The mess, continued
Wednesday, Jun 10, 2009 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Gov. Quinn has a real problem with people distrusting his word. The CFofL’s Gannon complained to CBS2 that Quinn promised to sign the capital bill then reneged…
“I feel like the governor has let us down,” said Chicago Federation of Labor President Dennis Gannon. “If somebody gives you their word to do something, I think you’ve got to live up to that word. And he indicated to all of labor that he would sign the bill. Now we’re just asking him to sign it.”
At a time when Quinn needs people to believe his budget-cutting threats, there’s a growing sense that his word is not his bond. Not good.
* House GOP Leader Tom Cross suggests that Gov. Quinn put off the budget fight for six months…
“It’s tough for a whole host of agencies, groups that take care of victims of domestic violence, the list goes on and on. The Democrats have enough to get through six months with the budget,” said State Rep. Tom Cross, (R) House minority leader.
* But the governor is sending out notices soon to groups reliant on state grants…
Quinn says that unless lawmakers pass a tax increase by July 1, the state will be forced to slash social service programs that benefit the needy. He said his office will send notices to hundreds of agencies later this week notifying them that their budgets will be cut in half. Lawmakers approved a budget with only enough money for about six months of state operations.
“If we don’t get a budget by the end of this month, very bad things will happen to innocent people in Illinois and I don’t want to see that happen,” Quinn said after the meeting.
* And Speaker Madigan explains why some of his members are reluctant to vote for tax hikes…
[Their constituents] are telling them, “Look, I’m out of work, or I’m working less hours than I was two or three months ago, and so I can’t afford the tax increase.”
* The Southern Illinoisan apparently doesn’t realize that state employees have a union contract…
Wouldn’t it be simpler if Gov. Pat Quinn called a special session and our lawmakers seriously explored all potential budget cuts - not just the headline-grabbing scary proposals to cut teachers and police while releasing prisoners?
Surely there must be other areas to consider. Businesses cut costs when times are tough. Why can’t the state consider ordering unpaid furloughs for employees, leaving all vacant positions dark, operating state offices only four days per week, deferring scheduled pay raises and reducing the pay of all state employees by 10 percent?
The SI also doesn’t grasp the depth of this problem. Laying off half of all state employees would save about $1.5 billion, so their suggestions would save infinitely less. And even if you did whack half the workers from their jobs, that still leaves a $5.5 billion hole for next fiscal year.
* Wills tries to get a straight answer on tax hikes from statewide officials without much success…
As the governor and legislators struggle to balance the state budget, Illinois’ other statewide elected officials are largely ducking the key question of whether to raise income taxes.
Attorney General Lisa Madigan, a likely candidate for governor next year, won’t take a firm position. Comptroller Dan Hynes, Illinois’ chief financial officer and another politician looking at his 2010 options, says raising taxes is acceptable only as part of a “fundamental restructuring” of state government. He won’t explain what that means.
And Secretary of State Jesse White, a government official for 32 years, says he doesn’t know enough about the problem to judge whether a tax increase is necessary.
Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias hasn’t played a leadership role in the tax debate, but he does answer the tax question clearly, arguing an income tax increase must be part of the solution with state government drowning in red ink.
Profiles in courage.
* Overly simplistic and not accurate…
Republicans have urged major cuts in the budget instead, including to pension benefits going to state workers. Jacobs rejected that idea Tuesday.
However, Republicans say tax increases won’t solve the state’s long-term problems. And, they say, savings can be found without wreaking havoc.
“There’s a lot of things they can cut out of that budget that’s not going to affect the quality of life for people in Illinois,” Rock Island County GOP Chair Susan Carpentier said.
Quinn, a Democrat, proposed the pension benefit cuts. Several Republicans in the House were not enamored with them. And if the chairperson knows of these cuts, she should make a list and count to $7 billion.
Thoughts?
* Related…
* Lawmakers tell the needy to take a hike
* First cuts, then taxes
* Ralph Martire: State has leaders who can put politics aside
* Domestic abuse cases spike: And just when the demand for services is at its peak, domestic violence programs are colliding with other economic factors — budget shortfalls, hiring freezes and shrinking contributions.
- Forgotten Few - Wednesday, Jun 10, 09 @ 7:59 am:
Proof positive: a person doesn’t have to know squat about running govt, or budgeting, or the needs of all people to get elected. All you have to do is repeat the mantra over and over again: ” NO NEW TAXES, OMMMM, NO NEW TAXES, OMMMM”
- Pelon - Wednesday, Jun 10, 09 @ 8:07 am:
It amazes me how little some of the press knows about the size of the deficit and the impact of their proposed cuts. I don’t know if I’ve seen anyone offer cuts that amount to more than $1 billion. Even if you think the projected deficit is significantly overstated, that isn’t close to enough savings. As Rich keeps saying, the people who insist we can cut our way out of this mess need to provide a list of those cuts. Of course, they won’t do that because it means they will be advocating significant cuts in education, medical care, and social services. There are no other cuts that will get us to a balanced budget.
- Louis Howe - Wednesday, Jun 10, 09 @ 8:08 am:
Here’s a trump card that could bring everybody to the table….Quinn could begin exploring the bankruptcy process. Obviously, Illinois doesn’t have the revenues to meet current expenses by a wide margin and the accrued pension liabilities are near $100 billion. Bankruptcy would open up all the union contracts and other state liabilities.
- hmmm - Wednesday, Jun 10, 09 @ 8:12 am:
From the great and powerful Speaker:
““Look, I’m out of work, or I’m working less hours than I was two or three months ago, and so I can’t afford the tax increase.”
That’s the magic of an income tax.
No Income? No Tax!
- Reality is - Wednesday, Jun 10, 09 @ 8:20 am:
Louis - states can’t file bankruptcy
hmmm - The individual referred to by Madigan did not have zero income he had reduced income. This would mean he still had to pay tax.
- Josh - Wednesday, Jun 10, 09 @ 8:22 am:
Illinois has already declared a failure of revenues for FY2009 and is in the process of borrowing 2.25 billion through the end of june…which has to be paid back with interest by the end of next june, which is think around 60 million extra….another deficit increase!
- hmmm - Wednesday, Jun 10, 09 @ 8:28 am:
Read again - he first says out of work.
Regardless. If you are out of work or working less hours, a massive cut to state services will hit you much harder than what would be a $10 a month or so tax increase.
Its a disingenuous argument.
“We saved you $10 a month in taxes, but not you have to pay $400 a month for health insurance for your child because we cut Medicaid.”
- The Doc - Wednesday, Jun 10, 09 @ 8:30 am:
With the understanding that the GA is, generally speaking, a group of spineless ne’er-do-wells, Quinn has really dropped the ball on this one. He’s become Blago lite at the pulpit, long on rhetoric and short on credibility. He’s nearing the point where his only choice is to call the legislature’s bluff, and enact draconian budget cuts.
And for how much longer can he sit on the capital bill? The ploy hasn’t worked, and now the unions are out for blood. Coupled with a failure to enact real, meaningful ethics reforms, and what can you point to as your crowning achievements come the 2010 campaign season?
Good luck.
- Johnny USA - Wednesday, Jun 10, 09 @ 8:36 am:
== Regardless. If you are out of work or working less hours, a massive cut to state services will hit you much harder than what would be a $10 a month or so tax increase. ==
Interesting argument, hmmmm. If you raise my taxes, I get more out than I put in.
You should run for the GA. Your position is usually very popular with Illinois residents.
- Vote Quimby! - Wednesday, Jun 10, 09 @ 8:37 am:
==spineless ne’er-do-wells==
They prefer “mushrooms” /s
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Jun 10, 09 @ 8:40 am:
At least Madigan is expressing some concern for the impact of a tax hike on the folks who will really pay..middle middle and lower middle class Illinoisians. Quinn has never expressed any concerns for this group and, in fact, during the earliest negotiations on the tax hike, he gave us up fast by lowering his proposed exemption increase and making the tax more regressive. Quinn acts like every middle class taxpayer in Illinois is a greedy plutocrat. I can’t wait to vote against him in the Democratic primary. I’ll make sure to be in town on primary day.
Meanwhile, I was not surprised to see that Quinn and the legislature are apparently directing their proposed cuts mostly at the ten percent of the budget that includes grants to social service programs. Is it the Quinn/Filan/Ostro position that absolutely nothing can be cut in the other 90%? How stupid do they think we are? Pretty stupid, I guess. And maybe we are if we go along with giving this crew more (many more) billions to play with in future years.
Meanwhile, Quinn’s cuts remain as ephemeral as always. For example he rarely mentions that his proposals regarding pension reform and raising the price of state retiree health care would require negotiating with employee unions, who seem unlikely to deal. Unions are nothing if not good negotiators. They could eat Quinn for lunch and he knows it. No cuts there. No cut anywhere that I can see. All that talk about shared sacrifice is really about blowing smoke into middle class eyes.
We need a new governor. Fast.
- Anon - Wednesday, Jun 10, 09 @ 8:42 am:
Pat Quinn will not be reelected governor regardless of how this plays out. therefore, I suggest that he follow through on his threats. The Speaker has consistently said that the state needs to live within its means. Republicans believe in smaller government. Why not give each of them their wishes and just cut spending so that the budget that passed is a full year budget. I believe that it will hurt a lot of people very badly, but the governor has this one chance to do the fiscally responsible thing and bring the state’s spending in line with its revenue. He shouldnt let his morals and principals guide him in a world of leaders who are driven purely by politics.
Pat, please reach down and find some. Make the cuts, close the prisons, cut education funding, throw poor people off the Medicaid roles, and eliminate state jobs. Stop letting these people roll you. Dont be a pushover. Make the tough decisions here and, when people complain, point your finger at the caucus leaders and say that they didnt fund the budget you introduced. Say that you are simply spending the money appropriated to you by the general assembly.
AND DONT SIGN THE CAPITAL BILL!
Do it governor — do it now.
- Secret Square - Wednesday, Jun 10, 09 @ 8:49 am:
As a state employee I have a very big dog in this fight, and perhaps I am being a bit selfish, but coughing up an extra $20 or $30 per month to an income tax hike sounds a heck of a lot better to me than giving up $300 or more per month to a 10 percent salary cut, or, not having a job at all.
I realize I work for the taxpayers who are already overburdened with many things, and who do not trust a state government known worldwide for its corruption. I have no quarrel with making reasonable sacrifices, or with changing the pension system (I’m not counting on it anyway). I can live without a cost of living raise; I knew when I took this job that I could go years without getting one. And yes, I realize cuts are necessary, that taxes should be a last resort, and government can’t do everything. But, that being said, this “no taxes at any cost” mentality really scares me.
- Mike Murray - Wednesday, Jun 10, 09 @ 8:49 am:
I could be wrong, but can’t Quinn just sign the capital bill and then refuse to release the projects. I don’t believe he is legally required to spend all the money appropriated to him in the capital bill.
This would get the unions off his back for a while, and he could go to each member individually and in private say, “if you want project ‘X’ then you will have to vote for my income tax increase.”
Just a thought, and like I said, I could be wrong about Quinn being able to withhold the money even after he signs the bill.
- Quinn T. Sential - Wednesday, Jun 10, 09 @ 8:51 am:
Is “The Doc” also treating Gannon, or ar they both just self medicating independently of each other?
It’s kind of hard for Quinn to sign, or do anything else with the “Capital Bill”, when Lou Lang has it tucked tightly away in the bowels of his office.
Perhaps “The Doc” could provide Lou with a laxative to see if that would help loosen things up enough so that he could dump it on Quinn.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Jun 10, 09 @ 9:01 am:
Louis, there is no bankruptcy option for states.
- Deep South - Wednesday, Jun 10, 09 @ 9:05 am:
First, Carpentier needs to tell lawmakers where to make the cuts not just say there plenty of places to cut.
Second, It could be that the six-month budget idea goes forward, and all agencies will get the money they need to take them through Nov. Then, after the filing deadline in early Nov., the GA comes back to Springfield, each lawmaker knowing what they will face in the election. Once that is known, they are free to vote on a tax increase, if in fact they feel they are not gonna have to face the consequences from the voters. These spineless folks only care about one thing - getting re-elected. But then again, what else is new?
- hmmm - Wednesday, Jun 10, 09 @ 9:08 am:
“You should run for the GA. Your position is usually very popular with Illinois residents.”
Its not a position, Johnny, its reality.
Too many people think those that receive state services are this mysterious “other”.
Over 2 million people in Illinois are enrolled in a state program of some kind.
And that doesn’t count all those kids getting their education. Or all those people driving on our roads, or getting State Police protection, or having criminals locked up, etc.
- Das Man - Wednesday, Jun 10, 09 @ 9:19 am:
Mary Poppins directs
The “No We Can’t” Quartet plus One
MADIGAN:
When trying to express oneself, it’s frankly quite absurd,
To leaf through lengthy legislation to find the perfect word.
A little spontaniaty keeps debate in session keen,
We need to find a way to say, precisely what we mean…
SupercalifragilisticTAXpialidocious!
Even though the budget gap is something quite atrocious!
If we say it loud enough, we’ll always sound precocious,
SupercalifragilisticTAXpialidocious!
Um-diddle-diddle-um-diddleye
QUINN:
When Lawmakers were legislating, merely grunting would suffice.
RODOGNO:
Now if they heard this word, they might have used it once or twice!
CROSS:
I’m sure Blogonian pharoahs would have grasped it in a jiff,
Then every single sign in Illinois would bear his hieroglyph;
CULLERTON:
SupercalifragilisticTAXpialidocious!
Say it and Illinois taxpayers may not seem so ferocious!
QUINN:
Add some further flourishes, it’s so Ro-do-gno-coscious!
ENSEMBLE:
SupercalifragilisticTAXpialidocious!
Um-diddle-diddle-um-diddleye
MADIGAN:
The General Assembly can have carved it on our mighty monolith!
CROSS:
I’m certain the yellow dawg democrats will use it in our midst!
RODOGNO:
I’m sure the Roman Empire only entered the abyss,
Because those bleep’n plebeians never had a word like this!
ENSEMBLE:
SupercalifragilisticTAXpialidocious!
MADIGAN:
When we say it behind closed doors, the effect can be hypnoscious!
CULLERTON:
Check our blood alcohol before we speak, in case it’s halitotious!
ENSEMBLE:
SupercalifragilisticTAXpialidocious!
Um-diddle-diddle-um-diddleye
TO BE CONTINUED IN SPECIAL SESSION
- dupage dan - Wednesday, Jun 10, 09 @ 9:29 am:
I appreciate Martire’s analysis of the tax hike/reform proposals that came out of the house and senate. Too bad no one seemed to noticed it here. I appreciate this site all the more since I would not have been aware of Martire, much less his analysis. This is due to the fact that I am from the vaunted “Chicago Metro” area, not from “downstate”. I wish that my local media would provide this type of information but they are more interested in Chicago stuff, not the hard statewide analysis that we so desperately need now.
I am getting a good education here - thank you Rich.
- Anon - Wednesday, Jun 10, 09 @ 9:30 am:
Secret Square has to be the most rational state employee to ever post here. You should be the spokesperson for state employees!
- dupage dan - Wednesday, Jun 10, 09 @ 9:32 am:
=too bad no one seemed to notice it here=
By here, I meant the Chicago area media, not the blog. Sorry.
- Louis Howe - Wednesday, Jun 10, 09 @ 9:35 am:
Reality…There is a process by which States deal with financial default…if not bankruptcy, then a court ordered process to raise revenue or amend contracts…..Whatever the available process, it should be known and trigger points identified.
- Six Degrees of Separation - Wednesday, Jun 10, 09 @ 9:37 am:
I could be wrong, but can’t Quinn just sign the capital bill and then refuse to release the projects.
Quinn, as the state’s executive overseeing IDOT, DCEO, the Capital Development Board, etc. has a tremendous influence on the implementation of any proposed and funded capital projects while he is governor. The controlling agencies can move the projects along at any pace ranging from a complete standstill to a snail’s pace to “as fast as humanly possible”.
- dupage dan - Wednesday, Jun 10, 09 @ 9:39 am:
As a state employee, I agree w/SS. I have posted similar statements re the need for state employees to take on some of this burden. Please remember that we, too, pay taxes and don’t want them to go up either. I am well aware of the reality that higher taxes harms business and it is business that pays the salaries of the folks who pay the taxes who pay my salary. I believe firmly that the Gov/GA has to show that they get the message - the WHOLE state is watching. No tax increase without reform. I think the folks may accept a tax increase if they feel confident that it is only temporary (2 years is not enough) and will address the long term problems that were part of the reason we are here now. From Martire’s article, it looked like the Senate was on the right track. I am still amazed I see so little of this analysis in Chicago media. Their failure to inform is astonishing.
- Mike Murray - Wednesday, Jun 10, 09 @ 9:45 am:
===Reality…There is a process by which States deal with financial default…if not bankruptcy, then a court ordered process to raise revenue or amend contracts…..===
Louis, in reality, you are still wrong. The courts will not force unions to re-open legal, valid contracts as a solution to the staes budget problems.
Unlike private business, there is no method for states to shirk their contractual duties due to financial default. This is because states can not legally experience financial default.
The court will force the state to live up to its contractual obligations because it can always raise new revenue through taxes.
IL will have to raise revenues or cut services. It will not be able to unilaterally amend contracts through the court. Of course, IL could always negotiate with the unions, but the unions would have to agree to the changes. Its called collective bargaining for a reason.
That is just reality.
- Mike Murray - Wednesday, Jun 10, 09 @ 9:46 am:
Thanks, Six. I thought I was right on that one, but was not sure.
- Reality is - Wednesday, Jun 10, 09 @ 9:49 am:
Louis - States deal with financial default by raising taxes or cutting spending. One of the reasons bankruptcy rules do not apply to the state is because they can do these things. If what you were proposing were possible California would have done it already.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Jun 10, 09 @ 9:49 am:
And Secret Square is speaking from the highly privileged world of state employees, where salaries are unconnected to performance and go up every year and jobs are for life and health insurance is practically free. A the end, a nice pension awaits with 3 percent raises every year. The liberal dream of a welfare state–right here in Illinois state government–paid for by Illiois’ ever-generous middle class.
For most of us, though, the choice isn’t between a pay cut and an increase in taxes. If Quinn’s regressive tax hike goes through, most of us will
at best see level pay plus an increase in taxes that will fall heavily on the lower-paid of us.
The Quinn tax hike will also wipe out our Obama tax cut and now it looks like we’ll be paying more for gas and utilities as well.
- Johnny USA - Wednesday, Jun 10, 09 @ 9:52 am:
== Its not a position, Johnny, its reality. ==
Agreed. But the belief that you can consume more that you produce can only be reality for so long.
- Ghost - Wednesday, Jun 10, 09 @ 9:59 am:
==== Unlike private business, there is no method for states to shirk their contractual duties due to financial default. This is because states can not legally experience financial default. ===
Actually there is. The State is only bound o required to adhere to Union contracts because of the Labor Statute which legislatively gives the union the power to contract and organize with the the State. In IN and MO this authority only came from executive orders. The Legislature can reppeal the law, and the State of Illinois can abolish the unions represenation of IL employees. MO and IN faced with fiscal problems did just that to reduce costs. I do not beleive either Governor was defeated in re-election after abiolishing the unions.
the Unions have a lot of money to inmfluence political races, and they rely on that influence to keep the general assembly away from seeking to repeal the Il Labor Law. The Union has no real incetive to bargain while the law exists unquestioned, as it locks the Stat into those expensive agreements. How expensive? in the scheme of a 12 billion hole not much; but still the union contract mandates 4.5% step raises 9if you havent maxed salary) PLUS COLA raises which avergae close to 4$ a year over 4 years. So we are paying union employees 8-8.5% raises. Then the pension contribution in many agencies is too low.
If the legislature introduced legislation to revoke the labor Law and started prusuing abolishing unions (which wont happen becuase too many legislators depend on union money and support) the State would gain a bargaining chip to get the uinion to sit down and discuss pay freezes, furlough days etc.
The State can negotiate down or away those contracts, but the perfect storm of backbone needed to give us at least bargaining power with the union is not likely.
- VanillaMan - Wednesday, Jun 10, 09 @ 10:01 am:
We don’t just have a crisis of budget here - we have a crisis of political leadership, which complicates the budget crisis. Worse, what can be done - will not be done to correct the political leadership crisis. But they still want more money?
NO!
No more money while business as usual in Illinois, remains business as usual! If these people will not reform state government under these dire circumstances, when will they ever?
It is such a fraud! The Illinois Democrats claim they don’t want to raise taxes, then justify it in the same breath. No one believes them anymore.
Our elected leaders have been exposed by reality to be a pack of liars and clowns. They don’t even try to reach a decision. They are not the people we should be giving our money to - let alone, even more money as each of us struggle under this recession.
Fix the political leadership crisis first - then we’ll talk about giving this government more money.
Cross is right - these boobs need another six months of bludgeoning by reality.
- Mike Murray - Wednesday, Jun 10, 09 @ 10:10 am:
Ghost -
I still believe you are wrong.
I am not familiar with what MO or IN did. Maybe the contracts in IN and MO had certain clauses that allowed for “forced” re-negotiation in the event of a fiscal crisis. I don’t know enough about your examples to judge one way or the other.
However, I do know that states can not just break contracts to save revenue. Period. That is a fact.
And if IL passed a law that gave them the power to force the Unions to re-open their contracts, it would be challenged in the courts and it would be overturned.
States must live up to their financial obligations and contractual agreements. Its not debatable.
- Skirmisher - Wednesday, Jun 10, 09 @ 10:10 am:
What really makes no sense to me are Quinn’s threats to slash social services to the most needy classes. He must be nuts to think that the legislators care about these people. Who they care about are those who make campaign contributions and who realiably vote. If Quinn is going to bring the GA around to his way of thinking, he needs to slash the budget in ways that really take the pain to the middle class and to business interests in this state. That may get some real attention at the statehouse. Start cutting, Governor, and make it hurt the people who pay the taxes and who give support to legislators. Blago was a jerk, but he was on the right track on this issue. Look at the howl he got by closing a few parks?
- Secret Square - Wednesday, Jun 10, 09 @ 10:14 am:
Excuse me, but my health insurance is NOT free, and my pay does NOT go up every year. It won’t go up this year, and probably not next year or the year after that. I fully expect that it will go down, I’m just waiting to see by how much. I’m not union, by the way, and my job is by no means guaranteed for life. And if the pension is as underfunded as they say, I doubt I’ll ever see a penny of it, constitutional guarantees be damned, because the money may not be there (I’m only in my mid-40s).
- Irish - Wednesday, Jun 10, 09 @ 10:15 am:
What does Tom Cross think can happen in six months to erase the budget shortfall. If he had been paying attention for the last four years at least he would not need six more months to decide there is a problem and come up with a legitimate way to fix it.
Don’t get me wrong I am very happy Blago is gone but these guys are starting to make it look like he was not all of the problem with the budget situation. I don’t understand what the leaders and the GA is thinking. I hate to say it Rioch but maybe not enough of them read your posts. Anyone that has half a mind could see tthrough the exercises on the budget that you did on this blog that cuts are not the answer.
Are they all waiting for Filan to retire June 30 and then they will come up with a budget that they can say he was not a part of? Could all of this really be that petty?
- Sewanee - Wednesday, Jun 10, 09 @ 10:16 am:
Mike,
Wouldn’t that quid-pro-quo by Quinn be a nasty reappearance of the kind of crap we just got rid of through a long-overdue impeachment? Does any governor really deserve to take a unanimously passed bill and parse it up into individual agreements in order to advance his own agenda? I know we have a chief executive for a reason, but one man’s maneuvering shouldn’t overpower the will of 177 elected legislators.
- Princess - Wednesday, Jun 10, 09 @ 10:34 am:
–”health insurance is practically free”. –
I keep hearing this over and over (Cassandra, you hit it everytime auto kicks in. But reviewing the much touted TAB released I found a few interesting points.
Under the premium adjustment section it rattled about 15% and 22% of cost of premium being the norm in private sector with large numbers of employees. Guess what Cassandra, my state employee family who choses to use HMO and is a family of three misses that ‘market trend norm’ by only $22 a month.
And while, yes, some state workers use the QC and it does cost more and percentage is not the same, but it gets a bit silly to keep telling state employee HMO families (a huge % of covered workers) that they are much more special than what is being offered in the large private sector.
My health insurance is not free and I am not so far out of line in my premiums. I don’t make the state offer the costly QC and the large majority of currently working state workers do not use it.
- Mike Murray - Wednesday, Jun 10, 09 @ 10:40 am:
====Does any governor really deserve to take a unanimously passed bill and parse it up into individual agreements in order to advance his own agenda?====
Sewanee, I agree with your moral standpoint, but we have problems that are to large for morality.
Such a tactic is legal, it has been done before and, in my opinion, Quinn needed to grow a pair a while ago.
He has been overly nice to the GA, and this has got him no where, at least in the House.
I think its way past time for him to declare war on the GA. Although, it is probably too late to do any good now that the GOP has to be on board.
But Quinn still needs to play hardball. He should veto the budget, and say “I know where the Senate stands (Meek’s bill), and I have made my own view clear. It is time for the House to weigh in.”
I do not want this IL war to continue either, but the fact is that the war is upon Quinn whether he wants it or not.
He has handled the GA with velvet gloves all session and has nothing to show for it. For whatever reason the House only had 41 votes on his tax and thus his budget. They basically told him to get bent.
What does he have to loose. It’s not like he will get Speaker Madigan’s endorsement in 2010. LOL.
And, if you believe the pundits, he has almost no chance to beat Lisa.
If he is a long shot now, his odds will not improve by cutting human services by 50%. Its easy to blame the GA, but the buck stops with the Governor and he will take lots of hits either way this things ends.
As such, he might as well stop being brushed aside and fight for what he believes in.
Just one man’s opinion, and I am just a lowly intern, so my opinion means nothing and is probably full of holes.
- The Doc - Wednesday, Jun 10, 09 @ 10:44 am:
Quinn T. Sential-
Thanks for the shout out, although I’m not really sure why you’re vitriol is directed at me. I’m not a state employee or union member, so don’t your Gannon diatribe is completely off base.
Would Lang be sitting on the bill if Quinn indicated he would sign it?
Take a breath.
- dupage dan - Wednesday, Jun 10, 09 @ 10:49 am:
It’s pleasing to see such even handedness in this stream today. Gratuitous bashing of hard working long standing state employess may make you feel better but doesn’t solve the problem. Have us all fired and you still have an enormous hole in the budget.
One of the reasons for the serious trouble we are in has to do with the failure of the state to properly fund programs, including the pension creating huge unfunded liabilities.
We “priveleged” state employees have been paying our share of that - but the state/GA/Gov has failed to live up to their obligations.
If it makes you feel better to dump on us, go ahead. We have been hearing it for years and accept it as a fact of life. We know we are an easy target. In fact, I was considering making it permanent with a tatoo.
- Scooby - Wednesday, Jun 10, 09 @ 11:01 am:
WWII got us out of the Great Depression. I think it’s time we put invading Missouri back on the table.
- MOON - Wednesday, Jun 10, 09 @ 11:03 am:
DU PAGE
You indicate you are a State employee. I check the blog frequently and see your many entries. May I suggest you put more effort into your job and less time on this blog. Get to work! Give an honest days work for an honest days pay! LOL
- Patti of Springfield - Wednesday, Jun 10, 09 @ 11:08 am:
I believe that the state of Illinois CANNOT cut its way out of this budget deficit. Think of the ripple effect across the state if social services agencies must reduce by 50-60%. Unemployment will increase thus reducing possible revenues. The ‘cut first’ and ask questions later is just irresponsible. I will pay the additional income tax. Illinois ranks 41st of the 50 states in the percentage of personal income going to state and local revenues. If we want a decent environment for families and for business, then we must step up and raise our taxes. Democrats and Republicans: can you live with yourselves if vulnerable people get even less help than in past years? Try to pray for wisdom and courage too while you are at it.
- I am not a crook - Wednesday, Jun 10, 09 @ 11:19 am:
Continuing mess is right on the money…As unemployment pushes 10% and the media focuses on the small but glaring example of what’s wrong with Illinois (The General Assembly and others treating U of I and all things government as their personal largess), I am overwhelmed by the cynicism, cowardice and self-protection that this legislative session represents.
Quinn, Madigan,Cullerton and others would have us believe that only our felonious past governors created this mess. Each member of the General Assembly that has been in for more than a term has contributed to the crisis of leadership and finance facing our state. They shout “Crooks All” from their offices, yet refuse to enact anything that would make quid pro quo government a thing of the past. Instead they run for cover on the tax issue to ensure that they have jobs. Blago and George R were not alone in creating an unfunded pension liability, financial mismanagement or bloated and inefficient bureaucracies.
The Budget as passed by the General Assembly is an unconscionable act of cowardice and depending on implementation quite possibly illegal. Draconian cuts that balance the budget on the backs of the indigent, mentally ill, the developmentally disabled, the elderly and children is not the answer. By default the Govenor has shifted the tough decisions to non-for-profits about whether to continue to do business or close. I for one have tired of the lot. Yes, Ollie…we’re in quite a pickle…but destroying the state social service and other infrastructure is not the answer.
- ChampaignDweller - Wednesday, Jun 10, 09 @ 11:25 am:
I’ll support a tax increase if the legislature passes true reform to get rid of as much corruption as we can, cuts all of the unnecessary stuff like the project we received here to improve the Solon House, implements no new programs until we’re out of the hole, gets rid of the unfunded programs that Blago implemented, and the Governor gets rid of Blago’s cronies who aren’t qualified for the positions that they hold.
Given our state government’s previous history, I would guess I have a better chance at getting hit by an asteroid than getting good government here in Illinois.
- dupage dan - Wednesday, Jun 10, 09 @ 11:27 am:
Moon,
Ever hear of multi-tasking? I can do more than walk and chew gum at the same time.
BTW If you are at work, aren’t you denying your employer an honest days work as well? How can you check the blog frequently and do your job? LOL
- Irish - Wednesday, Jun 10, 09 @ 11:33 am:
As a highly privileged state employee I just wanted to inform some of the constant state employee bashers on this site of a little reality. The state has offered a program where we can enroll an adult child who does not qualify for the “dependent care until 23″ part of our insurance. I can cover such a child for the very reasonable rate of $707.00 per month. Aren’t privileges great? snark intended
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Wednesday, Jun 10, 09 @ 11:36 am:
A little reality check:
The most recent year I can find data for is FY ‘07, but its a good snapshot:
State employee count: 72,312
Total wages: $3.893 billion
Average Wage: $53,836
Forcing state employees to all take a 5% pay cut would cost them $5300 on average…a big hit from any family’s budget, but would only save the state $389 million…which means we’d STILL need atax increase.
- MOON - Wednesday, Jun 10, 09 @ 11:37 am:
DU PAGE
I am self employed.
If you can multi task do several things employee related,and get off this blog. You are cheating your employer- the tax payers. LOL
- Anon - Wednesday, Jun 10, 09 @ 11:43 am:
What’s unchanged from Blago to Quinn. Filan and Ostro and their inspiring ideas for managing the state’s budget. Threats & bluffs. Wasn’t it just 9 months ago Ostro & Filan put us through this same crap? Too bad Quinn is willing to tie his credibility to theirs. That’s a non-starter!
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Wednesday, Jun 10, 09 @ 11:47 am:
=== I’ll support a tax increase if the legislature passes true reform to get rid of as much corruption as we can, cuts all of the unnecessary stuff like the project we received here to improve the Solon House, implements no new programs until we’re out of the hole, gets rid of the unfunded programs that Blago implemented, and the Governor gets rid of Blago’s cronies who aren’t qualified for the positions that they hold. ===
I’ve got a better idea: why don’t we just privatize the University of Illinois?
The state’s flagship university is probably our most valuable single asset.
I bet if we sold it, we could make a bundle.
- Vote Quimby! - Wednesday, Jun 10, 09 @ 11:50 am:
Moon is self-employed because he can’t work for anyone else!
I am in similar circumstance to Secret square and dupage dan. My job can be cut at anytime–this notion that all state employees are here for life is just not true in most cases. I lived in Springfield for 7 years, and there certainly are examples of people having state jobs (even basic ones) that are underqualified. You can see a lot of them on the sj-r.com comments section…but of the 5 people in my office only 1 has an issue with working hard–and she is a civil servant with 19 years and is coasting. But the other four of us try to give our employers and clients an honest day’s work.
As has been written here many times, the failure of Illinois is the fault of those at the top, not those of us down the pyramid…
- Vote Quimby! - Wednesday, Jun 10, 09 @ 11:54 am:
Obviously I took the ‘portable’ option on my retirement system. I’m just hoping to get 5 years in so I can get my money back before the state does go truly broke…
- Cassandra - Wednesday, Jun 10, 09 @ 11:55 am:
Princess, about 50 million Americans don’t have health insurance. They can’t afford it and they aren’t “poor” enough to get Medicaid. Those who don’t have employer-sponsored insurance have to pay exorbitant individual rates, plus very high deductibles and copays, and that insurance is far less secure since they can be cut off pretty much at the whim of the insurance providers. You need to include them in your comparisons, not just government employees and those fortunate enough to work for private sector employers who still provide health insurance coverage to their employees. To them, the benefits provide to government employees look pretty cheap by comparison. Practically free.
- dupage dan - Wednesday, Jun 10, 09 @ 11:58 am:
Moon,
Even if self employed, you answer to your clients. If you are “on the clock” with a project and you are blogging, you are stealing from your client. Really, now, move along.
- MOON - Wednesday, Jun 10, 09 @ 12:04 pm:
DU PAGE
Your recent analysis is ridiculous and goes a long way in exposing your illogical rationale for your defense of “multi tasking”. Now I will move along.
- Princess - Wednesday, Jun 10, 09 @ 12:20 pm:
And, Cassandra, exactly what does your constant squeal over ‘free health insurance’ for state workers have a darn thing to do with what you just posted @11:55? Or with what TAB stated with their report on state worker Premium adjustments?
Really, are the 50 million uninsuranced going to get healthcare any cheaper or at all just depending on what I pay right now right here in Illinois? What you are now posting about is totally out of my/your control until the health insurance industry is revamped or major changes are made on the national level. Whatever is happening on those issues is not going to be solved on Illinois state worker premium right now right here. What? Now you would like me to pay a premium high enough a cover a couple families down the street? I believe I pay taxes to help cover the cost of medicaid families and I don’t begrude them that tax help.
Of course that would mean you chip in too. Are we both going to ‘adopt’ an uninsuranced family that is not medicaid qualified, has diabetes, high blood pressure and breathing disorders? First you want to blame the state mess on state workers and now you want to blame us for greedy insurance industry.
- Legaleagle - Wednesday, Jun 10, 09 @ 1:14 pm:
Obviously, health care is not ‘free’ just because it’s provided by a government or an insurance company. That notion is what makes people like Michael Moore so mendacious.
- Squideshi - Wednesday, Jun 10, 09 @ 2:26 pm:
“Ralph Martire is executive director of the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability, a bipartisan fiscal policy think tank.”
CTBA is bipartisan? Bipartisanship is a type of partisanship, so this means that CTBA is a partisan organization. Nonprofit organizations granted exemption from federal income taxes under Section 501(c)(3) are prohibited from engaging in partisan activities. They are required to remain nonpartisan. If CTBA wants to be bipartisan, at the exclusion of all political parties other than two, then let them pay federal income taxes on all of their income!
- Bill - Wednesday, Jun 10, 09 @ 3:36 pm:
Given MOON’s undying affinity for a certain legislative leader I have to believe that he/she/it is self-employed the same way that Steve Brown is self-employed.
- Larry Mullholland - Wednesday, Jun 10, 09 @ 3:40 pm:
Governor Quinn promised a change in leadership from the Blago Hacks in leadership roles but Quinn has not lived up to his rhetoric.
There are unqualified hacks pretending to manage at most state agencies especially DCEO.
I was hopeful he would make a change based on his word but when that did not happen I was hopeful that Madigan’s fumigation bill would do it but that too appears to be only rhetoric….so now they talk about layoffs and program cuts, all the while Blago hacks are sucking up millions of dollars in payroll/fringes and still screwing up what’s left of the programs.
Governor Quinn why have you not lived up to your promises?
- Ghost - Wednesday, Jun 10, 09 @ 3:59 pm:
MM you are wrong.
The right of the union to unionise state employees is purley by permission of the government under our labor relations act. Repeal the act, and the State of Illinois, which is Soveriegn, can set aside the union contracts, period.
Also you cna not bring a contract lawsuit against the State of Illinois in State or Federal coruts. Illinois as a soveriegn entity is immune from such suits. By law, the State has agreed to allow contract suits against it in its own court of claims, but otherwise soveriegn immunity prevents IL from being sued. As a soveriegn we allow certain things, but we can disallow those as well.
The IN and MO contracts had no special provisions. The permission to unioize in those states was purley by permission of the soveriegn by executive order. The Governors removed the permission, and were free to set aside the contracts. We can do the same thing in IL.
- Sewanee - Wednesday, Jun 10, 09 @ 4:01 pm:
Mike,
Interns are people too! Haha–thanks for the reply. You make some good points.
- Sewanee - Wednesday, Jun 10, 09 @ 4:02 pm:
And as for Quinn “growing a pair”, I think some people just aren’t cut out to be a wartime consigliere.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Jun 10, 09 @ 4:16 pm:
Ghost, they can’t do that with a current contract. Consider:
Illinois Constitution:
ARTICLE 1, SECTION 16. EX POST FACTO LAWS AND IMPAIRING CONTRACTS
No ex post facto law, or law impairing the obligation of
contracts or making an irrevocable grant of special
privileges or immunities, shall be passed.
ARTICLE 13, SECTION 4. SOVEREIGN IMMUNITY ABOLISHED
Except as the General Assembly may provide by law,
sovereign immunity in this State is abolished.
U.S. Constitution
ARTICLE 1, SECTION 10:. No state shall enter into any treaty, alliance, or confederation; grant letters of marque and reprisal; coin money; emit bills of credit; make anything but gold and silver coin a tender in payment of debts; pass any bill of attainder, ex post facto law, or law impairing the obligation of contracts, or grant any title of nobility.
- Bill - Wednesday, Jun 10, 09 @ 4:43 pm:
Word,
You certainly are dealing a wealth of information today.
- Macbeth - Wednesday, Jun 10, 09 @ 4:48 pm:
Why in the world is everybody bashing the union of all things? Granted, most folks here dislike unions. Fine.
I like unions. And in Illinois state government unions are one of the only thing *fair* things workers had during the Blagojevich years.
The unions and — by extension — state employees *aren’t* the problem. See the headline on the front page. Cut half the state employees — and you save 1.5 billion. Okay, and then what? Then you have a state that can’t even be run — and still many billions in the red. That’s not smart thinking. That’s just venom — pure and simple.
No one’s cutting half the state employees (many of whom are paid with federal funds antway). So the idea of harping on state employees is simply because state employees *have* a union, *have* a pension, and *have* half-way decent (albeit expensive) insurance.
Sounds like a lot of sour grapes to me.
*shrug*
- dupage dan - Wednesday, Jun 10, 09 @ 5:00 pm:
Macbeth,
I have been a member of 4 unions - Boilermakers, Aerospace and Machinist, Sheet Metal Workers and a current member of AFSCME. I know a bit of Union history and understand the place they have in American life.
While there have been some excesses and some Unions have contributed to the break down of the industries they worked in, it is important to understand that without them many workers would not enjoy the benefits of unionization. This goes for many whose jobs have never been unionized.
I have tended towards the conservative in my dotage but am as well aware of the benefits of unions to the American way of life as I am the drawbacks of their overreaching power.
Some of the stuff written today smacks of sour grapes to me, too. It’s easy to spit venom especially if one only views union issues from a narrow contemporary standpoint.
- Squid - Wednesday, Jun 10, 09 @ 5:00 pm:
Bite me!
- Bill - Wednesday, Jun 10, 09 @ 5:05 pm:
You tell him, Ralph!
- Bookworm - Wednesday, Jun 10, 09 @ 7:11 pm:
Scooby, I’m beginning to think it should be the other way around… maybe Missouri should invade and liberate us
- Mike Murray - Wednesday, Jun 10, 09 @ 7:47 pm:
Word-
Thanks for the back up info, much appreciated. Very timely as well. Word up.
- Arthur Andersen - Thursday, Jun 11, 09 @ 6:43 am:
word, unfortunately the procedural niceties of the Constiutions don’t always inhibit the GA and Governor from passing legislation or taking action that figuratively blows a big raspberry at those documents.
How many millions in legal fees did the state pay defending Blago’s video game censorship, to name just one?
More recently, the fumigations, especially the one that passed, sure looked like a bill of attainder.
But, after all, this is Illinois.