* There were lots of harsh reviews about last week’s General Assembly actions on the budget and pension borrowing…
* Watchdog Urges Quinn to Veto State Budget: Laurence Msall, president of the non-partisan Civic Federation, based in Chicago, calls the bill “irresponsible.”
* State Budget Short On Cash, Long On Question Marks
* Questions remain after legislative session
* Erickson: State legislators swing and miss
* Southern Illinoisan: Illinois not a blue or red state; it’s yellow
* RR Star: Lawmakers leave job undone; state finances a mess
* Sweeny: Stop budget madness, end one-party rule
* Statehouse Insider: Things are pretty monotonous in General Assembly
* Wilson: Pain of Illinois state budget woes will be felt by all
* Budget inaction leaves Illinois adrift
* State budget mess: No end in sight
So, Gov. Quinn has decided to take the populist route…
Illinois Governor Pat Quinn says he wants to reduce the salaries of state lawmakers. It’s part of his plan to make cuts to try to balance the state’s $13 billion deficit.
Lawmakers granted Quinn extra powers to make those cuts himself. The governor says reducing salaries is only the beginning of the cuts he’ll be making. […]
Quinn says he also wants to cut travel expenses of state employees. He says he wants to spare health care, education and public safety.
Good luck with that.
* My weekly syndicated newspaper column looks at that pension bond vote in the House…
Illinois House Republicans had a universal message for Rep. Bob Biggins (R-Elmhurst) last week: You are officially an outcast.
Rep. Biggins infuriated his fellow Republicans by switching his position and voting for a $3.7 billion borrowing plan supported by Democrats. The money would be used to make the state’s annual pension payment. Without it, the state would have to slash programs like education and human services and health care or delay the payment, which could cost the pension funds tens of billions of dollars in the long term.
The first attempt to pass the borrowing bill failed by one vote, with Republican Reps. Bill Black and Bob Pritchard voting for it. Democratic Reps. David Miller and Jack Franks both voted against the proposal.
Biggins is retiring at the end of this term, and it has been rumored for weeks that he is searching for a state job. Because of that, he has been on a very short list of Republicans who some suspected might be called upon at the last minute to help the Democrats pass a controversial bill. They definitely needed him last week.
The House Republican caucus had taken a firm position against the pension bill, claiming the plan to borrow to make the state’s pension payment was simply “kicking the can down the road.” More important, they believed that Gov. Quinn would be forced to the negotiating table if they could stop the bill, which required a three-fifths majority to pass. They thought they could use the failure of his plan to push him to cut the budget even more, or at least create chaos and make the Democrats look bad.
Immediately after Rep. Miller’s “No” vote caused the pension bill to fail, House Speaker Michael Madigan huddled with Miller, who sits two chairs down from Madigan’s official floor seat. A few minutes into the conversation, Miller made a motion to reconsider the vote and the Republicans then met in private for an hour.
Miller, the Democratic nominee for comptroller, dodged reporters after the vote and sprinted into the governor’s office. Rep. Biggins strolled in later.
Biggins spoke at length by mobile phone with a top Democratic operative after the initial floor vote. He reportedly told the operative that he was thinking about switching his vote and asked the operative for advice.
The operative offered to help Biggins obtain whatever he needed from the Quinn administration, but Biggins reportedly declined, saying there would be time enough for that in the coming weeks, if at all.
The operative then helped Biggins draft a statement to the media, which Biggins wrote down verbatim, explaining that he has had trouble remembering details since his stroke six years ago. Not long afterward, Biggins met with Quinn’s chief of staff to discuss his vote.
Democrats say that Biggins has privately expressed frustration and disappointment with his caucus and his party for weeks. He has been unhappy with what he considers to be an obstructionist minority leader who refuses to cooperate on much of anything, and was also reportedly appalled at conservative state Sen. Bill Brady’s gubernatorial nomination and gaffe prone candidacy.
Meanwhile, the House Republicans began pressuring Rep. Pritchard, who had voted “yes” during the first round. They used a strong call to party loyalty to eventually flip Pritchard the other way. Rep. Black had made it clear he would not switch his vote and held firm throughout.
When Biggins didn’t show up for caucus, the Republicans suspected he was about to flip. They were right. Both he and Miller switched to “Yes” during the second roll call and the bill passed. Miller said he received nothing for his vote, but he has a tough campaign ahead against former GOP state Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka and he will need all the help he can get.
Many of Biggins’ colleagues were beside themselves with rage at his vote-switching. Rep. Jim Sacia passed by Biggins while Biggins was speaking to reporters and called him a “two-faced son of a b__.”
Rep. Black told me as many as a dozen House Republicans wanted to vote for the pension bill. They voted against it because of the absolute party position against the proposal.
So, while I can easily sympathize with Republicans who felt blind-sided by a guy who broke his word, it’s mighty tough to feel sorry for anyone who stuck with their party instead of voting their conscience.
* And the spinning begins in earnest…
Illinois House Speaker and Democratic Party Chairman Michael Madigan said all the successes of the legislative session were on the backs of the Democrats. Madigan said pension reform, nursing home resident protections and the McCormick Place overhaul, for instance, were fashioned by Democrats, whereas Republicans were “just bystanders.”
“They want to win an election. They’re not real good at winning elections. They want to win an election, so they got a campaign plan for November which says there are lots of problems, not completely solved. Democrats are in the majority, they should’ve done better,” Madigan said.
And that general theme is, in fact, pretty close to what Republicans have in mind.
“I think people are tired of wasteful spending and watching people continue to borrow and spend money they don’t have and not improve the job climate. If those are the issues that are resonating, then those will be the issues of the day,” said House Republican leader Tom Cross said. “I do think people have been paying attention more than they ever have before. I think they will look at the party in charge.”
- CircularFiringSquad - Tuesday, Jun 1, 10 @ 10:22 am:
From time to time there is some confusion over who the GA is attempting to serve. Perhaps the following offers guidance…
“Homer hammers Harry
Who’s the greatest of them all — Homer Simpson or Harry Potter?
The cartoon dad from “The Simpsons” beat the boy wizard to take the top place on Entertainment Weekly’s survey of the greatest TV and film characters in the past 20 years.
“People can relate to Homer because we’re all secretly propelled by desires we can’t admit to,” said his creator, Matt Groening.
“Homer is launching himself head-first into every single impulsive thought that occurs to him. His love of whatever has caught his eye is a joy to witness.”
Also in the running were Jennifer Aniston’s Rachel from “Friends,” Heath Ledger’s Joker, Tony Soprano, Edward Scissorhands from the movie of the same name, Hannibal Lecter, played by British actor Anthony Hopkins and cartoon character Spongebob Squarepants. ….”
- cassandra - Tuesday, Jun 1, 10 @ 10:27 am:
The reason to cut travel expenses incurred by state employees is not because it will save a lot of money–it won’t. And some travel has to go on. Prisoners have to be transported here and there. Caseworkers have to visit individuals and families according to agency rule and procedure. And so on.
However, state bureaucrats should not be traveling around for “meetings”, now that Skype and other telecommunications options are available. Traveling to and from Chicago and Springfield for assorted “meetings” should be extremely rare, not a pleasant event where the state employee gets away from the spouse and kids for a few days, stays in an ok if not spectacular hotel, and eats free. And does all state “training” have to take place in nice hotels with frequent free meals and snacks. Earth to Quinn and Dems….there’s a budget crisis. Really. I know you don’t believe it, but….
And that’s the point. If you talk, as I have, with friends who work in state government, they say, in a bemused way, that nothing has changed internally in their agency. There are no layoffs, of course, as Quinn promised not to lay off anybody until mid-2011. So there are no consolidations, even, say, when supervisors or managers are only managing a couple of people.
They can’t lay off the folks who would be displaced, so why bother. But there is no hiring freeze either. Hiring is going on as usual, especially in the upper echelons, where patronage appointments are likely to enter the lucrative state employment portal. Contracts are being let as usual, even those of questionable value to whatever the agency mission is.
Many state employees have excellent ideas about how the state could save money. But nobody wants to hear them. Or when a call does go out for ideas, those submitted disappear into the void.
It’s just not a priority.
It’s time for Illinois taxpayers to stop listening to what pols like Quinn say they are going to do and look at what they are actually doing. Quinn has cut nothing and probably has no plans to do so, budget crisis or no.
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Jun 1, 10 @ 10:33 am:
That clears it all up, CFS. Up late last night?
- CircularFiringSquad - Tuesday, Jun 1, 10 @ 10:38 am:
Nope
Happy to help
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Tuesday, Jun 1, 10 @ 10:41 am:
I was struck this morning by just one example — pension reform — of how Quinn and the Democrats are getting very little credit for some of the tough budget choices they are making.
Whether you agree with reducing pensions or not to reduce the structural budget deficit, you have to appreciate that pensions were cut by nearly half a billion a year. AND that those pension benefits were built up under Republican governors.
The media and the voters may or may not give Democrats credit for how well they’ve handled the budget this year, but there’s no doubt that the GOP couldn’t have done any better.
- He Makes Ryan Look Like a Saint - Tuesday, Jun 1, 10 @ 11:07 am:
All the Editorials are right, the Legislature did absolutely NOTHING. A normal employee doing the kind of work they did would be fired. It is not just the Democrats, it is also the GOP.
Cassandra, hell must be freezing over because this is the first time I have agreed with you EVER!!! Nothing is changing, there are still Blago staff in place, or hiding, and nobody is listening to the long time state employees that have kept the state running in SPITE of the Blago/Quinn administration. People in Chicago are traveling weekly to Springfield. It is a joke.
- Reality Is - Tuesday, Jun 1, 10 @ 11:07 am:
Cassandra, I dont know what agencies your friends work at but DHS staff went from 20,000 to 14,000 over the last 8 years or so. Things have definately been changing.
- Way Way Down Here - Tuesday, Jun 1, 10 @ 11:10 am:
To add: DNR staffing has been cut nearly in half in the past 8 years or so.
- Bobby Hill - Tuesday, Jun 1, 10 @ 11:14 am:
Populist? Yes…but you have to admit that seeing the comma replaced with a decimal point in their salary might make them re-think the budget they hand him.
- Pat Robertson - Tuesday, Jun 1, 10 @ 11:18 am:
Pension reform? Cutting pensions of employees who have not been hired yet will reduce pensions starting in about 30 years. IF the reduction isn’t reversed when times get better. And even if the reduction stays in effect, Econ 101 says that, long term, you’ll have to pay those employees more or give them some other benefit in order to compete in the job market. All they’ve done with pensions is kick the can down the road.
Which is not to say that YDD is wrong about how well the Republicans would have done.
- 47th Ward - Tuesday, Jun 1, 10 @ 11:20 am:
Yes, cutting legislators’ pay will save a couple of pennies in the grand scheme of things. But as Karen May would say, it’s time for the General Assembly to feel a little of the pain.
It’s a good move by Quinn. He should cut his own too, just for good measure.
- Loop Lady - Tuesday, Jun 1, 10 @ 11:20 am:
Cass: most of my meetings with DNR and other state agencies take place via video or phone conference…traveling to Springfield is a rarity…there’s not alot of perks left for middle managers in state government…I can live without State travel, especially to Springpatch…
The legislaors should not receive a per diem for being in Springfield, IMHO…they know the drill when they run for office…it’s part of the job, and besides, there are government rates and free food/drinks at all the after hours events…and they do partake folks without claiming it is a “gift”…
- CircularFiringSquad - Tuesday, Jun 1, 10 @ 11:27 am:
NewFlash:
GA cut salary via furlough days for the 2nd year. This year there will be reductions in per diem and mileage too.
Just wanted to inject a few facts
- Fed up - Tuesday, Jun 1, 10 @ 11:28 am:
His higness mikey madiagan actually spoke wow his spokesman must of been out workin on a campaign while taking the day of from his spokesman job.
- He Makes Ryan Look Like a Saint - Tuesday, Jun 1, 10 @ 11:36 am:
Loop Lady, there are a lot of Video/conference calls, but a LOT of staff travels down from Chicago on a weekly basis on Mondays, leave on Friday.
- Fed up - Tuesday, Jun 1, 10 @ 11:42 am:
YDD ” and those pension obligations were built under republican govs”. BS who hasn’t been paying the states share of pension obligations the last 8 years? The pride and joy of the Dem party Blago/Quinn. You know what else the Dems haven’t been getting enough credit for creating and imposing new unfunded programs upon the state to the point of not being able to pay the bills. The state doesn’t have enough money to order off the dollar menu but what the he’ll free rides for seniors.
- "Clerks" fan - Tuesday, Jun 1, 10 @ 11:51 am:
Maybe I didn’t read the bill correctly but the Gov.’s Emergency Budget act exempts the GA’s budget. Or am I wrong Rich?
- 47th Ward - Tuesday, Jun 1, 10 @ 11:51 am:
CFS, with few exceptions, not too many legislators earned their salary this year, furloughs or no. Nobody is going to feel sorry for them if they have to go out and find another part time job to make ends meet.
And shame on them for not getting the furlough story out before Quinn’s cut. The GA gave Quinn a lot of authority to cut where he sees fit. And he found a nice layer of voter-approved lard to trim in the GA payroll. Good luck fighting that one.
- Levois - Tuesday, Jun 1, 10 @ 11:59 am:
Don’t count the governor out yet, he did after all reduce the size of the state house of representatives.
- WTF - Tuesday, Jun 1, 10 @ 12:05 pm:
This is dejeva. Quinn is acting like Blago.
I have no idea how or why he thinks he can cut General Assembly pay, but I’d like to see him try. Not every member of the General Assembly is a bum and not every member has a second job. In fact, most aren’t and most don’t. The average member of the General Assembly earn $70K. That isn’t really that high when you consider those members that work 7 days a week. Most of these people, particularly the best and the brightest, could very easily do something else and make three times as much money. Oh, and keep in mind that member salary is actually half what most of Quinn’s staff make a year. Look at his inner circle - there’s no reason those kids, most right out of law school, need to make that much money.
- WT - Tuesday, Jun 1, 10 @ 12:08 pm:
== Maybe I didn’t read the bill correctly but the Gov.’s Emergency Budget act exempts the GA’s budget. ==
You are correct. The only way the Governor could “cut” members of the General Assembly salary is to veto the budget bill. He has no authority to move any of their appropriation into the contingency fund or unilaterally slash their pay. Additionally, the Constitution specifically precludes a reduction in salary for the members of the General Assembly during their term. As it is, the elimination of the COLA and furlough days if challenged would probably be held unconstitutional.
- dave - Tuesday, Jun 1, 10 @ 12:28 pm:
Oh, and keep in mind that member salary is actually half what most of Quinn’s staff make a year. Look at his inner circle - there’s no reason those kids, most right out of law school, need to make that much money.
Name some Quinn staffers that are right out of law school that make $140,000/year.
- Rod - Tuesday, Jun 1, 10 @ 12:42 pm:
While I have the upmost respect for the Civic Federation’s February Analysis of the State of Illinois fiscal crisis, I have to say the call by Laurence Msall, president of Federation for Governor Quinn to veto the budget passed by the GA (HB859) is absurd. It is absurd because the budget passed by the GA is fundamentally the Quinn proposed budget.
The Governor ran about Illinois telling us all he did not want the budget he was proposing because of the cuts and it all could be made right by an income tax increase, whilw he knew full well there was going to be no income tax increase. Now the Governor is telling us that the emergency budget powers will somehow magically fix things, and he must know these powers cannot transfer money that does not exist. I think Msall is becoming delusional, Quinn is not going to veto what is effectively his own budget.
- Fair - Tuesday, Jun 1, 10 @ 12:42 pm:
Pay cuts are a great idea. Part time work with full time pay, pension, and benefits is unacceptable. While your at it make it illegal for the Reps get plum government contracts and jobs for themselves and thier relatives.
- cassandra - Tuesday, Jun 1, 10 @ 12:51 pm:
Legislative pay isn’t a budget-killer either, but let’s not just look at the salaries. Many legislators have been “helpful” in obtaining lucrative state jobs for spouses and kids and other relatives, some of them for life. A big perk for the legislator’s extended family. And of course the member initiative grants they get to confer result in grateful folks back home, and other local jobs and perks. And after you leave the legislature, you get a good leg up on a state job yourself. There seems to be a bipartisan aspect to the post-legislative state job. Whatever you think about Biggins’ vote, the information is pretty consistent that he was looking for a state job before the borrowing vote flap. That suggests that even as a Repub, he had some reason to expect he might get one. Whatever the fiscal state of the state, the state hiring door seems to be open for former legislators.
And don’t forget “lobbying.”
- dave - Tuesday, Jun 1, 10 @ 1:00 pm:
Now the Governor is telling us that the emergency budget powers will somehow magically fix things
When has Quinn said that?
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, Jun 1, 10 @ 1:00 pm:
Did the Governor mention cuts?
OK - good. We’ll taken them.
More, please.
- Stupid Human Tricks - Tuesday, Jun 1, 10 @ 1:21 pm:
IF the GA budget is exempted from EBA, I think Article 4 Section 11 of the Constitution should protect legislators from cuts
- Stupid Human Tricks - Tuesday, Jun 1, 10 @ 1:23 pm:
And I am not sure cutting pay will fix any GA critics problems with the legislature. You want better representation, right?
- Ghost - Tuesday, Jun 1, 10 @ 1:51 pm:
apparently the loss of 20 Billion dollars over the next few years is not a big enough loss for the GOP to do the right thing. BTW the loss occasioned by the GOP antics will come close to doubling the current underfuneded liabitlity of the pension system. The GOP created the scheme to underfund the pension in the 80’s, passing the legislation to ramp up ever increasing payments for 40 yeasr to put it back. Now that kicking that can to the present has created huge pension obligations to fund, the GOP would rather double down on the unfunded liability then fix the problem they created.
To be clear, with a single action the GOP will cost the State more then it currently owes in its present deficit, and nearly double the liability of the pension fund.
The dems may be disfunctional, but the GOP has has cost the State billions in can kicking and now wants to add another 20+ billion to their tab. If anything, the GOPP has shown there is something worse to vote for out there then the dem canidates.
- muon - Tuesday, Jun 1, 10 @ 3:05 pm:
Ghost, I’m not sure what 20 billion the state is losing with the budget as currently passed. There was no pension holiday or deferment passed in the budget, so the pension payments will be made as scheduled for the coming year. Those payments will cause havoc with cash flow in the rest of the budget, but the feared 20 billion shortfall to the pensions is not part of it.
- Ghost - Tuesday, Jun 1, 10 @ 3:21 pm:
Muon, it is a defacto deferrment. Since the State has run out of magic beans and magic ponies, an unfundedliability, to go with that 13 billions we are already rolling forward, amounts to another unfunded bill for the State.
- muon - Tuesday, Jun 1, 10 @ 5:15 pm:
Ghost, but deferment is not the same as a holiday. The deferment costs interest but just for the period deferred, not the full impact of a holiday. That cost is far less than that of the holiday, probably less than $1 billion if the deferment is for less than a year.
In any case there is no pension deferment with this budget, either. Since the pensions are automatically paid, the deferment or cuts will appear elsewhere in the budget. I agree that this adds to the unfunded bills for the state, but it’s not a $20 billion bill.
- Fed up - Tuesday, Jun 1, 10 @ 5:36 pm:
Ghost. Borrowing money also increases the amount of debt. Face Blago/Quinn have dug the state a deep hole the last 8 years of deffered pension payments and unfunded programs. The state is broke and all the dems can think of is running to the payday loan store forore money at a higher rate. Drug addicts selling grandmas silverware at a pawn shop have a better financial plan than Quin and madigan.