Madigan points blame at Rauner
Tuesday, Jul 25, 2017 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Press release…
Speaker Michael J. Madigan issued the following statement Tuesday:
“Throughout three years of the governor’s budget crisis, we saw very clearly that political theater is not a substitute for real leadership. By calling a special session while he refuses to negotiate and even says ‘there’s nothing to discuss,’ the governor is continuing to create a crisis that pits one child against another.
“The governor knows very well that the education funding reform bill in question is not in the House, and members of the House cannot take positive action on the governor’s call until it is in our chamber, especially as he refuses to even detail the changes he would like.
“Governor Rauner, however, can take action. Instead of simply paying lip service to how desperately Illinois’ schools, educators, students and property taxpayers need education funding reform, he can put aside his veto threats and sign a bill he is on record as supporting 90 percent of. Instead of playing political games with our children’s education, he can agree to sign a bill that fixes one the most inequitable funding formulas in the country. I urge the governor to stand with us in choosing reform over a status quo that is failing our students.”
He has a point about how the House can’t take action on a veto until the Senate does. It was basically the same sort of complaint the Senate President had during the last special session.
But the special session proclamation doesn’t specify a veto action. It merely says the purpose of the special session is to consider “appropriate legislation to ensure that all school districts in Illinois are equitably and adequately funded to provide a high quality education to all Illinois students.”
- John Rawlss - Tuesday, Jul 25, 17 @ 11:06 am:
Governor Rauner can’t take action because there is NO bill on his desk…
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Jul 25, 17 @ 11:08 am:
Has the governor, or his allies, filed “appropriate legislation?”
- Retired Educator - Tuesday, Jul 25, 17 @ 11:08 am:
If he would keep his mouth shut, he would have the bill. His biggest problem is he always threatens what he will do, and expects everyone to just go along.
- John Rawlss - Tuesday, Jul 25, 17 @ 11:10 am:
“If he would keep his mouth shut, he would have the bill.”
Yeah, because that’s how democracy works
- Retired Educator - Tuesday, Jul 25, 17 @ 11:13 am:
My point is, he should never give away his full intent. The threats do no good, and allow your opponents to gear up for the fight. Don’t talk about it, just be about it. Then deal with the fall out if it comes.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Jul 25, 17 @ 11:16 am:
Wasn’t it Madigan who pushed the bill that is “the most inequitable funding formulas in the country” years ago?
Madigan can’t play both the perpetrator and the victim.
- Piece of Work - Tuesday, Jul 25, 17 @ 11:17 am:
Retired, it is next to impossible to negotiate anything, and I mean anything, with MJM.
After time, why even bother?
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Jul 25, 17 @ 11:17 am:
So is Durkin ready to go with that appropriate legislation in the House?
Are we going to see those “force de jour” policy chops Katrina was yammerin’ about the other day?
- cdog - Tuesday, Jul 25, 17 @ 11:22 am:
Sounds like a ransom letter to me.
Smh.
- Blue Bayou - Tuesday, Jul 25, 17 @ 11:23 am:
“Madigan can’t play both the perpetrator and the victim.”
Are you new?
This is how the man has survived for so long. The worst part is that we now have a Governor who is even more intent on enacting this strategy.
- A Jack - Tuesday, Jul 25, 17 @ 11:29 am:
Education funding reform is key to getting property tax reform. Isn’t property tax reform a Rauner want? Rauner needs to stop painting himself in a corner if he wants to be anything besides a failure.
I expect an “emotional” retort from Rauner’s staff any time now.
- Jocko - Tuesday, Jul 25, 17 @ 11:29 am:
As the saying goes “The Governor proposes, the legislature disposes.”
All Bruce has stated that he wants to shortchange CPS and that his “secret plan” is better. Brady pulled a “homina homina” this morning and Durkin is silent. So much for messaging. /s
- Not Rich - Tuesday, Jul 25, 17 @ 11:37 am:
C’mon people..it is no secret, NOBODY in the Rauner administration has a clue where LRB is..
- RNUG - Tuesday, Jul 25, 17 @ 11:37 am:
== “appropriate legislation to ensure that all school districts in Illinois are equitably and adequately funded to provide a high quality education to all Illinois students.” ==
So what is the bill number with this language? Does the GA have to be in session for this legislation yo be filed? Does Rauner have 71 and 36?
Until all that happens, it’s just a lot of hot air.
- My New Handle - Tuesday, Jul 25, 17 @ 11:38 am:
Dementia? You have a medical degree?
- downstate commissioner - Tuesday, Jul 25, 17 @ 11:39 am:
Wonder what the “appropriate action” is that Rauner wants at this special session? Is he actually going to introduce some legislation??? And which Republican is going to introduce it? Saw Sara Wojicki on TV with him the other night- would she be willing to bring something in to get back into his good graces?
- Sue - Tuesday, Jul 25, 17 @ 11:41 am:
Madigan is the ultimate liar down in Springfield. First he promised reforms in exchange for Rauner agreeing to revenue. Guess how that worked out. Next it was pension reform if Rauner agreed to help out CPS. This never happened either. I guess we will see how this all ends up but we know this is round two since last year Rauner agreed to give CPS the 250 million if the Dems sent him a pension reform bill. Now Madigan is simply trying to take the bailout with no pretense of overall pension reform. Madigan is the ultimate fox in sheeps clothing yet he points fingers atctge Hovernor.
- Chicagonk - Tuesday, Jul 25, 17 @ 11:53 am:
Why is Madigan even trying to still negotiate with Rauner? Negotiate with the Republicans who crossed over for the budget vote on July 4th.
- Illinois O'Malley - Tuesday, Jul 25, 17 @ 12:02 pm:
@Sue, so glad you are supporting Rauner’s bid to hurt Illinois children living in Chicago in order to reduce retiree’s income.
- Loop Lady - Tuesday, Jul 25, 17 @ 12:05 pm:
You go Mike…Rauner is like a sneeze in a long respiratory illness…
- Trapped in the 'burbs - Tuesday, Jul 25, 17 @ 12:07 pm:
“Send me the bill so I can veto it.” Attaboy Bruce, now we can see your plan. Oops, what’s that you say? You don’t have a plan. Must be Madigan’s fault that the senate is holding on to their bill. Must be Madigan’s fault that you don’t have a plan to accomplish anything. Keep going to the far right because people in the middle are sick of your refusal to answer any questions and the lack of plans to accomplish any of your stated goals. Keep running commercials because you have not successfully executed any of your objectives. Guess what, you needs votes to pass legislation. Maybe some legislators in your party want to fund schools and will vote to override you. If that happens, you have officially become irrelevant.
- George - Tuesday, Jul 25, 17 @ 12:08 pm:
“Retired, it is next to impossible to negotiate anything, and I mean anything, with MJM.”
Governors Thompson, Edgar, and Ryan disagree with you.
- RNUG - Tuesday, Jul 25, 17 @ 12:08 pm:
== Now Madigan is simply trying to take the bailout with no pretense of overall pension reform. ==
You are ignoring the pension reform that was bundled in the budget bill package. That’s pretty much all the legal pension “reform” that can happen.
- Das Opinionator - Tuesday, Jul 25, 17 @ 12:25 pm:
Rauner’s campaign slogan for 2018: “But…but…but…Madigan! Bailout! Illiterate teachers! Machine!”
- GA Watcher - Tuesday, Jul 25, 17 @ 12:33 pm:
RNUG is correct about pension reform in budget package. Creates a third tier for new hires with a hybrid defined benefit/defined contribution plan. Staff analysis showed a savings of $500 million per year to State. Not a lot of savings relatively speaking, but it passes constitutional muster.
- Arock - Tuesday, Jul 25, 17 @ 12:43 pm:
“Governors Thompson, Edgar, and Ryan disagree with you.”
All pretty much culprits for the mess were in, we need drastic changes not half hearted BS.
- Sue - Tuesday, Jul 25, 17 @ 12:45 pm:
How is this for pension reform. Transfer all costs to districts of all year post career packages which inflate career final salaries and make it a felony to give a pass on enforcement. After Wuinn put thru the reform the Tribune ran the articles showing how the pension systems were excusing the employer penalties most notably TRS
- RNUG - Tuesday, Jul 25, 17 @ 12:51 pm:
== all costs to districts of all year post career packages which inflate career final salaries and make it a felony to give a pass on enforcement. ==
The systems may be giving the districts a pass (I don’t know), but the paying for the excessive bumps was passed under Quinn (as you noted). And there was some more language addressing excessive bumps in this year’s passed budget bill.
- Cubs in '16 - Tuesday, Jul 25, 17 @ 1:00 pm:
“I urge the governor to stand with us in choosing reform over a status quo that is failing our students.”
I see what he did there.
- MOON - Tuesday, Jul 25, 17 @ 1:28 pm:
AROCK
Thank you for acknowledging that our fiscal and other problems are the result not only of Dem’s but also the GOP.
- Sue - Tuesday, Jul 25, 17 @ 1:31 pm:
RNUG- according to the Trib articles- virtually all of the districts were given a pass on paying the penalties
- Demoralized - Tuesday, Jul 25, 17 @ 4:57 pm:
==You are ignoring the pension reform==
The anti-public employee pension crowd usually does. If it’s not a reduction in pensions for current employees it doesn’t count as pension reform to them.