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* Welcome to the new world. Dan Proft had an on-air scoop this morning that Richard Goldberg is out as Gov. Rauner’s chief of staff and is being replaced with Illinois Policy Institute President Kristina Rasmussen, and then one of Proft’s newspapers picked it up…
Dan Proft, principal of Local Government Information Services (LGIS), which publishes the Sangamon Sun, first reported the story on his morning radio show on Chicago’s AM 560.
Rasmussen, 34, of Springfield, has been with IPI since 2009. She was elevated to President and COO in 2015.
Goldberg, 33, of Skokie, joined Rauner’s staff in Jan. 2015. He became Chief of Staff in Jan 2016.
Unlike Richard, she has a very pleasant public personality, but is a true believer who will fit right in with the governor’s Randian ideology. We are heading for an even sharper turn right in the wake of four bipartisan veto overrides in a week (three on the budget and one on the 911 bill).
Ain’t gonna be any more deals.
* The Democratic Governors Association is already out with a press release…
ICYMI: Rauner’s New Chief of Staff Slams Governor for Supporting Tax Increase
Today, Kristina Rasmussen was announced as Bruce Rauner’s new Chief of Staff. Rasmussen was recently the President and COO of the Illinois Policy Institute.
Below is the last article she wrote at IPI [in June].
TAX HIKE BUDGET IS POLITICALLY RISKY FOR RAUNER, ILLINOIS REPUBLICANS
By Kristina Rasmussen, June 29th, 2017
A new poll shows Gov. Bruce Rauner’s political base opposes the tax hike budget proposal the governor has supported. And Illinoisans who favor the tax hike budget proposal do not support Rauner.
The political calculation behind Gov. Bruce Rauner’s embrace of the tax hike budget plan backed by certain Republicans in the Illinois General Assembly would seem to be one of self-preservation. The benefit of appearing to back a solution – even one with over $5 billion in economically damaging tax hikes – might seem to outweigh the risk of standing firm on pro-taxpayer principle.
But new polling results show otherwise. Illinois Policy commissioned an overnight poll of 500 Illinois likely voters, which Fabrizio, Lee & Associates conducted on June 20. Pollsters asked Illinoisans whether they favor a budget with tax hikes and minimal reforms – a plan the governor has indicated he will support – or whether they favor a budget that balances through spending cuts with no tax hikes.
The results reveal that in supporting a tax hike budget plan, the governor is pursuing a politically disadvantageous course. The budget the governor is backing is unpopular with his own base of support – and that same base prefers Illinois Policy’s vision of a state budget that balances through spending reforms without tax hikes.
* Her bio from last year when she got the internal promotion…
Rasmussen has been at the helm of the organization since 2009, when she joined the Institute as executive vice president. Under Rasmussen’s leadership, the Institute has become the state’s premiere economic research engine – producing impactful work on budget and tax issues, pensions, education reform, government transparency, economics, criminal justice reform and other issues.
Rasmussen, together with CEO John Tillman, shepherded the Institute’s rapid and successful expansion over the years. In 2012, the Institute launched its nonprofit, statewide news service, the Illinois News Network. Today, INN supplies opinion and news content to more than 50 news partners on a daily basis. In 2013, Illinois Policy Action was launched as a vehicle for taxpayers to join together and amplify their voice in the Illinois Statehouse. It operates as a nonprofit, nonpartisan 501(c)4 organization.
The Institute now has more than 45 full-time employees and is one of the the largest free market organizations in the country. In 2015, Rasmussen won the State Policy Network’s prestigious Overton Award for her leadership and contributions to the liberty movement.
*** UPDATE 1 *** No campaign role for Goldberg. He’s leaving town…
Governor Bruce Rauner today announced that Chief of Staff Richard Goldberg will be transitioning back to foreign policy, national security and consulting following a three-plus year term as senior adviser to the Rauner 2014 campaign, Deputy Chief of Staff for Legislative Affairs and Chief of Staff. Kristina Rasmussen will serve as Chief of Staff.
“Rich is one of the most talented policy, political and communications advisors I’ve ever met and I will forever be indebted to his faithful public service for the last three and a half years,” Governor Rauner said. “I respect his decision to return to national security, foreign policy and consulting. Diana and I will always value his counsel and we wish him the best of luck in his next adventure.”
Prior to his service with Governor Rauner, Goldberg served as Deputy Chief of Staff for then-Senator Mark Kirk where he helped negotiate three rounds of economic sanctions against the Islamic Republic of Iran and worked to secure the deployment of an advanced U.S. missile defense radar to Israel. Goldberg also serves as a Navy Reserve Intelligence Officer and served in Afghanistan in 2011.
* And…
Governor Bruce Rauner announced today that Kristina Rasmussen has been appointed Chief of Staff in the Office of the Governor. Rasmussen will replace former Chief of Staff Richard Goldberg, effective on July 10, 2017.
Rasmussen joins the Administration from the Illinois Policy Institute, where she has served as president and chief operating officer. Rasmussen previously served as director of government affairs for the National Taxpayers Union. She is a graduate of George Washington University and Randolph-Macon Woman’s College.
“Kristina has worked tirelessly to defend taxpayers over the course of her career,” said Governor Rauner. “Her record of achievement speaks for itself, both nationally and right here in the Prairie State.
“My vision has always been for an Illinois that is prosperous and compassionate, with a state government that serves the people, rather than the other way around. That’s Kristina’s vision too, and that’s why I have appointed her my next Chief of Staff.”
Like I said above, she fits in neatly with the governor’s ideological bent.
*** UPDATE 2 *** Goldberg has been wanting to leave for a while now, so his exit isn’t that much of a shock. Most figured he’d leave after a budget was in place. He’s been talking about returning the world of foreign relations for a while now.
His replacement, however, is somewhat of a shock. There was an identifiable internal replacement for Goldberg. Rauner most definitely went in a different direction.
And that new direction should help the governor avoid a Republican primary. He just shored up his right flank.
*** UPDATE 3 *** Press release…
Illinois Policy Institute CEO John Tillman issued the following statement in response to the news that former Illinois Policy Institute President Kristina Rasmussen has been appointed chief of staff to Gov. Bruce Rauner:
“Though we will miss her immensely at Illinois Policy Institute, we are thrilled that Kristina is bringing her passion for sound policy, her love of liberty, and her vision of an Illinois that is prosperous and free to the service of a governor who shares all those qualities. Gov. Bruce Rauner was elected on the promise to translate those ideas into action – and his engagement of Kristina is an unmistakable signal that he intends to fulfill it.
“The 32 percent tax hike without reform that the General Assembly just passed illustrates the imperative to win the fight to put the people of Illinois first. We must reform the system that has allowed House Speaker Mike Madigan and his political machine to create such hardship for working families. With the governor’s decision to add Kristina to his team, Illinois taxpayers and families have an effective and proven champion on their side.”
*** UPDATE 4 *** Press release…
This morning, Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner announced that Kristina Rasmussen replaced Richard Goldberg as the administration’s Chief of Staff. Rasmussen had been serving as President and Chief Operating Officer of Illinois Policy Institute (IPI) and Illinois Policy Action (IPA). Illinois Opportunity Project President Matthew Besler released the following statement in response to Rasmussen’s appointment:
“Since 2009, Kristina has contributed immeasurably to the freedom movement in Illinois. Under her bold leadership, the Illinois Policy Institute has become the largest, most respected state think tank in the country. She is a talented executive and understands the issues.”
“The addition of Kristina Rasmussen signals a welcome departure from the approach that has placed partisan maneuvering and political insiders ahead of families and businesses. The people of Illinois are suffering. Today, more than ever, they are ready for a transformation in state government. A driving force behind IPI’s expansion, Kristina is the ideal person to usher in that change.”
“The Illinois Opportunity Project is greatly encouraged by Governor Rauner’s choice of Kristina Rasmussen as his Chief of Staff. With her at the helm, we are confident the Governor is returning to the revolutionist instinct that won him the governorship in 2014 and brought hope to the people of Illinois. We sincerely thank Kristina for her tireless efforts toward protecting families from Springfield elites in the expansion of the liberty movement. And we fully support her in this new role.”
*** UPDATE 5 *** Check out the new Google ad announcing their takeover…
*** UPDATE 6 *** Pritzker campaign…
Bruce Rauner isn’t shaking up Springfield, but he is shaking up his own administration following four bipartisan veto overrides and a complete failure to accomplish any of his legislative goals during his time in office. Rauner knows the damage is done. Someone had to pay the price for Rauner’s failed leadership, and once again, it wasn’t going to be Bruce Rauner himself.
Richard Goldberg was ousted from the Rauner administration and will be transitioning back to consulting. Rauner’s new chief of staff, Kristina Rasmussen, previously ran the Illinois Policy Institute and will be perpetuating the governor’s extreme ideology.
“The Illinois Policy Institute proposes fantasy budgets that seek to decimate Illinois working families, so this is a perfect choice for Bruce Rauner,” said Pritzker campaign manager Anne Caprara. “Last week, after 736 days of crisis, Bruce Rauner’s own party rebuked his special interest agenda. This week, Rauner is doubling down with a new chief of staff who has proposed dramatic cuts to education, raiding local government funds, and decimating unions. This is a failed governor entirely incapable of learning from his many mistakes, seeking compromise, and getting anything done. His new chief of staff will be a partner in his continued damage to Illinois.”
*** UPDATE 7 *** The governor’s new chief of staff was a Breitbart columnist back in the day. Click here for the archive. (Hat tip: IWT)
…Adding… Noted…
*** UPDATE 8 *** From the Illinois Policy Institute’s news service…
Rasmussen is believed to be the first female chief of staff on a governor’s team in Illinois history. In the past 30 years, no other female has held such a position in the state.
Um, no. Michelle Saddler held that job in 2010.
*** UPDATE 9 *** Coverage of note…
* Hinz: Rauner signals war with new chief of staff
* Tribune: Days after lawmakers override Rauner veto, he gets new chief of staff
