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* Press release…
Madigan: Credit Downgrade Caused by Rauner’s Desire to Cause Crisis
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – House Speaker Michael J. Madigan issued the following statement after Moody’s Investors Service downgraded Illinois’ credit rating Wednesday:
“Governor Rauner has created the crisis he so publicly sought. The crisis he wanted when, shortly after taking office, he said ‘Crisis creates opportunity. Crisis creates leverage … and we’ve got to use that leverage of the crisis…’
“It’s an outrage that we have gone nearly a year without a state budget. This downgrade is directly attributable to Governor Rauner’s reckless decision to hold the state hostage for more than a year and to create the crisis he desired. The governor’s own proposed budgets are billions of dollars out of balance, and, for almost a month, a bipartisan plan to provide emergency funding for human services providers and our most vulnerable has languished on Governor Rauner’s desk. He refuses to sign that bill because he continues seeking a state of crisis in Illinois.
“We are committed to continuing our negotiations with the governor on his agenda, but we won’t support an agenda that benefits the wealthy and corporations at the expense of middle-class families. The governor needs to work with legislators to pass a budget that ensures we continue to fund education, health care for the frail elderly and persons with disabilities, and other basic services that Illinois families rely on, rather than refusing to allow government to function in order to continue his manufactured crisis.”
Yes, it most certainly is an outrage that we still don’t have a budget. But, like Rauner, Madigan is no innocent bystander. Ain’t nobody’s hands clean here.
* And Madigan knows that Rauner wants some changes to that human services stopgap approp bill, but Madigan has so far not negotiated a trailer bill. Why? Because Rauner wants operating money and Madigan doesn’t want to approve any operations cash. Why? The only reason would be is that he wants to hasten a meltdown to bring Rauner crawling to the table.
This is why the governor says Madigan is trying to create a crisis and then wants to use that crisis to leverage a tax hike. But Madigan is simply doing what Rauner has been doing for over a year - using a budget crisis to leverage economic and other reforms. Heck, even the Illinois Chamber is no longer willing to wait for that Rauner game to play itself out.
* We have two powerful guys trying to leverage each other with crises. And that’s wreaking real havoc on real people.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 2:55 pm
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I think most people know by now that MJM is the major culprit in this mess. The one’s that don’t realize it, should.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 3:01 pm
The governor can’t sign a balanced budget until lawmakers actually pass one. Seems to me the issue is Madigan.
Comment by Downstate Illinois Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 3:01 pm
Most days of the week BigBrain wanders the state talking mumbo jumbo on state spending as if he wants to shaft workin’ families. It appears Madigan wants to acknowledge his need to fund paper clips before givin’ the 1%ers more. Very simple equation.
Comment by Annonin' Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 3:02 pm
The 1962 Mets continue the messaging…
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 3:04 pm
Finally.
More of this from Madigan and Cullerton, please.
Comment by Macbeth Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 3:04 pm
Rauner caused this.
Comment by DuPage Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 3:05 pm
Just did the count. Madigan/Cullerton have sent 30 appropriations bills over the past year and half. Rauner has signed five of them. Five of them. He can’t find a way to AV or reduce some of those budget bills to get state government moving again?
Comment by 360 Degree TurnAround Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 3:08 pm
Madigan and the Governor’s signature/veto pen he controls?
Comment by Keyrock Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 3:11 pm
-Downstate Illinois-
Here we go again, sigh.
SECTION 2. STATE FINANCE
(a) The Governor shall prepare and submit to the General
Assembly, at a time prescribed by law, a State budget for the
ensuing fiscal year.
Comment by Stark Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 3:13 pm
Not to mention the fact his own proposals to the General Assembly are completely out of balance themselves.
Comment by Stark Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 3:14 pm
30 appropriations bill through the House and Senate. The Governor could blindfold himself and play pen the signature on the appropriations bill in his office and get the state moving again!
Comment by 360 Degree TurnAround Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 3:14 pm
Cue up the end of the movie, “The Big Country.” This is a personal feud between two vicious old men.
Comment by Bystander Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 3:14 pm
Written press releases aren’t going to cut it.
If you’re making an argument, and that argument is “you want to play the leverage game, Governor, here’s what you’ve wrecked”…
… Your biggest fear shouldn’t be the message will be sent to “Spam”.
“I got these releases, one was Navy Pier summer hours, another was reminding me of my dog’s, another was done state thingy.”
It’s the 1962 Mets. This is NOT cutting it in the messaging.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 3:15 pm
FindAnotherWay
Comment by Skeptic Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 3:17 pm
===I think most people know by now that MJM is the major culprit in this mess. The one’s that don’t realize it, should.===
November is going to be a really difficult month for you….
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 3:19 pm
Ignoring the roles both Madigan and Rauner are playing in the impasse for a moment, I’m curious what commenters think about Madigan’s response to Rauner’s earlier comments blaming him. Not just today but in general. Rauner always seems to be out front in the blame game statements and Madigan’s camp sometimes (but not always) offers a rebuttal several hours later. Is it better to play from behind as Madigan is doing or would it be better to simply ignore Rauner’s near-daily verbal attacks?
Comment by Cubs in '16 Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 3:19 pm
Rauner’s positions are invalid and should be ignored.
Comment by cdog Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 3:20 pm
I think most people know by now that Rauner is the major culprit in this mess. The one’s that don’t realize it, should.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 3:23 pm
As some here say, =Another victim heard from.=
Perhaps the ultimate victim.
Just a helpless bystander, passing a surprise budget 5 days before the end of session, taking his ball, offering no alternatives, and going home. If only he had the ability to help resolve this impasse somehow…
Comment by Formerly Known As... Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 3:23 pm
The governor can’t sign a balanced budget until the gov actually proposes a Constitutionally mandated one. Seems to me the issue is Rauner.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 3:24 pm
—
Is it better to play from behind as Madigan is doing or would it be better to simply ignore Rauner’s near-daily verbal attacks?
—
The answer is here:
https://www.amazon.com/Dont-Think-Elephant-Debate—Progressives/dp/1931498717/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1465503895&sr=8-1&keywords=elephant+politics
This is why the D’s are losing the propaganda war.
Comment by Macbeth Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 3:25 pm
===I think most people know by now that Rauner is the major culprit in this mess. The one’s that don’t realize it, should.===
Perhaps every month is difficult for you….
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 3:25 pm
D’oh! Thought it was a repost…. It has been a difficult month for me……
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 3:28 pm
OW is right that Democrats are getting absolutely PANTSED in the PR department. Social services will continue to disintegrate unless public perception can be shifted tremendously.
For all those who say it will take a notable death or something else dramatic to break the impasse, what makes you think the GOP won’t get by blaming that on Madigan too?
Comment by YSW Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 3:29 pm
@cdog
=Rauner’s positions are invalid and should be ignored.=
and Madigan’s positions that have driven Illinois to financial ruin while lining his and his buddies pockets big time need to end, but that doesn’t get us to a solution.
What’s that story moral line from the Fritz Lang silent movie “Metropolis”? “Between the head and the hands the heart must be the mediator”.
Perhaps it’s time that Madigan, Cullerton, and Rauner grew a heart for those suffering from this dysfunctional politic. The hands for picking taxpayer pockets and the head for screwing up management of the state they already have….
Comment by illinois Bob Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 3:29 pm
===Written press releases aren’t going to cut it.===
Well, you’re not wrong, but I’m afraid this is all we have to work with. No e-mail, no cell phone, no fancy PR stunts. Just like it’s still 1971
On the other hand, a simple statement gets something in the story.
On the other, other hand, do you think the Tribune editorial board, or the editorial boards of the papers around the state that gleefully accept and publish the submissions of the IPI care what Madigan has to say, let alone how he says it?
Some people aren’t persuadable. If they need a quote for their coverage, they have it. As far as Speaker Old School is concerned, that box is now checked.
Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 3:31 pm
The lawmakers can’t/won’t pass a balanced budget until the Governor introduces one. Alternatively, the Governor could amendatorily veto or sign the appropriation bills that have been passed.
Objectively, the Governor controls both the starting and ending points of a budget. Yes, there are other players in the middle, but the major portion of the blame is squarely on the Governor … who is trying to refuse to own the results of his decisions and non-actions.
Comment by RNUG Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 3:31 pm
What are the Democrats going to run on Ducky? A 7 billion out of balance budget that couldn’t even pass a Senate with a bigger super majority?
Comment by Lucky Pierre Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 3:31 pm
==Madigan/Cullerton have sent 30 appropriations bills over the past year and half. Rauner has signed five of them. ==
He had the power to modify them if they weren’t to his liking. He didn’t.
Reporters should acknowledge this in every story on the state budget catastrophe.
Comment by Handle Bar Mustache Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 3:34 pm
RNUG nails it.
Comment by Handle Bar Mustache Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 3:35 pm
===Well, you’re not wrong, but I’m afraid this is all we have to work with. No e-mail, no cell phone, no fancy PR stunts. Just like it’s still 1971===
Too true.
===On the other, other hand, do you think the Tribune editorial board, or the editorial boards of the papers around the state that gleefully accept and publish the submissions of the IPI care what Madigan has to say, let alone how he says it?===
Point taken, but you can’t surrender the PR Theatre in this battle, so as they say in “Moneyball”
“Evolve or die”
Madigan doesn’t need to be chasing every shadow Rauner casts, but maybe moving up to 1996 or so from 1971 might help(?)
===Some people aren’t persuadable. If they need a quote for their coverage, they have it. As far as Speaker Old School is concerned, that box is now checked.===
As honest of an assessment as possible.
And, “I understand”… But… Is this really still the best possible?
===On the other hand, a simple statement gets something in the story.===
I guess this answers my question.
Cheers, - 47th Ward -
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 3:38 pm
I agree with your analysis with one difference: Rauner wants a crisis to enact reforms, Madigan wants a crisis to keep the status quo.
Comment by Not It Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 3:38 pm
– Madigan doesn’t want to approve any operations cash. Why? The only reason would be is that he wants to hasten a meltdown to bring Rauner crawling to the table.–
Or he, and every other legislator that voted for the bill, wants all that money to go to social service providers around the state who are laying off workers, cutting programs and, in some cases, going out of business.
They, at least, can’t be accused by anyone of not operating in good faith and fulfilling their state contracts during this mess. And they’re still getting short-changed, even with the bill that passed.
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 3:38 pm
Dem press conferences should begin with the years old Rauner clip espousing his hostage strategy. Folks need to be reminded how this ride started.
As Rauner pointed out, you can continue to trash your opponent while negotiating to fix the crisis Rauner precipitated.
Comment by Norseman Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 3:39 pm
No, the democrats will run on 30 appropriations bills passed to the Governor, and his inability to find his signing pen. The Governor will have to decide what to do with SB 2046 in the next four days. Probably veto it on Friday. got lots of road money.
Comment by 360 Degree TurnAround Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 3:39 pm
- Not It -
So the ends justify the means even if they’re the same means?
LSSI and Catholic Charities still get hurt, but Rauner will get 1.4% and $500 million of alleged reform? Ugh.
See you in Chirch.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 3:40 pm
While there are no clean hands in this mess, at least MJM has a clear message and a plan. Can the same be said for Positively 4th Street?
Comment by AlfondoGonz Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 3:41 pm
RNUG, you’re right a usual. Rauner needs to propose a balanced budget for Madigan to pass or reject on its merits. Since there is no currently approved tax hike, he needs to balance to existing predicted revenues.
If contractual and court ordered expenditure doesn’t allow for a budget to be balanced, he has to propose a temporary tax increase at the minimum level to balance this years budget. His promising to increase the K-12 budget was never possible without a tax increase, so he needs to do what needs to be done to address that mistake.
Comment by Illinois Bob Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 3:41 pm
===Here we go again, sigh.
SECTION 2. STATE FINANCE
(a) The Governor shall prepare and submit ===
That was February. Long ago. May is also past. Now it’s June. Somebody needs to freaking step up.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 3:42 pm
The Goveror and the editorial boards be controls. LOL
Comment by Lucky Pierre Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 3:43 pm
=“I don’t necessarily agree with the first part of your remarks, that in the end this will be negotiated between the governor, and the leaders. I don’t necessarily agree with that,” Madigan said. He later added, “(T)here are conversations going on but I don’t think you should proceed under any presumptions that are based upon what happened in the past… I don’t necessarily presume that there will be some kind of a deal put together between the governor and the legislative leaders.”= Mike Madigan July 17 2015
Those words, as well as his deeds, are not those of a bystander innocently caught up in an =epic struggle=.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 3:43 pm
==The Goveror and the editorial boards be controls. LOL===
Do you read the Chicago Tribune?
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 3:45 pm
===Those words, as well as his deeds, are not those of a bystander innocently caught up in an =epic struggle=.===
One interpretation could be that, come November, the Democratic majority will have some additional lame duck GOP votes to over-ride a veto. It’s too early to say for sure, but I wouldn’t rule out a “go-it-alone” strategy just yet.
And if that scenario comes to pass, I only hope they can pass a three year budget and end this nightmare once and for all.
Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 3:49 pm
==Somebody needs to freaking step up.==
Anybody. Please.
At this rate, we will be forced to negotiate a deal of our own and publish it, right here. Our own =working groups=. Emily Miller, RNUG, Arthur Andersen, Steve Schnorf and others would make more progress in a day than Springfield has in months.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 3:49 pm
===It’s too early to say for sure, but I wouldn’t rule out a “go-it-alone” strategy just yet.===
LOL
Keep dreaming. Even if MJM did do such a thing (and I highly doubt it), Rauner could wait until after the lame ducks leave and then veto the bill.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 3:51 pm
Every editorial board in the state though 1229 was an outrage especially with it’s sunset provision. Did not stop it from being called for a vote multiple times all with the same result. All because of the Goveror and the editorial boards he controls
Comment by Lucky Pierre Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 3:52 pm
- Lucky Pierre -
Are you arguing with yourself? Sure sounds like it…
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 3:54 pm
It is the Gov. who has insists on his reforms before a budget. It is the Gov. who has publicly stated that he needs the budget held hostage as leverage for his reforms. It is the Gov. who almost daily blasts MJM and Cullerton while asking them to negotiate. It is Rauner who is the Gov. and it is Rauner who owns this mess.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 3:58 pm
Lol. I’d never argue with the Blog Meister, who has forgotten more about this business than I’ll ever learn.
I was merely offering an alternate theory to try to explain Madigan’s cryptic comment cited above.
On the other hand, there are 63 days between November 8 and January 10…
Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 3:59 pm
A strange game. The only winning move is not to play. How about a nice game of chess?
Comment by hisgirlfriday Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 4:03 pm
Rauner decided crises was the method he could use to force his agenda. Is he now angry Cullerton and Madigan are now working with his playbook?
Comment by Wensicia Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 4:06 pm
I suspect that Corrections won’t make it until fall or after the elections.
Almost soup, imho.
Comment by cdog Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 4:11 pm
Rainer’s so-called reforms will cut wages for many and deny access to the courts for many others and reduce or eliminate benefits to injuries arising out of the workplace–please tell me how these items can be referred to as “economic reforms” and what do they have to do with growing an economy, unless its more jobs at much lower wages–that theory has been tried and failed.
Comment by Anon Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 4:14 pm
I think reasonable people would agree that the solution to this is for dems to accepts some of the more modest labor/economic reforms proposed by the republican gov, while republicans should accept some modest revenue increases proposed by the dems. Woops, forgot that reasonable people usually don’t run for office! That’s what is holding all this up.
Comment by BK Bro Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 4:18 pm
FKA … we’re throwing ideas out here knowing at least SOME lawmakers are reading them.
Short of running for elected office, which I refuse to, I don’t know what else to do. Unlike some people, I can’t solve very many problems with the state of my checkbook.
Comment by RNUG Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 4:29 pm
BK BRO. I think your solution hit it right on the nail. Mike Madigan won’t except that proposal even though he created the financial crisis.
Comment by Dandy Edward Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 5:41 pm
@BK Bro:
I think the more reasonable stance is for Republicans to table the Rauner Agenda and Democrats to table the Progressive tax and the millionaire tax until after the 2016 elections.
bTW: it ain’t Democrats’ tax increase. M-A-T-H is dictating the need for more revenue, not MJM.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 6:06 pm
I’m tired of both Rauner and Madigan governing thru press release and press conferences.
Comment by Bleh Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 6:15 pm
We all know Rauner doesn’t care what the tax rate is, or how much the state spends in deficit, or whether services get funded at all (to the extent he can stand the slings and arrows). If he did, we would have had a budget proposal from him that reflected realistic spending, like a businessman should have done. He only wants to break the unions, period. He will not abandon the TA, except in small areas designed to let off steam from public anger.
Comment by Jibba Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 7:45 pm
My idea for Madigan: surrender. Make a 2 or 3 year budget based on Rauner’s best estimate of real revenues, even if it means very large across the board cots. Loudly proclaim that it is balanced and based on Rauner’s budget ideas, but the it in sufficiently funds services. Proclaim willingness to add revenue for more services, and throw it in Rauner’s lap. Avoids all of the TA, but funds the state. The cuts would be brutal, but more money than will be coming before November anyway.
Comment by Jibba Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 7:51 pm
I am assuming that public pressure will build on Rauner, and GOP support of a tax increase will build, now or in the veto session. And, as we know, the Dems are not going to go it alone with a tax increase before November. It is nonsensical for Rauner and the GOP to suggest that the Dems hand them an issue to be used against them in Nov.
Comment by Jibba Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 7:57 pm
== Make a 2 or 3 year budget based on Rauner’s best estimate of real revenues, even if it means very large across the board cots. ==
It’s Rauner’s job to propose that budget, not Madigan’s. Orf course, if Rauner’s people write it, it will have all the TA stuff in it. Madigan can then do what he’s done all year, remove the TA stuff, run the bill, and dare Rauner to veto it or not sign it. Rauner’s refusal to do any of those actions is what has brought us to this point.
Comment by RNUG Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 9:18 pm
Absolutely true, RNUG, it is Rauner’s job. However, he is not going to do it. He’s gaining political points by goading the Dems into passing budgets that do not balance (ignoring that his doesn’t balance either) or passing a tax increase to fund Rauner’s agencies properly, and will whack them in November. So how to move forward? Pass Rauner’s budgets to say you did your job, and make the case that the gov’s budget was insufficient.
Comment by Jibba Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 10:20 pm