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Rauner says he may pay for special session
Wednesday, Apr 27, 2016 - Posted by Rich Miller * I just don’t see how he could do this without an appropriation…
Also, hasn’t he said many times that special sessions don’t work? #Grandstanding? * Meanwhile, the governor said last week’s higher education funding bill was “only a stopgap,” and “a short-term solution to this crisis,” adding, “It is not the only money I want us to put into for higher education.” His comments appeared to directly contradict Leader Durkin’s remarks from last week which set off Speaker Madigan. Rauner said he wants a “long-term solution and a grand compromise” for both this and next fiscal years on higher education and everything else. * As far as a social service stopgap spending bill, “I do believe that there might be a short-term solution there,” Rauner said. The governor said he naturally prefers not to do a short-term crisis bridge like the higher ed bill and prefers to focus on the long-term, but he left the door open for a stopgap. Rauner also said he would negotiate reforming the state’s school funding formula, but again insisted that a K-12 appropriation be passed at the end of May if negotiations come up with nothing. * Listen to the raw audio…
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- Not It - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 1:03 pm:
I’ve hated Governors calling special sessions in the past, but I’m willing to give an exception. Something has to be done and nothing is being done when legislators are away. It can’t hurt to try.
- Thoughts Matter - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 1:07 pm:
He is free ( and encouraged) to donate to the state an amount equal to a special session. There is no guarantee that it will be applied to it though. Nor do I think a special session will help.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 1:07 pm:
If Rauner takes out the Labor poison pills, then I will know the seriousness of the Governor and of his Legislative Staff.
Paying for special session? Don’t even know if he could legally do that, similar to “renovating the mansion”
Sometimes Rauner, left-handedly, likes to remind is all he’s the “Richest Man in Town”, but definitely Rauner is not George Bailey.
The poison pills will be the Tell.
- Saluki - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 1:07 pm:
I don’t think Rauner thinks about what he is saying.
- Ducky LaMoore - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 1:13 pm:
===Rauner said he wants a “long-term solution and a grand compromise”===
Then propose something! Geez. Decimating unions in exchange for the honor of voting for a tax increase is not a compromise. It is an unionesque joke.
- Facts are Stubborn Things - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 1:14 pm:
how exactly would that work? total waste of time.
- Stones - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 1:14 pm:
Quit posturin’ and get to governin’!
- What the What - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 1:15 pm:
The governor seems to talk to grade school and high school kids a lot. Certainly more than he talks to legislative adults. Indication of his priorities and intents?
- walker - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 1:16 pm:
Every legislator I’ve talked to this week, (small sample), has been in informal discussions on the budget and TA issues, with colleagues from across the aisle. This might be exactly the week we don’t want to be in formal session.
The Governor’s comment about personally paying, sounds more like a joke than anything serious. Who knows?
- LizPhairTax - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 1:16 pm:
More rich guy nonsense. Schedule is set until May 31. Let’s knock this thing out in that timeframe.
This is like calling an open restaurant at noon to tell them that you aren’t hungry now but if you are hungry at midnight, you’ll pay them to cook something for you.
Easy there Elvis, theater is closed.
- Amalia - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 1:17 pm:
a guy who came second for a Cong. seat in Md. self funded with $12m, Trump and his dumpster campaign with mostly his own money, and Rauner in all his misguided actions. Sick of very rich people doing these things, even good things, as elected or potentially elected officials. would actually rather have funding by all other kinds of entities that can contribute money. one person’s purse is dangerous.
- Pot calling kettle - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 1:18 pm:
==but again insisted that a K-12 appropriation be passed at the end of May if negotiations come up with nothing.==
And yet, he has also stated that he won’t sign spending bills without revenue to pay for them. And this is one of the biggest spending bills. So, does the GA hold him to his word?
- AC - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 1:19 pm:
==Rauner is not George Bailey==
I’d settle for Beetle Bailey!
- Silent Budgeteer - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 1:19 pm:
The cynic in me wonders: would this go as a deduction against his income taxes? Is this similar to those past governors who “didn’t take the pay raise” but got tax credit for the amount that was returned/donated?
- AC - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 1:22 pm:
==Decimating unions in exchange for the honor of voting for a tax increase is not a compromise==
Very much agree, the continued offer of something that costs votes in exchange for something that costs votes is never going to work.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 1:23 pm:
–I don’t think Rauner thinks about what he is saying.–
He’s not good off-script, but there’s no question that his “squeeze the beast” strategy has been winning.
As of today, higher ed is at 30% state funding, state-contracted social services are at ZERO funding.
We’re still not paying utility bills, baby.
And every day that goes by, Madigan’s reservations about passing the higher-ed stop-gap becomes more prescient.
So, get on with it already, if you’re sincere.
Governors are allowed to lead, if that’s their objective. Kind of the point of the office.
And General Assemblies are allowed to roll them if governors refuse to do their jobs.
- Honeybear - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 1:23 pm:
I bet you a quarter there won’t be anything for social services. The reason is because it’s so much easier to destroy the social safety net this way instead of owning the deep and painful cuts Darth Arduin wanted him to do. Just let the social services die on the vine, starved for water from the state. This way he can blame Madigan. Immorality and Perfidy practiced to cold hard perfection. Now that he released the pressure on higher ed his college town folks are off the hook.
- Honeybear - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 1:26 pm:
All that is left is to wait for his labor “impasse” declaration and Rauner has his sin eater to take the blame for the social services.
- Formerly Known as Frenchie M - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 1:27 pm:
BTW — how is paying for a special session out of his pocket not one of the most conflicted, repugnant things a politician can do?
What, he’s so rich now he’s supporting the government he’s attempting to decimate?
Brilliant.
- MOON - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 1:29 pm:
Rauner’s answer to everything is money.
As if a special session will solve anything.
- VanillaMan - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 1:35 pm:
Good lord!
As if being a governor at a rural high school isn’t enough, Rauner felt a need to brag about how he could single-handedly pay for a General Assembly session.
Was he feeling challenged by the popular senior jock there in Auburn, and needed to one-up the kid?
Bruce owns part of a football team, rides Harley Davidson motorcycles, has a Montana ranch and smokes expensive cigars at Biggs. He’s governor. Why does he feel a need to boast like this?
“I can buy whatever you need to solve your little problems, and the problems of our little state too! I’m the man!”
Just do your job, Napoleon of Winnetka, and leave the rest to the other egomaniacs who believe they rule our state.
- siriusly - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 1:40 pm:
Ironic that he says he is willing to pay the legislators to show up - which may not be legal and most will not accept it.
However, he could have written large checks to keep the doors open at LSSI and Catholic Charities and gotten tax deductions!
- Nick Danger - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 1:41 pm:
…Rauner’s answer to everything is money….. Uh, money is everybody’s answer to everything. Ask teachers, state workers, social workers, unions and their members, politicians, business owners, part-time workers, moms and dads…..
Who knows what a special session might bring? Ain’t no crystal ball out there pal.
- Formerly Known as Frenchie M - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 1:49 pm:
Hey, Rauner — how about *you* pay for the social services you’re decimating?
Forget about the special sessions. Just write them a check for a million or so. All of them.
You can handle it. In fact, how about you just pay to get rid of the GA (thereby silencing your nemesis Madigan immediately) and fund out of your thick wallet all state operations?
Just do it. It’s what you want to do. It’s what you’ve bragged about, I’m sure.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 1:55 pm:
Let’s take Gov. Rauner at his word for his offer of noblesse oblige
Due to the governor’s strategy and actions, the state is stiffing Catholic Charities to the tune of $2 million a month for state-contracted services.
Covering that nut would be a lot more positive for a many more citizens than a dog-and-pony show special session.
What say you, Gov. Moneybags?
Plenty more where that came from, too.
- Honeybear - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 1:57 pm:
Sweet loving Jesus, why didn’t anyone think of this before. What a point of agitation.
-However, he could have written large checks to keep the doors open at LSSI and Catholic Charities and gotten tax deductions!-
- Elliott Ness - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 2:04 pm:
And he will buy ice cream for all Kindergartners, a new shiny smart phone for junior high students and nice cars for all kids completing Drivers Ed? Sheesh! When will he get over the fact that hIspersonal wealth has NOTHING to do with NOTHING? He was able to purchase his way into a governorship against a damaged weak opponent, and was barely able to do that. Stop the self indulgent, self righteous blather and govern!
- Formerly Known as Frenchie M - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 2:07 pm:
This seems like a can of worms — opened by Rauner’s inability to … well, think.
Funding a special session out of his pocket? With his own money? And what, expecting legislators to *take* the money … and then vote?
I mean, come on — who *says* that out loud?
- MOON - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 2:32 pm:
NICK
Why a special session?
If Rauner has solutions tell the legislature now n while they are in session.
Money is important but its “NOT EVERYTHING”.
- Demoralized - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 2:46 pm:
If he wants to use his money maybe he could provide some to the numerous social service agencies who are closing and kicking people out on the street.
- Trolling Troll - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 2:47 pm:
I can’t put what I think on this blog. I’m already on double secret probation, I don’t want to get kicked off for good.
- 47th Ward - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 2:49 pm:
Can’t he just buy himself a Corvette like most guys having a mid-life crisis?
- Honeybear - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 2:55 pm:
A question for the guru’s
Why would Rauner think that a grand bargain is possible? Does he think the Dems are going to break? Is it when the Great Labor War really opens up that it will crack open the opposition? Or when Lisa pops off the non-payment nuke? Why?
- DuPage Saint - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 2:56 pm:
Let him pay for all of it. He and the people he controls have already bought enough reps and senators he might as well just start paying everyone’s salary
- cardsmama - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 3:14 pm:
Why does he continue to use high schools for his audience, particularly for talks such as this? Currently they have no power. And most of them are probably texting or wearing ipods through his ramblings.
- Langhorne - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 3:20 pm:
What a nonsensical distraction. You have a month to go on the schedule. Just do your freakin jobs. Now. 30/60
The issue is damage from starving the beast, €%%~¥¥, not quibbling over the cost of a nonproductive special session. 36/71. Rauner is incapable of learning. Rank and file rise up!
- Gert Frobe - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 3:51 pm:
This makes me wonder if he’s paying out of his own pocket for Laner Muchin’s representation against AFSCME at the Labor Board if there’s no appropriation for their legal services. Can one of you investigative journalist types find out?
- illini - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 3:52 pm:
Well stated Honeybear - “-However, he could have written large checks to keep the doors open at LSSI and Catholic Charities and gotten tax deductions!-”
Not to mention dozens of other social service agencies!
- sparky791 - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 4:05 pm:
Is he trying to hit every high school in Illinois? I hope he comes to our local high school. I will make sure students give him the welcome he deserves.
- Magic carpet ride - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 4:15 pm:
What would this actually cost per day.
- Arthur Andersen - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 4:17 pm:
Now we have a new definition for “Pay to Play!”
- northernwatersports - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 4:23 pm:
Honeybear - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 1:23 pm:
You’ve hit a homer! BVR has accomplished exactly what he wanted, done it without tipping off the general populace or media, starved higher ed to the point of submission to his mandate, decimated social services and stopped the ‘takers’ from using any more benefits from the ‘makers’, and otherwise done it all without any personal pain to himself, his wealthy friends or supporters.
He caved early in his term when he became self-aware that his actions would hurt his image or reduce his political capital. He learned.
He won the battle to postpone the pain for his college town friends….no more pressure and he still looks good. He wins by not funding social services until some tragedy falls upon the media or populace that cries out for action….and then, only at a token of what was once the full support of Illinoisans.
He can do what ever he wants, but to the post…
No, special sessions don’t work…Dems need to play to the advantage of time, just like BVR does.
As the summer approaches and K-12 funding becomes the issue, he’ll cave, and so will EVERY SINGLE GOP Legislative member.
Crisis creates leverage. Crisis creates opportunity. Dems should just wait for that crisis to arrive….as painful as it is, IMHO, we’re already on that final countdown.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 4:25 pm:
There will not be a budget for the entire 4 year te m unde this fool
- Skeptical - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 4:32 pm:
Let’s see if we can go as long without K-12 as we have without social services. Governors own. The local reps from university towns are far from off the hook. But
- Mama - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 4:34 pm:
Why is the governor subjecting high school kids into his political games? This is not good..
- Michelle Flaherty - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 4:44 pm:
I don’t think you can sponsor session days. If you could, Com-Ed would have done it.
- Mama - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 4:45 pm:
My crystal ball sees nothing but red in our future.
- PENSIONS ARE OFF LIMITS - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 4:54 pm:
A high percentage of these students will be elgible to vote in the 2018 election. Probably some hard core union bashin’ goin’ on. Also a lot of state employees have kids at Auburn High. His campaigning most likely fell on deaf ears.
- Keyrock - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 6:17 pm:
Ms. Flaherty: How do you know Com Ed — and other interested groups — haven’t already done it? They just may not put their sponsorship on the voting scoreboard.
- Tommy - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 7:43 pm:
So Bruce is trying to again, impress people with his personal wealth.
Well Pal, keep your money, and stuff it where the sun doesn’t shine.
- Ms. SHEESH - Thursday, Apr 28, 16 @ 8:16 am:
If the Governor is so willing to pay out of his own pocket, how ’bout he and his rich friends pay their fair share of taxes.