85 Comments - Corporate Thug - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 1:06 pm: Lol. Okay, Governor. - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 1:07 pm: “Why veto this, not veto that?” “Why cut here, why no cut there?” AVs = ownership. Rauner can’t own anything. Rauner is more than willing to own schools opening that own tough decisions that will stick to him… … like they stick to every previous governor… ever. Rauner choose the easy - veto everything, call it all a sham, then “fight” for things he could very well have spared… but owned. Goodness gracious, it’s your job, governor… - Anonymous - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 1:07 pm: “Asked why he didn’t just preserve state employee salaries in the budget he said it wasn’t worth it to go line by line…” Are you kiddin’ me!? - Anon - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 1:08 pm: And, um, uhh if they pass it again I’ll have to do some serious thinkin’ before vetoin’ it again. - How Ironic - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 1:08 pm: Hi Rich! Bruce just didn’t feel like using his superstar staff (super paid too!) to bother going through that pesky budget document. It’s sooooooo long. Why MJM and his mean old buddies just didn’t give us a powerpoint, we’ll never know. Being the Gov is real hard. We don’t have time to do actual work, Bruce would rather be out badmouthing anyone that doesn’t agree with him. Best, ck! - Sir Reel - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 1:08 pm: Um, um, like you know, like you know, unbelievable. - Xavier Woods - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 1:10 pm: You would think his superstar staffers would have him prepared for that exact question. - How Ironic - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 1:10 pm: So how’s that ‘reputation resuscitation’ ad campaign going to address this one? I mean does this guy even think about how his words sound when he opens his mouth? - Stones - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 1:10 pm: So it was too hard for you Governor? Sheesh! - Anonymous - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 1:11 pm: And, and, um, I wish I would have rehearsed my answer to that question. - LeadingInDecatur - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 1:12 pm: Glad to see he didn’t drop any “ing” for “in” endings… Makes him seem smarter. Not worth the effort to submit his own budget or to use his line item veto powers, though? Makes him seem lazy at best. By his logic, we don’t need a governor at all if one party has a super majority. For someone from the world of business where accountability and results are supposed to reign supreme, he seems content to be seen as ineffective and to surrender his power to the legislative branch. - How Ironic - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 1:12 pm: So in Charlie Sheen parlance, Gov Rauner is “Winning” with that response. Abdicating his responsibilities because it’s ‘too hard’. Yeah….that’s going to work. - How Ironic - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 1:14 pm: I wonder how many superstar executives he has that have thought to try the “I didn’t do what you hired me to do…because it was gosh darn it…to hard” defense? And now that the boss feels it’s A-OK to use it, maybe they all can feel free to just loaf on the job. Oy. - Anonamous - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 1:15 pm: More like, “Winnin’” - Anonymous - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 1:17 pm: Let’s see if I got this straight. MJM is in charge, too much effort to submit his own budget or review one line-by-line. Just another up day … - Frodo - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 1:17 pm: um um … I didn’t think I was going to say Madigan was in charge - Precinct Captain - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 1:19 pm: Rauner: it “doesn’t make sense” for me to actually do my job. - Keyser Soze - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 1:19 pm: He had the edge. But, he just relinquished it. - Wordslinger - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 1:20 pm: You’re kidding. Is that a gag? You didn’t see that one coming? You call a press conference and you’re not ready for that question? Geez, where did you get that superstar staff, Monkey Wards? You’re not prepped for The Big Question? “So, you know, um, these things, these, um bills, bills, they call em, are, um, kind of, you know, like, really, really long, and um, to read, and like, what, what’s this line item veto thing, again…..?” - How Ironic - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 1:20 pm: Nice of the Gov to let all the State workers know that he’s ‘fighting for them’ unless of course it requires actual effort. Then, well all bets are off. He’ll still try, but not tooooo hard. Maybe just a token email to the ‘real boss’ of Illinois. I’m sure everyone appreciates his working so hard at not working. - Wensicia - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 1:22 pm: Rauner not only refuses to take responsibility for his actions (it’s not worth it), he’s afraid to act on the budget itself. He’s not only a coward, he’s a lazy coward. - A Jack - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 1:24 pm: He has “people” to do that for him. Unfortunately they were in hiding to avoid those pesky GA hearings on staff pay. - Just Me - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 1:24 pm: Good question, Rich. - Huh? - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 1:24 pm: Srsly, wth was that? Did I forget to carry a 2 or multiply by x? - slow down - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 1:24 pm: The exercise of preparing a line item veto of everything but employee pay is not a difficult one. GOMB could have had it done for the Gov in no time had he asked or actually cared to do it. - How Ironic - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 1:25 pm: Where’s A Guy? I’d sure like to know the Raunerbots silver lining of that press conference. - Commonsense in Illinois - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 1:25 pm: God, my neck hurts from all the whiplash. For the love of God, Governor…pick a position and stay with it! - A CapFax Reader - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 1:27 pm: Disappointing press conference. How about the Governor and Legislature pass a budget and THEN start anew to work on any legislation that addresses jobs creation in Illinois. Complete with hearings, etc. so citizens can stay informed. There’s a reason the word impasse is being used so frequently. Time for a rewind and new start. Might want to drop that Turnaround name, too, as it comes with too much baggage. Oh, Governor, would you please stop saying “springfield” when you should be saying the “Legislature.” The city of Springfield does not create legislation nor budgets for the State of Illinois etc. It would be greatly appreciated and certainly accurate. - SAP - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 1:27 pm: Mattel was criticized several years ago for selling a talking Barbie Doll that said “Math is hard”. Maybe they need to repurpose that talking doll technology for a Bruce Rauner Doll that says “Governin’ is hard”. - ChelseaBlue - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 1:28 pm: “I didn’t realize that making hard decisions also meant doing hard work.” If this guy would work half as hard as a REAL state employee, this process would have been done months ago. Rich, instead of banning words, could you set up an escrow system so we can still use the words, we just pay a fine when we do? - Sangamo Sam - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 1:28 pm: This is another example what happens when someone with no experience takes the wheel of a big ship. Veto the approps/Go to court to be able to pay the employees. Slash autism funding/Give it back. Close the museum/Be unaware of the consequences. There’s no safety net under the governor’s office and he’s no Wallenda. - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 1:29 pm: “Call Nuding in here, again, and have him, above his signature, write a letter saying it’s too hard to go line by line and do an AV to save salaries for employees.” It was 19 bills, Rauner Crew. - Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 1:30 pm: ===so we can still use the words, we just pay a fine when we do? === I swear like a truck driver in real life. If I can hold my tongue, y’all can too. - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 1:34 pm: ‘Nember Rauner in that last debate with Quinn? ‘Nember? ‘Nember when Rauner started every single response, every one, “Pat Quinn failed”? ‘Nember how Rauner made Quinn own everything? ‘Nember that? Yeah, me too. Guess Rauner forgot he owns things as governor too. - Anonymous - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 1:34 pm: “Who called this sham press conference anyway!?” - Umm - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 1:34 pm: Umm, take a look at the appropriation bills. Personnel lines are very clear. It would take a staffer a few hours to put together a list of what he should have spared. Governing is so hard! - How Ironic - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 1:36 pm: OW, what is ‘nember’? Phone problems again? Or did you get the IRauner ™, the phone that doesn’t actually do any work, particularly any work that would require effort? - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 1:37 pm: @TribTowerChick - Gov. Rauner did great saying MJM isn’t allowing the governor to be governor. Pretty Simple. Fire Madigan #HearingWhatImBeingToldToParrot - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 1:38 pm: Nah, I’m feeling Chris Farley… Check out Farley interviewing Paul McCartney and the blatantly simple questions asked. - phocion - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 1:39 pm: ==How about the Governor and Legislature pass a budget and THEN start anew to work on any legislation that addresses jobs creation in Illinois.== Yes, I’m certain that the General Assembly will get right on it then. Causation. Simple. If a worker’s injury is job related, they get workers’ compensation. If not, they don’t. Legislative Redistricting. Simple. No party gets the upper hand and voters are treated fairly. The GA could do these simple yet significant reforms and regain the high ground. Saying no to every reform idea gives Rauner the upper hand in the minds of most voters. - Stones - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 1:40 pm: Part of the problem here is the Governor is trying to bite off more than he can chew. If he wants to enact his “reforms”, he can do so incrementally over the next four years, not all at once. - How Ironic - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 1:41 pm: @ Phocion: “Saying no to every reform idea gives Rauner the upper hand in the minds of most voters.” Not when they have the Gov saying on tape that he didn’t save workers salaries ‘because that wouldn’t have been worth it’. People don’t generally give the high ground to folks that do everything to show they are powerless, and lazy. - How Ironic - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 1:42 pm: @OW, thanks, makes perfect sense now. I guess he could also be a “Big man that doesn’t want to wear any jacket?” - Ferris Wheel - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 1:42 pm: This whole conference was just pathetic. I will say though, it’s now on GA to pass a special appropriation for state workers. And rauner (thinks he) looks like the savior of state employees by forcing GA to pay them. But if he thinks anyone is going to forget the “it wasn’t worth it” line he’s delusional. - Get a Job!! - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 1:45 pm: I understand that a continuing appropriation takes the pressure off Rauner and that’s all he seems concerned with right now……….But does he not see the consequences of a continuing appropriation for salaries? A lack of appropriations gives Rauner power to lay off staff and “shrink the bureaucracy” because there’s not enough money……he’s wanted to do from the start. With a continuing appropriation, it ensures staff gets paid, no matter what…….how can he sign a continuing appropriation and then claim there’s no money? - Bulldog58 - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 1:46 pm: Where are all of these over priced super star advisers? Shouldn’t they be doing their job combing through any budget submitted to the governor and advising him about each appropriation? The lights may be on in the governors office but right now it doesn’t appear as if anyone is working. - Norseman - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 1:47 pm: A full FY continuing approp for pay is not happening. Pressure is needed to pass a budget and no paychecks is the most immediate pressure point. As I said yesterday, it would also lead to a situation where a large number of employees would not be able to do their jobs for the lack of funds. Frankly, we are way into the silly stuff we experienced with Blago. - Arsenal - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 1:47 pm: ==Saying no to every reform idea gives Rauner the upper hand in the minds of most voters.== You hope. - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 1:48 pm: (Tips hat to - How Ironic -) Perspective? State shutdown = “worth it” - Gov. Rauner State employees pay saved by AV = “not worth” - Gov. Rauner. Welp, if anyone knows what stuff is worth… it’s a man with 9 homes, a trashcan van, a Harley, and a pristine workin’ man’s Carhartt. “worth” - it’s breathtaking the word choice… - Rusty618 - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 1:50 pm: Rich, so in his talk, the Gov mentions a new Pension Bill with the creation of a Tier 3 level. Do you have any info on that? - Norseman - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 1:52 pm: When Nuding testified, in addition to the time element, he mentioned traps (not sure the exact phraseology) left in the Dems budget that created complications. I didn’t see any follow-up on that angle, but it seems to me that might have been a better response than it would take too much time. - Anon - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 2:03 pm: LinebackierII: Clearly spelling is not in your skill set. - Former Merit Comp Slave - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 2:04 pm: His response about it “not making sense” in this post needs to be on the front page of every paper. Who was the reporter? Good for him! - How Ironic - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 2:05 pm: @LinebackierII. Make sure when the ISP is responding to your car accident w/injuries you call them and the EMS responders ‘leaches’. And I sure hope you speak to your childs teachers as ‘leaches’. And the folks that keep your drinking water drinkable, ensure you food is safe to eat, and the list goes on. - Bulldog58 - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 2:05 pm: - LinebackierII - Haters gonna hate. I hope you never find yourself in a similar situation where you and your family have your financial well being dictated by circumstances outside of your control. Financial hardships are not the sort of thing I’d wish upon anyone, deserved or not. - Defeated - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 2:05 pm: Linebackier, shut it. You can’t speak to the skill levels of 60,000+ state employees. Besides, less disposable income for those folks means less money being pumped into the economy. You think thst’s a great idea, do you? - State Policy and Con Law Expert - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 2:07 pm: If Rauner lets Madigan and Cullerton off the hook in his first session for passing a balanced budget as is required under the State Constitution, then that is what they will do every year. They want to play Sanata Claus so Rauner can play the Grinch. The State Constitution places the obligation on the General Assembly to pass a balanced budget. That is the answer here. - Stopped Making Sense - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 2:07 pm: “…doesn’t make sense…” But clearly it made sense for him to go through the budget and approve education spending. - Moby - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 2:07 pm: Reporter: “Governor, recent polls have shown a fifth of Americans can’t locate the United States on a world map. Why do you think this is?” Governor Rauner: “I personally believe that U.S. Americans are unable to do so because, um, some people out there in our nation don’t have maps, and, uh, I believe that our education like such as in South Africa and uh, the Iraq everywhere like, such as and I believe that they should, our education over here in the U.S. should help the U.S., err, should help South Africa and should help the Iraq and the Asian countries, so we will be able to build up our future for our children.” - Corporate Thug - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 2:08 pm: - Rusty618 - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 1:50 pm: ==Rich, so in his talk, the Gov mentions a new Pension Bill with the creation of a Tier 3 level. Do you have any info on that?== Please, no tier 3. Tier 2 is more than likely unconstitutional. Don’t go do down this road, Governor. http://wuis.org/post/illinois-issues-next-pension-time-bomb-0 - CharlieKratos - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 2:08 pm: Don’t feed the… Linebackier, apparently. - Justice Torch - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 2:10 pm: =====Ha ! LOVE to see those state employees making minimum wage. Serves the leaches right. Min wage is what 99% of them would earn with their skill set in the private sector.===== Excuse me? Actually I get paid about half of what I earned in the private sector. 25 years of experience and a Masters Degree and working for the state is a joke. I would agree that there ARE many state workers who have that state worker mentality but there are just as many that work hard and try as best they are allowed to make a difference. - Mama - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 2:10 pm: His just blew his chance to pin this on Lisa Madigan, A.G.! - Arsenal - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 2:11 pm: Tell ya what, LinebackierII, what comes around goes around, so let’s let some state workers decide how much YOUR labor is worth, sight unseen. - Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 2:12 pm: OK, enough. The troll was deleted. He was posting from a car dealership in Bloomington. lol - @MyVoice - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 2:12 pm: Linebacker, my wife’s a state employee. She has 2 Master’s Degrees, along with a lot of professional experience outside her current State position. Stop with the ignorant comments! - Ben Franklin - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 2:16 pm: Time to resurrect the Millionaire Surcharge Tax and get it passed. Then I’d say Nelson’s HA HA - Anonymous - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 2:18 pm: Oh man trying to go line by line would have just been too much, even though Rauner has stated he would do everything in his power to make sure state workers are paid…well almost anything. Rauner wanted the issue so he could actually no use his authority to approve the employees pay then scream about wanting to help them. - Sour Kraut - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 2:24 pm: The fact the Guv keeps mentioning Credit Union 1 offering interest free loans is a pretty good indicator that state workers won’t be getting their second check in July…. - Westward - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 2:48 pm: Rauner’s response similar to Rachel Dolezal’s response when asked if she is African-American, “….uh………uh……I don’t understand the question……” - BringILbackJr - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 2:50 pm: Gov. Rauner’s position on this issue is tough, but fair. - How Ironic - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 3:05 pm: @BringILBackJr “Gov. Rauner’s position on this issue is tough, but fair.” Which issue is that good sir? That if it’s a tough job….just forget about it? Line item veto’s are hard? He’ll do EVERYTHING in his power to get state workers paid…well, except for the work part, because you know “they are not worth it”? Yeah…he’s got a great position. - Omega Man - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 3:20 pm: Here is our (non-governing) Governor’s current to-do list as far as I can see: Job1 - Destroy MJM & any other Democrats who won’t play along. Job2 - Destroy all unions (both public & private). Job3 - Do not touch the Rich and Super-Rich. Force large sacrifices on everyone else (especially State/Municipal Employees and all Teachers/Professors). Job4 - If anything good shows up (years later), “trickle down” benefits may help a few people. Otherwise, the heck with them! What a brilliant plan! - Secret Square - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 3:35 pm: “Destroy all unions” Sounds like an old Godzilla movie: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0063172/ - Formerly Known As... - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 3:44 pm: ==a continuing appropriation for state employee pay== At least get a temporary budget done already. That is on both the Gov and the GA. - @MisterJayEm - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 3:46 pm: Rauner explains why he didn’t spare employee salaries Your headline needs a question mark, Rich. – MrJM - walker - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 3:51 pm: Rauner once again is not good on his feet, with an easily predictable question. Rauner Team: Trover, Schrimpf, Kelly, whoever: Your mission is to prepare Rauner for every press conference, not just by running through what he is to say, but by rehearsing his responses to the two or three most obvious questions. Bruce might think he’s smart enough to need no coaching, but he’s wrong. - Wordslinger - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 4:23 pm: Tne governor had in his hands the power to accomplish legally and within the Constitution what the courts have told him he can’t do outside of the law and the Constitution. To buy his stuttering, bumbling explanation as to why he didn’t do what he claims he wants to do when he had the power to do so, you have to believe he and his peeps are gross incompetents, lazy or just plain stupid. I don’t believe any of that. I believe they wanted this to happen as part of their alleged “leverage” in service of tneir unrelated, reactionary social agenda. The march of the Frat Boys like the Haymarket Martyrs into court on the side of the unions and government employees is a sick joke of breathtaking cynicism. The governor consciously and willfully chose not to use his enormous powers to ensure that state employees get paid for their good-faith work. He is directly responsible for taking food off their tables. You can spin all you want to Judgement Day, but the facts are in your face, and they are severe. See you in church. - Omega Man - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 6:15 pm: To Secret Square: Good! The Governor’s plan is actually to “Destroy All Monsters” (Unions and Madigan). - RNUG - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 7:13 pm: State Treasurer has announced he will announce a deal with various Credit Unions around the state to offer interest free loans in case the State does not issue paychecks after July 15th. - lost in the weeds - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 9:00 pm: I guess those fair share fees will stop if there is no paycheck. - thoughts matter - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 10:40 pm: Didn’t the governor read the budget bills before vetoing them? If so he could have done thee AV at the same time. If he didn’t read them, then don’t waste our time with press conferences. - Earl Shumaker - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 11:26 pm: Is our Supreme Court the only branch of our Sate Government that has any credibility. This Governor and the legislative power brokers have no credibility Illinois citizens are fed up with all the political game playing - Back to the Basics - Thursday, Jul 9, 15 @ 7:46 am: Why has Governor Rauner not submitted a balanced budget, as the Illinois Constitution requires, to the GA and the press gives him a pass and reports his every word as truth?How come Governor Rauner can get in front of a microphone , seemingly make things up as he goes along and not get called out by the press? Any thoughts? - lost in the weeds - Thursday, Jul 9, 15 @ 7:53 am: Non payment of wages carries a penalty. https://www.illinois.gov/idol/Laws-Rules/FLS/Pages/wpca-penalties.aspx Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.