SuperStars thinkin’ they use the meetin’ as cover for the expandin’ non state funds approp bill….think of it as the $3 billion payout for the GOPies and Dunkin’ who helped SuperStars avoid defeat on child care.
BTW SuperStars continue to show love fir higher ed by givin’ $0.00
Welcome to The Apprentice: Illinois Edition.
Starting:
Donald Trump: played by Governor Bruce Rauner
Ivanka Trump: played by Leader Rodogno
Piers Morgan: played by President Cullerton
Omarosa: played by Leader Durkin
Donald Trump Jr. played by Speaker Madigan
Money, money, money, money, money [2x]
Some people got to have it
Do things, Do things, do bad things with it
Dollar bills, yall
For that lean, mean, mean green
Almighty dollar
Talkin about money
Give me a nickel, brother can you spare a dime
Money can drive some people out of their minds
Money, money, money, money, money
==How about some solutions, Radogno? What a bore.==
As opposed to Madigan/Cullerton’s “solution” of “let’s just pass the same type of budget as we have for the last few decades, then put off any other real changes until later. Rrrrrrriggt
Rauner-Back-dooring the RTW and collective bargaining into the property tax freeze. So… not three items after all. Back to the top five on the TAR (TurnAround Reforms).
How does this “may” collective bargaining work? Rauner wants local government to decide if they want to collective bargain over pay. So govt doesn’t because their leadership is incompetent and incapable of saying no, what’s to stop union from striking because they want to discuss pay?
I think there will be movement on some of the non-GRF funding issues and everyone will claim progress, maybe so. Term limits and redistricting will be discussed but need to be defined on how it will be done and who will it apply to i.e state officials, federal, county etc. I mean if term limits are good for one group it should be good for all Elimination of collective bargaining is still a non starter. All gave good presentations with the exception of Durkin, must have drank too much coffee as he appeared agitated the whole time.
Not gonna hang around for the end result of the closed door meeting. Captain Ahab ain’t giving up the great white whale and that’s all there is to it. The state be darned..
So my three year old thinks that if she asks me for a cookie before dinner, by the 50th time she asks I’ll magically say Yes (which doesn’t happen). It appears the Gov has the same mentality.
To JS Mill - yes President Cullerton loves play the man of reason. He wants to meet and meet, to what purpose?
What was very clear from these statements was that the Governor and his legislative leaders totally believe local governments need to be able to void all or parts of collective bargaining agreements in order to contain costs. Moreover, Gov Rauner totally argued that the labor provisions were essential to having any property tax reform in Illinois.
If these statement represent the Republican bargaining stance then we are going no where folks.
I’ve spent more time in the finance office of a car dealership than they spent meeting on issues significantly more complicated and contentious than a simple car purchase. I appreciate the tone and example Cullerton is trying to set, but I’m not sure how the meeting could’ve been anything close to productive.
Whatever the effect of this public speechifyin’, it was lost to the Chicago Videogate Meltdown. Sorry, Rauner, your scripted show bombed.
- Formerly Known As... - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 4:31 pm:
== @moniquegarcia GOP leaders, sans Rauner, came out to say not much got done. Now standoff between Madigan and Rauner on who will have last word today. ==
^LOL^
Really? No, really? The Speaker thinks it is his right to speak last, after the Governor?
Oh my. We really are in trouble if that is the sort of ==compromise== coming out of this meeting.
I have been out today until just now. Was hoping to watch this monumental, long awaited and long overdue meeting. Does not appear that I missed much after reading these comments. Seems that BVR is still in campaign mode and that this was little more than a photo opportunity and a chance to get some sound bites.
Once again Willy is right - the operative word is “January”. Should be interesting to see the dynamics of what will happen then!
I once thought October was a pessimistic prediction of when we would have a budget, now I think January is too optimistic, especially after today’s “Monologue of the Leaders”.
From the Twitters, Radogno may have had a “McCarthy lite” moment when she said Democrats are protecting “special interests” who fund them.
By “McCarthy lite” I mean US Rep McCarthy who said/implied that Benghazi hearings would take down Clinton’s poll numbers.
A purpose of weakening unions we know is to weaken their ability to fund politicians. That would leave the path clear for the handful of “white knight” multimillionaires and billionaires to not be seriously challenged as they pour millions into their crusade to “save” the taxpayers.
Labor has to stay vigilant and active and know what is the endgame. That includes contacting GA members and urging them to reject anti-union proposals.
Wordslinger i agree with you. He will just do his angry white dude routine until they handcuff him. His money isolates him from real people, the real world and real government. I never want to get that lost in the wilderness.
Rahm was right to let McCarthy go. I realize Mr. McCarthy didnt pull the trigger on those kids, but the coverup occurred on his watch. Ethics comes down from the top in any organization. Painful as it was for Rahm, he made the right decision. McCarthy needs to suck it up.
=== I think January is when Madigan throws Labor under the bus. ===
Honeybear, I don’t think so. What’s in it for him to do that? He losses a traditional Dem ally for what benefit. The right to raise taxes. That’s cutting your nose off to spite your face. Most importantly, throwing labor under the bus gives Rauner a win and that is against every fiber of Madigan’s, especially after being the gov’s personal punching bag over the campaign and this year.
I believe it was Amanda Vinicky who asked Madigan about the bill. She asked four questions in an effort to pin down some details. Madigan confirmed that negotiations are “ongoing” and that the bill would not yet be allowed to advance to the Senate. She even asked “How and what are you negotiating on a bill that’s already passed?” but all he said was “Appropriations”.
I agree with Norseman and believe also that many Democratic legislators will not vote for anti-union proposals.
I listened to a bit of Madigan’s presser, and he reiterated that workers comp reform and a property tax freeze are doable for his party. He said workers comp legislation that exists can be amended.
I listened to the pod cast - I want the time of my life spent listening back. Absolutely nothing was accomplished. Both sides spoke to their perceived constituencies. Some blathered more than others. Regardless, sound bytes will be extracted and fed to the public as reasoned debate and will be accepted according to mercurial beliefs. The busy and the uninterested will hear and believe the sound bytes with nary a thought passing through their minds. Hence the root of the problem.
Norseman and OW, thanks for the wise counsel. I just get so concerned that we (Labor) will be used as a pawn. We can be as strong as we want but in the end elections do have consequences and the legislature can destroy us faster than we can come back at them. Plus if they betray us what can we do about it? Support the GOP? No, I think Madigan has us by the apples and I’m scared to death of what could come next.
Honeybear, it’s my belief that you have Rauner to thank for keeping Madigan from agreeing to further erode AFSCME rights. Rauner’s arrogance and win at all cost strategy - money’s not a limit - forced Madigan as a response to Rauner’s ham-handedness away from his own concerns about public sector unions. A Thompson or Ryan could have easily gotten some more limits on AFSCME rights from Madigan IMHO.
- Test - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 1:56 pm:
So what’s the over/under for the number of minutes after the summit is over before Rauner says something to the media that details the whole thing?
- Anonin' - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 2:02 pm:
SuperStars thinkin’ they use the meetin’ as cover for the expandin’ non state funds approp bill….think of it as the $3 billion payout for the GOPies and Dunkin’ who helped SuperStars avoid defeat on child care.
BTW SuperStars continue to show love fir higher ed by givin’ $0.00
- Test - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 2:13 pm:
Details was supposed to be derails
- Bogey Golfer - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 2:19 pm:
Looks like Amanda has man hands.
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 2:23 pm:
What’s the big deal? The governor has been saying for months that negotiations have been ongoing and progress was being made?
Was that not true?
- Give Me A Break - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 2:24 pm:
This music CMS is using on their feed until it starts makes you want to take up arms and storm the bastille.
- @MisterJayEm - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 2:31 pm:
I already miss the test pattern.
– MrJM
- ChicagoVinny - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 2:33 pm:
I feel like I’m about to watch a bad training video.
- Under Influenced - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 2:33 pm:
This is just awkward.
- Willie Stark - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 2:34 pm:
Sometimes he drops those G’s and sometimes he doesn’t. Really makes you wonder if not using G’s is authentic.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 2:34 pm:
Yikes, the Speaker is so far away from the group…
- @MisterJayEm - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 2:36 pm:
During Rauner’s opening remarks, MJM both yawned and blew his nose.
But I’m sure those were merely examples of the spontaneous and not at all deliberate behaviors for which Mr. Madigan is famous.
– MrJM
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 2:38 pm:
===Really makes you wonder if not using G’s is authentic. ===
LOL
- Politix - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 2:39 pm:
Nice of the governor to dictate how they all will address the press after the meeting.
The choppy feed is distracting.
- anonny - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 2:39 pm:
The video keeps hanging up on every phrase, like the speaker is waiting for his remarks to be translated for the others. very distracting.
- Ace Laredo - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 2:39 pm:
The Speaker at the podium, Leader Durkin seated. I’m already distracted and confused by the POV shift
- Ace Laredo - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 2:41 pm:
Maybe each of the 5 will adopt a different POV and pose to liven things up.
- Frenchie Mendoza - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 2:41 pm:
Use Blueroom stream. Much smoother. The CMS stream is worthless.
- Anon221 - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 2:41 pm:
Mr. Durkin, finger-pointing is not helping!
- Politix - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 2:45 pm:
Durkin: “Governor, you have been reasonable from the start”
Pure comedy.
- Served - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 2:47 pm:
This is Christopher Guest movie levels of uncomfortable.
- Anon221 - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 2:47 pm:
Good for Cullerton for chastising Durkin’s posturing!
- Frenchie Mendoza - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 2:48 pm:
Cullerton FTW!
Great speech.
- Ace Laredo - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 2:48 pm:
Oh my God……President Cullerton is killing me
“Even if I wanted to surrender to you, how would I do that?”
is like “One dog is going one way, one dog is going the other way, and this guy over here is saying ‘hey, what do you want from me’?
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 2:48 pm:
Durkin is a clear front-runner for the Razzie for Worst Suck Up in a Lap Dog Role.
- Dirty Red - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 2:49 pm:
“If it’s all the same, I would rather forego my prepared remarks so we can just get to work.”
- No One
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 2:49 pm:
Madigan made a case… Totally cool.
Durkin made the Gov’s case… Totally cool, too.
Cullerton’s just “talkin’ to us”.., good on the Senate President.
- LizPhairTax - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 2:49 pm:
Radogno had weeks to prep and all she has is the toenail analogy? Cede your time to Cullerton!
- Sage - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 2:49 pm:
Curious that the Speaker is the only one who used a podium! Imagine the look on BVR and Z’s faces when that request came in . . . .
- Politix - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 2:50 pm:
Cullerton is the most authentic person in the room.
- Team Sleep - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 2:52 pm:
Sage - why not?! He’s the Speaker. I’m surprised he didn’t also demand a Saputo’s sampler platter and a fresh apple driven in directly from HyVee.
- 360 Degree Turnaround - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 2:53 pm:
Why did Rauner make the only woman leader go last? Chivalry died today.
- Roamin' Numeral - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 2:54 pm:
Durkin: “Revenue is not the answer. It will never be the answer.”
This guy doesn’t even know what the question is, let alone the answer. Puh-leeze.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 2:56 pm:
==Why did Rauner make the only woman leader go last? Chivalry died today==
You don’t lead off with your anchor leg, you finish with it
- Politix - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 2:56 pm:
How about some solutions, Radogno? What a bore.
- Anon - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 2:57 pm:
A way to turn this off would be nice.
- The End Is Near - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 2:58 pm:
Rauner: “Chicago is part of the state.”
Thanks, Bruce.
- The Apprentice - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 2:58 pm:
Welcome to The Apprentice: Illinois Edition.
Starting:
Donald Trump: played by Governor Bruce Rauner
Ivanka Trump: played by Leader Rodogno
Piers Morgan: played by President Cullerton
Omarosa: played by Leader Durkin
Donald Trump Jr. played by Speaker Madigan
Theme song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9zraS8EKw4
Money, money, money, money, money [2x]
Some people got to have it
Do things, Do things, do bad things with it
Dollar bills, yall
For that lean, mean, mean green
Almighty dollar
Talkin about money
Give me a nickel, brother can you spare a dime
Money can drive some people out of their minds
Money, money, money, money, money
- Team Sleep - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 3:00 pm:
Anon - it’s simple. Just click the “x” on the tab.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 3:01 pm:
==How about some solutions, Radogno? What a bore.==
As opposed to Madigan/Cullerton’s “solution” of “let’s just pass the same type of budget as we have for the last few decades, then put off any other real changes until later. Rrrrrrriggt
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 3:02 pm:
Radogno…totally cool with her.
Governor… Clearly focused on rebuttal of Madigan.
So… That’s that.
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 3:03 pm:
Sen. Radogno ordered the Big Word Salad today.
Lots of stuff thrown together haphazardly, but strangely unfulfilling.
- Anon221 - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 3:03 pm:
Rauner-Back-dooring the RTW and collective bargaining into the property tax freeze. So… not three items after all. Back to the top five on the TAR (TurnAround Reforms).
- AC - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 3:03 pm:
Everyone gets 10 minutes, unless you count the Givernor’s last word.
- Man with a plan - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 3:04 pm:
So, uh… what exactly is supposed to happen when the cameras turn off? Are they supposed to negotiate?
When the camera zooms out from Rauner, 50/50 Madigan is gone. Haven’t seen a farce like this in a while.
- Norseman - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 3:04 pm:
Rauner’s big 3, redistricting, term limits and property tax reform. None of which fix fiscal crisis. We’re screwed on getting a budget.
Rauner was more moderate, Cullerton was his usual best, Radogno was a toenail, Madigan still confrontational and Durkin is stuck in la la land.
- JS Mill - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 3:05 pm:
Durkin’s message? Basically it’s all your fault democratic party!
How can you expect to seem powerful and be a victim at the same time. He needs to go away.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 3:06 pm:
Lots of talking past each other, which was my guess from jump street, but, it was what it was
I owe President Cullerton props, his “speech” was the standout.
- Demoralized - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 3:06 pm:
Well, it looks like we continue to go nowhere fast with the Governor’s continued push on the anti-union front.
- the Other Anonymous - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 3:06 pm:
Huh.
Does anyone else think that it ended much like the Sopranos series finale?
- RNUG - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 3:08 pm:
If Rauner’s big 3 are redistricting, term limits and property tax relief, then I think this Jim Steinman lyric is appropriate:
“Two out of three ain’t bad.”
- Politix - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 3:09 pm:
Rauner can’t help himself with his union obsession. This is hilarious.
- illinoised - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 3:09 pm:
Groundhog Day. Yawn.
- Politix - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 3:10 pm:
Thank you and good night!
So weird.
- Team Sleep - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 3:11 pm:
That reminded me of some of the “debates” my teachers would begin in high school civics and college political theory classes.
Rauner will get the redistricting he wishes.
- Norseman - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 3:13 pm:
How does this “may” collective bargaining work? Rauner wants local government to decide if they want to collective bargain over pay. So govt doesn’t because their leadership is incompetent and incapable of saying no, what’s to stop union from striking because they want to discuss pay?
- Mama - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 3:14 pm:
President Cullerton wins the public speech today.
- Sue - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 3:17 pm:
So, Gov’nor….
Contract negotiations? Local control.
Don’t want that new charter school in your neighborhood?
Talk to the hand.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 3:17 pm:
Does property tax relief include collective bargainin’ and Prevailin’ Wage restrictions?
Just askin’
- JS Mill - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 3:18 pm:
I am not a Cullerton fan , but he was the most sensible so far.
- RNUG - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 3:18 pm:
== Does property tax relief include collective bargainin’ and Prevailin’ Wage restrictions? ==
That’s what I thought I heard … hence my 3:08 comment.
- Norseman - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 3:20 pm:
=== Does property tax relief include collective bargainin’ and Prevailin’ Wage restrictions? ===
Given his big “why not let locals decide on collective bargaining” finish, I would say yes.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 3:25 pm:
- RNUG - and - Norseman -
You “get” me, I’d Crew with you guys anytime…
- ToughGuy - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 3:26 pm:
I think there will be movement on some of the non-GRF funding issues and everyone will claim progress, maybe so. Term limits and redistricting will be discussed but need to be defined on how it will be done and who will it apply to i.e state officials, federal, county etc. I mean if term limits are good for one group it should be good for all Elimination of collective bargaining is still a non starter. All gave good presentations with the exception of Durkin, must have drank too much coffee as he appeared agitated the whole time.
- Mama - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 3:26 pm:
==- Norseman - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 3:20 pm: Given his big “why not let locals decide on collective bargaining” finish, I would say yes.==
Norseman,I agree with you. Why can’t the governor be honest for a change at state the truth? The truth is he wants collective bargaining gone!
- howie - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 3:27 pm:
Any chance of the transcript being posted somewhere?
- Mouthy - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 3:29 pm:
Not gonna hang around for the end result of the closed door meeting. Captain Ahab ain’t giving up the great white whale and that’s all there is to it. The state be darned..
- AC - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 3:30 pm:
Rauner only needs 3* things.
*For sufficiently large values of 3
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 3:31 pm:
==chance of the transcript being posted somewhere?
==
All you have to do is pull up a speech any of them have given the last year. None of them went off script
- Huh? - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 3:31 pm:
So my three year old thinks that if she asks me for a cookie before dinner, by the 50th time she asks I’ll magically say Yes (which doesn’t happen). It appears the Gov has the same mentality.
- DuPage Don - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 3:34 pm:
===Cullerton is the most authentic person in the room===
My how the threshold for leadership has been diminished in this state===
- Columbo - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 3:35 pm:
Predictable, yes. But I don’t remember the bonus round conclusion by Rauner being part of the format the leaders agreed to. Not helpful.
- Rod - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 3:37 pm:
To JS Mill - yes President Cullerton loves play the man of reason. He wants to meet and meet, to what purpose?
What was very clear from these statements was that the Governor and his legislative leaders totally believe local governments need to be able to void all or parts of collective bargaining agreements in order to contain costs. Moreover, Gov Rauner totally argued that the labor provisions were essential to having any property tax reform in Illinois.
If these statement represent the Republican bargaining stance then we are going no where folks.
- Mouthy - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 3:38 pm:
=- Columbo - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 3:35 pm:
Predictable, yes. But I don’t remember the bonus round conclusion by Rauner being part of the format the leaders agreed to. Not helpful.=
When you hijack a meeting you don’t hijack 90% of it..
- Norseman - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 3:48 pm:
=== Any chance of the transcript being posted somewhere? ===
Check next year’s campaign literature. (/s)
- internal angel - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 3:54 pm:
Save that tape
- Abe the Babe - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 4:00 pm:
Apparently Radogno and Durkin didn’t get the turnaround memo that Bruce was dropping *or de-emphasizing* WC.
Didn’t he first come in saying he needed 11 votes? Man, amateur hour up there.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 4:06 pm:
===Didn’t he first come in saying he needed 11 votes?===
January.
That’s the signal.
- walker - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 4:13 pm:
So 10 Turnaround items in the campaign were consolidated into 8 earlier this year, without any being given up.
Then 8 were rhetorically consolidated into 4, without actually giving any up, by combining two or more into the same ones.
Now he claims only wants 3? Which certainly practically include at least five of the former 8?
Would try to track what Rauner is saying versus his current actual agenda, but why bother? He doesn’t do simple numbers well in any context.
Why doesn’t he just announce clearly what he has given up, and then not stick them into other bills?
- walker - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 4:17 pm:
The dreadlock continues.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 4:19 pm:
- walker -
I think the deal, the wildest dream deal is…
End Prevailing Wage, water down Collective Bargaining, then surrender to whatever the Cullerton and Madigan want.
The Union wants are always the one’s required
- Formerly Known As... - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 4:20 pm:
== @ILSenDems The budget is not just ours (Democrats), it is the governor’s and the Republicans as well: Cullerton. There will be more meetings. ==
Cullerton ==gets it==.
Rauner and Madigan need each other and must work with each other. Neither can independently pass a budget.
- AC - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 4:26 pm:
I’ve spent more time in the finance office of a car dealership than they spent meeting on issues significantly more complicated and contentious than a simple car purchase. I appreciate the tone and example Cullerton is trying to set, but I’m not sure how the meeting could’ve been anything close to productive.
- Wensicia - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 4:27 pm:
Whatever the effect of this public speechifyin’, it was lost to the Chicago Videogate Meltdown. Sorry, Rauner, your scripted show bombed.
- Formerly Known As... - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 4:31 pm:
== @moniquegarcia GOP leaders, sans Rauner, came out to say not much got done. Now standoff between Madigan and Rauner on who will have last word today. ==
^LOL^
Really? No, really? The Speaker thinks it is his right to speak last, after the Governor?
Oh my. We really are in trouble if that is the sort of ==compromise== coming out of this meeting.
- illini - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 4:39 pm:
I have been out today until just now. Was hoping to watch this monumental, long awaited and long overdue meeting. Does not appear that I missed much after reading these comments. Seems that BVR is still in campaign mode and that this was little more than a photo opportunity and a chance to get some sound bites.
Once again Willy is right - the operative word is “January”. Should be interesting to see the dynamics of what will happen then!
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 4:42 pm:
Looks like someone learned the letter “G” today! Who’s a big boy now?
- AC - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 4:44 pm:
I once thought October was a pessimistic prediction of when we would have a budget, now I think January is too optimistic, especially after today’s “Monologue of the Leaders”.
- Wordslinger - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 4:45 pm:
It would have been swell if the governor had explained why his agenda is worth the fiscal and economic destruction caused by his hostage strategy.
- Formerly Known As... - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 4:53 pm:
Still waiting? This is priceless.
Just like a pre-K.
- Grandson of Man - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 4:56 pm:
From the Twitters, Radogno may have had a “McCarthy lite” moment when she said Democrats are protecting “special interests” who fund them.
By “McCarthy lite” I mean US Rep McCarthy who said/implied that Benghazi hearings would take down Clinton’s poll numbers.
A purpose of weakening unions we know is to weaken their ability to fund politicians. That would leave the path clear for the handful of “white knight” multimillionaires and billionaires to not be seriously challenged as they pour millions into their crusade to “save” the taxpayers.
Labor has to stay vigilant and active and know what is the endgame. That includes contacting GA members and urging them to reject anti-union proposals.
- Honeybear - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 4:58 pm:
Yep, OW, I think January is when Madigan throws Labor under the bus.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 5:05 pm:
- Honeybear -,
I’d be working Madigan and Cullerton, but elections have consequences too…
Feel for you, not much sympathy for AFSCME.
Cut the best deal. That’s the best option.
- internal angel - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 5:32 pm:
Wordslinger i agree with you. He will just do his angry white dude routine until they handcuff him. His money isolates him from real people, the real world and real government. I never want to get that lost in the wilderness.
- Info - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 5:34 pm:
Did anyone question Madigan in the presser about the “brick” on Moylan’s bill to free up funds?
- Austin Blvd - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 5:36 pm:
And again as before, Republicans will have the last word.
Now, Rauner spokespersons Jim Durkin and Christine Radogno have concluded their remarks…
- internal angel - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 5:44 pm:
Rahm was right to let McCarthy go. I realize Mr. McCarthy didnt pull the trigger on those kids, but the coverup occurred on his watch. Ethics comes down from the top in any organization. Painful as it was for Rahm, he made the right decision. McCarthy needs to suck it up.
- Norseman - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 5:44 pm:
=== I think January is when Madigan throws Labor under the bus. ===
Honeybear, I don’t think so. What’s in it for him to do that? He losses a traditional Dem ally for what benefit. The right to raise taxes. That’s cutting your nose off to spite your face. Most importantly, throwing labor under the bus gives Rauner a win and that is against every fiber of Madigan’s, especially after being the gov’s personal punching bag over the campaign and this year.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 5:47 pm:
Info,
I believe it was Amanda Vinicky who asked Madigan about the bill. She asked four questions in an effort to pin down some details. Madigan confirmed that negotiations are “ongoing” and that the bill would not yet be allowed to advance to the Senate. She even asked “How and what are you negotiating on a bill that’s already passed?” but all he said was “Appropriations”.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 6:37 pm:
- Honeybear -
Please see - Norseman -
Thanks, OW.
- Norseman -, well said.
- Grandson of Man - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 6:54 pm:
I agree with Norseman and believe also that many Democratic legislators will not vote for anti-union proposals.
I listened to a bit of Madigan’s presser, and he reiterated that workers comp reform and a property tax freeze are doable for his party. He said workers comp legislation that exists can be amended.
- Kasparov - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 7:05 pm:
===Madigan throws Labor under the bus.===
(Not directed to Honeybear in particular)
Which bogeyman caricature of the Speaker are we speaking of?
The stubborn scheming boss who will crash the entire state to continue feathering his own nest? –if so, what is the motivation?
Or.
The well-intentioned democratic protector of the middle class & working class wages-earners of the state? –and if so, what is the rationale?
- illini - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 8:21 pm:
Kasparov - several words caught my attention - bogeyman, motivation and rationale.
Your point!
- justacitizen - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 8:53 pm:
Madigan and Cullertons introductory “10 minutes” were only a few minutes each and were very poorly scripted. Sounded uncertain and unprepared.
- Illinoian - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 9:29 pm:
I listened to the pod cast - I want the time of my life spent listening back. Absolutely nothing was accomplished. Both sides spoke to their perceived constituencies. Some blathered more than others. Regardless, sound bytes will be extracted and fed to the public as reasoned debate and will be accepted according to mercurial beliefs. The busy and the uninterested will hear and believe the sound bytes with nary a thought passing through their minds. Hence the root of the problem.
- Illinoian - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 9:33 pm:
Just a citizen … As compared to the lick boot scripted comments of Durkin and Raydogno contradictory scripted statements?
- Illinoian - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 9:35 pm:
Just a citizen … As compared to the lick boot scripted comments of Durkin and Radogno contradictory scripted statements?
- HangingOn - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 10:19 pm:
I love the whole “Rauner has backed off of (topic of your choice) so he’s compromising.”
Having a tantrum because you want a unicorn, then saying “Ok, I don’t need the unicorn, just give me a magical pony” is not compromise…
- Honeybear - Wednesday, Dec 2, 15 @ 7:13 am:
Norseman and OW, thanks for the wise counsel. I just get so concerned that we (Labor) will be used as a pawn. We can be as strong as we want but in the end elections do have consequences and the legislature can destroy us faster than we can come back at them. Plus if they betray us what can we do about it? Support the GOP? No, I think Madigan has us by the apples and I’m scared to death of what could come next.
- Norseman - Wednesday, Dec 2, 15 @ 9:21 am:
Honeybear, it’s my belief that you have Rauner to thank for keeping Madigan from agreeing to further erode AFSCME rights. Rauner’s arrogance and win at all cost strategy - money’s not a limit - forced Madigan as a response to Rauner’s ham-handedness away from his own concerns about public sector unions. A Thompson or Ryan could have easily gotten some more limits on AFSCME rights from Madigan IMHO.