139 Comments - Daniel Plainview - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 11:36 am: Again, the superstars prove they are averse to doing real work. If I turned in an estimate like this, my boss would fire me on the spot. These jokers don’t even know enough to feel embarrassed. - Boone's is Back - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 11:37 am: Next thing you know the Gov will be appointing emergency receivers like in Michigan. Are we going to switch our water supply to a dangerous river to save some more nickels too? - dude - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 11:38 am: goofy ck response coming in 3….2……1 - 360 Degree TurnAround - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 11:38 am: The Governor and grass bowl don’t do “details”. “Details” get in their way. It is better/easier for them to be critical of other people. - Anon221 - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 11:40 am: The Supes need an “Inservice” day (or week). I vote for Rich as one of the instructors! And take Oscar along to keep their BS in check:) - LINK - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 11:41 am: Rich. Thank you. - Junior - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 11:42 am: If prevailing wage doesn’t result in increased revenue to the construction firms doing business with the state, why was it enacted in the first place? And why would it be missed if repealed? - Anonin' - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 11:42 am: So the ‘genda gets IL nothin’. So what can be expected from the trashin’ of higher ed…..hmmm - Sue - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 11:44 am: Rich- you are understating the true costs of prevailing wage requirements. In addition to the wage rate and benefit costs imposed on public construction projects- an additional cost is the work classifications imposed by the prevailing union contracts. Many years ago I represented a large out of state Company which bid on replacing light bulbs in school districts. It was the low bidder because it failed to factor in the prevailing wage act. The work was menial but the IBEW filed a complaint alleging the work should be performed by electricians. The difference in wage rates for what was janitorial work but alleged to be electrician work was like three times the contract rate. Union contracts require more then wage rates as far at the Dept of Labor s concerned and the Act drives up project costs much more then your comments suggest. - illini97 - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 11:44 am: But the Governor assured us that the agenda would save Billions! With a B! Billions! Why is Madigan and the math he controls standing in the way of reasonable reforms like eliminating unions? - @MisterJayEm - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 11:44 am: “Some of it is quite exaggerated.” In much the same was as the investment returns from Mr. Ponzi’s scheme were quite exaggerated. – MrJM - Junior - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 11:44 am: Norse - $500 million here, $500 million there, pretty soon you’ll be talking real money. #NIMBY. - And I Approved This Message - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 11:44 am: Egads! The Emperor has no clothes! - State House - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 11:45 am: Lord help us if his whole agenda is based off data from poorly constructed power point and a memo with “questionable” sources. Is this really what he considers good data or documentation to support his turn around agenda? Please someone call him out on this!?!? - deadguy - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 11:47 am: I would love to hear the Governor stutter around this analysis. Well done. - Sue - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 11:48 am: Junior- the law was passed for the same reason many laws in Illinois are passed-Union’s control Springfield and that has been true whether the Governor was a Republican or a Dem at least until Rauner was elected - Triple fat - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 11:49 am: Junior- How does repealing prevailing wage guarantee that the construction contractor will pass on the savings to the governmental entities? I’m still waiting for car prices to go down since the UAW concessions of agreeing to a two tier wage system. The contractors only benefit from doing away with prevailing wage. - deadguy - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 11:49 am: But…..but…..Madigan! - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 11:50 am: “Bruce has no social agenda” - Diana Rauner, President, Ounce of Prevention. So… Diana Rauner believes $510 million dollars, or a 1.4% increase in revenues is worth Gov. Rauner, who she endorsed with millions spent in Ads, is worth Bruce proving to everyone that hostages and decimating or even in some cases, eliminating social services is “a-ok” for her? That’s a 1.4% of a return so programs at the “Rauner Family Y” are eliminated due to the hostage taking of Bruce Rauner, and helpin’ people Diana Rauner told there was no need to worry. That’s a 1.4% of a return so students looking for their MAP, while some might not have parents with libraries named after them, or dorms… and who knows, some may have applied to Payton Prep, losing a seat to a man who thiught less of other kids… when no one was watching him That’s a 1.4% of a return so Union workers get paid less. Let that sink in Labor; Your decimation, while required by Rauner, actually has such a low ROI, is it more about what you stand for than what you’re paid? Garbage pickup is questionable atvthe JRTC for… 1.4% Lights might be turned off at the Capitol for… 1.4% The “Good Friday Massacre” Cuts? Were those done to bump everything up to… 1.4002% of a revenue increase for the “next year” projections? Rauner goes to court to pay state employees, signs K-12 funding, gives-in to the heat of hostages, but won’t “buckle” because 1.4% increase of revebur is worth “short term pain”? “@RonSandack: I’m frustrated 2, but taking steps towards reforming IL more important than short term budget stalemate That’s 1.4% Representative, 1.4%. It’s breathtaking the people needing to feel pain so unions are no longer relevant in Illinois. “Bruce has no social agenda” - Diana Rauner. The social services ruined by Bruce Rauner for 1.4% will beg to differ. - Joe M - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 11:51 am: Some parts of the agenda may even cost Illinois: “The indirect effects of appealing the prevailing wage law would result in about 3,300 net jobs lost, in a total GDP contraction of more than $1 billion annually for Illinois, more than $44 million in lost state and local taxes and roughly $116 million in lost federal tax revenue, according to the study.” - from “A Weakened State: The Economic and Social Impacts of Repeal of the Prevailing Wage Law in Illinois” a University of Illinois’ study. Many more prevailing wage studies at: http://www.faircontracting.org/studiesandreports/ - NixonHead - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 11:53 am: A repeal or weakening of prevailing wage will certainly save governments some money. On top of that, Friedrichs case at SCOTUS looks pretty clear that agency fees will be ruled unconstitutional. Could be a good year or two for local government bean counters. - There is power in a union... - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 11:57 am: Because the runitdown agenda was never about saving the state money. It’s about restructuring the state so Bruce and his friends can make money. - How Ironic - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 11:57 am: Hi Rich, Bruce wanted me to also give you the consolidated version of his Runaground Agenda ™ for the readers. Basically, Bruce feels if we pay everyone a whole lot less, work them harder, and for longer hours with less benefits the State can enjoy ENORMOUS savings. Bruce will of course be paying his crack team of superstars large sums of cash for this rushed analysis, but we hope it’s helpful. Best, ck! - Boss Tweed - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 11:57 am: ==Union’s control Springfield == Yeah, they sure got their way on the pension law, didn’t they? - My New Handle - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 11:58 am: I admit that I am lost with these figures. What exactly IS the prevailing wage, i.e. dollars per hour currently being paid? What wage would be paid instead of orevailing wage? What exactly is the data? - Dee Lay - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 11:58 am: “The point is that they can’t argue that these anti-labor changes will magically produce $510 million of economic growth/revenue and then discount the negative effect of a tax increase on economic growth.’ Ballgame. So when Rauner took the oath, was he wondering if he could outdo Blago as the worst Governor in Illinois’ history? - Anonymous - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 11:59 am: Let’s just raise taxes like we did in 2011. It worked out great! We lost manufacturing jobs, lost population, pension debt continued to increase, thousands of manufacturing jobs lost. - Name Withheld - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 12:03 pm: The pension payments are affected by the Edgar ramp, And, as has been commented elsewhere - Quinn made all of the pension payments required. - My New Handle - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 12:03 pm: Also, what is the impact of prevailing wage on the tax bases–income, sales, etc.? And if some wage less than prevailing is paid, what are the comparison results on those tax bases? Those numbers necessarily require crunching to make any argument regarding the benefit or cost. - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 12:03 pm: Perspective? It took a whole year, with no budget, $20 million in the back to own the GOP Caucuses, Park $9 million in IllinoisGO to create Democratic Raunerites, $5 million for the Turnaround Agenda PAC, $2 million spent to “Because.. Madigan” in Ads during session… … and $60+ million to EVEN start the clock a year ago… That’s $96 million spent, parked, and leveraged to gain… 1.4% of a revenue increase. $96 million = 1.4% increase. No wonder it took a year to release, I’d be embarrassed too, LOL - 360 Degree TurnAround - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 12:04 pm: My New Handle - prevailing wage is determined by a survey in different regions of the state, so it varies. Prevailing wage is really there to protect local contractors. As “Sue” mentioned earlier about representing an out of state contractor - the law is there to protect out of state contractors from gouging local businesses. - Nick Name - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 12:05 pm: “Junior- the law was passed for the same reason many laws in Illinois are passed-Union’s control Springfield and that has been true whether the Governor was a Republican or a Dem at least until Rauner was elected” Yup, that’s why the union-controlled Madigan got the Madigan-controlled General Assembly to overturn Rauner’s vet- …oops, wait a minute… - There is power in a union... - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 12:05 pm: So basically, Bruce admits he will raise taxes in return for reform that won’t actually save the state money. But I thought these reforms were supposed to offset the taxes? What snake oil. So basically he will raise your taxes, trash incomes for many middle class families, funnel a whole lot of money to his friends, and it won’t save the state more than 1.4%. And he’s shocked the democrats aren’t leaping to sign on? This is all just one big bust out… - Anonymous - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 12:05 pm: Notion that Rauner reforms would lower wages is also misguided. Indiana now has higher wages for blue collar workers. The opposition to Rauner is about political power not real concern for the middle class. https://www.illinoispolicy.org/wage-difference-illinois-is-a-hub-for-white-collar-jobs-but-blue-collar-workers-are-better-off-in-indiana/ - Ghost - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 12:06 pm: plus if you cut wages for construction workers they go from paying taxes and spendng money to not paying taxes, collecting tax credits and consuming social service revenues cor food, healthcare and housing. makng a group work at the poverty levle is not savings… its lost revenue, lost income tax and sales tax and a burden on tax dollars - Junior - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 12:06 pm: Triple, car prices have been pretty steady as a percentage of income. American car companies went through financial hell because their employment expenses were out of whack and the union was part of the cause. - Anonymous - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 12:08 pm: What a surprise. The Turnaround Agenda is a partisan political agenda, not an economic or fiscal agenda. That’s what all the damage is being done for. Perceived future electoral advantage for the Republican Party. See you in church. - Anonymous - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 12:08 pm: Meanwhile property taxes have decreased in Wisconsin: http://www.politifact.com/wisconsin/statements/2015/jul/15/scott-walker/scott-walker-says-wisconsin-property-taxes-are-low/ It’s time to stop reflexively demagoguing the Turnaround Agenda. - Mouthy - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 12:09 pm: “So when Rauner took the oath, was he wondering if he could outdo Blago as the worst Governor in Illinois’ history?” I don’t think so. I think he’s going after Brownback and the lowest rated Governor in the nation title. This set of “numbers” must surely put him in the hunt… - Homer J. Quinn - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 12:10 pm: “All this pain inflicted to maybe produce an additional $510 million in revenues?” no, all this pain inflicted to field test an ideology. - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 12:11 pm: ===American car companies went through financial hell because their employment expenses were out of whack and the union was part of the cause.=== Mitsubishi left B-N due to sales, not Labor costs. At no time was Labor cited as the reason for the plant closing, - Junior -, your dorm room thinking to what you think you “know” makes your premises more Onion than to the meat of the issues. Sales, not Labor led to the Mitsubishi closing, ask them. - Sue - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 12:12 pm: Chick Name- if what I said wasn’t the case- the ACSME bill would never have come out of committee. The Veto failed by one vote if you fail to recall - walker - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 12:12 pm: These numbers, and others were around during the campaign. But they ran on shakeup and turnaround, amidst a disastrous status quo. It was and remains an emotional appeal. They didn’t run on the numbers and they don’t hold much credence to them. Some of the benefits of a better “business environment” are impossible to forecast and are faith statements. My point: you don’t beat them by disputing their numbers. You do it by providing a better vision of the future, and removing any impression that what they are doing is better than the status quo ante. Sad to say, politics ain’t rational. It’s image. - Name Withheld - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 12:13 pm: From that same Politifact article, which rated Walker’s statement as ‘Mostly True’: “But the lower taxes are due in part to declines in housing values that have only partially recovered.” - RNUG - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 12:13 pm: THIS is the detailed analysis? Did they forget to show their work? I’ve seen better done on the back of an envelope … - deadguy - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 12:13 pm: At what point will BVR’s approval rating rival Brownback’s? I guess that is something to look forward to as the State falls to pieces. - Rich Miller - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 12:14 pm: ===Veto failed by one vote if you fail to recall === 3 votes. - 360 Degree TurnAround - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 12:15 pm: Junior - Also, the UAW took concessions during that time. the workers contracted pay cuts to help the company weather the financial storm. - deadguy - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 12:16 pm: OW - I’m sure Junior was referring to Ford and GM, not Mitsubishi. Mitsubishi is obviously not a domestic company. - wordslinger - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 12:17 pm: –Norse - $500 million here, $500 million there, pretty soon you’ll be talking real money.– More catch phrases. You’re not going to read or process any of this are you? Even if they are absolutely right (questionable), it won’t cover the JUICE, much less the principal, for the additional debt that has been incurred in pursuit of this nonsense. How in the world do you even kid yourself into thinking you’re making economic or fiscal arguments? - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 12:18 pm: For the record… That’s 1.4% = big gain. Yikes, 1.8% must be enormous… Golly, I would have bet the “over” on; “1.5% of increased revenue is worth destroying Illinois Labor”. I guess I think much more of Labor than Rauner? - beentheredidthat - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 12:22 pm: $510M savings minus $zzz millions in interest paid to vendors for late payment equals NET ROI - Name Withheld - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 12:24 pm: Maybe we can get the Powerball winners to chip in the savings for this year. - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 12:26 pm: So… If you’re a Social Service organization facing ruin, or had to layoff people, or can’t pay the rent, heat, postage… and your constituents need to know why… Does Social Services point to Bruce, or Diana who vouched for Bruce… at the cost of 1.4%? Those “No Social Agenda” Ads were slick… I guess I’m learning HOW slick… - LizPhairTax - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 12:26 pm: 1027 days left. Hang in there. - Triple fat - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 12:27 pm: Anonymous 12:05 - where is Illinois? Indiana? http://www.governing.com/gov-data/wage-average-median-pay-data-for-states.html - Nick Name - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 12:27 pm: “Chick Name- if what I said wasn’t the case- the ACSME bill would never have come out of committee. The Veto failed by one vote if you fail to recall” Committee and GA approval were no-brainers with a Dem supermajority. Override failed by three votes, but one or three, how did override fail at all in “union controlled Springfield”? Show your work. - Man with a plan - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 12:29 pm: The University of Illinois did a study that indicated the total labor portion of public construction projects to be between 20-21%, and that is wages, benefits, overtime, all of it. For the governor to claim that paying prevailing wage costs 20%, he must be banking on free labor and then finding more savings somewhere else. Or he is just making it up. The Tribune asked him about his numbers on this before his first State of the State address, and he totally deflected. As we all know, however, you can run around saying whatever you feel like, and if nobody corrects you, it becomes fact. - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 12:32 pm: To all those with the meme; “All is great! No change is needed, everyting is perfect!” Governor Rauner has weighed and measured for ya… It’s 1.4%. Margins of Errors are greater. You’re welcome to use the Meme anytime from now on… Please. - There is power in a union... - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 12:34 pm: OW hits it. The head of a social service agency actively campaigned for a man who is holding the social safety net hostage in order to ram through a possible 1.4% savings. I think people have been a tad too easy on mrs Rauner… - Esc - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 12:36 pm: Rauners entire Turnaround agenda and I’d say his entire purpose for running is to make sure taxes are not raised on the uber rich. People question why all this money Rauner and other Richie Riches is putting towards his campaign? Just add up the amount it would cost them if a 3% tax over $1M is passed. Follow the money… - My New Handle - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 12:36 pm: 360Degrees at 12:04pm Thank you. I did find out that wages are listed by county on the state website. So it seems that lowering wages would reduce both local and state economic activity. So who benefits from this reduction, and how do they benefit? - Michelle Flaherty - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 12:40 pm: He could always save time and self fund those savings. - Sir Reel - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 12:43 pm: This “analysis” is beyond lame. More wishful thinking. Just keep saying “structural reforms” and pretty soon people think it means something. - Blue dog dem - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 12:43 pm: rich, one of the questions you should have asked the RAUN Man was, ” after you have reformed prevailing wage, will you then go after minimum wage?” - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 12:43 pm: Just thinkin’ out loud… If GRTC had a 1.4% ROI on a plan… would Citizen Rauner, Businessman Rauner think that ROI was a “Big Gain”? Maybe the “Big Gain” is… The ruining the Social Service net, and …the elimination of Unions? “Can’t measure that gain” - Fake Bruce Rauner(?) - Flynn's mom - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 12:51 pm: Do you think he and/or the superstars believe this nonsense? Do they believe that the people are really dumb?? Even if the math were correct, the cost savings would never be 100% of the estimated amount. Sometimes a $1000.00 “savings” comes with a $100.00 cost.Not to mention the loss on the revenue side when we will all sell our soul to the company store. - Blue dog dem - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 12:53 pm: Sue@11:44. I recently visited Cancun. Ran upon some construction workers walking up a ladder with five gallon buckets of wet concrete balanced on their heads. Talked to their day boss and he told me they get pain $1.75/day. Look at all the money the state could save if we just relaxed our labor laws a bit! - wordslinger - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 12:55 pm: None of these numbers, such as they are, are supported in any, way, shape of form. No assumptions, no projections of growth, increased jobs, decreased out-migration, etc. They’re all pulled out of thin air. How did they arrive at these numbers? Show your work. - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 12:59 pm: HBO - “Dad’s Home State” - Season 2, Episode 10 Bruce loses the envelope he had the Turnaround Agenda on, makes up a bunch of numbers in an email, accidently hits “send”. Diana finds her “Ounce of Prevention” cell phone is turned off due to lack of payment. Lance tweets pictures of his new office in the Bilandic Building, Goldberg sends a fruit basket to Mrs. Durbin. Comedy, 71 minutes. - Anonymous - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 1:00 pm: Where is the reduction in income tax revenues and increase in unemployment payments and higher costs to Medicaid factored into these “figures”. - Junior - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 1:00 pm: Wordslinger, such anger….no need to kid myself. The state has been poorly managed for a few decades. Some here want absolute proof that any new idea other than higher taxes will make things better. What we do know is that The Entrenched have jacked things up; so forgive me if I don’t trust them to fix it. - Michelle Flaherty - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 1:00 pm: Blue dog: A child labor capital bill would really establish Rauner’s second year agenda. - Rich Miller - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 1:01 pm: ===Some here want absolute proof that any new idea other than higher taxes will make things better=== Goodness gracious, you are so full of it. - Anon221 - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 1:01 pm: Flynn’s mom- “Do they believe that the people are really dumb??” Probably, but that would be judging the supes (shouldn’t do that- Golden Rule and all:)) However, they are counting on people not being willing or able to do what Rich has done- the actual research and math! And the media… well (present company CapFax excluded) aren’t very willing either to expose the “no clothes” stories. - skeptic - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 1:01 pm: The TA agenda is a scheme to cripple the major donor of the the democratic party. Since the IL Democratic party is quite important to the national democratic party, this would be seen as a major victory for the GOP. - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 1:01 pm: - Flynn’s Mom - The Production Company owes you a few episodes. OW - burbanite - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 1:04 pm: sorry anon 1:00 is me. not sure how that happened. - Downstate - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 1:07 pm: I think Rauner is low on the out-migration savings. In my small county, I know of just 4 people who have moved to Florida due to tax savings. I know that their collective annual AGI exceeds $70 million per year. At 3% income tax rate that would have retained $2.1 million of Illinois income tax - on just these four people. Without any real solutions being offered to reduce government spending, I’m afraid the out flow will only continue to increase. - cdog - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 1:09 pm: The ideologues that are following the Pied Piper of Raunerville can have their dreams of 1.4% increase in revenue. I prefer to stick to the fact, and promote, that all this Shakin’ has some very real effects that will have to be dealt with by the Shake Master. TURNAROUND AGENDA TAX coming to a paycheck near you, soon. ($9,000,000,000 FY2016 bill backlog as forecasted by GOMB 1/6/2016) - Frenchie Mendoza - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 1:13 pm: I wish someone would press Rauner for the actual analysis. The one with the data. This is just a bunch of trickle-down nonsense, talking points, and campaign bullets. Surely the highly paid budget folks have the data — the actual spreadsheets. - Anonymous - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 1:13 pm: (need to clarify that the $9b is a combination of $4.4b previous fiscal years’ backlog and $4.6b FY16) $9,000,000,000 - Michelle Flaherty - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 1:15 pm: “I know of just 4 people who have moved to Florida due to tax savings. I know that their collective annual AGI exceeds $70 million per year.” Yep, just your typical small town Illinoisans. - A Jack - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 1:16 pm: What Rauner doesn’t seem to get is that the constitutional clause for pensions existed before state employees unionized in 1973. And even if he were somehow able to eliminate collective bargaining completely, that pension clause is still going to be in the constitution. If they try to change the pension in a way that is unconstitutional and there wasn’t a union fighting it, instead there would be 50,000 individual lawsuits. - Joe M - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 1:17 pm: ==Revenue Growth by Making Illinois “Average” in Unemployment: $150 Million Revenue Growth if Average Gross State Product: $220 Million== How about the revenue, if our state income tax was “average” compared with the rest of the states. Right now, Illinois is in the bottom 4 of the 43 states that have a state income tax. 40 states have a higher top rate than Illinois’s 3.75%. - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 1:17 pm: @FakeRonSandack - I’m frustrated 2 but carrying the water on this nonsense is more important than finding a way to make the numbers work #HowsThatMr.Uihlein - Anon221 - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 1:18 pm: Downstate- surely these 4 could afford a decent tax attorney to help on the savings. And.. how old were they, how small was the county, what amenities did they feel they were missing out on, did they keep an Illinois residence and plan to “snowbird”, and… well, hopefully, you see my point. At their income level, they have many more options than the majority of Illinoisans being put to the Rauner test currently. I mean no snark, just honest observations. Trying to distill out-migration to one or two reasons is not (usually) telling the whole story. - cdog - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 1:19 pm: clarification by Anonymous - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 1:13 pm moi. - Obamas Puppy - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 1:21 pm: It’s because this is about weakening labor unions, the function of government and the services it provides is the last thing in Bruceys mind. Every proposal has a negative impact on working families that happen to be in a union that is not a mistake. - JS Mill - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 1:22 pm: @Junior- Just tell me what kind of cuts and waste we can perform to pay back $111 billion in debt? The debt does not care who is responsible, the debt needs to be paid. As an FYI- paying debts require revenue and right now we do not have enough. - northsider - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 1:23 pm: This is disgraceful. A full year of pain and starvation of vital services to the most vulnerable souls for…this? Worse, the superstars and fratboys think it’s a huge joke. They don’t want to know how they’ve hurt little people because little people have no worth. Affluenza is a real disease, and it’s killing us. - Wensicia - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 1:24 pm: Well, it looks like the Turnaround Agenda is a complete sham. - wordslinger - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 1:24 pm: –Some here want absolute proof that any new idea other than higher taxes will make things better.– Dude, you are a laugh riot. First, who mentioned taxes? The governor’s own numbers, unsubstantiated though they are, show that the projected fiscal benefits of his agenda would not cover the interest — interest, not principal — on the additional debt that has already been incurred in pursuit of it. The governor’s own numbers project the ROI on his agenda as a net loss to the state. Do you understand what those words mean? If so, you must realize how strange your words are to read. - Junior - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 1:27 pm: Rich - there is a “show your work” meme on this board. Projections are one thing, but actual results matter, too, don’t they? I get that some believe reinstating the tax increase will solve many of the problems. I don’t think that’s a sustainable answer. If that’s being full out it, I guess I am. You wrote several weeks (or months, I don’t recall) ago that Madigan and Cullerton need a plan to grow the tax base. I think the turnaround agenda is an effort to do that - perhaps there are better ways to do so. I don’t think growing the tax base is being full of it, although I understand it ain’t popular here. - Mongo - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 1:34 pm: I’ll “Nikki Haley” this and suggest there is blame on both the GA and the Gov. That said, the Gov this goofy Turnaround Agenda, at a 1.4% benefit (debatable), would never fly in any situation. The pain and suffering is negligent if not criminal. Draft a budget for this year and pass it. There are 3 years to work on your other projects. - Anonymous - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 1:35 pm: Has anyone bothered to ask Rauner why he is so focused on destroying good jobs that already exist in Illinois? I understand he hates unions but someone really needs to call him out on this. We need more good paying jobs, that’s how you generate revenue for businesses from consumers and tax revenue for the state/ locals. It’s pretty simplistic but since Rauner’s Superstars can give a simplistic analysis, why not? - Sam Weinberg - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 1:37 pm: = Anonymous 12:05 pm = “Indiana now has higher wages for blue collar workers. The opposition to Rauner is about political power not real concern for the middle class.” The IPI study you cite cherry picked three categories that for the most part do not include construction workers, which is what the Prevailing Wage Act covers. So instead, let’s go to the source and look at construction work: http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oessrcst.htm Laborers’ median income is $11,000 higher in Illinois than Indians. Plumbers is $14,000 higher in Illinois than Indiana. I stopped there, but invite you to take a look. - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 1:41 pm: Ugh… ===Rich - there is a “show your work” meme on this board.=== This specific post IS about Gov. Rauner pretending to actually “show his work”. === get that some believe reinstating the tax increase will solve many of the problems. I don’t think that’s a sustainable answer. If that’s being full out it, I guess I am.=== There will be NO tax increase. Get that in your head now. That’s not happening. The #TaxHikeMike made sure there won’t be one. ===I think the turnaround agenda is an effort to do that - perhaps there are better ways to do so.=== Hmm… A $510 million revenue increase at a growth rate of 1.4% isn’t even in the ball park of the $9 Billion needed to get back to what’s needed. This isn’t helping in a pretending way. ===I don’t think growing the tax base is being full of it, although I understand it ain’t popular here.=== If you knew anything about this place, you’d never say that either. This is the deep end of the pool, you’re adding bricks to yourself as you try to swim… - GetOverIt - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 1:43 pm: Just a thought: So it’s okay if working men and women make less, because by making less there will be extra monies that can be used to hire more workers - making less, i.e. grow the economy. So that kind of redistribution is perfectly fine, but asking those making $1M a year or more to make a little less is not fine and unAmerican?! And for a grand savings of 1.4%! This race to the bottom stuff is beyond me…. - Ahoy! - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 1:44 pm: – As a pal just pointed out, the additional projected revenue probably won’t even cover the interest on the state’s backlogged bills from this impasse.– Of course we do not know this because the State has not figured out how to implement an accounting method so that we can know how much the backlog of unpaid bills actually costs. Is this astonishingly incompetent? Yes, yes it is. - Joe M - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 1:44 pm: ==Revenue Growth if Average Gross State Product: $220 Million== Not clear what team Rauner is getting at here. Illinois already has the 5th highest GSP out of the 50 states. http://tinyurl.com/zb43qsb Even figuring GSP per capita, Illinois is already in the top third. - GA Watcher - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 1:47 pm: As it was explained to me by a group of finance directors, the Governor’s collective bargaining proposals will only result in savings when those next labor contracts are negotiated. A new normal will then be established. It is highly likely labor costs associated with subsequent contracts will increase. - Blue dog dem - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 1:55 pm: Downstate. Absolutely we need to control spending befor taxes get raised again. It doesn’t have to be this complicated. 10% across the board, minus the untouchable pension obligation. But continue to be creative on reducing pension debt in the future. Hammer the he__ out of the state universities. Maybe even my shooting complex(sob). Everybody needs to share in the pain. Negotiate a tough contract with AFSCME. Don’t bail out CPS. Quit trying to give tax dollars to bring in businesses.and when all else fails, beg for more revenue. And by the way, why don’t we tax the AG industry and big FARM , this may actually reduce the need for taxes. And by the way, any clues of the profession of your 4 ? - Beaner - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 2:01 pm: Those are some hard working figurers at the Illinois Propaganda Institute for Billionaire Wall Street Coups. Those figures have been figured…er adjusted, so they are all off by ten percent. Adjusted for purchasing power, so cute. So really, things are better in Illinois. Also, they continue to claim passing RTW right after a Depression with the Auto sector shut had everything to do with UAW workers going back to the plant. Elkhart Indiana for example stopped making Recreational Vehicles for several months. My neighbors dog barking at 5 AM does not make the Sun rise. But if I repeated it often enough, I’d surely find someone feeble minded enough to believe it. RTW did not cause CEO’s to recall workers to their plants…demand for the products did. - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 2:02 pm: ===10% across the board, minus the untouchable pension obligation.=== If you’re going to insist on making a case like Sophmore in the dorm, show where the 10% is “everywhere” or please move on from this ridiculous example of how “simple” things are. Please. Why do I say Dorm Room? Hammer… share in the pain… Negotiate a tough contract … Don’t bail… Quit trying to give tax dollars to bring in businesses…beg for more revenue…tax the AG industry and big FARM… this may actually reduce the need for taxes… Your buzz word ridiculousness with no idea what it all means is a tiring way to make a point here. (Sigh) - Beaner - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 2:05 pm: In 2007 FDI magazine referred to research demonstrating that Guadalajara was the top ranking major Mexican city. The report also highlighted that it has the second strongest economic potential of any major North American city, ONLY CHICAGO SCORED HIGHER. Guadalajara was deemed “the city of the future” due to its young population, low unemployment rate and large number of foreign investment deals; it was also found to be the third most business-friendly city in North America. - BeenThereB4 - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 2:16 pm: It helps to recall the original question: Do you have any specific data about what the return on investment would be for your Turnaround Agenda? It also helps to know the definition of DATA: factual information (as measurements or statistics) used as a basis for reasoning, discussion, or calculation. The answer to the question is obviously, NO! - Junior - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 2:22 pm: Hi Willy - Madigan will raise taxes. Get that through your head. He’ll get cover from Brucie. Small reductions on the outlay side. Another round of expensive borrowing to balance the budget. Brucie will get a small TA item as a piece of candy to show his people. Madigan gets most of what he wants, Rauner gets a little. When the boys decide to settle, it will be pretty easy. Right now neither is ready. That’s the fault of both. Granny just opened the basement door and told me I have to rub her bunions. - Rabid - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 2:25 pm: Donna Arden keeps the numbers in her head and she left. - Junior - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 2:27 pm: Blue dog, welcome to the dorm. I call the bottom bunk. - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 2:30 pm: ===Madigan will raise taxes.=== I made the very same mistake. No, Madigan will not raise taxes, #TaxHikeMike and “a lot of other things” will not make a tax hike possible. I learned this, forgot it, then relearned. No tax increase. No happening. === Another round of expensive borrowing to balance the budget. Brucie will get a small TA item as a piece of candy to show his people. Madigan gets most of what he wants, Rauner gets a little.=== Wishing isn’t knowing. Leader Radogno saw a time where we might not have a budget for FY2016, maybe FY2017 Seriously, no snark, do you pay attention? ===When the boys decide to settle, it will be pretty easy. Right now neither is ready. That’s the fault of both.=== Not one thing is easy. With a 1.4% return on the Turnaround Agenda, that won’t get Rauner closer to 60 or to 30. You aren’t misinformed, you’re dreaming while ignoring the reality. At best. - Demoralized - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 2:31 pm: ==I get that some believe reinstating the tax increase will solve many of the problems.== Ugh. I’ve not met anybody that has said that. Let me say this again. Just because a person does not agree with the Governor’s “Turnaround Agenda” does not mean they just want things to stay as is or that they only want new revenue. Not even the Speaker is saying that. - cdog - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 2:40 pm: I strongly think that Rauner will have to propose a TurnAround Agenda Tax increase. #TurnAroundAgendaTax The opposition will not propose any revenue because this is not their bag to carry. ($9B in payables is a doubling of the previous year’s level, all caused by Rauner’s miscalculations in strategy) Grow the tax base? Love the idea, many do. Go for it. Can you apply the tourniquet first? The bleeding is getting pretty scary. - RNUG - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 2:45 pm: -OW-, I’ll expect a writer’s credit on that episode … - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 2:51 pm: - RNUG - Of course… - Chicago Guy - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 2:57 pm: One important issue with prevailing wages is the money goes to local workers who spend the money in the local economy. There is a multiplier impact of the dollars turning over in the economy. - Big Joe - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 3:05 pm: Rauner……Thanks for the info on the TA savings. However, you get NO credit since you didn’t SHOW YOUR WORK!! Exactly what the teachers would say if you were still in school. All that salary for the superstars, and NO CREDIT. Seems like quite the smart investment in leadership. /s - Junior - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 3:07 pm: Chicago Guy - next time I have work done on the house, I’ll take the highest priced bid. Then I’ll double it. For the local workers to spend in my neighborhood. Not really, I’ll take the lowest qualified bid, save the money and spend the extra myself. I’d guess you’d do the same. Why can’t we let the taxpayers do the same? - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 3:12 pm: ===. Why can’t we let the taxpayers do the same?=== Because Prevailing Wage is negotiated to be the wage, and further, use the search key here and see the “impact” on having the Wage. Plus, wages are 20% of projects, so… there’s that too… - Triple fat - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 3:19 pm: What has become of the Republican Party? In Reagans day the would lie and exaggerate against welfare recipients… That isn’t good enough for them anymore. Now they are lying and exaggerating about wage earners. - Chicago Guy - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 3:23 pm: Junior, It may surprise you but I actually will spend a bit more on some items if the money goes to a local business. The other issue you are missing is the government is not a person, it has a role in contributing to the overall local economic well-being. They shouldn’t pay excessive amounts and I don’t view prevailing wages as excessive. And finally, if the majority of people want to get rid of prevailing wages, they can have the legislature end the practice. That is how a functioning democracy works. Holding the state’s budget hostage until you get your way has failed and will continue to fail. - Flynn's Mom - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 3:24 pm: OW,thanks for the new episode. I can’t wait to watch it. I want to see the look on Diana’s face when she finds out her cell phone has been turned off.I hope there is no manchineel in Mrs. Durbin’s basket. Keep up the great work!! - RNUG - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 3:36 pm: Let’s start with a few facts some of us here know but tend to forget in the heat of the moment. 1) Quinn’s last 3 full years chopped discretionary spending either 10% or 11% each year. Note that term discretionary. 2) A lot of the State budget is tied to legally required services and / or required federal match funding. That takes over half of the State’s total spending off the table automatically. 3) The other required spending is binds and pensions. We’ve tried shorting pension funding; that’s a large part of how we got into this mess, so it’s probably not a good idea to keep doing so. 4) What’s left that can be termed discretionary spending is a small portion of the total annual State spending. In terms of a budget you and I would have for our household, we’re arguing over pennies. The total impact won’t be that big. 5) Based on the small amount of hard data actually available, Rauner’s plan appears unlikely to actually raise most of the incomes in the state and unlikely to significantly (more than a percent or two) increase tax revenues from the existing streams. So it doesn’t look like the pain is worth the potential gain. I’m not opposed to some reform. I wouldn’t mind seeing some salary adjustments going forward that are fact based AND also include increases where appropriate. There are some union work rules I wouldn’t mind seeing changed. I’m open to changing the step process from being automatic from a year passing to having it based on hard measurable metrics specific to the job in question. I’d like to see the union propose ways to deal with the small percentage of slackers taking advantage of both the system and the union. While you can’t run government like a business, I would like to see business efficiencies brought to the processes used in service delivery. To be clear, I’m talking about improving service delivery, not reducing the service. I’d you want to reduce service, get the GA to discuss that and pass it if appropriate. I could go on with more specifics, but the points I’m trying to make are (a) there isn’t vast amounts of wasted money to be found and (b) the possible changes should be incrementally structured because they are easier to achieve and also quantify any benefit. Sorry if this was just rambling. - ArchPundit - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 3:54 pm: —Sorry if this was just rambling. While it may be lost in much of the current political debate, making a coherent policy based argument isn’t rambling. - Anon - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 4:17 pm: I think its a major assumption of your Republican friend that taxes negatively impact the economy. We had higher job growth under the 5% state tax than we’ve had since. - Chicago 20 - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 4:26 pm: This is criminal. Rauner owes the People of Illinois restitution. - Junior - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 4:38 pm: Rnug - really good post at 3:36. Thanks for the info. - blue dog dem - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 4:40 pm: OW. You keep insisting day in day out, that the governor owns the budget. Well you can think all you want that this is rocket science and that all the fat has been trimmed out of every program throughout the state. I say bull…. simple solutions similar to GE’s Jack Welschs’ running this much sought after corporate gem are time tested. Just by reading your usual,repetitive dribble,your one of the kool-aid drinkers who think business as usual in Springfield(lil-chicago) will solve all budgetary issues. You ought to try someday to tell a blue collar union worker that you have to cut his.hours back to 32/ wk cause some beaurocrat at DCEO gave your competition from out of state a tax break.you tell the unions,”mobilize” you can get even with this Rauner fellow. Again I say bull…this state has to get its insatiable spending habits under control,before revenue increases occur. - Chicago 20 - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 4:45 pm: - Blue Dog Dem The constitution of the State of Illinois require that the Governor present a balanced budget to the general assembly for approval. Rauner still has not presented a balanced budget to the general assembly and Rauner has been in that office for a year now. Governor’s own the budget. - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 4:56 pm: ===Well you can think all you want that this is rocket science and that all the fat has been trimmed out of every program throughout the state. I say bull…. simple solutions similar to GE’s Jack Welschs’ running this much sought after corporate gem are time tested. Just by reading your usual,repetitive dribble,your one of the kool-aid drinkers who think business as usual in Springfield(lil-chicago) will solve all budgetary issues.=== I ripped you - blue dog dem - and this “drivel” only reinforces that your dorm room processes really are lacking ===Hammer… share in the pain… Negotiate a tough contract … Don’t bail… Quit trying to give tax dollars to bring in businesses…beg for more revenue…tax the AG industry and big FARM… this may actually reduce the need for taxes…=== You wrote that - blue dog dem -. That’s on you. It’s lacking, at best. Gov. Edgar also thinks, and knows governors own, so there’s that too. ===You ought to try someday to tell a blue collar union worker that you have to cut his.hours back to 32/ wk cause some beaurocrat at DCEO gave your competition from out of state a tax break.you tell the unions,”mobilize” you can get even with this Rauner fellow. Again I say bull…this state has to get its insatiable spending habits under control,before revenue increases occur.=== Ask Local 150 and the Trades are walking away from Rauner. You put a think on that. - @MisterJayEm - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 5:15 pm: 1.”You keep insisting day in day out, that the governor owns the budget.” 1A. The Governor shall prepare and submit to the General Assembly, at a time prescribed by law, a State budget for the ensuing fiscal year. Ill. Const. 1970, art. VIII, § 2 2. “Well you can think all you want that this is rocket science and that all the fat has been trimmed out of every program throughout the state. I say bull…. simple solutions similar to GE’s Jack Welschs’ running this much sought after corporate gem are time tested.” 2A. Welsch maximize ROI in the short term by shutting down entire GE business units, keeping only the “good” units of the company. Are such techniques are applicable to a state government? Certainly not. Is this yet another way in which, say it with me, the State of Illinois is not a business? It appears so. 3. “Just by reading your usual,repetitive dribble,your one of the kool-aid drinkers who think business as usual in Springfield(lil-chicago) will solve all budgetary issues.” 3A. An ad hominem argument coupled with a straw man argument? Masterful. Unfortunately, two logical fallacies do not a logical argument make. (To be honest, the multiple typos and grammatical errors don’t help either.) – MrJM - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 5:25 pm: (Tips cap, humbly, to - @MisterJayEm -) - kenny16 - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 5:27 pm: During a debate in Peoria before the election, Rauner was asked if he had a budget plan for our State. He muttered the following response “we’ll get there, we’ll get there, we’ll get there.” OK, so the question is when? Rauner, and the clowns he controls, know nothing about governing, leadership and budgeting. Rich, thank you very much for this–this guy needs to be called out on a daily basis. This is very embarrasing and we have people in other states laughing at us!! - Langhorne - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 6:22 pm: I just clicked the “here and here” links. Totally amazing in its lack of a verifiable basis for ANY of the claims. It contains no analysis whatsoever. Rauner didnt make hundreds of millions making decisions based on flimsy presentations like this. Laughable. Grade: F - blue dog dem - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 7:17 pm: Thats union management.not rank and file - Arthur Andersen - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 7:22 pm: And Rauner called himself a salesman? - Grandson of Man - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 7:57 pm: I would like analysts to look at what raising taxes on higher incomes could bring in. Then we can analyze and try to project the harm such increases would bring. I know it’s a fantasy because it’s almost impossible to enact a progressive income tax structure, but I would still like to know. For example, what would happen if we raise taxes on those making a million or more to somewhere between 8.5-9.5%? That’s not too out of line with some neighbors, like Wisconsin, Iowa and Minnesota. What would happen if we raise taxes on those making $250,000-$1 million to 7%? Then we could raise taxes for incomes in the range of $80,000-$250,000 to 6%. We could then scale it down lower for lower incomes. The 6% is not out of line with Kentucky and Missouri. I imagine we could pick up a lot of revenue out of this. We can use some of it to invest in jobs, education and debt payment. If we legalize marijuana, we can sell around $800 million annually and pick up maybe $200 million in revenue. I’m cherry picking some Colorado numbers and inflating them based on Illinois’ population size. The tax revenue might be “chump change,” but we would be opening up an industry, which would create some jobs to add to other jobs we would create by raising the income tax on higher earners. Just some ideas. I must run off now to watch my guy Trump. I want my country back!!! - RNUG - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 8:41 pm: -Grandson of Man-,d It’s a bit dated, but there are various detailed analyses at the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability. Not exactly broke down the way you are asking the question but charts and tables are in the reports. Probably the closest match is the document The Case for Creating a Graduated Income Tax in Illinois. CTBA may have their political agenda but they are known for putting together good, solid numbers … and they show their work and sources. - Mama - Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 9:09 pm: One of the governor’s statements in the Sept, 2015 letter says it all, “our administration could never have balanced that budget through line items vetoes and reductions alone.” Interesting! They acknowledged back in Sept that they need to raise taxes to balance the budget. Lets raise taxes and get it over with! Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.