* Subscribers were told about this earlier today…
Gov. Bruce Rauner is compromising over the state’s budget mess, indicating he’s OK with Democrats’ legislation to disburse tax dollars already collected to local governments and lottery winners.
A memo Tuesday from a Rauner staffer to lawmakers says the Republican now supports the legislation and even suggested adding money, such as for road salt with winter around the corner.
The plan includes $1.9 billion collected in motor fuel tax for cities, wireless phone tax for 911 services and lottery dollars to pay winners. Rauner and Democrats have feuded over a spending plan since the fiscal year began July 1.
* From the memo…
From: Richard Goldberg, Deputy Chief of Staff for Legislative Affairs
To: Members of the General Assembly
Date: November 10, 2015
Re: HB 4305: Another Opportunity for Compromise
While we continue to urge legislative leaders to enact a complete balanced budget rather than taking a piece - meal approach, Governor Rauner is comfortable with HB 4305 proceeding as an effort to build on the compromises announced yesterday regarding Unemployment Insurance, Child Care Assistance Program and DON Score. In addition, to further strengthen the progress made over the last few days, legislators can – and should - fund the public safety and critical services currently excluded from HB 4305, including salt for snow - covered roads, funds for veterans in state - run homes and debt service payments that would ensure Illinois avoids a debt default. While adding these line items will not help balance the budget, doing so will ensure important services paid for by “Other State Funds” are funded while negotiations continue on how to reform state government and balance our “General Revenue Fund” budget.
That is not your usual Goldberg memo.
Once again, Rauner was facing a floor defeat so he abruptly changed course. He can be moved. Moderate House Republicans demanded a resolution and they’re the big winners here. The pressure is working. Take advantage of it.
Now would be a good time to make some reasonable counter-proposals on the Turnaround Agenda.
…Adding… And I mostly agree again with the Tribune editorial board…
We do know that until the Democrats negotiate with Rauner on a new budget, say what new tax revenue they want to collect and compromise on parts of his economic agenda, there will be more fights over spending cuts. The damages caused under prior management have left Illinois vulnerable to job losses and ruined state finances. Springfield has a growing pile of unpaid bills and a looming pension payment that the state comptroller says her office cannot make.
Our question post-Monday: Wouldn’t it be easier for all sides to negotiate in good faith on these bigger issues instead of embracing stalemate? We’re looking at you, House Speaker Michael Madigan.
Monday’s three developments do show that compromise is possible.
Not to jinx this, but: More agreements, please.
Say what you want about their ridiculously over the top screaming editorials of the past year, that one was fairly reasonable.
…Adding More… From comments…
Come on Rich just because the hostage taker sends you pics that the hostage is still a live does not mean you start to legitimize his demands. Creating a crisis and then attempt to frame his change as a compromise is a trick you are falling for hook line and sinker.
This is a common refrain in comments today. It’s been a long war. People refuse to get beyond the past. The only way this war’s ever gonna end is if people start looking at the future. This shouldn’t be allowed to last forever.
*** UPDATE 1 *** AP…
A spokesman says Illinois House Democrats will not immediately consider Gov. Bruce Rauner’s suggested changes to legislation that would send collected tax dollars to cities and lottery winners. […]
Steve Brown is spokesman for House Democrats. He says Rep. Martin Moylan might add some money to the bill for police training and other purposes but not Rauner’s ideas until they’re evaluated.
The only reason to do it this way is to force the Republicans to vote “No” on the bill.
That ain’t cool.
*** UPDATE 2 *** The Rauner folks ought to file an amendment to Moylan’s bill…
Moylan said he plans to ask for a vote on his $1.9 billion plan today but hadn’t heard from Rauner’s staff about changes in the weeks preceding a possible vote.
“If he wants to propose something, he needs to file a bill,” Moylan said.
*** UPDATE 3 *** I’m told that the governor’s office gave Speaker Madigan the language last week at the Speaker’s request.
*** UPDATE 4 *** The governor’s brick is off, regardless of whether the Democrats add the requested amendment, I’m told.
*** UPDATE 5 *** I’ve seen some pretty solid evidence that the governor’s budget office did, indeed, deliver the Speaker’s staff some appropriations language on November 8th.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 10:27 am:
Now it’s Madigan’s turn. Will he respond in kind?
- Johnny Pyle Driver - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 10:29 am:
maybe my definition of the word compromise is wrong, but weren’t these monies already owed to the people to whom they’re being disbursed? Clearly more hostages being released, but compromise? i dunno about that.
- Keyrock - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 10:30 am:
Did Rauner cut off Goldberg’s testosterone supplements?
Did the administration suddenly switch to Dunkin coffee and find it weaker than Starbucks?
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 10:30 am:
” - Anonymous - ”
Rauner was facing a defeat. When facing defeat, that’s not a “give in good faith”
I’m glad you’re ” - Anonymous - “, it has to be embarrassing not to understand the politics of it all.
- thunderspirit - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 10:35 am:
OW is spot on that it’s nothing resembling a give in good faith.
However, I tend to side with Rich’s observation that perhaps the Governor is learning; and at the very least, taking advantage of what appears to be an opening would be a good move.
It may well be rebuffed, but to ignore it altogether is negligence.
- Big Joe - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 10:39 am:
Agree with Rich. Let’s get some reasonable TA counter proposals out there to discuss.
- Langhorne - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 10:39 am:
Hooray for the sensible house republicans.
Rauner speak: “compromise” is when you are forced to relent from an indefensible, punitive position, to avoid embarrassment. But, hey, some hostages are released.
- Honeybear - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 10:41 am:
This tactical retreat scares the living crap out of me. There has got to be one hell of a big “ask” coming down the pike. (que Rich saying “subscribe” in 3..2..)
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 10:43 am:
Since I’m not “that” Anonymous. I’m going to have to come up with a nickname.
Your are right OW - this was not a good faith compromise on Rauner’s part.
- Keyrock - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 10:45 am:
The Trib editorial page was kind of confused about the new direction today. But they’re still backing the Governor.
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 10:46 am:
Perhaps we are seeing a Anti-Dunkin or two that has broken from the Administration and is forcing this to happen?
- @MisterJayEm - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 10:52 am:
While I wouldn’t characterize “using earmarked funds for those things for which they were earmarked” as “compromise” it IS movement by team Rauner.
And that is a welcome surprise.
– MrJM
- Team Sleep - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 10:57 am:
I hate quoting Bryan Adams, but maybe his song “Christmas Time” started playing early in everyone’s offices, cars, homes and gyms.
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 10:59 am:
Now it’s Madigan’s turn. Will he respond in kind?
He never had to. That has been the tragedy over the past year. Thousands of citizens needlessly threatened for a governor who completely misread his mandate and his options.
Had Rauner taken either the Edgar or Lingle approach to governance, he could have been building governing credibility among voters. Instead of proving that he knew how to govern, Rauner proved that he had a list of people he hated and wanted exterminated, and a list of people he didn’t mind having around, but didn’t listen to.
This has been the worst start to any administration I’ve ever witnessed. A complete disaster so far, except for prison reform, that is.
- Obamas Puppy - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 11:01 am:
Come on Rich just because the hostage taker sends you pics that the hostage is still a live does not mean you start to legitimize his demands. Creating a crisis and then attempt to frame his change as a compromise is a trick you are falling for hook line and sinker.
- Wordslinger - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 11:04 am:
Hardly a compromise, unless you believe the governor wished to continue to tax people while not releasing those funds for their dedicated purposes.
Also, unless you believe the governor wishes to default on bonds, leave snow-covered roads unsalted, and deprive veterans of their money, it’s not a compromise to release those dedicated funds, either.
Avoiding those disasters is reward enough in and of itself.
It seems some House GOP members are tiring of defending the indefensible.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 11:04 am:
===Creating a crisis and then attempt to frame his change as a compromise is a trick===
Believe what you want to believe. I’m for compromise. He did. Whatever the reasons, he did. More like this please.
- Captain Illini - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 11:08 am:
This cave is directly attributed to what I’ve indicated previously, that being jurisdictions screaming at their Republican representatives to do their jobs or get the heck out. This concentrated heat worked as a flamethrower to scorch and destroy the stop blocks of negotiations and moved them to resolve. Freeing up these funds will buy them some time, but additional funds will be necessary come January when the remainder of state government’s bills come due.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 11:12 am:
Yesterday was a good day. Period.
We need more days, and compromises, like yesterday.
That’s governing.
- 47th Ward - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 11:12 am:
Remember “Overtime in Hell?” Somebody needs to print t-shirts with “Holidays in Hell.” You’ll make a fortune.
- Chicago Cynic - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 11:16 am:
So we have a formula here. Put pressure on moderate Rs in swing districts to put pressure on the governor. Governor caves. Dems back off. It’s a good formula. Too bad it won’t work on the revenue side.
- Lincoln Lad - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 11:17 am:
Seems clear which side owns the ‘willing to compromise’ ground these days. That’s also where the press coverage is being lead.
- From the 'Dale to HP - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 11:18 am:
Counter point: Rauner is on the run. Why let him escape?
Not sure I even agree with that, but it’s worth considering.
- Truthteller - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 11:19 am:
Compromise on the budget is what is in order. What to cut, what revenue to raise- that is what is in order.
Rich, you’ve given us the figures on what repeal of prevailing rates would save- squat.
Governor is in a position to demand compromise on the budget, nothing else.
- relocated - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 11:19 am:
If the governor wants to use the vietnam withdrawl strategy I’m okay with it. Declare victory and stop the war. Let history sort it out and get on with governing.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 11:19 am:
===Counter point: Rauner is on the run. Why let him escape?===
Smart people always allow an escape route for the other side.
- Johnny Pyle Driver - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 11:19 am:
i don’t deny it’s positive momentum. I’m glad he backed off quite a bit in the last few days. But to me, and apparently the Tribune, and a few of the commenters here, Madigan now has to give something in return. I just don’t see how that works. What “hostage” does Madigan possess? What extreme demand is he making? Isn’t their position basically let us pass a budget with a tax increase and not kill unions in the process? I just don’t see what there is to respond with.
- Norseman - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 11:19 am:
Yes there is movement. Hopefully, egos won’t get in the way. Resist the urge folks - keep the rhetoric down to a whisper.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 11:20 am:
===I just don’t see what there is to respond with.===
Workers’ comp and some collective bargaining changes at the local level.
- Hamlet's Ghost - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 11:24 am:
if the Governor proposes a balanced budget and promises 47 GOP IL House votes, then there should be 47 Dem IL House votes and compromise on workers compensation and an independent maps commission.
But the Governor and all of the four tops need to own the budget cuts and tax increases on a fully equal basis.
- Arsenal - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 11:25 am:
I’m not sure the issue was the Rauner “never compromises”- we knew from the beginning that he’d compromise on revenue, and it’s also been clear that, outside of the anti-union agenda*, everything else was negotiable. The problem was/is, his stance has been “we can’t talk about the budget until you pass these things that you’re NEVER GOING TO PASS”, and until he moves off of that, the impasse will continue. With these developments, there is reason to hope that he’ll move off of that, and maybe Madigan can find some way to let him do so while saving face. But that’s still the ballgame.
*- After the last two days, I’m not so sure that even the anti-union stuff is non-negotiable. But I still don’t expect someone to give up on their core beliefs.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 11:25 am:
There is always room to negotiate when both sides are looking at the “doable”.
Always.
The “doable” is the compromise… Doing the “doable”.
- Arsenal - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 11:27 am:
==We do know that until the Democrats negotiate with Rauner on a new budget==
This is exactly what I’m talking about.
- Johnny Pyle Driver - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 11:28 am:
==We do know that until the Democrats negotiate with Rauner on a new budget==
This is exactly what I’m talking about.”
Um, the Governor has explicitly refused discussion on the budget until his Turnaround Agenda is passed…
- Wensicia - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 11:28 am:
I thought Rauner hit bottom when offered loans to local communities instead of releasing earmarked funds. I hope this isn’t just political maneuvering. I hope he gets how his stubbornness was wrong, how punishing the helpless is so wrong.
- Johnny Pyle Driver - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 11:29 am:
“===I just don’t see what there is to respond with.===
Workers’ comp and some collective bargaining changes at the local level.”
But isn’t that the ask for the tax increase everybody’s just dying to pass?
- Stones - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 11:29 am:
Reading between the lines, the answer to the deadlock might be more piecemeal negotiations rather than an overall budget deal.
- Johnny Pyle Driver - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 11:33 am:
~Arsenal,
forget my post in reply to yours. I misread your handle as Anonymous and thought you were the first poster above
- Team Sleep - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 11:34 am:
How about Speaker Madigan respond with something? Anything?! I think Rich is right that it has to be one of those two, and I’d bet that worker’s comp is the more likely of the two.
I can’t see major structural reforms in appropriations or BIMPs any time soon, so it’s gotta be something related to the dreaded Turnaround Agenda or else it’s all folderol.
- Joe M - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 11:35 am:
A number of Republicans and newspapers keep taking about the revenues or tax increases that the Democrats want. That doesn’t make any sense to me. We either want these programs and services or we don’t. If we do want them, then both Republicans and Democrats we need to then figure out how to fund them. If the Republicans don’t want particular programs and services, then they need to own up that they want to cut those programs and services.
- Archimedes - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 11:39 am:
This is a time to compromise, not look (either Madigan or Rauner) to deal the final blow. Remember, there are still at least three more years to go. We all have to live together when everything is done.
- GOP Extremist - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 11:44 am:
Sadly, Madigan selling out AFSME will be the compromise that ends this war. Unrelated but I also hear the Gov will get to appoint a third puppet legislator presenting the Springfield area. Nothing caculated about it, strictly coincidence.
- Robert the Bruce - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 11:44 am:
==What “hostage” does Madigan possess? What extreme demand is he making?==
“You’ll get nothing and like it!” is my perception of Madigan’s position. He could choose to compromise on a couple of points from the turnaround agenda (e.g., workers comp, tort reform, fair maps).
Otherwise, what does Rauner get in a compromise? He needs at least a couple partial victories on Turnaround Agenda. And even if you disagree with Rauner’s stance on those issues, it’d be for the greater good of a budget deal.
- Wordslinger - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 11:47 am:
The Dems will necessarily have to compromise a-plenty to fix the FY16 train wreck.
Other than that, I don’t believe you reward a hostage-taker for releasing hostages. It’s an illegitimate political tactic. Rewarding it will ensure more hostages and sabotage in the future.
- Roscoe Tom - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 11:48 am:
Turnaround and smell the roses Governor. God knows you have stunk up Illinois enough with your my way or the highway approach.
- Ahoy! - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 12:08 pm:
–Now would be a good time to make some reasonable counter-proposals on the Turnaround Agenda.–
Call me skeptical, but I don’t think Madigan will do anything, I believe he is and will be the sole hold out on a deal that will improve the Illinois economic and fiscal outlook.
- Johnny Pyle Driver - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 12:15 pm:
I’m sorry I’m having trouble following. So the governor’s office proposed adding language to the local governments and lottery winners bill. Dems respond by saying they’ll add language of their own for police - essentially a poison pill to kick the Rs off of it. So what language is Update #2 and #3 referring to? The same language as in the original post? And is the $1.9 B in Update #2 the same $1.9 as in the original post, or in addition to the $1.9 in the original post?
- Juvenal - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 12:20 pm:
=== Smart people always allow an escape route for the other side. ===
Yes, Rich. Cornering your enemy only earns you a fight to the death.
=== Wouldn’t it be easier for all sides to negotiate in good faith on these bigger issues instead of embracing stalemate? We’re looking at you, House Speaker Michael Madigan. ===
Look in the mirror, Tribune. Last week you equated compromise with surrender. You are 1/2 of 75 percent of the problem.
Democrats can negotiate without compromising, advance solutions without rewarding the hostage-taking.
And they should.
- Arsenal - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 12:23 pm:
==How about Speaker Madigan respond with something?==
This seems to misunderstand the situation. Rauner isn’t saying, “We can talk about the budget after we pass SOME reforms” or even “after we pass some PRO-BUSINESS reforms”. He’s saying we can’t talk about the budget until we pass the Turnaround Agenda, and every time Dems have tried to pass the elements of the Turnaround Agenda they can live with, he bricks that legislation. With that being the framework, any alternative reform Madigan introduces is irrelevant. What can he actually introduce that Rauner can accept in place of the Turnaround Agenda?
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 12:27 pm:
===and every time Dems have tried to pass the elements of the Turnaround Agenda they can live with===
Oh, please. They can live with a whole lot more than that.
Sheesh.
- observer - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 12:29 pm:
Bruce Rauner reminds me of Virgil Sollazzo….”he’s still alive!”…”blood is a big expense”…
- Arsenal - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 12:30 pm:
==Otherwise, what does Rauner get in a compromise?==
There needs to be some conversation about what he’ll accept as a compromise (maybe there has been, how would I know?). Clearly, a property tax freeze won’t do it. Workers comp and tort reform are broad, fuzzy concepts that could have wildly different meanings depending on who’s speaking. Without getting specific, we’d just be playing the “guess what I want” game that we always cry about when Madigan’s the referee.
- Henry Francis - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 12:31 pm:
I think the whole use of the word “compromise” in this context is not entirely correct. (For the reasons many commentators have already raised). Further, the word “”compromise” has such a stigma attached to it by many of the “true believers” who view it as a sign of weakness.
Perhaps a better term to use in lieu of compromise would be “reasonable”. I think everyone can agree that the Administration is being more reasonable lately - and that is clearly a good thing. (I just hope Madigan’s repeated use of the word hasn’t stigmatized it).
- Honeybear - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 12:33 pm:
I hope someone will address this question. Will the calculus change after the candidate filing period expires? For instance does anyone think he’ll start up the anti-union stuff back up after the filing period? Will Madigan throw the unions under the bus after the filing period?
- Arsenal - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 12:34 pm:
==Oh, please. They can live with a whole lot more than that.==
Where did I write otherwise? ‘Cause I sure didn’t mean to.
But I don’t see why the Dems would give away anything more when the Governor won’t even take “Yes” for an answer on a property tax freeze.
- X-prof - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 12:38 pm:
Will any of this get us to a solution to the state’s long-term, structural fiscal problems, or just another short-term patch to get us through the current year (not that that wouldn’t be a big step forward)? Where, if anywhere, is this heading in terms of real revenue reform? Will the Dems take this opportunity to finally propose something of substance?
- Very Fed Up - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 12:40 pm:
probably a pipe dream but hope the end solution is term limit and fair map ammendments we can vote on in return for a ballot initiative for progressive income tax and hike in minimum wage. Would be 4 big winners for the state.
- Quiet Sage - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 12:54 pm:
These are very hopeful and significant developments but I don’t feel they should be given excessive weight. This does not look like the start of an overall breakthrough on the budget. The reason is that, with the exception of the unemployment insurance agreed bill, none of the items agreed to in the last two days by the governor relate to his core Turnaround Agenda demands. And UI has for decades existed in its own technocratic world, with veteran experts from labor, business, and the State quibbling over the often arcane specifics of this field. I see the latest developments rather as an extension of earlier progress, now months in the past, where certain elements of the State budget (such as payment of State employees’ wages) were allowed to be implemented by consent of the governor, without resolving the overall impasse.
- Demoralized - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 12:58 pm:
X-prof:
This is other state funds. I’m not being flippant with you, but this bill really doesn’t have anything to do with the questions you asked. That’s why they are doing it. It’s easy.
- Lucky Pierre - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 1:00 pm:
The “hostage” metaphor is overused and unrealistic. If you want to use that as a starting point both sides can make a claim to being held hostage.
Chicago property tax payers are being held hostage by salary and pension benefits for city workers that far exceed the average private sector pay. 1 in 3 workers make over $100 K not including pension and health care expenses.
Homeowners across the state are being “held hostage” by lack of property tax reform to lower the 2nd highest property tax in America.
Business owners as well as public and private sector workers are being “held hostage” by lack of workers comp reform which increases the cost to hire a worker and causes pressure to freeze or lower wages.
Illinois voters are being “held hostage ” by gerrymandered legislative maps designed to protect incumbent legislators and disenfranchise voters
- CharlieKratos - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 1:06 pm:
So, after Madigan offers AFSCME as the sacrificial lamb this go around, what’s Rauner going to get next budget season? This is just year 1, after all.
- Allen D - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 1:16 pm:
In a summery, what I read is The Governor has been talking and has compromised on this issue, down from where he was, and then the House Democrats acting like spoiled kids once they get what they want… one more… one more… one more…
Let’s work on this and move on from here instead of bickering and fighting to the point this falls and its back to the “wall with you all”
- Liandro - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 1:17 pm:
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 11:20 am:
===I just don’t see what there is to respond with.===
==Workers’ comp and some collective bargaining changes at the local level.==
Well said. For example, public safety pensions are a huge problem right now. The ability to negotiate a joint solution with local unions to save them could be game-changing for some communities.
- X-prof - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 1:20 pm:
Thanks, Demoralized. I understood that about the bills in question. I was wondering if this is the beginning of something bigger, and if yes, how big? Some action on revenue is needed to fix the “FY16 train wreck,” but are the players on either side shooting for something more?
- PublicServant - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 1:22 pm:
Well you need to follow process before your language is included in a bill, Bruce. Not doing so until you realize that you’ve been backed into a corner causes a legitimate pause on the part of the legislature, given your past obfuscations and prevarications. You can’t expect a deliberative body like the legislature to just throw your last-minute babble into a bill. Have your boys file an amendment. That’s the way negotiations and deliberation works. No charge for the education.
- Demoralized - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 1:22 pm:
==House Democrats will not immediately consider==
Apparently not everyone has gotten acting like a child out of their system yet. Maybe a little reverse psychology like I used to use on my kids. How about tell the Democrats: “Don’t you dare do that while I’m not looking.” I bet they do it. Children fall for that stuff.
- Juvenal - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 1:24 pm:
=== The “hostage” metaphor is overused and unrealistic. ===
Pete:
As far as I know, Governor Edgar only used it once, and that was to refer to Governor Rauner.
1. Last time I checked, Chicago has some of the lowest residential property taxes in the country.
2. The counties with the highest property taxes are all Republican. You’re describing a scene from “Blazing Saddles.”
3. Not a single union representing private sector workers demanding cuts in benefits…are you sure workers are the ones demanding reform?
4. States where legislatures drew maps had the highest turnout in the 2014 elections. Your “disenfranchisement” claim is detached from reality.
Yes, anyone can “claim” they are being held hostage.
But third parties including governor edgar and child care advocates have said Rauner is the one taking hostages.
So there you go.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 1:24 pm:
===You can’t expect a deliberative body like the legislature to just throw your last-minute babble into a bill===
Last minute?
They sent over the language last week, for crying out loud.
- Demoralized - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 1:25 pm:
==You can’t expect a deliberative body like the legislature to just throw your last-minute==
It happens all the time. Ever been involved in writing a bill?
- PublicServant - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 1:27 pm:
===They sent over the language last week, for crying out loud.===
As an amendment to Moylan’s bill? I mean isn’t how it’s done Rich?
- PublicServant - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 1:29 pm:
And no Demo, I haven’t. But I am asking here. Doesn’t a legislator offer an amendment to a bill for it to be considered by the legislature?
Thanks.
- Demoralized - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 1:30 pm:
Guys, the Governor can’t file a bill. And it would be pointless for the Republicans to file an amendment. The story says Madigan asked for the language so he must have had some interest in it. If he had wanted to Madigan could have arranged for the amendment to be filed. He didn’t. I don’t like the Governor as much as the next guy but some of y’all are really grasping at straws trying to turn this into a negative for the governor.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 1:35 pm:
The language was there a week ago.
The governor’s brick is off the Bill.
What more didn’t the governor do?
Geez, Louise, the Democrats are ruining this open window to doing the doable.
Ugh.
- PublicServant - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 1:41 pm:
So Madigan could have had an amendment introduced, but chose not too? Didn’t realize that. Late to the discussion. Gotta read more before posting.
- tobor - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 1:45 pm:
Rich, what would those collective bargaining changes at the local level be?
- Mama - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 1:45 pm:
Rich, How many more hostages are still being held? Thanks
- ChrisB - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 1:49 pm:
==Geez, Louise, the Democrats are ruining this open window to doing the doable.==
Maybe that’s the plan. You keep saying that the Gov owns this mess. Now he’s being reasonable and making concessions, and the Dems keep take, take, taking, without any movement of their own.
That’s one way to get the public back on your side. I realize that the people who read this blog know all about the inside baseball, but to be able to say to John Q. Public, “Look, I’m being reasonable, but these guys are acting outrageously!” is very powerful thing for future dealings.
- GOP Extremist - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 2:00 pm:
This is not compromise in my opinion. If you want to call it good political maneuvering fine. He tried to one up the Dems rather than lose a floor vote and a possible vetoe for publicly supported programs. He just tried the same play the Trades Unions used on Kristina Rasmussen and the IPI. That doesn’t change the fact that he refuses to play the game by the rules.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 2:04 pm:
- ChrisB -
Poll the public on the compromise of HB4305…
This specific instance is, and only is, inside baseball.
No public hay can, or will be, made on whether the governor had an amendment introduced or not, or if the brick was lifted, or not.
Respectfully.
- Facts are Stubborn Things - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 2:08 pm:
Rauner lets a few hostages go and people start asking where is his get away plane. The state must have a budget, but “turn around agenda’s are for future election cycles to determine. MJM is going to set right where he has been from day one — we need a budget and it must be done in moderation with a blend of cuts and revenue.
- Facts are Stubborn Things - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 2:24 pm:
He tried to hold up a budget as leverage, but leverage must be real. When you need a budget eventually it is not much leverage.
- future - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 2:25 pm:
Rich, we’re all tired of this, but being tired is no reason to throw labor under the bus to please Rauner. (collective bargaining changes? really Rich?) You mention people need to start looking to the future. Well, they are. It’s called election day and Rauner’s the guy gearing up to try and send a whole bunch of lawmakers home for good. These actions today have future implications for others.
- Lincoln Lad - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 2:38 pm:
Looks like a tragic error by the Dems. The brain trust thinks voters will not know, just like many commenters routinely suggest. We’ll see one year from now. The Gov looks like the one willing to compromise, and may even recapture the ground as the one who cares in the voter’s minds. Huge mistake by the Speaker.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 2:54 pm:
- Lincoln Lad -
Governors own.
That’s what this has been all about.
“Fire Madigan, 2.0″ isn’t Governors own. Gov. Edgar knows it’s true too.
“Pat Quinn failed… ”
Candidate Rauner said so, because governors own.
Rauner needs his 60/30.
Retreating might help Rauner.
- Juvenal - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 2:55 pm:
Willy is correct.
Few people will care who is being “reasonable” or “unreasonable”.
Actually, partisans will always view their side as reasonable and the other side as unreasonable.
The folks in the middle , are, by definition, not paying attention to the back-and-forth. They care if they actually have a daycare to take their kids to, their kids can actually afford to go to college next semester, and the roads have enough salt to drive on this winter.
When government fails to execute those basic functions, it is the governor and his party who will be held accountable.
- Formerly Known As... - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 2:55 pm:
==pics that the hostage is still a live==
Wars and ==epic struggles== do not have hostages. They have ==victims==.
- Skeptic - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 2:56 pm:
“Huge mistake by the Speaker.” So what you’re saying that this *isn’t* about what’s best for Illinois and *should* be about political positioning?
- Team Katniss - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 3:01 pm:
Hooray Richard Goldberg! Nobody dies man, that’s where its all at. You go guy. Dont stop now. The sh_ts down - its nearly winter.
- Formerly Known As... - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 3:03 pm:
==When government fails to execute those basic functions, it is the governor and his party who will be held accountable.==
Are there any exceptions to that rule?
Maybe when your negotiating partner is the longest serving Speaker in history, who also chairs the party that controls both the House and Senate?
The Gov will ==own== this when all is said and done, but even casual observers know that no sausage gets made in Illinois without Mike Madigan.
- Judgment Day - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 3:10 pm:
“Counter point: Rauner is on the run. Why let him escape?”
—————
Because you are going to have to have the Governor involved as a player on the financial situations for the City of Chicago, CPS, and Cook County.
Read the Moody’s report.
- Lincoln Lad - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 3:13 pm:
-OW-
I’m not looking at anything but the district races next November. That’s the first major milestone on the true struggle from Rauner’s perspective. In all likelihood, you’ll have Clinton carrying the ticket, but don’t expect Hil to work with MJM. She’ll distance herself, so the downhill impact is tough to guess. It all depends on how Rauner and PACs his friends support message the local races and how much they decide to spend.
- Lincoln Lad - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 3:15 pm:
-Skeptic-
The Speaker is not stepping up to compromise after the Gov has. So who cares about Illnois and who cares more about their power?
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 3:24 pm:
===you’ll===
“you’ll”?
You mean non-Raunerites, I’m confused.
- Lincoln Lad -,
If it boils down to “Fire Madigan, 2.0″, in a Presidential year, with Rauner upside down, like Madigan in the macro…
“Fire Madigan, 2.0″ is a farce, and you’re hanging your hat on it, lol.
Welp, good luck, even at a million dollars a district, while bad votes hang around the owned Rauner Caucus members and running against the Speaker… Rauner now has a record, and those bad decisions he owns too.
“Fire Madigan, 2.0″… yikes.
- Skeptic - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 3:33 pm:
Lincoln Lad: That was kind of my point, although directed at the commenter and not any politician. The drum beat has been “Put politics aside and let’s solve this for the good of the state” (and whatever that means is of course up for debate), but he/she said “by solving this problem for the good of the State, Madigan is making a political mistake.”
- blue dog dem - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 3:35 pm:
Sorry I cant join in everyones euphoria.other than the eventual tax increase, I see business as usual, and I dont mean that turnaround agenda b.s. either.
- Lincoln Lad - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 3:39 pm:
-Skeptic-
IMO, the Speaker is currently in the seat of inhibiting the solving of the problems currently faced. If you think otherwise, so be it. It will all shift a couple times by Thanksgiving in all likelihood.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 3:42 pm:
- Lincoln Lad -,
So it is… “Fire Madigan, 2.0″?
- Lincoln Lad - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 3:45 pm:
-OW-
No Dem supermajority in the House after 2016 (not that there truly is one anymore).
Republican majority in 2018? It will be a mid term election with Dem blowback, and Rauner on top of the ticket.
Who knows, but not impossible.
- Lincoln Lad - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 3:48 pm:
-OW-
For Rauner it has been Fire Madigan from the beginning. If MJM doesn’t handle this epic struggle better than he has, who knows? It can’t be much fun.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 3:49 pm:
- Lincoln Lad -
… While people suffer, for the Raunerite ideal.
When Rep. Jack Franks quotes Ronald Reagan to point out the Raunerite ideals failing this state, what has the Owned Raunerite Caucuses gained?
That’s why… “Fire Madigan, 2.0″… loses.
- Juvenal - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 4:00 pm:
=== even casual observers ===
If you are actually an observer of state government, even a casual one, you are an outlier.
- Enviro - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 4:15 pm:
“Moderate House Republicans demanded a resolution and they’re the big winners here.”
This is what is needed to enact a state budget now. More moderate House and Senate Republicans demanding a resolution to the budget impasse.
- Formerly Known As... - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 5:02 pm:
==the Speaker is currently in the seat of inhibiting the solving of the problems currently faced==
It is DC politics, which others have said before.
Illinois House Democrats are Congressional Republicans, the ==obstructionists==, while the Executive blames them for obstructing change.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 5:31 pm:
Governors aren’t presidents.
The state house and state senate districts are smaller and far more local than Congressional members.
Macro and micro….
Rauner’s own numbers, upside down, won’t help the Raunerites(?)
- Grandson of Man - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 6:17 pm:
I support certain types of compromise, but Rauner and his very wealthy supporters, and the wealthiest Illinois residents, remain basically left alone. What sacrifices are they being made to take? Rauner cut the poor and middle class. Rauner is trying to lower the incomes of thousands of public workers.
If the income tax goes up to 4.75%, the wealthiest will still do quite well, as this rate is lower than almost all of our neighbor states. Not fair, I tell you.
- Wordslinger - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 6:53 pm:
Meanwhile, as part of its tentative contract with the UAW, Ford has agreed to invest $1.1 billion in its two plants on the South Side, Crains reports.
I guess they didn’t get the memo from the governor that Illinois is a terrible place to do business.
Turns out the UAW thought differently and got the company to put up the billion as part of their negotiating strategy.
Maybe not so bad for Illinois, after all.
- Wordslinger - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 7:21 pm:
Would you be surprised to learn that a certain former federal prosecutor was the sole “no” vote on HB4305?
I’m sure he has a real long-winded explanation as to why.
I’ll wait for the movie.
I’m sure it felt good for GOP legislators to cast a vote that made some sense.
- Blue dog dem - Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 9:07 pm:
Boy, the RAUN Man is having a bad week. 0 for 3 by my account. About the only cuts left on the table are universities and LGDF. I wonder who is going to be the sacrificial lamb?
- sal-says - Wednesday, Nov 11, 15 @ 8:20 am:
== Oh, please. They can live with a whole lot more than that. Sheesh. ==
More? Gut collective bargaining and More?
Wow.