* As I told subscribers early this morning, Senate President Cullerton is pushing for a grand bargain vote today as early as noon. But efforts were underway to either prevent this vote from happening or to push the two sides closer together. So, stay tuned…
Meanwhile, senators worked behind the scenes Tuesday to try to find an agreement on a sweeping budget package that could be called for a vote this week. Efforts have focused on incorporating ideas backed by Republicans after the GOP dropped support for the legislation amid concerns from Rauner’s office that it was asking too much from taxpayers. […]
But one top Senate Democrat noted “significant barriers” remain, saying Rauner is pushing a property tax freeze that is “politically popular” but “bad policy” because it would harm local governments and schools that rely on the money the levies generate.
“We’re just not prepared to make those sorts of trades to do what we should all be doing, which is passing a budget,” said Sen. Don Harmon, D-Oak Park.
While Republican leader Radogno said good-faith negotiations were continuing, they tried to slow a push for a vote this week, saying more time was needed to hammer out an agreement.
* Radogno’s office released these statements late yesterday afternoon…
Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno:
“Our talks are continuing. There are sincere good faith negotiations underway in the Senate on FY18 budget specifics and reforms critical to Illinois’ economy. Time is of the essence, but the devil is always in the details and the minutiae of complicated proposals. We are working through those now in an effort to advance the legislation as soon as possible.”
Deputy Senate Republican Leader Bill Brady:
“We’ve had serious daily conversations – many times several meetings a day. But our work is not complete. Given time, I think we can get there.”
Assistant Senate Republican Leader Chapin Rose:
“These are not easy discussions. But they are necessary in order to present a balanced budget to the Senate for consideration. We need to keep working. We should not proceed until we have an agreement.”
* But…
“We’ve been hearing ‘one more day, one more thing, one more week’ since January. And at some point we need to do it or not do it,” [Sen. Harmon] said.
I don’t disagree with Harmon. The only question I have is “Is today the ’some point’ when something absolutely has to get done?”
- Anonymous - Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 8:56 am:
If they do property tax freezes for locals, hopefully they will only apply to counties there the tax burden is above the state average. To do otherwise would be to penalize those who have acted responsibly in trying to keep their taxes low.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 9:03 am:
My take is this…
If the goal for Rauner is the…
“…wait out Cullerton, and he’ll cave, the Dems will cave and if we just wait, the pressure I’m causing by destroying social services and higher ed will be too much, so sweat Cullerton out”…
Then vote it up or down.
It’s the artificial stress that Rauner loves (crisis creates leverage?) then force the hand, enough is enough. I’m tired of artificial “we’re close” phoniness that masquerades as negotiating, but it’s just Rauner being Rauner.
If Brady and Radogno can actually, honestly, purposely show daylight that can BE a compromised package in the end, then I’m all about waiting a few days, was those deals within the deal and get the whips to get the 30 in the Chamber.
If it’s actually seen where real gaps can be closed with honest compromise, then work thru where both sides see the ways to tighten the deal.
Where this ALL stands, for me, within those two prisms, that’s where I fall.
They all know which of those two options is honestly real, and which is impossibly false. There is no gray anymore…
I trust Cullerton and Radogno.
I 1,000% do not trust Rauner to make that distinction. Rauner, if anything sees voting as awful and a deal equally as awful. That’s why Rauner purposely fails. It’s easier to destroy Illinois.
The vote/deal/negotiations are in the hands of those willing to be leaders. I hope of the two choices I have, the end is a deal and a budget. Choose wisely.
- Saluki - Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 9:04 am:
Vote on it. Today. Vote on literally anything. Send something to the Governor for action.
- Saluki - Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 9:05 am:
*to the house for action.
- Thoughts Matter - Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 9:10 am:
The ’some point’ was almost two years ago. Every day since then social service agencies, vendors, and most importantly- people - have suffered due to the lack of a budget. Yesterday, in this blog, we discussed the total amount owed by the state.
The sooner the better. Do your job. Do it today.
- JTF - Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 9:14 am:
The some point for Rauner and the repubs he controls will be when Dems lose their majorities. If the entire state infrastructure, including education and social provider networks, are shut down at that point, they can live with that. Don’t forget, they are building a better world in the long term…from the rubble if needed.
- cdog - Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 9:15 am:
Whack property taxes folks.
49 States in our Republic have figured out how to get by with less property tax money.
I think Illinois can handle this and make the appropriate fiscal adjustments.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 9:16 am:
===Vote on it. Today. Vote on literally anything. Send something to the Governor for action.===
The SDems don’t have the votes to pass a lot of this stuff on their own (pension reform, just to name one). And it wouldn’t be going to the governor, it would be going to the House.
- Grandson of Man - Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 9:19 am:
I wish the legislators success so we can begin ending this nightmare very soon.
- cdog - Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 9:20 am:
We are supposed to believe that Rauner is concerned about asking too much from taxpayers?
That might have been believable two years ago. Now? No. It wreaks of barnyard products.
- Louis G Atsaves - Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 9:21 am:
Heard the Madigan interview late nite on WGN Radio last night. He did not sound like a man willing to cut any deals or support a Senate Grand Bargain.
Expect two more years with no budget and no reform.
- JS Mill - Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 9:21 am:
= To do otherwise would be to penalize those who have acted responsibly in trying to keep their taxes low.=
Keeping property taxes low is not necessarily acting responsibly.
Providing good value for the tax dollar is acting responsibly.
Purposefully keeping the tax rate low to get more state money is irresponsible. Not providing quality services, whether it be education, fire protection, or police protection is irresponsible.
- Oh Boy - Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 9:22 am:
“In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.” Teddy Roosevelt
- Ole' Nelson - Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 9:23 am:
I trust that Cullerton wants a deal. It is what he does. Senate Republicans are largely just the ventriloquist puppets for the puppet master in the governor’s office.
- JS Mill - Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 9:24 am:
=Heard the Madigan interview late nite on WGN Radio last night. He did not sound like a man willing to cut any deals or support a Senate Grand Bargain.
Expect two more years with no budget and no reform.=
Louis- with respect, you cannot lay this on one person. Rauner was willing (allegedly) to go to 4.99 with the income tax, now (allegedly) he will only go to 4.95.
Sounds to me like he does not want a deal either.
And, I don’t disagree with you MJM comment, but he ain’t alone.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 9:27 am:
===Heard the Madigan interview late nite on WGN Radio last night. He did not sound like a man willing to cut any deals or support a Senate Grand Bargain.===
Then - Louis G Atsaves -, it’s a good thing this deal is in the Senate right now, Counselor.
I’d think you’d want to put Madigan in the hot seat with Cullerton and Rauner sending something Madigan would blow up. I wonder why your thinking is t like that, but exactly… to almost the letter… like - Lucky Pierre -. Wonder why that is…
===Expect two more years with no budget and no reform.===
That’s right, Rauner already blew up the first Grand Bargain, and you and - Lucky Pierre - fear Rauner blowing things up again, so… blame Madigan… for a deal in the Senate… where Rauner has pulled votes of a deal before.
“… no reform.”
Oh Counselor, it’s cute how you just sneak the poison in the well when Rauner decides poison is needed.
- Get a Job!! - Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 9:32 am:
The “give it 1 more day, 1 more week” argument sure seems like nonsense. If the Governor is willing to move more, then move now, not Friday or next Tuesday. Move now. This impasse costing tax payers like $15m per day, isn’t it? This “1 more day, 1 more week” bologna is costing us tens of millions of dollars. If you’re willing to move more tomorrow, then you should be willing to move more today. And that’s why I suspect “tomorrow” or “next week” will never come. Delay & destruction IS the agenda, not PP taxes, Term limits or WC insurance……..destruction and chaos is the agenda, folks.
I say have a vote on the whole package. When the GOP all gives it the thumbs down it’ll be obvious who is behind it. If that happens, Cullerton should call a press conference & again explain the Governor refuses to seriously negotiate and refuses to accept that he’s the Governor of a state that leans left. He needs to properly explain that the “conservative” Rauner’s refusal to make a deal is costing the state tens of millions EVERY week. It’s time to take the gloves off….this is too important.
- 47th Ward - Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 9:34 am:
It’s been months and months of negotiations, and Rauner is still not satisfied? I suspect he will never be happy with anything less than full capitulation.
But Cullerton should instead call the Lifeline budget for a vote today if the SGOPs plead for more time on GB2. That has the advantage of broader support within the Dem caucus. They should tweak it to their liking and send it back to the House. Maybe Madigan will let it go to the Governor without changes or delay and put the pressure where it belongs.
- Grand Avenue - Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 9:38 am:
4.97?
- Texas Red - Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 9:39 am:
GB2 will never get done - Harmon finally stated what we all suspected…”saying Rauner is pushing a property tax freeze that is “politically popular” but “bad policy” because it would harm local governments and schools that rely on the money the levies generate.
- Lucky Pierre - Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 9:39 am:
The Grand Bargain is not blown up.
Last time I checked, both Rauner and Madigan will have their say as our constitution requires
Rauner has been supportive of the negotiations, Madigan has not.
Of course you blame Rauner for trying to improve the bargain but don’t criticize Madigan who does not support the concept.
- City Zen - Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 9:41 am:
==49 States in our Republic have figured out how to get by with less property tax money.==
And 7 states with no states income taxes have lower property taxes and none of them have huge pension liabilities like we do.
We’ve been sold a bill of goods that property taxes are high because the state income tax is low. Now there’s a ask to freeze (not lower) property taxes, and suddenly everyone is handcuffed.
The concept of overall tax burden is lost on Harmon and quite a few others.
- DeseDemDose - Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 9:41 am:
The governor will sink any deal proposed to him and use any talk of tax hikes by the Democrats as a negative in his Barbie dress up day campaign commercials.
- Skeptic - Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 9:42 am:
“4.97?” Or maybe throw in a player to be named later, or a late-round draft choice for next year?
- Jocko - Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 9:43 am:
I fully expect Christine to be waiting at the altar (again!)…with Bruce glaring at GOP senators in the back pew.
- Get it Solved - Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 9:44 am:
I’m optimistic a deal can get done, but the delay game is getting old.
The likely scenario is IL will continue with the budget impasse disaster and the my way or the highway negotiations. Both chambers will likely pass an unbalanced budget by May 31 and wait for Rauner to veto it. Everyone will get their Press Release and talking points out as the real disaster continues to impact each district.
Leaders or appointed members will meet this summer or wait for the next emergency funding situation to occur, K-12. Our sorry state.
- Annonin' - Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 9:45 am:
Talked with Senator in the scrum….reported dealing with NoTaxBill was a hoot and a total C*F*
The Madigan interview offer clear outline of item that can be addressed to make DopeyDuct “happy” DopeyDuct just wants some take hike roll calls so the ads can start
- City Zen - Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 9:46 am:
==Louis- with respect, you cannot lay this on one person. Rauner was willing (allegedly) to go to 4.99 with the income tax, now (allegedly) he will only go to 4.95.==
I’d rather pay 5% and not be insulted with pandering precision.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 9:54 am:
===The Grand Bargain is not blown up.===
Rauner, personally, blew up the First Grand Bargain.
Rich Miller himself, explained in detail the timeline. I can bring that back for you.
===Rauner has been supportive of the negotiations, Madigan has not.===
Then why…
1) Did Raunerblow up the first Grand Bargain?
2) Why not pass it out of the Senate to put Madigan in the box?
Same drivel by you.
===Of course you blame Rauner for trying to improve the bargain…===
History has shown, it’s not improving, it’s getting to the point to blow it up. That’s the move. I trust Radogno more than I’d trust Rauner. Ask Radogno why I may think that way.
===…but don’t criticize Madigan who does not support the concept.===
Ask me that question when it gets to the House.
Why aren’t you pushing for this to get to the House?
- Free Set of Steak Knives - Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 10:04 am:
Republicans are not asking for one more day, Rich.
If they were asking for one more day or even one more week, I would give it to them.
What they are asking for is “however long it will take.”
And every day the GOP delays, they dig is $11 million deeper in the hole.
So, I say if Bruce Rauner wants one more day, fine. Let him commit to writing an $11 million person check to GRF, and let’s take the vote tomorrow. If he needs a week, let’s give him the five business day rate of $55 million.
Otherwise, that $11 million is coming out of our classrooms, our domestic violence shelters, DCFS, and autism care.
- Louis G Atsaves - Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 10:04 am:
@oswegowilly, I have negotiated a lot of tough cases with some real difficult parties in my time. What I heard last night sounds like the 1,000 year war of attrition will not end with a budget.
Putting aside his robotic budget comments last night, I would like him to give more interviews. He gave some very intelligent answers to some intelligent questions.
Go give it a listen.
I find the four legislative leaders and our Governor to be extremely intelligent individuals in contradiction to their caricatures here and elsewhere.
Their disagreements when real are one matter. When those disagreements are manufactured that is a problem.
- Arsenal - Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 10:05 am:
==Of course you blame Rauner for trying to improve the bargain==
You have already been dunked on with this nonsense, and it’ll keep happening until you stop peddling it: Rauner did not “try to improve” the Grand Bargain because he didn’t actually suggest the changes that would get him to “Yes”. He pulled votes off of it with little explanation.
- Lucky Pierre - Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 10:05 am:
Why is the Governor not allowed to weigh in?
Do you understand he will have to sign the deal?
As usual you only criticize the Governor and but not the Speaker who has been far more hostile to compromise, not even engaging with Leader Durkin.
The Speaker continues to contradict himself, saying there is room to improve workers comp and then rejecting any reforms in the WGN interview. The Speaker pretends to support the middle class, but his policies reduce their standard of living through higher taxation.
Don’t you think it is better to fix the GB earlier rather than later, especially since time is short in the regular session?
if past is prologue, you will see whatever the GA comes up with hit the Senate and Governor’s desk late in the day last day of session.
Hardly the way to run a railroad.
- Mokenavince - Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 10:07 am:
The pyramids would still be in the planning stage if left to Illinois legislators. The BS never stops.
- Lucky Pierre - Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 10:08 am:
Complete nonsense Arsenal.
Permanent income tax increase in exchange for two year property tax freeze.
That is like trading Lou Brock for Ernie Broglio.
the deal would pass if there was symmetry.
- @misterjayem - Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 10:22 am:
Rauner ‘tried to improve the bargain’ in much the same way as he ‘tried to improve’ his chain of nursing homes.
– MrJM
- NeverPoliticallyCorrect - Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 10:32 am:
Not that anyone cares but this is not really difficult. Since we have divided government, Dems control the legislature and Repubs control the Executive office they have to compromise or control. If Madigan and Cullerton can’t override a veto then they have to negotiate. What is so difficult about this concept? Nothing except that Madigan doesn’t want to negotiate. Even in his interview he gives no sign of wanting to negotiate. Folks, this is the future of America lurching from one extreme position to another. The only question is how long it takes to make the flip. Illinois will flip someday but God help us in the meantime.
- anon2 - Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 10:50 am:
=== Now there’s a ask to freeze (not lower) property taxes ===
If the tax bill is actually frozen, then the revenues would be reduced in value by infation each year, constituting a significant reduction over half a decade.
- JS Mill - Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 10:51 am:
=Of course you blame Rauner for trying to improve the bargain but don’t criticize Madigan who does not support the concept. =
Facts do not support your false flag assertion.
Who (says the owl) pulled GOP votes off of GB1?
Madigan- hasn’t had a chance to act on a GB, since it has not reached the House. I suspect he wants nothing, but a bi-partisan agreement, supported by the governor would “out” MJM if he tried to block it. And I am not so sure that the House democrats would let MJM block a bi-partisan deal.
=We’ve been sold a bill of goods that property taxes are high because the state income tax is low. Now there’s a ask to freeze (not lower) property taxes, and suddenly everyone is handcuffed.=
I don’t think property taxes are high because of a low state income tax. The link isn’t that direct. It is a failure by the state to fund local government as the statutes require.
Certainly the state does not have the funds in part due to income tax but that revenue could come from other sources.
I do think you properly identified that property taxes won’t necessarily go down, just stay about the same.
For schools- our only reliable revenue has come from local property taxes. (And that may not be true for everyone). The state and federal government have been wildly unreliable, that is where the handcuffing comes in.
To really get a reduction one would have to eliminate PTELL and force the state to meets it’s statutory funding requirement.
PTELL districts will only reduce tax rates if they know that, they could bring them back if needed. Right now they cannot. That also requires a vigilant community and a responsible Board of Education.
- Demoralized - Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 10:53 am:
==As usual you only criticize the Governor ==
LOL. Says the person who has not once called out the Governor. You spend your days and nights playing the victim and blaming big old mean Mike Madigan for everything (and he deserves a lot of the blame) but continue to come on here and attempt to argue with a straight face that the Governor is the victim in all this and has absolutely no responsibility for anything that has happened. Here is a simple question. Try and answer without deflecting and going on your usual “yeah, but Madigan” diatribe. Does the Governor share any of the blame. Yes or no?
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 10:58 am:
- Louis G Atsaves -
Counselor,
You keep ignoring the question;
Why not pass it out of the Senste and force Madigan’s hand.
The rest of your “spinnin’ a yarn” and folksy “sounds like” baloney completely ignores what’s at play.
Pass it out of the Senate, force Madigan’s hand.
The absolute reason you and - Lucky Pierre - don’t have that in your Raunerite Daily Talking Points? Rauner is planning to blow this all up again, but needs Madigan to take the blame for a Senate thing?
You’re better than this Counselor, - Lucky Pierre - isn’t.
I’m disappointed.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 11:04 am:
===As usual you only criticize the Governor and but not the Speaker who has been far more hostile to compromise, not even engaging with Leader Durkin.===
What do you call blowing up the Grand Bargain and undercutting Leader Radogno… coddling? lol
===The Speaker continues to contradict himself, saying there is room to improve workers comp and then rejecting any reforms in the WGN interview. The Speaker pretends to support the middle class, but his policies reduce their standard of living through higher taxation.===
You and - Louis G Atsaves -, same Raunrite Talking Points… Not an accident.
Get it passed in the Senate, why won’t you and the Counselor see that as the path? Cause Rauner plans on blowing it up?
===Don’t you think it is better to fix the GB earlier rather than later, especially since time is short in the regular session?===
Rauner blew it up, it wasn’t an attempt to fix it. Can’t rewrite what everyone knows is true. Good try.
===if past is prologue, you will see whatever the GA comes up with hit the Senate and Governor’s desk late in the day last day of session.
Hardly the way to run a railroad.===
The only way this makes sense in thought is if you see Rauner blowing this all up in the end.
Very telling.
BTW, you and - Louis G Atsaves -, ya both need to take turns on points. Having the “same” shill pints ignoring the Senate passage is disingenuous and now with both y’all pushing Madigan, a seen plan.
Do better, lol
- Arsenal - Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 11:08 am:
Lucky Pierre, I note with a chuckle that you’re not actually able to cite anything that refutes my point. “Complete nonsense”, indeed.
- Arsenal - Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 11:09 am:
==Why is the Governor not allowed to weigh in?==
He is! And when his “weighing in” consists of pulling votes off the deal, we’re allowed to point out that he’s the one scuttling the budget.
- City Zen - Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 11:15 am:
@JS Mill - That’s why a think a property tax freeze is a small ask in exchange for an income tax hike, especially considering low inflation. I understand suburban school districts might balk because their residents will be paying more income taxes but their schools won’t be recipients of increased funding from the state. But freeze the property taxes and let the school boards negotiate contracts based on that frozen funding. The world will not end.
At some point, property taxes have to be addressed. Overall tax burden is the key.
- Lucky Pierre - Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 11:27 am:
from just yesterday Demoralized to refute your point.
Talk about being a victim, you guys can’t stand hearing a dissenting view that is shared by about 1/2 of the state.
Missing the point that the process is leader driven.
Do you think the mushrooms can rise up and somehow get bills out of the rules committee without the Speaker’s approval?
Yes Rauner has so far failed to reach an agreement with Madigan and Cullerton.
Do hear him or anyone else saying he has succeeded reforming Illinois or passing a budget?
He has been in a little over two years, Quinn and Blagoevich were each there 6. Rauner has some time left in his term.
The Speaker and Senate President have been there since the 1970’s
Please fill us in on all the wins each has accomplished.
I see an empty trophy case for all, but not a lot of humility.
- Nick Name - Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 11:39 am:
“49 States in our Republic have figured out how to get by with less property tax money.”
49 other states most likely adequately fund schools, etc., via higher income taxes, not property taxes, like Illinois does.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 11:40 am:
===Do you think the mushrooms can rise up and somehow get bills out of the rules committee without the Speaker’s approval?===
… and yet 30 put their signatures to a letter. Try again.
===…Yes Rauner has so far failed…===
By nearly EVERY measure.
- Lucky Pierre -
You commented this very same comment… yesterday… when faced with the question you won’t answer;
Why won’t Rauner get something passed to the Senate to force Madigan?
The reason is Rauner is more inclined to blow up “Part 2″, exactly like “Part 1″
You won’t answer because in your talking points… it’s Blame Madigan
It’s in the Senate. Get it to the House, then your ridiculousness has some sort of… relevancy.
You said it, Bruce Rauner fails. There’s no doubt about that
- Robert the Bruce - Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 11:42 am:
While I’m frustrated with the republicans’ delay, I don’t get why Cullerton would insist on a vote today if Radogno isn’t ready yet.
Keep working together, please.
- Arsenal - Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 11:45 am:
==Do hear him or anyone else saying he has succeeded reforming Illinois or passing a budget?==
He literally gave himself an “A” last week.
- Louis G. Atsaves - Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 11:47 am:
===”You keep ignoring the question; Why not pass it out of the Senste and force Madigan’s hand.”===
Heard the answer on the Speaker’s interview on WGN radio last night.
Again, go give it a listen. And pay attention!
Ultimately, everyone is going to have to cooperate. Even the leader who constantly claims that he is “cooperating.”
- Lucky Pierre - Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 11:52 am:
He gave himself an A on things he can control.
he said this very clearly, why do you omit that caveat? An attempt to deceive? Obviously he does not control the Speaker and cannott pass a budget without compromise.
The Speaker thinks he controls the State even though he does not have veto proof majorities and will not compromise
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 11:56 am:
Oh - Louis G Atsaves -… LOL!
Unless it gets TO Madigan, your Lawyer Dodge is quite pathetic.
The only way you’d be against sending it to the House is if you and - Lucky Pierre - are instructed to…
“… say Madigan was against it, so (Rauner) blowing it up wouldn’t have mattered”
You won’t answer the question, Counselor, because it would mean Rauner wants a deal. Rauner doesn’t. Undercut the Senate, blame Madigan.
I saw this movie just a few weeks ago, lol.
You’re better than this - Louis G Atsaves -
If Rauner wanted to force Madigan in the dream triangulation, he’d send the bargain to the House.
It’s telling Rauner won’t, it’s also telling you won’t say it.
- the Cardinal - Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 12:49 pm:
Raise income tax to 5%, sprinkle in some other creative funding policies, Freeze prop taxes (3) years, Implement some WC reforms, restructure education funding. Pay some bills. Nothing new to see here folks kindly Move along. Spin the spin afterwards. Just get something done no body wins if status quo is maintained.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 12:59 pm:
===Obviously he does not control the Speaker and cannott pass a budget without compromise.===
… but Rauner hasn’t chosen the compromise angle, but chose the hostage and obstruction way to try to get others to do as Rauner wants.
If you like, I can go thru the hostage quotes, I, also, can cite Ken Dunkin and veto override obstruction, but you know these.
===The Speaker thinks he controls the State even though he does not have veto proof majorities and will not compromise===
Really? Rauner proved your ignorance with Ken Dunkin, so what are you babbling about here, this isn’t a real argument to… anything but “Because Madigan”
- Demoralized - Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 1:02 pm:
==you guys can’t stand hearing a dissenting view that is shared by about 1/2 of the state.==
It has nothing to do with hearing a dissenting view and everything to do with hearing a DISHONEST dissenting view. I’ve got no problem with dissenting views. I do have a problem with arguments that are dishonest.
- Demoralized - Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 1:04 pm:
==The Speaker thinks he controls the State ==
Wait, I thought you’ve been arguing all this time that he does control the state. You should probably try and keep your arguments straight.
==and will not compromise==
The Governor isn’t interested in that either. Of course your talking point diatribes don’t include that.
- Skeptic - Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 1:48 pm:
“He gave himself an A on things he can control.” So that budget he introduced into the Legislature deserves an A? Oh, right, nevermind.
- CCP Hostage - Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 2:19 pm:
Let’s face it, if we have massive closures in the Community Care Program, clients will begin to suffer. There aren’t enough providers left to absorb the clients of a bunch of closing providers. If Grandma has to go to the nursing home or someone has to quit work to take care of her, the anger of Grandma’s family won’t be discerning like this blog is when looking for a target, they’ll be mad at Illinois. As OW says, governor’s own and they’ll come for him first. After him or maybe simultaneously, they’ll be angry with Madigan because of the very effective media campaigns against him. But that won’t matter because most of us don’t vote for Madigan. So like it or not, justified or not, Rauner will eventually suffer the consequences of this ridiculous budget impasse.
- don the legend - Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 3:55 pm:
LP “He gave himself an A on things he can control.” I believe he can control whether he submits a balanced budget for the legislature’s consideration or maybe you and Rauner missed that.
- peon - Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 11:34 pm:
When the Governor signs a budget he has to face the fact - based on the meager TA returns he may het - that the budget-as leverage strategy always was and will be piffle.
Yes, he doesn’t want to own revenue and cuts, but he can’t face failure of his strategy either.