* Gov. Rauner was asked today what he planned to do to stop his vetoes from being overridden…
Rauner: We are doing everything possible to make sure my veto stands and that it’s not overridden.
Reporter: Like what?
Rauner: Everything possible.
* And he more than implied that the Republicans who broke ranks were tools of the House Speaker. Here’s what he said when he was asked about the Republicans…
You know what? Speaker Madigan and his subordinates should not be working for Wall St. credit agencies, they should be working for the people of Illinois. […]
What we have is a continuing failure by elected officials in Springfield on both sides of the aisle. It’s been led by Speaker Madigan for 35 years. This is more of the same. Our system is broken.
* Asked whether he was concerned that blocking an override would hurt the state’s credit rating…
Rauner: We have to put the peoples’ concerns, what the people need and want ahead of all else. The people should come first in Illinois. Not Wall St., not special interests, not the political class, not the political insiders, not the politicians, not the folks who make money from the government.
Reporter: You don’t think people care about a junk credit rating?
Rauner: What people want is jobs. We need more jobs. What people want is lower property taxes. What people want is a political system that’s not rigged, that’s not dominated by one person, or it’s not corrupt and corroded with special insider deals. People want change, and let’s be clear, this budget is more of the same, this budget and this tax hike is what’s been going on in Illinois for the last 35 years and the system is broken and this tax hike will not fix it.
* More on Wall Street…
Don’t listen to some Wall St. firm. That’s not what matters. Listen to the people of Illinois. It’s their concern, it’s their lives… Don’t listen to Wall St., don’t listen to a bunch of politicians who want power and to stay in power like they’ve been for 35 years. Listen to the people of Illinois. People of Illinois don’t want more taxes on their lives. People of Illinois want more jobs. People of Illinois want property tax relief. People of Illinois want a better future for their kids and their grandkids. People of Illinois want a political system that works for them not for the political insiders. And term limits can help get that done. And the people of Illinois want those things.
He did say at one point that his office has been in frequent contact with credit agencies.
* The governor claimed that he’s been negotiating in good faith for “more than two years.” He claimed Madigan “wanted a crisis” to force a tax hike…
And we have got to stand against it. We’ve to to get the people to realize, Democrats, Republicans, independents, this is not about partisanship. This is about the people coming together, rising up and saying, ‘Enough. No more. No more of this system that Speaker Madigan and his loyalists have been doing to us.’
* He was then told by a reporter that he didn’t sound too concerned about a downgrade…
What I’m concerned about is the people of Illinois, so they have a better future. That’s all that matters. We’ve got to put the interests of the people ahead of all else. That means jobs, more good paying jobs. That means property tax relief. That means term limits. And that means better education funding, more education funding for all schools on an equitable basis. Not a special deal for certain politicians here in Chicago. That’s what that means.
* The Pritzker campaign was there, by the way…
…Adding… Yep…
- CharlieKratos - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 2:17 pm:
At least in print, the Governor sounds pretty shook.
- Northsider - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 2:17 pm:
Gov. Junk sounds like the Duke Bros. after the market closed: Desperately shouting into an increasingly empty room.
- Fiercely Independent - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 2:18 pm:
He’s consistent, if nothing else.
- Angi - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 2:20 pm:
Rauner is not concerned about anyone because if he was then he would not want to see our Universities destroyed, people losing their communities, jobs, livelihoods because he wants to beat Madigan. This has gone on too long, stop the insanity and get us moving forward.
- Northern IL - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 2:22 pm:
He needs to find his “g”s. Good Lord, that fake folksiness is gratin’.
He sounded so threatening to the 15. And he couldn’t care less about IL going to junk status. That was incredibly disturbing. He just kept changing the subject.
- Beth - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 2:22 pm:
Rauner concerned about the people of ILLINOIS??? He has allowed for complete destruction. His mess. Madigan to blame equally, yes. It is time for Illinois Reps to play ball as they are trying to do, at least some, and help us get our state back.
- Real - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 2:23 pm:
This is why the House should of had everyone in Springfield Tuesday to override his vetos before he has time to sabatoge it.
- Can - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 2:23 pm:
He sounds like a guy who knows that the tax hike and budget plan that he vetoed will in fact help the state get back on better footing, without the “help” from his “reforms” and the truth will be there for all to see.
- Arsenal - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 2:24 pm:
Trying to go after Wall Street is smart, but I suspect Rauner’s image is so baked-in that it won’t get much traction.
This- “What people want is jobs. We need more jobs. What people want is lower property taxes. What people want is a political system that’s not rigged, that’s not dominated by one person, or it’s not corrupt and corroded with special insider deals. People want change”
Seems pretty easy to turn into an attack ad. Just run headlines on how all of these things aren’t happening. Then on “people want change”, say “vote for change” and run the Drury logo.
(OK, fine, just kidding.)
- Michelle Flaherty - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 2:24 pm:
Rauner: We are doing everything possible to make sure my veto stands and that it’s not overridden.
Reporter: Like what?
Rauner: Everything possible.
Reporter: Like (dramatic pause) MURDER????
- Norseman - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 2:24 pm:
I would be lying if I said I’m surprised by Rauner’s cavalier attitude toward the ruining of IL’s credit rating or the likelihood of IL universities losing accreditation. He’s on a mission and he doesn’t care how many bodies it takes to achieve it.
Thankfully, there were 16 GOP legislators who chose the state’s interest over Rauner’s personal crusade.
- Sue - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 2:25 pm:
For those of you who don’t read the WSJ- today’s editorial at page A16- says it all @blue States Budget Breakdowns” - as for the info on Illinois - ” the state legislature is controlled by public unions that refuse to compromise”. Rauner walked from most of what he asked for. Madigan postponed resolution for 39 months and compromised how? Rich asks why Rauner wants to weaken unions- the answer as stated by the Journsl- they run the legislature. Pretty simple
- AC - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 2:25 pm:
Keep it up Governor and soon you’ll be a party of one.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 2:25 pm:
==You know what?===
Arguably his worse tick.
No. What.
Good on the Pritzker Crew, keeping up the needed daily pressure.
I guess if it’s all overridden, then anything good from this budget isn’t something Rauner can claim.
A veto is a veto.
Rauner didn’t fund K-12, Higher Ed, state agencies, social services… Rauner has no signature for any connection through the budget to any Illinois successes.
Vetoes are tough to ignore.
- Sue - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 2:26 pm:
30 months
- Ole' Nelson - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 2:26 pm:
What the Governor fails to mention is that for the past several decades, what the people of Illinois have wanted, was a high level of governmental services and low taxes. This disconnect has led to our current financial situation. I am not sure “what the people of Illinois want” is necessarily good government.
What people typically want are things that benefit them. They do not necessarily want to pay for these things. I believe it is human nature.
- filmmaker prof - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 2:26 pm:
Many people comment how good the Governor is at “staying on message.” After more than two years, I don’t think it is that at all. I feel sincerely that he really has no understanding of the questions he is asked or the issues that are referred to. I no longer think he is shrewd or clever; I think he is totally clueless.
- raus heir - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 2:26 pm:
He sounds like some mentally disturbed vagabond shouting at traffic.
- Whatever - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 2:26 pm:
== Rauner: Everything possible. ==
To steal from Lyndon Johnson, would that include kissing the Speaker’s [ring] in Macy’s window at high noon?
His cavalier attitude toward the bond ratings is disingenuous, to put it nicely. The big boys on Wall Street won’t be hurt by the bond rating downgrades. They’re waiting until after the downgrade to buy the bonds at bigger discounts, and will score big when the ratings go back up when we do get a budget. His wine club friends want a downgrade.
- Janet - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 2:26 pm:
Those Republican Reps who are being called the “15″ could be the bravest people on the planet. NO one wants to pay more taxes but if you ask Illinois residents to pick that or junk status- 90% would vote- TAX INCREASE. Nobody likes it but we are losing people in droves and bouncing back is not going to be possible. “15″ do the right thing and save ILLINOIS
- Out Here In The Middle - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 2:26 pm:
What people want is a political system that’s not rigged, that’s not dominated by one person, or it’s not corrupt and corroded with special insider deals.”
Wow. Not dominated by one person. Not corroded with special insider deals. With $50 million of his own in his campaign. Just wow.
- Terry Salad - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 2:26 pm:
Unbelievable. Rauner is asked a direct question about junk status and responds with BS campaign talking points: vague statements about jobs.
I am amazed. This guy has nothing.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 2:28 pm:
===but if you ask Illinois residents to pick that or junk status- 90% would vote- TAX INCREASE===
Doubtful. The burn it all down now crowd is bigger than you think. Also, please don’t use all caps.
- 47th Ward - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 2:30 pm:
He’s using projection again to deflect blame. Sigh.
For a guy who’s never been happier, he didn’t look too happy in that FB live thing. I guess failure is hard to swallow after a lifetime spent winning. Welcome to politics, Governor, where you win some and you lose some.
- Honeybear - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 2:30 pm:
Honestly I hope to God we get a budget.
I also hope that you don’t ban my beloved P word
I can tell by Rauners remarks that no matter what happens I’m going to be talking about Perfidy.
- Blue Bayou - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 2:30 pm:
Sue, I love your comments. Perfect indicator of how ILGOP voters have no idea how government or governance works, what unions do, etc.
Never change.
- Carl - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 2:32 pm:
Please stay the course House, Please stay the course. Illinois schools, Universities, hospitals, and residents need you to save our state, save our credit. This has to stop, this has to come to an end. Do not be intimidated by Rauner. He proved that he does not care about our credit, our universities, our schools. Yes, Madigan is AWFUL but we cannot move forward if we have not plan. A budget, even if it is not the greatest for all people will give institutions a place to start planning. We have to MOVE ON inorder to move forward.
- A State Employee Guy - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 2:33 pm:
This is very dumb… of course he can believe that a credit downgrade can hurt the state, but at the exact same time, he can believe his long-term fixes will outweigh a temporary credit downgrade.
- DuPage Saint - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 2:33 pm:
I guess when he says 90% is not good enough he is not kidding
- SouthernIL - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 2:33 pm:
Lets look at this scenario
1. budget doesn’t pass
2. All bonds go to junk status
3. billionaires buy all the junk bonds
4. Budget passes
5. Bonds are upgraded
6. Billionaires make millions
Hmmmm does anyone know a Billionaire that may have some input in the process?
- Morty - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 2:34 pm:
BVR is a sick man
- The Captain - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 2:35 pm:
I’m sure the one on one pressure is intense for those House Republicans but aside from the persuasion I’m not sure what else he can do. He already has $70 million in his campaign account, it’s not like he can flex that muscle in some new way.
I’ve been keeping a running list of questions I’m trying to answer after this week’s events and this answers one of them, Rauner seems genuinely upset. Here’s the list by the way:
- Is Rauner genuinely burned by this or just preserving his political/re-election talking points?
- Who were the group of House Dems that convinced the Speaker that votes to pass the tax increase were there? Do they now have increased influence in the caucus? What other outcomes are they capable of?
- For the Republicans that voted for the revenue/budget package do their brethren understand or is there hostility/animosity within the caucus?
- Leader Durkin stopped participating in leaders meetings and reportedly went home, is he upset/angry and if so how much and at whom? Also, how does this affect the Rauner/Durkin relationship?
- Cullerton/Radogno had a good, professional working relationship, did Sen. Brady view that as an asset or something that needed to be modified and if so in what way?
- What happens to the remaining issues that were not voted on (property taxes, workers comp, etc)?
- The budget was passed under extraordinary outside pressure and circumstances, is that the only reason for progress or can this coalition/model be replicated and applied to other issues during this term? If so, how does that change the negotiating dynamic among the five principals?
- Decaf Coffee Party - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 2:35 pm:
The math doesn’t lie. A $4.6 billion backlog in bills when Rauner took office, a $14.7 billion backlog now. And his plan is to take care of that with no tax increase, just business incentives and cuts — yet he offers no specific cuts and no real numbers regarding what his plan would generate to take the place of a tax increase. The stunning thing is apparently lots of people believe the political platitudes without seeking any details.
Some even repeat the old line about insanity and trying the same old thing without understanding that the axiom also applies to the past two years when our state has gone from serious condition to critical condition.
- Professor - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 2:37 pm:
Well, we will see what the governor’s money can buy. A few days ago some GOP legislators stood up and did the right thing. We can only hope they do it again and bring the Republican Party back to republican principles.
- Sue - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 2:37 pm:
Blue/ those were not my comments- it is straight from the WSJ- people are fleeing the State and it’s somewhat unique to Illinois. Believe what you want- but don’t attribute the comments to me- I put Quotes there for a reason
- dude - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 2:38 pm:
I just can;t help but think - you got a better idea? Where is it? Put your balanced budget on the table and we can all have a look. If you can’t do that, you’re just in the way.
- thunderspirit - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 2:38 pm:
== * The governor claimed that he’s been negotiating in good faith for “more than two years.” He claimed Madigan “wanted a crisis” to force a tax hike… ==
“I think we can drive a wedge issue in the Democratic Party…” — Bruce Rauner, September 18, 2012.
“Crisis. Crisis creates leverage.” — Governor Rauner, April 6, 2015.
It’s certainly possible that Speaker Madigan wanted a crisis. I wouldn’t put it past him. However, Rauner’s own words (and actions) leave no doubt that he absolutely wanted a crisis from the start.
- AnonymousOne - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 2:39 pm:
I know many say he’s crazy like a fox and knows exactly what he’s doing but he just doesn’t seem like someone who is logical and sane.
Like there’s a disconnect from reality.
- Sue - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 2:42 pm:
Decaf- your right the math doesn’t lie- the bill backlog is the result of the Dem Temp tax rates expiring yet the State more or less spent at the old levels. The Dems wanted the tax to expire and assumed Quinn would win and reinstate the rate back to 5. Don’t blame Rauner. The Dems could have made the rates permanent at any time prior to Jan 1 17. They didn’t because it would have blown the election which Quinn managed to do on his own
- Norseman - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 2:42 pm:
Sue, Info Wars had a more strident view of the tax vote. You can quote that as well. That doesn’t change the fiscal facts facing the State of Illinois.
- CharlieKratos - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 2:42 pm:
Assuming the budget veto is overridden, any guesses as to what will happen with the state union contract? I know it’s in court limbo right now, but speculation as to how it might be affected?
- Now What? - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 2:42 pm:
This interview shows that it’s becoming increasingly more difficult for the governor to run from his past. As an outsider 3-4 years ago, it was easy to fling stones at politicians. Always is. He now has a record, beyond right wing rhetoric that has increasingly found no votes among his base, of having no record to which he is associated with beyond “veto.” Should be low-hanging fruit for the upcoming election, but alas, I’ve seen this movie before.
- Winnin' - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 2:43 pm:
It appears Rauner took the hypocritical oath when he raised his right hand back in Jan. 2015. Up until then, he demonized Pat Quinn about bond ratings. Now that the ratings are near-junk, Wall Street doesn’t matter.
Now, any businessman knows junk ratings mean higher borrowing costs on bonds. That money has to come from somewhere — and that is taxpayers’ pockets.
If people truly understood that his position would continue to put Illinois farther in the hole, they might see a different Rauner.
That’s clearly why he could not wait to get out the Bad Madigan approach.
- Lucci - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 2:44 pm:
Illinois is in a debt crisis.
In a debt crisis, what is good for Wall St. is bad for the people.
It’s worth noting that Dems carried 5 pieces of legislation to bail out the banks this spring. So we know where they stand.
https://www.illinoispolicy.org/why-are-illinois-democrats-preparing-to-bail-out-bankers-and-cash-strapped-local-governments/
- Roman - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 2:50 pm:
Bruce V. Rauner — the V is for victim.
- Stumpy's bunker - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 2:50 pm:
-Doubtful. The burn it all down now crowd is bigger than you think.-
Agreed. Check out Trump/Rauner voting tallies from the outback….not to mention the lack-of-affect wealthy.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 2:51 pm:
Interesting quotes, how about the rest of them:
. “I think we can drive a wedge issue in the Democratic Party on that topic, and bring the folks who say, ‘You know what, for our tax dollars, I’d rather help the disadvantaged, the handicapped, the elderly, the children in poverty. I’d rather have my tax dollars going to that than the SEIU or AF-scammy, who are out there for their own interests.’”
“Crisis creates opportunity. Crisis creates leverage to change … and we’ve got to use that leverage of the crisis to force structural change,”
Yeah, when the state is out of money and people can no longer rely on fiscal mismanagement to buy labor votes, it creates opportunity to fix this…
- Trapped in the 'burbs - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 2:53 pm:
Can Rauner really go 4 years without ever answering the question that he’s asked?
- Anon221 - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 2:54 pm:
Rauner… Governor Fidgit Spinner.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 2:54 pm:
Rauner: We are doing everything possible to make sure my veto stands and that it’s not overridden.
Reporter: Like what?
Rauner: Everything possible.
Reporter: Name some of those possible things.
Rauner: Everything we’re doin’.
Reporter: (drops mic)
- Arsenal - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 2:54 pm:
==Don’t blame Rauner.==
He asked for the tax to expire.
- Sue - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 2:55 pm:
Arsenal- the tax expired on its own terms
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 2:56 pm:
And the Oscar goes to … Gov Junk.
- pete - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 2:57 pm:
Rauner only wants one thing he wants to be remember for killing the unions in Illinois, period
- ArchPundit - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 2:58 pm:
This reminds me of a story where Rauner is in a school in Chicago and insists that the teacher was teaching calculus all wrong and it was a symbol of how bad the CPS was.
The story annoyed me because it gave me no details on how the teacher was teaching calculus so I could tell whether Rauner had any idea of what he was talking about.
It strikes me that Rauner thinks he’s a genius and the only one who knows how to do anything, but in reality he’s a reasonably intelligent guy who has no clue that there are more than one way to do something and some people may be just as effective who do something differently.
That’s a really bad characteristic in a politician.
- pete - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 3:02 pm:
Go Pritzker for Governor
- Impasse Casualty - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 3:02 pm:
Rauner almost sounds like he is mentally unstable in this rant. He completely ignores reality and regurgitates his talking points.
- VanillaMan - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 3:08 pm:
“Everything possible”
For you Bruce, that would be a first.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 3:10 pm:
Hmm…
Rauner, in 2014…
===“Illinois’ credit rating has been downgraded 13 times under Pat Quinn and now, because of his failed leadership, our state’s economy and finances are still broken. Pat Quinn put special interest politics ahead of Illinois workers. We need to change direction before it’s too late.” – Rauner campaign spokesperson Mike Schrimpf […]===
Looks like Candidate Rauner thought governors should care about downgrades…
- Montrose - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 3:10 pm:
I think this interview did a great job of helping him rightly claim the title Governor Junk. Madigan has clearly worked to avoid junk status. Rauner just showed he doesn’t care.
- Steve Rogers - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 3:11 pm:
Message to Rauner, paraphrasing Hall and Oates:
You’re out of touch
[State’s] out of time
- btowntruthfromforgottonia - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 3:17 pm:
Candidate Rauner from 2013 would not like what Governor Rauner just said about bond ratings.
- Real - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 3:18 pm:
Rauner is unfit for office.
- The Other Anonymous - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 3:19 pm:
is that a pizza or a doughnut holding the sign? Hard to tell.
- Three-Finger Brown - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 3:24 pm:
The state and the ratings agencies interests are mostly aligned. A growing economy and growing population (good for the state, of course) lead to a healthier fiscal profile. If the analysts believed that term limits and workers comp reform would grow the state, they would communicate this.
Here’s the thing: there isn’t a lot of evidence to suggest that people are going to flee after a 1.2% income tax rate hike. Generally speaking, moving is hard. Tax rates change.
What does cause people to move: schools. If public schools are defunded and state universities close, lives will be uprooted.
- Skeptic - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 3:27 pm:
Sue: “the tax expired on its own terms” So you’re both blaming the D’s for not raising taxes then but now blaming them for raising them now? I think you need to pick a lane.
- Arsenal - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 3:28 pm:
==Arsenal- the tax expired on its own terms==
After Bruce Rauner asked that it do so, and the legislature obliged him.
- Chicago Cynic - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 3:33 pm:
Propaganda 101. Just tell the big lie again and again and eventually people will believe it.
- DeseDemDose - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 3:34 pm:
At this rate Rauners next costume will be a Carhartt strait jacket…
- Ryan - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 3:37 pm:
A lot of G’s were dropped in that campaign speech…
- Mouthy - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 3:40 pm:
Rauner isn’t interested in running the state, he’s just interested in beating Democrats the speaker, and he’s going to take a beating if the override goes through…
- walker - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 3:45 pm:
Sue is right. The temporary tax expired on time not because Rauner asked for it, but because Dems gambled on Quinn winning before it hit the fan.
Sue is wrong if she agrees with the WSJ writer that unions run this state. Anyone who believes that is from out of state, or might as well be. Pardon me Sue, if you don’t believe that.
- Northsider - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 3:46 pm:
I see what you did there, Ryan @ 3:37…
- cdog - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 3:55 pm:
There’s definitely scorched earth on both sides of that burning bridge.
- TinyDancer(FKASue) - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 3:57 pm:
Don’t listen to Wall St.
Listen to Private Equity.
- Jimmy H - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 3:57 pm:
As Illinois burns, Rauner fans the flames.
- Annonin' - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 3:59 pm:
“Everything possible” was what got Blagoof a trip down to Dearbord Street. Lookin’ more like him every day. Good work Gov “Happy”Junk
- Jimmy H - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 4:04 pm:
Rep. Dunkin might know what Rauner means by “everything possible”.
- Jimmy H - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 4:06 pm:
That’s former Rep. Dunkin…
- JS Mill - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 4:07 pm:
@Walker- you are one of the best posters here in my opinion, so as I disagree with one point you made it is with genuine respect.
Yes, the temporary tax did expire as scheduled, but if memory serves the democratic leadership obliged Rauner by not moving forward with a renewal or permanent tax rate and made public statements to that effect.
That said, my belief at the time was that their motivation was to give him what he wanted and let him figure out how to make ends meet. I think that was MJM’s long game all along.
And Rauner never figured it out, he was gamed from the word go.
- Say What - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 4:23 pm:
“Rauner: We have to put the peoples’ concerns, what the people need and want ahead of all else……. not the folks who make money from the government.”
Hmmmm, wonder who made $57 MIL off the pension system?
- cdog - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 4:31 pm:
The lameduck veto session, after the election in Nov 2014, could have extended the tax but chose not too.
What forces wanted to mix it up with Rauner on this and thought it was best to take the state to the edge of the abyss before, 30 months later, passing it?
Oh. hmm. I’d say it is the union-supporting-blue-state-utopian-big-government types that have trouble seeing the forest from the trees until its almost too late.
If you don’t think this has pro-union sentiment as one of the pillars, you’re going to feel pretty silly when you become awakened.
- JoeMaddon - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 4:36 pm:
**Speaker Madigan and his subordinates should not be working for Wall St. credit agencies, they should be working for the people of Illinois.**
Bruce Rauner seems really confused about what it would mean for IL - and the people in it - if the state went to junk status.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 4:37 pm:
===The lameduck veto session, after the election in Nov 2014, could have extended the tax but chose not too===
Rauner ran in it sunsetting, Rauner as Gov-Elect begged for it to sunset, and thanked the GA for the sun setting.
If you’d like, I’ll show you where.
- Demoralized - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 4:46 pm:
The coming implosion of the state was simply not worth wrangling over other issues. Junk bond status, universities closing, mass layoffs in the road construction industry, schools running out of money. All of those considerations outweighed everything else, and rightfully so.
- jimk849 - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 4:47 pm:
Hope he has a little duct tape left because he is coming unglued.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 4:49 pm:
Rauner asked that the tax hike be allowed to sunset, and further suggested that it would be improper for a lame duck session to renew it. In a show of good faith, the G.A. allowed it to sunset. That good faith was not reciprocated.
- anonymous - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 4:57 pm:
Have to be honest. This tick tock guy does it for me.
- 47th Ward - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 4:59 pm:
===The temporary tax expired on time not because Rauner asked for it, but because Dems gambled on Quinn winning before it hit the fan.===
Yes, the Democrats gambled and lost. I never understood why anyone would make a tax increase like that “temporary” by design. It helped turn the Rauner-Quinn race into a referendum on the tax hike.
Rauner campaigned on allowing it to sunset, and he made sure to warn the public that Madigan and the Democrats might try to pass an extension in the lame duck session. Because of that and other reasons, the Democrats did nothing and the tax rate dropped from 5% to 3.75%.
I remember Governor-elect Rauner saying he could balance the budget without the higher rate. That was almost three years ago. I guess I’ll have to keep waiting for him to make good on that promise.
- peon - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 5:08 pm:
== What I’m concerned about is the people of Illinois, so they have a better future. ==
He has certainly been “taking care” of us.
- cdog - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 5:20 pm:
OW, I understand all that but I am making the point that Madigan didn’t allow it to sunset to appease the Governor.
Madigan wanted the fight. He knew all along that the wheels were going to fall off the cart. Face it, he is a double-dealer and just as guilty as Rauner in this nightmare.
- Prairie Dog - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 5:23 pm:
Rauner seems to be undertaking “Sherman’s March to the Sea”, willing to destroy and burn everything in his way. It seams that reality is being lost. There is no way that anyone can discount the grave effects of a junk bond rating. I voted for him, but I will be the first to say that he has become unreasonable.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 5:27 pm:
===…understand all that but I am making the point that Madigan didn’t allow it to sunset to appease the Governor.===
I guess Gov-Elect thanking the GA for allowing it to sunset is pretty awkward.
Why thank the GA? That’s an odd thing to do.
- GOP Extremist - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 5:31 pm:
Team Rauner has chosen their path to reelection. Put votes on the override, blame you know who, say he’s fighting for the taxpayers and needs four more years to pass his extreme right agenda, even though there is a very slim chance of the legislative branch turning over in his favor to steamroll it through (whether Madigan is around or not)
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 5:34 pm:
What people on here don’t seem to understand is that his message resonates with a hell of a lot of Illinoisans and not just those south of I-80. He is effectively saying “all the previous budgets were fake budgets anyway” and I don’t think he’s wrong about that.
Madigan’s approval ratings are just atrocious outside of the CapFax/Springfield echo chamber and any candidate tied to him will be having their share of problems (all the way to the gov candidate…).
- Cadillac - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 5:46 pm:
=== - 47th Ward - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 4:59 pm:
Yes, the Democrats gambled and lost. I never understood why anyone would make a tax increase like that “temporary” by design. ===
Try asking OW why the Dems made the tax temporary, when they knew well and good that it was needed much longer considering the pension debt.
Hint: he won’t answer.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 5:49 pm:
===…why the Dems made the tax temporary, when they knew well and good that it was needed much longer considering the pension debt.===
1) It was easier to pass.
2) It allowed a revisit to the tax later
3) Revisiting allows more deals to get if passed again.
“Questions”
- Langhorne - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 6:00 pm:
Rauner is persistent, happy, and more than a touch out of touch. He has a view of the world (message) that he will never change. He seemed shocked about vetoes, to the point of being frantic. All he knows is message. No clue about delivering deliverables. Word jumble:
1- M should not be listening to wall st.
2- this is not about politics
3- listen to what the people want, etc., etc.
Instead of lashing out, he should have “leveraged” his signature/veto/av, to get some of his agenda. He is incapable of taking a win. Or knowing what a win is.
(I have a couple more comments, but dont want to get spanked.)
- Langhorne - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 6:02 pm:
Shocked about veto overrides
- Dandy Edward - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 6:10 pm:
Rauner is right. If Mike/John and the unions would have worked with the Governor to reform the state as Governor Rauner wanted Illinois would not be in this mess. Throwing more money at the problem (increased taxes) will not solve Illinois problems. I had no problem paying more income tax as long as we reformed the state and solve the problems that got us in this mess. But Mike/John the politicians and unions wanted no part of this.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 6:12 pm:
- Dandy Edwards -
Rauner, in 2014…
===“Illinois’ credit rating has been downgraded 13 times under Pat Quinn and now, because of his failed leadership, our state’s economy and finances are still broken. Pat Quinn put special interest politics ahead of Illinois workers. We need to change direction before it’s too late.” – Rauner campaign spokesperson Mike Schrimpf […]===
In two years, Rauner has had 6 downgrades… and counting.
Governor Bruce Rauner fails.
Candidate Bruce Rauner tells me so.
Governor Rauner is Gov. Junk?
Candidate Rauner says “You know what? Yes”
- Lurking MBA - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 6:24 pm:
I suspect that Madigan believes the voters, by in large, think he has done his share, and it’s time for the Governor to take responsibility for finding a solution. So this may drag out a little longer. And Madigan may extract some concession before it’s done.
- pete - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 6:33 pm:
What you elected republicans need to ask yourself is; Do you want to vote for the over ride and keep your jobs or take Rauners side and go down with him and the sinking ship?
- Lester Holt's Mustache - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 6:47 pm:
==Rauner is right. If Mike/John and the unions would have worked with the Governor to reform the state as Governor Rauner wanted Illinois would not be in this mess. Throwing more money at the problem (increased taxes) will not solve Illinois problems. I had no problem paying more income tax as long as we reformed the state and solve the problems that got us in this mess. But Mike/John the politicians and unions wanted no part of this.==
Jiminy Christmas. Do you know why Rauner is referred to here as “Governor 1.4%”? His own savings projections showed the TA would grow the economy 1.4%. That wouldn’t solve our problems. If increased taxes aren’t a solution, why has he never once offered suggestions for any budget cuts? Wasn’t he the same guy that told you he would take the arrows, make the hard choices? Come on man, at least do a little background research before you post.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 7:00 pm:
===His own savings projections showed the TA would grow the economy 1.4%===
No.
His TA would spur enough economic growth to increase state general revenues by 1.4 percent.
- Lester Holt's Mustache - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 7:16 pm:
==No.
His TA would spur enough economic growth to increase state general revenues by 1.4 percent.==
My apologies! You are correct and I was wrong. In my rush to point out was that the TA would not have nearly generated enough revenue to make it so that “Illinois would not be in this mess”, as Dandy claims, I flubbed it. Still, even if “Mike/John and the unions” passed every single item in the TA, without massive budget cuts (which the Governor has never offered) or new taxes that he and many others oppose, we would still be in this mess. I don’t like a tax increase any more than the next guy, but I admit that the Governor has been trying to sell us snake oil since day one.
- southeastgrad - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 7:30 pm:
I am of the understanding that the budget that was sent to the governor was not even balanced. Does anyone know if this is correct? thanks.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 7:33 pm:
===I am of the understanding===
Try looking around this site for a few minutes first.
- Streator Curmudgeon - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 7:58 pm:
–He sounds like some mentally disturbed vagabond shouting at traffic.–
raus heir:
I prefer the term “jackanapes,” but vagabond is good too.
- SamGrainger - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 9:32 pm:
In my opinion, Bruce Rauner is “shrugging off” Illinois’ impending junk bond status for a reason. And it is my opinion that when that reason comes to light, the national news will be covering Bruce Rauner, the Feds, RICO, and the spectacle of yet another Illinois governor under indictment…
- Living it daily - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 9:48 pm:
“Sherman’s March to the Sea”, how appropriate. He fails to actually have numbers and amts to show the “people what he can save for them, with regards to his turnaround agenda, and still pushes that mantra, knowing full well it will not bring in any jobs, instead it will bankrupt, and close Universities, school districts, townships, labor unions, mom and pop shops, providers, etc. fulfilling his fantasy of bankrupting a state, and then swooping in on a white horse and saving us come next election. What a waste of a time his tenure has been for the state. Utter waste of a republican ideals, and governed by a “Rookie”.
- Mokenavince - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 9:54 pm:
Rauner is whistling in the wind. He got his vetoes. We should never have our bonds at junk.
We all know Madigan got us to this point. I hope our legislators never let it ever get this bad again.
- Wordslinger - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 10:36 pm:
Good to see that Rauner has emerged from his abandoned Wisconsin Steel lair in Hegeswich.
We were worried, buddy.
Those of you fishing Wolf Lake or Lake Calumet, look out for
the frigging sharks with the frigging lasers. The governor is way into that.
I’m a grown man, I don’t feel like I should have to deal with the lame sadness of the Bruce/Diana grift anymore.
You know Bruce/Diana, if the cool kids thought you belonged at the party, they would have invited you.
All these years, all your money, and the phone don’t ring.
The Hamptons, Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard… Shockingly, your misanthropy…. No one thinks it’s cool.
Except those that do.
Like Daily Stormer.
- Dandy Edward - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 10:37 pm:
Jiminy Christmas. Do you know why Rauner is referred to here as “Governor 1.4%”? His own savings projections showed the TA would grow the economy 1.4%. That wouldn’t solve our problems. If increased taxes aren’t a solution, why has he never once offered suggestions for any budget cuts? Wasn’t he the same guy that told you he would take the arrows, make the hard choices? Come on man, at least do a little background research before you post.
I have done my research you need to do yours. When state pensions are 25% of the state budget you have a problem. Rauner has come up with cuts such as trying to restructure pensions, asking unions that get 37.5 hour work week to chnage to 40 plus many other things etc. What do the unions do take him to court and block everything
he tries to do.
Just go to the Illinois Policy Institute Web site and it will give you all the details.
Here is the link: https://www.illinoispolicy.org/
- HangingOn - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 11:46 pm:
@Dandy Edward
State pensions are what they are. Per the Constitution and the courts that can not be changed. May as well complain that water is wet and campaign against it.
I personally think overtime could be after 40 hours as long as employees get paid extra straight time over 37.5 hours. (I personally can’t get overtime. I can get comp time but that’s it.) That may have been a give. It was the freezing of steps, doubling or more the health insurance costs, and the removal of the clause saying they had to prove something was cheaper than state employees to outsource that were the biggest sticking points. Now tell me, of those 3, which should you be concerned about? Maybe the one where Rauner could hire someone to do a job that a state employee could do at half the cost? Removing that clause should never have been in there. Understandably, the Union is against it because of the possible loss of Union jobs. But the fact that it invites cronyism by having the ability to offer his buddies jobs at twice the cost should concern all Illinoisans.
- Dutch 3001 - Thursday, Jul 6, 17 @ 12:00 am:
Somebody early on in this mess ( I don’t remember who) said that the number of bodies of people who thought they could take on Mike Madigan and beat him is about a mile wide and a mile deep. Add one more body to the pile.
- NorthsideNoMore - Thursday, Jul 6, 17 @ 8:23 am:
Serious question ? If the budget passes will the Administration actually know how to handle the operations side of things ? Everything has been in crisis since 2015 June. Agencies operating in fox holes. thoing One would think there is a lot to be done to get back to whatever the new normal is now.
- RNUG - Thursday, Jul 6, 17 @ 8:52 am:
== If the budget passes will the Administration actually know how to handle the operations side of things ? ==
I think so. Once you get past the “superstars”, there are some solid middle management people in the trench. Those are the ones that kept the State going, pretty.much will bubble gum and bailing wire.
My only fear is a lot of them are totally fed up and ready to bail. It wouldn’t take much to push them over the edge. One more skipped raise, one more increased insurance bill, one more verbal abuse by a clueless carpetbagger director, one more unreimbursed travel voucher … and they could be gone. Once that core group is gone, the State will fall apart fast.
- TinyDancer(FKASue) - Thursday, Jul 6, 17 @ 9:20 am:
“…not the folks who make money from the government.”
Hey, Bruce - look in the mirror.