* From the governor’s official Twitter account…
* Script…
Hi, everybody. The time to act is now. We need to make structural changes and pave the way for a balanced budget in Springfield. We proposed a balanced budget, but Speaker Michael Madigan’s Democrat majority has done nothing. Speaker Madigan continues to use stall tactics and refuses to bring real change and relief to the hard-working taxpayers of Illinois.
The General Assembly has been delaying progress for two years now. That’s unacceptable. They need to quit playing political games and help the people of Illinois.
Speaker Madigan’s Democrats are the party of “no.” No to absolutely everything, except for a big tax increase.
But we are not out of options. We can do this if we work together. What we need to do is clear. Freeze property taxes, put term limits in place and redraw our district lines so they benefit voters, not the politicians. We need to improve schools and create jobs. This isn’t rocket science, it’s common sense. We can get this done and we can get it done now. We’re working every single day with all of you on our minds. We want what’s best for you and your families, and we won’t stop until we get it done.
So many things to say, but I’ll keep it brief. He didn’t propose a balanced budget. That’s just objectively false. Madigan, however, has done zero this year, so he’s right about that.
The Senate tried to make some progress, but Rauner deliberately knocked that train off its tracks, so the current predicament is also on him. He’s leading a “party of no” as well.
And political games? He’s the one spending a million dollars on campaign ads right now.
* Just for fun, click here to see the replies to the governor’s video. Lots of harsh stuff, including this one…
- Harry - Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 9:46 am:
Kudos to Manar!
- Biscuit Head - Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 9:47 am:
Manar is wrong.
You CAN make stuff up.
And the Governor did.
Who else is going to call him out on it?
- RNUG - Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 9:50 am:
I took his agenda apart item by item the other day. Almost none of it affects the State budget.
Too bad we don’t have a truth in political advertising law …
- Anon - Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 9:50 am:
Rauner was the truthless Trump before Trump was Trump! Rauner’s ability to lie is unmatched. I pray to god that we get a democrat with the resources to match him, and the ability to get voters to acknowledge that Rauner is a lying failure who cannot lead.
- 47th Ward - Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 9:51 am:
He is such a facile liar. It’s almost as if he believes his own (deleted). The unforgivable sin, for me, was his torpedoing of the Senate bargain. Nothing he says or does can redeem that and all of his lies can’t change that reality.
He’s not only a liar and a failed governor, he’s a saboteur.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 9:52 am:
even he couldn’t keep a straight face…
- RNUG - Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 9:52 am:
== We’re working every single day with all of you on our minds. ==
And the thought is how you’ve managed to con a lot of the voters in this state. Abraham Lincoln had a famous quote about that …
- Amen - Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 9:55 am:
Anon - Took the words out of my mouth. Will be voting Democratic for the first time in years because of this gov.
- OurMagican - Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 9:55 am:
Never trust a guy who isn’t wearing a Carhartt
- Mama - Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 9:58 am:
“Too bad we don’t have a truth in political advertising law … ”
Is there a way to pass a truth in advertising law (political & non-political)?
- Henry Francis - Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 9:58 am:
This Rauner guy says he wants to “improve schools and create jobs.” Big thinker, this guy.
Can he also give us a much better health care system that will give much better care, at a much lower cost, and will cover everyone?
- Demoralized - Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 9:59 am:
==put term limits in place and redraw our district lines==
I get that those topics are legitimate topics to discuss but neither has anything to do with the budget. That should be the absolute #1 focus.
==We proposed a balanced budget==
It doesn’t count as a balanced budget when you put in a made up number to make it magically balanced.
- Truthteller - Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 10:00 am:
Rauner’s budget is every bit as balanced as he is
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 10:02 am:
If someone routinely lies to your face about things that are easily proven to be untrue, they obviously think you’re an idiot.
The choice is yours whether you are one.
- illini - Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 10:03 am:
Alternative Facts!
- PublicServant - Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 10:04 am:
===Rauner claims he proposed balanced budget…===
I want his accountants!
- Deft Wing - Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 10:05 am:
–”Kudos to Manar!”
Yes. Sen Manar (and many others) are exactly right. Gov. Rauner has yet to propose a truly balanced budget and all his talk to the contrary is BS. He and his superstars are embarrassing themselves on this point. I suspect they’ll continue to further disappoint down the line too.
But what’s Andy’s history? Has he EVER voted on a truly balanced budget (hint: rhymes with “Doh”)? Has Andy ever proposed a truly balanced budget as a legislator of Chief of Staff (hint: see hint No. 1)?
And more importantly, does Rauner’s intransigence excuse Sen. Manar and the General Assembly from doing their job and passing a truly balanced budget? #SameAnswer #DoYourJob2Andy
- Anon - Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 10:07 am:
I think Rauner is in for a brutal reelect. While he did well in the suburbs in 2014, lets see how he does with tens of millions in TV ads linking him to Trump! These ads write themselves. The juxtaposition of this liar with the liar in the white house should be enough to end his reign in Illinois. He deserves every bit of it!
- working stiff - Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 10:07 am:
” We need to improve schools”
how do you improve schools by removing the money they need to operate?
i was watching the news this morning of more school cuts being made. drop the destruction agenda.
http://www.illinoishomepage.net/news/local-news/richland-cuts-more-employees/686553816
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 10:18 am:
===The choice is yours whether you are one.===
Would that we could exercise that choice before November of 2018.
- IllinoisBoi - Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 10:18 am:
Pants. On. Fire.
- Porgy Tirebiter - Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 10:20 am:
Is anybody in the media ever going to call him out and ask him to show this fictitious balanced budget he always refers to?
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 10:27 am:
Bruce Rauner lives in such a patently false existence.
In no way is Rauner honest about his budget, his governing, and especially isn’t honest about his entire rationale for even being governor.
- Arsenal - Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 10:28 am:
==And more importantly, does Rauner’s intransigence excuse Sen. Manar and the General Assembly from doing their job and passing a truly balanced budget?==
That’s an interesting attempt to shift the burden, but ultimately, a failed one. The question isn’t “Does his failure to do so justify previous failures to do so?” It’s irrelevant if previous failures are justified, they happened. They’re gone. The question is if previous failures justify this one to the extent that we can allow it to happen. And I don’t think they do, if for no other reason than it was the exact kind of behavior Rauner ran to correct.
- Mama - Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 10:29 am:
“We need to make structural changes and pave the way for a balanced budget in Springfield.”
Rauner, the structural changes in your mind does not balance the budget.
“We proposed a balanced budget.”
That is fun. Where are the numbers?
- DuPage - Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 10:30 am:
Our governor lies like a rug.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 10:31 am:
Oh - Deft Wing -
What do expect Manar to do… yell and scream on the floor, looking like a fool, knowing full well that it’s just theatre?
Your ridiculous Do your job Andy phoniness only works for those who believe being “no for the sake of no” is s strategy.
With no budgets, these past two years have caused more damage in real time than any other budgetary means before.
- Deft Wing - Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 10:31 am:
You totally missed the point, Arsenal. I’ll try another way.
Assume Rauner hasn’t and won’t offer a balanced budget. Ever. Does that necessarily mean the Legislature should do the same?
- A guy - Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 10:32 am:
If you want to call him out on this…
…do you really send Andy Manar to the plate?
- Lucky Pierre - Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 10:36 am:
26 posts ignoring the Governor supports revenue that would balance his budget
zero posts ignoring the following statement about the Speaker:
Madigan, however, has done zero this year, so he’s right about that
Why stop at this year Rich?
When is the last time he worked ” cooperatively and professionally” as he promised on the budget?
When is the last time he worked “cooperatively and professionally with Leader Durkin?
When was the last time he worked ‘cooperatively and professionally” with Senator Cullerton and Senate Democrats?
There is a my way or the highway running through this state and it’s name is Madigan.
No cars get on without kissing his ring
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 10:40 am:
With Rauner you have to kiss something else Mr. Lucky Pierre
- PDJT - Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 10:47 am:
Maybe the GOP needs to run someone who can drop his ‘g’s and do math. Max Baer Jr. sure is good at cipherin’.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 10:47 am:
===26 posts ignoring the Governor supports revenue that would balance his budget===
Revenue is required, not a give. This is the first time today you are being reminded of this fact.
That said, then Rauner should say, “I’m proposing the Rauner Tax to balance my budget. Revenue is 100% required, I know it, so I’m proposing it”
Why won’t Rauner?
===There is a my way or the highway running through this state and it’s name is Madigan.===
You continued unabridged ignorance is noted again.
Why did Rauner blow up the Senate’s Grabd Compromise? Wouldn’t it put loads of pressure on Madigan if the Grand Compromise passed.
Instead, Rauner undercut Leader Radogno, purposely, to scuttle the deal.
This is also the first time you are being reminded of Rauner submarining the Grand Compromise.
The rest? The rest is your Madigan drivel, ignoring Rauner’s phony budgetS, the Senate, the scuttling of a compromise, and Rauner failing as a governor.
- GA Watcher - Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 10:52 am:
Still don’t understand why the Dems don’t demand that the Governor provide specific estimates of the savings his various reforms will produce for the State.
- Lucky Pierre - Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 10:53 am:
All depends on your perspective OW.
Trading a permanent income tax increase for a two year property tax freeze does not sound like a Grand Bargain to most people.
Why the sudden aversion to a temporary income tax increase Dems needed to pass last time?
Why the blocking anything and everything the Governor or Leader Durkin proposes?
Does that sound like a Grand Compromse?
The Speaker can’t make any compromises much less a Grand one.
- Arsenal - Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 10:58 am:
==If you want to call him out on this…
…do you really send Andy Manar to the plate?==
Who, specifically, do you think controls Andy Manar’s twitter feed?
Manar’s as good a Dem surrogate as anyone else, and better than most.
- Daniel Plainview - Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 11:00 am:
- 26 the Governor supports revenue that would balance his budget -
Is he physically incapable of putting the details to paper? Or is the Governor of a state absolved from doing any real work?
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 11:02 am:
===OW do you consider the bigger Madigan apologist than… ===
Making it about me isn’t making an argument.
Rauner blew up the Senate Grand Compromise (No Madigan there)
Rauner requires Revevue, his budget that he proposed (No Madigan)
Rauner’s veto hurting Chicago students, emotionally and purposely is something only a governor can do (No Madigan)
Deflecting is all you have left - Lucky Pierre-
Don’t bring up the past or I’ll mock you with the Ditka quote you used, lol
- Arsenal - Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 11:02 am:
==26 posts ignoring the Governor supports revenue that would balance his budget==
That’s because in this very video, Rauner poormouths a tax increase. Sure, we all know that so long as Rauner got to cut your pay first, he’d sign a tax increase, but he wants everyone to think he’s against tax increases. And you keep whining that Dems won’t work with him, so I’ll give him what he wants on this one.
- My New Handle - Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 11:04 am:
If Rauner got an enema, you could bury him in a matchbox.
- Louis G. Atsaves - Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 11:09 am:
Are they campaign ads or informational ads? What is happening in the legislature these days each week (or so) they convene?
For those with thin skins in politics, find a new job. Don’t like the message? Run your own ads that huff and puff and state: “When the Governor proposes a balanced budget, THEN we will act! In the meantime, we will collect our paychecks, do nothing and continue to behave like mushrooms!”
You don’t like the way that all sounds? Rewrite it. If you can.
So the entire state will collapse (has collapsed) because of the failures of one man? (Pick that man for purposes of argument: Rauner or Madigan.) Are we in North Korea or Illinois for crying out loud?
The cries for structural reform, redistricting that eliminates gerrymandering or “safe districts”, real campaign finance laws, new legislative rules? Necessary? Want to be in a safe district? Do your jobs professionally! Want better Government? Say no to special interests, focus on the average citizen for a change. Try saying “sorry, we can’t afford to do that.”
The problem with reality is that it is can be viewed from different perspectives.
Grow up everyone. Quit your whining. Do your jobs. In case you haven’t noticed, everything is completely out of control. We’ve dug a fiscal hole down past the center of the Earth without a ladder or rope to pull ourselves out of it.
And every elected official in State Government is to blame.
At this point, Illinois doesn’t need “Change.” Illinois doesn’t need to be “Shaken Up.” Illinois needs a complete Makeover following a True Revolution.
I don’t see a single announced or suspected governor candidate from the Democratic Party willing and able to rebuild this State. Nor have I seen any of them come up with a plan.
At least Rauner has a plan.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 11:10 am:
===All depends on your perspective ===
No. Facts aren’t perspective. Those who don’t trade in fact use “perspective” at times to allow their missing of fact a chance.
Rauner requires Revevue. Rauner refuses to propose balanced budgets. Rauner blew up the Grand Compromise.
All facts.
===Trading a permanent income tax increase for a two year property tax freeze does not sound like a Grand Bargain to most people.
Why the sudden aversion to a temporary income tax increase Dems needed to pass last time?===
My take on ALL this is, you admit Rauner blew up the Grand Compromise.
“Thanks!”
===Why the blocking anything and everything the Governor or Leader Durkin proposes?
Does that sound like a Grand Compromse?===
The Grand Compromise is in the Senate. Please, do keep up.
This is the first time you are being reminded the compromise is in the Senate.
===The Speaker can’t make any compromises much less a Grand one.===
Your dishonesty to actual events is noted, given the compromise is in the senate and passing it out of the senate puts pressure on Madigan.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 11:11 am:
===At least Rauner has a plan. ===
Which plan are you referring to? Certainly not a budget plan.
- Louis G. Atsaves - Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 11:23 am:
@Willy, “Your dishonesty to actual events is noted . . .”
Where is my “dishonesty?” Where is Madigan’s plan to fix the state? The Democrats? Anyone else’s? Don’t like those facts? Then go ahead and call it “dishonest” if it makes you feel you better.
Dishonest is pretending everything is hunky dory in this state, with no repairs necessary. Dishonest is blaming only man.
Let’s try this fact out: The Governor proposed a budget (a/k/a “The Hot Potato”) and sent it to the legislature with his stated openness towards “revenue enhancements” (to avoid using the ugly word: “tax.”)
In the meantime, Rome (Springfield) continues to burn.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 11:23 am:
- Louis G Atsaves -
LOL!!!
Where o where to begin.
How about here, Counselor…
===In the meantime, we will collect our paychecks, do nothing and continue to behave like mushrooms===
As a sworn officer of the court, following the constitution, you’re not a fan?
You’re willing to ignore your own oath as an officer of the court, and everything you learned in law school to think a 3rd World, Banana Repubilc ideal is good?
Speaks volumes to your own professional character, actually, and what you’re willing to trade in honesty to the constitution for… Rauner. Good to know.
===For those with thin skins in politics, find a new job.===
Rauner is running grossly false ads, and you’re worried about thin skin? Goodness gracious, Rauner is running grossly false ads because HE is thin skinned, lol
===Don’t like the message? Run your own ads that huff and puff and state: “When the Governor proposes a balanced budget, THEN we will act!===
You admit Rauner is submitting phony, sham, status quo budgets? Great. “Thanks” who woulda thought “Shaking and Bringing” is exactly status quo Rauner in costumes?
===So the entire state will collapse (has collapsed) because of the failures of one man? (Pick that man for purposes of argument: Rauner or Madigan.) Are we in North Korea or Illinois for crying out loud?===
Governors own
Pat Quinn failed.
Universities close, Rauner owns that.
Downgrades? Candidate Rauner said Quinn owened that, so Rauner owns that… shall I go on? lol
===Quit your whining. Do your jobs.===
- Louis G Atsaves -… Remember, Chance made clear… “Rauner, do your job”.
Reminding voters that Chance embarrassed Rauner by making clear Rauner isn’t doing his job, is a great way to reinforce Rauner’s complete failure, “just like Quinn”.
===At least Rauner has a plan.===
What. A. Crock.
- RNUG - dissected that ridiculous plan, which says nothing to the budget, but Counselor, you already know that.
The plan is…
Skyhook, in reverse.
Rauner proved the plan.
Rauner fails. Quinn failed. That’s the campaign.
- WWGD - Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 11:23 am:
I’m so upset every time I see him in my TV. I just can’t look at him anymore. I wish he would just do his job. Sign the budget or let the grand bargain deal go thru. Wow — One man like him should never be in politics, again.
- A Jack - Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 11:24 am:
Louis, man, you are all over the place. Illinois needs a revolution? How about if we start with something simple, like a budget?
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 11:25 am:
===dishonesty to actual events is noted . . .”===
That one was specific to - Lucky Pierre -
Reading is fundamental.
- Nick Name - Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 11:28 am:
“Madigan, however, has done zero this year, so he’s right about that.”
Honestly, after two years of this game, what should Madigan do? Anything he attempts will be at best ignored, at worst loudly rebuffed (bossmadigan.com, TV ads, maybe another new website, etc.). And even if Madigan were to meet all of Gov. Gaslight’s demands, Gov. Gaslight would just move the goalposts.
- SOIL M - Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 11:29 am:
The conversation someone needs to have with Rauner:
Sit down Bruce we need to talk. Its time you start doing your chores, and stop all of your lying. No Bruce I am not talking about what Mike did, I am talking about you. If Mike jumps off a bridge are you going to jump too? Bruce you worry about getting your chores done let Mike worry about his. You quit lying and then let someone else worry about Mike. No, no buts. I dont want to hear about Susan either. No Bruce, you are in trouble for what you have done, and what you were supposed to do but refuse to do. No you can not blame Mike and Susan or even John for not doing your chores. You get your chores done and let us worry about them. Now go play and be a good boy.
- anon2 - Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 11:30 am:
What we have is the predictable partisan finger-pointing that puts all the blame on the other side. This is neither accurate nor conducive to an agreement.
- AlfondoGonz - Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 11:31 am:
Louis G. Atsaves
“At least Rauner has a plan.”
Seeing as others have already deconstructed that laughably false statement by demonstrating that he, in fact, does not 9at least nota viable one), I’ll instead humor you a bit.
Ok. You say Rauner has a plan. For the purpose of discourse, let’s agree that he does. Rauner has a plan. Bully for him. He has been in office for nearly 3 years. He has accomplished nothing, and the State is worse off, by any measure.
Maybe Rauner has a plan. Maybe it is a great plan. Unfortunately, Rauner has proven himself to be completely ineffectual. He is either unable or unwilling to sell his amazing plan. He might have the greatest plan in the world, but he is not capable of doing squat with it.
So, Louis, you can scream it fro the mountains. “At least Rauner has a plan.” Sure he does. The best plan. Tremendous plan. Too bad he has proven he isn’t the man to get that plan implemented.
- PDJT - Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 11:32 am:
Rauner does have a plan, “Crisis creates opportunity. Crisis creates leverage to change” - Rauner, Mar 9, 2017
https://cpa.ds.npr.org/wuis/audio/2016/10/2015-10-22-issues-web.mp3
- Earnest - Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 11:41 am:
In the absence of any clear, consistent message from the IDP, Rauner is free to present things as he sees fit. If he’s speaking in demonstrable lies he’s just giving great ammunition to his political opponents. It’s on those who disagree with him to counter-message in a way that resonates with voters.
My question is, separate from “reforms”, what does an unfettered Rauner budget look like? Does he fund higher education at that point? What about human services? Does he try to catch up late bills?
- blue dog dem - Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 12:20 pm:
Lucky. I am one of those who.think you bring an enlightening bit of discussion to this blog. However, as much as MJM is probably.more responsible for this states mess than any one human being, this governor is clueless. He no more cares about budgets and keeping taxes down, than MJM. Every where he goes, he promises more K-12 spending. More infrastructure spending. He is a typical politician. He is NO conservative.
Keep up the fight. It does seem like most posters want to keep the status quo. I don’t know if its vested interest or what. But this states problems won’t ever end if we keep the tax cycle on the working poor and middle classes going, and Springfield makes no attempt to curb its drunken spending.
- Jocko - Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 12:27 pm:
The Ad included one truth “The time to act is now.”
It’s a shame that he’s holding the GOP GA (along with higher ed. & social services) hostage while pulling the “Who…Me?!” shtick.
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 12:34 pm:
Bruce Rauner is Elmer Fudd, dressed in plaid and huntin’ for that “wascally varmit Madigan”. MJM is the apple eating speaker, leaning up against a tree asking Bruce, “Say Bud - Ah hears ya lookin’ fer dat Toinaround Agendee!”
Bruce/Elmer: “Yup! and when I finds it - it will fix up Ill-Ill-Illinoise!”
Bugs Madigan: “Ya got any Balanced Budget Guv’nah?”
Bruce/Elmer: “YOU GOT ANY?”
Bugs:” I asked ya foist!”
Bruce/Elmer: “Na-uh, I asked you fuwst!”
Bugs Madigan: “Say, it dat ah huntin’ gizmo, ya got there Boss?”
Bruce/Elmer: “I got my huntin’ gun, my plaid shirt, my duct tape, and my millyuns to kill the Speakah, as soon as I sees him!”
Bugs Madigan: “Say Boss ya know what da guy looks like?”
Bruce/Elmer: “He’s got a nose like you, about as tall as you, and eats apples like you - say, ain’t you da Speakah?”
Bugs Madigan: “Nuh-Uh, but Ahs seen ‘im, hiding in that there cannon!” “Take a look, Doc!”
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 12:52 pm:
==It does seem like most posters want to keep the status quo.===
Geez, Louise, Rauner himself has proposed 3, consecutive, grossly unbalanced, status quo budgets, identical in nearly every measure than budgets proposed and passed (unbalanced, “magic” revenue, phony, unmeasured savings) and you are “concerned” commenters here are just for the “status quo”?
Gov. Rauner is continuing the Status Quo, lol.
Your phony concern for commenters, as you point to Rauner is noted.
- Honeybear - Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 1:09 pm:
So this article by Neal Gabler changed my thoughts about Trump and Rauner
Rauner is an anarchist
Alternet.org/right-wing/age-trumpian-chaos
- anon2 - Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 1:10 pm:
=== Springfield makes no attempt to cure its drunken spending ===
Compared to the other 49 states, the State of Illinois is low-spending, either as a percentage of GDP or per capita.
- anon2 - Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 1:15 pm:
=== Why the sudden aversion to a temporary income tax increase Dems needed to pass last time? ===
Maybe because they learned what a steep fiscal cliff was created when most of the temporary tax expired. Would the state be in better or worse fiscal shape if the Quinn tax hike had been permanent?
- blue dog dem - Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 1:15 pm:
OW. Rauners taxing the working poor and middle class is the status quo. Rauner has taken a horrible situation and made it worse. Rauner continues to spend to much money. Rauner makes promises this state can’t afford. It does appear most posters are clamoring for more revenue, and don’t care where it comes from. I refuse to accept that premise. If we can’t get a progressive income tax, then I want nothing to do with the so called solution. I am never going to support the do-the-doable when I know it is the wrong thing to do.lol.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 1:25 pm:
SOIL M. There a commercial i would watch. Maybe over-dub an old Walt and the Beaver dialog.
- Demoralized - Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 1:38 pm:
==It does seem like most posters want to keep the status quo==
Oh for crying out loud grow up. I get so tired of this “if you’re against X you must be fore the status quo.” Bull.
As for your continued bellyaching about taxes, I get it. Nobody wants their taxes to go up. But guess what? They are going up. The argument is by how much. You can’t cut your way out of this. You can’t tax your way out of it. That leaves a combination of both. Accept it.
- Demoralized - Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 1:40 pm:
== If we can’t get a progressive income tax,==
You can’t get that in time to fix the situation now. I agree it should be a goal but you can’t wait for that because it will be too late.
==I am never going to support the do-the-doable==
And that right there is why we are in the situation we are in. People refusing to accept reality.
- Demoralized - Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 1:43 pm:
==There is a my way or the highway running through this state and it’s name is Madigan.==
LOL!! You’re partly right. The other person engaging in that behavior is the Governor. Just once I’d love for you to be honest.
Are you even capable of acknowledging the FACT that the Governor killed the Grand Bargain?
==No cars get on without kissing his ring==
Oh please. Give me a break.
- Honeybear - Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 1:44 pm:
As Blue Dog Dem and I both agree there is a lot of revenue left on the table in the form of EDGE tax incentives.
49,000,000 for 35 employees for the next two years
For a car company that’s never actually made a single car
You don’t think women’s domestic violence shelters could have used that money?
Rauner isn’t a business man
He’s the Joker
- JS Mill - Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 1:46 pm:
=It does seem like most posters want to keep the status quo.=
What a ridiculous statement. I have yet to read a post that states:
1. Not paying bills while requiring contracted services is either good, moral, or ethical.
2. destroying services to our most vulnerable is good.
3. failing to fund higher ed and k-12 ed is good.
4. Screwing the hard working employees of the state is good.
5. lying is good
or any of the other items in the list of the status quo since Rauner took office. Because that IS the status quo.
Get a dictionary and learn the meaning of words. By any definition the current status quo is far, far worse than two years ago, Crain’s even agrees.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 1:54 pm:
===It does appear most posters are clamoring for more revenue, and don’t care where it comes from.===
Ugh. You need to learn math. You also need to seriously learn to read…
Revenue isn’t a want. Revenue is 100% required. There is ZERO way cutting a budget will get revenues to equal expenditures here, given any real budget we are discussing here, Rauner’s proposed as the starting point.
You are unable to comprehend the math of that, or purposely disingenuous to commenters here that can read and can do math.
Cuts, they’re a-coming. Revenue? Revenue will be required. Finding enough at a $4-7 billion dollar clip? Revenues will be raised to meet that, if we’re all the but honest.
===If we can’t get a progressive income tax, then I want nothing to do with the so called solution. I am never going to support the do-the-doable when I know it is the wrong thing to do.lol===
Then you argue like a child and this might all be too adult for you.
- Flynn's mom - Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 2:04 pm:
I can’t believe with all his superstars that Illinois has even one single problem to address. Weren’t they going to make Illinois a utopia?
- RNUG - Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 3:11 pm:
I believe I’ve proposed multiple times a flat income tax income tax increase that includes a sunset provision IF/WHEN a progressive income tax is passed, coupled with a progressive income tax constitutional amendment for the 2018 election.
That is a simple triage approach; patch what you can today until you can get a real fix in place.
- Rod - Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 3:29 pm:
Willy: Deft wing has a legitimate point about Senator Manar.
First off the Senator just formally announced he wasn’t going to throw his hat in the ring for Governor, which was smart I think.
Second Senator Manar is now chief sponsor of SB 1 as amended on education finance reform that even its proponents admit will cost the state an additional $3.5 billion a year to fund anywhere near what the bill sees as needed to educate children in our state “adequately.” But he has only the magic of the grand compromise to generate revenue to fund that total.
Senator Manar would not dare to tell the good people of Macoupin County that to raise that kind of money income taxes could have to be raised considerably. Ralph Martire says a .5% rate increase would do it. If he was honest like Martire to his constituents and told them what education equity would cost they might have many second thoughts about voting for him. So Deft Wing has a point about the Senator at least as it relates to the budgetary impact of the education funding model he is now proposing and how our broke State would pay for it.
- Arsenal - Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 3:37 pm:
==It does seem like most posters want to keep the status quo.==
No, most of us want to get rid of the Incumbent Governor.
- Arsenal - Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 3:39 pm:
(Seriously: Rauner has been Governor for two years, and by and large, he’s doing all the things previous Governors did- unbalanced budgets, feuds with Madigan, plum jobs for cronies. Rauner *is* the status quo.)
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 3:42 pm:
===First off the Senator just formally announced he wasn’t going to throw his hat in the ring for Governor, which was smart I think===
What?! How is that pertinent to… anything? lol
===cond Senator Manar is now chief sponsor of SB 1 as amended on education finance reform that even its proponents admit will cost the state an additional $3.5 billion a year to fund anywhere near what the bill sees as needed to educate children in our state “adequately.” But he has only the magic of the grand compromise to generate revenue to fund that total===
… which Rauner, personally blew up… So…
===So Deft Wing has a point about the Senator at least as it relates to the budgetary impact of the education funding model he is now proposing and how our broke State would pay for it.===
“Deft Wing”?…
===But what’s Andy’s history? Has he EVER voted on a truly balanced budget (hint: rhymes with “Doh”)? Has Andy ever proposed a truly balanced budget as a legislator of Chief of Staff (hint: see hint No. 1)?
And more importantly, does Rauner’s intransigence excuse Sen. Manar and the General Assembly from doing their job and passing a truly balanced budget? #SameAnswer #DoYourJob2Andy===
Are you psychic?
You answered nothing - Deft Wing - addressed
(Face Palm)
- Rod - Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 4:00 pm:
Willy as usual you are an attack dog. Since Manar has been elected he hasn’t voted for a budget that is structurally balanced without numerous gimmicks and there are some Republicans who also have voted for unbalanced budgets in the past too. But Manar is the education Senator and his current SB 1 is absurdly expensive and is impossible without a significant tax increase over the ten years of its implementation. This reality he purposely hides as do many politicians when they have bad news for the public. The grand bargain does not raise that kind of revenue even if Rauner agreed with it.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 4:07 pm:
===The grand bargain does not raise that kind of revenue even if Rauner agreed with it.===
The Grand Bargain, blown up by Rauner, had yet to agree to the full Revenue numbers. It was the debate at 4.99% as the increase, (less cuts) that Rauner wants the blowup to be “more” about, and “less” about Rauner getting more Agenda wins.
Your point, again, didn’t address the - Deft Wing - issues, you hijacked what you WANT - Deft Wing -’s remarks to address and then try to insert that with a disagreement with my comment.
I can read.
- Lucky Pierre - Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 4:12 pm:
Of course the Democrats are for bigger government and the higher taxes required to fund lavish pensions, cadillac health insurance, expanding bureaucracy.
The democrats resist pension reform which is the biggest driver of our huge deficits going forward.
They pretend to be for a millionaires tax but do nothing to actually move legislation or a change in the constitution.
They are more than happy to just stir up class warfare, not solve problems
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 4:20 pm:
===Of course the Democrats are for bigger government and the higher taxes required to fund lavish pensions, cadillac health insurance, expanding bureaucracy.===
Ugh.
Revenue is required now due in large part to Rauner cheering and thanking the GA for letting the tax increase expire, and Rauner ringing up $12+ billion in backlog bills.
It’s been two years, the bills are piling up, Rauner refuses to get a budget to pay them, and revenue is going to be required to help pay back bills because of Bruce Rauner taking hostage… a budget.
You know this.
- Lucky Pierre - Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 4:36 pm:
You also know that there has been no real compromise that will be required to pass a budget.
Democrats give an inch ( two year property tax freeze) and take a mile ( permanent income tax increase)
They then feign outrage that their “Grand Compromise” blew up.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 4:42 pm:
===You also know that there has been no real compromise that will be required to pass a budget.===
Rauner blew up the Senate Grand Compromise… to that…
===They then feign outrage that their “Grand Compromise blew up===
… so you include Leader Radogno in that too?
This is the second time you are being reminded Rauner blew up the Grand Bargain.
- blue dog dem - Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 4:43 pm:
OW. You argue like a status quo politician.
RNUG. My problem with temporary fixes, lies in my distrust and experience with our elected officials. They will not tackle the progressive income tax issue if they raise the general income tax rate. Dems and Repubs are afraid of the big money donors. So, I stand by refusal to stick it to the little guy.
- Mama - Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 4:44 pm:
The only plans Rauner has:
1. destroy Illinois unions;
2. privatize most state jobs;
3. make money for Wall Street group via moving state & teachers’ pensions into 401K.
4. get rid of all Democratic Officials. Plus any Republicans whom work with the Dems to come up with a budget which can pass both houses.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 4:58 pm:
- blue dog dem -
Argue like an adult. Saying doing to doable isn’t your “thing” means you are clueless to governing… at all.
- @misterjayem - Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 5:44 pm:
Reminder: When your argument is premised on changing the Illinois constitution or is in violation of recent Illinois Supreme Court rulings, you are wasting everyone’s time including your own.
– MrJM
- blue dog dem - Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 5:45 pm:
OW. Reading is fundamental. There will be no budget til after the 2018. Plenty of time for MJM to rally the troops for a constitutional change for a progressive income tax. MJM, Rauner and status quo posters like yourself don’t really want that. By the way, reading and comprehension don’t necessarily go hand and hand.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 5:49 pm:
===There will be no budget til after the 2018.===
According to whom? That’s not 100% certain.
===Plenty of time for MJM to rally the troops for a constitutional change for a progressive income tax. MJM, Rauner and status quo posters like yourself don’t really want that===
I’ve not ONCE weighed in on the progressive income tax.
I’ve ONLY said… it’s unconstitutional.
Speak to truthful things.
===By the way, reading and comprehension don’t necessarily go hand and hand.===
… and you…prove that daily.
- MisterJayEm -,
Good comment. Thank you. OW
- Rabid - Wednesday, Apr 5, 17 @ 5:39 am:
This isn’t rocket science, it’s common sense. We don’t need no poindexters just popular opinion