* From a memo…
To: House Democratic Caucus Members
From: Michael J. Madigan
Date: May 9, 2016
Re: Governor Rauner’s Actions: Fiscal Year 2016 Budget
The state is beginning its 11th month without a complete budget for the 2016 Fiscal Year. Following the May 2015 spending proposals passed by legislative Democrats, House Democrats have debated numerous measures to provide needed funding for critical state services, including breast cancer screenings, in-home medical care for the elderly, meals for homebound seniors, and higher education, as well as funding for victims of child abuse and sexual assault – only to see our efforts blocked by legislative Republicans and Governor Rauner.
While House Democrats’ priority has been to pass a comprehensive, full-fiscal year budget using a balanced approach that includes spending cuts but does not decimate needed services, Governor Rauner’s priority has been his personal agenda that attacks the wages and standard of living of the middle class. His insistence on passing his personal agenda has been the single roadblock to finding a true bipartisan solution to the budget deficit and implementing a Fiscal Year 2016 budget.
However, since March 26, 2015, Governor Rauner has approved six budget proposals that did not include any part of his personal agenda. This reaffirms my previous statements that when the governor sets aside his personal agenda that hurts middle-class families, we can make progress on the state’s most important issue. Like you, I am committed to passing comprehensive budgets for Fiscal Years 2016 and 2017. I also hope the governor will look at his recent budgetary actions and see that we can come together to find reasonable solutions when he sets aside his personal agenda that has nothing to do with the state budget.
Governor Rauner has signed 6 appropriations bills passed by the General Assembly:
Click here for the list.
*** UPDATE *** From a a senior administration official…
We’ve seen recent success when rank and file legislators stand up to the speaker and demand compromise. We saw it recently on the higher education bridge funding bill, which passed over the speaker’s objections. By now, rank and file legislators have seen the governor’s willingness to compromise and do a budget — the only thing they’re waiting to see is whether the speaker will support meaningful reforms that create jobs and lower property taxes.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, May 10, 16 @ 10:26 am:
===However, since March 26, 2015, Governor Rauner has approved six budget proposals that did not include any part of his personal agenda.===
“Meep-Meep!”
- Huh? - Tuesday, May 10, 16 @ 10:28 am:
I sure hope that those little green shoots that are posted elsewhere are roundup ready. Because I have a feeling that the field was just sprayed.
- Norseman - Tuesday, May 10, 16 @ 10:55 am:
=== However, since March 26, 2015, Governor Rauner has approved six budget proposals that did not include any part of his personal agenda. This reaffirms my previous statements that when the governor sets aside his personal agenda that hurts middle-class families … ===
This reminds me of the time Rauner was touting a listing of the instances Madigan chose to curtail union rights. Neither that effort nor this one will move the ball.
- Mama - Tuesday, May 10, 16 @ 11:03 am:
==”the only thing they’re waiting to see is whether the speaker will support meaningful reforms that create jobs and lower property taxes.”==
Rich, please explain which so called reforms will create jobs and lower taxes. Thank you.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, May 10, 16 @ 11:04 am:
===…they’re (rank and file legislators) waiting to see is whether the speaker will support meaningful reforms…===
Decimating unions? That’s a “no”…
- A guy - Tuesday, May 10, 16 @ 11:05 am:
There’s our Speaker; standing up for the middle class until his policies assure it’s completely gone. /s
- Norseman - Tuesday, May 10, 16 @ 11:06 am:
=== By now, rank and file legislators have seen the governor’s willingness to compromise and do a budget … ===
Have we? Not really. All we’ve seen is that when a crisis occurs and he risks GOP defections, he’ll allow a stopgap approp to get passed. Now it’s time for Rauner to negotiate a comprehensive budget.
- Norseman - Tuesday, May 10, 16 @ 11:08 am:
LOL, A guy.
- One hand //ing - Tuesday, May 10, 16 @ 11:09 am:
==the only thing they’re waiting to see is whether the speaker will support meaningful reforms==
The House has put the Turnaround Agenda to a vote, and passed major components of it. The Speaker voted for independent redistricting, and allowed a property tax freeze. Meanwhile, what has Rauner done to address the chaos he created by vetoing the budget? This senior administration flunkie needs to update his talking points.
- out of touch - Tuesday, May 10, 16 @ 11:32 am:
“Even thought I’m constitutionally required to submit a balanced budget and have failed to do so for my entire tenure as Governor, I’m waiting on Madigan to act so that I can issue a press release blaming him”.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, May 10, 16 @ 11:36 am:
Lower property taxes? Are you kidding me! Just how is this going to be accomplished with all of the pension and other debt accumulated by most of the school distrists, fire districts, townships and counties? About the only way property taxes could be even frozen is if there was a revenue infusion from another source to make up for the decrease in property tax revenue. That last time I checked the state was in even more dire need than many other government entities and is in no position to help. Rauner should lead by example and get his own house in order before sprinkling more fairy dust.
- Annonin' - Tuesday, May 10, 16 @ 11:46 am:
It is amazin’ to see how proud the BigBrain is for wreckin’ colleges and universities…30% fundin’and these magoos are wavin’ the W banner.
Very weird.
- Horse w/ no name - Tuesday, May 10, 16 @ 12:03 pm:
Holding up that very meager, one time, stop gap on higher ed as some significant victory just shows how much air is between this administration and reality.
- Ghost - Tuesday, May 10, 16 @ 12:13 pm:
OW Rauner just announced that IDIT ACME unit is building dedicated solutions to the Madigan problem.
so why has no one asked how forming a new agency with highly paid directo and upper management save money over having those fun tions covered by cms and existing management salaries…. we are saving money by expanding agencies and adding overhead and personnel?
- Handle Bar Mustache - Tuesday, May 10, 16 @ 12:16 pm:
Annonin’ is spot on. Many media types were waving the banner right there with them. “Green shoots”
- jim - Tuesday, May 10, 16 @ 12:20 pm:
here’s translation.
we can reach a budget when Gov. Rauner agrees that I get all I want and he gets none of what he wants.
- wordslinger - Tuesday, May 10, 16 @ 12:28 pm:
–There’s our Speaker; standing up for the middle class until his policies assure it’s completely gone. /s–
What do you mean, specifically?
- RNUG - Tuesday, May 10, 16 @ 12:31 pm:
== We’ve seen recent success when rank and file legislators stand up to the speaker and demand compromise. ==
More accurately, We’ve seen recent success when rank and file legislators stand up to the Governor and threaten to go off the Raunerite Reservation.
- Markus - Tuesday, May 10, 16 @ 12:32 pm:
November 2016- A few republicans facing an opponent lose their seats, but little changes because democrats will still not be labeled with #taxhikemike for 2018.
November 2018- Failed Governor Rauner is replaced by a real governor and the long road to recovery begins.
Counting down to 2018, Sadly.
- Ghost - Tuesday, May 10, 16 @ 12:56 pm:
Im waiting on Godot…
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, May 10, 16 @ 1:03 pm:
- Ghost -
Rauner is doing the job of Governor while ignoring some of the duties of the Office he holds.
Selective use of the levers of the Office to persue an Agenda unpassable in this current General Assembly is part and parcel of the Rauner plan.
It’s up to the Press to persue answers, all we do here, with Rich being gracious enough to let discussions on his post occur. We all will see once a “grand bargain” occurs, how ALL sides can move foward with programs and agencies finally functioning as they need to, and new priorites and agendas to support those agencies evolve.
With respect.
- Enviro - Tuesday, May 10, 16 @ 1:11 pm:
= …support meaningful reforms that create jobs and lower property taxes.=
But first Illinois needs to pass a progressive income tax and pay the bills that are accruing interest and greatly increasing the state debt.
- Sir Reel - Tuesday, May 10, 16 @ 1:16 pm:
Spin here. Spin there. My head is spinning from all this spin.
- RNUG - Tuesday, May 10, 16 @ 1:16 pm:
== so why has no one asked how forming a new agency with highly paid directo and upper management save money over having those fun tions covered by cms and existing management salaries ==
If you can’t fix the problems, you obscure them with reorganization …
- Sue - Tuesday, May 10, 16 @ 3:53 pm:
It’s really sad how long this dysfunction has gone on. I doubt that much will get done before November elections. At this point who cares who is more at fault. The state is lagging behind in virtually all important economic criteria(jobs, employment, growth etc). Housing values are stuck at 2002 levels but for a handful of areas. One has to ask what might get either Rauner or Madigan to compromise. This could go on until Rauner leaves office
- Boone's is Back - Tuesday, May 10, 16 @ 4:24 pm:
An endless volley of campaign press releases from both sides. It’s starting to look like the debt ceiling debate. How about both sides issue memos or press releases on what they’re willing to do move the state forward.
- Precinct Captain - Tuesday, May 10, 16 @ 4:46 pm:
==- Boone’s is Back - Tuesday, May 10, 16 @ 4:24 pm:==
Has BR ever sent out a press release relating to governance?
- Formerly Known As... - Wednesday, May 11, 16 @ 3:45 am:
Rauner moderating. Rank and file cooperating. Madigan increasing his public criticisms and demands.
One of these is not like the others.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Wednesday, May 11, 16 @ 8:27 am:
FKA:
In case you haven’t noticed yet, Team Rauner is playing poker, Madigan is playing chess.
Rauner bases his play on the cards in his hand and what he thinks everyone else has. When Madigan objects, Rauner doubles down. As Rauner sees it, every time legislation passes over Madigan’s objection, Rauner wins the pot.
Chess operates differently. In Madigan’s view, he is up two pawns. He contests squares, the skirmish builds up, pieces are exchanged. And at the end of the day, there are fewer pieces on the board, and he is still up two pawns. Things can sometimes change rapidly in chess, but it’s rare that a decent player comes out of the middle game up two pawns and doesn’t walk away with a checkmate.
Is legislating more like poker or chess? Well, we are gonna find out.