Once again, with feeling
Wednesday, Feb 17, 2016 - Posted by Rich Miller
* It’s good to see him finally admitting this…
“It’s hard to give a budget speech for a state that doesn’t have a budget,” Rauner said Tuesday while addressing the state’s pork producers. “But you know what? It’s not really about the budget. It’s about the future direction of Illinois.”
Yep. The budget is being used as “leverage” in the real fight, which is, as he says, about the direction of Illinois. Unfortunately, the direction the governor demands is opposed by members of both parties in the Illinois General Assembly. It’s like trying to pedal a tandem bicycle while your fellow driver hits the brakes. Nothing’s gonna happen until both people start moving those pedals together.
So, in the interim, universities are allowed to crumble and people who rely on critical social services are kicked to the curb.
I hate to keep saying this, but I’m going to until it happens: Find. Another. Way.
* Related…
* So what’s in the cards?: Illinois Playbook has learned that the governor will offer up a choice to lawmakers. Behind door No. 1: Rauner will ask for the sole authority to make billions of dollars in cuts to programs, with no tax increase. Rauner will propose making the cuts himself. Or … Behind door No. 2: He will achieve a balanced budget through 1) a series of reforms — watered down from his go nowhere Turnaround Agenda, 2) cuts in spending 3) new revenue. The governor is to make clear he is looking to negotiate a settlement to the state budget impasse once and for all. Takeaway: Door number one is dead on arrival. Can anyone see Democratic leaders going for that? Door number two sounds plausible, depending on how far he backs away from proposed law changes that harm unions. Otherwise, it’s really dressing up the same way he’s operated since last year.
* Durkin’s Expectations For The Budget Address: “At some point cooler heads are going to have to prevail. That means we have to be austere, we have to live within our means, and if we do have to make investments, we have to have a revenue source that we can rely upon.”
- Earnest - Wednesday, Feb 17, 16 @ 9:42 am:
I used to hope for the House Republicans, but if the leaders are going to be introducing spending bills without the revenue to cover them (K-12), I think I’m out of luck. I’m sticking to my new refrain: either pass a complete budget or pass nothing.
If I had any talent, I’d do a quick riff on Ado Annie’s big song from Oklahoma: With Me, It’s All, Or Nothing.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Feb 17, 16 @ 9:45 am:
With great and honest respect to Leader Durkin, whom I like and want to succeed, and root for, often…
1) #TaxHikeMike
2) https://capitolfax.com/2015/03/16/durkin-no-tax-hikes-this-year/
I appreciate this from Leader Durkin, but which quote, hashtag, response, signal…
I need more behind his quote to get too “excited”, but I’m glad to read it, but how about some action behind those words.
With respect, Leader,
OW
- Handle Bar Mustache - Wednesday, Feb 17, 16 @ 9:45 am:
Will it be for FY16 + 17 or 17 only?
- Gruntled University Employee - Wednesday, Feb 17, 16 @ 9:46 am:
==Otherwise, it’s really dressing up the same way he’s operated since last year.==
BINGO! We have a winner!
- Frenchie Mendoza - Wednesday, Feb 17, 16 @ 9:46 am:
Is there a point where the lack of a budget becomes a constitutional issue?
- Anonymousse - Wednesday, Feb 17, 16 @ 10:07 am:
One cannot possibly think of a better venue for such a choice remark:
“It’s hard to give a budget speech for a state that doesn’t have a budget,” Rauner said Tuesday while addressing the state’s pork producers.
- DAN S - Wednesday, Feb 17, 16 @ 10:07 am:
Don’t pass a budget, hold firm.
- JS Mill - Wednesday, Feb 17, 16 @ 10:10 am:
“we have to live within our means”
Thanks Leader Durkin. Our “means” is actually something you can control so propose a bill that creates revenue to pay our obligations. You can do it. Seriously. Be a Leader.
- Demoralized - Wednesday, Feb 17, 16 @ 10:12 am:
==Don’t pass a budget, hold firm.==
I certainly hope that was snark. I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Feb 17, 16 @ 10:13 am:
Madigan wouldn’t even compromise on pension legislation within his own party. What makes anyone think he would compromise on the budget, despite the desperate state of our state he helped create?
His refusal to budge in this “epic struggle” is just as much a concern as Rauner’s willingness to compromise. Without both moving towards the middle, it makes no difference.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Feb 17, 16 @ 10:15 am:
===- DAN S - Wednesday, Feb 17, 16 @ 10:07 am
Don’t pass a budget, hold firm.===
What does that even mean?
With 90%+ of state government being paid already, and deficits soaring, are purposely ignorant or blissfully unaware what is really going on with monies, the budget, the deficit, social services, education, and the paying of state workers as doors remain closed at the workplace?
I’m hoping it blissfully unaware. For you, I’m hoping that.
- burbanite - Wednesday, Feb 17, 16 @ 10:15 am:
Dan S, Hold firm for what? Specifically, for what?
- illinifan - Wednesday, Feb 17, 16 @ 10:18 am:
If I remember the legislature gave the governor Door number 1 last year and he chose not to make the cuts but rather veto the whole bill.
- TinyDancer(FKA Sue) - Wednesday, Feb 17, 16 @ 10:18 am:
Budget address at High Noon:
Wait, wait along
I do not know what fate awaits me.
I only know I must be brave.
For I must face a state that hates me,
Or die a coward, a craven coward
Or die a coward in my grave.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKLvKZ6nIiA
- RNUG - Wednesday, Feb 17, 16 @ 10:21 am:
Actually, I can see the Dem’s choosing Door #1 and letting Rauner own the devastation.
- Bill White - Wednesday, Feb 17, 16 @ 10:23 am:
- illinifan - Wednesday, Feb 17, 16 @ 10:18 am:
= If I remember the legislature gave the governor Door number 1 last year and he chose not to make the cuts but rather veto the whole bill. =
= = =
Partially true. Today’s ask: “Let me make whatever cuts I want except you agree to share the political fallout from those cuts.”
- Not it - Wednesday, Feb 17, 16 @ 10:23 am:
Ugh, can we have an Oscar pic today please?
- The Dude Abides - Wednesday, Feb 17, 16 @ 10:23 am:
@Dan S, yes, hold firm, because it has worked so well so far. I wonder how it would work if Democrats told Rauner that there will be no budget until he approves a tax hike, not on the general public but just applied to Corporations? Obviously Rauner would laugh at that notion but basically that’s what he is asking Democrats to do when he says no budget deal until the Unions are rendered powerless. Sure we need some business friendly reforms but we can achieve that without busting worker rights.
- AnonymousOne - Wednesday, Feb 17, 16 @ 10:26 am:
Everyone needs to come out from their corner and put their cards on the table and a fight must ensue. It seems that the crumbling of this state has just been accepted as the status quo and we can expect more casualties any time now. Ho-hum. Who’s next?
Not acceptable. How are all of these elected folks earning their pay? By sitting around and watching stuff happen? If there needs to be all out war, then so be it. But it’s really hard to just watch everyone vegetate.
- Expletivedeleted - Wednesday, Feb 17, 16 @ 10:29 am:
illinifan and Bill White beat me to it. I don’t believe “Door No. 1 is DOA at all. In fact, I think it is very likely. The Governor owns the cuts that way.
- TinyDancer(FKA Sue) - Wednesday, Feb 17, 16 @ 10:32 am:
These are the effects of wearing too much Carhartt.
Oh, to be torn twixt tax and cruelty.
Supposin’ I cave, fall on my booty.
Look at that big hand movin’ round,
Nearin’ high noon.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Feb 17, 16 @ 10:34 am:
People, don’t feed the trolls.
- Aldyth - Wednesday, Feb 17, 16 @ 10:42 am:
Based on his past behavior, why would any legislator have any confidence in Rauner keeping his end of an agreement? Those agreements seem to exist in a different form in Rauner’s head than what anyone else understands.
- Crispy - Wednesday, Feb 17, 16 @ 10:43 am:
Frenchie Mendoza’s question @9:46 is mine, as well. Leaving aside the moral and ethical implications of refusing to submit a real budget and willfully shredding social services and higher Ed–how is this strategy of the governor’s not unconstitutional as well?
- hisgirlfriday - Wednesday, Feb 17, 16 @ 10:50 am:
So Durkin supports unfunded increases in k-12 funding but is lecturing about a need to find revenue sources? make up your mind.
- Langhorne - Wednesday, Feb 17, 16 @ 10:51 am:
RNUG–pick door number 1, and let rauner own the devestation? He already does. How can you trust a guy who closed the state museum right out of the box? And a guy who is at ease with destroying social services, allowing zero funding for higher education, and doesnt mind no MAP grants? Rauner would be worse than a civil war surgeon operating in the dark.
Those 20,000 post cards higher ed folks sent? Thats likely 60,000 votes unhappy with republicans, republicans who need something they can call a victory.
- a drop in - Wednesday, Feb 17, 16 @ 10:57 am:
re Door #1: Could he cut whole departments and outsource them? Just trying to see why he offered to take the cuts on himself.
- RNUG - Wednesday, Feb 17, 16 @ 11:01 am:
- Crispy -
It is “legal” until you are caught or called on it. The GA is supposed to be the “cop” here, balancing the Governor. The way both sides are dug in, until the bought and paid for Raunerite Representatives and Senators are willing to oppose Rauner or the voters decide to throw them (or Madigan & company) out, nothing will happen.
Since Illinois does not have a viable recall process outside the elections, the only alternative is a citizen uprising on the Statehouse lawn with tar, feathers and pitchforks.
- Wensicia - Wednesday, Feb 17, 16 @ 11:02 am:
Rauner: “Give me sole authority..”
It’s what he’s wanted all along. Too bad those pesky courts get in the way.
- RNUG - Wednesday, Feb 17, 16 @ 11:05 am:
-Langhorne-
Maybe I’m too pessimistic on this, but I see letting Rauner totally destroy everything and the eventual voter disgust as the only way out of this impasse.
- TinyDancer(FKA Sue) - Wednesday, Feb 17, 16 @ 11:15 am:
I’m not afraid to die but oh,
What will I do if you leave me?
Then the whole state will agree,
To raise the tax and set them free.
Do not forsake me, supply-siders,
You made that promise when Ayn Rand died.
Do not forsake me, supply-siders.
Although you’re grievin’, don’t think of leavin’
Not while I need you by my side.
(Behind our tax breaks we can hide!)
- Me too - Wednesday, Feb 17, 16 @ 11:21 am:
I hardly think it coincidence that the Governor is giving a public speech where he says that he will be reasonable a month before the primaries. It is the same thing as the arbitration bill last go around. He told lawmakers who wanted to vote yes based on the state of negotiation that he would be at the negotiating table hammering out a deal, and it would be fair to the union and the State. Well, he’s not at the table anymore, and the only reason to oppose an arbitration bill is if your last best and final offer is much more extreme than the unions (who haven’t made one yet and are still wanting to negotiate), and it would therefore be rejected.
Another point about arbitration. It doesn’t mean that they just go straight to an arbiter. Both sides have incentive to move towards the middle, since when the music stops, the person with the most reasonable demands, gets theirs in arbitration. The governor opposes arbitration because it would force him to moderate his demands, and he’s a superstar CEO bidness man who doesn’t negotiate, he forces others to capitulate. Sorry for straying off topic, but him saying he’s open to negotiations rings completely hollow based on past experience with him.
- Mama - Wednesday, Feb 17, 16 @ 11:22 am:
Will there be any power points today with details on how Rauner’s structural reforms will save the state money?
- Austin Blvd - Wednesday, Feb 17, 16 @ 11:33 am:
Durkin: “Doh.”
- Honeybear - Wednesday, Feb 17, 16 @ 11:34 am:
With horror I think RNUG is right. Dems are going to let the dam break and pray fecklessly that something will survive. Why havent the dems punished and rebuked Dunkin? Just wondering since he is the reason dems have been robbed of power. Can they kick himvout of the party?
- Austin Blvd - Wednesday, Feb 17, 16 @ 11:37 am:
One must wonder what the response of the Pork Producers was. They, like all farm groups, are largely Republican. So the message was probably well-accepted.
Hopefully, someone asked him, “Where’s the beef?”
- Streator Curmudgeon - Wednesday, Feb 17, 16 @ 11:41 am:
RNUG-
The terms misfeasance, nonfeasance, and malfeasance come to mind. Can elected officials be charged with any of those offenses?
- Mama - Wednesday, Feb 17, 16 @ 11:43 am:
”
Since Illinois does not have a viable recall process outside the elections, the only alternative is a citizen uprising on the Statehouse lawn with tar, feathers and pitchforks.”
RNUG, I think that can be arranged. I can bring the pitchfork.
- Mama - Wednesday, Feb 17, 16 @ 11:46 am:
Honeybear, Dunkin is not the only Dem voting against the Dems. See yesterday’s votes on HB580. Three Dems voted against the bill, and Dunkin was one of them.
- Liberty - Wednesday, Feb 17, 16 @ 11:46 am:
Doesn’t Rauner already have #1 with his veto authority? #2 will undoubtedly contain anti-worker legislation.
- Mama - Wednesday, Feb 17, 16 @ 11:55 am:
I think Rauner will outline a budget for his remaining 3 years in office. FY2016 is in the past and per Rauner, he doesn’t like to think about the past.
- RNUG - Wednesday, Feb 17, 16 @ 12:03 pm:
== Can elected officials be charged with any of those offenses? ==
Well … it’s up to the GA to regulate itself and the other branches of government.
- Crispy - Wednesday, Feb 17, 16 @ 12:17 pm:
RNUG, Mama, etc.–I’ll start boiling the tar. I have a barrel out back specifically for that purpose.
In the meantime, as OW says, I’ll “vote accordingly” on March 15. Yikes.
Hey, I can dream. …
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Feb 17, 16 @ 12:24 pm:
–I hate to keep saying this, but I’m going to until it happens: Find. Another. Way.–
After more than a year in office, the governor has made no rational or coherent economic and fiscal case that his “reforms” even come close to the price that is being paid to advance them.
That can’t be an oversight or accident. Not possible.
I hate to say this, but I can only conclude that the new status quo is The New Way, by design.
Once you get there, a lot of confusing and inexplicable actions make a lot of sense all of a sudden.
- Past the Rule of 85 - Wednesday, Feb 17, 16 @ 12:46 pm:
I’m not sure this is the appropriate post, but are there any estimates out there on how much federal money the state will lose this year by not being able to make our match? In FY15 the state received $7.8 billion in federal funds for operating expenses. A lot of that money required a state match.
- Anon221 - Wednesday, Feb 17, 16 @ 12:54 pm:
To the IL Pork Producers- Rauner’s FY2017 zeros out the Agriculture Education line item. 1.8M gone if this is enacted.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Feb 17, 16 @ 1:07 pm:
How is “Door #1″ different than the veto authority which he already has? I’m genuinely confused.
- RNUG - Wednesday, Feb 17, 16 @ 2:04 pm:
== How is “Door #1″ different than the veto authority which he already has? I’m genuinely confused. ==
Straight veto, which is most of what Rauner has done, leaves him with no budget / no line items / no spending authority.
Amendatory veto that is not overridden still leaves a line item budget in place and he has limited power to shift funds between line items.
Door #1 is basically lump sum and Rauner gets to pick which line items get the money.
- walker - Wednesday, Feb 17, 16 @ 2:50 pm:
Rich, please keep saying it. Your statement above is the clearest summary of what’s been going on with the Governor, anywhere. Commenters should read and understand it, before embarrassing themselves.
- peanut - Wednesday, Feb 17, 16 @ 5:54 pm:
Well, BVR can at least claim one successful turnaround- that is Dunkin talkin’just like a Republican, about living within means, and austerity, presumably only for social programs.
- Last Bull Moose - Wednesday, Feb 17, 16 @ 8:17 pm:
There are two other ways forward. A Republican sub-caucus presents a tax and budget plan. (My guess is it takes 6 Representatives and 2 Senators minimum, but others are better at counting votes.)
Or Cullerton starts voting down each and every Rauner appointment that needs Senate confirmation. That cripples the Administration. Slowly but painfully. Also canceled are all executive orders requiring legislative approval. DOIT becomes Don’t.
At least those hostages are participants and not citizen bystanders.