“I can’t stand it, I know you planned it”
Thursday, Jun 12, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller
* The governror accused Bruce Rauner of “sabotage” yesterday for working against various pension reform plans. Tribune…
“There’s always going to be people on the sidelines shooting at reforms,” Quinn said of Rauner. “He tried to sabotage the state pension reform, he tried to sabotage the city pension reform. The people in Illinois don’t want saboteurs.”
* The Trib also took a look at Rauner’s connection to the death of the Cook County pension reform plan…
Rauner’s campaign sent an e-mail to lawmakers saying the GOP standard bearer opposed the county plan. The memo also included comments from Illinois Republican Party Chairman Timothy Schneider, who Rauner backed for the statewide post he was elected to last month.
Schneider, a county commissioner from Streamwood, said Rauner staffers asked him if he had an opinion on the legislation. He said he told them he was opposed because it did not identify a way to pay for the almost $147 million more a year the county would be required to pay into the pension fund. They asked him if he “would comment on it.” Schneider said he agreed, and his statement was included in the e-mail. Schneider, however, said he did not personally discuss the issue with Rauner.
“An e-mail did go out that said I was not in favor of this bill unless there was a revenue source identified that was not a property tax or a sales tax,” Schneider said. “It turned out (Rauner) was opposed to it as well.”
Republican lawmakers echoed those concerns but argued they made up their own minds on the merits of the bill.
Yep. It’s all one big coinkydink.
- Cassiopeia - Thursday, Jun 12, 14 @ 9:52 am:
I guess the unions, employees hurt by the changes and others who oppose these “reforms” are saboteurs by Quinn’s definition.
It’s called democracy Governor, something you used to be a champion of.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jun 12, 14 @ 9:56 am:
That “Outsider” sure knows his way around “Insider” moves…
- OneMan - Thursday, Jun 12, 14 @ 9:58 am:
So will the Supreme Court be saboteurs if they strike it down…
Also think we need the Beastie Boys on this one…
http://youtu.be/z5rRZdiu1UE
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Thursday, Jun 12, 14 @ 9:59 am:
Thanks for the Beastie Boys reference, Rich.
Finally, Quinn lands a solid punch.
I have to wonder who in Rauner’s camp thought this was all such a good idea?
Quinn is right: People don’t like saboteurs.
That is why saboteurs usually try to work quietly in the shadows.
- Walker - Thursday, Jun 12, 14 @ 10:00 am:
Rauner staffer: Hey Tim, you’re against this, right? And it’s because you’re against Real Estate or Sales tax increases, right?”
It is healthy that the party is finally showing some coherence, even if this was a simple one for them.
Rauner should be bragging about his influence as a potential future leader, not trying to hide it.
- Dave Dahl - Thursday, Jun 12, 14 @ 10:02 am:
>>Rauner’s campaign sent an e-mail to lawmakers saying the GOP standard bearer opposed the county plan.
- William j Kelly - Thursday, Jun 12, 14 @ 10:03 am:
Good work rahmalamadingdong! Williamjkellyforchicago.com
- wordslinger - Thursday, Jun 12, 14 @ 10:06 am:
Saboteur — fancy word for Illinois politics. Classes up the joint.
J’accuse!
- JSlim - Thursday, Jun 12, 14 @ 10:06 am:
I’m just thrilled w/ the awesome Beastie Boys shout out. Thanks OneMan for the link!
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Thursday, Jun 12, 14 @ 10:07 am:
Cass:
Rauner is attempting to undermine legislation that his own party’s legislative leaders have backed.
And while the unions have legitimate policy differences, Rauner’s opposition appears driven purely by personal political ambition.
Even if you believe his goal is a 401K style system, there is no reason that a defined contribution plan cannot be implemented later or in addition to the reforms backed by Quinn.
Except that, of course, if Quinn’s reforms work, no one will want to privatize the public pension system.
Basically, Rauner is hoping to fan the flames of the pension crisis a little longer so that he can sell us a bucket of water.
“Political arson” might be the next charge.
- OneMan - Thursday, Jun 12, 14 @ 10:07 am:
So are the unions who are suing the state saboteurs…
Wow, so you are lumping him in with most of the public employee unions including the CTU…
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Thursday, Jun 12, 14 @ 10:11 am:
@Walker:
If Rauner had a legitimate plan of his own, yes. Are there even five Republican lawmakers who support a defined contribution plan?
As the Tribune pointed out, without pension reform, even bigger property tax increases will be necessary.
Again: Fanning the flames so he can sell us a bucket of water.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Thursday, Jun 12, 14 @ 10:13 am:
OneMan:
LOL. Again, the unions have expressed clear policy differences.
Rauner is trying to torpedo legislation merely to create chaos and purely for political gain.
- the Patriot - Thursday, Jun 12, 14 @ 10:14 am:
Dude, you and your running mate have been Governor for 12 years. Your Party has controlled the legislature for 20. No one knew who Rauner was until 2 years ago. What’s your excuse for the democrats having no plan in the 10 years they monopolized the state before Rauner was on the scene?
- A guy... - Thursday, Jun 12, 14 @ 10:14 am:
He was pretty clear on where he was on both bills. How does that add up to sabotage? Can’t charge him with being sneaky. Odd bedfellows this politics do make.
- Mighty M. Mouse - Thursday, Jun 12, 14 @ 10:31 am:
===Rauner is trying to torpedo legislation merely to create chaos and purely for political gain.===
Exactly right and particularly insightful. Not just for political gain, which is obvious, but to deliberately and literally create chaos, primarily because that’s the kind of guy Bruce Rauner is.
- Walker - Thursday, Jun 12, 14 @ 10:33 am:
I hear ya Dog.
And I support pension reform over demolition. 401Ks have proven a disaster for most who have been forced to take them in lieu of a pension.
My point is not about pensions, but about the fact that Rauner might be pulling the party together, and a healthy GOP party is a good thing even for Dems.
- Dave Dahl - Thursday, Jun 12, 14 @ 10:35 am:
==Rauner’s campaign sent an e-mail to lawmakers saying the GOP standard bearer opposed the county plan.==
Does the label “standard bearer” apply to the candidate for Guv or the candidate for US Sen?
- Wensicia - Thursday, Jun 12, 14 @ 10:41 am:
I guess we can tell how Rauner will govern if elected.
- VanillaMan - Thursday, Jun 12, 14 @ 11:27 am:
Be a governor, Governor.
Not a victim of sabotage.
Welcome to a political campaign where your opponent might fight as dirty as you do.
- abc123 - Thursday, Jun 12, 14 @ 11:47 am:
What nobody is focused on is the “guaranty” provisions in these reform bills that make further changes almost impossible. The Chicago bill had a whopper in it. See http://wp.me/p2Oseh-3B8 Rauner should be opposed to them for that reason alone.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Thursday, Jun 12, 14 @ 11:52 am:
@Vanillaman -
Last time I checked, the bills passed and were signed.
Quinn is no victim, he was victor, but pointing out Rauner’s underhandedness is fair game.
We should not lament politics that leads to the best ideas being implemented. But obstructionism for obstructionism’s sake is not really good for our state.
In that respect, Durkin is a welcome change.
- Precinct Captain - Thursday, Jun 12, 14 @ 11:53 am:
==Be a governor, Governor.
Not a victim of sabotage.==
You must have missed Quinn supporting these pension bills. Also, it’s the GA that makes law, not the governor. It seems some people aren’t clear on that basic civics lesson.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Jun 12, 14 @ 11:59 am:
So a citizen of this State speaking out against legislation they don’t support are now “saboteurs”…I guess everyone not sitting in office should never question there legislator, never voice their opinion on legislation, and just keep their mouth shut, bend over, and do whatever the Almighty Governor says needs to be done.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Jun 12, 14 @ 12:08 pm:
==He was pretty clear on where he was on both bills. How does that add up to sabotage? Can’t charge him with being sneaky. Odd bedfellows this politics do make.==
You’re asking the Governor to use logic and proper vocabulary, which is outside of his comfort zone. Good to know the Governor is against people exercising their right to voice their opinion on legislation to the legislature. Perhaps he believes we should do away with public comment completely and just let the legislature do what they want behind closed doors.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Jun 12, 14 @ 12:10 pm:
==It seems some people aren’t clear on that basic civics lesson==
It seems you aren’t clear on that part of the civics lesson where the Governor has to sign it to become law
- Walter Mitty - Thursday, Jun 12, 14 @ 12:19 pm:
Sorry… Hat tip to Rich for the Beastie Boys reference… Proving again, older dudes can be cool… What was the article about?
- Walter Mitty - Thursday, Jun 12, 14 @ 12:20 pm:
Because PQ has “Gotta set it straight this watergate” … Ok, I had my fun.The sun is out, I was giddy.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Thursday, Jun 12, 14 @ 12:26 pm:
@Anonymous -
So, now Bruce Rauner is just one of millions of Illinoisans exercising his freedom of speech?!?
LOL
He’s a declared candidate for governor. He’s supposed to be demonstrating how he would lead, and where.
How he would lead on policy is apparently by promoting gridlock.
It is just the kind of behavior by Republican leaders like Ted Cruz that might make them heroes on the fringe but frustrate nearly everyone else.
- Anon. - Thursday, Jun 12, 14 @ 3:48 pm:
==J’accuse!==
“Which is a helluva thing to say to any man.” — Mr. Dooley [to the best of my recollection, anyway.]