* The House Republican floor leader…
“People are fed up. Not just the constituents, the members of my chamber,” says Steve Andersson, a Republican House member from the Batavia area who was named GOP floor leader in January. “I think the Senate is equally if not more frustrated. People are just not willing to leave this place without a budget by May 31st.”
He continues, “Now, maybe we’re wrong. This place is leadership-driven… But I sense there is so much pent up frustration. I think we all recognize that we are letting the state burn. We’ve destroyed our social-service safety net. In my opinion, at this point, there’s not enough reform to counter the damage we’ve done to the state in the past two years. and so for me, the biggest win is to create stability in this state. I want the [Turnaround Agenda] reforms. I agree with the governor that there are things in there we need to do. But the number one reform in my world is predictability and sustainability. Because people will stay [in the state] if they know what the rules of the game are.”
Emphasis added.
*** UPDATE *** From Rep. Andersson…
I, like all other members of the General Assembly, admit that this budget impasse is doing no favors to Illinois’ financial outlook. In no way did I insinuate any kind of “revolt”. Instead, we need to be spending this time picking up where the Senate left off and continue negotiations to find agreement and get this done by May 31st.
- Moe Berg - Sunday, May 28, 17 @ 2:32 pm:
That is a hopeful sign. If the House Dems can come up with something credible, there is are enough GOP members who would cross over to overcome a Rauner veto.
- cover - Sunday, May 28, 17 @ 2:39 pm:
Maybe this is what Speaker Madigan has been counting on all along?
- Chicago Cynic - Sunday, May 28, 17 @ 2:42 pm:
Yes! Exactly right. The “reforms” are not worth the price all of us have paid. Bad governing. Stupid hostage taking. And the hostages are dying every day.
- Rabid - Sunday, May 28, 17 @ 2:45 pm:
Time for madigan to step up and invite the house GOP to an update
- siriusly - Sunday, May 28, 17 @ 3:08 pm:
More like that would help. I hope the guy didn’t just draw himself a Proft & Rauner funded primary.
- yo - Sunday, May 28, 17 @ 3:14 pm:
Statesman. Need more of them. Women too.
- pawn - Sunday, May 28, 17 @ 3:20 pm:
this is the first real hopeful sign I have seen in months.
- Winnin' - Sunday, May 28, 17 @ 3:20 pm:
What’s wrong with that guy Andersson? The House and Senate GOP have been sitting on their thumbs and whining since George Ryan left office. Culture change is tough.
No worries tho. Durkin’ will ultimately reign him in.
- Deft Wing - Sunday, May 28, 17 @ 3:36 pm:
Heel.
- Keyrock - Sunday, May 28, 17 @ 3:38 pm:
Well, that didn’t take long.
- taxation = civilization - Sunday, May 28, 17 @ 3:51 pm:
I’ve been wonderin if anyone in the gop even likes illinois. He just gave me some hope the answer is yes.
- Former Merit Comp - Sunday, May 28, 17 @ 4:13 pm:
I wish this were true but waiting for other Rauner money-laden boot to drop
- wordslinger - Sunday, May 28, 17 @ 4:35 pm:
–We’ve destroyed our social-service safety net. In my opinion, at this point, there’s not enough reform to counter the damage we’ve done to the state in the past two years.–
Those words, that truth, require action, Rep. Andersson.
Be a Scandanavian mensch, and get in touch with your old-school Fox River self and I’ll back you to the last dog dies.
I think many more — Republicans, Democrats, Independents — would to.
For the last two years, ten House GOP members acting in concert could have dictated terms. That remains true today.
So get on with it, already, son.
Show those Frat Boys that from where you came from, the way you came up, nobody can buy you or rattle you.
- Anonymous - Sunday, May 28, 17 @ 4:36 pm:
Anderson’s No Lap dog he is more Bull Dog…and his outreach to the other side has earned him some street cred as well.
- wordslinger - Sunday, May 28, 17 @ 4:37 pm:
To the update:
Well, that didn’t last long.
- NorthsideNoMore - Sunday, May 28, 17 @ 4:42 pm:
sorry that was me at 4:36…
- Pelonski - Sunday, May 28, 17 @ 4:55 pm:
Talk, without action is meaningless, and I expect that is exactly what this is. If the GOP was going to stand up to Rauner, it would have happened about $5 billion ago. They are pot committed.
The best hope for Illinois is that the Democrats go on their own and send Rauner a balanced budget and put the ball in his court. I’m not holding my breath, though. My guess is that the two sides are going to combine to put Illinois so far in the hole that we will still be in recovery mode many decades from now.
- Austinman - Sunday, May 28, 17 @ 5:02 pm:
Budget will get done by July 1 with or without the Governor. Veto override is a coming
- wordslinger - Sunday, May 28, 17 @ 5:10 pm:
–Budget will get done by July 1 with or without the Governor. Veto override is a coming–
Could you expand, swami?
- Anon221 - Sunday, May 28, 17 @ 5:35 pm:
Austinman- Which Republicans have enough backbone? i would sincerely like to know.
- Deft Wing - Sunday, May 28, 17 @ 5:40 pm:
The same number of Republicans have the backbone to buck Rauner as Democrats willing to diss Madigan.
- Rogue Roni - Sunday, May 28, 17 @ 5:54 pm:
Big words. Put up or shut up
- Anonymous - Sunday, May 28, 17 @ 6:40 pm:
Budget veto overrides are just symbolic. Agencies underneath the governor can spend less money and Rauner can make sure of that.
- Norseman - Sunday, May 28, 17 @ 6:56 pm:
We’ve seen this movie before (the latest political cliche). A Solon gives an impressive speech touting the need for leadership and action. When it comes time to assume that leadership role and take action, the Solon shrinks into a mushroom subservient to the powers that be.
- Biscuit Head - Sunday, May 28, 17 @ 9:40 pm:
Agree with Norseman. Most Republicans legislators are too bought and paid by the Gov for to even say anything indicating they have any grasp on reality. A few might occasionally make a comment indicating they care about the future. Only one so far - Sam McCann - has actually Voted for his constituents and against the Gov.
So I don’t have much faith this will lead to any actual movement by the Republicans.
- MickJ - Monday, May 29, 17 @ 7:16 am:
Well, this guy had his 15 minutes of integrity. Remember when Radogno had her 15 days of integrity before Rauner reined her in? I do. Remember when Durkin had 15 minutes of integrity? Right, no one remembers that one.
- DeseDemDose - Monday, May 29, 17 @ 8:31 am:
Ever since Radogno let Rauner knock her down and no Republicans stand for social services I have given up that any of them can stand tall against heartless Bruce.