*** UPDATED x1 *** All eyes turn to the Senate
Thursday, Mar 26, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* The House passed the Fiscal Year 2015 budget patch on Tuesday. Today, it’s the Senate’s turn…
[Senate President John Cullerton says] they’re still working to get the votes.
“Well, these are cuts to state government. There’s no revenue here … so that’s a cause of concern for some Democrats,” he said.
Still, Cullerton says it’s compromise. One which he says gives Gov. Bruce Rauner less of the flexibility than he’d wanted, but which still lets the Republican finesse planned spending.
Cullerton says he should be able to guarantee the support of ten of the Senate’s 39 members; enough, he says, as long as all 20 Senate Republicans vote “yes,” as did every Republican member of the House (House Democrats were more divided; many suburbanites, particularly those in swing districts, opposed the measures).
* 20 might be tough…
“We’re trying to look to see if most, if not all, Republicans support their governor as they did in the House,” Cullerton said. “Since all of their state reps voted for the bill, I would assume that all of the (Senate) Republicans could do the same or close to unanimous.” […]
“These are cuts to state government. There’s no revenue here,” Cullerton said. “That causes concern for some Democrats. I believe it will certainly have at least 10 (Democratic) votes and that will be sufficient if all Republicans vote for it.”
Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno, R-Lemont, has spoken to all of her members about the need for the bill, spokeswoman Patty Schuh said.
“Sen. Radogno is working to get as many votes as possible,” she said. “We have to clean up the fiscal mess we are in right now.”
* And…
Senate Republicans, meanwhile, acknowledged they’d also have to step up to help the measure pass.
“It’s not a pain-free solution,” said Matt Murphy, a Palatine Republican. “But there’s a general support for our governor and our leaders.”
Watch our live updates post for how this turns out.
*** UPDATE *** Both HB 318 and HB 317 have passed with 32 votes - two extra.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 10:56 am:
After the HGOP goes 46 for 46…
If you want to be the Senate GOP member that decides…
“Nah, I don’t need to be ‘green’…”
Good luck. Good luck with that…
- walker - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 10:56 am:
This might be the day for Cullerton to keep his mouth shut until after the vote, and help Radogno however he can.
- Team Sleep - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 11:03 am:
I bet that Senator McCann votes against the proposals.
- Soccermom - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 11:05 am:
With the coming of the first Rauner Administration, many eyes in imprisoned Illinois turned hopefully, or desperately,
toward the freedom of the Illinois State Senate.
President Cullerton’s office became the great embarkation point. But not everybody could get to President Cullerton’s office directly, and so, a tortuous, roundabout refugee trail sprang up. Paris to Marseilles, across the Peoria Lakes to Spoon River, then by
train, or auto, or foot, across the rim of Bloomington-Normal to Springfield in GOP Sangamon.
Here, the fortunate ones, through money, or influence, or luck, might obtain exit visas and scurry to President Cullerton’s office, and from President Cullerton’s office to the Illinois State Senate. But the others wait in Springfield — and wait — and wait — and wait.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 11:06 am:
Vultures, vultures everywhere…
- 47th Ward - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 11:06 am:
Maybe Radogno can get the Governor to twist some arms in her caucus. It’d be nice to see Rauner work the Senate floor like Jim Thompson used to. Let’s see how close to 20 SGOP they can find.
It’s almost like an easter egg hunt!
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 11:12 am:
It looks like the “line” is 19 1/2.
Pretty good line, the only making with that are the guys making book on this.
- Team Sleep - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 11:16 am:
Willy - as Colin Cowherd, Scott Van Pelt and Ryen Russillo always remind us, Vegas guys didn’t get to build their palaces because they’re idiots.
- tobor - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 11:20 am:
Insist on twenty.
- 47th Ward - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 11:24 am:
===Insist on twenty===
Agreed, if only to be sure all of the SGOP green buttons still work. Some of them haven’t been used in a long time.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 11:25 am:
I can’t imagine the heat…on the dissenter that isn’t “green” on the SGOP side.
White. Hot. Heat.
- A guy - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 11:25 am:
===walker - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 10:56 am:
This might be the day for Cullerton to keep his mouth shut until after the vote, and help Radogno however he can.===
Bingo. He blows this…It’s all on him. He clearly thinks he has the latitude to be cute. He doesn’t. His biggest problem is not now and never has been the Governor. There’s an outfit to catch up with.
- A guy - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 11:28 am:
Donnie, Get warm.
- A guy - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 11:44 am:
=== tobor - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 11:20 am:
Insist on twenty.====
Insist on more aptitude.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 11:46 am:
===Insist on twenty===
“Signed,
46 HGOP Member”
“Who” gets a pass? “Who”
Even Ron Sandack knows “no one” shoukd get a pass here, given 46 House members backed the Governor…
- A guy - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 11:54 am:
There’s one (very new) guy who should get a pass, and I”ll bet he doesn’t ask for one. McCann goes rogue (he might, cause he’s a goof) and he’s Dead Man Walking on any side of any aisle anywhere. In fact, voting for this might be his Road away from Perdition.
- Precinct Captain - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 12:11 pm:
==- A guy - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 11:25 am:==
Tell the GOP to get behind their governor.
- Wensicia - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 12:26 pm:
If the Republicans want to show they can lead, then they all need to come out in favor of this bill.
- Formerly Known As... - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 12:33 pm:
Cullerton’s statement today seems tone deaf.
- Formerly Known As... - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 12:38 pm:
Rep governor, Dem controlled chambers, negotiated legislation.
A more proportional approach would be each caucus bringing half their members or even the same number of members. But who said politics in Illinois was proportional or ==fair==?
- walker - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 12:39 pm:
Soccermom: Sacagawea of the Sangamon.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 12:39 pm:
“We must, indeed, all hang together or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately.” - Ben Franklin
I thought the $20 million was going to help with tough votes.
Or is that $20 million really about those who don’t make the total 20 in the Senate today?
- A guy - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 1:24 pm:
OW, or are those bills US Treasury, non partisan tender notes that can be used against guys on the other side too?
- Rapscallion - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 1:35 pm:
It seems that if electing Rauner had one benefit, it’s that at least some of the leaders in the GA are starting to act like responsible adults and are willing to sacrifice politically for the good of saving the state from further disaster. Seems like Cullerton’s the last one to get on Board, but I can’t see him wanting to be the one responsible for blowing this deal. There are some stretches in this budget, of course, but if this is just a one time sweep for Rauner and the GA gets serious about planning for the 2016 revenues and spending, Rauner will have accomplished more in his first six months than Quinn and Blago did if 12 years. He’s taking the hard shots and paying the polling price. I guess that’s what Illinois needs in a leader.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 1:43 pm:
===OW, or are those bills US Treasury, non partisan tender notes that can be used against guys on the other side too?===
Not out of that $20 million, Rauner created a sham group with another $20 million. That’s a whole other ball game there, lol
They both past with 32 votes, HB318 with a Present, and HB317 with a NV.
- Team Sleep - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 1:45 pm:
This is why I don’t gamble.
- Wordslinger - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 1:51 pm:
Spring training’s over. The games count after this.
- A guy - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 1:57 pm:
===They both past with 32 votes, HB318 with a Present, and HB317 with a NV.===
Including the Senate President. Good result
===- Wordslinger - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 1:51 pm:
Spring training’s over. The games count after this.===
Understand the sentiment, but I’d say this one counted. It’s the first template for achieving progress. It may change, but let’s hope it continues.
- Federalist - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 2:30 pm:
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) _ The Illinois Legislature has approved a plan ending weeks of negotiations over plugging a $1.6 billion hole in this year’s state budget.
The legislation passed the Democratic-led Senate Thursday afternoon by a 32-26 vote with all 20 Republicans voting for it. It authorizes Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner to transfer $1.3 billion from other purposes, including parks and conservation. The rest comes from a 2.25 percent across-the-board budget cut. It also gives Rauner authority over $97 million to distribute to needy schools.
Reported by AP just a few minutes ago.
Interesting that it only 12 Democrats supported it but it was pushed though anyway.
- Norseman - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 2:37 pm:
The GOP caucus better get used to this. I expect the Sen. Dems will make them put 20 on all cut votes.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 2:37 pm:
===The legislation passed the Democratic-led Senate Thursday afternoon by a 32-26 vote with all 20 Republicans voting for it.===
Perfectly structured roll call;
All 20 GOP votes are “green” (Well done Leader Radogno, kudos)
Cullerton could have put 10, Cullerton could have put 15 on it and make it even. The SDems split the difference, maximizing the GOP, and protecting the Tier 1 targets.
Cullerton got most of his wants, Rauner got most of his wants (as was the case for the Governor yesterday) and the politics played out as I thought.
Wow. 66 for 66. Both chambers. Today is Leader Radogno’s day, heavy lift, with the most questions.
The politics and fallout are for another time, but this was good. Government working.
- Soccermom - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 2:50 pm:
Walker — Soccermom is in something of a fugue state today. For some reason, I went down a Casablanca rabbit hole…
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 2:51 pm:
- Soccermom - it was a sweet Easter Egg. Even heard the narrator in your words.
- East Central IL - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 3:00 pm:
Does anyone know which school districts are in the “dire needs” group that is supposedly going to get part of the $97 million in relation to the fy 15 budget that was just passed?
- walker - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 3:16 pm:
Soccermom: OMG, favorite movie and I missed it.
Always think of the latter scenes, but the first parts are some of the best.
(I was cleverly trying to figure out which Senators represented those locations, and your secret message.)
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 3:42 pm:
- Team Sleep -,
Those lines are their to make the money, not give it away.
It was tough to go “20″, but “18″, would ya bet 2 woukd be “no”, and “19″ seemed natural…
Yep, those Vegas palaces are built on “guys like me” and my Dopey betting too, lol
- steve schnorf - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 3:58 pm:
Mom, which one is Peter Lorre? He was such an intriguing character, though we saw little of him.
- Wordslinger - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 4:25 pm:
Steve, Ugarte, the one who asks Rick to hide the letters of transit then is shot.
- steve schnorf - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 6:07 pm:
Thanks, word, but I meant to ask whose role is the Lorre character in our little drama mom is describing?
- A guy - Friday, Mar 27, 15 @ 9:17 am:
=== Precinct Captain - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 12:11 pm:
==- A guy - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 11:25 am:==
Tell the GOP to get behind their governor.===
Do any of your predictions ever come to pass? The difference between you and OW and WS, is that they’re capable of smart and funny. You can’t accomplish either. Just whiny. Ew.