 @ 9:55 am
A Rauner win handled with professionalism.
MORE PLEASE!
Comment by Anon2U Wednesday, Nov 11, 15 @ 9:56 am
I agree that we should begin working together to solve problems, and for the good of the state, I support a more conciliatory approach. I agree that we should seize on any progress and try to parlay it into more and greater progress.
However, as I read Rauner’s quote, I don’t see any extra sacrifices that have to be made by super-wealthy people like himself. Government workers would be hit twice, once by cuts to pay, benefits and job security and once by regressive tax increases.
Rep. Dunkin (of all people) sponsored a marijuana legalization bill, but Rauner opposes legalization. Too bad, as it would bring revenue that would mitigate cuts somewhere.
http://abc7chicago.com/health/medical-marijuana-in-illinois-q-and%20a/1076314/
Comment by Grandson of Man Wednesday, Nov 11, 15 @ 9:59 am
Despite these steps, the Governor still has union busting poison pills as part of his turnaround agenda. Until he backs off of that, its hard to imagine substantial steps forward towards reaching a budget.
Comment by Joe M Wednesday, Nov 11, 15 @ 10:00 am
=But he needs to realize the progress here.= progress forced on Rauner.
Comment by tobor Wednesday, Nov 11, 15 @ 10:00 am
===Looks like the Rauner Crew took the keyboards away from those with the tired talking point drivel.===
The “realists/let’s govern” contingent of the Rauner crew won Rauner over this week. Let’s hope this continues.
Even if it was forced on him / pure politics, the last few days have been good news for Illinois.
Comment by Robert the Bruce Wednesday, Nov 11, 15 @ 10:12 am
One of these days Rauner will rehang the banner “Illinois Is Back.”
The proverbial toilet will magically disappear.
Comment by walker Wednesday, Nov 11, 15 @ 10:15 am
It is heartwarmin’ to see Capt Fax boost the Superstars U turns as accomplishments, compromises and signs of peace and harmony. Of course biz & labor leaders will tell you they nearly had the agreed bill in place in May with the SuperStars stopped callin’ meetin’s. Child care families will wonder why it took five months for The SuperStars to uturn on their lives. Next banner will be
“Mission Accomplished”
Comment by Anonin' Wednesday, Nov 11, 15 @ 10:25 am
It seems like moderate Republicans are getting fed up with Rauner and are ready for Independence Day on December 1st (unless Rauner Primaries all the moderate Repubs). Why shouldn’t Madigan and Cullerton just wait until then before making budget decisions?
Comment by Kraftjerk Wednesday, Nov 11, 15 @ 10:35 am
Excellent tone. Now let’s see if Brown can do the same.
Comment by Pawnee Wednesday, Nov 11, 15 @ 10:38 am
Well said Willy!
Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Nov 11, 15 @ 10:59 am
@Kraftjerk - Mr Madigan and Mr Cullerton will wait until then, and Mr Rauner understands that. That is why he said weeks ago that a budget likely would not happen until ===January==.
Democrats will not vote for budget cuts and Republicans will not vote for tax increases until after the filing deadline.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Wednesday, Nov 11, 15 @ 11:04 am
==Much, much more of this, please.==
And quickly. You can only cage a Goldberg or Brown for so long. /s
Comment by Formerly Known As... Wednesday, Nov 11, 15 @ 11:07 am
To be a cynic in Illinois is to be a realist. Madigan and Cullerton are first and foremost concerned with keeping power. Power leads to money. Money is what they crave. So they have been willing to avoid doing their job in the general assembly until they feel confident about not losing power, in other words the filing date for candidates is past. That time is nearing and then they will pass a new budget with a simple majority. But all the poor people and the disabled people in Illinois will continue to get the short end of everything.
Comment by NeverPoliticallyCorrect Wednesday, Nov 11, 15 @ 12:34 pm
Anonin’, speaking of “mission accomplished,” what was the story with the higher Ed committee of whole charade yesterday? Was there supposed to be a point to that misery or is the Speaker just a masochist?
Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Nov 11, 15 @ 12:53 pm
The rest of the budget is still being held hostage to Rauner’s anti-union demands. Not sure exactly what Madigan should do, other than give up the unions. Just because Rauner is slowly releasing some hostages doesn’t mean you let him keep others.
Comment by The Equalizer Wednesday, Nov 11, 15 @ 12:58 pm
==Madigan and Cullerton are first and foremost concerned with keeping power. Power leads to money. Money is what they crave. ==
I think you are confused as to who craves money. You must have missed the news stories about the Governor’s 10 homes, and $55 million annual income.
Comment by Joe M Wednesday, Nov 11, 15 @ 1:46 pm
Thank you Bruce. Thank you thank you thank you.
And thank you.
Our hero is Bruce.
Comment by Austin Blvd Wednesday, Nov 11, 15 @ 2:04 pm
This kind of cave in by Rauner is NOT what We The People elected him to do. Rauner needs to reinforce his spine and do what he promised he would do during the election : Hammer and Shake. The GOV. folding before the hand plays out is disgraceful.
Comment by HammerShake Wednesday, Nov 11, 15 @ 2:14 pm
===Geez, 9 months, about time.===
I enjoy when OW brings the reality to the idea of the Governor’s actions being pragmatic. Pragmatic doesn’t involve conceding that one must do the job they were elected to after 9 months of stubborn refusal.
===Now, Legislative Shop, find and do the doable. Count noses, work. The snarky letter time is over.===
And hope that the legislators forget that it ever happened?
Comment by TaxesBuyCivilization Wednesday, Nov 11, 15 @ 5:30 pm
- TaxesBuyCivilization -,
Rauner, and directing his Crew, has found being pragmatic might be the only way out, when in reality, divided government requires that thinking from jump street.
I’m just glad they’re finally beginning.
It’s up to them all to try to understand to do the doable. If that means long memories after its all done serving the people of Illinois, then that’s what it’s going to take.
Governing isn’t easy.
It’s never been easy. That’s the whole point.
We’ll see what tomorrow brings. Lots of “getting past” that will have to transpire.
I hope. I always hope.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Nov 11, 15 @ 5:53 pm
“I want to thank General Assembly members on both sides of the aisle who helped craft and ensure reasonable and responsible compromises to the issues addressed today…”
–Wait, compromise? The governor unilaterally held up funds to harm certain groups, and then months later decided to change his mind (at least partially, if not in full). What is the compromise other than the governor realized he was in a no win situation?
A Rauner win handled with professionalism.
MORE PLEASE!
– how is this a Rauner win? He held up funds and then had to give in because he realized he was about to lose a vote, with likely republican support.
@ Austin Blvd– Thank you Bruce. Thank you thank you thank you. And thank you. Our hero is Bruce.
– For what? Ending his unilateral efforts to cut funding for programs? For giving up on his demands? If you caused a huge problem at work, would you expect a raise for cleaning up your own mess?
Comment by Dilemma Thursday, Nov 12, 15 @ 9:04 am