* More sideshows…
On Friday, Rauner’s office sent a letter to state Rep. John Bradley asking that he reschedule Monday’s hearing of the House Revenue and Finance Committee so that it could be held in the capital city.
“With the Senate in session next week, the governor expects key budget, legislative and legal personnel to be working in the Capitol,” the letter noted.
The request was rejected and the committee meeting was held at one of the state’s Chicago office buildings.
Bradley, a Marion Democrat, said it was disrespectful of the administration not to show up. “I think it’s a very, very bad calculation. Its not good practice,” he said. […]
At the same time Bradley’s hearing was underway, Rauner outlined his latest push for a statewide property tax freeze at a nearby state office building.
“State government is fundamentally in Springfield,” Rauner told reporters. “Let’s hold these hearings in Springfield where our administration actually works.”
This song ain’t never gonna end.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 10:55 am:
===
At the same time Bradley’s hearing was underway, Rauner outlined his latest push for a statewide property tax freeze at a nearby state office building.
“State government is fundamentally in Springfield,” Rauner told reporters. “Let’s hold these hearings in Springfield where our administration actually works.”===
Asked again why Gov. Rauner held such an announcement in Chicago after clearly making the point state business needs to be done in Chicago, “ck” responded, “Speaker Madigan and the… you guys know the rest, ‘Blah, blah, blah’, and I’ll attach a Goldberg letter we have laying around just because”
- Ahoy! - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 10:58 am:
The mailers almost write themselves in Bradley’s district about holding budget hearings in Chicago (Madigan’s back yard?) instead of Springfield.
- Joe M - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 11:01 am:
Let me get this right. So Rauner WAS in Chicago Monday, in a nearby state office building. Yet he criticizes the Committee for not holding their meeting in Springfield, in effect implying that because it wasn’t held in Springfield, that is why he couldn’t attend.
Yes, it may take months and months just to negotiate the shape of the negotiating table.
- UIC Guy - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 11:07 am:
==Yes, it may take months and months just to negotiate the shape of the negotiating table.==
Yes, it’s way too soon to get to such a controversial issue. We don’t yet even have agreement as to which city the table will be in….
- Norseman - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 11:08 am:
When they finally decide on a shape, the next battle will be to purchase from a union or nonunion shop.
P.S. LOL on the mailer critical of a Chicago hearing. Nobody cares.
- Wordslinger - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 11:09 am:
Is the governor contending that his superstars’ primary offices and residences are in Springfield? That’s where they spend most of their time?
You know, that’s pretty easy to check out.
- Keyser Soze - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 11:12 am:
I love the City but the Governor is right. Springfield is the capitol.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 11:14 am:
Wordslinger, I’m curious how many of his superstars are in the state!
- Stones - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 11:14 am:
How about fixing the foundation before deciding on the color of the drapes?
- Beaner - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 11:15 am:
Negotiatin’ …in good faith baby!
- Tom Joad - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 11:19 am:
Rauner is right on this one. The witnesses are probably mostly from downstate. Bradley is just trying to show that he has clout even though having the hearing in Springfield would be easier to put together. Now he looks like a goof.
- Union Man - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 11:20 am:
At least they don’t want to meet in Palm Springs!
- Button is broke... - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 11:21 am:
So when they do hearings in other parts of the state, Marion, Rockford, Quad Cities, Peoria, the response should be, hearings should only be in Springfield?
- Wensicia - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 11:21 am:
Power games instead of governing. What’s next?
- Just a squirrel trying to get a nut - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 11:24 am:
With 90% spent and state spending projected to go into the red There won’t be much left to negotiate except the size of the tax raise. I don’t see any way Rauner comes out ahead at this point.
- Deep South - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 11:25 am:
===Now he looks like a goof. ===
Hardly. The reason the hearing was held in Chicago is because it was the most convenient location for other committee members. I live in Bradley’s district. I don’t care where the hearing was held…so the gov could save some money on mailers…they won’t do any good.
- Tournaround Agenda - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 11:25 am:
C’mon guys, let’s set a trend of compromises. Pick a location equally inconvenient for all. I suggest Kaskaskia.
- Lincoln Lad - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 11:25 am:
does Bradley really think he looks good in any if this?
He looks horribly weak, and unable to even realize it.
His 15 minutes is not only up, he’s 15 minutes overdue in exiting stage left.
- Demoralized - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 11:25 am:
@Tom Joad:
You do know where Representative Bradley is from right? And how does having a hearing in Chicago show “clout?”
- Downstate GOP Faithless - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 11:26 am:
There is a brutal waiting game that will never end. Then again why should it matter if it stops? Madigan will wait until it looks like he may lose seats (which is not time soon) and the Governor appears to have surrounded himself with people who either do not understand the value in governing OR don’t know how.
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 11:26 am:
“State government is fundamentally in Springfield.”
So, what does he mean when he says “fundamental”? Because his actions are not supporting that statement. Since January, Rauner has been building state government in Chicago, while stripping it in Springfield.
Perhaps he is just talking out of a need to hear himself talk?
- Not Rich - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 11:40 am:
I think the Gov only does meeting in Chicago these days with Goldner..
- Precinct Captain - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 11:41 am:
Good lord, whining about committee hearings held in Chicago? Attention Raunerbots, committee hearings have been held all over the state for years. That’s part of bringing government to the people, isn’t that what you claim to be for?
- Norseman - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 11:42 am:
=== The witnesses are probably mostly from downstate. ===
LOL. The frat boys were sending witnesses?
- Wordslinger - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 11:45 am:
So who is the rocket science that trots the guv out to harrumph the old “state government is in Springfield” card — while he’s in Chicago?
Do these guys think anything through?
The governor relies on these people to help him not look silly when he talks to the press, and they’re blowing it.
Over the weekend, both Bernie and Finke gave brutal accounts on how the governor refused to talk to the press after opening the fair.
At one point, Rauner asked permission of one of his handlers to take some questions, and was apparently told “no.”
Can you imagine Big Jim being scared of fhe press, or getting shut down by staff?
- Michelle Flaherty - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 11:46 am:
I’d be stunned if any of the crew is registered to vote in Springfield.
- ugh - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 11:47 am:
==Tom Joad - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 11:19 am:
Rauner is right on this one. The witnesses are probably mostly from downstate. Bradley is just trying to show that he has clout even though having the hearing in Springfield would be easier to put together. Now he looks like a goof.==
Let’s remember the Revenue Committee did meet in Springfield on Wednesday. Holding hearings in multiple locations isn’t uncommon.
The location actually makes sense. They met again today to talk about the changes proposed for Chicago pensions and property taxes. Plus, a majority of the witnesses from yesterday and today were from Chicago.
- Joe M - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 11:58 am:
Maybe the Governor’s Office can provide us with some figures on how many days since taking office, that the Governor has traveled out of Springfield.
- Formerly Known As... - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 12:02 pm:
It is what it is.
Both are right and both are wrong in certain ways here. Neither is willing to compromise right now, so
It is what it is.
- Qui Tam - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 12:04 pm:
VM makes a good point.
=So, what does he mean when he says “fundamental”? Because his actions are not supporting that statement. Since January, Rauner has been building state government in Chicago, while stripping it in Springfield.=
Layoffs and firings in Springfield while hiring in Chicago.
- Wordslinger - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 12:10 pm:
VMan, the governor threw down a gauntlet that some enterprising Downstate reporter might pick up by claiming Springfield is “where our administration actually works.”
That’s been a very sensitive subject, forever, Downstate, and especially in Sangamon County.
Don’t bring it up unless you can back it up.
- Keyser Soze - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 12:36 pm:
In retrospect, my pals in the press room suggest that this shot at the Dems may be in response to the Senate convening on Governor’s Day at the State Fair. And so it goes.
- Jordan - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 12:40 pm:
VanillaMan is right when he says that “Since January, Rauner has been building state government in Chicago, while stripping it in Springfield.”
There have been lots of layoffs at the Illinois Commerce Commissions (most of them were good employees and Republican!). I’m curious to see if the administration fills these spots in Chicago.
- Mama - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 12:47 pm:
“Rauner has been building state government in Chicago, while stripping it in Springfield.” Which state departments functions are being moved to Chicago?
- Team Sleep - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 12:48 pm:
Can’t they just negotiate at the Fair - specifically the new JBT Lane?! They could chow down on corn dogs in the heat. Perhaps the combo of grease & sweat will do the trick…
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 12:59 pm:
I’m curious to see if the administration fills these spots in Chicago.
There has been over 2 new hires at the ICC Chicago office, even a new department - while there has been 24 layoffs announced at the ICC Springfield office, and plans on closing departments there and having them absorbed in Chicago and in other agencies.
This has been true in the other agencies slated for layoffs as well.
Chicago is expanding and Springfield is shrinking.
Rauner is saying one thing here, and doing the opposite at the same time. It has already gotten so bad, he doesn’t seem to remember when he is in Chicago touting Springfield, or in Springfield touting Chicago - amirite?
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 1:00 pm:
There has been over 2 new hires
Forgot to add the zero
20 new Chicago hires
- Qui Tam - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 1:11 pm:
It is my understanding that VM’s 1:00pm post is correct.
- General MacArthur - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 1:20 pm:
This post reminded me of this story about the flag wars that “erupted” when the end of the Korean War was being negotiated in Panmunjom (but soldiers were still fighting and dieing).
“Actual war has stopped for good (hopefully forever!), but during my visit there I discovered another kind of war - flag war (not as deadly but as serious and silly as any war). In the heart of the Panmunjom village, there is the Military Armistice Commission building where both sides hold their meetings. At one end of the long table inside this building, the tiny flags of the United Nations Command and of North Korea stand side by side.
I was told by the military guide that each side tried to make its own flagpole taller than the other, until both flags nearly hit the roof of the building. When both parties realized the sheer absurdity of such acts, they finally agreed to limit the size and height of their flags. I don’t know when such an agreement was struck, but the two flags still didn’t look the same. The UNC flag seemed a bit shorter yet fatter (heavier) than North Korea’s which looked skinnier yet taller. But neither one was conspicuously taller than the other.”
http://www.csmonitor.com/1983/0121/012123.html
- Huh? - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 1:39 pm:
“… in Springfield where our administration actually works.”
Dear Mr. Rauner
If your administration actually works in Springfield, why doesn’t the State have a balanced budget? Why are the contracts with AFSCME and other State employee Unions still in limbo?
It is clear that your administration does not work in Springfield or anywhere else. You won the election. It is time that you set aside your “turn around” agenda and start working with the opposing political party.
Sincerely,
State of Illinois
- Mama - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 2:17 pm:
VM - are the 20 new Chicago hires being paid more or less than the org staff?
- anon - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 2:30 pm:
The dems want that train flying off the cliff regardless of the damage. “That’s the way we have always done it” is the mantra even if it is disastrous.
- ihpsdm - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 2:44 pm:
Can the table be shaped like a trapezoid? That way you’ll have obtuse people sitting around obtuse angles.
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 2:51 pm:
VM - are the 20 new Chicago hires being paid more or less than the org staff?
I am not privy to any information which could answer that question.
What I did hear is that the commission had an important funding source taken away and given to another, causing an acute budget shortage for Springfield office staff.
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 2:55 pm:
The dems want that train flying off the cliff regardless of the damage. “That’s the way we have always done it” is the mantra even if it is disastrous.
Your statement possesses a sheen of indescribable ignorance regarding the subject at hand.
- Qui Tam - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 2:57 pm:
=are the 20 new Chicago hires being paid more or less than the org staff?=
So moving the seat of government from Springfield to Chicago is being done to save money?
Mama
Wasn’t this been proposed before by Blago?
- MyTwoCents - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 5:26 pm:
There is no way shifting staff from Springfield to Chicago in any way saves money. First of all, you pay extra in salary and secondly real estate is so much pricier in Chicago so you’re paying more for the exact same amount of office space. But somebody really needs to investigate all the Superstars and agency heads to see if they are actually spending any decent amount of time in Springfield.
- DuPage Dave - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 8:04 pm:
Great lyric reference, Rich. It’s not a shotgun ragtime band, but we’ve already listened to over a hundred verses of this stuff. So clank your chains, count your change and try to walk the line.
- Lt Guv - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 8:29 pm:
Pathetic thread. . . VM, you win.