81 Comments - blue dog dem - Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 11:44 am: So, Sen. Biss, how? Through yet another tax on the working poor and middle classes like your Dem and Repub brotherhood? Our you going to make hard service and spending cut decisions? Let me guess…waste. fraud.abuse. - Oswego Willy - Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 11:45 am: Then Bruce and Diana Rauner win, funding the Rauner politics of “squeezing the beast”… … closing social service providers…. … closing Chicago State, Eastern Illinois, discrediting Western Illinois, making 2 SIU campuses harder to see… … real people hurt. Real people being physically hurt, and vendors to those citizens caught between helping people live, and wether or not those vendirs will exist. Diana Rauner, who has put her own name to the millions designed to create and keep this impasse, it’s a business decision. Bruce Rauner told us he’d shut down the state. I guess that may include boarding up windows and doors… thru at least 2019z - walker - Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 11:45 am: Going to be more expensive too, to bond out $24B in 2019. Who knows what the rating agencies will do to us by then? This moves beyond heartbreaking. - Anonymous - Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 11:47 am: Bliss doesn’t even give much attention to the budget now as state senator… - Duder - Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 11:54 am: “Bliss doesn’t even give much attention to the budget now as state senator… ” Wait, there is a state budget for “Bliss” to pay attention to? Be sure to let Bruce Rauner know! - Ole' Nelson - Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 11:58 am: I don’t like those options, Blue Dog. Sure seems like the work necessary to move towards a more progressive tax structure might be worth it. Voters are “all-in” with a millionaire’s tax. - Ole' Nelson - Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 11:59 am: It should be comforting to know that whatever burning’ shell of a state Governor Rauner leaves behind, he will be just fine, personally. - Lucky Pierre - Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 11:59 am: House and Senate Democrats apparently think believe a balanced budget is required for thee but not for me If elected I will work quickly to address the problem but for the next year and 1/2 I will ignore my constitutional responsibilities as an elected official in a co equal branch of government - titan - Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 12:01 pm: I didn’t think vendors would keep supplying things this long (or social survive this long) without a reasonable level of payments going to them. I can’t imagine they’ll make it 2 more years. - illinoised - Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 12:05 pm: Am I to interpret Harmon’s comments as giving up without a fight? - Honeybear - Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 12:07 pm: Serious question. Does anyone think this could stimulate a third party candidate to enter the race? - Oswego Willy - Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 12:09 pm: I can’t imagine a governor without 4 consecutive budgets can think that “Bruce Rauner failed” won’t resonate. Geo. Ryan? === “The governor is the top guy. He is the leader. House Speaker Mike Madigan is not. The governor has to make things happen. If he doesn’t get everything he wants, he’s got to figure out how much he can get. To get something done. He’s got to take the wheel. He’s got to have a plan. It’s like everything in life.”=== Yep. At some point, Rauner may want to be a governor, unless destroying the state is going as well as the Rauners thought. - Flynn's mom - Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 12:13 pm: I’m not surprised, Illinois is going down the tubes quickly. - Lucky Pierre - Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 12:15 pm: Did you ever consider the previous 15 unbalanced budgets and dysfunctional state government has destroyed the state? Passing another unbalanced budget without reforming state government would continue this destruction, unless you were happy with the Quinn administration. - Anon - Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 12:17 pm: Millionaire’s tax and taxed marijuana would help a lot. Too bad Bruce’s friends are against those things. - Union Man - Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 12:18 pm: Seems to me the governor could be sued by citizens for failing to meet his constitutional duties. - G'Kar - Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 12:18 pm: Right now the only way I see us getting out of this mess is if there truly is no budget–and there is no state money for K-12 for FY 18. And even then, I wouldn’t be surprised if the stalemate continued. - Newsclown - Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 12:19 pm: hb, Rauner *is* a Third Party candidate. One who happened to rent the Republican party to help him get in. But Rauner is not like most Republicans. He’s a Raunerite. It’s a separate thing. - Oswego Willy - Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 12:20 pm: Lucky Pierre - ? ===Did you ever consider the previous 15 unbalanced budgets and dysfunctional state government has destroyed the state=== Oh - Lucky Pierre -… ===“Those who live in the past are cowards and losers” - Coach Mike Ditka=== … cited by - Lucky Pierre - ===Passing another unbalanced budget without reforming…=== Yeah, I’m going to stop you there. That means you’re “cool” with no budget until 2019, unless Rauner gets his turnaround agenda. Thanks. Appreciate you reiterating Rauner holding everything up. ===…state government would continue this destruction, unless you were happy with the Quinn administration=== Rauner’s 3 phony, grossly unbalanced sham budgets do that. Why aren’t you upset with Rauner as you are with Quinn? - Annonin' - Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 12:24 pm: Wonderin’ if that pile of unpaid includes some moolah owed to Capt. Fax thus accountin’ for some grumpiness. - Rich Miller - Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 12:27 pm: ===some moolah owed to Capt. Fax=== I don’t do invoicing, so I don’t keep track. - wordslinger - Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 12:27 pm: LP, maybe those Deloite guys can update your programming. It needs to include the part where your boss threatened GOP senators for even taking baby steps towards a budget deal with Dems. The tronc edit board wrote that he threatened to primary them for even engaging. And, as you must know by now, the governor has pre-conditions before he will even consider a budget. - Il annoyed - Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 12:28 pm: Lucky Pierre: I take your point that the Dems are to blame for fiscal mismanagement. But, I wonder if you don’t see something fundamentally distinct here? Rauner is pursuing a strategy of purposefully creating havoc in the state to force a legislative agenda, which, by most accounts, will not cut deficits or drive growth that much, if at all. In so doing, he’s failing to carry out his constitutional duties and inflicting more damage on the state than any governor ever has. In other words, I think you’re right: the Dems have mismanaged the state BUT how is that the story you keep harping on when the Gov. is purposefully destroying the state to enact policies that aren’t a solution for the state’s financial troubles? - Rogue Roni - Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 12:28 pm: At least with the last 15 budgets we got something out of the deal. You know, little things, like higher education and social services. All we’ll have after four years of Rauner is a mountain of debt - Lucky Pierre - Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 12:29 pm: Do you really think the Governor is the only one to blame here? The budgets were unbalanced before he got here They continue to be unbalanced Unless the legislature changes the underlying statutes, the court ordered spending continues The budget cannot be line item vetoed into balance The process requires the cooperation of the legislature which you ignore Why no specifics from those running for Governor how they would solve the crisis without reforming pensions and state government? Rhode Island which is run by Democrats did it. Why can’t Illinois? - David - Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 12:29 pm: From the irs Illinois has an adjusted gross income of 450billion Income taxes bring in 12 now of course you could jobs 24 billion. - don the legend - Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 12:31 pm: === Passing another unbalanced budget without reforming state government would continue this destruction, unless you were happy with the Quinn administration.=== says the one whose favorite governor has put forth three unbalance budgets. My goodness LP, look in the mirror! - Oswego Willy - Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 12:36 pm: ===The budgets were unbalanced before he got here=== Remember coach Ditka? You don’t get the past, you told us the past is for cowards. I said past is prologue, quoting Shakespeare. You don’t get the past anymore. ===They continue to be unbalanced=== Bruce Rauner proposed 3 grossly unbalanced, phony sham budgets. You know that. ===The budget cannot be line item vetoed into balance The process requires the cooperation of the legislature which you ignore=== Oh, - Lucky Pierre -, this is adorbs… Second time today, reminding you about Rauner, personally, undercutting Leader Radogno and the “Grand Compromise”. You should be upset that Rauner did that, according to… you. Why aren’t you? lol ===Why no specifics from those running for Governor how they would solve the crisis without reforming pensions and state government=== The governor’s budget director and agency heads say they have “no budget cutting” plans. Why aren’t you upset with Rauner? ===Rhode Island which is run by Democrats did it. Why can’t Illinois?=== Bruce Rauner isn’t governor of Rhode Island. As @StatehouseChick says, “simple” - The Dude Abides - Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 12:48 pm: What do you do if you are a Governor and want to pass an agenda which does not have widespread popular support and the other political party is the majority party in the Legislature? Our Governor chose the hostage taking route. I’m going to run up a lot of debt and make life miserable for a lot of people until you give me what I want. We are 26 months in to Rauner’s term and his strategy so far has done nothing but make things a lot worse. If the Democrats give in will the Governor revert to hostage taking again the next time he wants something? My thinking is that when you are a GOP Governor dealing with a Democrat majority and if you sincerely care about improving the health of the state the carrot might work better than the stick. The Governor chose the stick and the reaction is what you would expect. Last year Radogno said that we might not have a full budget for years. After Cullerton failed in his attempt to achieve a Grand Bargain he came to the conclusion that Rauner was never serious about it in the first place. - Ole' Nelson - Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 12:50 pm: “===Rhode Island which is run by Democrats did it. Why can’t Illinois?=== Bruce Rauner isn’t governor of Rhode Island.” Wow!!! That response cut to the meat of the problem! Hard to solve the crisis when the crisis is the Governor’s plan. (popping some corn and waiting for L.P.’s well thought out response…) - City Zen - Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 12:52 pm: Is 18 months enough time to change the law to permit states to declare bankruptcy? - Lucky Pierre - Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 12:52 pm: Do you really believe the Governor has no budget cutting plans or the more likely scenario they do not want to tip there hand to what those plans are because the legislature would not approve anyway and it would be used for campaign ads I don;t see any cutting plans from the legislature either even though they say they are necessary why are you only mad at your fellow Republican Rauner and not the legislators? Do you think trading a permanent hike in the income tax for a temporary freeze in property taxes is reasonable? Sorry whatever they agree to it should be the same, permanent or temporary is fine by me as long as they are the same. - cgo75 - Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 12:54 pm: I think the Democrats look at the best move politically being something along the lines of we tried to pass a budget and couldn’t garner Republican support and now it’s going to take having a “D” as Governor in order to move the state forward. The longer the budget impasse continues, they benefit, we as taxpayers don’t. - Arock - Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 12:54 pm: “The budget cannot be line item vetoed into balance. The process requires the cooperation of the legislature which you ignore. ” Which evidently you ignore as well as there has been no cooperation so Madigan owns this mess as much as Rauner, he too must be willing to see the State go down in a heap to protect his own interest. Madigan has offered nothing but a tax increase. It takes both sides to cooperate. I am not happy with Rauner but even less so with Madigan. Rauner was elected Governor for a reason, the majority that took time to vote wanted things changed by an office that is not tied to gerrymandering as legislative districts are. - Oswego Willy - Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 12:55 pm: ===Is 18 months enough time to change the law to permit states to declare bankruptcy?=== (Sigh) “Dear state of Illinois, You can’t declare bankruptcy when you refuse to pass budgets that show such need, and since you can raise revenue, but continue to refuse to do so, bankruptcy isn’t available to you, besides the whole ’states can’t file for bankruptcy’ thingy. Go and do better Signed, Understanding governing” - Lucky Pierre - Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 12:57 pm: The crisis started 15 years ago and is the reason Governor Rauner was elected in a deep blue state. Unfunded pension debt was 35 billion when Democrats took over complete control of state government in 2002 and it is now 130 billion Pension reform is still elusive in Springfield - Oswego Willy - Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 12:57 pm: ===Which evidently you ignore as well as there has been no cooperation so Madigan owns this mess as much as Rauner, he too must be willing to see the State go down in a heap to protect his own interest. Madigan has offered nothing but a tax increase. It takes both sides to cooperate. I am not happy with Rauner but even less so with Madigan=== Oh boy, - Arock - The adults are talking about the Senate and the Senate’s “Grand Bargain”. Do yourself a sold. Please keep up Thanks. - Oswego Willy - Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 12:59 pm: ===The crisis started 15 years ago=== According to Coach Ditka, are you a loser or a coward? I’ll let you choose. The rest? Rauner keeps proposing unbalanced, phony, sham budgets. What you’re asking on pensions, Rauner hasn’t delivered. Why aren’t you upset with Rauner? lol - Oswego Willy - Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 1:04 pm: ===Do you really believe the Governor has no budget cutting plans or the more likely scenario they do not want to tip there hand to what those plans are because the legislature would not approve anyway and it would be used for campaign ads=== So, what you’re saying is Rauner first want to do “ANYTHING”? Then why the heck is Rauner even a governor? ===I don;t see any cutting plans from the legislature either even though they say they are necessary=== Article VIII, Section 2, (a) You know this. You KNOW this. ===why are you only mad at your fellow Republican Rauner and not the legislators?=== Personally undercutting Leader Radogno by Rauner. That’s an easy one, lol ===Do you think trading a permanent hike in the income tax for a temporary freeze in property taxes is reasonable?=== I’m not part of the Grand Bargain, they can figure that out, If you feel the governor should hold out and hold a budget hostage, that’s on you, not me. - Oswego Willy - Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 1:06 pm: So, what you’re saying is Rauner doesn’t want to do “ANYTHING”? Then why the heck is Rauner even a governor? Apologies. - David - Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 1:07 pm: It is difficult for and individual to declare bankruptcy when he makes 100k and owes 25k too add to OWs remmarks to the Illinois bankruptcy grill here - titan - Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 1:08 pm: +++ - Lucky Pierre - Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 12:15 pm: Did you ever consider the previous 15 unbalanced budgets and dysfunctional state government has destroyed the state? Passing another unbalanced budget without reforming state government would continue this destruction, unless you were happy with the Quinn administration. +++ Not to totally dismiss your point (as there is some core of merit to it), most people will probably not think rapidly destroying the state is an improvement on slowly destroying it. - J IL - Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 1:13 pm: So, if I am interpreting this correctly this means that if somehow Rauner wins re-election there won’t be a budget until 2023? It seems that there is this huge assumption that Rauner will NOT win again…but if he does who thinks he’ll just cave at that point. I could see us going 6 more years with out a budget if Rauner is the guv. - Oswego Willy - Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 1:14 pm: ===why are you only mad at your fellow Republican Rauner and not the legislators?=== Rauner is a Raunerite, not a Republican. The millions attached to Diana Rauner and the undercutting of Republican Leader Radogno, (starting and stopping just there), reminds me Rauner is a Raunerite. Daily. - Oswego Willy - Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 1:16 pm: - J IL - Reality? If Rauner wins re-election, the next battle(s) won’t be about ANY budgets. The next battle(s) will be drilled to ONE thing. One thing only. The next legislative map. That’s it. That’s the only “next” if and when Rauner wins. - G'Kar - Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 1:24 pm: When commentators write that the state has been going to heck and a handbasket for 15 years, I get a little confused. Correct me if I am wrong, but wasn’t the state on the road back in FY 15? Hadn’t the tax increase allowed the state to begin to lower it’s backlog of bills and at the same time make it’s pension payment? Didn’t the budget include some cuts in discretionary funding? Yes, it was baby steps, but it was steps in the right direction. - Peoria Citizen - Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 1:50 pm: Rauner’s first, and last term, ahem. - Ahoy! - Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 2:41 pm: Some might say this has been the Democrats political strategy all along. - Juvenal - Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 2:45 pm: Nixon had a secret plan to end the Vietnam War Trump had secret plans to pay for the wall and replace Obamacare. Rauner has a “secret plan” to cut $7 billion from the state budget. The public has every reason to be suspicious and demand Rauner present a balanced budget showing where cuts would be made. - Lucky Pierre - Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 2:46 pm: For those that think the Grand Compromise is any such thing trading a permanent income tax increase for a temporary property tax freeze is lime giving an inch and taking a mile. Pretty much sums up the budget negotiations by Democrats. Zero gives after over two years of gridlock and girding for another year and a half. Functioning Democrats like in Rhode Island are able to control the excesses in government and the public sector. In Illinois that is impossible - RNUG - Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 2:48 pm: To add a comment about the whole bankruptcy idea … that was the major premise underlying the SB-1 pension reform bill, that the debt had gotten so big that police powers (in effect, debt negation, ie, bankruptcy) was required. The IL SC didn’t buy it … - Mr. K. - Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 2:50 pm: — The budgets were unbalanced before he got here They continue to be unbalanced — Once again: Rauner was elected to *fix* the mess. He wasn’t elected to mess up the mess even more. As far as I’m aware, he ran on a campaign based on the idea that his business savvy — acumen, whatever you want to call it — was exactly what the state needed to *fix* things. Not to break thing. Fix ‘em. Whatever happened in the past, sure — unbalanced budgets, blah blah blah. Whatever. But Rauner promised — promised — that he had the unique qualification to *fix* the mess. The past is finished. What matters now is what Rauner does moving forward. And — for two years now — he’s done nothing. He’s fixed nothing. So … okay? He deserves four more years? I’m sure that’ll work out. - TominChicago - Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 2:52 pm: “Do you really believe the Governor has no budget cutting plans or the more likely scenario they do not want to tip there hand to what those plans are because the legislature would not approve anyway and it would be used for campaign ads.” I do believe that Art. VII sec. 2(a) of our constitution does not have an exception that permits the governor to avoid disclosing proposed cuts to prior spending if his mean opponents might use those cuts in political ads. - RNUG - Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 2:53 pm: - G’Kar - @1:24 Yes, the State WAS slowly in it’s way back. Another 20 - 25 years of that (increased income tax and restrained spending) and the State would be in good shape. That’s the hard truth most politicians won’t say: it took between 45 and 100 years to get into this mess … and it will take a long time to get out of it. - Oswego Willy - Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 3:00 pm: ===Functioning Democrats like in Rhode Island are able to control the excesses in government and the public sector. In Illinois that is impossible=== No. Keep up. It’s a legislature and a governor, “doing the doable” GHR and Jim Edgar recognize Rauner has shown little desire to do that, including the “Grand Bargain” Which is why this is utter baloney… ===For those that think the Grand Compromise is any such thing trading a permanent income tax increase for a temporary property tax freeze is lime giving an inch and taking a mile.=== Rauner blew up the Compromise. Do you understand words and meanings? Compromise. Rauner undercut Leader Radogno where compromise existed. Your blather can’t talk that away. - Northsider - Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 3:02 pm: Honeybear @ 12:07: No. No third party has anywhere near the credibility of the Greens, and they have none. - Rich Miller - Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 3:02 pm: ===like in Rhode Island === Quoting the Trib editorial board, I see. RI doesn’t have the constitutional pension protections that Illinois has. Very big difference. Even the Trib admits this, although that’s buried way down deep. - The Real Just Me - Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 3:16 pm: LP, I don’t get the “tipping his hand” argument. At some point, doesn’t the Governor have to show his hand? In order to say, “I win” I think you have to show your hand, don’t you? And if you don’t care about the “I win” moment then there was no reason to conceal your hand in the first place. In fact, the quicker you show your hand the better, just to get it over with. And don’t give me, “Madigan isn’t tipping his hand.” Madigan was accused of revealing his deepest, darkest secret when he said the income tax increase would start at 5%, wasn’t he? - tobias846 - Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 3:16 pm: From a campaign narrative perspective, it makes sense for Biss to say there will be no budget during Rauner’s term. It would undercut a major rationale for his candidacy if he said Rauner will eventually yield and sign a budget before the elections. I’m quite a bit more concerned by Harmon’s comment, since he’s ostensibly a Cullerton confidant. If Cullerton has really decided to walk away from the budget crisis, we’re in serious trouble. - TominChicago - Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 3:25 pm: tobias846 Harmon is very close with Dan Biss. Your second sentence sort of answers your question. - wordslinger - Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 3:26 pm: LP, tell us more about Rauner’s secret budget-cutting plan. It’s only been about two years. How long does he plan to keep it a secret and why? Curious that he didnt clue in his department heads and budget director. When they testified to the Senate, they said there are no such plans. Are they lying? Or are you just making up a bunch of dishonest nonsense? - @MisterJayEm - Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 3:33 pm: “Do you really believe the Governor has no budget cutting plans or the more likely scenario they do not want to tip there [sic] hand to what those plans are because the legislature would not approve anyway and it would be used for campaign ads” First, Candidate Bruce Rauner had a secret plan that couldn’t be revealed until after the election. Now, Governor Bruce Rauner has a secret plan that can’t be revealed until after his re-election. Quite the hero, that Bruce Rauner. – MrJM - Cassandra - Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 3:33 pm: Well, if that’s the case, and Don Harmon is hardly a political outlier, then I see a whole lot of borrowing up ahead, in addition to various fanciful reforms which will save untold future sums. What would be nice is if whoever takes over in 2018 has a progressive income tax to work with which can be imposed instantly. I don’t think the timing works, though. And you can only take the EITC so far–that is, not far into the middle class at all. - Lucky Pierre - Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 3:33 pm: I am aware about the constitutional protections for the pensions. As the Trib said, the legislature is not exactly testing this constitutionality by passing any laws are they? They are also not advocating any changes in the constitution which could be modified. Do yo just suggest they do nothing? - Lucky Pierre - Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 3:36 pm: Wordslinger as you are aware the Governor proposed a fair amount of cuts in the budgets he submitted all of which were ignored. What would be the logic of tipping his hand on the cuts? the Democrats aren’t willing to do that, why the double standard? When you play poker do you play with your cards face up or down? - CCP Hostage - Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 3:44 pm: And in the meantime, Rome burns. - wordslinger - Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 3:58 pm: LP, you’re a laugh riot, The governor has a secret plan, but he won’t reveal it, because the legislature wouldn’t pass it, playing poker, something-something…. - pawn - Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 4:00 pm: LP, the cuts the Gov proposed in his budget still left at least a $4.6 billion hole according to his own budget documents, not to mention COGFA’s changing revenue estimates, and some “savings” from the sale of the Thompson Center, etc. That is not a “fair amount of cuts.” The logic of tipping his hand is that he continually acts as if new revenue is a concession he is willing to make for Dems, not as if it is something he also needs and requires. If he doesn’t need new revenue, he should be able to stand proudly by his budget. - blue dog dem - Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 4:00 pm: I will help ya’ll with some of this fiscal conservatives’ budget cutting ideas. 1. $2 billion infrastructure spending. 2. Couple hundred million on cyber Security upgrades. 3. about $750 million in increased K-12 spending. 4. About $2.25 million in Munger hiring. These are just a few of the ‘budget cuts’.when he hets done with these cuts, we can prolly lower taxes. - RNUG - Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 4:00 pm: == As the Trib said, the legislature is not exactly testing this constitutionality by passing any laws are they? == The GA has passed unconstitutional reform and been shut down, multiple times. The precedent is clear on what can and can’t be done. In plain English, the GA can’t change Tier 1 in any meaningful way that will reduce the debt. == They are also not advocating any changes in the constitution which could be modified. == Why bother? The courts have been clear any change can be made for new hires. That’s all you would get by removing the Pension Clause. You can’t retroactively change things. Even the Illinois Policy Institute, in a recent email, conceded that the various court rulings said there was no way out and the Tier 1 pension debt HAD to be paid. - blue dog dem - Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 4:03 pm: I forgot, couple billion a year on waste,fraud and abuse cuts. Throw in that government consolidation and procurement reform…heck, just like Alaska they will be paying us to live here. - Anonymous - Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 4:03 pm: - Lucky Pierre - Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 3:33 pm: Since all of your posts are basically just summaries of Hurricane Kristen’s editorials, wouldn’t it be easier for you just to post a link? - Rod - Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 4:24 pm: I heard exactly the same prediction as Don Harmon’s at Boone’s Saloon about two weeks ago. The unnamed lobbyist predicted to be exact January of 2019 as the time a budget would be passed regardless of whether Governor Rauner is reelected in November 2018. The idea is floating around, is it a self fulfilling prophesy? - Whatever - Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 4:42 pm: Lucky Pierre ==Passing another unbalanced budget without reforming state government would continue this destruction== I agree. The trouble is that the Governor has not proposed any reforms that would actually help. Can you explain how even one of his reforms would cut even 1% of the deficit? Explain how, and show your work. - TominChicago - Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 4:51 pm: Whatever - Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 4:42 pm: Lucky Pierre ==Passing another unbalanced budget without reforming state government would continue this destruction== I agree. The trouble is that the Governor has not proposed any reforms that would actually help. Can you explain how even one of his reforms would cut even 1% of the deficit? Explain how, and show your work. Job creators!!! - tobias846 - Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 4:55 pm: Rod - “self-fulfilling prophecy” is exactly what I’m worried most about. The more we hear “no budget until 2019″ and “junk bond state” the more likely it becomes. The impasse has had the unanticipated consequence of normalizing dysfunction. “We got through today without a budget, so we can get through tomorrow without it.” “If we get through tomorrow, we can probably get through next week.” And so on, until the mere idea of passing a budget becomes a fanciful pipe dream like free college or universal health care. Legislators saying “Rauner doesn’t want a budget” means that they’re off the hook until 2019 — no hard decisions or politically difficult votes for two more years. Of course that’s going to be more attractive to them than actual governing. - peon - Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 5:43 pm: It is so sad how we as IL voters accept this level of dysfunction. These are meant to be public servants, not vandals. - RNUG - Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 7:06 pm: It will only be $12B or do. Rauner is going to eventually declare martial status the current $12B as null and void because there were no valid appropriations for the contracts. And if that doesn’t work, he’ll offer to settle the debt of the remaining providers and contractors for just a few pennies on the dollar. - RNUG - Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 7:09 pm: Darn auto-correct … Added “martial status” where I didn’t type it. - wordslinger - Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 7:39 pm: RNUG, paying pennies on the dollar on the bill backlog is the obvious and transparent Rauner game plan. The record shows that’s how he did business in his long private sector career. To date, the willful increase on the backlog has bled $8.5 billion out of the private sector, money effectively borrowed from state contractors for goods and services provided in good faith. I’m guessing Hayek and Friedman would say that’s a bad thing for the economy. That doesn’t even account for the assault on public universities and community colleges, the bedrock for economic growth Downstate and continuing vocational education for citizens in a rapidly changing labor market. By his actions, Rauner reneges on contracts, doesn’t pay bills, bleeds higher ed and neglects infrastructure. Those are precisely the things you’d do as governor to sabotage the economy. - tobias846 - Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 8:35 pm: A serious question: How would paying pennies on the dollar square with the Vendor Assistance Program that has been buying state debt? The VAP is based on the assumption that the state is eventually going to pay in full, plus a 10 percent late fee. I also don’t see how that would make the state’s medical and dental insurance debt go away. It seems to me that health care providers would probably prefer to go after the patients for full payment before settling for pennies on the dollar. Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.