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* Pennsylvania has a wealthy Democratic governor and a conservative Republican-controlled legislature. Its long impasse finally ended recently when minority party Democrats aligned with the Republican legislative majority…
House Republicans had threatened an override attempt if [Gov. Tom Wolf] vetoed their budget closure package, emboldened by the fact that 13 Democrats had joined them to pass it last week, just hours after Wolf promised a full veto.
The GOP would have needed 16 Democratic votes to override a veto, and top House Republican staffers felt they were within reach of dealing Wolf a politically embarrassing defeat.
Wolf sidestepped questions about that threat Wednesday, saying only that his change of heart was in response to pressure “to do the right thing” by all the interested parties in the dispute.
Publicly, at least, House and Senate Democratic leaders voiced confidence that they could have sustained a veto. But they also readily admitted they didn’t want that fight, and appealed to Wolf to avoid it in recent days.
* And now in Kansas…
After he became Kansas governor in 2011, Sam Brownback slashed personal income taxes on the promise that the deep cuts would trigger a furious wave of hiring and expansion by businesses.
But the “shot of adrenaline” hasn’t worked as envisioned, and the state budget has been in crisis ever since. Now many of the same Republicans who helped pass Brownback’s plan are in open revolt, refusing to help the governor cut spending so he can avoid rolling back any of his signature tax measures.
If Brownback won’t reconsider any of the tax cuts, they say, he will have to figure out for himself how to balance the budget in the face of disappointing revenue.
“Let him own it,” Republican Rep. Mark Hutton said. “It’s his policy that put us there.”
We’ve seen the same thing happen here over and over again. Child care, local government funding, whatever. When our legislators in the same party as our governor rise up and say “Enough!” they get their way.
The movement we’ve seen the past week or so is due in significant part to them. Not all of it, but a lot of it.
Keep it up.
…Adding… The fact that two House Republicans have now signed on to a Democratic higher education funding plan probably guarantees that the bill will move forward. The Rauner folks say they have no problem with the HGOP co-sponsorship.
However, and this is a big however, Democratic Sen. Pat McGuire helped draft the plan sponsored in the House by Republican Rep. Fortner. Also, the Senator who represents the U of I is a Democrat, and he’s likely very unhappy that the House Democratic proposal doesn’t give a dime to his university.
In the end, the Republican plan may be the way to go. Not sure yet, though. They could amend the Democratic bill in the Senate to make it more like Fortner’s.
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 1:42 pm
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Not only “tried and true,” but most likely the only way out.
Comment by walker Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 1:47 pm
“Let him own it” sounds familiar, OW is that you?
Comment by Pacman Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 1:49 pm
Dear GOP GA,
You know my take, your independence will make the difference. I know. As you all do, being independent isn’t dusloyal to the Governor, but it is being loyal to make Illinois work. You all can count, 60 and 30, get it to 71 and 36, and the things you WILL get done.
I promise.
Leader Durkin, get me following you. You can make the difference.
OW.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 1:51 pm
From Raunerite to Republican. That sounds like a perfect plan.
Comment by Honeybear Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 1:56 pm
In Kansas they concluded that Wealthy Welfare has wound up in class warfare. The Elitist 1% vs the Rest of Us. I’m sure a “bathroom bill” is up next.
Comment by Jack Stephens Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 1:57 pm
===“Let him own it” sounds familiar, OW is that you?===
Not my rule. Been that way since the third Wednesday if forever.
Governors own, - Pacman -… just like “Pat Quinn failed”
It’s up to the GOP GA to recognize it first to save themselves, or…
… or for Rauner to accept it as true, not because Rauner accepts it, but because it’s truth is real… no matter what.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 1:59 pm
Besides it’s not like Rauner has respected the ILGOP anyway. He got them to go along with the deal at the crossroads at midnight. They are realizing that it was a very bad bargain. Of course those numbers you showed earlier might have given them the hope that it would have worked.
Comment by Honeybear Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 2:00 pm
Well, I didn’t vote for Rauner — and will never vote for Rauner — but I do want — I do hope — that the ILGOP is reflecting the voice of their constituents.
Now, finally, I suspect that’s happening. Two weeks, two months ago — no. That wasn’t happening.
The ILGOP were Raunerites — a kind of political purgatory based on one rich man’s political agenda. Rauner high-profile primary losses might have changed that. At least I hope they did.
The Raunerite version of dark money politics is not Illinois. Never has been — and I hope won’t be moving forward.
Comment by Formerly Known as Frenchie M Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 2:15 pm
Keep your fingers crossed! (Not criss-crossed)
Comment by Norseman Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 2:19 pm
Exactly what I said on Friday in response to your Question of the Day, Rich.
Of course, there are alternatives for Republican lawmakers.
They can continue on and hope Rauner loses in 2018.
Or, as Bill Black noted, there is a chance they could win back the legislature in 2022.
Comment by Juvenal Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 2:35 pm
There is a distinction in Illinois compared to Pennsylvania and Kansas. In Illinois we have a billionaire governor offering financial contributions to campaigns against GOP members who would dare to defy him.
Comment by DuPage Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 2:44 pm
Did Gov. Wolf but $20 million dollars into Republican and Democratic political funds?
Comment by Money Squawks Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 3:12 pm
Going Around the TurnAround!
Comment by Anon221 Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 3:18 pm
Something has to happen for the GOP to think Rauner isn’t winning for them to compromise. Every conservative I know says they are giving him 4 years.
Comment by Liberty Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 3:25 pm
“Every conservative I know says they are giving him 4 years.”
If things continue as they have been, what will be left in four years probably won’t in any way look like “winning”?
Comment by Ole' Nelson Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 3:40 pm
When either rauner or his $20000000.00 is gone the house GOP will become an independent caucus.
Comment by Magic carpet ride Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 4:09 pm
What’s important here is Rauner failed to win key contests funded by his or his friends millions, (Dunkin, McCann). The threat of his money isn’t an all powerful weapon to keep the ILGOP in line. Perhaps this made a difference in movement now as well.
Comment by Wensicia Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 4:36 pm
I believe the McCann win in the primary lends support to Republicans who are caught between their districts needs and the fear of the Gov.
Comment by Facts are Stubborn Things Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 4:50 pm
Pre-primary, Rauner’s $20 million is scary.
Post-primary, Rauner’s 28% approval rating, not so much.
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 4:50 pm
Now Righter files a new SB for funding? Another criss-cross? Or just hoping to show he’s also a big “supporter” of EIU and higher ed.
http://www.1043theparty.com/syn/256/25594/righter-legislation-gets-critical-funding-to-eiu-other-institutions-and-map-grants
Comment by MSIX Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 5:40 pm
Wow - there is no Republican like Hutton in IL:
“I don’t see my job as to worry about what he (Brownback) wants to do,” Hutton said. “My vote is going to be for a plan that I believe moves Kansas forward. And if he wants to exercise his veto right, then that’s his prerogative to do so. But it’s not going to change my mind.” - See more at: http://www.khi.org/news/article/wichita-republican-leading-effort-to-roll-back-brownback-tax-cuts#sthash.dHCHwV5B.dpuf
Comment by Dr X Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 7:29 pm
- Dr X - Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 7:29 pm:
“Wow - there is no Republican like Hutton in IL:”
At least not publicly, yet. There are whispers of 71 and 36.
Comment by Jimmy H Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 8:20 pm
I’m absolutely positively certain that this has nothing to do with Comptroller Leslie Geissler Munger’s Sunday announcement. Oh My!
Comment by Lions and tigers and legislator pay Wednesday, Apr 20, 16 @ 1:57 pm