* AP…
The Democratic leader of the Illinois Senate says Gov. Bruce Rauner’s proposed budget is “as unworkable as it is unconscionable.”
Senate President John Cullerton spoke Monday in Chicago. He says the new Republican governor’s spending plan would hurt the middle class by cutting programs such as public transportation, higher education and substance abuse treatment.
I’ll post more when it becomes available.
*** UPDATE 1 *** The Senate Democrats posted some background info and some videos here.
*** UPDATE 2 *** From Lance Trover…
President Cullerton has met with the Governor repeatedly and has had every opportunity to discuss any issue he wants, including the ongoing negotiations between his office and the Governor’s Office over the $1.6 billion budget hole Governor Rauner inherited. It’s unclear why President Cullerton seems intent on undermining a bipartisan agreement to clean up the fiscal mess that Senate Democrats created.
*** UPDATE 3 *** Sun-Times…
“His budget hurts middle-class families. Gov. Rauner sees the budget as merely a math problem. I see the people behind those numbers, people struggling to get ahead,” Cullerton, who leads the Democrat-controlled Senate, said as he one-by-one ran through Rauner’s proposed slashes to health and human services, foster care, higher education and transportation programs.
“I probably could have saved a lot of time and simply told you who’s not hurt in this budget. There’s the wealthy. And then there’s the corporations. The only cuts they received were to their tax rates. This budget is not the shared sacrifice he promised in his inauguration speech,” Cullerton said. […]
“To be fair, there were some bright spots in the governor’s budget. For instance, Gov. Rauner fully embraces President Obama’s Affordable Care Act. It’s a bold move given that so many of his GOP counterparts are talking about repealing Obamacare should they end up in the White House,” Cullerton said. “And I applaud the governor for making early childhood, elementary and high-school education a priority. He proposed a nearly $500 million increase in education funding. He didn’t tell you how he pays for it.”
*** UPDATE 4 *** Even though he said it before the Rauner response, this is basically a response to the governor…
“We haven’t actually sat down and had a meeting where the leaders and the governor talk about our (2015) budget,” Cullerton told reporters after making remarks to the City Club of Chicago. “We’ve had our staff people do it. So maybe that’s what they do in Washington or the private sector, but … we haven’t had an actual negotiation.” […]
The way Cullerton describes the situation, Democrats are just waiting for an invitation from Rauner.
“He hasn’t scheduled one, and he’s the governor,” Cullerton said.
- Ghost - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 1:55 pm:
What? You mean he hasnt proposed eliminating tax credits and deductions for the wealthy to close loopholes to help generate revenue?
Huh, how odd
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 1:56 pm:
Rauner has a side, Cullerton has a side.
The GOP GA are bystanders until they’re not.
So, it’s really up to the Speaker(?)
It’s March. It’s early, but calling into Cullerton’s district to let the old tax rate expire isn’t helping Rauner I bet.
- Norseman - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 1:58 pm:
Mr. President, what do you really think?
- Demise - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 1:59 pm:
Those in opposition to Rauner’s budget need to do more of this. Rauner has been nearly unchecked in his publicity tour with the Trib and other papers in support. Some, not all, people simply believe whoever screams the loudest. Up to this point that’s been Rauner.
- Macbeth - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 2:01 pm:
Please. More of this. For over a year, Rauner has yapped without so much as a peep from the opposition — and the media.
- Neglected stepchild - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 2:01 pm:
No, let’s face it, it doesn’t hurt the middle class—it hurts the ilk who would vote for someone like Cullerton.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 2:03 pm:
===Those in opposition to Rauner’s budget need to do more of this.===
Nah. Measured silence is best.
Its a math game. Rauner can yell and scream and belly ache, but Cullerton and MJM hold 23 chits Rauner will need at some point. Cullerton is doing what needs to be done; say it’s not workable, give more rope to Rauner by letting Rauner speak until he’s blue in the face.
Rauner is talking past those who he needs to hear him. That’s also what Cullerton wants to… say.
- Anonymous - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 2:04 pm:
What is Cullerton’s plan?
- Jimmy CrackCorn - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 2:04 pm:
==No, let’s face it, it doesn’t hurt the middle class—it hurts the ilk who would vote for someone like Cullerton==
Yuppies?
- Politix - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 2:05 pm:
AP reporting is beyond frustrating. Some context for the statement would be nice. What’d you catch him in a hallway? Boys room?
- The Whole Truth - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 2:05 pm:
Rauner said cuts should be made before any tax increases were considered, and that he would be quite unpopular for at least the first two years of his term. He’s proving true to both statements. On the other side, Cullerton doesn’t seem to believe there are any cuts to be made,only “revenue enhancement”. Does anyone really believe that cuts are not necessary and won’t be painful, and will have to be coincident with additional revenue?
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 2:05 pm:
===What is Cullerton’s plan?===
Cullerton isn’t governor.
- VanillaMan - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 2:05 pm:
If Rauner won’t lead, then the GA leadership will need to do what it has been doing for over a decade - ignore a governor.
- Macbeth - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 2:05 pm:
Rauner’s clearly laying the foundation for a supposed 2016 upset — but someone ought to explain that he has to govern. He can’t simply run the state into the ground and wait out the 2016 elections.
That’s his long game — it’s obvious now — but it’s the most destructive path possible. And repugnant. Even the GOP knows this. They, too, should speak up and urge him toward negotiation.
- downstate commissioner - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 2:06 pm:
… and medicaid and child care and taxing pensions and service taxes and…
- anon - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 2:07 pm:
Barking back and forth and then a deal will get cut to raise the state income tax to say, 4.5% for a year or 2.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 2:09 pm:
===If Rauner won’t lead, then the GA leadership will need to do what it has been doing for over a decade - ignore a governor.===
Not this time. Blago and Quinn being Dems, intervention was necessary for survival.
Rauner is not a Dem. They will leave him twisting until they don’t, getting the maximum pain they can give the ILGOP, while trying to make sure Rauner and the ILGOP wear the jacket.
- MrJM - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 2:11 pm:
Guess someone needs to tell Cullerton about Rauner’s mandate…
– MrJM
- pundent - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 2:11 pm:
Rauner has the responsibility to present a budget that can be passed in the GA. He’s yet to do so. And by the way, his caucus has been remarkably silent. Isn’t part of their job to sell Rauner’s plan (which presumably is the plan of the caucus). When might we expect to hear from other Republicans on this topic. I don’t know what’s more laughable at this point, the words that come out of Rauner’s mouth or the lack of those from his party.
- walker - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 2:14 pm:
It’s certainly “unworkable” since it doesn’t come close to balancing without unlikely plugs, numbers that would require changes to the Constitution which cannot occur quickly enough, and sleight of hand funds transfers. That’s not politics, but accounting.
Whether it’s “unconscionable” is a political position.
All these initial salvos, probes, and feints will establish the eventual battlefield. The final steelement will occur as Rauner engages and bangs it out with the Speaker. Cullerton walks point and takes the first misaimed shots. Madigan waits and mans the main force.
The only wrench in that machine will be if Rauner is serious about a war on unions that goes beyond, and trumps, the budget-making process. He might not want a settlement, without making a union-bashing splash.
- Demoralized - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 2:15 pm:
==Rauner has the responsibility to present a budget that can be passed in the GA==
When did that become the rule? The Governor has a responsibility to present a budget. That’s the extent of his formal responsibility.
- anon - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 2:16 pm:
Pundent, he has the responsibility to present a budget to correct things that have severely damaged this state. You know, much of what has happened the last 12 years.
- Louis G Atsaves - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 2:16 pm:
===Rauner has a side, Cullerton has a side. The GOP GA are bystanders until they’re not. So, it’s really up to the Speaker(?) ===
I was always under the impression that both the House and Senate have to pass a budget, and the Governor then signs it for it to become law. Until then, no budget. Did I fall asleep in Civics Class way back in the day?
- Norseman - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 2:16 pm:
Willy @ 2:09 pm: Well said.
- walker - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 2:18 pm:
“settlement” not “steelement” above (though it has a ring of its own.
- The Whole Truth - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 2:19 pm:
Pundent-
He has a responsibility to propose a budget that is workable for the State, not just the political powers controlling the GA. And that will take what for Illinois is a novel approach….cooperation from both sides. Rauner has mentioned a tax on services as a possibility, but we still don’t see any serious proposals for cuts from Cullerton.
- Sam Weinberg - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 2:19 pm:
– Oswego Willie –
== Nah. Measured silence is best.==
Absolute-freaking-lutely. Rauner wants shouting, a circus, strikes, shutdowns, you name it. He wants this to be a contest of stunts — where he will excel, especially with his $20m and untold millions in “issue ads” just waiting to drop. But, as has been said so many times before, this is about Governing, with a capital “G,” in a democracy. Which means it’s about nothing other than 30 and 60.
- John A Logan - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 2:20 pm:
Even better. Now we have a screaming press release attacking the President of the Senate. How about pick up the phone and give Cullerton a call Governor. Maybe try to figure out a way to get this things turned around together. Would love to see a poll ran today, Quinn vs. Rauner and see just how much the Baron has spoiled the momentum he had.
- Wensicia - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 2:23 pm:
==It’s unclear why President Cullerton seems intent on undermining a bipartisan agreement to clean up the fiscal mess that Senate Democrats created.==
What bipartisan agreement? Rauner’s “Give me what I want or else!!” is hardly bipartisan.
- Team Sleep - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 2:24 pm:
Demoralized shoots and scores.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 2:24 pm:
Let’s read this, shall we?
=== It’s unclear why President Cullerton seems intent on undermining a bipartisan agreement to clean up the fiscal mess that Senate Democrats created.===
1) You can agree to make things better, together…but you can disagree how to do it. Cullerton disagrees with Rauner’s “choices”, doesn’t mean Cullerton isn’t looking for a solution.
“and”…
2) Rauner keeps trying not to “own” this, but “You know what”, Rauner won, and “you know what”, Rauner and Evelyn were “hired” to fix it, and “you know what”, it’s not something that can be rectified by magic.
However, this is “better” Lance, given the hand you’ve been dealt.
- A guy - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 2:27 pm:
===It’s unclear why President Cullerton seems intent on undermining a bipartisan agreement to clean up the fiscal mess that Senate Democrats created.===
It is unclear.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 2:27 pm:
===I was always under the impression that both the House and Senate have to pass a budget, and the Governor then signs it for it to become law. Until then, no budget. Did I fall asleep in Civics Class way back in the day?===
Oh - Louis G. Atsaves -,
You forgot the “the governor propose” part. LOL
This is Rauner’s.
Thanks, - Norseman - & - SW -
- Anonin' - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 2:28 pm:
undermine?
Bipartisan Agreement?
Senate created
Memo to BVR….not a dime get spent w/o
a. gov signing
b. go agencies sending vouchers/warrants/ cash requests to comptroller
c. all hands in on it since 1970’s
- walker - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 2:29 pm:
The Senate Dems are talking about the 2016 Budget.
Trover’s response is about filling the 2015 funding gap.
Until they both get serious, and talk about the same issue at the same time, this is all just posturing.
I blame Cullerton for using the negative reactions to Rauner’s 2016 Budget proposal, to delay or kill any imminent deal to close the 2015 gap. Or said the way, to hold any 2015 funding fix hostage, as leverage in the 2016 budget negotiations.
Expected tactics, but sad to see.
- Don Quixote - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 2:34 pm:
What don’t you understand, John Cullerton?
Between Rauner’s mandate, Trover’s brushback, the Tribune’s piety and the Illinois Policy Institute being the 12th man on the field, what don’t you understand?
What are we all missing?
- Anon - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 2:38 pm:
What an utterly amateurish “release” from the Raunerites. Stomping your feet and pounding your fists will get you no where when you take on the Senate Dems. Welcome to the show, Lance.
- Jorge - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 2:42 pm:
oy vey, it’s going to be a long session.
- Annon3 - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 2:44 pm:
I believe we have seen this play book before and it did not end well, just a new cast.
I am sure when rubber hits the pavement the Governor will be willing to deal to get across the finish line with first budget.
- Macbeth - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 2:45 pm:
Wait — Trover says Cullerton and Rauner have met repeatedly about the budget.
And Cullerton says he’s never met with Rauner about the budget?
What the heck? Is Trover’s statement an outright lie?
- out of touch - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 2:45 pm:
How not to court votes from democrats as a GOP Governor:
Step 1: pick a fight with the black caucus
Step 2: pick another fight with the Senate President, thereby galvanizing his entire caucus
Step 3: blame said galvanized caucus for the problems
Viola!
- Arsenal - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 2:46 pm:
“Rauner has been nearly unchecked in his publicity tour with the Trib and other papers in support”
Maybe. Anecdotally, it seems like few people are buying the Magic Budgetary Beans, and the polling numbers are certainly uninspiring (as they would be regardless of what he proposed). That being said, I don’t think the Senate President made a mistake here, unless he’s wrong on the merits.
- Eminem - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 2:47 pm:
Rauner, you’re blowing your shot.
- Arsenal - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 2:49 pm:
Something Rauner may not understand: Legislative warfare accrues to the benefit of the Legislature. In the mid-2000s, no one thought Madigan was “the good guy” in his conflict with Blago. Last year, no one thought Madigan and Cullerton were “right” in the face of Quinn being “wrong”.
And yet, look who was sent home.
Even if the Governor successfully “blames” the legislature for budget troubles, that and $2 will get him a cup of coffee.
- Michelle Flaherty - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 2:49 pm:
Maybe Rauner has been meeting with Tom Cullerton to mastermind a budget solution and just doesn’t know the difference.
- anon - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 2:50 pm:
“Out of touch” perhaps “voila” was the word you were trying to pull out of the hat.
- ChiTownSeven - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 2:51 pm:
Poor Lance. . . . Even in this he isn’t able to avoid worn-out cliches. It makes me wonder if he passed Composition 101 when he was in college. And his old tired rhetoric, to coin a phrase, is “unworkable” — much like his boss’s so-called “budget.” Take a look:
“It’s unclear” — Um, no. Not really.
“undermining a bipartisan agreement” — Um, no. There has been no agreement.
- Carhartt Representative - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 2:53 pm:
Oops, I think he misspelled buypartisan
- Just Me - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 2:53 pm:
No surprise here. Rayner is on the side of cuts, Cullerton is on the side of tax increases. Later on they’ll find a middle ground.
- Anon - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 2:56 pm:
I am beginning to think Rauner is correct about too many state employees. There are several on this site commenting that obviously can and should be eliminated thus saving the state money!!! FIRE one and all.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 2:58 pm:
- Anon -,
Who are the state employees, anyone not agreeing with Rauner?
You think on that.
- Skeptic - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 2:59 pm:
“What’s the over/under on how many days until this joker faces a recall?” I’ll take any bet and offer odds. Illinois has no recall. D’oh! I just blew it!
- anonymous - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 3:01 pm:
Rauner promised ponies and rainbows. Where r they?
- Average Guy - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 3:01 pm:
Just surprised it took Cullerton this long to respond after being badmouthed and being called corrupt by Rauner for more than a year.
- AC - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 3:04 pm:
If pointing out the obvious deficiencies in Rauner’s budget is equivalent to “undermining a bipartisan agreement” then referencing “fiscal mess that Senate Democrats created” must the path to cooperation. I’m not sure the Senate Democrats will rush to agreement once Lance Trover wisely pointed out the (apparently) single cause of the budget mess.
- illilnifan - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 3:05 pm:
Rauner is going to have to face his new reality. Like many heads of businesses in private industry they got used to speaking and everyone around them listened and did what they were told. Many believe this is leadership especially when they make a profit. This thinking contributes to Rauners delusion about himself and what he will get done.
I love Eisenhower who said “Leadership is the art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it.” Rauner needs to learn this important lesson.
- DuPage Bard - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 3:13 pm:
Rauner seems to like telling everyone he’s talked to the Senate President and Speaker. Wasn’t that what he said right after the election when he told everyone he talked with both men, then turned out he really didn’t.
You cry wolf eventually the villagers aren’t going to come out and help.
- Percival - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 3:15 pm:
The comments here strike me as over-reaction. Did anyone think Rauner will back down at the first public disagreement? Not likely. Did anyone think Cullerton would substantially change course just because of what Rauner wants? Not likely.
These are just the first tunes sung in a very discordant opera. We shall have see how this plays out over four years, not two months.
- Toure's Latte - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 3:16 pm:
== his (Rauner’s) caucus has been remarkably silent.==
Just waiting to find out if all their pointless posturing bills can make it to the floor so they have something to crow about before Madigan lowers the boom.
One can only wonder who who Who is caught between a rock and a hard place, ordered to work the floor for Rauner, yet beholden to Madigan for even being there in the first place. Who? Who? Who?
- Formerly Known As... - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 3:28 pm:
So what cuts does Cullerton suggest?
Or does he just want to ==hurt the middle class== by raising their taxes?
- Formerly Known As... - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 3:30 pm:
Nothing is ==as unworkable as it is unconscionable== more than the 2015 budget Cullerton helped give Illinois.
- Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 3:32 pm:
Kudos to Cullerton for calling b.s. on Rauner, whose budget address was a work of fantasy — cruel fantasy, at that.
- 1776 - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 3:34 pm:
John Cullerton helped drive the state into the horrible mess. His hands were on the wheel.
I think that corporations and individuals all contributed to the “shared sacrifice” over the past 4 years when they paid more than $20 billion in new taxes. For the most part (insert very broad generalization), the people who largely benefitted from state spending were those low-income individuals who do not pay taxes and rely on government services.
- Nick Naylor - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 3:39 pm:
Lest we forget, the House and Senate sends the Governor a budget bill, either based off the budget the Governor presented during the Budget Address or they toss that and send the Governor an entirely new budget. The Governor is free to accept the budget outright, veto it outright or use his pencil to line-item veto those appropriations in which he disagrees.
The General Assembly can either accept those line-item vetoes, or override the outright veto or the line-item vetoes. The ball is squarely in the Legislature’s court.
- Carl Nyberg - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 3:42 pm:
Why does Rauner feel his press statements are more legitimate than Cullerton’s?
- Formerly Known As... - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 3:42 pm:
==Rauner is not a Dem. They will leave him twisting until they don’t, getting the maximum pain they can give the ILGOP, while trying to make sure Rauner and the ILGOP wear the jacket.==
@Oswego Willy - would you suggest Rauner do the same in dealing with the Dems 2015 budget disaster?
- Precinct Captain - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 3:43 pm:
==- The Whole Truth - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 2:05 pm:==
Why won’t Rauner wear the Carhartt jacket for all of his cuts, like pulling the plug on kids with ventilators? Will we get a photo op of him pulling the plug? I won’t hold my breath for g-dropping con man to own his budget, so why should Cullerton have to offer anything?
- Keyser Soze - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 3:44 pm:
Will the GA still be in Springfield for the State Fair? Wait, scratch that. Will Illinois have enough revenue this year to hold a State Fair?
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 3:44 pm:
Have all those in the “Cullerton’s fault” camp forgot;
Rauner had RoboCalls going into Cullerton’s district wabtung the income tax to sunset.
Rauner doesn’t want “revenue”. Rauner should have used the “Thompson Pivot” to its max because of the FY2015 hole that immediately threatens the state’s fiscal house, and details FY2016 because of the hole, the domino that fell in the 2nd half of 2015.
Had Rauner not huffed and puffed and made the sunset ying of the income tax as it was, politically, on HIS side of the ledger, I would have far more sympathy.
Rauner actively engaged in allowing the income tax to sunset, so yeah, FY2015 has some Rauner “fingerprints” on it.
- Me - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 3:45 pm:
If Illinois needs revenue enhancements, why was the income tax increase passed with a sunset clause? Why didn’t Quinn, Madigan, and Cullerton over ride the sunset and make it permanent? Why did they pass the 2015 budget based on income tax staying in place, than do nothing? Blame the Republicans. Oh my.
- Wordslinger - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 3:50 pm:
Again, what negotiations are taking place when the governor is proposing an “all or nothing” plan?
It doesn’t make sense.
Guy, you’re just the deep thinker to square this, what with your amazing array of sources, who really exist. What’s happening?
- Politix - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 3:50 pm:
Someone let Lance know a gubernatorial tantrum tour on how you’re empowerin’ folks isn’t the same as negotiating, please.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 3:52 pm:
- Nick Naylor -,
You are not verse in how caucus politics and governing work when you have different parties in the Legislstive and the Executive. The ball is the governor’s. Why? It’s his budget. No way a veto-proof, opposition party GA is going to pass a budget for that opposition party governor to veto.
That’s why you have structured votes.
- FKA -,
It’s Rauner’s gamble, but families and protesters understand one person to blame. They are called “The Rauner Cuts” after all, not the Speaker’s or Cullerton’s
This blaming the GA won’t stick. Why? Rauner promised to Shake up, and Bring back…not be ineffective.
All parties for FY2015 would be best served to find common ground with victory for cooperation.
- Formerly Known As... - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 3:53 pm:
==Why did they pass the 2015 budget based on income tax staying in place, than do nothing? Blame the Republicans.==
Dems could have raised taxes. They could have made sufficient budget cuts. They could have borrowed money. They did none of those things but did pass the problem on and make it worse.
Now they need Rauner’s help to fix the problem they created, but also want to blame him for fixing it.
- Arsenal - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 3:55 pm:
“John Cullerton helped drive the state into the horrible mess. His hands were on the wheel.”
Are. ARE on the wheel.
Because regardless of Cullerton’s supposed culpability, the last two times the voters had a chance to take away his supermajority, they declined to do so. He’s not going away. His position has been affirmed by the only process that matters, and blaming him won’t change that. Rauner will have to deal with him.
- Sangamo Sam - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 3:55 pm:
Just a few days ago Governor Rauner told his cabinet and Agency heads that he was willing to “take the arrows.” From Trover’s statement it sounds like those arrows are landing…and they hurt.
- Arsenal - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 3:57 pm:
“Now they need Rauner’s help to fix the problem they created”
The Governor needs a workable budget far more than the legislature does. Look at who was sent home after the mess of the FY15 budget.
- Formerly Known As... - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 3:58 pm:
==All parties for FY2015 would be best served to find common ground with victory for cooperation.==
I see it that way for both 2015 and 2016. We need them all to act like adults or many people will be hurt.
My fear is that whatever the Dems try to label Rauner as for 2016, Rauner can label the Dems as for 2015. If negotiations break down, they will break down very quickly and painfully on both fronts.
- Demoralized - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 4:01 pm:
Would somebody please invite Senator Cullerton to the big kids table? He wants to talk but nobody has asked him yet.
We’ve got 3rd Graders trying to solve our problems. Grow up and call a freaking meeting if you want to talk. I’m sick of all of you whining.
- Wordslinger - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 4:02 pm:
Shared powers regarding legislation — two legislative houses and an executive coming to an agreement — have been the ball game since 1789 in this country.
- Precinct Captain - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 4:02 pm:
Once again, a Rauner lie. There haven’t been any actual negotiations between Cullerton and Rauner. Repeatedly Mr. Carhartt has lied and lied about talking to other officials and speaking to other officials. Why?
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 4:03 pm:
===“We’ve had our staff people do it. So maybe that’s what they do in Washington or the private sector, but … we haven’t had an actual negotiation.”===
The Rauner semantics will get him farther and farther away from being seen as an honest partner.
===The way Cullerton describes the situation, Democrats are just waiting for an invitation from Rauner.
“He hasn’t scheduled one, and he’s the governor,” Cullerton said.===
The Four Tops and the Governor.
When Rauner gets “there”, then they all have my attention.
That’s where the rubber hits the road.
- How Ironic - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 4:05 pm:
@1776
“For the most part (insert very broad generalization), the people who largely benefitted from state spending were those low-income individuals who do not pay taxes and rely on government services.”
Hey, 1776 why don’t you get off your high horse and take a deeper look at who exactly is on ‘Government Assistance’.
Working families. That’s who.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/clareoconnor/2014/04/15/report-walmart-workers-cost-taxpayers-6-2-billion-in-public-assistance/
How is it that the nations largest employer (Wal-Mart) manages to cost the country $6.2 BILLION in public assistance?
“Walmart’s low-wage workers cost U.S. taxpayers an estimated $6.2 billion in public assistance including food stamps, Medicaid and subsidized housing, according to a report published to coincide with Tax Day, April 15.”
In Illinois ALONE Walmart has 50,000 employees and receives $287 MILLION in tax breaks (just in Illinois).
And yet….those same 50,000 employees cost Illinois taxpayers $227 MILLION in public assistance (food stamps, housing assistance, LIHEAP and on).
So tell me exactly how you cheer corporate tax breaks, but deride public assistance? We are PAYING Wal-Mart for the privilege of subsidizing their workforce.
Maybe we wouldn’t need such a large safety net if we didn’t provide corporations incentives to pay their workers so low, that they need it?
And unions are the problem?
- Emily Booth - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 4:05 pm:
It’s deja vu all over again.
- duh - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 4:06 pm:
==- Skeptic - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 2:59 pm:
“What’s the over/under on how many days until this joker faces a recall?” I’ll take any bet and offer odds. Illinois has no recall. D’oh! I just blew it! ==
Uh, yeah we do. The voters approved a change to the Constitution in 2010 and added a Section on recalling the Governor (Article 3, Section 7).
But come on! That’s ridiculous.
- Phenomynous - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 4:36 pm:
Staffs meet to clear big hurdles. If anyone thinks that the four tops and the Governor get together for early negotiations on anything then they are kidding themselves. Staff handles it until it’s time for last minute tweaks and the handshake. That’s the way it is.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 4:38 pm:
===Staffs meet to clear big hurdles===
Um, no.
The big hurdles are handled by the big boys. Budgeteers along with staff handle all the stuff that they can, and then pass the big stuff up the ladder.
Always been thus.
- The Whole Truth - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 4:56 pm:
Precienct Capt…
My premise is a solution will require meeting in the middle. Rauner has outlined painful cuts, just as he said he would, and noted possibilities for increased revenues, taxing services for instance. So far, Cullerton has only whined about cuts, without really offering any counter proposals or solutions. It’s hard to meet in the middle when one side either won’t move or heads the other way.
- Michelle Flaherty - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 5:08 pm:
Whole truth,
There’s a shell bill sitting in the house to serve as a vehicle for fast passage of a compromise because the senate sent it there two or three weeks ago.
theres a senate bill out of committee last week that gives Rauner 1/3 of what he wants right now.
Someone’s got to learn how to win and advance.
If you try to solve all the problems at once you never get anything done.
- Wordslinger - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 5:34 pm:
The Whole Truth, your handle is quite ironic. I know you wish it were so, but what’s the point?
- Arsenal - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 5:39 pm:
“and noted possibilities for increased revenues, taxing services for instance”
Besides his vague campaign talking point- and he’s already gone back on all the rest of those- he really hasn’t.
“It’s hard to meet in the middle when one side either won’t move or heads the other way.”
Indeed it is.
- The Whole Truth - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 5:41 pm:
WS…
Sorry…I’m missing your point. What have I said that is inaccurate?
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 5:46 pm:
===Rauner has outlined painful cuts, just as he said he would, and noted possibilities for increased revenues, taxing services for instance.===
Nope. Rauner, so far, has made it clear; no need for new “revenue”, it was those like MJM talking two prong. So there’s that…
===So far, Cullerton has only whined about cuts, without really offering any counter proposals or solutions.===
The governor does the preposing, Cullerton doesn’t. So there’s that too…
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 5:58 pm:
OW is spot on, as usual.
Rauner has repeatedly insisted that no new revenues are necessary.
From closing corporate tax loopholes, for example.
Instead, the state must tighten its belt. Or turn off the kids’ ventilators, whichever analogy you prefer.
BTW, kudos to Phelon and Cullerton for the Obamacare shout-out. That was a nice volley back.
- anonlurker - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 6:00 pm:
@The Whole Truth 4:56 & 5:41. Rauner “There is no Plan B.”
- Wordslinger - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 6:28 pm:
–what Have I said that is inaccurate?–
Read your post. That would be it.
Again, wishing doesn’t make it so.
Furthermore, you’re confusing the immediate problem of the FY15 deficit with the governor’s proposed FY16 budget.
Seriously, do you guys want to take part in governing within the framework of a Costitutional representative democracy, or do you want to spin?
- The Whole Truth - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 6:36 pm:
WS-
I’m aware of the difference between the remainder of the FY15 budget and the proposed FY16 budget. My comments, and the same issues, apply to both. I’m still unsure as to what you think I’m wishing for. Meeting in the middle, or compromise, is more than a wish….it’s what used to be considered reality, and in some quarters, mine included, still is. But again, there has to be some discussion between the two sides to get there. If one side refuses to budge, then I agree, compromise becomes a wish, and the State goes downhill at an increasing rate. Is that the “wish” you refer to?
- Wordslinger - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 7:07 pm:
TWT, tell you what; let’s negotiate.
Here’s my position:
My way, all or nothing.
Cool?
- Outside the bubble - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 7:34 pm:
How Ironic….That was AWESOME… and Wal-Mart is just one of the super corporations at the trough! 70% of Illinois corporations pay no state taxes… Yet enjoy the benefits…Corporate welfare queens are killing our state and stifling job growth…. Job growth created by a strong middle class that has the income to drive a consumer based economy.
- Percival - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 8:04 pm:
===The governor does the preposing, Cullerton doesn’t. So there’s that too…===
It seems to me that leaders holding veto-proof majorities cannot get off that easily.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 8:23 pm:
===It seems to me that leaders holding veto-proof majorities cannot get off that easily.===
Nope. That’s why the governor owns this, and why when you have bipartisan government, the Executive proposes, then works to get that proposal passed.
- up2now - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 8:29 pm:
And so, it became necessary to destroy the village, er, the state, in order to save it. Going to be an interesting year.
- Percival - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 10:08 pm:
===Nope===
Only technically. This is politics, not constitutional law.
- Percival - Tuesday, Mar 10, 15 @ 1:05 am:
I am puzzled: how can this Governor “own this” when he has been in office two months, and the Democrats created this mess over the last ten years?
- Searchingfortruth - Tuesday, Mar 10, 15 @ 2:48 am:
The public will give the Governor great latitude here. The Speaker and the Sen. President do own this and this Governor is a different animal than the last two. The discussion is already much different than the past. Quinn would have already borrowed the $$$$ by now or simply extended the fax increase. Good on the Governor for changing the tone. Running up huge deficits is rather easy. Fiscal discipline and saying “no” is much more difficult as it is unpopular. Cullerton is more of the same.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Mar 10, 15 @ 4:24 am:
===I am puzzled: how can this Governor “own this” when he has been in office two months, and the Democrats created this mess over the last ten years?===
Rauner’s governor now. That’s the gig.
===Only technically. This is politics, not constitutional law.===
If you are confused how government and lolitcs work together in the governing process, that’s on you.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Mar 10, 15 @ 4:33 am:
===The public will give the Governor great latitude here.===
Polling says otherwise.
===The Speaker and the Sen. President do own this and this Governor is a different animal than the last two.===
The governor owns this because, as governor, he’s now responsible too. Comes with the gig.
===The discussion is already much different than the past.===
Threats. The $20 million. “My way or the highway.” Yep way different.
===Quinn would have already borrowed the $$$$ by now or simply extended the fax increase.===
Extending the income tax was sound advice, even touted in the short term by Comptroller Topinka.
===Good on the Governor for changing the tone.===
Bullying and uncompromising in divided government? Yeah ok, good luck getting 30 or 60 votes to pass things if this continues.
===Running up huge deficits is rather easy. Fiscal discipline and saying “no” is much more difficult as it is unpopular.===
So is a budget with Billions in a shortfall of needed revebue.
===Cullerton is more of the same.===
Cullerton is also pointing out Rauner’s obvious budget shortcomings, but you might be missing that praising blindly Rauner for not understanding government as you don’t.
- Iron Duke - Tuesday, Mar 10, 15 @ 6:11 am:
Can you cite the source that says 70 percent of Illinois businesses pay no taxes? That is a whopper. Illinois is not a low tax state. Who to blame for tax loopholes these past 12 years?
- PublicServant - Tuesday, Mar 10, 15 @ 7:04 am:
Why stop at 12 years, Iron Duke? Kind of like a partisan drive-by, if you stop there, don’t ya think?
- The Whole Truth - Tuesday, Mar 10, 15 @ 7:20 am:
Raising taxes on businesses, small or otherwise, generally has the same effect….the increased cost of doing business is passed on to the consumer. In the end, it is the taxpayer who ends up being the source of any additional revenue. If the business re-locates, or in the case of a small business, simply disappears, then jobs and tax base disappear as well. There is a concept taught in Econ 101 called the “Law of Diminishing Returns”. Some might want to review it.
- anon - Tuesday, Mar 10, 15 @ 7:31 am:
PS, 12 years is a good, solid number to use. And, very appropriate!
- Wordslinger - Tuesday, Mar 10, 15 @ 9:10 am:
Iron Duke, let the google set you free.
Two thirds of Illinois corporations pay no state income tax. It’s hardly a mystery and can be confirmed from multiple sources by an intense and exhaustive 15 seconds of research on the google. Give it a shot.
It might not conform to the canon of various right-wing public policy cults out there, but their beliefs are based on faith, not facts or experience.
- Illinoisvoter - Tuesday, Mar 10, 15 @ 9:48 am:
That 70 percent figure is a canard. Most sub-
chapter s and limited liability corporations
are pass through with the tax being paid on
the personal level. With a couple of professional
practices a rental property or a store a very
middle class family can have three or four
corporations operating that don’t appear
to pay taxes.
- Iron Duke - Tuesday, Mar 10, 15 @ 9:53 am:
Wordslinger the Tribune has an article from 2011 that says in 2008 (deep recession) 2/3 of Illinois Corporations paid no state income tax
Profits flow to partners and shareholders and are taxed at individual rates
Any data that you know of that is more recent than 2008?
Your post is highly misleading. Any survey will tell you Illinois is not a low tax state no matter how you want to spin it
- Shoedoctor - Tuesday, Mar 10, 15 @ 9:56 am:
Way to slam Christians Wordslinger they are only 73% of the population
- Wordslinger - Tuesday, Mar 10, 15 @ 10:36 am:
Shoedoctor, what in the world are you accusing me of? Did you hit your head on something?
Iron Duke, you asked and you received. There are plenty of sources in any google search from 2014. Sorry you didn’t like the results.
- Shoedoctor - Tuesday, Mar 10, 15 @ 11:22 am:
Two thirds of Illinois corporations pay no state income tax. It’s hardly a mystery and can be confirmed from multiple sources by an intense and exhaustive 15 seconds of research on the google. Give it a shot.
Wordslinger
It might not conform to the canon of various right-wing public policy cults out there, but their beliefs are based on faith, not facts or experience.
there you go bashing Christians keep it up dude I am sure you can get 5 percent of the people to agree with you
- Wordslinger - Tuesday, Mar 10, 15 @ 11:35 am:
Shoe Doctor, you’re out of your mind. Only a loony tune would interpret that statement as “bashing Christians.”
- Iron Duke - Tuesday, Mar 10, 15 @ 11:50 am:
So 2/3 of Illinois corporations pay no tax but the partners and shareholder do.
If the owners of the company are taxed how is it that they pay no tax? Could it be a liberal talking point that is not true?
- Lynn S. - Wednesday, Mar 11, 15 @ 12:50 am:
With a couple of professional
practices a rental property or a store a very
middle class family can have three or four
corporations operating that don’t appear
to pay taxes.
Don’t know what neighborhood you’re living in, but in my very middle-class neighborhood there aren’t too many families with 2 professional practices (I’m assuming you mean spouse and spouse, not one person holding down two jobs), a rental property, and a store. The professionals might have shares in a rental that is managed by a professional property management firm, or the store owner and spouse might work 80+ hours in their store to make a go of it, but if I want to see the kind of family you’re describing in my town, I have to drive over to the country club. And in my town, the country club denizens may discuss their poor or middle class roots, but they definitely do not consider themselves to be “middle class”. They’re upper class, by golly, and they pulled themselves there by their own hard work and weight. They didn’t take no stinkin’ government handouts (or engage in any rent-seeking behaviors that the schmucky taxpayers are forced to subsidize) /s