He’s ba-ack!
Monday, Nov 23, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* After a brief flirtation with moderate rhetoric, our old buddy Richard Goldberg reverts to form. All emphasis in original…
From: Richard Goldberg, Deputy Chief of Staff for Legislative Affairs To: Members of the General Assembly
Date: November 23, 2015
Subj: Contingency Planning for HDEM Refusal to Compromise
On November 6, 2015, in response to a request from the Speaker’s Office, the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget (GOMB) sent the Speaker’s Office a list of Fiscal Year 2016 “Other State Funds” appropriation items that the Governor would support as an amendment to HB 4305 in order to protect public safety and avoid the first state debt default since 1842.
On November 8, 2015, GOMB followed up with specific appropriations language to support that objective. Had the General Assembly enacted HB 4305 with our compromise proposal, a wide range of “Other State Funds” and federal pass-through funds would already be available, including funds to:
* feed our veterans;
* feed state prisoners;
* feed individuals with mental health issues;
* feed individuals with developmental disabilities;
* keep state troopers on the road;
* salt state roads and plow the snow;
* support community college programs;
* avoid defaulting on the state’s civic center bond debt;
* distribute Motor Fuel Tax, video gaming and 9-1-1 money to local governments; and
* pay lottery winners.
Notably all of these line-items come from “Other State Funds” or federal pass-through accounts – and most must be paid regardless of the final budget outcome.
Unfortunately, House Democrats decided not to consider our compromise proposal when the House convened on November 10, 2015. Moreover, rather than moving HB 4305 as an amendment to a Senate vehicle bill (to expedite enactment of funding for local governments and the lottery), House Democrats passed a brand new House bill that would constitutionally require three days of readings in the Senate – and then immediately placed a procedural hold to stop the bill from even going to the Senate. In short, not only did House Democrats reject a compromise to fund key public safety concerns, they decided to hold hostage all other funds for local governments as well.
Now with the first snow storm of the season behind us and a debt payment looming, we cannot assume House Democrats will return to Springfield in December to consider a compromise “Other State Funds” and federal pass-through funds bill that helps local governments, protects public safety and avoids a debt default without adding General Revenue Funds that would lock in a $5 billion budget deficit. Indeed, if past is prologue, we might expect more shenanigans that put politics over the needs of our citizens. Therefore, our administration will move forward with contingency financing options to protect the citizens of Illinois.
As always, our administration stands ready to compromise with any member of the General Assembly to enact structural reforms that turnaround Illinois alongside a balanced budget. We urge House Democrats to embrace the compromise we have offered on HB 4305 – a compromise that will defend the safety and security of our citizens without impacting the larger budget debate.
Thoughts?
- Chicago Cynic - Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 2:50 pm:
Predictable and enabled by the decision to hold the bill in the House instead of allowing it to move forward. Madigan forfeited his messaging upper hand in favor of a procedural one. I don’t understand what he was thinking on this one.
- Beaner - Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 2:53 pm:
One reaps what one sows. Governors own. Being unable to clear snow tanked Mayor Byrne.
- 360 Degree TurnAround - Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 2:53 pm:
I got bored reading and stopped halfway through. Too many words. If you are using that many words, you are losing.
- VanillaMan - Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 2:53 pm:
He enjoys barking at the moon and demanding it come to Earth so he can put it into his pocket.
Is he still banned from the floor? It isn’t like he is doing something to make his presence important or anything.
- VanillaMan - Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 2:54 pm:
He might be back, but no one missed him.
- Just Me - Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 2:55 pm:
That does not seem like such bad rhetoric to me.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 2:55 pm:
I dunno if I’d make the “hostage” play, given
@RonSandack: I’m frustrated 2, but taking steps towards reforming IL more important than short term budget stalemate.
… and “Hang In There”…
… and “ck” and her emails of “until the Turnaround Agenda is passed”…
But, the reality?
Is the Senate “in”? I know they can be called, but this premise, again “Blame Madigan”… Ok, but if Rauner can get 71 and 36, as opposed to “one” flipping as a life raft, it’s hostages, and all hostages should stop, but if Rauner can’t get the votes…
… Ugh.
On the other hand, Goldberg is my favorite…
- 360 Degree TurnAround - Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 2:59 pm:
“Subj: Contingency Planning for HDEM Refusal to Compromise”
Is there something missing from this memo? I didn’t notice any contingency plan in this?
- Honeybear - Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 3:00 pm:
-Therefore, our administration will move forward with contingency financing options to protect the citizens of Illinois.-
Like what? Lay-off a huge amount of people? What are we talking about here?
- Ahoy! - Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 3:01 pm:
Maybe Rauner needs to throw Madigan a lifeline to allow him an out for the situation he has created?
- phocion - Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 3:02 pm:
Seems to be a well-reasoned and spot on analysis of what happened. Sorry folks, Madigan now owns this mess.
- Eugene - Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 3:04 pm:
Seriously, the Raunerbots are going to complain about the budget being held hostage, when hostage-taking is the core of their political strategy? Wow.
- Anon. - Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 3:04 pm:
First
==As always, our administration stands ready to compromise with any member of the General Assembly to enact structural reforms that turnaround Illinois alongside a balanced budget.==
Then
==We urge House Democrats to embrace the compromise we have offered on HB 4305 – a compromise that will defend the safety and security of our citizens without impacting the larger budget debate.==
Which “compromise” made no mention of the turnaround agenda. Does he even realize that the second sentence does not follow logically from the first?
- burbanite - Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 3:05 pm:
I struggle to understand the hold move. Why? And, what is left if they did pass this with the addendum? Would we have a defacto budget? Seriously, we are already at what 90% funding. Just do the darn budget already.
- Sir Reel - Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 3:07 pm:
Funny how the Administration can explain this in detail but never seems to explain in detail how it’s Turnaround Agenda will turn around Illinois. For example, exactly how will term limits improve the economy and revenues/costs?
Kinda hard to vote on each proposal when they’re only backed up by platitudes and generalities.
- Anon221 - Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 3:07 pm:
So is the “contingency” the Illinois Finance Authority funds??? That’ll help the munis and others limp along. One of the TurnAround Reform communities (not so much now…): http://dewittdailynews.com/news/details.cfm?clientid=22&id=197422#.VlOAB3Louuo
- AJ_yooper - Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 3:09 pm:
Eugene, I think you got it! This looks like a tit for tat ‘hostage’. Not an insider, but it seems to have some utility in the budget stalemate.
- internal angel - Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 3:10 pm:
Its a notice of forthcoming resourceful, unconventional emergency payments. They just talked around it, nibbled around the edges, instead of a full-on bitegrip.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 3:10 pm:
Hang in there, - phocion -, LOL.
Governors own, they always do.
Rauner needs a budget. Rauner needs 71 or even 60. Rauner needs 36, possibly 30…
But governors… Especially those “hanging in there”… they own their messes… and no budgets too.
Always was. Always will be.
- Flynn's mom - Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 3:13 pm:
OW, is Goldberg the Denny Crane ish character in Dad’s Home State?
- Ghost - Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 3:13 pm:
madigan handed them a sound bite, and they are sounding off. they are not soing anything to actually resolve the budget problem, just campaigning.
its like Rauners team has so little idea how to actually govern they have just defaulted to campaign mode…. they need to move to governance mode. snarky may be fun, and the gov may be uncaring, but the state she be a failin….
- Me too - Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 3:16 pm:
Sounds to me like Maugham wants a hostage of his own before the big meeting. It is probably an effort to have the governor call him out on it to which Madigan already has prepared a scathing response. That or Madigan knows things will start to crumble and everyone knows the gov is getting the blame. Therefore, why not have a hostage exchange, rather than a straight up ransom?
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 3:16 pm:
- Flynn’s Mom -
Here’s a hint, ‘tween us;
If you figure out the “hero” in “Dad’s Home State”, the rest makes sense.
If I give it away, it’s no fun. Just read and think.
Shhh.
OW
- x ace - Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 3:16 pm:
Beaner , think the Blizzard of 1979 actually “tanked” Mayor Michael Bilandic. Future Mayor Jane Byrne won the Primary and it was deemed due to the City’s snow removal failures.
- Me too - Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 3:18 pm:
Madigan not Maugham. Autocorrect failed me.
- Juice - Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 3:20 pm:
Beaner, it was Bilandic who was ranked by snow. Byrne was ranked by Daley’s attempt to retake the throne, and to a certain extent by Byrne.
To the post,
Dear Governor, I do realize that the lack of appropriations for other state funds has placed significant pressure on some of your agencies in terms of certain purchases that they do indeed need to make.
However, I would remind you that the House and Senate both passed legislation making such appropriations, and those appropriation bills were sent to your office for signature or veto.
Despite the fact that Article IV of the Illinois constitution provides you with far reaching powers for handling appropriation measures that reach your desk, you made the decision to veto those appropriations in its entirety.
Previously, when the House and Senate have signalled its intent to pass temporary budgets as a bridge to a full budget deal, you have consistently registered your opposition to such measures. Sadly, it appears that your primary objective is to hold certain residents of the state hostage in exchange for your desire to see the enactment of non-budget related items. Unfortunately, it seems as if you may have mistakenly held yourself hostage in that process by not more judiciously exercising your gubernatorial authority. With that, you have my sympathy, but unfortunately a remedy to that situation is not going to occur at this time.
I do hope that you and Diana have a warm and happy holiday.
With kindest person regards, I remain
Sincerely yours,
Whoever
- Name Withheld - Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 3:20 pm:
Is there a Wiki on Dad’s Home State? Need to catch up on some episodes - can’t find it on Netflix yet.
- Anon2U - Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 3:21 pm:
He’s light. No matter how often Oswego Willy repeats “governors own” it doesn’t make it so. Solution offered by Governor and House R’s. Madigan took his football and went crying all the way to mommy. Or in this case BFC.
Time’s they are a changing OW. Try and keep up.
- Hedley Lamarr - Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 3:21 pm:
Goldberg, stop yelling at lampposts.
- Anon2U - Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 3:22 pm:
*He’s right.*. Darn fat fingers again…
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 3:25 pm:
- Name Witheld -
I’ll see if HBO can put them OnDemand before Season 2 premieres…
To the Post,
===As always, our administration stands ready to compromise with any member of the General Assembly to enact structural reforms that turnaround Illinois alongside a balanced budget.===
Nothing happens, until the Turnaround Agenda is like this letter also calling out themselves… Ain’t it?
“As always, our administration stands ready to compromise with any member of the General Assembly to enact structural reforms that turnaround Illinois alongside a balanced budget.”
So… that Turnaround Agenda… still holdin’ up things?
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 3:28 pm:
Oh - Anon2U -
Counting to “one” with Dunkin isn’t compromise, lol.
You should keep up with where Rauner stands, is he “hanging in there” or using Dunkin as a life raft.
Governors own, they always do. Not my rule.
Gov. Edgar knows it’s true too… so, there’s that.
- 360 Degree TurnAround - Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 3:29 pm:
They do realize that all that has to happen is for Leader Currie to remove the motion and the bill goes to the Senate. The House has voted on it. This bill was the House Democrats idea, if the Governor wishes to introduce a bill, ask Leader Durkin for a bill.
- Me too - Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 3:32 pm:
Anon2u, there’s a post a couple above yours you should read. It pretty much sums up who’s at fault for this whole mess and why. Reality is hard to stomach for some, but according to rauner and the public Quinn owned all of the ratings downgrades and slow growth. Well now, we don’t have a budget, bonds are downgrades further and the economy is growing slower than before. We had a good month, but overall the pain and uncertainty inflicted to enact supposedly pro business reforms is making the business climate infinitely words. So much so that it will take years for us to get back to square one on it and the budget. It is hard to imagine you don’t see that this is simply a carrot to dangle in front of Rauner and it would never have had to be done if rauner hadn’t started this by saying that the turnaround agenda must be passed before he’ll negotiate on the budget. Madigan responded in kind, and strangely enough, the governor is already taking the blame from most. If we have a major snowfall, look for his numbers to tank.
- walker - Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 3:44 pm:
Is the -”contingency funding”- IFA or other borrowing?
- Team Sleep - Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 3:55 pm:
I wasn’t going to post, but I’ll say this:
Rauner vetoed the bills five months ago. In political and governing timeframes, that’s almost a lifetime ago. We hammered him for it, and the vetoes weren’t overridden.
To paraphrase Colonel Sandurz in “Spaceballs”: we’re dealing in the now. Speaker Madigan has his thumb on HB 4305 like a psychopathic kid has a thumb on an ant.
Mr. Goldberg would be wise to not use such strident talking points in a memo to the GA. If he wants to hammer out such a memo to agency directors and liaisons, fine.
This mess just got worse.
- Flynn's Mom - Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 3:55 pm:
Gotcha Ow, thanks!
- Juvenal - Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 3:56 pm:
GOMB didn’t realize until November 6th that they needed salt for state roads?
They waited until asked to communicate that, and didn’t respond until two days before the legislation was scheduled to be called?
Total incompetence all around.
I think OMB has to own part of it. They not only should have had that list ready, it should have already been circulated.
- @MisterJayEm - Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 4:01 pm:
“Thoughts?”
Better luck next year, Illinois.
Maybe.
– MrJM
- 13TH - Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 4:08 pm:
JUST PASS A BUDGET!
there are a lot of not for profits that do the state work for some of the most needs, and they are in worst shape than any state agency, and neither side is addressing in this bill.
beside has not the Governor stated before this is just a piece meal budget and veto such bills, just saying
- Wensicia - Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 4:23 pm:
Condensed down to twelve words:
“We’re back to Turnaround Agenda or nothing! Except now it’s Madigan’s fault.”
(Hat tip to Dunkin)
- Beaner - Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 4:24 pm:
Not using an Amendatory Veto back in May is beginning to look foolish and rash even to the Governor’s inner circle. His numbers are tanking all over the State.
- Lincoln Lad - Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 4:34 pm:
Madigan “owns” this, and I’m glad somebody put something in writing that says so. Cullerton rolls a bill, MJM hijacks it, writes his own bill, and uses parliamentary tactics to make sure nothing moves on his own bill. The Gov offered input on Cullerton’s bill, and gets no response. This is and has been the Speaker’s my way or the highway approach for years, and if you want the Gov to “own” it, then send him a bill to sign or veto. Otherwise, don’t distort what’s happening here. That’s gotten old too.
- Norseman - Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 4:35 pm:
=== Solution offered by Governor and House R’s. ===
Solution to what? Rauner wants to increase the size of a band-aid he could have put in place months ago. The solution would be for Rauner and Madigan to release all hostages and negotiate a budget.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 4:42 pm:
Oh - Lincoln Lad -, lol…
===As always, our administration stands ready to compromise with any member of the General Assembly to enact structural reforms that turnaround Illinois alongside a balanced budget.===
… you hang in there!
Rauner is owning it…
Right. There.
Nothing until the Turnaround Agenda.
Governors own. Where is the Governor’s budget?
So the Governor would… “rather not”… fund his agencies? Yeah, ok, … when the Turnaround Agenda is passed.
Rauner owns it.
Gov. Edgar says so.
- Streator Curmudgeon - Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 5:07 pm:
What do they call people who live in their own little worlds?
- sal-says - Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 5:07 pm:
OW: ‘On the other hand, Goldberg is my favorite…’
Favorite WHAT? LOL.
- Formerly Known As... - Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 5:12 pm:
==Madigan forfeited his messaging upper hand in favor of a procedural one.==
Well said. Mike Madigan borrowed ==ownership== of this ==war== on November 10. Rauner owns the signed budget, but Madigan owns this for now.
Lottery winners and IML members will blame someone when voting, and ==Mike Madigan obstructed the legislation to pay you== takes seconds to include in a commercial.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 5:17 pm:
- sal-says -
Everything that makes Goldberg completely unhelpful, makes him my favorite in the role he has.
Goldberg isn’t there to work the legislative process, he’s there to work the legislators.
Goldberg, easily, is my favorite.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 5:25 pm:
… and you’re welcome - Flynn’s mom -
- illinoised - Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 5:27 pm:
I had a vinyl record that skipped and kept repeating the same lines. It was irritating so I quit listening to it.
- sal-says - Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 5:34 pm:
By the way, there’s probably several MILLION IL citizens that would like raunner to concentrate on solving IL problems, like bad mouthing IL as a place for business, no budget in about the first 5/12th’s of this fiscal year, and the pain being inflicted on those who depend on IL government help (LIHEAP?).
- Wordslinger - Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 5:35 pm:
Gee, Goldy, this hostage taking sounds like an indefensible political tactic.
Who would ever do such an irresponsible and reckless thing?
Pox on all hostage takers.
- Langhorne - Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 5:45 pm:
Failure. No leadership.
Leadership is bringing people together to achieve something tangible.
This is petty nastiness and name calling. And its nearly freakin december.
- cdog - Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 6:01 pm:
Waiting for money in HB4305? Don’t hold your breath. Rauner just got put “in the box;” he had little too much rabbit blood there. Thought he was going on a big run.
File a complaint, get paid by court order. That’s the new way to do business with the Rauner Administration running the State of Illinois.
- HaroldJones - Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 6:06 pm:
If Goldburg worked for me I would drug test him. The man is increasingly erratic and his rhetoric is not at all helpful. Very immature.
- PENSIONS ARE OFF LIMITS - Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 6:10 pm:
Be careful what you wish for….
Kudos to Speaker Madigan for serving up a heaping scoop of “leverage.”
- cdog - Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 6:22 pm:
In whose world is the releasing of a hostage considered a compromise?
How would the House have compromised when everything was negotiated by Dunkin and the Senate peeps?
Goldberg does need a drug test. That’s some mixed up stuff going on there.
- Austin Blvd - Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 6:33 pm:
Rauner: “Crisis creates opportunity.”
Emanuel: “Never let a good crisis go to waste.”
Madigan: “Yes”
- lancer48 - Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 6:35 pm:
The mayors don’t care how we got here. They just want their money. They know who has his thumb on HB4305.
- Lincoln Lad - Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 6:38 pm:
Mayors do. Excellent point Lancer48.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 6:48 pm:
- Lincoln Lad -
Maybe the Mayors can get that sweet Rauner loan was offering…
You remember that loan plan;
Rauner loans to Munis the money they’re owed. Then Rauner would have the towns pay interest to the money the state owes them already.
That Gov. Rauner… the friend of local government, LOL
- Norseman - Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 6:53 pm:
The mayors also know who wants to cut their local distributive fund monies and freeze their tax authority in exchange for the hope of greater so-called “flexibility” that will nowhere near recoup the money lost. But that same person wants to let them go bankrupt too so I guess he can’t be all bad.
- cdog - Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 6:55 pm:
@Lancer “The mayors don’t care how we got here. They just want their money. They know who has his thumb on HB4305.”
This same logic, applied to all the people harmed by the Rauner Administration’s hostage-taking, is exactly why Rauner’s approval rating is the worst in the nation.
“They know who has had his thumb on it, the entire time.”
Rauner, but obviously not the entertaining Goldberg, is most likely working furiously as we speak, trying to put the toothpaste back in the tube.
- Austin Blvd - Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 7:01 pm:
Rauner: “I’ll take the heat.”
Goldberg: “The kitchen is hot.”
Madigan: “See you Dec 1.”
- Anonymous - Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 9:20 pm:
Skulduggery thinking “our administration” wow a coequal
- The obvious - Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 9:50 pm:
Sounds like Richard Goldberg and the other members of this responsible administration are continuing to outclass and out perform the old tired Madigan horses. Hopefully not too long til they’re put out to pasture. But in the meantime Mr. Goldberg and the others will have to be the adults in the room.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 9:53 pm:
===…Mr. Goldberg and the others will have to be the adults in the room.===
LOL.
Did you actually read the letter?
- Anonymous - Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 10:04 pm:
What kind of shenanigans are contingency financing?
- Chicago 20 - Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 10:14 pm:
The obvious-
You must have a typo.
The correct spelling is oblivious.
- Anonymous - Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 11:45 pm:
@The obvious
Are you serious? Goldberg is Rauner’s lapdog.
“Now with the first snow storm of the season behind us and a debt payment looming, we cannot assume House Democrats will return to Springfield in December to consider a compromise “Other State Funds” and federal pass-through funds bill that helps local governments, protects public safety and avoids a debt default without adding General Revenue Funds that would lock in a $5 billion budget deficit.”
Rauner is now realizing a judge will order the state to release the funds and is now resulting in borrowing to keep the state afloat. I hope they release the funds to protect the state from Rauner.
- Facts are Stubborn Things - Tuesday, Nov 24, 15 @ 8:17 am:
Rauner is the one who decided to hole up a budget for non budget reforms. He (Rauner) thinks he has such leverage, however, for leverage to work it must be able to hold up and his non budget items won’t hold up the weight of the budget. when MJM creates leverage it will be real.
- Kathryn - Tuesday, Nov 24, 15 @ 9:02 am:
Even though Rauner wants to give no interest loans to the municipalities, doesn’t the state have to pay interest to the finance authority on the money the state borrows, so in the end the taxpayers are having to pay more?