* Senate President John Cullerton didn’t talk to reporters after this morning’s leaders meeting, but he has released a statement…
We remain fully committed to the working groups, but the reality is that we need revenue with reforms to have a balanced budget, and it is the end of May.
If we run out of time, we have no backup plan to keep our state operating.
Today, I suggested a short-term compromise to keep the schools open, our universities open and our human service providers open while we continue to negotiate a broader, balanced budget solution.
I think that’s a practical way forward given reality.
- PublicServant - Friday, May 27, 16 @ 1:04 pm:
That sounds reasonable until you realize that the Rauner hostages would be released “while we continue to negotiate a broader, balanced budget solution”.
Rauner will never agree to that.
- Anonymous - Friday, May 27, 16 @ 1:10 pm:
Uh-oh. He wants “reforms?”
- RNUG - Friday, May 27, 16 @ 1:14 pm:
Cullerton keeping the door ajar …
- Rich Miller - Friday, May 27, 16 @ 1:15 pm:
===Uh-oh. He wants “reforms?” ===
Only an utterly clueless person would say that no economic reforms are necessary in this state. Cullerton isn’t clueless. You are.
- Formerly Known As... - Friday, May 27, 16 @ 1:18 pm:
==the reality is that we need revenue with reforms==
We do need both. 4 years without the GA passing a balanced budget. No major reforms passed. Bipartisan opposition to the Madigan =money tree budget=.
It is clear Senate Dems are not the obstacle to compromise right now, but any =practical way forward= will have to offer something other than =more of the same= or =the Madigan money tree budget for 6 months instead of 12 months=.
- pundent - Friday, May 27, 16 @ 1:18 pm:
This has always been the way forward. We absolutely need reforms and reasonable minds may disagree on what form they might take. The message should be let’s agree on a budget so we can run the state AND continue talking about reforms. Some may happen in the short term others will require a change in the balance of powers.
- @MisterJayEm - Friday, May 27, 16 @ 1:22 pm:
“keep the schools open, our universities open and our human service providers open”
I’m worry that Sen. Cullerton has overestimated the appeal of that carrot.
– MrJM
- Bull Moose - Friday, May 27, 16 @ 1:24 pm:
What would a short-term compromise entail?
- Anonymous - Friday, May 27, 16 @ 1:25 pm:
It always amazes me how the owner of this blog belittles and berates his audience
- pool boy - Friday, May 27, 16 @ 1:28 pm:
Many people on this blog do respect the Senate president. Remember, it’s a holiday week end and spend some time with friends on your boat.
- Blue Bayou - Friday, May 27, 16 @ 1:30 pm:
“It always amazes me how the owner of this blog belittles and berates his audience.”
It amazes me he has the restraint not to do it more often.
- Rich Miller - Friday, May 27, 16 @ 1:32 pm:
===his audience===
I never invited you here, so leave if you want. It’s a free country.
- Chungas revenge - Friday, May 27, 16 @ 1:34 pm:
Anonymous at 1:25. You could always, you know, like just leave.
- Blue Bayou - Friday, May 27, 16 @ 1:35 pm:
“It’s a free country.”
Donald Trump on Line 2.
- SinkingShip - Friday, May 27, 16 @ 1:36 pm:
“It always amazes me how the owner of this blog belittles and berates his audience.”
Seems to me he gets annoyed when people contribute nothing in an aggressively unoriginal way. So… take the hint.
- A guy - Friday, May 27, 16 @ 1:39 pm:
===It always amazes me how the owner of this blog belittles and berates his audience===
Only when you deserve it dude. And you do. Buh, bye.
- Ron Burgundy - Friday, May 27, 16 @ 1:43 pm:
So spend now, reform later? What’s the guarantee we ever get to the “later” part?
- Anon - Friday, May 27, 16 @ 1:47 pm:
Any acknowledgement by Cullerton and/or Madigan seems a leap in progress to me. If there is agreement on that point, something should be able to be accomplished fairly quickly for the good of the state. As long as the Dems can say they protected the middle class from the evil Rauner and the Republicans can say they worked to get to a real balanced budget with reforms, both sides could go into the election with wins, which, IMO, actually helps the Dems more than Rauner. An ongoing crisis give GOP challengers fodder to pound their opponents with. For the Dems to be the roadblock to finishing seems highly counter-intuitive to me.
- Anon - Friday, May 27, 16 @ 1:48 pm:
Wow. Meant acknowledgement on REFORM by Cullerton and/or Madigan… Way to leave out the most important word!
- here we go - Friday, May 27, 16 @ 1:50 pm:
In my honest opinion, I think that those who truly care about seeing the state move forward recognize that we need structural changes.
It does not mean we need to include the anti-union changes the Governor wants, but we do need to reform how the state operates. I want to believe even the most partisan understand that. I am on the far-left and understand that.
- Annonin' - Friday, May 27, 16 @ 1:55 pm:
Mr/Ms Blue Bayou
Belittlin’ is a way Capt Fax shows his love. it really gets goin’ when he is on the silly sauce
- Rich Miller - Friday, May 27, 16 @ 1:56 pm:
=== the silly sauce===
A topic on which you are the expert.
lol
- Saluki Matt - Friday, May 27, 16 @ 2:06 pm:
Is Cullerton’s quote a sign that he’s growing tired of Madigan?
- RNUG - Friday, May 27, 16 @ 2:09 pm:
== Is Cullerton’s quote a sign that he’s growing tired of Madigan? ==
Not necessarily. They sometimes disagree on means, while still having the same end in sight.
- pundent - Friday, May 27, 16 @ 2:20 pm:
=What’s the guarantee we ever get to the “later” part?= Winning a few elections would be a start. The numbers have never supported the agenda that Rauner’s trying to push. It’s easy to point a finger at Madigan but it shows willful ignorance of the math that underlies all of this.
- JS Mill - Friday, May 27, 16 @ 2:20 pm:
=So spend now, reform later? What’s the guarantee we ever get to the “later” part? =
So reform now, spend later? What’s the guarantee we ever get to the “later” part?
Same difference. Cullerton and Madigan do not trust Rauner. That is the difference.
- General Sternwood - Friday, May 27, 16 @ 2:30 pm:
Of course, the state does need reforms, but Rauner still seems unwilling to accept the simple fact that the people of Illinois elected a divided government, and that among the reforms they favor (by large margins) are a progressive income tax (which would go a long way toward balancing the budget) and a surtax on millionaires. Meanwhile, does anyone really believe that whatever economic benefits might result from enacting the right-wing wish- list Rauner has put forward (workers’ comp, union busting, tort reform, etc.) as preconditions for negotiating the budget would (even under the most optimistic accounting) outweigh the damage he has already done to the Illinois economy with his brinksmanship? He has crippled higher education (where the best faculty are looking for positions elsewhere) and social service providers in the state –and both of those sectors matter a great deal, not only in human terms, but economically.
- Ron Burgundy - Friday, May 27, 16 @ 3:01 pm:
– Cullerton and Madigan do not trust Rauner. That is the difference. –
I don’t think there’s been much reason to trust the other way either. It’s a two way street.
- Leave a Light on George - Friday, May 27, 16 @ 4:22 pm:
Belittle, berate ahh BS. You ain’t nothin til you get an official ” Bite Me”
- Formerly Known As... - Friday, May 27, 16 @ 5:10 pm:
==his audience==
@Rich’s ability to keep the trolls and shills in check, plus keep things in perspective when people get crazy, keeps Capfax as great as it is.
As the legendary @steve schnorf nicely explained once, sometimes an intentionally stupid or rude comment compels the same, or the inmates will run the asylum.