* A cynic might say that this is the beginning of Bruce Rauner’s “Jim Thompson Moment”…
At a Statehouse news conference, Rauner said the state budget passed by lawmakers last spring is full of “booby traps” that make the budget worse than it appears on paper.
“The deficit is far worse than has been discussed,” Rauner said.
Rauner distributed a paper outlining $1.4 billion in additional budget pressures facing next year’s budget that he said are the result of “gimmicks” used to make the current state budget appear balanced. That is on top of revenue the state expects to lose from the partial expiration of the temporary income tax increase.
“It was a phony budget. It was not even close to balanced,” Rauner said.
However, Rauner again declined to offer specifics of how he plans to address the budget problems, including whether it will be necessary to keep some of the temporary income tax hike in place.
“We thought it was horrible, but it’s sooooooooo much worse than we ever could’ve possibly imagined!!!”
* More…
So, now he can blame Rod Blagojevich and Pat Quinn for whatever comes next.
- DuPage - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 1:07 pm:
I am not shocked that Rauner claims to be shocked.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjbPi00k_ME
- Wordslinger - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 1:08 pm:
Predictable. And predicted by many, months ago.
Certainly no chutzpah deficit. In one breath the guy talks about dishonest politicians, in the next he claims he didn’t know the situation.
- A guy... - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 1:10 pm:
===* A cynic might say that this is the beginning of Bruce Rauner’s “Jim Thompson Moment”…====
Um, I think this sentence proves it. lol.
- Demoralized - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 1:13 pm:
If you didn’t see this coming raise your hand. And if you raise your hand I’m going to point and make fun of you for being such an idiot.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 1:13 pm:
Now that Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner is “fully in charge” hopefully he will do more than blame those who served before him. Rather than come off like a winner Rauner sounds like a whinner!
- People watcher - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 1:14 pm:
The Civic Federation issued a report in October detailing this. Yet Bruce didn’t know about it? He also said its time for politicians to be honest to the people of Illinois. Shouldn’t that include him? Oh wait, I forgot he’s not a politician so he’s exempt.
- Nonplussed - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 1:14 pm:
The income tax rolls back 1/1. People will get at least one paycheck with a “raise”.
Should it come to pass, Rauner and the GOP will own this tax increase.
- The Captain - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 1:16 pm:
Bruce Rauner campaigned against Pat Quinn again today. Also, he declined to offer any budget specifics. Water is wet.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 1:19 pm:
The Press Shop, the LLs, …and both, listening …to a good budget Crew…then make the numbers work, the votes pass, and the press buy it …that will be the first and only important task of Rauner Administration come January through May.
The Jim Thompson Moment puts the moving parts finally in motion.
Just don’t lie to the Speaker, share the credit, go a lil easier on the blame (positives when ya can), and empower the LLs and the Press Shop to work together with one message of leadership to the GA and the Press that have no differences.
Other than that…
- Ducky LaMoore - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 1:24 pm:
If this were a farce, it would be entertaining. When I want political satire, I can watch Alpha House… or a Rauner presser. Nice.
- William j Kelly - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 1:25 pm:
Frericks better plan on being an early and often critic of everything rauner because you know rauner will be looking to blame him and others for all future financial woes in Illinois.
- Bogart - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 1:27 pm:
Rauner should direct JBT to pay legislators and legislative “initiatives” last with what ever funds are available.
- Joe M - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 1:28 pm:
Rauner had plenty of time to review the Illinois budget, past and present, - and come up with his proposals - before he decided to run for Governor. They are there for all to see.
http://www2.illinois.gov/gov/budget/Pages/BudgetBooks.aspx
But apparently he didn’t review them. And he was obviously lacking in budget proposals during his campaign. At some point in time, he has to come up with his budget proposals and take ownership to them, rather than blaming others.
- ChrisB - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 1:29 pm:
Hey man, it worked for Obama for at least six years. Might as well lay the groundwork to soften the blowback for some tough decisions.
Reminds me of the old Soviet Premiere joke.
- PolPal56 - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 1:30 pm:
“Our problems have not been created by the tax hike expiring,” Rauner implores.
No, that would be the years of stealing from the pension funds and having to pay that piper. The tax reduction merely exponentially increased the severity.
- Big R. Ph - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 1:32 pm:
The first thing that they need to do is get off of the cash accounting method that they are using and get onto the generally accepted accounting principles a.k.a. GAAP. With cash accounting it is too easy to hide the tens of millions here hundreds of millions there and then next thing you know you have these ” surprises.”
With accrual accounting you are less likely to hide these big problems. The other thing that they should do is multi year budgeting so that individuals and corporations and businesses have stability and can plan for taxes etc
That being said this is the same guy that paid $50 million for a job that pays $100,000 a year so he should not be surprised.
- Boring Boring Arsenal - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 1:33 pm:
Management 101, blame your predecessor.
- Wordslinger - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 1:35 pm:
If it’s just a management problem and not a revenue problem, as Rauner says, then I’m sure he’ll be able to whip things into shape with available resources.
- Aldyth - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 1:38 pm:
Has he found the Waste and Corruption line item, yet?
- Skeptic - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 1:39 pm:
So Quinn calls this a “dishonest budget” (I think I recall him using that term), but since Quinn was Rauner’s opponent, Rauner figured he was lying, so he thought the budget was actually sound? I see how an “outsider” could easily make that mistake.
- PMcP - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 1:39 pm:
@Big R. PH
Fortunately, governmental accounting doesn’t use cash so you’re welcome. They use what’s called “Modified Accrual Accounting” which allows for encumbered budgeting (i.e. setting funds aside for approved projects in a particular year). It looks like cash but it’s not and it allows for an accurate portrayal of funding obligations as they actually exist in governmental purchasing prior to the payment of cash but to acknowledge that funds aren’t available.
They don’t even use GAAP, like that would solve everything anyway (re: Enron, Worldcom, Banco Espirito, etc…). You may have a particular problem with how governmental accounting is handled but that means your problem is with The Yellow Book, which is determined by GASB.
Thanks for playing.
- Bob Hicks - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 1:43 pm:
Time to stop blaming Blago for everything. Quinn is his own man and 6 years is a long time to deal with issue. Longer than the 4 Rauner just received.
- Commonsense in Illinois - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 1:44 pm:
Campaign is over, sir. Forget the poetry let’s hear some prose…
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 1:44 pm:
Problems weren’t created by the tax hike expiring? Well, the problems sure won’t be helped by the tax hike expiring, now, will they?
- Tim Snopes - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 1:46 pm:
One must wonder if the illustrious Tribune, Sun-Times and SJR are also shocked! Can Rauner convince them we need to extend the “66%” tax increase? Or maybe it needs to be a “50%” increase. Will they tone their rhetoric down for Brucie? Or will they do an about-face like he did? Stay tuned…
- JS Mill - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 1:48 pm:
“You are all corrupt.” Bruce Rauner on the problem.
“Can you get Mike on the phone for me?” Bruce Rauner on the solution..errr….maybe not.
- Truthteller - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 1:49 pm:
This is not a Jim Thompson moment,but a Rod Blagojevich moment.
Like Blago, Rauner promised to spend more on education.Similarly he promised to reopen prisons(Tamms)and developmental centers(in Rauner’s case Murray which Quinn has on the bubble).
Blago said he wouldn’t raise taxes and didn’t,which is a big part of the reason we have such a mess.
If Rauner keeps his promise to get rid of the 5% tax rate, that will be his Blago moment
- RNUG - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 1:52 pm:
“The deficit is far worse than has been discussed,” - Nope. It was discussed, but not by you.
“It was a phony budget. It was not even close to balanced,” - Everybody that was paying attention knew Quinn proposed two budgets, and the one that depended on the income tax being made permanent got passed.
He can try to blame it on Quinn and the GA but the only way he avoided knowing it was by being deaf, dumb and blind during the campaign.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 1:54 pm:
Big cuts coming! Then listen to the people yell!
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 1:57 pm:
Well said, RNUG.
- Save a horse Ride a Harley - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 1:58 pm:
So,is there any truth to the “5 and 5″ ERI proposal to get rid of high paid employees to help the budget issues?
- RNUG - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 1:59 pm:
“Rauner again declined to offer specifics of how he plans to address the budget problems …”
Why didn’t he just whip out those policy and budget plans he’s been promising for month?
It’s going to be a long four years.
- Soccermom - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 2:02 pm:
Rich, I’m surprised that your memory fails you. Rod’s budget problems were caused by the mistakes made during the Ryan Administration.
- Wensicia - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 2:03 pm:
We’re tired of Rauner telling us what’s “wrong” (after his people tell him what they’ve found), so how about telling us how he’ll make it right?
- Peoria Guy - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 2:04 pm:
So very predictable. Lower expectations right off the bat.
New college basketball coaches do this all the time. “I didn’t realize until I got here how outdated the facilities were or how thin the talent was. This is a total rebuild”
Translation– I may need an extension on my original contract to fix this. Also, don’t look for any miracles for awhile.
- Tim Snopes - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 2:05 pm:
RNUG…is on a roll…
Excellent observations.
- Jorge - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 2:06 pm:
Bruce still won’t attempt to get the Carharrt dirty. I hope he doesn’t go Rick Perry on us.
- forwhatitsworth - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 2:07 pm:
Since Bruce is so shocked, do you think he might reconsider his decision to run for governor and bail out of the swearing-in ceremonies?
- Big Muddy - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 2:10 pm:
Austerity in 3…2…
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 2:11 pm:
Plan? Is there a plan?
- Jocko - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 2:13 pm:
To quote John McClane, “Welcome to the party, Pal!”
I, for one, can’t wait to see the “Bring Back Blueprint” put into action on January 12th.
- Loop Lady - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 2:18 pm:
We get the government we deserve folks…you drank the koolaid and now you may have buyers remorse…remember when Quinn said the budget was not in the best interests of the State and chastised the GA for it…how soon we forget…
- Filmmaker Professor - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 2:20 pm:
Looking forward to the tax cut AND pay increase (I work in Illinois higher ed) that Rauner promised. Looking through the Best Buy ads right now!
- Bogey Golfer - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 2:22 pm:
@Peoria Guy: Did Geno say that? Even after BU built a new practice facility and update the Carver Arena locker room?
- bored now - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 2:22 pm:
well, if it’s just a problem of government mismanagement, then rauner will have no problem solving the problem! he’s promised sound management practices, so it’s simple…
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 2:23 pm:
Dumbest(policy) move by Rauner was his insistence during the campaign that Quinn not extend the income tax in the lame duck . A lame duck tax extension would have been the best thing that could happen to Rauner, but it ain’t gonna happen.
- Rod - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 2:27 pm:
In pro football often the first 15 offensive plays are scripted. Mr. Rauner is applying a scripted plan drawn from the experience of the Republican Governors Association. Chris Christie, Bobby Jindal, Nikki Haley, Susana Martinez and Scott Walker all used a similar tactic upon taking office. The basic idea is to prepare the population for budget cuts and changes that will be necessary to keep the state functioning because it is broke.
“Never let a good crisis go to waste” ― Winston S. Churchill
- Norseman - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 2:29 pm:
If this does become the Thompson move, then the big question is whether Rauner’s purchased or will purchase enough GOP Solon yes votes to fulfill Madigan and Cullerton’s demand to move any tax package.
- Anyone Remember - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 2:30 pm:
Big R. Ph
“With accrual accounting you are less likely to hide these big problems.”
Actually, that only works on the expenditure side. California Governor Brown, Sr. used accrual accounting for revenues to hide a budget deficit in 1966. Winning Governor Reagan switched them back to cash accounting to prevent such tricks.
- Del Clinkton - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 2:31 pm:
@Rod:
The difference between here and Scott up north, Bruce HAS to deal with the legislature. Successful businessmen (like Bruce claims to be) typically have to have good social and negotiating skills. We’re going to find out.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 2:34 pm:
Anonymous:
A lame duck tax extension was never going to happen, might as well be against it.
- Streator Curmudgeon - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 2:34 pm:
When you are a vulture–excuse me, VENTURE–capitalist, you do your due diligence and check out the books VERY thoroughly before you buy a new company. You can’t turn a buck if you’re caught by “surprises.”
Sorry, BR. Don’t blame the Dems for cooking the books. You have people who can see through every kind of budget and financial trick. That’s what you did for a living.
We’re not buying the naive act.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 2:39 pm:
===If this does become the Thompson move, then the big question is whether Rauner’s purchased or will purchase enough GOP Solon yes votes to fulfill Madigan and Cullerton’s demand to move any tax package.===
That’s why I keep harping on those LLs, and Rauner keeping his own word.
But, Rauner did say he’d do some arm twistin’ maybe some arm breakin’, but those LLs, huge
- The Dude Abides - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 2:39 pm:
This is so disingenuous but what I expected. I believe Bill Clinton did the same thing when running for president. He said he wouldn’t raise taxes but once he was elected he said he had a chance to look at the books and things were much worse than he thought and that he had no choice but to raise taxes.
I think almost everyone who ever posts on here realized that we can’t balance the budget on cuts alone and that taxes couldn’t be rolled back to 3.75% next year and kept at that rate indefinitely.
One of the things Rauner ran on was cutting taxes. Those who believed him and voted for him for that reason are in for a disappointment.
- Empty Suit - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 2:42 pm:
Come on everyone knows it’s Bush’s fault
- Apocalypse Now - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 2:45 pm:
S.O.P. for any newly elected Governor inheriting a financial mess. Heck, Obama used “blame Bush” for almost 4 years. I hold slim hope for a real workable budget. Democrats would rather see Rauner twist and the wind and fail than actually try to work with him to fix the problem. The LL couldn’t work with Quinn. Why would anyone expect them to work with Rauner.
- illinifan - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 2:46 pm:
Boring…when I moved into state management my former boss gave me the “its the other person’s fault card” unfortunately the expired the day I signed the paperwork to accept the position. This is the reality of management 101…
- Shark Sandwich - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 2:51 pm:
“At a Statehouse news conference, Rauner said the state budget passed by lawmakers last spring is full of “booby traps” ”
Good news for the ladies, then; apparently the budget has plenty of funding for mammograms.
- Norseman - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 2:54 pm:
Next big question. How long will it take for Rich to jump the Shark?
- Del Clinkton - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 3:03 pm:
@Apocalypse Now:
Heck..Reagan/Bush blamed Carter for 12 years.
Heck..Nixon/Ford blamed Johnson for 12 years.
SOP.
- Robbie - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 3:04 pm:
Dems have mastered the blame game. Obama has been doing it for 6 years. Not sure how Madigan can look an Illinois citizen/taxpayer in the eye.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 3:07 pm:
That’s why I keep harping on those LLs, and Rauner keeping his own word.
LLs?
What?
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 3:12 pm:
- Del Clinkton - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 3:03 pm:
@Apocalypse Now:
Heck..Reagan/Bush blamed Carter for 12 years.
Heck..Nixon/Ford blamed Johnson for 12 years.
SOP.
Learn history that is not true and Nixon/Ford was not 12 years.
Nixon was in for approx. 5 1/2 and Ford for approx. 2 1/2
- Del Clinkton - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 3:13 pm:
Ok.
Nixon/Ford blamed Johnson for 8 years, instead of 12.
SOP.
- Precinct Captain - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 3:15 pm:
Rauneristas, I thought your guy was different, that he was gonna shake up Springfield and all that, yet here he is playing the same old politics of the past blaming his predecessors for everything. He has had a year to come up with ideas, where are they? He’s promised details for months, where are they?
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 3:15 pm:
Legislative.
Liaison.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 3:15 pm:
They actually did not blame Johnson
- walker - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 3:18 pm:
These budget problems were available public knowledge since the June last year. Many on this blog pointed out these specific challenges, and Rauner’s campaign chose to pretend they weren’t there.
For Rauner to say he is finding out about this now leads to only two explanations — he was willfully ignoring what was right in front of his nose for campaign purposes, or he hopes to get away with more misdirection rather than taking responsibility for his own statements.
Not unexpected.
Rauner’s predecessors should be blamed for the fiscal problems they created.
And Rauner should be blamed for playing dumb right up to today.
- Give Me A Break - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 3:22 pm:
And those Rauner LL (legislative liasions) are going to earn every penny of their salary.
- MOD - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 3:25 pm:
He hit on the short-term borrowing and inter-fund borrowing (used to be “fund sweeps” back in the day) as “fundamentally wrong” but if both of those options are out the revenue gap only gets bigger - WAY bigger. Additionally, wasn’t short-term borrowing a significant component of his business practices on the private sector side? It can be effective if used properly.
- Union Leader - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 3:30 pm:
Governor-elect Rauner,
Will you please tell us your plan? The time was during the election, but you chose not to disclose what or how you were going to do and the voters bought into your rhetoric.
But, now we NEED answers and fast! So stop the rhetoric, stop the blaming of the previous administration(s) and lay out your plan ALREADY!
- AC - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 3:37 pm:
The only thing worse than fake outrage would be ignoring the problem. “It’s worse than I thought it was” does make me wish his team would “please try to be a little bit original” because it’s definitely a (nauseating) political golden oldie.
- Chris - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 3:45 pm:
“[Nixon/Ford] actually did not blame Johnson”
No, but they almost proposed a guaranteed income, implemented wage/price controls, etc, etc. Basically, Tricky Dick was a flaming liberal, on economic policy.
- Gargantuan - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 3:51 pm:
===Chris - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 3:45 pm:
“[Nixon/Ford] actually did not blame Johnson”
No, but they almost proposed a guaranteed income, implemented wage/price controls, etc, etc. Basically, Tricky Dick was a flaming liberal, on economic policy.===
Maybe Rauner is basically Tricky Dick on economic policy??
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 3:57 pm:
For those who say anti-Rauner folks would like to see him fail? Do you understand that given the economy of our state, you and everyone else will have to dig up some cash to fix things? Do people truly believe with all their heart that they’ll get property tax relief, state income tax reduction and in the same breath a balanced budget and more goodies? Really? Fail? How could he not? Those naysayers against Rauner appear to be mere realists rather than dreamers.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 4:02 pm:
2 years sitting in Winnetka, running for office.
No plans, no ideas — forget about specifics! — for a budget.
Yes every single wealthy paper in the state endorsed him.
- Peoria Guy - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 4:09 pm:
Bogey golfer@2:22
Geno said that about the existing talent, but not about the facilities.
- Precinct Captain - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 4:11 pm:
Bruce Rauner: “we have to pass my budget for you to see what is in it.”
- Wordslinger - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 4:15 pm:
Apocalypse, you have your victim on today. You take blind partisanship to cult-like extremes.
Nobody’s leaving Rauner to “twist in the wind.” The dude hasn’t proposed anything yet, for crying out loud.
The only thing he asked was that the GA not take up taxes in the veto session. They won’t. No problemo, lol.
And the Obama references — are you nuts? You’re comparing two ground wars in Asia and the collapse of the world financial system to a budget situation that requires just a thimbleful of honesty and backbone?
- Roadiepig - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 4:18 pm:
Del Clinkton- one you left off of your list (that popped up in my mind after reading Rauner’s comments about not knowing how bad things really are) was Bill Clinton. After campaigning on a middle class tax cut and hammering Bush I (for his “read my lips” lie) while running for president, seeing him addressing the nation on national TV with his “things are much worse than I was told” breaking of his promise , placing the blame on Bush. Like you said - SOP.
But of course Rauner isn’t a politician, so there is no way his isn’t telling the truth when he says nobody let him know how bad things are here. Blaming Quinn (who submitted a doomsday budget and a “keep the tax increase” budget) ,whether he deserves it or not,will be a constant for the next four years I’m afraid…
- Amalia - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 4:22 pm:
yep, government is hard. it’s not like you can raise the prices and lose a few customers Bruce. it’s raise the taxes or make deep cuts and anger the voters, the people who pick management. it’s not a private company. it’s like a stockholders meeting that actually has huge consequences!
- Wordslinger - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 4:26 pm:
I don’t recall Nixon and Ford blaming Johnson for anything, really. They were all pals from way back (as far as pals go, with Nixon). Johnson put up his guy Connally to run Democrats for Nixon in ‘72.
Rauner layed down a marker today, saying the budget situation was a matter of mismanagement, not revenue.
I wonder if he understood what he was saying. It doesn’t make a lot of sense to me.
I’d suggest he get out of campaign mode. He won. Now comes the tricky part.
- x-pol - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 4:28 pm:
Can’t blame Blago - he asked for a GRT ($7b worth) and the GA said “no” 107-0. But the GA kept the spending part of the plan. Many of you laughed then. I guess he was the responsible one.
- Ginhouse Tommy - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 4:29 pm:
Anonymous It is not possible for a man who is so thorough and detail oriented, who runs such a tight ship and who controls pretty much everything in is his organization not to have a plan. That would be completely out of character. This budget thing blinded sided him. He will now have to adjust his plans. His education has just begun and the learning curve will be steep. This will reflect his ability to manage. Should be pretty interesting to watch.
- anon - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 4:30 pm:
== If it’s just a management problem and not a revenue problem, as Rauner says, then I’m sure he’ll be able to whip things into shape with available resources. ==
That’s an optimistic way of looking at it. I bet Proft agrees.
== I hold slim hope for a real workable budget. Democrats would rather see Rauner twist and the wind and fail than actually try to work with him to fix the problem.==
On the contrary, Madigan has a track record of working with three (3) GOP governors to pass budgets and taxes. Cullerton is a notorious deal maker. If there is gridlock, it won’t be because the Dems refuse to negotiate.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 4:30 pm:
===Rauner layed down a marker today, saying the budget situation was a matter of mismanagement, not revenue.
I wonder if he understood what he was saying. It doesn’t make a lot of sense to me.===
The Rauner Crew better have a Press and Legislative plan/response otherwise the credibility of what Rauber is actually saying will again be frint and center.
Good catch here - Wordslinger -
- Sgt. Schultz - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 4:31 pm:
I am back! Did I miss anything while I was gone?
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 4:32 pm:
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 4:30 pm…
…was me. Stupid phone recycled
- Downstate - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 4:34 pm:
I always loved the line from JFK “When we got into office, the thing that surprised me most was to find that things were just as bad as we’d been saying they were.”
- Calling - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 4:38 pm:
Governing is actually much worse than a stockholder’s meeting. Those you can adjourn, avoid and forestall. We don’t own stock in Illinois — WE ARE ILLINOIS. Rauner (without running on a plan) has been elected our Leader. Time to start providing the answers, Coach. Your budget speech is due in t-minus 78 days…
- Louis G Atsaves - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 4:46 pm:
So the budget sham that was passed last May and signed into law by Quinn is now officially the problem of Rauner, who has yet to be sworn into office, and only Rauner?
LOL!
All the ostriches in Springfield who voted for this budget, the legislative leaders who voted for it, and the Governor who signed for it, escape any ridicule, and only Rauner gets the old fashioned pile on?
LOL!
Who is being more cynical here, Rauner or the ostriches who created this mess?
- AC - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 4:47 pm:
As funny as this is, it’d be political suicide to actually admit that he said what he needed to say to get elected, now he’s going to do what he has to do to deal with the practicalities of running the state. Rauner followed the opinion polls which had said for years that people wanted lower taxes, greater services and increased spending, especially on education. Many people believe that all this could be funded by slaying the waste monster, a real creature that exists, but is smaller than most people think it is relathive to the size of the deficit beast.
- Black Ivy - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 4:52 pm:
Can the Governor-Elect at least be sworn in before you all attack…geez! I, for one, appreciate his candor and encourage him to do what it takes to begin the process of balancing the budget! #bringonugly
- Norseman - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 4:54 pm:
=== - Louis G Atsaves - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 4:46 pm:
So the budget sham that was passed last May and signed into law by Quinn is now officially the problem of Rauner, who has yet to be sworn into office, and only Rauner?
LOL! ===
That’s what happens when you get the Big Boy’s Seat. He asked for it, he bought it and now he has to deal with the problems that come with it.
He can whine all he wants about who caused the problem, the people expect him to fulfill his promise to shake up Springfield and fix it.
- Demoralized - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 4:55 pm:
==is now officially the problem of Rauner, who has yet to be sworn into office, and only Rauner==
Well, yeah, it sort of is his problem now. Granted the General Assembly has a role to play. Rauner wanted the job. He’s got it now. Mess and all. You can play the blame game all you want. Doesn’t solve any problems though. I’ll judge Rauner based on what he does with what he’s been handed. The last guy is irrelevant now.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 5:01 pm:
When you make statements to the Press, as a governor, or in this case, as the Governor-Elect of Illinois, you get the heat.
Words matter.
Statements matter.
The more Rauner talks, the more scrutiny and questions Rauner will face. Comes with the deal, comes with the gig.
See, that Press Shop and LLs…biggest and most important decisions. Today is a reminder of that.
Rauner owns this now, every time he speaks to anything, Rauner owns it more.
- Enviro - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 5:15 pm:
@ 2:23 pm “Dumbest(policy) move by Rauner was his insistence during the campaign that Quinn not extend the income tax in the lame duck . A lame duck tax extension would have been the best thing that could happen to Rauner, but it ain’t gonna happen.”
When Rauner said that the tax extension should not be passed during the lame duck session it almost looked and sounded like he was making an attempt at reverse psychology. But you are right. The lame duck tax extension won’t happen, but it would really be helpful to Rauner if it did.
- vole - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 5:23 pm:
Extending the tax “increase” will now be known as economic stimulus. IL state government is a big integral part of the IL economy. Big austerity now won’t be what the growth guru ordered up on his campaign menu. The best comparison to be made may turn out to be between Rauner and Obama.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 5:37 pm:
Norseman:
What was the tone of the press conference? Was Rauner angry, tearful, shocked or just matter-of-fact?
It seems to me that some folks are offering a defense of Rauner that he is not even suggesting himself.
As for the problems being worse than he thought, it seems they are about as bad as everyone suggested, but I haven’t seen the list of grievances.
I do think it is worth noting Rauner uses the same language as a Tribune editorial from mid-October based on a report released by the Civic Federation on October 9th.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-rauner-quinn-illinois-budget-edit-1019-20141017-story.html
- John Parnell - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 5:47 pm:
The Dude Abides - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 2:39 pm:
“This is so disingenuous but what I expected. I believe Bill Clinton did the same thing when running for president. He said he wouldn’t raise taxes but once he was elected he said he had a chance to look at the books and things were much worse than he thought and that he had no choice but to raise taxes.” I think George W.Bush is a more appropriate example. Read my lips! Remember?
- Enviro - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 5:54 pm:
That was George H. W. Bush who said
“Read my lips: no new taxes.”
- Norseman - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 6:11 pm:
=== What was the tone of the press conference? Was Rauner angry, tearful, shocked or just matter-of-fact? ===
YDD, I didn’t see the whole thing, but the clips on TV showed him playing up the shock angle transitioning to anger. This faux surprise reinforces the idea that he’s using the Thompson scenario.
- Clevelander - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 6:20 pm:
Yawn…
This is SOP for successful politicians. As noted earlier, Bill Clinton did this when he came into office and pushed for a financial stimulus package in his first year.
Quinn’s big mistake in all this was losing. If he’d won, the partying would continue and no politician would be crying about it.
- One of the 35 - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 6:41 pm:
This will mimic that old joke about the politician who was asked at a press conference about the proposed tax increase. He responded that the questioner had it all wrong, “This is not a tax increase, it is a cancellation of a proposed tax decrease!”
- Mama - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 7:19 pm:
===So,is there any truth to the “5 and 5″ ERI proposal to get rid of high paid employees to help the budget issues?===
NO - it cost the State to much money.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 9:39 pm:
@Norseman:
Well, I haven’t seen the list of $1.4 billion in alleged surprises and booby traps, but it doesn’t seem there is anything terribly shocking in there, and I don’t think anger is going to help.
The solution it seems is to cut $1.4 billion in spending, raise $1.4 billion in revenue, or something in between.
Truthfully, anyone who thinks the legislature ought to have done it in May should not find it terribly difficult to accomplish now.
The only real trick here is that you want to hire a bunch of new people if you are Rauner, so you can’t exactly implement a hiring freeze, can you? Still, there has to be $1.4 billion worth of contracts you can cancel or “renegotiate.”
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 10:01 pm:
What is 5 and 5 anyways?
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 10:38 pm:
Lower those bars.
That’s what he is doing.
Keep lowering them.
Get it all on tape to remind voters four years from now.
No surprise.
- Ducky LaMoore - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 10:39 pm:
I kinda like where this is going…. Get all of the Republicans to vote for a tax hike. And then primary them all with tea party candidates. Or be the most unpopular governor ever when you cut the budget by 25%. Either way, somebody is gonna get what they deserve.
- Ginhouse Tommy - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 11:26 pm:
Enviro No new taxes. A comedian on PBS replied no he’ll just raise all the old ones.
- Six Degrees of Separation - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 11:38 pm:
Anonymous 10:01, I believe that is a plan where workers who are 5 or less years away from being eligible for retirement can buy the years they need and go out the door immediately with a retirement package, and workers who are more than 5 years away are allowed to “buy and bank” up to 5 years, to get them off the payroll sooner. I can’t see how this would help the state finances, unless new hiring was either sharply curtailed, or the state went on a hiring binge where the new employees are contributing a substantial portion of their paycheck to fund the old pension liabilities as well as the new ones.
- RNUG - Tuesday, Dec 2, 14 @ 11:44 pm:
PSA’s and SPSA’s … everyone knows I can’t type
- Lt. Guv - Wednesday, Dec 3, 14 @ 1:09 am:
Based on the headline to the story it’s good to see the spirit of Bill Black still floating around.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Dec 3, 14 @ 8:40 am:
With 5 plus 5, the only winner is the employee. There was a similar program for teachers years ago where at age 50 you could buy out 5 years (if you had all the necessary service, of course). So, you got rid of highly paid teachers (the most experienced ones, mind you—if that actually matters to anyone), but you got more collecting pensions at an earlier age. So you are damned if you do, and damned if you don’t. Taxpayers don’t like paying for experience and education (apparently no one wants that except for their own childrens’ teachers) but they don’t like paying pensions either.
- Yobagoya - Wednesday, Dec 3, 14 @ 8:41 am:
So, the excuse employed by the president is out of bounds for Rauner?