React to Munger move publicly muted
Tuesday, Apr 19, 2016 - Posted by Rich Miller
* You’re not going to hear too many legislators gripe about Comptroller Leslie Munger’s decision to put legislative paychecks in the same pile as all other overdue state bills…
“I don’t think anybody’s fazed by it. What we have to do, we will do,” said Democratic Rep. Lou Lang of Skokie, an attorney. “She has a difficult re-election ahead of her and she’s looking for every chance she can get to get her name in the paper. It’s what we all do in the political world, but it should just be called what it is.” […]
“I’ll do what the families in my districts have done over the last year. Lean on the credit cards, lean on friends and family,” said Rep. Will Guzzardi, D-Chicago. “My girlfriend will have to take me out to dinner every once and a while. It’ll be tough, but it’s tough all over.”
Rep. Jaime Andrade, D-Chicago, said his legislative salary is his family’s only source of income.
“At least I know I might get a check down the line, but I have residents who know they will never get a check,” Andrade said. “For me, this might be a difficult situation, but for others it’s worse.”
* Mark Brown explains…
As much as state lawmakers might be exasperated with Munger’s maneuver, some of them no doubt seething privately over the projected two-month delay in their paychecks, nobody running for election in November is going to want to challenge her populist decision. […]
As much as state lawmakers might be exasperated with Munger’s maneuver, some of them no doubt seething privately over the projected two-month delay in their paychecks, nobody running for election in November is going to want to challenge her populist decision.
I’ve talked to some legislators about this as well, and many expressed real private worry about their personal financial future. They also know that Munger has plenty of money, as does the governor, the House Speaker and the Senate President, along with the two top GOP leaders. Those folks won’t suffer a minute.
* This, however, is an interesting comment…
State Representative Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro) supports her fellow Republican’s decision and said she hopes it brings lawmakers closer to a compromise.
“This is probably something that should have happened back in January,” Bryant said.
That’s pretty much what Munger’s Democratic opponent said about it on Sunday.
- Tone - Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 10:35 am:
Rep. Jaime Andrade, D-Chicago, said his legislative salary is his family’s only source of income.
I am supposed to feel sorry for this chump?
- Blackhawk Boone - Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 10:39 am:
Poor legislators. You thought you lucked out and landed a job where you don’t have to actually accomplish any of your goals and yet you’ll still get paid. Nice to see that the economic laws that apply to the rest of us extend to you as well, at least in this case.
- Chucktownian - Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 10:40 am:
The terrible thing is that most of the legislators have voted for a budget and tried to do the right thing.
The folks pushing this now are the rich folks with lots of money who don’t have to worry about where their next meal is coming from. The irony is pretty astonishing really.
Not that I’m that sympathetic but it is a point that needed to be made.
- Anon - Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 10:42 am:
===“This is probably something that should have happened back in January,” Bryant said.===
I wonder if she understands what a Fiscal Year is.
Still hasn’t done a thing to save that university in her district.
- lincoln's beard - Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 10:45 am:
I’ve long felt that a conscientious Comptroller would have resigned in protest quite a ways back. “Until the State passes a budget, I can’t uphold my oath of office, and therefore I must resign.”
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 10:45 am:
- Tone -, you are a caricature now.
If you’d like, I’ll write your responses for you and save you done more time to wallow in your own glum-ness…
To the Post,
The Mendoza Crew’s response, now “parroted” by a GOP legislator puts front a center a few things about the Mendoza Crew…
They are non-existent.
They are pointers of spilt milk but won’t help in the cleanup
They choose the lazy response. No substance? This might be a Mendoza Crew pattern to watch?
Their brevity might highlight a lack of knowledge?
Not a stellar response by Mendoza’s Crew. They are not scaring anyone.
To the silence, the “manuver”, etc.,…
Unlike Quinn’s stunt, this stunt can allegedly pass muster, and while its a grandstand manuver that may not effect some legislators, it’s not about the $1.3 million, it IS about highlighting the wait others are facing now, and also highlighting elected officials should want to wait, as others wait too.
Can’t beef waiting in a line as others wait with you too.
It was savvy by Munger and her Crew.
- Anonymouth - Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 10:47 am:
=== Rep. Jaime Andrade, D-Chicago, said his legislative salary is his family’s only source of income.
I am supposed to feel sorry for this chump? ===
I don’t think he was asking for your, or anyone else’s,sympathy.
- IllinoisBoi - Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 10:48 am:
Being a Legislator is a job? A profession?
- Ahoy! - Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 10:48 am:
I feel for the families that this impacts, but their lack of action has caused multiple other families harm. Why should they be let off the hook especially since they are the cause of the problem?
Also, I’m sick of hearing that Pat Quinn tried doing something like this, he did not, Munger is simply treating these payments as equal to the rest of the payments out there. I’m glad the GA is going to feel what non-profits and colleges are going through. Even after the impasse, maybe we should keep them on the same payment cycle that everyone else is on.
- Kevin Highland - Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 10:49 am:
While I get it that none of the people with standing will file a complaint, it does seem this action may violate the FLSA.
“No Harm, No Foul is not a Defense.” section of: http://www.wagehourinsights.com/2014/08/under-the-flsa-a-day-late-is-a-dollar-short-wage-hour-faq/
- nikobey - Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 10:51 am:
I am far less concerned about the discomfort or even hardship to some legislators than by the problems they have created for so many of the residents of our state by their failure to enact a
FY 16 budget.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 10:52 am:
===you are a caricature now===
He jumped that shark years ago when he was posting as “Capitalist Pig.”
I stand by my contention that he’s a bot created in Ken Griffin’s basement.
- Dan S - Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 10:57 am:
“This is probably something that should have happened back in January,” Bryant said.
This should have happened 7/01/2015, for most employees out there if they did their job like these clowns do theirs they would be unemployed instead of waiting for a paycheck.
- DuPage - Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 10:59 am:
Political stunt by Munger, next election, she needs to make people forget she is “Rauner’s wingman”. Theatrics, when the cash flow is several BILLION in the red, this is not going to do much.
- Magic carpet ride - Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 10:59 am:
We will leverage everyone with money and who has the most money wins-fake gov rauner ME!
- Bull Moose - Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 11:04 am:
A lot of legislators are bragging that they co-sponsored legislation about not paying themselves during the budget impasse, but I don’t hear anyone bragging about the budget bills they introduced.
I’d rather have a budget that lets students afford college and allows children that have been sexually assaulted to get counseling than yelling “hooray” about legislators delayed checks.
- Beaner - Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 11:06 am:
Now that we KNOW Munger has fully politicized and taken over cash flow management functions previously handled by full-professional staff who know by law, statute and admin rule payroll is paid first, inquiring minds want to know:
Is payroll being withheld for everyone, or just those who do not support the Turnaround agenda?
- JB13 - Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 11:06 am:
A political ploy, eh? Heh. Well, we’ll see how long the leadership on both sides can hold the line while their memberships’ bank accounts run down and credit card balances run up. But hey, maybe their banks, landlords, utility companies, TV and Internet providers, and grocery stores work differently than those I’ve dealt with, and actually accept IOUs when it comes time to pay a bill. And maybe their kids (I’m sure at least a number of them have kids, yes?) will respond better than mine when they tell them they have no money for sports camps, extracurriculars, theme park tickets, private schooling, concerts, ball games, vacations, birthday parties, etc.
- Bronco Bahma - Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 11:12 am:
Wow! Rep. Bryant may be paying attention after all. Well, at least of of the time.
- Union Man - Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 11:14 am:
Please! Stop paying State Employees too altogether, the sooner we all get taken down to the mat and Rauner is sent home with a loser’s tail between his legs, the better of IL will be!
- Illinois is capsized - Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 11:21 am:
This is a win for Munger. Great PR statewide. This positions her to take credit for bringing pressure on the lawmakers. The presidential year turnout will create a tide of blue voters for Mendoza, but if she wins it will be despite her lack of press, issues and proactive positioning. But Munger has to do a better job of separating from Gov Rauner.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 11:29 am:
Munger claims she dithered for ten months because her crack legal team had to study the matter. She then refused to release the legal opinion based on all that pondering to the Tribune.
- Bryan - Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 11:33 am:
They can seethe privately all they want. I have names of hundreds of laid off state higher ed workers who seethed publicly when their jobs were cut, and others who seethed when they had to take furloughs, or absorb pay cuts, and the governor didn’t do a damn thing but continue this fiasco.
- Just Observing - Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 11:34 am:
=== Being a Legislator is a job? A profession? ===
A job, yes. A profession; that would be a stretch. Being a state legislator requires a lot of time and demands. It would certainly be difficult to hold down a regular job while being a legislator. Some can do it because they own their own business or work part-time, but a legislator probably couldn’t continue being a teacher or nurse or construction worker.
- A guy - Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 11:47 am:
Whatever. At the very least, it removes one regularly stated argument…”they’re not missing any paychecks”. Well, now they are.
For most of them, yes, most, $5K a month will be missed. Can’t imagine it was all going into savings. It has the potential to create some expediency. It’s a positive step.
- Tasty Grouper - Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 11:47 am:
Kevin Highland - These people are not employees, they are elected officials and specifically exempt from the requirements of FLSA.
Great move by Munger. The lack of outrage by legislators leads me to believe they wouldn’t have a good case if they were to sue.
- ChicagoVinny - Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 11:52 am:
“I’ve talked to some legislators about this as well, and many expressed real private worry about their personal financial future”
“Welcome to the club, pal” - folks affected by budget stalemate.
- Allen D - Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 12:03 pm:
This is one step to make a point, however it should start at the fiscal year, July 01… if there is no budget, all payments stop to include legislature, state employees, vendors, everything… the State is closed - come back later… similar to most other states and the Federal government… pass the budget and then open back up…
This example lacks sufficient bite or threat… none of the State employees should be getting paid. Then there would be enough pressure in the kettle to get things done.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 12:09 pm:
===…all payments stop to include legislature…===
Can’t. Can’t stop legislator’s pay.
Please, keep up.
- Allen D - Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 12:12 pm:
she essentially just did, by putting it at the bottom of the stack with the non-paid vendors, The vendors will all get paid as well…. some….time….down ….the….road….. follow the yellow brick road…. I can keep up.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 12:16 pm:
- Allen D -,
Nah.
There’s a real reason Munger never said she’s withholding pay, and an ignorant reason why you advocate withholding pay.
===…she essentially just did…===
No, she essentially just didn’t, Munger did something specific.
If you cabt keep up, that’s on you, not us.
- Annonin' - Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 12:25 pm:
Actrualkly Wingman’s opponent asked what Wingman has been asleep at the switch for 10 months. The Comptroller should have complained about BigBrain non budget issues. Others said she has been dozin’ for more than a year. Still more asked about Vendor Services Initiative, buying invoices, interagency loans, buying health care bills.
Hardly muted.
- Allen D - Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 12:28 pm:
The elected leaders are customarily paid on the last day of the month. Munger noted that her office will still process the vouchers monthly, but the warrants will then wait in a queue with other payments before being released when cash is available…. hrmm this looks like it stops paying the warrant for the money… at least a couple months late, like I said it was a statement and it should be every fiscal year… I know their pay cannot stop, unlike mine, but all pay should, that is the point…
NO BUDGET —- NO DISBURSEMENTS
for anyone in the state, that is the pressure needed to get a budget, done ahead of time or at least on time. we wouldn’t even be entertaining any of this now, if the State had just closed up shop until a budget was reached.
I have been through it before … 6 days I believe was all it took, then back open for business. (not in IL)
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 12:32 pm:
- Annonin’ -
With respect,
It was fun that Mendoza’s Crew woke from their slumber, rubbed their eyes and lazily issued a response so bereft of rationale of their own campaign’s thoughts… all I can think is that Mendoza’s Crew lacks a working knowledge to counter-punch?
I wouldn’t call their response… responsive. Maybe “weak reactionary”.
Maybe.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 12:37 pm:
===The elected leaders are customarily paid… ===
“The elected leaders are constitutionally paid”
If you can NOT understand this, please, take the time to learn this.
There’s no “customary”. Constitutionally mandated pay. Otherwise Rauner wouldn’t have to take his checks.
===hrmm this looks like it stops paying the warrant for the money…===
It’s looks like nothing like that. Your alleged interpretation lacks, and I’m being polite.
===I know their pay cannot stop, unlike mine, but all pay should, that is the point…===
If you “know” it, why ask what you know can’t legakky happen?
Maybe you need to sit out a few plays.
- RNUG - Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 12:45 pm:
Munger and staff need to be VERY careful with this. If a bill that does not have an appropriation or court order slips through, it will leave them open to charges of playing politics in their sequencing of things.
- Thoughts Matter - Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 12:45 pm:
Allan D - you are free to stop working and collecting a paycheck any time you want. Have a sit-in, occupy your cubicle in protest of being paid. The legislators do more than just attend legislative sessions. They will get paid, just nit on time. I think it’s a political play on Her part, but any nudge in a crisis….They aren’t going to vote to decimate collective bargaining, though.
I’d like to know whether or not you deal with the public and if so, just how well you treat them.
- Mama - Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 12:46 pm:
==Kevin Highland - Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 10:49 am: “While I get it that none of the people with standing will file a complaint, it does seem this action may violate the FLSA.”
“No Harm, No Foul is not a Defense.” section of: http://www.wagehourinsights.com/2014/08/under-the-flsa-a-day-late-is-a-dollar-short-wage-hour-faq/
Will the federal wage law have a problem with the ‘delayed paychecks’?
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 12:49 pm:
===If a bill that does not have an appropriation or court order slips through, it will leave them open to charges of playing politics in their sequencing of things.===
- RNUG -
That was my only reservation in this tact.
If Munger is now the arbitrary “decider” does that added “responsibility” open her up to lobbying from groups to be moved, or be blamed to que positions.
We all could argue, with court orders and mandated spending per any way or form presented, the Comptroller’s Office is already doing to function, so it’s not a new burden.
It’s not new, but now it’s highlighted with a brighter light(?)
We’ll see.
- Vote Quimby! - Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 12:53 pm:
==Democratic Rep. Lou Lang of Skokie, an attorney. “She has a difficult re-election ahead of her”==
No…:she has an election, since she wasn’t a candidate last time. Even more need for good PR…
- Allen D - Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 12:55 pm:
- Thoughts Matter - Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 12:45 pm:
Yes I do deal with the public and I treat them very well thank you… They are the ones that pay my salary. I am responsible to them and believe in more fiscally responsible acts than some I see…
- Anon - Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 1:07 pm:
Now our legislators could get their pay plus interest!
Hurray!
- a drop in - Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 1:13 pm:
Maybe she could put all the bills in a basket and draw out the winners weekly. Could be a new version of Bozo’s grand prize game.
- Tasty Grouper - Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 2:16 pm:
Mama, nope. Not employees. They’re exempt. See above.
Anon@1:07, nope. Exempt. And it would require 90 days before any interest kicked. It seems they won’t wait that long.
- Sick of it - Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 4:22 pm:
I wonder if the Bank of Bruce will be arranging loans for those legislators who continue to stand with him. He can cover their salaries out of petty cash!
- Arthur Andersen - Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 5:59 pm:
Anon 1:07 and Tasty, if y’all are discussing the Prompt Payment Act, it does not cover the payment of salaries.
- Political Animal - Thursday, Apr 21, 16 @ 9:34 am:
==Being a Legislator is a job? A profession?===
yes, actually, a very complicated one that takes a particular set of skills.
As a Republican, I find it embarrassing when people in my party talk like this.
You complain about ineffective Legislators and Government workers, but you spend all your time denigrating the job itself and trying to make sure they have no pay or benefits.
How do you expect to attract talented people into these jobs with that kind of attitude and compensation?
FYI, John Roberts, Republican Supreme Court Justice, has said that the inadequate compensation is the number one challenge facing our federal judiciary. These jobs are IMPORTANT and we should want good people doing them.