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Good cop, bad cop after leaders’ meeting
Tuesday, May 8, 2018 - Posted by Rich Miller * Senate President John Cullerton emerged from the leaders’ meeting after about an hour to say they had some good discussions. He said the leaders didn’t talk about the supplement appropriation requested by the governor. He said there was no talk about a tax hike. “We did that last year,” Cullerton said. He denied an earlier claim by Gov. Rauner that the Democrats were slow-walking the process and later said, “We have a much closer, smaller gap and there’s ways to fill it.” And when asked how receptive Gov. Rauner has been to listening to his and other leaders’ priorities, Cullerton replied, “Very receptive.” * There’s still a budget gap to fill, he said, but he said he was hopeful that they could do some things that they’ve done in the past to close it, including interfund borrowing. Cullerton also said there was some “federal changes” that may allow Illinois to “bring in some more revenue,” but didn’t specify what those were. He was pressed a couple of times about coming up with a formal revenue estimate…
He kinda meandered, but I think what he meant was there could be ideas for bringing in more revenue (including sweeps, etc.), so locking everything down now with a formal estimate isn’t necessary and could be counter-productive. * Then came Gov. Rauner…
* But Leader Brady was more optimistic…
After more than three years, the governor has yet to successfully negotiate a full-year budget. Maybe listening to Leader Brady would be the smart move here.
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- Macbeth - Tuesday, May 8, 18 @ 1:09 pm:
Heckuva job, Brucie.
You’re only real requirement is to negotiate a yearly budget. Everything else is fun stuff.
But yo — Bruce? You ain’t done it yet.
Heckuva job. I mean, yeah, four more years with Mr. Businessman? I mean, why not? You’re so smart, Bruce.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, May 8, 18 @ 1:09 pm:
1) I’d listen to Leader Brady, and work with Leader Durkin and get a first full fiscal year budget… one… out of four fiscal years…
2) If Rauner still hems and haws, get 71 and 36, save Illinois from Raunerism, let Rauner veto yet another budget, and let Rauner run as a governor with two seated GAs and zero signed budgets as a governor.
3) Rauner needs to be passive in his responses. Cullerton and Madigan can get something passed, let’s say, let Rauner veto, and have Rauner run all summer with a vetoed budget hanging out there. Not a great look.
That’s just about all the “reasonable” options out there.
- Jocko - Tuesday, May 8, 18 @ 1:31 pm:
I’m convinced that Bruce is Regina George from “Mean Girls”…whose only motivation is to stir up drama at Springfield High.
- ui9-pp - Tuesday, May 8, 18 @ 1:34 pm:
I don’t think anyone will accuse the Gov of good faith intentions in budget negotiations. FY 18 supplemental needs to be resolved, plus all the “unappropriated” spending from prior years as well. Seems the Gov does not want to be constrained by budgets, appropriation authority, or anything else that will make it seem like he is playing the same “corrupt” game as everyone else. He will not be a party to this “charade” or “sham process”. I assume the Speaker will act accordingly.
- Signal and Noise - Tuesday, May 8, 18 @ 1:39 pm:
I think it’s fair to assume that for all his business success, Rauner truly doesn’t fundamentally understand the discussion happening in that room. Three years later, he has literally learned nothing about governing.
- Smitty Irving - Tuesday, May 8, 18 @ 1:46 pm:
Couldn’t they use COGFA’s projection?
- Ok - Tuesday, May 8, 18 @ 1:56 pm:
The Governor doesn’t care about state budgets. It’s not his thing. It is too boring for a superstar financial whiz such as himself.
He wants disruptive change.
And crisis.
- wordslinger - Tuesday, May 8, 18 @ 2:00 pm:
–After more than three years, the governor has yet to successfully negotiate a full-year budget.–
I don’t think there’s any point in thinking that’s ever been an objective, given his actions.
He likes the gig, for some reason. And to hold onto it, he thinks he has to play the victim.
- Henry Francis - Tuesday, May 8, 18 @ 2:18 pm:
In his past life as a bidnessman, the Guv typically had most of the leverage. As a vulture capitalist, he would be dealing with distressed or struggling companies and he would enjoy a financial advantage, or the advantage of time.
He has demonstrated rather consistently as Guv from the minority party that he has no clue how to get stuff done when he doesn’t have the huge leverage advantage.
I wouldn’t be surprised if he becomes the lamest duck we have seen in recent memory.
- Veil of Ignorance - Tuesday, May 8, 18 @ 2:29 pm:
How quickly GOP members go it alone and cut a deal with Dems will indicate their level of confidence in Rauner’s reelection chances. I think the rule is the captain goes down with the ship…but the crew can jump into lifeboats.
- wordslinger - Tuesday, May 8, 18 @ 2:38 pm:
The Great .3% Revenue Gap is a ridiculously phony issue. It’s like saying do I have $100 or $99.70?
If it’s so important to Rauner, he can just say he’ll negotiate on the basis of the GOMB estimate — and no sweeps (that would be a first for him).
Then, move on.
- Langhorne - Tuesday, May 8, 18 @ 2:39 pm:
COGFA and Rauner estimates are within spitting distance.
So, adopt a spending plan, massage the gap, and call it a
Day
- Lucky Pierre - Tuesday, May 8, 18 @ 2:44 pm:
Past is prologue, there will be another unbalanced budget with zero reforms being voted on the last day of the session
Count on it
- SAP - Tuesday, May 8, 18 @ 2:46 pm:
From the post: “Brady says COGFA estimate is what they are going with”
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, May 8, 18 @ 2:51 pm:
===with zero reforms===
That part is right because the governor didn’t demand any this time.
- RNUG - Tuesday, May 8, 18 @ 3:13 pm:
Assuming the Durkin quote is accurate, it sounds he’s ready to start dividing up the pile into budget buckets. Could be a good sign that the four GA leaders are very close to being in agreement.
- JS Mill - Tuesday, May 8, 18 @ 4:06 pm:
I would love to see the four legislative leaders reach a bargain. Then all of the pressure is on Rauner.
If they are within .3% on the estimate then, because it is an estimate, they are on the same page. Rauner is the fly I. Tje ointment and not In the interest of the people either.
- MickJ - Tuesday, May 8, 18 @ 4:23 pm:
Governor Junk does not want a budget. And would not sign one with the pretend reforms that his bots claim are the issue.
- Arthur Andersen - Tuesday, May 8, 18 @ 5:33 pm:
-I’m convinced Rauner is Regina George from Mean Girls-
Let’s just remember ol’ Regina went under a bus at the end of the movie.
Time to make a deal, Governor George.