* The Senate Democrats plan to start sending the governor their appropriations bills next week, and they’re getting in some advance spin..
“The budget has been a public document since we passed it, so the administration has had time to review and analyze it,” said Rikeesha Phelon, spokeswoman to Illinois Senate President John Cullerton, D-Chicago. “It’s our intention to start sending him the actual bills for action next week….He has options. If he doesn’t want to sign it, if he would rather force a shutdown, then that is a problem that he would own.” […]
“He has options that include reducing spending lines to a level he feels appropriate and manageable for the administration,” Phelon said. “The other options include having conversations with the legislative leaders about how to generate income to bridge the gap by the revenue hole…We hope he will consider taking a balanced approach to budgeting just like a family would do … look at both sides of the ledger.”
Phelon said if Rauner outright vetoes the bills then a shutdown is “all but a certainty.”
“There are options, leaders like Cullerton are willing to find a way to work it out,” she said. “And there’s still time to do that.”
No comment yet from the Rauner administration. I’ll let you know.
*** UPDATE *** From the governor’s office…
Hi, Rich –
The governor has made clear for weeks that the budget passed by Speaker Madigan and the legislators he controls is unbalanced and unacceptable. The governor remains committed to working with legislators to enact reforms that protect the middle class, free up resources for the most vulnerable, grow jobs throughout the state and help produce a responsible, balanced budget. While the governor has compromised repeatedly, it’s disturbing that majority party legislators continue to reject reasonable reforms and a balanced budget. If they have any interest in real reform and a responsible budget, there is no reason a deal can’t be reached before July 1.
Thanks,
ck
- RunBikeSwim - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 11:25 am:
Willy - Sounds like people are paying attention to you!!! Maybe you are a “superstar” that deserves a 30% raise!!
- This, and this also too - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 11:29 am:
“He has options that include reducing spending lines to a level he feels appropriate and manageable for the administration,”
- The Captain - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 11:29 am:
A while back when it was first reported that the Democrats were going to pass a budget with some cuts and an unresolved revenue hole I thought it seemed like a poor strategy, or at least I wasn’t seeing the wisdom in it. That thought hasn’t really changed and if anything has grown stronger. Maybe I’m wrong but this just seems like they’re teeing up Rauner’s message team to have batting practice.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 11:30 am:
No one reads what I say. What I’m saying is already known, or has been done in the past. The institutional knowledge of those commenting are using their own gaming out the options.
No one is seeking my thoughts. Thank goodness for Illinois.
To the Post,
There it is;
The idea of governing, laid out, systematically, and perfectly framed as to the options of the governor.
It’s Rauner’s out; shared sacrifice, saving the GOP GA, a budget, revenues, and a victory to build.
Heed this statement. It’s not an ending, a beginning. Please begin.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 11:32 am:
- RunBikeSwim -,
If you can negotiate, I’ll give you 10%… I wouldn’t hold your breath.
Much respect, thank you for your kind acknowledgement.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 11:33 am:
===No one reads what I say. ===
Since you’re not down here, OW, you probably don’t realize how many folks read these comments, particularly yours.
I’d bet a dollar you had some influence on this spin.
I’d also bet ten dollars that I’m gonna get a call about this comment of mine.
lol
- Nick Name - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 11:36 am:
Well. The ball is certainly in the governor’s court. Will he return volley or will he storm off the court and into a TV studio?
- RNUG - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 11:39 am:
== A while back when it was first reported that the Democrats were going to pass a budget with some cuts and an unresolved revenue hole I thought it seemed like a poor strategy, or at least I wasn’t seeing the wisdom in it. ==
The strategy is obvious. Here’s a budget. Veto it, amend it, or sign it.
If you veto it, not having a budget is your fault.
If you amend / cut it further, the cuts are your fault.
If you sign it, you know there is not enough revenue and you have to ask for a tax increase; it’s still your fault.
The way it’s being played, politically, whatever happens is Rauner’s fault.
- Joe M - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 11:42 am:
Maybe the Governor will actually learn that the budget is a process that involves legislative bills, and support or lack of support of those bills.
- Jacob - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 11:44 am:
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 11:33 am:
Rich,
Do they ever listen to RNUG?
If they did, this State would be in much better shape. His comments should be posted in the Capitol for all to read, at least anyone who wants real answers to serious problems.
- Tequila Mockingbird - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 11:44 am:
RNUG has it.
That “unresolved revenue hole” is actually a Rauner trap with sharpened stakes in the bottom and no way around it.
- Anon221 - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 11:45 am:
Question-
Have any bills been on his desk for more than 60 days that he hasn’t taken any action on? If so, don’t those automatically become law unless overridden?
Just asking… Probably a moot point.
- x ace - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 11:45 am:
RNUG = Bingo
- Jacob - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 11:45 am:
I appreciate Willy, too.
- Liberty - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 11:46 am:
Dems are calling his bluff. He submitted an out of balance budget with phony pension savings, tried swap a tax increase for his non-budget agenda which failed, now he is trying to blame Dems for the cuts when his own party wants cuts. Now he has to own the cuts or raise taxes and his agenda has evaporated.
- Wordslinger - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 11:49 am:
Based on his previous actions, I think we might be giving the governor too much credit here for having an actual endgame plan.
And I’m afraid he might have surrounded himself with superstar sycophants who are just cashing powerful checks rather than giving him sober advice.
Consider the turnaround agenda statewide dog-and-pony show. The great majority of local governments simply ignored it or rejected it, while the tiny victories became a running joke.
That was a “plan?” The superstars thought that one through before moving forward?
Or how about the governor’s fair share fees grab, and silly initial lawsuit?
How’d that “plan” turn out? Did his Bigfoot lawyers really believe the governor had standing to file that initial lawsuit? That seems impossible. But I’m sure they cashed their checks.
And I see no “plan” or purpose at all to the governor’s recent TV spot.
If there is a “plan” to shut down state government, then it is one of historic recklessness and failure — one that will get Rauner in the history books.
Kurtz: “Do you think my methods unsound?”
Willard: “I don’t see any method at all, sir.”
- Empty Suit - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 11:51 am:
Ok we heard this a dozen times that the submitted budget is $36 billion but there is only $32 billion in revenue. So who in their right mind would sign that?
- the Patriot - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 11:54 am:
The problem is the OW, Rich, and others look at this on a resolution basis. For what they believe, they want short term, or they want long term.
Madigan believes long term deficit spending to prop up the democrat establishment is sustainable, or he is betting he is gone before it crashes and doesn’t care.
The x factor is I don’t think anyone really knows A. Rauner’s plan, B. Rauner’’s-purpose, C. Rauner’s motives.
This, like the last several budgets is a big ole sinkin turd. I would not touch it, try to cut it, or to add to it. The more you handle it, the more that you will get on you, and the more it stinks. Bag it up and send it back to the Legislature.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 11:54 am:
My terribly made point should have been;
Rich’s unparalleled Blog is a must-read. I’ve learned so much fro the posts and commenters here. The cavalcade of the many commenters add to Rich’s impact. This place is the influencer, with a great ensemble cast of characters adding to that. I’m lucky I get to hang here.
Better.
- SouthernILGirl - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 11:54 am:
Rich, I think commenters need a like button. I appreciate Willy — hey, is that a tee shirt?
- Mama - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 11:55 am:
++The governor’s office did not have an immediate comment on Wednesday. But Rauner has launched a new TV ad telling Illinois residents he is trying to follow through on a campaign promise to “shake up Springfield.”++ They should call it ‘Shake up Chicago!’ Madigan is the one he wants to fire up, and the Speaker does not live in Springfield so… the phrase “Shake up Springfield” makes no sense to me.
- Phenomynous - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 11:56 am:
Veto the entire thing.
Veto Message: I refuse to sign any budget bills where overall state spending exceeds overall state revenue.
- This, and this also too - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 11:57 am:
=== Ok we heard this a dozen times that the submitted budget is $36 billion but there is only $32 billion in revenue. So who in their right mind would sign that? ===
The IL Constitution gives the Governor a 3rd option other than [SIGN] or [VETO]:
“(d) The Governor may reduce or veto any item of appropriations in a bill presented to him. Portions of a bill not reduced or vetoed shall become law.”
The Governor can choose which $32 billion in appropriations he most prefers and we’re done.
- out of touch - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 11:57 am:
Waiting for the “phony baloney budget that politicians under Madigan’s control passed so that they could protect the political class at the expense of the middle class because all they wanna do is raise your taxes” statement. 3…2..1..
- Cassandra - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 11:58 am:
Mr. Cullerton was on Chicago Tonight earlier this week. He was very nice, not mean to the guv, mild criticism only, but to my middle class ears it was all about revenue, revenue, revenue including that Rauner wants it too (Cullerton said that more than once). To my middle class ears, this means token, if any, cuts and a hefty tax increase (income? sales? casino? who knows?) all that’s left is, who is going to take the biggest pr hit-Repubs or Dems. This is a stalemate about that.
This is so not about relieving the economic struggles of regular Illinoisians. As usual in Illinois, harking back to Mike Royko and beyond,
it’s about where’s mine.
- real one - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 11:59 am:
Is it possible to remove the Governor in Illinois?
- Dudeman - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 12:00 pm:
Veto it.
As RNUG stated, Rauner will get blamed no matter what he does?
Making cuts makes him look like the rich Grinch and passing these appropriations makes him look like a hypocrite.
- The Captain - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 12:01 pm:
Yes, I get this, it is quite obvious. However the likely Rauner counterpunch, the one where they veto an unbalanced budget, slam the process that leads to unbalanced budgets, hold the Democrats responsible for these votes and hold themselves up as the only hope to end this practice and the only hope to fix this process is just as obvious. And it’s an easy message win, it is literally the message they want to push on the budget.
Rauner’s team has been politically aggressive at every turn, even in some previously unseen venues such as historically benign committee hearings, I find it highly unlikely that they’re going to pass up this free opportunity to own the news cycle and lay the blame at the feet of their Democratic adversaries in the GA.
- A guy - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 12:03 pm:
===Since you’re not down here, OW, you probably don’t realize how many folks read these comments, particularly yours.
I’d bet a dollar you had some influence on this spin.
I’d also bet ten dollars that I’m gonna get a call about this comment of mine.===
Yikes any wonder the world spins the opposite way down there! Teasing-lol.
- Norseman - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 12:06 pm:
And now others can understand why I voted for Willy to be Gov.
- Conn Smythe - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 12:13 pm:
@Dudeman - using his gubernatorial authority might also make him look like he’s actually interested in governin’ and not politickin’ all the time. Just saying.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 12:14 pm:
Any action taken by the Exevutive;
Veto, AV, sign, no signature…
Those are literal actions of the Exevutive, and the Exevutive only.
Root for a total veto, cheer for the AV, but both are decisions owned.
Rauner is going to own all of it in the end. It’s not personal, it’s just the job.
The things we could’ve done - Norseman -… I’m sure - A Guy - would keep me honest.
- Just askin' - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 12:17 pm:
##The Governor can choose which $32 billion in appropriations he most prefers and we’re done.##
Let’s say the Governor takes out his ‘Line-Item-Veto’ pen. He can strike things (I don’t want to expend funds paying for X), but he can’t say move around money the GA assigns to line X, and move it over to another preferred line? He’s stuck with either accepting or vetoing where the money was originally assigned…right? In other words, he can veto portions, but he can’t re-write portions of a budget bill.
- Southwest - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 12:19 pm:
I hope he vetoes and makes another commercial about the Democrats trying to force a tax increase without meaningful cuts and reform.
- chiagr - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 12:24 pm:
Finally-It will be time for Gov. Rauner to govern and quit campaigning. Time for him to actually work on the budget and put his other projects to the side for now!!!! If he wants to make more cuts or raise taxes to balance the budget -it is on him! Time to put the “big boy” pants on and quit the soundbite tour.
- Anon - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 12:27 pm:
Whatever Gov Rauner does (if anything) with the budget bills, it will be without a single republican vote….yea or nea. Wow!
- a drop in - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 12:28 pm:
“The x factor is I don’t think anyone really knows A. Rauner’s plan, B. Rauner’’s-purpose, C. Rauner’s motives.”
Answer to all 3 is to achieve a Republican majority in House/Senate.
- A Jack - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 12:29 pm:
I thought this was the plan for weeks. The Governor has been spouting off for months that there is waste in state government. So if there is waste, let him point it out and veto it. If he vetoes the entire budget, it can be read that either he is too inept to find the waste, or he thinks the entire state government is a waste, or that he is just stonewalling because of his turn around agenda.
I would hazard a guess that it’s his turn around agenda he is after and that even if the GA had sent him a budget with a surplus, he would have figured out a reason to still raise a fuss about it.
- chiagr - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 12:29 pm:
Someone above mentioned Gov. Rauner might actually have a plan??? You would think at this point in his administration he might actually let us in on this plan. So far he has gone after term limits,workman’s comp,and Unions. How about an actual legal plan to fund the pensions in Illinois that the politicians (on both sides) Have been raiding since 1990’s.
- Arizona Bob - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 12:30 pm:
I’d like to amend OWs statement to who will “OWN” this budget; If Rauner does line item vetoes, particularly of that spending that goes to Madigan’s patronage base, and then his veto is overridden, then MADIGAN AND CULLERTON own this deficit budget.
I’m a bit surprised that Rauner hasn’t gone after earmarks to Dem and Dem sympathizers more than he has, as well as state funding for public education.
The IEA, IFT and CTU are the primary beneficiaries for state education spending, not the kids, so nicking those political opponents would seem to make sense.
The suburban GOP base gets very little from the state in education aid, while Chicago and Dem bastions downstate get the lion’s share and unfairly disproportional school funding, so cut away!
Higher Ed NEEDS to be cut, but Rauner needs to make the case for universities to cut overhead, unnecessary construction and non-instructional bloat rather than increasing undergrad tuition. He’s got to challenge the big U’s to cut from their 60% non-instructional spending rather than the 30-40% spent on undergrad instruction.
JCs? COD showed us the nonsense going on there from overfunding, and it’s time to lead reform in where and how money is spent in these political patronage havens.
Revenue sharing? Eventually he needs to reform grants to those communities that squander the resources given to them like paying village managers over $250K. He can’t do that with a veto pen, though, so cutting can only be modest this year. He can only reduce it incrementally to show the muni’s that there will be decreasing state revenues to them so they better plan for it.
He needs to defer all non-safety related capital work this year. He has no other choice.
I’m afraid he’s going to have to agree to some “transitional” revenue increases, but they should be temporary in nature with reductions every year, not just a big drop four years from now.
It’s a tough job. I just hope he doesn’t go cutting a few million to folks with illness and disability without explaining what reforms they can make to manage to provide care with less money from the state. Bad optics cutting funding for the most vulnerable who can’t help themselves.
- walker - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 12:37 pm:
==Veto Message: I refuse to sign any budget bills where overall state spending exceeds overall state revenue.==
“Including my own budget proposal.” BVR
RNUG has explained all.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 12:43 pm:
To the Update,
Thank goodness!
Not one tired blatent talking point, not one sentence as a stand along dig.
A reasonable response, a partisan response, but a response leaving the door open. It’s now up to the “5″ to do it.
Much better, “ck”. Well done.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 12:46 pm:
- Arizona Bob -,
Bud, not everything is teachers are bad, teachers’ unions are bad, and equating the education and teachers demise is good leads to better governing.
With respect.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 12:50 pm:
Why can’t they putit in bill form and send Rauner the budget he proposed? Would he sign that?
- thunderspirit - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 1:00 pm:
=== Veto the entire thing.
Veto Message: I refuse to sign any budget bills where overall state spending exceeds overall state revenue. ===
That would be a curious message, considering the budget he proposed was, in fact, one in which overall State spending exceeded overall State revenue.
- walker - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 1:01 pm:
Been struggling to define just what the Governor is doing. His actions and communications don’t seem to hang together toward any identifiable short term objective.
The only sense to be made of this, is that Rauner has a strategic goal to get most of the Turnaround Agenda items passed whenever possible, and any yearly budget or operating tactics supporting that overall goal will serve.
Rauner has no “end game” on the budget per se. The budget is simply a lever to be moved as necessary. Short term Rauner simply must avoid blame and keep his team focused on the larger goals.
As CEO, he will have his selected executives and staff manage the government operations, including the budget, personnel, union negotiations, etc. and focus on the eventual turnaround scenario — which he can then sell to others as valuable.
- Tone - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 1:02 pm:
“- Cassandra - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 11:58 am:
Mr. Cullerton was on Chicago Tonight earlier this week. He was very nice, not mean to the guv, mild criticism only, but to my middle class ears it was all about revenue, revenue, revenue including that Rauner wants it too (Cullerton said that more than once). To my middle class ears, this means token, if any, cuts and a hefty tax increase (income? sales? casino? who knows?) all that’s left is, who is going to take the biggest pr hit-Repubs or Dems. This is a stalemate about that.
This is so not about relieving the economic struggles of regular Illinoisians. As usual in Illinois, harking back to Mike Royko and beyond,
it’s about where’s mine.”
I agree with Cassandra.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 1:03 pm:
Also with no budget, his staff won’t be paid either. Maybe he’ll take care of them out of his own pocket.
- Phenomynous - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 1:05 pm:
Walker,
Respectfully, Rauner’s proposal isn’t headed for his desk, the Democratic proposal is. The GA passed a budget, it went through the process. They obviously rejected Rauner’s proposal, and rightly so, now his proposal is now dead. He said he is open to new revenue, everyone just needs to find the middle ground and negotiate on what it will take for new revenue.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 1:14 pm:
Parse it anyway you want, frame it and spin it, even have it loaded with partisan buzz words.
The actions of a Governor are the Governor’s.
Plain and simple.
- cover - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 1:20 pm:
= The IEA, IFT and CTU are the primary beneficiaries for state education spending, not the kids, so nicking those political opponents would seem to make sense. =
AZ Bob, the unions don’t have their own line item in the education budget. Also, Governor Rauner promised to increase education funding. This is part of the trick bag the Dems handed Rauner, there’s no way the Governor would be able to find $3-$4 billion of spending to cut (using his item veto / item reduction powers) without whacking education. He’s almost stuck having to veto the entire budget.
- Norseman - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 1:22 pm:
It must be nice to not have to come up with an original response. All you have to do is cut and paste to the next reporters email.
- West301 - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 1:22 pm:
Arizona Bob is again complaining about the state budget when he doesn’t live or pay taxes here to begin with.
- Jack Stephens - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 1:29 pm:
@ow:
Agreed that teachers and teachers unions are NOT the problem.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 1:31 pm:
Arizona Bob,
I apologize for flunking you in P.E. class your sophomore year. I am sorry you hate everything about teachers because of it.
- West301 - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 1:41 pm:
*The more you make people live in fear the less confidence they will have in you.
- West301 - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 1:42 pm:
Also, quit using Goldberg as your lapdog.
- A Jack - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 1:44 pm:
Exactly the response from the Governor I would have expected. Now the question is who will win this game of chicken? I suspect though, that our hard-headed Governor would drive off a cliff before saving his turn around agenda for another day.
- Wordslinger - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 1:51 pm:
“…..his staff wont get paid either. Maybe he’ll take care of them out of his own pocket.–
I’d advise anyone, including the governor, not to offer money to state employees in relation to their jobs. And any employee would be wise to refuse money from anyone, including the governor, in relation to their jobs.
Some federales just don’t understand the concept of noblesse obliges.
Back when Rocky was governor of New York, he had to do a real tap dance to get out of a serious mess for giving personal “bonuses” to some of his state staff members. Things were a lot looser back then.
- Juvenal - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 1:52 pm:
Is it just me, or is the governor ignoring pension reform?
- hisgirlfriday - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 1:53 pm:
since rauner is surrounded by d.c. people i can’t help but think they see all this from a d.c. prism where the executive always wins the shutdown and the legislative branch gets divided and conquered. I think these talking points and commercials are all designed to win a d.c. style shutdown (painting madigan as the villain foil like a newt gingrich to rauner’s clinton) but I’m just not sure whether those tactics translate to the Illinois political environment.
- Arsenal - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 2:02 pm:
==If Rauner does line item vetoes, particularly of that spending that goes to Madigan’s patronage base, and then his veto is overridden, then MADIGAN AND CULLERTON own this deficit budget.==
If Rauner line-items the budget enough that we can all wink and pretend it’s balanced, Madigan and Cullerton will never even discuss the possibility of putting an override vote on the schedule. They will be happy to walk away from this with the Governor being entirely responsible for cuts and their members not voting to raise taxes.
==a d.c. prism where the executive always wins the shutdown and the legislative branch gets divided and conquered==
This is overstated; Obama didn’t “win” the last shutdown in any way that mattered.
- Wordslinger - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 2:05 pm:
– the majority party legislators continue to reject reasonable reforms and a balanced budget.–
I missed the votes on the governor’s bills of reasonable reforms and on his balanced budget. Were they during Game 6?
How can a legislature reject bills that do not exist? Is there some new political metaphysics at work here that has replaced the Constitutional process?
Just another random dump of the talking points bag. Let’s see what order they come out in this time.
- ChiTownSeven - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 2:08 pm:
Let’s count the number of times that Rauner’s crack communications team uses meaningless jargon to avoid saying anything: (1) has made clear; (2) Mike Madigan and the legislators he controls; (3) remains committed; (4) working with legislators; (5) enact reforms; (6) protect the middle class; (7) free up resources; (8) the most vulnerable; (9) grow jobs; (10) a responsible balanced budget.
I think they use some kind of algorithm to produce their media statements.
- RNUG - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 2:14 pm:
== Is it possible to remove the Governor in Illinois? ==
Theoretically, yes.
Practically, no.
- Soccertease - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 2:15 pm:
Capitol Fax insiders like RNUG, Willey & the Word (a new country/western singing group?) are probably all right in their analysis to a certain degree. The average Joe taxpayer, though, will blame Rauner if they are Dems & Madigan/Cullerton if they are Rep.
- RNUG - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 2:15 pm:
== opportunity to own the news cycle and lay the blame ==
It will be Rauner’s name in the newspaper headlines. Only policy wonks like us all read beyond the headlines or first paragraph.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 2:16 pm:
I gave props to “ck” for the response, I stand by it.
I’ll clarify; I acknowledged the partisan phrasing, but look at the work-product, the negative verbiage in past releases, and the absolute “cut and paste” prattle that had been released outside this specific email.
It’s better than the hyperbole that is antagonistic and speaks nothing to the topic at hand.
It’s contrived, it’s partisan, but it’s better. It’s a low bar.
As an aside, Rich, thanks for your kind words. If I cost you $10, I’m sorry. Sam/Frank
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 2:18 pm:
===Is it possible to remove the Governor in Illinois? ===
Oh, for crying out loud.
Go find another blog to comment on.
Now.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 2:21 pm:
- RNUG -, there should be a requirement;
“If you can’t name the GOP House or Senate members that will 100% sign off on advancing a removal, you can’t suggest the action.”
- RNUG - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 2:23 pm:
== Is it just me, or is the governor ignoring pension reform? ==
After the ISC ruling on SB-1, there is very little room for any further legal and cost-saving pension reform. ‘Tier 2′, passed in 2011, was it. You can talk about 401K’s all you want, but if you do any kind of match at all, it will end up costing the State more than Tier 2 once you add in the required Social Security payments for the TRS (and some other) members.
Condensed state pension history lesson going back over 60 years: the State went with their non-coordinated (no SS) ‘Tier 1′ defined benefit plan because it was actually cheaper than doing a combined SS / DB plan at the time. After the 1970 Con-Con, when it was apparent the State WAS going to be on the hook for those underfunded pensions, the State switched to where new hires, and others who chose to, were in a coordinated plan; cost the state more each fiscal year but slowed the pension liability growth some. Fast forward to 2011, ‘Tier 2′ with reduced benefits which is actually +100% funded by just employee contributions; you can’t get any cheaper than that. Now you just have to pay for the ‘Tier 1′ shortfall and wait up to 40 years for all of those employees to retire. Took a lot of years to get into this mess; getting out of it will take just about as long.
- RNUG - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 2:25 pm:
== “If you can’t name the GOP House or Senate members that will 100% sign off on advancing a removal, you can’t suggest the action.” ==
-OW- Is that before or after the test on the IL Constitution?
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 2:28 pm:
===-OW- Is that before or after the test on the IL Constitution?===
Better make it after, it reduces those taking “part 2″?
- steve schnorf - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 2:36 pm:
As a general observation, Governors only veto budgets when they believe it’s fairly likely they can get a better one, or a least very unlikely they’ll get a worse one. They sign budgets that are reasonably balanced and reflect their priorities. They line-item and/or reduction veto budgets that are generally acceptable other than being out of balance, unless the reductions are unacceptable in terms of their size, where they have to hit, or are likely to be overridden, leaving the budget unbalanced.
That’s a simple analysis upon which you have to overlay small-p and large-P political considerations such as whose constituents are getting hurt/helped the most, who is going to wear the jacket, etc, etc.
- Honeybear - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 2:37 pm:
-it’s disturbing that majority party legislators continue to reject reasonable reforms and a balanced budget. If they have any interest in real reform and a responsible budget, there is no reason a deal can’t be reached before July 1.-
There is no reason a deal can’t be reached before July 1 if the majority party simply commits political seppuku. Seppuku is a “reasonable” response to the shame of defeat during the general election.
- Buzzie - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 2:45 pm:
Just how many collar county legislators, Republican or Democratic, have the courage to cast votes which drastically decrease public school funding? Hell as no comparable fury than angry public school parents.
- A guy - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 2:45 pm:
There is nothing left, either intelligent or idiotic to add to this discussion. I’d say both ends are adequately covered.
- Precinct Captain - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 2:54 pm:
==- a drop in - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 12:28 pm:==
Highly unlikely under this map, so let us assume an amendment gets passed for so-called “fair” redistricting. Any new map will not come into play until the 2022 elections, which would be the end of a potential second term for Rauner, after which, according to Bruce Rauner’s own words, he would no longer be governor.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 2:54 pm:
- steve schnorf -,
With unquestioned respect.
“Governors only veto…”
“They (governors) sign…”
“They (governors) line item…”
Those actions are owned by governors, because thisd actions are done by them.
You are right,
==That’s a simple analysis upon which you have to overlay small-p and large-P political considerations such as whose constituents are getting hurt/helped the most, who is going to wear the jacket, etc, etc.===
Which is why Rauner is so scared to own even the Good Friday Massacre cuts.
Rauner is trying to frame the blame of his next actions, his possible actions, as not his. Even though the three actions you describe are unique to a governor. With $20 million in the bank, and 2 other PACs out there, he may get away with it.
- Harry - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 3:03 pm:
RNUG–yes, Rauner owns it because Rauner never advanced a real, balanced budget of his own. So, of course MJM and Cullerton will send him an unbalanced one and he has to respond to their initiative.
If Rauner had put a REAL budget on the table he would be in a better position… except, of course, he would have had to be specific about cuts and/or revenues, which he didn’t want to do.
But I really am beginning to wonder if Team Rauner is thinking even 1 step ahead; we know Madigan thinks several steps ahead.
- Arizona Bob - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 3:08 pm:
=AZ Bob, the unions don’t have their own line item in the education budget.=
No, but because 70-80% of school budgets are for salaries and benefits, most linked in some way to the teacher union scale in the district, most of education spending goes to them. You cut the ed budget you limit growth of union comp, IF you protect the kids through prohibiting strikes.
@West301
=Arizona Bob is again complaining about the state budget when he doesn’t live or pay taxes here to begin with=
Actually, I’m still paying some real estate taxes in Illinois, most of which go to schools. I’m working on “divesting” though, as most sound business people are…
@Anonymous
=I apologize for flunking you in P.E. class your sophomore year. I am sorry you hate everything about teachers because of it.
=
Never flunked in public school, anon. That must’ve been some liberal geek to whom you’re referring.;) The truth of the matter was that a greedy teachers union striker terrified me when I was in grade school, and it indelibly made a life long memory in my young, impressionable mind…;)
- East Central Illinois - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 3:11 pm:
Sometimes you have to look at what is not being said . . . like the pension cost shift from the state to the local school districts. Just like a magician who holds up the shiny quarter while the actual trick is being done off to the side, no one is talking about the pension cost shift, yet, Madigan and Rauner both are in favor of this. If the pension cost shift were to happen, then the state would be ahead millions in dollars than under the current way things are done.
- facts are stubborn things - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 3:16 pm:
I think we will finally hear a lot more about the pension reform that passed legally creating the tier 2 system. This reform was huge and just does not get enough attention. There could also be some pension changes that come out of the contract negotiations in the area of contributions in exchange for better security, pay or work rules etc. For retirees the ISC ruling slammed the door shut on any reductions to the AAI unless some sort of offer and acceptance was proposed that allowed for keeping the status quoi. To save face, Rauner may push for a tier 3 which would be a 401K style system that goes no where.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 3:16 pm:
###then the state would be ahead millions in dollars than under the current way things are done. ###
I think you meant the ‘State’, not the actual state where we all live. Most of us also live at the local level in our state, where we’ll pay the higher prop. taxes.
- Mama - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 3:18 pm:
++Hell as no comparable fury than angry public school parents. ++
You got that right Buzzy.
- Juice - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 3:19 pm:
I think Steve’s analysis is pretty spot on in terms of what a typical Governor’s thought process would be. Which is why I don’t understand why the Governor would consider vetoing the budget in its entirety if he is actually being sincere. The people, through the constitution, have given him the tools to bring it to balance. If he refuses to use those tools, that’s an admission that it is because the outcomes of such reductions would be unacceptable, meaning he believes without saying it that he needs more revenue.
- East Central Illinois - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 3:20 pm:
* . . . Most of us also live at the local level in our state, where we’ll pay the higher prop. taxes.* ..
Yes, absolutely. Although if a school district is in a PTELL capped situation the pension cost shift would not be able to be passed on to the property tax payer unless it is approved by local vote. The school district would have to shoulder the burden of the tax shift under this scenario.
- Politix - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 3:28 pm:
++The strategy is obvious. Here’s a budget. Veto it, amend it, or sign it.++
Hmm. The gov’s not easily cornered. How is the budget delivered? By e-mail? Will he block sender? Hard copy in an envelope? Will he lock out the budget deliverer? /s
- burbanite - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 3:39 pm:
I find it interesting that the Gov. is criticizing them for not passing a balanced budget when his was off by almost as much. If he knows how to balance the budget, I am sure they would be willing to consider it….
- Skirmisher - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 4:20 pm:
I thought Rauner’s strength in all of this is that he doesn’t especially need to care if he “owns” the outcome of his action on the Democrats’ budget. “So curse, me, folks. I am not running for office again. Now give me a balanced budget”. I find that kind of refreshing.
- Norseman - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 4:22 pm:
=== Which is why I don’t understand why the Governor would consider vetoing the budget in its entirety if he is actually being sincere. ===
Because the gov is usually insincere, to put it politely the gov knows the budget can’t be balanced with cuts alone without serious political damage to him. He also knows that agreeing to revenue without a “win” to point to is politically bad for him, especially with his filthy rich basem. Thus, he’ll veto the budget.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 4:27 pm:
### ECI: “The school district would have to shoulder the burden of the tax shift under this scenario.” ###
I’m not sure where you live, but many downstate schools in Central and West Central Illinois are having a *very* difficult time balancing their existing budgets due to state cutbacks in transportation and many other areas. I don’t think it’s a good scenario where the school kids are penalized because the adults can’t get their act together.
- Wordslinger - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 4:29 pm:
Skirmisher, how does your theory that the governor “doesn’t need to care” fit with the fact that he’s running a million dollar image ad campaign for himself five months into the gig?
That strikes me as a politician who cares a great deal about public perception.
- Formerly Known As... - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 4:48 pm:
==unbalanced and unacceptable==
Two consecutive unbalanced budgets.
Way to go, ILGA.
- Kelly Speaks - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 6:34 pm:
== real one
Is it possible to remove the Governor in Illinois?
- RNUG
== Is it possible to remove the Governor in Illinois? ==
Theoretically, yes.
Practically, no.==
Practically we can recall the governor (Illinois Constitution Article III Suffrage and Elections, section 7 ‘Initiative to recall Governer.’)
Whether it actually happens will probably need more material than what is going on right now.
- Kelly Speaks - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 6:38 pm:
==Anon Whatever Gov Rauner does (if anything) with the budget bills, it will be without a single republican vote….yea or nea. Wow!==
==Wordslinger
I’d advise anyone, including the governor, not to offer money to state employees in relation to their jobs. And any employee would be wise to refuse money from anyone, including the governor, in relation to their jobs.==
Too late.. That is why Republicans are voting present. He already contributed money to their campaigns and did an interview claiming he wanted to see who was going to support him vs who he was going to help get out of office in the next election.
Now granted it was also stated in the article the Madigan has contributed to Democrats during an election, but Rauner did this contribution last month so none of these Republicans are going to put themselves out there, possibly being “caught” with a bought vote..
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 6:40 pm:
- Kelly Speaks -,
(Sigh) There will be zero recall. Period.
- Kelly Speaks - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 6:53 pm:
My final words for the day as this has been brought up as well..
Pension reform - Why no one will address this with the Governor.
ARTICLE XIII GENERAL PROVISIONS
SECTION 5. PENSION AND RETIREMENT RIGHTS
Membership in any pension or retirement system of the State, any unit of local government or school district, or any agency or instrumentality thereof, shall be an enforceable contractual relationship, the benefits of which shall not be diminished or impaired.
ARTICLE I BILL OF RIGHTS
SECTION 16. EX POST FACTO LAWS AND IMPAIRING CONTRACTS
No ex post facto law, or law impairing the obligation of contracts or making an irrevocable grant of special privileges or immunities, shall be passed.
Oh and the Supreme Court, you know the Judicial Branch that the Governor wants to also “reform” by Governor appointment instead of voters electing, ruled against the previous pension reform.
“Governor Bruce Rauner, a critic of the 2013 law, has proposed his own pension reform plan that largely relies on a constitutional amendment that must be approved by voters.
Illinois pension debt has skyrocketed since the mid-1990s. The state’s total operating budget in the current fiscal year is $31.1 billion.
At oral arguments in March, Justice Robert Thomas had indicated skepticism that the state had done everything in its power financially when, just two months earlier, it had allowed its personal and corporate income tax rates to fall by 25 percent.”
http://www.rebootillinois.com/2015/05/08/editors-picks/mattdietrich/here-is-the-illinois-supreme-court-pension-reform-decision/37609/
- Kelly Speaks - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 6:54 pm:
- Oswego Willy -
Understood, just answering someone else’s question…
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 6:58 pm:
- Kelly Speaks -
You should look up - RNUG -’s pension Posts, and comments. He’s the in-house pension expert. Lots of great stuff.
- Kelly Speaks - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 7:04 pm:
I am new to this site so how do I look up someone else’s posts and comments?
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 7:06 pm:
Use the Google key, - RNUG -, Capitolfax, Pensions
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 7:07 pm:
Or the search here…
- Kelly Speaks - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 7:12 pm:
Oswego,
Thanks I will enjoy reading…
- RNUG - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 7:22 pm:
== Practically we can recall the governor (Illinois Constitution Article III Suffrage and Elections, section 7 ‘Initiative to recall Governer.’) ==
Have you actually read that? If not, go read. It will be almost politically impossible to achieve the requirements.
- Mama - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 7:46 pm:
++- Arizona Bob -++ A teacher(s) taught you how to read, write and do math, etc.. Without teachers, you would not be able to read this blog!
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 9:42 pm:
- Without teachers, you would not be able to read this blog! -
That’s the problem, he can’t.
- Kelly Speaks - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 10:47 pm:
Sorry I meant GARS..
- Kelly Speaks - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 10:48 pm:
Sorry I meant GARS benefit breakdown, not GAS…
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 11:10 pm:
Why does ck thank Rich after she gives him an update? Saying “thanks” at the end of every single email makes the word lose its meaning.
- Wordslinger - Thursday, Jun 18, 15 @ 8:21 am:
Anon, I think saying “thanks” is just being friendly and polite. It’s not a character flaw, lol.