* Labor Notes has an interesting op-ed by a co-worker of Mark Janus, who is the plaintiff in the US Supreme Court case about the constitutionality of mandatory fair share fees…
1. Without our union, Mr. Janus’s job would probably have been outsourced by now. A drastic provision in the state’s “last, best, and final offer” in 2016 would have given Governor Rauner the right to outsource and privatize state employees’ jobs without accountability. Our union is all that’s preventing critical public services from being privatized. […]
2. Mr. Janus has received $17,000 in union-negotiated raises. […]
3. The public—including the parents and kids Mr. Janus serves—has access to resources like childcare that our union has fought to defend. […]
4. Our union blocked the employer from doubling the cost of Mr. Janus’s health benefits. […]
5. We make sure Mr. Janus’s office is warm in the winter and cool in the summer… In the building where Mr. Janus and I work, the heating and cooling system is extremely old. Twice a year they bring in a computer from 1982 to switch from heat to air conditioning for the summer, and vice versa for the winter. So when the weather fluctuates, we work to get portable heating or cooling units deployed where they’re needed.
Go read the whole thing and tell us what you think.
* Related…
* ADDED: Meet the new head of Chicago labor: Ramirez himself frames it in sharper terms: “He’s as left as they come. He’s for all labor, not just a building trades guy.”
* Will the court break public-sector unions? Those for, against unions anxiously await U.S. Supreme Court ruling on if mandatory dues violate rights
* Washington’s public unions fight to retain influence in face of adverse court ruling
* Janus decision could bring change to California politics
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* The governor’s AV outline…
* As the governor said today, Speaker Madigan doesn’t like to accept amendatory vetoes (I think he approved one under Blagojevich). So, I kinda doubt this AV will be approved. Instead, as the governor said, the GA could take up the AV as a new bill and then pass that.
* Reinstating the death penalty for mass murderers and cop killers appears to be designed to appeal to his party base and drive a wedge in the electorate. The governor’s proposal would increase the standard of proof to “guilty beyond all doubt.” One of the problems with reinstating the death penalty is that people start to ask “Well, what about (fill in the blank) murderers?” Rauner was asked this question today and said he could be in favor of expanding the death penalty to other topics, but refused to say what they might be, going so far as to say the question wasn’t serious. Also, for a guy who constantly complains about government incompetence and the need for judicial reform, giving that same state the power of life and death over individuals seems a bit contradictory.
* Handgun purchases already require a 72-hour waiting period. This bill expands that period to all guns. The underlying bill only applied to assault weapons. Because there’s such an intense disagreement over how to define assault weapons (and assault weapons themselves have been so politicized), this change does make some sense if you think the waiting period is useful.
* The firearm restraining order has been hotly opposed by groups like the Illinois State Rifle Association, which complains about the lack of due process for gun owners. We don’t yet have the governor’s actual language, so I’m not sure if he modeled his language on existing legislation. The governor said that property rights need to be constitutionally balanced with protecting lives.
* Not a single Democratic lawmaker was at the governor’s press conference today. When asked about this, the governor said his administration has had conversations with Democrats. He was also asked whether he had spoken to any members of the Black Caucus about the death penalty and he completely dodged the question, saying he believes the issue would be popular with the public.
…Adding… More from the governor’s Twitter feed because we don’t even have a press release yet, let alone actual language…
*** UPDATE 1 *** The governor’s press release is here. The headline is “Gov. Rauner proposes death penalty for mass murderers and killers of law enforcement officers,” so it’s pretty clear where he’s trying to go with his messaging.
…Adding… Tribune headline: “Rauner proposes reinstating Illinois death penalty in cases of mass killings, police slayings”…
Democratic state Rep. Jonathan Carroll of Northbrook said he expected the death penalty provision and changes on plea bargains to complicate things politically.
“He hijacked my bill and put politics ahead of policy,” Carroll said. He said he had not been consulted about the governor’s proposed changes.
“I think that it was very telling that there was not one Democrat there,” Carroll said of the news conference, which was held at an Illinois State Police facility in Chicago. “It would have been nice if, as the original sponsor, if I would have been invited to have conversations about this bill or even to the press conference today to talk about this bill.”
* Sun-Times headline: “Rauner pushes to reinstate death penalty for cop killers, mass murderers”…
In announcing his recommendations, Rauner stood alongside Republican lawmakers and law enforcement officials at the Illinois State Police headquarters in Chicago. […]
Madigan spokesman Steve Brown said he has yet to see the governor’s recommendations.
“First we want to make sure it complies with the Constitution, as we do with all amendatory vetoes,” Brown said. “And then we’ll go from there.”
But Brown criticized the governor’s “negotiations” on the package: “This is the governor’s negotiated gun safety program. I guess there’s no negotiations. It’s just absurd.”
*** UPDATE 2 *** Click here for the governor’s veto message.
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* Sports Illustrated…
The United States Supreme Court agreed on Monday to allow New Jersey’s bid for sports betting at its casinos and racetracks, effectively ending prohibition on a $100 billion industry and striking down restrictions on wagering outside of Nevada.
“The legalization of sports gambling requires an important policy choice, but the choice is not ours to make,” the Supreme Court announced. “Congress can regulate sports gambling directly, but if it elects not to do so, each State is free to act on its own.”
The ruling could allow as many as 25 other states to seek similar allowances.
The case, Murphy v. National Collegiate Athletic Association, dealt with if the government had the right to “impermissibly commandeer the regulatory power of States.”
The opinion is here.
* Looks like our spring state legislative session might finally see an uptick in activity…
* American Gaming Association President Geoff Freeman…
“Today’s decision is a victory for the millions of Americans who seek to bet on sports in a safe and regulated manner. According to a Washington Post survey, a solid 55 percent of Americans believe it’s time to end the federal ban on sports betting. Today’s ruling makes it possible for states and sovereign tribal nations to give Americans what they want: an open, transparent, and responsible market for sports betting. Through smart, efficient regulation this new market will protect consumers, preserve the integrity of the games we love, empower law enforcement to fight illegal gambling, and generate new revenue for states, sporting bodies, broadcasters and many others. The AGA stands ready to work with all stakeholders – states, tribes, sports leagues, and law enforcement – to create a new regulatory environment that capitalizes on this opportunity to engage fans and boost local economies.”
…Adding… NCSL…
“NCSL applauds today’s U.S. Supreme Court decision striking down PASPA as unconstitutional and violative of the 10th Amendment. NCSL supports every state’s right to regulate gaming and sports betting, including both legalization and prohibition, without unwarranted federal preemption and interference. This landmark ruling provides states another tool with which they can continue to craft smart, tailored policies during a time of congressional gridlock in Washington.”
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* HB1468…
Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Defines “assault weapon”. Provides that a person commits the offense of unlawful sale or delivery of firearms when he or she knowingly delivers any assault weapon without withholding delivery of the assault weapon for at least 72 hours, including to a nonresident of the State while at a firearm showing or display recognized by the Department of State Police. Provides that a violation is a Class 4 felony. Effective immediately.
* Lots and lots of rumors last week that the governor will AV the bill today. I’ll update this post when I know more. Also, keep an eye on our live coverage post because there doesn’t seem to be an available live video feed…
Daily Public Schedule: Monday, May 14, 2018
What: Gov. Rauner takes action on House Bill 1468 and discusses public safety
Where: Illinois State Police Forensic Science Laboratory, 1941 W. Roosevelt Road, Chicago
Date: Monday, May 14, 2018
Time: 10:00 a.m.
*** UPDATE *** Rewrite to do right?…
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* DGA…
At the Kemp Forum last Friday, Governor Bruce Rauner was given a golden opportunity to break his silence on President Donald Trump and show the people of Illinois that he would stand up for them. Instead, he praised Trump’s policies. Rauner was asked how the president was doing and said “I applaud” the Republicans’ middle-class tax hike and his regulatory policies.
CHARLES THOMAS: “But – because you haven’t gone very much, haven’t talked about it very much during your time in office. But, how’s Donald Trump doing?”
BRUCE RAUNER: “Um, so. The president is somebody that I work with. Just, I work with President Trump just as I did with President Obama. My job is to work with the White House and in Congress to make sure that the people of Illinois, the best interests of our state are represented in the actions coming in Washington. I applaud what the White House and Congress have done to cut taxes. The tax cut has led to more jobs, higher incomes, higher pay, and more economic opportunity and I applaud that, that was great progress. I also applaud the regulatory relief that the Trump administration is bringing. They’re cutting red tape, reducing regulations, encouraging free enterprise, and I applaud that. I think that’s a great step in the right direction. Some of the tactics being used in our trade negotiations – we’ll see whether they work, I’m not in a position to comment.”
Rauner’s been notably silent on Donald Trump’s presidency. He failed to stand up for the 42,000 Illinois DACA recipients facing deportation, never lifted a finger while the administration rolled back environmental protections, and refused to fight Republican attempts to dismantle the Affordable Care Act.
“Bruce Rauner’s gone from silently supportive of President Trump to openly embracing his policies,” said DGA Illinois Communications Director Sam Salustro. “Illinois families can be certain now that Rauner is never going to protect them from Donald Trump’s destructive politics.”
“Openly embracing” Trump’s policies? Seems like a stretch.
The DGA’s video clip is here. The full video is here.
* More from the forum…
Um, procurement reform wasn’t one of his original 44 points. And, apparently, it’s still broken.
* And one more bit from the forum…
Rauner blamed his nemesis House Speaker Michael Madigan for Illinois’ problems. And the governor called on every candidate for the House this year to pledge the following.
“We want every member of the General Assembly who is running for the House of Representatives — which controls the budget making process and the spending process — we’re asking them to sign a promise to you and all the people of Illinois. Sign a promise. Don’t just talk about it. Don’t pretend. Sign a promise right in front of a TV camera or in front of an editorial board,” Rauner said. “I promise to vote to put term limits on the ballot. … The second promise is I promise to vote for somebody, anybody, other than Mike Madigan to be Speaker after 35 years.”
*** UPDATE *** Pritzker campaign…
Trailing Donald Trump’s approval rating in Illinois, Bruce Rauner is applauding his partner in Washington and taking a page out of the Trump playbook with his trademark tactic of attacking the media.
At the Kemp Forum on Friday, Rauner responded to a question about Illinois’ image under his failed leadership with a Trumpian line: “Don’t get me started on the bias in the media.” Later, the failed governor applauded the failed president for passing a devastating tax bill and rolling back Obama-era consumer protections — after initially being wary of even saying Trump’s name.
“Donald Trump is more popular than Bruce Rauner in Illinois, so it’s no wonder this failed governor is applauding his friend in Washington and copying his divisive tactics,” said Pritzker campaign spokesman Jason Rubin.
The video clip is here.
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*** UPDATED x1 *** Biss endorses Pritzker
Monday, May 14, 2018 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Press release…
Today, JB Pritzker and Daniel Biss released the following statements on their commitment to defeating Bruce Rauner and electing Democrats up and down the ballot:
“Since the primary, JB Pritzker and I have had a series of productive discussions about the future of the State of Illinois,” said Senator Daniel Biss. “I’m thrilled with his relentless focus on a progressive income tax as the right way to fix our budget without burdening the middle class or the poor, and I’m pleased that he’s committed to fight for campaign finance reform so our political system is accountable to everyone. That’s why beyond my long-standing commitment to defeating failed governor Bruce Rauner, I am all in to elect JB Pritzker. This year I will be proudly campaigning for JB Pritzker, Juliana Stratton, and Democrats up and down the ticket.”
“This election isn’t just about beating Bruce Rauner. It’s about uniting Democrats across the state around a progressive agenda that will bring real change to Illinois,” said JB Pritzker. “Daniel Biss and I have a relationship rooted in the shared values that lead us both to fight for a progressive income tax, campaign finance reform, legalizing marijuana, and healthcare for all. I’m excited to have his support, and his help in fighting for those priorities. Democrats are united and we will win big in November so we can put Springfield back on the side of working families and move Illinois forward.”
*** UPDATE *** Rauner campaign…
Biss Spent Months Attacking Pritzker’s Corrupt Past
Today, Dan Biss endorsed JB Pritzker despite previously calling him “disqualified to serve as governor” and spending months highlighting Pritzker’s corrupt past.
Here are just a few examples of what Pritzker’s newest endorser thinks about the Democratic candidate for governor:
Chicago Maroon: “If we are concerned with the way state government has gone since 1983, if we think that the concentration of power is too great in the state of Illinois, if we think that the fabled political machine that has screwed so much stuff up over the course of these many decades, is too powerful, electing J.B. Pritzker governor is literally the worst thing we could possibly do.”
Biss Statement: “Today’s report proves that JB Pritzker is disqualified to serve as governor.”
WBBM: “If that phone call [with disgraced ex-Governor Rod Blagojevich] was your definition of public service, you’re doing it wrong.”
Chicago Tribune: “State Sen. Daniel Biss of Evanston said the conversation between Pritzker and Blagojevich represents ‘everything that’s wrong with the connection between money and power. For too long our broken system has allowed the wealthy to have unfettered access to the decision-makers in our government. That’s what breeds corruption.’”
Chicago Tribune: “‘It took J.B. Pritzker a week to get permission from Mike Madigan to even name him in talking about this sexual harassment cover-up,’ Biss said… But Pritzker did not answer a panelist’s question of whether Madigan should give up his party chairmanship, his speaker role or both. ‘He hasn’t gotten permission yet from Madigan to answer that question,’ said Biss in noting the dodge.”
State Journal-Register: “There’s a Pritzker-Madigan wing of the Democratic Party and there’s the progressive wing of the Democratic Party that I’m a part of.”
Tweet: Biss continues calling Pritzker, “Madigan’s candidate” after debate wraps up.
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