81 Comments - Omega Man - Wednesday, Jun 1, 16 @ 3:10 pm: Rauner and the Madigan that he controls! - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jun 1, 16 @ 3:11 pm: ===So, I’m gonna negotiate with the Speaker and ask that we meet far more regularly than that. And then we’ll see what we can work out.”=== “…I’m gonna negotiate with the Speaker and ask that we meet far more regularly than that.” Ugh. “Ask”, like permission? The way Rauner turns a phrase, and I watched and heard him say this, is always subservient. Lead. You bashed him all day today, now you want to work with him, ask him for more days? It’s confusing the way Rauner tacts back and forth. - Honeybear - Wednesday, Jun 1, 16 @ 3:12 pm: Go for it Buttercup. I’m sure there won’t be a problem. - How Ironic - Wednesday, Jun 1, 16 @ 3:12 pm: Translation: “I hate these guys, can’t stand them. Sure hope they give me everything I want soon!” - The Captain - Wednesday, Jun 1, 16 @ 3:12 pm: I commend the Governor for saving money by simply reusing the Blagojevich playbook. - Boone's is Back - Wednesday, Jun 1, 16 @ 3:13 pm: The negotiation of the negotiation. Looking good guys! - Formerly Known as Frenchie M - Wednesday, Jun 1, 16 @ 3:15 pm: “Negotiate with the Speaker …” Come on, Bruce. Get off it. You have no idea what that means — and you don’t care. - Saluki - Wednesday, Jun 1, 16 @ 3:15 pm: I agree they need to be in session more than just on Wednesday each week. I also think the Governor needs to get off the campaign trail. I hope I am right that the Dems pick up seats in the House in November. This Gov. needs to be sidelined in the worst of ways. - Coach - Wednesday, Jun 1, 16 @ 3:16 pm: Gov. Rainer let me give you a piece of advice! Enough with the bashing of people! you are our State Leader so act like it! Don’t you know that you can disagree with people but yet still be respectful! I work with kids everyday and they know that! So grow up and start leading this state in a positive tone and maybe we may get some where. But if you keep this tone in the discussion to come up with a budget it will fail! - TD - Wednesday, Jun 1, 16 @ 3:17 pm: Madigan is the source of many problems, but why would he want to work anything out with you, Governor, after your comments to the downstate crowd. Stop campaigning and start trying to govern. - Crispy - Wednesday, Jun 1, 16 @ 3:17 pm: At last, he’s going to put those mad negotiating skills to work! /s Saluki +1 - Anon221 - Wednesday, Jun 1, 16 @ 3:18 pm: Is Rauner sure he has time to pencil Madigan in??? Aren’t the hamsters busy tomorrow, too??? (verrrry heavy SNARK!) - Anonymous - Wednesday, Jun 1, 16 @ 3:18 pm: let me know how that works for you… - Illinoised - Wednesday, Jun 1, 16 @ 3:19 pm: For someone who has been content to make the entire state wait on him, he is suddenly in a hurry to end the impasse. That is special. - Honeybear - Wednesday, Jun 1, 16 @ 3:21 pm: My God. He had all this time to do something and now it’s rush rush rush. Maybe you should have figured out your “wedge” between social services and Labor wouldn’t work before session was over. - sal-says - Wednesday, Jun 1, 16 @ 3:28 pm: == Rauner wants more overtime session days == Illinois citizens want more leadership from the top elected political official in IL. == So, I’m gonna negotiate with the Speaker… == Translated: ‘So, I’m gonna constantly continue bashing the Speaker.’ Raunner has a lot of funny definitions. Maybe we need a Raunner Dictionary. - Anonymous - Wednesday, Jun 1, 16 @ 3:28 pm: It is just criminal that these guys don’t know the first thing about negotiating Truly successful negotiiations always begin with months devoted to deciding the.shape of the table. It worked so well in ending that little kerfluffal in Viet Nam. - jake - Wednesday, Jun 1, 16 @ 3:30 pm: Among the three: Rauner, Madigan, and Cullerton, I am afraid Cullerton is the only adult in the room. Madigan has begun wasting his power by using it only for display (pushing a budget through the House without consulting the Senate), and Rauner hates unions so obsessively that he will bring the State to ruin in his efforts to emasculate them. - Dance Band on the Titanic - Wednesday, Jun 1, 16 @ 3:31 pm: Considering that today is a Wednesday, wouldn’t Governor Rauner’s statement appear more credible if he made it from his office IN SPRINGFIELD instead of from one of his many campaign stops? - Huh? - Wednesday, Jun 1, 16 @ 3:31 pm: Oh goody, special sessions. Per diems for every body! - Gus Avocados - Wednesday, Jun 1, 16 @ 3:33 pm: Why would anyone show up to theses events. It’s getting old bashing the people you need to work with. People are getting tried of it regardless what your agenda is. All this rhetoric is driving up costs everywhere. Property taxes, bonds and vendors who are owed and passing cost onto others. - Norseman - Wednesday, Jun 1, 16 @ 3:35 pm: The key is to have the work groups continue to meet. That’s where the important work is going on. Other than for political posturing purposes, it’s really better to keep them out of town until a deal is done. Remember OW’s favorite saying: “Never mistake activity for achievement” - John Wooden. Keeping the Solons in town without an apparent deal to address will likely generate additional legislative activity we’re better off without. - Norseman - Wednesday, Jun 1, 16 @ 3:38 pm: P.S. Who woke up Rich? - Ducky LaMoore - Wednesday, Jun 1, 16 @ 3:39 pm: Now he’s going to negotiate how long and how many times they are going to negotiate. I thought he was a salesman. Close the deal already. Geez, he couldn’t close an umbrella. - illini97 - Wednesday, Jun 1, 16 @ 3:43 pm: Going on the campaign trail on a Wednesday…to say they need to be meeting more than just Wednesdays in Springfield? So, what are YOU doing to end the impasse Governor? Working on a new #TaxHikeMike meme? Forwarding nonbinding resolutions to Madeupville? - Mama - Wednesday, Jun 1, 16 @ 3:45 pm: ” So, I’m gonna negotiate with the Speaker and ask that we meet far more regularly than that. And then we’ll see what we can work out.”” Good luck with that after bashing Madigan and the Dems all over the state! - South Illinoisian - Wednesday, Jun 1, 16 @ 3:45 pm: Until Rauner can kick his unhealthy obsession with destroying middle class jobs and budge from his personal agenda, keeping legislators in Springfield would be an exercise in futility and a colossal waste of tax dollars! - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jun 1, 16 @ 3:46 pm: (Tips cap to. - Norseman -) I’ve been putting a think to this… Rauner himself “hears” and “learns” what’s going on in these groups, he tells the media, as a passive passenger. Rauner may, (and does, actually) have Staff actively involved in any, many, all groups right now. So my question is, if Rauner wants to add days, what role is Rauner playing in asking for all this “activity” How engaged, besides “asking” for more days is Bruce Rauner willing to be in these extra days. If Rauner, himself mind you, is literally just waiting for the reports from the “Western Front”, why insert himself in “asking” for more days in this process. It’s confusing. Rauner is “passive” already, according to him, what’s the big whoop if Rauner, as a witness asks for them to meet 24/7 until it gets done? Head scratcher. - RNUG - Wednesday, Jun 1, 16 @ 3:46 pm: I thought the reason Madigan is keeping the House in session through the summer was to prevent a special session call by Rauner? - Give Me A Break - Wednesday, Jun 1, 16 @ 3:47 pm: Gov take some advice from someone who lived through the Bago. special session days. You haven’t seen trouble until the Rank and File are made to come to Springfield then sit around with nothing to do. - Anonymous - Wednesday, Jun 1, 16 @ 3:47 pm: Has anyone - ANYone tried to advise Bruce that maybe a different tact might be better. Not to say he’d ever listen, but I just wonder if all he ever hears is applause in his head. - Grand Avenue - Wednesday, Jun 1, 16 @ 3:47 pm: Now I see why the Republicans couldn’t find anyone willing to run for most of the vacancies yesterday. Why would anyone want to run for the General Assembly? - Keyser Soze - Wednesday, Jun 1, 16 @ 3:48 pm: The only two needed for negotiations are the Governor and the Speaker. Notwithstanding, Springfield is more lively when the full crew is in town. The merchants are grateful. - Wensicia - Wednesday, Jun 1, 16 @ 3:51 pm: Full campaign mode, right through November. Rauner: More meetings mean more opportunities to bash Democrats and their leaders in the press. I’m lovin’ all this free print and air time! - Small Town Girl - Wednesday, Jun 1, 16 @ 3:51 pm: At least if the Rank and File members are in town it will boost the economy in Springfield. Trust me, State Workers are trying to save every dime. - Mama - Wednesday, Jun 1, 16 @ 3:52 pm: “Illinois citizens want more leadership from the top elected political official in IL.” It would be a good idea if only we had a governor who knew how to lead! “the top elected political official in IL.” Who is this top elected political official Rauner speaks of? - Beaner - Wednesday, Jun 1, 16 @ 3:52 pm: Are these ‘working groups’ meeting in rooms in the Capitol where the public can sit in and listen? Or are these closed door meetings not open to the public? Maybe this turnaround agenda would either pass or go away with some Sunshine? Are these “working group” meetings compliant with the Public Meetings Act? - Norseman - Wednesday, Jun 1, 16 @ 3:55 pm: === I thought the reason Madigan is keeping the House in session through the summer was to prevent a special session call by Rauner? === RNUG, my thought is that this is Madigan’s activity posturing. As I mentioned above, Rauner is posturing by asking for more days. He didn’t say special session because he knows the Dems would blast him for needlessly spending money on special session - especially if they’re nowhere close to a deal. See Blago summer of special sessions in Volume 6 of Gubernatorial Political Blunders. - Hit or Miss - Wednesday, Jun 1, 16 @ 3:57 pm: Calling a special session sounds expensive to me. I thought that Rauner wanted to cut needless state spending rather than increase it. - SAP - Wednesday, Jun 1, 16 @ 4:04 pm: I am starting to get the feeling that “Wednesdays With Mike” is not the feel-good sequel to “Tuesdays With Morrie”. - Liberty - Wednesday, Jun 1, 16 @ 4:11 pm: Running through the CEO decoder brings up this translation: I see the crack between you and the working groups, I’m going around you. - Anon221 - Wednesday, Jun 1, 16 @ 4:22 pm: Wensicia- kinda “Trumpy” ain’t it. Wait til POTUS goes into campaign mode in Illinois. Wonder if that’s when the Rauner Family Vacation will be suddenly scheduled. /s - Republicrat - Wednesday, Jun 1, 16 @ 4:22 pm: These “negotiations” were over a long time ago. Not too optimistic about post November. - Nick Name - Wednesday, Jun 1, 16 @ 4:26 pm: “The only two needed for negotiations are the Governor and the Speaker.” And the Senate Dem rank-and-file. - Annonin' - Wednesday, Jun 1, 16 @ 4:33 pm: Wonder many troopers risked their lives today racin’ the BigBrain around at 100+ mph to make all these stops…or did he use the Harley dealers chopper? - Yellow Dog Democrat - Wednesday, Jun 1, 16 @ 5:03 pm: “I’m gonna give ya some advice. Never ask for somethin’ if it’s a burden to ya if ya get it.” - Jimmy Hoffa - TOTM - Wednesday, Jun 1, 16 @ 5:13 pm: “I’m gonna negotiate with the Speaker and ask that we meet far more regularly than that. And then we’ll see what we can work out.” And the speaker’s response,”Bruce, go pee up a rope”. - PublicServant - Wednesday, Jun 1, 16 @ 5:57 pm: Bruce, do all of Illinois a favor and resign. Otherwise, it’s pitchforks plutocrat. - South Central - Wednesday, Jun 1, 16 @ 6:07 pm: “I’m gonna negotiate with the Speaker….” Wow, he can pronounce the word negotiate, and use it in a sentence, but he apparently doesn’t give a rat’s patoot what it actually means. - Dandy Edward - Wednesday, Jun 1, 16 @ 6:27 pm: I think Mike Madigan does not want a solution to Illinois budget problems. These budget problems have been on going since Gov. Blagovich was in office and they are still not solved. What has Mike Madigan been doing from 2002-2014? Bruce should tell him and John C. westay in Springfield till this resolved. The solution is tax increases, spending cuts and government reforms. If all three are not included we are temporarly patching over the problem. - PublicServant - Wednesday, Jun 1, 16 @ 6:30 pm: Everyone, I think, agrees with at, Dandy. Rauner is the one who refuses to negotiate until he gets capitulation to his turnaround agenda. Stop enabling his stonewalling. - Anonymous - Wednesday, Jun 1, 16 @ 6:39 pm: Meh, he says words. don’t take it seriously. He doesn’t. The governor’s actions are far more revealing and instructive than his words. Except, of course, an Illinois governor should not be blowing the dog-whistle on “Downstate–good” vs. “Chicago-bad.” Another Rauner first for an Illinois governor, but it’s best-reserved for the weak-minded. - btowntruth - Wednesday, Jun 1, 16 @ 7:08 pm: Just watched video of his little speeches today. He doesn’t want to be Governor….he wants to be boss. - Lucky Pierre - Wednesday, Jun 1, 16 @ 8:29 pm: If all the Democrats can’t even get on the same page as Speaker Madigan how can you expect the Governor to accomplish anything with him? - Jibba - Wednesday, Jun 1, 16 @ 9:33 pm: Hey Dandy! Glad to now have you on board with the rest of us who already know that tax increases are a necessity with every budget proposal that has been made to date, R or D. Most of us also agree with you that some strategic cuts might be helpful, although we likely disagree on the level of services wanted in Illinois. But I notice you threw in those pesky, unnamed reforms as a necessity, which many (or most) of us disagree are needed or wanted. See Quinn’s last 3 budgets for evidence of how “reforms” are not needed. But feel free to suggest specific reforms and their anticipated effects on the budget. Please show your work so that Rauner can actually have some numbers to use. - RNUG - Wednesday, Jun 1, 16 @ 9:43 pm: If Governor can’t demand the same thing 2 days in a row, how can you expect the General Assembly to accomplish anything with him? - justacitizen - Wednesday, Jun 1, 16 @ 9:58 pm: So, legislators come to Spfld Tues (note: make sure you leave before noon Tues so you get an extra quarter per diem); eat/drink Tues night; sleep it off Wed morning; meet Wed p.m.; Head home Wed p.m. (make sure to arrive after 6:00 p.m. so you get another quarter per diem. Job well done! - Dandy Edward - Wednesday, Jun 1, 16 @ 10:00 pm: Jibba, I do not have numbers in front of me but there are four things I do know that will save bILLIONS of dollars. 1. Illinois State Employees pay and benefits are among the highest in the USA. No one that I know of gets 37.5 hours as full time which state workers get. Articles have shown the comparable jobs in private industry in Illinois do not pay nearly the same amount. 2. Retires are granted a 3% yearly increase on there pensions. No one I know of gets yearly increase on there pension if they even get a pension. Most have 401K plans. And know one gets anywhere close to 70% of their salary as a pension. 3. Workers Comp rates in Illinois are among the highest in the country, which slows the state economy. The only one who benefits is Mike Madigan and the wealthy lawyers.Why would any business come here when it is more costly to operate a plant plus current businesses may higher more workers. 4. Why do we need to have more school districts than any state in the USA? I do not have numbers, but if the AFSCME union would compromise with the governor on pay and benefits like the other unions have done it would help the states financial position. Plus a faster growing state economy fostered by busines reforms would increase employment and revenue. - Dandy Edward - Wednesday, Jun 1, 16 @ 10:02 pm: What I should have said above in the first line is saved billions of dollars and increased state revenue. - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jun 1, 16 @ 10:05 pm: ===do not have numbers in front of me but there are four things I do know that will save billilns of dollars and increased state revenue.=== We have a Governor already says nothing without numbers in front of HIM… Unless you have the numbers, you wasted your time typing it, and wastibg all of our time if we read it. Get the numbers, get back to all of us… Ugh - RNUG - Wednesday, Jun 1, 16 @ 10:24 pm: - Dandy Edward - Specifically to your item 2: a) The IL SC has already said you can’t change the AAI (it’s not a COLA) for existing (Tier 1) employees and retirees. End of discussion. b) Ever hear of Tier 2? It started 1/1/2011 and did change not only the AAI but the entire pension structure for new hires after than date. c) And you do realize that the Tier 2 pensions are so meager compared to the required contributions that the Tier 2 contributions are helping to reduce the required annual State contributions (normal payments) to Tier 1? d) Finally, Tier 2 pensions are so meager they are expected to violate the fed’s safe harbor rules for government pensions and require the state to either change the Tier 2 rules or enroll all non-coordinated employees (primarily all teachers) in Social Security, which will cost the State much more? And you claim of billions of savings, how much of that is in the current fiscal year? How much is in future years? And over how many future years? The payroll and pension data is all online. Show your work. - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jun 1, 16 @ 10:25 pm: (Moves out of the away to let - RNUG - work) - RNUG - Wednesday, Jun 1, 16 @ 10:45 pm: I can’t believe the shenanigans being played on all sides. But I also believe that Rauner has brought a lot of it on himself. He just can’t keep his mouth shut and off attack mode. He’s ruined more opportunities and second chances he didn’t deserve than any Governor in memory … and my memory goes back to at least Ogilvie. If Rauner would take a month’s vacation to his Colorado ranch … and STAY there, Cullerton could probably patch back together a deal both the House and Senate would buy in to. - Dandy Edward - Wednesday, Jun 1, 16 @ 10:53 pm: First of all everything I wrote is true and will save the state money. First of all I just read an article that Ill. average state work earns $60,000 a year compared to Indiana $42,000 a year and Wisconsin $45,000/year. Swcond tell me how someone could get a pension of over $300,000/year(Supperdendant of a school district). Also tell me how Illinois has the highest taxes of any state based on median household income. Where is the money going ? You tell me. We do not need to any calculation to know what the problem is. Spending is out of control. Here is the link. https://wallethub.com/edu/best-worst-states-to-be-a-taxpayer/2416/ - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jun 1, 16 @ 11:02 pm: - Dandy Edward - It’s late. Maybe if you hit the hay now, - RNUG - will just forget your ridiculously inane comment and let you off the hook. ===We do not need to any calculation to know…=== Math is kinda-sorta what your basing your whole argument on. Like, every bit of your argument. Math. So, ya need some calculations. ===Spending is out of control.=== I’m excited you got that in… given you don’t NEED calculations, but your premise is based ON math. Warm milk, nightlight, maybe a wave machine for the “right” amount of noise… start fresh tomorrow. - Anonymous - Wednesday, Jun 1, 16 @ 11:57 pm: CK - “Theyre not booing, sir, they’re saying “Bruuuuuuuce.” - Juvenal - Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 3:18 am: === Rauner’s ruined more opportunities and second chances he didn’t deserve than any governor in memory === Keen observation. A feature, not a bug. By design, not by accident. That’s why he’s so darn good at it. Planning for the June 1 press probably began a week ago. - Rabid - Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 5:26 am: My govenor is irregular now? Maybe he could get a mathematician to work it out with a pencil - RNUG - Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 6:24 am: == First of all everything I wrote is true and will save the state money. == Nope. I factually cited the reasons there can be no pension savings. See the SB-1 ruling, the prior Kanerva ruling (plus others) and, everything I’ve written here over the years. Pay special attention to the Tier 2 discussions and why changing to a 401K or Tier 3 would cost the State money. Some additional facts for you. Pensions are based on salary and time of service. Per the FY15 annual report for SERS (actual state employees) statistical section, the average pension for new retirees is a bit over $29K, a long way from your cherry picked $300K number. Average time of service for new retirees was a fraction over 25 years, or 42% of salary. Want more facts? Read the SERS, JRS, TRS, GARS and SURS annual reports like I have. Google them if you don’t have a clue on where to find them. Specifically to the superintendent you cite. $300K pension means they were earning about $400K, a not unheard of sum in some larger wealthy school districts. That salary was set by a local elected school board (local control, something ,Rauner claims to want more of). Guess those voters thought it was worth it. - Molly Maguire - Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 7:40 am: Rauner’s post session comments are very damaging. No budget this year - Dandy Edward - Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 8:50 am: I will leave it at this. You are entiled to your opinion and I am entiled to mine. The only thing I will ask everyone is this. If I am wrong explain to me how we got into this mess ? It certainly is not because we tax too much because we have the highest combined taxes in the country, just look at my link and go down to 51. Tell me where all this money is going? - Dandy Edward - Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 8:55 am: The reason we are in this mess is because we spend too much. We need revenue to dig us out of this mess. - Dandy Edward - Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 8:59 am: The other reason we are in this mess is because spending is growing faster than revenues. All you posters have a good day. Dandy. - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 9:17 am: - Dandy Edward - ===You are entiled to your opinion and I am entiled to mine.=== LOL! You are ill-equipped to take on - RNUG - because your opinion is refuted time and again, not with opinion, but with actual fact(s). Read Dave McKinney, as your primer, in Crain’s on the Pension Crisis. Use the Google, you’ll find it. Then, read Rich’s extensive coverage, then… then you’ll be ready for - RNUG - and the analysis brought to Rich’s post. Then… then you’ll get your answers. - Norseman - Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 9:22 am: Dandy, “everyone is entitled to their own opinions, but they are not entitled to their own facts.” - RNUG - Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 9:28 am: -Dandy- You are entitled to your own opinion but you aren’t entitled to your own set of facts. You say something factually wrong, you’re going to get called on it … if not by me, by one of the other policy and math wonks here. - jerry 101 - Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 9:30 am: Raunerovich. - Honeybear - Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 9:37 am: average state work earns $60,000 average numbnut AVERAGE! Look at the median salary and you’ll get a very different picture. Games with numbers are fun. Also IPI uses a little trick called “adjusted for inflation”. You can get just about any number you want using this trick. - Enviro - Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 11:43 am: Before the governor can successfully negotiate, he needs to stop offending the loyal opposition. Simple Definition of tact : the ability to do or say things without offending or upsetting other people - Dandy Edward - Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 11:48 am: If you do not believe me here is the link. Read it. It says the state workers are the highest paid in the nation at about $60,000/yr. Facts are facts I am not bending the truth. http://madisonrecord.com/stories/510760899-afscme-analysis-faq-illinois-state-workers-highest-paid-in-the-nation This would seem to make sense since we pay the highest taxes in the country. - Enviro - Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 1:00 pm: Dandy: This figure includes state university professors and presidents who make hundred of thousands. Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.