* Gov. Rauner said today that he thought AFSCME’s no strike/binding arbitration legislation was the worst bill in state history. He also said he would not ever lock out unionized employees, even offering to put his promise in writing. Rauner said AFSCME wants the bill now because he’s the first governor who didn’t take any campaign contributions from the union.

There’s no doubt that the bill would infringe upon the governor’s traditional right to negotiate a labor contract.

But there’s also no doubt that the threat of a veto override has prodded the governor to move away from some of his more egregious demands, like tying a “Yes” vote on the contract to automatically moving the worker to the Tier 2 pension plan.

As far as I know, though, he’s still demanding that AFSCME hand-collect its dues, which is a ridiculous idea.

* And despite today’s statement, he is on record in the past saying he’d be perfectly willing to shut down the government to get what he wants from the union.

So, I guess this boils down to whether you trust him or not. If the governor’s veto is not overridden, will he revert back to previous form?

I’m kinda leaning in that direction.

Maybe he should put his “no lockout” pledge in writing.

* Lots of editorial boards are firmly on the governor’s side, however, and some do make some valid points…

* Tribune: The Illinois pick-your-pocket bill: Rauner is the elected governor. Stripping him of bargaining powers and handing them over to unelected arbitrators would be a recipe for disaster in a state that can’t pay its bills on time. Rauner needs to negotiate a contract that is less expensive, not more expensive, than the one that recently expired.

* Daily Herald: Governor’s veto of unsettling arbitration law should stand: If arbitration truly has to become a feature of state government negotiations, this is not the bill to make it so. And, in any case, it is far preferable for both sides to cool the rhetoric and approach the negotiations with the kind of realistic expectations and mutual respect that will make any talk of arbitration unnecessary.

* Dispatch and Argus: Tell Illinois lawmakers to uphold this wise veto: We urge our readers who oppose a bill that could put one-fifth of a state budget that already will require a significant tax hike in the hands of unelected, unaccountable arbitrators, to join them in having your voice heard. Please contact the following lawmakers and tell them to uphold the governor’s veto.

* Rockford Register Star: Lawmakers shouldn’t override Gov. Bruce Rauner’s veto of anti-collective bargaining bill: As Rockford has found out over years of negotiating police and fire contracts, binding arbitration offers the unions an easy escape hatch, allowing them to take their final offer to an arbitrator instead of negotiating seriously with the mayor and his negotiators.

* Daily Chronicle: Change the broken system: But why would we want to take the power to negotiate out of the hands of our elected chief executive and turn it over to an arbitrator who is accountable to no one? That’s the kind of backroom dealing that got Illinois where it is in the first place.

* Journal Courier: Don’t override veto of clearly poor legislation: Don’t confuse the role of an arbitrator with the King Solomon-like wisdom of compromise. There is nothing that would require an arbitrator find something balanced. Rather, a decision could be made that benefits just the governor’s side or just the union’s side. That decision would be binding. Not to mention highly threatening to the role of powers and balances in Illinois.

* Pantagraph: Veto of arbitration bill should stand: The arbitration process is stacked in favor of the union. The state and the union both pick an arbitrator, which would cancel each other. So, the decision would be made primarily by the third arbitrator, which the law says must be selected from the “Public Employees Labor Mediation and Arbitration Roster.’’ The Rauner administration general counsel, Jason Barclay, says the names on the list are well known as arbitrators that favor labor unions.