It can be done if you really want it done
Tuesday, Feb 23, 2016 - Posted by Rich Miller
* I’m not sure if y’all noticed this, but by design today I have outlined several ways of ending this impasse…
* Workers’ comp: Call Madigan’s bluff and accept language on insurance company rates and roll back the 7.5 percent increase in PPD rates or implement some of the AMA’s guidelines.
* Local collective bargaining: Call Madigan’s bluff and give all schools the same bargaining exemptions that Madigan has already given Chicago, and leave it at that.
* Higher education funding: Use the impasse to force the universities to the bargaining table in order to extract real and lasting spending reforms, but get that process moving before the schools collapse.
* K-12 funding reform: Jim Edgar first secured Democratic votes for his education funding revamp and then used that to push conservative Republicans into accepting a bipartisan compromise - which is exactly the opposite of Rauner’s approach that is doomed to failure because he simply doesn’t have enough votes to move anything forward.
* Tone: Don’t be like The Donald, because, trust me, that comparison is coming as the March 15th primary nears.
* In addition, there’s no real need to demand remap reform as a condition of negotiating the budget because a well-funded, highly organized effort is already underway to put the issue on the ballot this November.
* That leaves term limits. If he got everything else, I don’t see any reason to hold up the budget for term limits. Convince the Senate to vote on it and be done with it.
* There’s also tort reform. The governor rarely talks about that topic, so maybe he doesn’t really care. I don’t know. But there has to be an idea out there somewhere.
Anything else come to mind?
- Thoughts Matter - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 12:28 pm:
Agree to arbitration with Afsmce
- Mama - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 12:29 pm:
Unions - work with the unions to find a way to a balanced contract that will keep the workers working & save the state money.
- Anon221 - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 12:30 pm:
Keep the poison pills in their bottles. Each of the strategies you listed Rich are completely workable if Rauner stops trying to give the GA poisoned apples with each bill. And, if he does, the GA needs to be prepared to say, “Enough,” and be prepared to override with R votes.
- GA Watcher - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 12:31 pm:
The property tax freeze, Rich. Leader Durkin mentioned again at the City Club yesterday that it’s a top priority of the Governor and Republican members of the GA.
- Stones - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 12:34 pm:
Respectfully, I don’t see the Governor agreeing to interest arbitration with AFSCME or any other Union. The Union would accept that in a heartbeat. Management - not so much.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 12:37 pm:
===The property tax freeze, Rich. Leader Durkin mentioned again at the City Club yesterday that it’s a top priority of the Governor and Republican members of the GA.===
With or without the “untalked” about, Union-Bustin’ language?
I could be in support of this path fairly easily, in part that ms y of the asks here, as a Republican, allows the Democrats to give where they can, while still being in the Majority, and Republicans can point to “moderation” and we can’t be framed by Democrats as “too extreme”.
I’d like to see these as the foundation.
This is doing the doable, half loaves, leverage, wins, and growth to the election and the rest of Rauner’s first term.
I’d be “here”… it’s a strong beginning.
- Ghost - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 12:37 pm:
we need a better defined corp tax sustem that outlines tax breaks for development activity. these one off deals are only good for a single company and dont spur growth. for example giving credit for dollars invested in new infrastructure/buldings/facilities…. extra credit for wages and benefits over 50k per worker that kind of thing. we need to consider that if companies pay employees well and we get inc tax from those salaries, we want to encourage hiring high wage employees. we dnt need more poverty levle workers. But if companies are spending a lot and pay good wagez, maybe we need their inc tax less since we get a good return from their employees…..
- Ret Professor - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 12:38 pm:
Quinn’s people wanted all university administrators to document their activities in quarter hour increments.
I think the reality is the Republicans are simply looking at excuses to cut and they don’t support higher ed.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 12:39 pm:
“…many of the asks… “
- Person 8 - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 12:39 pm:
“and leave it at that”
Like the Energizer Bunny, this impasse will keep going and going and going……until the above quote can be done and TRUSTED by the Dems.
- Juvenal - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 12:39 pm:
Those would be some impressive victories for the Governor, Rich.
You’ve forgotten #6 though, the actual budget.
The Governor has to explain how he is gonna come up with $6 billion in new revenue to replace the unicorns in his budget, and even then I don’t think we can count on higher ed to take a 25 percent cut.
- The Man on 6 - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 12:40 pm:
Question of the room: how is the Independent Maps proposed redistricting amendment any different from the one that was tossed out by the courts in 2014?
If it is likely that this attempt will fail as well, it does seem legitimate to keep remap reform part of the overall agenda in Springfield (though not, of course, for Rauner to use it as a cudgel in budget negotiations).
- Robert the Bruce - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 12:41 pm:
Excellent list, Rich! Local collective bargaining a particularly great idea.
Consider adding a plan for a 2017 Capital Bill, to help both sides add the votes needed for a budget compromise.
- Federalist - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 12:41 pm:
Rich,
What do you believe are the reforms needed in Illinois public universities.
- Reality Check - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 12:43 pm:
@Stones said I don’t see the Governor agreeing to interest arbitration with AFSCME or any other Union.
And this is exactly why the opposition to HB 580 is so ridiculous: More than 10,000 state employees represented by AFSCME, FOP, Laborers and Police Benevolent already have the option of interest arbitration under the law.
HB 580 just gives the same option to ALL state employees and all unions.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 12:43 pm:
===The property tax freeze, Rich.===
That’s the reason for collective bargaining reform.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 12:58 pm:
===I don’t see the Governor agreeing to interest arbitration with AFSCME or any other Union===
Exactly. That shouldn’t be part of the final deal.
- Mama - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 12:59 pm:
No ‘R’ is going to vote against Rauner to over-ride his veto while an election is underway.
- AC - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 1:00 pm:
Employee pension pickup as a subject of collective bargaining in exchange for labor peace, Cullerton would probably agree. Rauner could even issue an amendatory veto of the AFSCME binding arbitration bill once it reaches his desk eliminating the end date, and indefinitely eliminating the right to strike, which would give Rauner another victory in removing union rights. One thing is certain, eliminating the right of public employees to bargain over basic issues such as wages, working conditions, and job security is a non starter.
- Elo Kiddies - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 1:01 pm:
@Man on 6: The last Maps proposal was thrown out for signature problems, I think. This round promises more and better signatures.
The courts will rule on constitutionality later.
- Former State Employee - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 1:05 pm:
I think there are two components to the collective bargaining reform that could be acceptable to both sides. One is having a reputable firm do an objective compensation study to help guide (not determine) decisions on wages. I think most people will admit that there are some positions that are overpaid and others that are underpaid. There needs to be an honest assessment that includes bench marking against private sector wages.
The second issue where you may find some agreement is the need for reform of disciplinary process for union employees. The classic compliant about unions is they protect bad employees and make it impossible for management to get them in line or fire them. The few bad apples make everyone miserable including other union employees. Part of the solution will include ensuring the civil service commission does a good objective job.
- My New Handle - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 1:06 pm:
“..that Madigan has already given Chicago…”
When did Madigan sign that piece of legislation? My impression is that signing legislation into law is the perogative of the Governor, who then owns it. Either that statement is parapraxis, or the Kool-Aid/Stag Beer is having its effect.
- Mama - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 1:06 pm:
“Consider adding a plan for a 2017 Capital Bill, to help both sides add the votes needed for a budget compromise.”
How would you pay for any Capital Bill since the state is in the hole by at least $6B?
- Chicago Guy - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 1:07 pm:
I think there are two components to the collective bargaining reform that could be acceptable to both sides. One is having a reputable firm do an objective compensation study to help guide (not determine) decisions on wages. I think most people will admit that there are some positions that are overpaid and others that are underpaid. There needs to be an honest assessment that includes bench marking against private sector wages.
The second issue where you may find some agreement is the need for reform of disciplinary process for union employees. The classic compliant about unions is they protect bad employees and make it impossible for management to get them in line or fire them. The few bad apples make everyone miserable including other union employees. Part of the solution will include ensuring the civil service commission does a good objective job.
- Anon221 - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 1:12 pm:
Mama - “No ‘R’ is going to vote against Rauner to over-ride his veto while an election is underway.”
*****
Elections will always be in progress or in planning. Votes count, and it matters where in the ledger they are recorded. Raunerites won’t cross Rauner- it’s not in their best interests. Republicans, on the other hand, have a choice as do the voters in this state.
- My New Handle - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 1:12 pm:
“.. .force the universities to the bargaining table…”
What bargaining table? If Appropriations committees were doing their jobs, every university, indeed every state agency, would have to “show their work” and justify every dollar.
- Lucky Pierre - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 1:16 pm:
This is a common sense template for a deal Rich. Now who is the one to broker a deal between the two parties? Are there any statesmen?
- Honeybear - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 1:18 pm:
In the vein of “Only Nixon could go to China” how about closing business tax loopholes or increasing professional fees or creating professional fees? This would likely make the business community grumble loudly but it would totally demonstrate seriousness to take on his own constituency with change. Instead of the pretense of a better business environment lets have better Illinois resident environment by bringing in additional revenue.
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 1:21 pm:
–Anything else come to mind?–
Actually wanting it to end.
- Earnest - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 1:23 pm:
These are very thoughtful proposals. Good on you for continuing to light a candle rather than cursing the darkness. If I were to add an area, I’d probably go with human services. There’s room to look more at effectiveness and efficiency of how human services funding is utilized. That could give Rauner a victory in terms of being an effective manager of taxpayer resources and get the funds out there.
- Stones - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 1:25 pm:
@ Reality Check @ 12:43
I’m only expressing an opinion - no fan of the Governor here.
That being said, I’m guessing most of those 10K employees used in your example are public safety employees (most being police & correctional officers). Huge difference from most rank & file state employees.
In collective bargaining you either have the right to strike or interest arbitration, not both.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 1:25 pm:
===Now who is the one to broker a deal between the two parties? ===
I’m gonna print this post and hand-deliver it to the governor on Thursday.
lol
- Not Rich - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 1:27 pm:
Great ideas Rich: except I don’t think the Gov wants a deal, at least not this..he wants what he wants..
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 1:30 pm:
–Now who is the one to broker a deal between the two parties? Are there any statesmen?–
Sigh.
One of the strange developments of the last year or so is this newfound belief among some that an elected governor is not actually a governor, that he’s just some passive bystander.
I don’t recall that ever being even a fringe belief at any time in my life.
- Cassandra - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 1:37 pm:
Agree with Juvenal.
Are voters presumed to be ok with an income tax increase if Rauner does a deal. Because Rauner is likely to own it; his best hope is that the Democrats don’t beat him up with it too hard during his campaign for a second term. Think Ogilvie and Quinn. Even if you believe other factors doomed their respective political careers, many pols apparently aren’t so sure.
- Joe M - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 1:42 pm:
==Quinn’s people wanted all university administrators to document their activities in quarter hour increments. ==
That was part of Blago’s ethics reforms, and included faculty. In 2014, this was written in a newsletter covering the topic, “In mandating time-sheets, Illinois public universities are bowing to state law. In 2003, the Illinois General Assembly passed the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act (SOEEA), a piece of legislation that created many new ethics regulations: restricting state officials and employees’ political activities, exchange of gifts and use of unpaid advisers, among other things.”
- siriusly - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 1:46 pm:
he could get term limits too if the clock doesn’t start ticking until it is signed into law, and PLEASE make it for leadership only - term limits for all GA members is a really bad idea
This could be spun as a compromise / win for him - he could claim he is getting rid of Madigan without destroying the legislature.
- AC - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 1:48 pm:
A mutually agreed upon tax increase, the one everyone agrees in necessary, but no one dare speak of.
- drew - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 1:55 pm:
Of course, none of these ideas will help at all if an impasse is what Rauner really wants in the first place.
- Gooner - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 1:57 pm:
The trial lawyers are not going to take well to the 7.5% cut. That directly impacts guys who handle things like construction cases, since much of the settlement value is based on the size of the comp. lien. Reduce comp, everybody gets less.
Those guys write big checks to Democrats.
- Lucky Pierre - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 2:12 pm:
Rich , drop a copy off at the Speaker and and the Senate Presidents office too. Wordslinger it can’t get done without agreement between all 3 parties. Most commenters just blame the Governor.
- Enviro - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 2:13 pm:
We need a 5% Illinois state income tax to help with the unpaid bills that increase each day.
There should be no property tax freeze until we reform school funding and pay the overdue state and school district bills.
- @MisterJayEm - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 2:14 pm:
I believe this remains the elephant in the room.
The governor’s talk is cheap (and inconsistent). What of Rauner’s actions indicate that he wants this necrotic showdown to end?
– MrJM
- Honeybear - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 2:20 pm:
Send the AFSCME contract to arbitration AND do the school limits on collective bargaining that Chicago has. This would provide him cover saying that a third party chose the contract AND call Madigans bluff.
- Jake From Elwood - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 2:21 pm:
Rich, these are really some well-reasoned proposals. I appreciate your work on this.
The question that remains is whether Gov. Rauner and Speaker Madigan have the ability to co-exist and the desire to compromise. The “want-to” part of the equation is what is lacking and I remain a skeptic.
- Facts are Stubborn Things - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 2:34 pm:
MJM is going to stay exactly where he has positioned himself and make Rauner negotiate with himself. Rauner has poisoned the well with MJM and MJM will hold to his position that the number one problem facing the state of Illinois is the budget and that is solved in moderation and not in the extreme. I think the Dems should hold a press conference and make it clear they want a budget summit and that they will compromise on cuts and revenue, but we must get this state a budget. Let the election be a mandate on the “turn around agenda” but for now we need a budget.
- Allen D - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 2:42 pm:
End Fair Share
- Skeptic - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 2:47 pm:
Allen D: He tried that, remember? And it went down in flames, and not because of Madigan either.
- CharlieKratos - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 2:56 pm:
I know it’s a long way off, but what are the odds that Lisa runs for Governor in 2018 with the understanding that MJM will step down if/when she wins?
- A guy - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 2:57 pm:
===* In addition, there’s no real need to demand remap reform as a condition of negotiating the budget because a well-funded, highly organized effort is already underway to put the issue on the ballot this November.====
A very strong cogent argument Rich, that quite honestly would seem to work both ways. Right?
- Ahoy! - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 2:57 pm:
I vote Rich for Governor.
Also, ask Madigan to resign in exchange for a tax increase.
- Last Bull Moose - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 3:03 pm:
Add a bill removing supervisory and some specific positions from the union. Madigan passed it when Quinn was Governor, Quinn used it but left positions in rhe union rhat could have come out.
Rauner can count this as a win.
- Nope - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 3:05 pm:
The teacher union folks must all be busy today. No way in hell does any limit to collective bargaining not start a war. That would make that pension fight look like Childs play.
- Roger Park - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 3:10 pm:
Authorize bankruptcy.
- Honeybear - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 3:21 pm:
Okay, my bad, busy day. To the above I stated limit collective bargaining like Chicago schools have. Well, I’m fine with bending on the school day and school year but I didn’t realize that they gave it up on outside contracting. That’s big no for me. Also I’m saying this as an AFSCME caseworker. So I’m sure I just pissed off some teachers and allies. Sorry about that. I don’t know really what school day and school year mean to a teacher. And because I don’t maybe Rauners trick just worked on me and I got split off from my union sisters and brothers. So what I thought might be a give, now that I think of it, would be totally shafting people on an important issue. I ask forgiveness. Maybe I just want this over and thought that wasn’t that big a deal. Kind of like I am with the 40 hour workweek. I’m tired of explaining our 37.5 workweek and I don’t work enough overtime to get huffed up about it. So I’d give that up. But I don’t speak for the union. I’m just a one, not the many. I’m also not empowered to speak for others. All I know is that I’m tired of the fear, the anger, personally and I’m tired of seeing the effects of the suffering in the lives of those I serve. Yep, I’m so done with this crap. For those of you who watch from the sidelines, count your blessings. I just watched my boss break down because her husband had to resign from his job because of illness. She’s scared to death of the future. AND SHE’S MANAGEMENT! Forgive me my teacher sisters and brothers I faltered and condoned the giveaway of your hard fought benefits. I hope people will pray for our public servants and teachers. We so need it right now.
- RNUG - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 3:27 pm:
== Authorize bankruptcy. ==
If you mean for the State itself, the Feds have to do that.
- RNUG - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 3:28 pm:
- Former State Employee -
I agree on both items.
- Workers' comp reformer - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 3:36 pm:
Rich,
Rolling back the giveaway on PPD is a starting point but it would be hard to call that “reform.”
PPD is one component (indemnity) of one area of WC costs (medical, wage replacement, indemnity, admin, time/bureaucracy, etc). If PPD is rolled back by 7.5%, what would be the overall cost reduction? Maybe 2-3%, at best.
Definitely a starting point but that would be a shallow “win” for a Governor who wants WC reform.
Separately, what is the argument on insurers saying they need to be regulated? I don’t get this issue. I’ve read repeatedly that there are some huge number of insurers writing WC in Illinois. Is Madigan arguing that these hundreds of insurers have formed a cartel in Illinois and are not competing with each other on premium price?
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 3:40 pm:
===would be a shallow “win” for a Governor===
Not according to the governor’s folks.
- Earnest - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 4:00 pm:
>Separately, what is the argument on insurers saying they need to be regulated? I don’t get this issue. I’ve read repeatedly that there are some huge number of insurers writing WC in Illinois. Is Madigan arguing that these hundreds of insurers have formed a cartel in Illinois and are not competing with each other on premium price?
At least in the developmental disability community agencies, it’s hard to get WC companies who are willing to quote you some years.
- Formerly Known As... - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 4:03 pm:
Kudos, Rich. May your sanity rub off on Speaker Madigan and Governor Rauner.
- Enviro - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 6:11 pm:
I agree with Facts @ 2:34 pm: “MJM is going to stay exactly where he has positioned himself and make Rauner negotiate with himself. Rauner has poisoned the well.. Let the election be a mandate on the “turn around agenda” but for now we need a budget.”
We the people must not give in to hostage takers.
- Workers' comp reformer - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 7:28 pm:
Sorry Rich, I hadn’t seen that they described that as sufficient.
- Illinoian - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 9:57 pm:
Sorry but no. He has effectively destroyed our state calling it “short term” but what he has wrought will take decades to correct. As OW always says- elections have consequences. The good people of Illinois need to learn this lesson and vote more responsibly. Capitulation at this point to what would have been considered irresponsible only a short time ago only gives license to like minded egomaniacs and credence to their actions.