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A wedge that might work
Monday, Jul 27, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* From a Gov. Bruce Rauner press release…
I also happen to think that legislators shouldn’t have authorized a cost of living hike this year. But the structure of that press release is very similar to hundreds I’ve seen from campaigns over the years. I mean, really, this is the same guy who structures a deal to give his education superintendent a Tier 1 pension. * Even so, this particular campaign attack might actually work. People understand it and they absolutely hate this stuff…
So, if the Rauner folks are trying to drive a wedge between politically vulnerable Democratic legislators and Speaker Madigan, this is their best bet. And if Madigan does go along with those members’ wishes, then everybody else is gonna be upset because they’re not getting pay raises. It’s a winning issue for the governor. I still highly doubt this will get us to a deal, however. The pay raise stuff won’t lead to blatantly anti-union laws or whatever.
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- Precinct Captain - Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 12:25 pm:
The legislature should Rauner a bill cutting their pay coupled with a two-year property tax freeze. Let’s up the ante.
- Norseman - Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 12:25 pm:
Rich, you’re right. This is a Dems gaffe. It doesn’t mean a heck of a lot in the grand scheme of things, but it is a political thorn they didn’t need.
- Wordslinger - Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 12:26 pm:
Low-hanging fruit. Won’t get him anything.
- Formerly Known As... - Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 12:28 pm:
The longer the standoff lasts the more upset constituents will be about this.
Do nothing, and pressure increases. Do what he asks, he takes a victory lap.
The ILGA painted themselves into a corner.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 12:29 pm:
Dear Mike Lawrence,
I hope you are saying that in private as well as in public. Dunno if it would help, but I know it wouldn’t hurt. OW
To the Post,
Legislative salaries work for Governors, ask Pat Quinn. It’s a winner in voterland, and it does put the onus on the Legislators, unlike Quinn’s ignorant pay scheme.
Of course, Rauner has loads of governing to do, and needs 71/36 more that once, so, there’s that. A fine line, when so much is left to do in governing.
It’s an effective wedge.
- Casual Observer - Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 12:34 pm:
Maybe if legislators got a raise, they wouldn’t need checks from Rauner. Is that his fear? /s
- Mouthy - Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 12:49 pm:
Pass a bill to suspend the pay raises until there’s a balanced budget signed into law. End of problem..
- Anonymous - Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 12:49 pm:
Raise amounts to $3.70 a day. Get out the pitch forks.
- Lincoln Lad - Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 12:53 pm:
I’ll bet the TV ad is already set to go.
- the Other Anonymous - Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 1:01 pm:
I put this in the same category as Rich puts redistricting reform: it’s not worth the fight, and Democrats should just send a bill (not the amendatory veto) to the Governor rescinding pay raises.
Honestly, the legislators who are vulnerable will give back the increase (if they are smart), and the legislators who will complain pretty much all have outside income. The few thousand bucks is simply not worth it.
Take the easy ones off the table, and leave Rauner fighting for the things that are hugely unpopular. Better yet, package it in a way that Rauner has to veto it.
- Midway Gardens - Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 1:02 pm:
Anon, agreed material. But certainly feeds into the overall narrative that Illinois State government is about those who govern not the citizens.
- lake county democrat - Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 1:03 pm:
I’ve come up with an ingenious way the Dem legislators can keep their pay raise AND demolish every item on Rauner’s “turnaround agenda.”
Apparently all of Capitol Fax’ Madigan supporters don’t know about this: the Democrats have supermajority status in the legislature. That means they can pass bills and override any vetoes Rauner may issue!!! They don’t need to keep playing this tortured game - they can laugh in the face of Rauner!
I just can’t figure out what’s taking them so long…
- Midway Gardens - Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 1:03 pm:
** “NOT” material
- Very Fed Up - Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 1:06 pm:
Always wondered if lawmakers who consistently vote to raise their own pay citing cost of living see the irony when they then turn around and block periodic minimum wage increases. With minimum wage they will cite “business concerns” yet with their own pay can hit up the taxpayers at will.
- Tired of Stalemate - Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 1:08 pm:
The real question is, if the House Dems introduce it as an amendment to one of their bills with the exact same language as the governor, will Sandack stand up and say that it’s a sham and ask his caucus to vote no or vote present?
- Shore - Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 1:11 pm:
I’m not a wild rauner backer despite sharing a part of the state and party with him but these rips on him that “he’s in campaign mode” seem pretty junior varsity to me. Officials campaign for office and then they get into office and campaign and lobby for their initiatives. What were campaign operatives like Plouffe and Axelrod who had virtually no experience working in an actual government brought into to do-to help Obama sell his agenda.
Please.
- JS Mill - Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 1:13 pm:
=I also happen to think that legislators shouldn’t have authorized a cost of living hike this year. But the structure of that press release is very similar to hundreds I’ve seen from campaigns over the years.
I mean, really, this is the same guy who structures a deal to give his education superintendent a Tier 1 pension. =
Agreed.
Effective wedge with the public, maybe not with the ILGA leadership.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 1:17 pm:
===I just can’t figure out what’s taking them so long===
His name is Jack Franks.
- illinoised - Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 1:24 pm:
This is beyond a “gaffe” on the part of Dems. They can’t be that naive. It is an incredibly cold and heartless stance in light of the suffering that is going on our in the real world. And it gives ammo to the Governor. Dumb.
- Ducky LaMoore - Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 1:25 pm:
If they vote on this, does that mean everybody is going to show up???
- Just Me - Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 1:28 pm:
Vey Fed Up: I would love to see your vote analysis that shows the legislators who vote to increase their pay and vote against minimum wage increases. I’m willing to bet that number is much smaller than you think it is.
- Gooner - Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 1:30 pm:
What a stupid move by the Speaker.
The increase puts minimal money into their pockets but helps Rauner with the narrative.
Line up the vote and, as was stated above, laugh when Sandack votes present on this one too.
- Liberty - Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 1:37 pm:
Voters expect politicians to take care of themselves and it isn’t going to make any difference.
- 47th Ward - Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 1:53 pm:
===And if Madigan does go along with those members’ wishes, then everybody else is gonna be upset because they’re not getting pay raises.===
Agreed, although I doubt you’ll have a bunch of angry press releases clogging your in-box from those HDEMs who are mad about losing a COLA. Nor will they get any sympathy from Dems like me.
===It’s a winning issue for the governor.===
Only as long as Madigan allows it to remain so. He can take this stick away without much trouble. I don’t think this particular wedge is made out of titanium, or kryptonite for that matter. Some HDEMs will always be upset about something Madigan does or doesn’t do.
- As we go silly - Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 2:10 pm:
speaker won’t call the bill. Won’t have a sham bill called either. The speculation is strong with you folks today. That campaign lit is gonna look so sweet after this no brainer doesn’t get called
- Ghost - Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 2:27 pm:
This Govenor has the highest executive payroll in IL history. Includingg oaying people with 5 years experience or less what we used to pay people with 25+ years of experience.
- just a taxpayer - Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 2:46 pm:
Typical team Madigan.
We get ours…..the rest of you fend for yourselves. I wonder what will happen when dems kill the goose that lays the golden egg. Ohhhh…wait. It will be all Rauner ‘ s fault!
- truthteller - Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 2:55 pm:
If Rauner could get the legislature to cut benefits for injured workers, lower wages for construction workers, and gut the bargaining rights of public employees, he would keep his mouth shut about the legislators’ pay increases. Quite a reformer he
- Anonymous - Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 3:11 pm:
“Typical team Madigan.
We get ours…..the rest of you fend for yourselves.”
We got our 370 pennies a day….Take that privately employed. If Madigan and another of his greedy GA buddies comingle a days worth of wages stolen with this raise they still could not buy one $8.00 beer at a Cub game.
- Enviro - Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 3:36 pm:
==Better yet, package it in a way that Rauner has to veto it.==
This is the only plan that has a chance.
- anon - Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 4:07 pm:
Ghost, be sure to factor in the Guv is not taking a salary or pension or benefits.
- Raunerbot - Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 4:57 pm:
Republicans are loving Bruce Rauner more and more every day. Can’t wait for the 2016 elections. The majority of voters are completely fed up with Madigan. Weak Democrats in Springfield will be paying the price next election.
- RNUG - Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 5:57 pm:
Structure a bill to refuse the legislative pay raise and package it will a mandated percentage reduction in the salaries of every one of Rauner’s superstars and every Director / Deputy Director / Bureau Chief. Shared pain; if it is good enough for the Legislature, it’s good enough for top State management. Then see how Rauner tries to spin it.
- RNUG - Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 6:05 pm:
And if Rauner AV’s the bill to protect his people, over ride it to send a message about treating everyone the same.
- The Dude Abides - Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 6:05 pm:
Good idea by RNUG. In a larger sense you’re talking about a very small amount of money here but if the workers are going to eventually accept a contract with a salary freeze the legislature probably shouldn’t get a raise either. I know there are a lot of members in the legislature who are working hard to solve problems and they probably deserve a raise, especially considering that they haven’t had one in a while. On the other hand, those members who haven’t cast a meaningful vote in some time, the ones who won’t make a stand one way or another and vote “present” on everything, aren’t representing their constituents and don’t deserve the money they are making now, let alone an increase.
- RNUG - Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 6:09 pm:
== Republicans are loving Bruce Rauner more and more every day. ==
Not what I’m hearing once they read / understand his actual proposals. I’m hearing a lot of voter’s remorse. They voted for what they thought was going to be competent management … and aren’t seeing it.
- DuPage Don - Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 7:10 pm:
Raunerbot - ===”Republicans are loving Bruce Rauner more and more every day”===
I, too, am finding here in DuPage County that even though they voted for him many were lukewarm……until they saw him holding firm and his do-no-harm governin’, to borrow an overused trend of mockingly dropping the -g-s on the posts put on this blog by his opponents!