Is this merely a contingency plan?
Tuesday, May 9, 2017 - Posted by Rich Miller
* This is one way of looking at the uptick in activity the past several days…
The end-of-spring-session jockeying to avoid blame for the lack of a budget began in earnest Monday, but the efforts resembled summer rerun season.
The Senate resurrected an attempt at a grand bargain that eluded the chamber earlier this year. Talks are revolving around an income tax increase coupled with spending cuts in an effort to bring the state out of the red. Both parties also are working to see if they can reach an agreement on several changes that Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner has made a condition of a larger deal, such as a property tax freeze and overhaul of the workers’ compensation system to cut costs for businesses after an employee is hurt on the job.
Over in the House, Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan announced he would appoint some of his top lieutenants to work with Rauner “to identify areas of his agenda where compromise can be reached.” […]
If nothing ends up getting accomplished, the two approaches afford a small measure of political cover. The Senate can say it tried to work out a budget deal, and Madigan can say he attempted once again to negotiate with Rauner. Last year, lawmakers and the governor went into overtime, agreeing on a stopgap spending plan at the end of June, just before the start of the state’s budget year. […]
“I am trying to stay hopeful, but we have been down this path before,” said Sen. Heather Steans, D-Chicago.
* But the Trib’s analysis ignores that plenty of folks are negotiating in good faith…
[Sen. Toi Hutchinson] noted talk of the expansion of taxes on services is still ongoing, which she called one of the most difficult parts.
“Illinois is not accustomed to taxing services, so politically speaking that’s a very, very heavy lift,” Hutchinson said. “So far I’ve been taken all the hits but that’s par for the course because whatever ends up happening they’re going to be a part of the negotiated package. … Not that we hope to raise taxes or like to do that.”
Still, she called talks “fluid” and urged senators to keep plugging along.
“This is a really fluid situation but it requires people to not pull the plug on it,” Hutchinson said. “You have to stay in it until it’s done.”
Sen. Hutchinson is carrying the Senate’s revenue bill. Several items in that bill were requested by Republicans, some of whom probably won’t even vote for it. Indeed, Sen. Bill Brady’s own legislation relies on the passage of Hutchinson’s revenue bill. He isn’t sponsoring a tax hike proposal himself.
But Hutchinson soldiers on, even though half her Senate district flipped to the Republicans last year and the other half is represented by a former GOP mayor and the Home Builders Association is successfully ginning up commentary against that service tax.
- Annonin' - Tuesday, May 9, 17 @ 10:27 am:
“But the Trib’s analysis ignores that plenty of folks are negotiating in good faith…”
Huh? Better get the concussion evaluators over to the Capt Fax Lakefront World HQ pronto.
One side issues mailing declarin’ “balanced budget with no tax hike”, another sends out ‘NoTaxBill” out to be lead negotiator and and a third thinks sellin’ a buildin’ no questions asked gets the job done.
- walker - Tuesday, May 9, 17 @ 10:29 am:
Some are trying to resolve tough issues. Others give good lip service, but are just waiting to politically attack any tough solutions.
- Linus - Tuesday, May 9, 17 @ 10:32 am:
Toi’s a worker, not a grandstander.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, May 9, 17 @ 10:39 am:
===Better get the concussion evaluators over to===
lol
I didn’t say everyone was. I said plenty were.
- Wow - Tuesday, May 9, 17 @ 10:54 am:
The Rauner income tax hike, the Rauner sales tax hike, sounds perfect to me..
- Wow - Tuesday, May 9, 17 @ 10:59 am:
Let me correct that last post: the RAUNER/BRADY tax hikes.. i
- Earnest - Tuesday, May 9, 17 @ 11:11 am:
>But Hutchinson soldiers on, even though….
Good on her. Leadership is what we need and should expect from our elected officials, and it has been a rare thing indeed.
- Archiesmom - Tuesday, May 9, 17 @ 11:13 am:
Toi has been working the revenue side of this for almost two years, and has put tremendous time and effort into trying to squeeze blood from stones. And all she gets is blowback. The money has to come from somewhere, and until the governor and the GA coughs up a reasonable tax system and rate, her job will remain one of the hardest and most unappreciated in Springfield. And she will not be running unopposed next time.
- Chicagonk - Tuesday, May 9, 17 @ 11:33 am:
@Wow - Can we at least try not to stoop to the level of politicians always looking for a political win?
- me - Tuesday, May 9, 17 @ 12:18 pm:
Toi is one brave soul. I know for a fact the GOP are salivating at taking her out. She raises taxes on everyday citizens yet she proposed a bill to eliminate the tax on condoms. The mail and TV write itself. Plus, I am told she has no real ground forces.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, May 9, 17 @ 12:32 pm:
===She raises taxes on everyday citizens yet she proposed a bill to eliminate the tax on condoms===
I didn’t know condoms were only for the rich.
- wordslinger - Tuesday, May 9, 17 @ 4:21 pm:
–Sen. Hutchinson is carrying the Senate’s revenue bill. Several items in that bill were requested by Republicans, some of whom probably won’t even vote for it. –
That sort of weaselly cowardice doesn’t inspire a lot of confidence.