In other Statehouse news…
Wednesday, Jun 24, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* WUIS…
Even so, [Speaker Madigan] says the House is taking Rauner seriously: like passing the governor’s plan to partially privatize the state’s Dept. of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, albeit with Democratic touches, like a three-year sunset. Democrats say after ethical stumbles in states with similar set-ups, that’s a prudent safeguard.
The movement could be seen as a sign of compromise, but instead the governor’s office says Madigan refused to negotiate in good faith on the DCEO concept, and that Madigan is stuck on the status quo. The short opportunity is seen as too short to make the new agency viable.
Rauner also wants a freeze on property taxes combined with a provision he says will save local governments money by pardoning them from having to pay the prevailing wage.
But the House rejected that plan — again. It’s not just because of Democrats, who say that’d weaken unions. Republicans didn’t go along with it.
“For the fifth time, the Rauner Republicans in the House were given an opportunity to vote for a real estate tax freeze. And for the fifth time, Rauner Republicans declined to take advantage of that opportunity to vote for a real estate tax freeze,” Madigan said.
However, Republican Representatives say Madigan is trying to fake them out with votes staged for political games. Though Democrats maintain it’s a carbon-copy of Rauner’s proposal, Republican legislators are suspicious as the measure was sponsored by a Democrat, Rep. John Bradley, D-Marion.
- Tournaround Agenda - Wednesday, Jun 24, 15 @ 10:35 am:
Introduce your bill then, Republicans. Show us the real reform.
- Nick Name - Wednesday, Jun 24, 15 @ 10:38 am:
“Rauner Republicans”
I’ve been wondering how long it would be before we saw something like this. Turnabout is fair play.
- Blah - Wednesday, Jun 24, 15 @ 10:39 am:
If the language is the exact same language in Rauner’s proposal how are they trying to “fake them out”? I don’t get it.
- Secret Square - Wednesday, Jun 24, 15 @ 10:44 am:
“If the language is the exact same language in Rauner’s proposal”
I don’t think it is because the original provision — which I presume came from Rauner — to abolish IHPA completely and turn management of all state historic sites over to the DCEO tourism division is also NOT in this bill (contrary to some media reports).
- VanillaMan - Wednesday, Jun 24, 15 @ 10:49 am:
Rauner is losing this argument. As the majority in the legislature continue to offer solutions, the Governor cannot keep rejecting each one with a political excuse.
Rauner is getting to be like the thirst guy who won’t drink the water offered because he is convinced that there is something in it. After you keep showing him that there is nothing in it, he still won’t drink it because he won’t until he gets a cookie too.
The Governor is in a minority position. All the arguments in the world won’t change that. He is a governor, not an owner. Stop politicking and start governing!
- How Ironic - Wednesday, Jun 24, 15 @ 10:50 am:
So the Rauner Republicans were for the proposal (when it was Rauner’s) before they were against it (Dem introduced Rauner plan)?
Yeah, that seems like a winning gameplan.
- Anonin' - Wednesday, Jun 24, 15 @ 10:51 am:
The bobblehead nodded on IHPA earlier when SPI power elite begged to be more than a DCEO sub bureau.
- Team Sleep - Wednesday, Jun 24, 15 @ 10:51 am:
Blah - that is what I’ve been trying to figure out! Most of these bills appear to be pretty much in line with what Governor Rauner wants. Are the legislative Republicans upset that the Dems “jacked” the legislation? Because that’s what happens when a) you’re in the minority and b) you fail to introduce landmark bills in a timely fashion. I’ve never been able to figure out why Leaders Durkin & Radogno waited until nearly the end of May to drop Governor Rauner’s bills.
- Wanting it both ways ... - Wednesday, Jun 24, 15 @ 10:51 am:
It is amazing to me how the Rauner folks are so preoccupied by MJM and how quick they are to cry foul on “legislative process” issues that 99% of the public cares less about. On one hand, they say they want Madigan to let the mushrooms vote their conscience, and on the other, they criticize him for not telling his members how to vote like we saw with the CPS bill. Can’t have it both ways. Rauner folks have no legislative strategy or tact in my opinion. Unfortunately, some innocent people are going to suffer now without a budget because of this lack of real leadership.
- Rod - Wednesday, Jun 24, 15 @ 10:53 am:
So all the discussion yesterday about a deal with the Governor for signing the bill extending the time line for CPS to pay the Chicago Teacher’s Pension Fund in return for the partial privatization of DCEO was a media creation, or a creation out of the Speakers office?
Equally all the discussion yesterday about whether or not the Governor could deliver his caucus to vote for SENATE BILL 437 the delay payment bill was nonsense.
- Precinct Captain - Wednesday, Jun 24, 15 @ 11:00 am:
== I’ve never been able to figure out why Leaders Durkin & Radogno waited until nearly the end of May to drop Governor Rauner’s bills.==
Because the “Leaders” are followers, waiting to do what they are told by their overlord. I guess his “Superstar” team screwed up.
- walker - Wednesday, Jun 24, 15 @ 11:01 am:
Pretty embarrassing, if accurately reported.
Cannot the Republicans who are “suspicious” read the two bills and point out what, if anything, is different?
I have personally witnessed this multiple times: where a bill originally offered by a Republican, is reproduced exactly and sponsored by a Democrat, only to have all the Republican caucus to vote against it in protest.
In this case, it is apparently more important to call “sham” right now, than to get Rauner’s own Turnaround Agenda item passed with the wrong sponsor.
- downstate commissioner - Wednesday, Jun 24, 15 @ 11:01 am:
Blah, you said it- and neither does anyone else…
- Just a squirrel trying to get a nut - Wednesday, Jun 24, 15 @ 11:03 am:
What good does a property tax freeze do if wages go down? Answer owners of large land holdings, super rich, get to pay less taxes, lower wages to their employees and don’t have to deal with those pesky unions
- Team Sleep - Wednesday, Jun 24, 15 @ 11:08 am:
Wanting - I respectfully disagree. The legislative process is vital to how things are actually done.
The old joke about the U.S. Senate was that “it is the place where good legislation goes to die”. So if the general (voting) public takes note of similar disdain or at least buys into the perception that the House is where good legislation/ideas die, then it will impact the election landscape in 2016, 2018 and beyond. And a lot of commenters (including myself) have noted that, for better or worse, MJM has met his match and has an opponent with the money and staff to push ratings points. So while I do agree that at times too much emphasis is put in minutia, boiling that down into another 30 second ad or turning it into easy-to-understand ad blitzes during next year’s election cycle is not out of the question.
- Ghost - Wednesday, Jun 24, 15 @ 11:08 am:
Lower wages are not necessarily a savings…. Those emoyees pay taxes and make purchases…. Cut their income and tou cut the money in the local economy which reduces taxes collected, reduces business income etc. you cant improve economies by reducing spending and wages…. it hs always failed…. Economies do better the more people in them are earnin higher wages
- nona - Wednesday, Jun 24, 15 @ 11:33 am:
During the eight years Obama was in the state Senate, he voted present 129 times. He was roundly criticized for his present votes by Sarah Palin. I wouldn’t be surprised if House Republicans have more than 129 present votes since January. If voting present was a weakness in Obama, what does it say about the GOP?
- A Lowly LA - Wednesday, Jun 24, 15 @ 12:18 pm:
For those asking “if this is Rauner’s language why won’t the GOP vote on it?” the answer is in the complexity of the legislative process they are using.
The Leaders HAVE filed many of the Turnaround proposals. However, the Dems are cutting those proposals up and adding them to a bill one by one as amendments, trying to force the GOP to vote on each aspect with no guarantee that the final product will be the same as the original proposal.
Further, since the bill is controlled by a Dem, there is also no guarantee that the bill will actually be read and voted on 3rd Reading (the final, binding vote in a chamber). The Dems are trying to get the GOP to take tough votes that could be used against them in campaigns with little to no chance those votes ever accomplish the intended outcome. It is a smart political move by Madigan but it doesn’t offer much real debate or progress on anything.
- Formerly Known As... - Wednesday, Jun 24, 15 @ 12:21 pm:
A Lowly LA - Gracias for explaining it so well.
- Mokenavince - Wednesday, Jun 24, 15 @ 12:23 pm:
Enough! Enough! or Basta! Get together and do something,this petty stuff only means we kick the can again. And thanks Ghost for the civics lesson. No snark.
- Mokenavince - Wednesday, Jun 24, 15 @ 12:24 pm:
Sorry I meant Team Sleep.
- Norseman - Wednesday, Jun 24, 15 @ 12:40 pm:
=== Though Democrats maintain it’s a carbon-copy of Rauner’s proposal, Republican legislators are suspicious as the measure was sponsored by a Democrat, Rep. John Bradley, D-Marion. ===
Bradley’s sponsorship is obviously a legit issue, however, the HGOP know whether the bills are a carbon copy or not. If not, House staff has gotten a lot weaker since the staff I used to work with and admire.
- Wordslinger - Wednesday, Jun 24, 15 @ 12:52 pm:
Meh, nothing is supposed to get done until the TV buy is complete.
You’d look pretty silly legislatin’ and compromisin’ at the same time you’re advertisin’.
- From the 'Dale to HP - Wednesday, Jun 24, 15 @ 1:13 pm:
If Rauner is going to make everything a zero sum game, he’s not only going to lose, he’s going to be used to wax the floor and a lame duck really really quick.
- Team Sleep - Wednesday, Jun 24, 15 @ 1:20 pm:
Moke - sorry, but my sarcasm-o-meter is broken.
People under The Dome and at the U.S. Capitol take the traditional legislative processes for granted. I’ve heard “That’s just the way it is!” more than any other phrase. What happens (and why) is not well-known to the voting public, and so the assumption that voters will just either understand or not care is fairly short-sighted. It’s worse at the federal level, but they can “smooth” things over based on the ability to print money.
Lowly LA - that’s all true, but how long can the HGOP and SGOP members keep telling people that none of the Governor’s agenda is being discussed or voted upon when there’s clear proof in the media that the bills we’ve been discussing for the last two months have actually been called for a hearing and a vote?
- Joe M - Wednesday, Jun 24, 15 @ 1:36 pm:
Probably not a bad idea to put oversight requirements and a sunset on the privatization of DECO. Many states with Republican Governors have done that, its part of Republican ideology - and the results have been mixed. But for the most part, doing that has not met expectations.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Jun 24, 15 @ 2:34 pm:
It seems like not only does the Governor want to change the “status quo” but he wants the democrats to do it.
- cover - Wednesday, Jun 24, 15 @ 2:35 pm:
Rich, I noticed the AP’s story about this bill yesterday said that it also would create a separate agency for the Presidential Library and Museum. However, I saw absolutely nothing in that bill pertaining to that institution or the Historic Preservation Agency. Doesn’t anyone at AP actually read legislation?
- walker - Wednesday, Jun 24, 15 @ 3:28 pm:
LA: These bills were on “3d reading” and the one just referenced was not chopped up and added as amendment to another bill.
Nice try at a justification. Too bad it doesn’t apply in this case.
- IL17Progressive - Wednesday, Jun 24, 15 @ 4:39 pm:
I missed something. Which bill is this? HB574? which SJ-R says passed. With or without the Rauner demands of property tax freeze and prevailing wage? Or since Spkr Madigan rebuilt using amendments and just left out all the Rauner demands?