Finally, a little governance
Wednesday, Jul 6, 2016 - Posted by Rich Miller
* My Crain’s Chicago Business column…
“By nearly every measure, the state is worse off since Rauner took office,” this publication recently editorialized about the governor.
After initially snapping that Crain’s is “collectivist” in nature, Gov. Bruce Rauner did appear to switch gears after he was whacked.
And thank goodness for that.
Rauner told Crain’s editorial board that he opposed spending any more state money on Chicago Public Schools than he’d already offered—which was, in fact, no more money than the schools were already receiving. Giving more cash would only reward their mismanagement, he said.
But a few days later, the Republican governor reversed course and agreed to a deal that could potentially be worth about $400 million in additional state funding for CPS, including $74 million that would have been cut under the existing funding formula. The agreement also paves the way for a $250 million property tax hike, despite his opposition to raising those revenues.
From not one more thin dime to more than $650 million? What the heck happened there?
Click here to read the rest before commenting, please. Thanks.
And, by the way, we had a disagreement over the math in that column. I was reluctant to use the governor’s originally introduced amount for CPS, preferring instead to use his revised amount, which was no more money than last fiscal year and better fit the timeline of his Crain’s appearance. I was outvoted. No biggie, but I just wanted to mention it here.
- Honeybear - Wednesday, Jul 6, 16 @ 9:52 am:
Your articles are always so spot on Rich.
Is Rauner governing or defaulting to his perfidious tactic of obfuscation and tactical delay? I think that governing as not so much the feature as the bug. He perfidiously doesn’t care, I don’t think, about CPS or the money. The stopgap positions him where he wants to be, nothing more.
- Harry - Wednesday, Jul 6, 16 @ 10:08 am:
Very good column, as usual.
I suspect that what changed was he got a glimpse of reality from the GOP caucuses, whose members were NOT about to spend the whole summer being asked if the schools in their district would open in the Fall. I doubt if he cared a whole lot one way or the other, but he was about to lose control of his caucuses on an issue where no amount of campaign money could counter the damage.
- Belle - Wednesday, Jul 6, 16 @ 10:38 am:
Terrific column. The Gov continues to change his mind on topics. Agreeing to the stopgap makes me wonder what he is up to next.
‘Chicago Tonight’ was interesting last night. The 4 Republicans who voted against the Bill were interviewed and they were so dogmatic about the repercussions of the stopgap. They all invoked the possible problems but focused on massive tax increases after the Nov election. At times, some of their concerns almost seemed rehearsed?
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Jul 6, 16 @ 10:54 am:
–Because the state went almost a full year without a budget, the governor needed to prevent the government from collapsing. The two legislative leaders, both Chicago Democrats, wanted to make sure their city’s financially strapped schools could open in August.–
Rauner needed the Chicago schools to open, too.
He could dog-whistle all he wanted Downstate; but as governor, he would have worn the jacket for the schools not opening, and no one can take that heat for long.
- Juvenal - Wednesday, Jul 6, 16 @ 11:05 am:
An almost perfect column, Rich.
I think its fair to recall how Rauner Corp. and its subsidiaries have brutally criticized Governor Edgar over the past several months for suggesting compromise and pursuing the possible and doable, instead of the impossible and never-gonna-happen.
- Wensicia - Wednesday, Jul 6, 16 @ 11:24 am:
I thought the change was noticeable after the Crain’s editorial. Rauner is not a hero, contrary to the Tribune’s best effort to portray his as such. However, it worked; he stopped campaigning long enough to do his job.
- Cook County Commoner - Wednesday, Jul 6, 16 @ 11:42 am:
Thank you for the insights.
I think we all agree that many counties and municipalities, especially Chicago, need more revenue in addition to the state.
My fear in all this is that the nation leading number of government units in Illinois will foist a witch’s brew of tax increases on residents which will be the legendary straw.
I understand that folks want services but are disinclined to pay for them. But all the talk about increased revenues without discussion by elected leaders of the average taxpayers’ ability to pay them is disingenuous.
Of course, I may be misinformed as to the cornucopia of rich businesses and individuals willing to remain in Illinois and shoulder the brunt of what is coming. But that is why I am a commoner.
- RNUG - Wednesday, Jul 6, 16 @ 1:46 pm:
- Cook County Commoner -
Simple mathematical solution to the ability to pay: progressive income tax. Not so simple politically so it requires a state constitutional amendment that will be / is being fought tooth and nail by the rich.
I’m convinced Rauner is only Governor for two reasons: to bust unions and to stop a progressive state income / Millionaires tax.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Jul 6, 16 @ 3:11 pm:
–I’m convinced Rauner is only Governor for two reasons: to bust unions and to stop a progressive state income / Millionaires tax. –
I think he got honked about dishing out millions in campaign contributions to the likes of Daley, Emanuel and Claypool over the years and no one knew who he was.
He likes the limelight, in a very controlled, scripted environment. Not so much when he has to think on his feet, for obvious reasons, given the results.
I could think of other things I’d do with $60-$80 million and counting, but that’s his problem.
- RNUG - Wednesday, Jul 6, 16 @ 10:43 pm:
-Word-,
If I had that kind of money, I would be traveling a lot more than I do and playing with more classic cars than the two in my garage. I sure wouldn’t be messing around at a business I knew nothing about …
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jul 6, 16 @ 10:43 pm:
Rich,
Great work. You have outdone yourself with your coverage and other cases harnessing all the information necessary for all of us to fully understand what is going on, and what has been going on and making clear many others not Rich Miller have been missing what has been happening to Illinois.
Thank you, for all you do.