* Keep in mind that these are Senate bills, so the Senate has to go first, and as of 12:01, the bills aren’t on the governor’s desk according to LIS, but Cullerton’s spokesman said a short while ago that he believed they had been delivered. The Senate Democrats told me they would send them to Rauner as soon as possible.
But, man this could be cutting it close because the markets and the ratings agencies re-open tomorrow morning…
Extra confirmation. Madigan spokesman Steve Brown says the House won't vote TODAY to override Rauner's pending vetoes of budget bills.
JB Pritzker released the following statement following the passage of a bipartisan state budget by the Illinois General Assembly:
“For nearly three years, Bruce Rauner has driven our state into crisis and inflicted pain on tens of thousands of Illinoisans,” said JB Pritzker. “Now, as Republicans and Democrats come together to declare enough is enough and finally pass a budget, for Bruce Rauner, not even the threat of a complete meltdown can get him to do his job.
“Bruce Rauner has no intention of letting this crisis end. As he has for 734 days, Rauner will continue using school children, college students, seniors and people with disabilities as pawns in his game to drive this state to bankruptcy and junk status. Rauner is a one track mind with a single goal of ramming through a special interest agenda that leaves most Illinoisans behind.
“Democrats and Republicans in the General Assembly did their job. And while the damage caused by Bruce Rauner can never be undone, for the sake of our children and families, I hope Governor Rauner will step up and sign the bipartisan budget plan that’s being delivered to his desk.”
So, Pritzker is openly willing to own support for a tax hike. Interesting.
* Biss campaign…
Daniel Biss released the following statement as the House and Senate reached agreement on a budget.
“The House and Senate have agreed on a budget, and sent it to Governor Rauner’s desk. This budget has support from Democrats and Republicans—it’s far from perfect, but it will open schools in the fall, fund vital social services, pay public sector employees, and put our state within the realm of financial solvency. Governor Rauner has committed to veto it.
“Rauner’s obstructionism is nothing new to Senate Democrats, or to the people of Illinois. What is new, however, is that he is losing control of his own party. In response pressure from their constituents, many of my Republican colleagues, including members of both houses, voted in favor of the budget and in defiance of Rauner. This isn’t about political parties or ideological commitments, it’s about doing what is necessary to save our state — and we will be prepared when it becomes necessary to override the Governor’s veto.”
…Adding… Press release…
Ameya Pawar, 47th Ward alderman and Democratic candidate for Illinois governor today issued the following statement in response to Gov. Bruce Rauner’s decision to veto a bipartisan and balanced budget bill that passed both chambers of the Illinois General Assembly:
“Republicans and Democrats in both houses came together this week to pass a responsible budget that protects middle class families and finally puts our state on a steady fiscal path. With his veto, the governor made very clear that he doesn’t care about the future of our state and the hard-working families that make it great.”
“Instead, he is holding our future hostage to achieve two selfish and dangerous goals: to destroy organized labor and the fundamental protections they have won for workers, and to use Chicago schools as a scapegoat now that he’s done paying to clout his own child into the public school of his choice. Today’s actions make it clear that only one person stands between a bankrupt state and a bright future. It’s time for Bruce Rauner to go.”
*** UPDATE 1*** Raw audio of Sen. Righter’s media availability thanks to our very good buddy Dave Dahl…
*** UPDATE 2*** Righter said he’s had several conversations over the past several day which helped him come to the conclusion that a “Yes” vote was the right vote…
“This state has to start balancing its budgets. That is the first and most important thing. Every dollar that we throw on to the backlog of bills is a dollar that the next generation has to pay for even though we got to spend it. That’s simply wrong.” […]
“Obviously, I am elected and work for the people of the 55th Senate District and that’s who made the call today.” […]
Righter said the impasse has been “very harmful” for EIU and the “university system as a whole.”
“In the end you vote your district, and my district told me to vote for this package.”
Asked what people should cut from their household budgets to pay for the tax hike, Righter said, “Everyone’s gotta balance their budget at home.”
Righter said he spoke to the governor’s office and Leader Brady and “both were very respectful” of how he was planning to vote.
“Today, I represented my district,” he said at the end.
[ *** End Of Update *** ]
* So, why did Republican Sen. Dale Righter break with the governor and vote for a tax hike, budget and BIMP bills? His local Eastern Illinois University president worked him…
* The Senate approved SB 9, the revenue bill, on a vote of 36-18.
Senate Republican Leader Bill Brady asked for more time to negotiate. But the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Toi Hutchinson, replied “We don’t have any more time. We know we don’t.”
“We are faced with the fierce urgency of now,” Hutchinson said. “We don’t have any more time.”
Hutchinson claimed the package before the Senate was the result of two years of bipartisan talks and a “lot of give and take.”
“It is time to be the independent legislature the framers demanded,” Hutchinson said, urging her colleagues to show they are members of a “co-equal branch,” which was a clear dig at Gov. Rauner.
…Adding… Sen. Dale Righter, a Republican, voted for the bill. Democratic Sens. Tom Cullerton and Julie Morrison voted against the tax hike.
…Adding More… Roll call…
Roll call on revenue bill in Senate. Sen. Righter, a Republican, who voted yes. pic.twitter.com/FO0m87cBAl
*** UPDATE 1 *** The Senate has approved SB 6, the omnibus appropriations bill with 39 votes. It should’ve had 40, but Sen. Martinez said her button wasn’t working. Roll call…
Republican Sens. Anderson, Fowler, McCann and Righter voted for the bill.
*** UPDATE 2 *** The budget implementation bill passed 36-17 without any debate at all.
…Adding… The Tribune’s headline writer strikes again…
Madigan told reporters that Republican leaders skipped out on a leaders meeting on Monday afternoon but said he will continue to work with Republican leaders about changes to workers’ compensation and a property tax freeze.
While he described Republican support for the income tax as a show of resistance against Rauner, Republican leaders believe Democrats abandoned the negotiating process by moving forward with the votes. Illinois Republican Leader Jim Durkin’s office confirmed he wouldn’t attend a leaders meeting on Tuesday.
At issue are some of the requests made during negotiations. Durkin’s office contends Democrats asked for a “good faith” vote from Republicans on the spending plan, which they came through with last week, and an assurance they would help to override the governor’s veto of a bill which, in part, authorizes phone carriers to pay out 911 centers.
Both of those happened, yet Madigan — despite ongoing negotiations on reforms — moved forward with votes.
Good points. But 15 of Durkin’s own members broke ranks to support the tax hike. They clearly saw different writing on the Statehouse walls.
…Adding… From comments…
Also, the day before, when Madigan announced his plans to not hold votes on Saturday and Sunday, Durkin went to the floor to excoriate Madigan for not getting a budget package to the floor that very day. And then the House GOP applauded Durkin wildly, and one GOP member even heckled the Speaker.
So Madigan called his bluff.
Don’t gamble unless you are willing to have your bet called. Durkin has no leg to stand on here.
“We worked with Republicans today on those issues; we’ll continue to work with the Republicans on those issues until they’re resolved,” Madigan said.
Republicans appear unconvinced. Rauner spokeswoman Catherine Kelly said the speaker is “clearly trying to distract from his 32 percent permanent tax hike.” Spokeswomen for Senate Minority Leader Bill Brady and House Minority Leader Jim Durkin would not say why the two men didn’t attend Monday’s meeting, but Durkin’s office said he would not attend Tuesday. Brady’s spokeswoman indicated without all leaders attending, Brady won’t either.
The absences raised questions in Cullerton’s mind about where negotiations, particularly on the tangential Rauner demands, stand.
“We have to do something,” Cullerton said. “The House has acted but we’d prefer to do it in agreement with Republicans.”
Southern Illinois University System President Randy Dunn, according to a spokesman, called the vote by Bryant and the other 14 Republicans a “heroic stand” in the midst of a historic political standoff. Bryant said she’s also received words of encouragement and thanks from regional school superintendents, health care providers and others. […]
Southern Illinois’ economy is more vulnerable to the effects of the ongoing impasse than other regions because large percentages of people are employed by the state — at prisons, mental health facilities, and public aid, driver services and other government offices — or by entities that are directly supported by state funding, including hospitals, social service agencies, universities and community colleges and K-12 schools, she said. […]
Bryant and the others who supported the bill, “stood up not just for SIU, but the entire Southern Illinois region,” Charles added.
Dunn also thanked Rep. Brandon Phelps, D-Harrisburg, who joined with the majority of Democrats voting in favor of Senate Bill 9. The bill would raise the personal income tax from 3.75 percent to 4.95 percent, and the corporate income tax from 5.25 percent to 7 percent.
It’s about time that a university president finally stepped up on this. Their institutions are on the verge of death. They need to speak out.
Also, where’s AFSCME been? Where’s SEIU? Where are the trade unions that rely on road construction work?
The groups that are against a tax hike have ginned up an intense social media firestorm. But the groups which rely on government have stayed mostly mum.
* Both of the teachers’ unions have announced support for the tax hike, however. This is from the Illinois Federation of Teachers President Dan Montgomery…
“Last night, we breathed a sigh of relief as a bipartisan supermajority of lawmakers found a way out of our state’s two-year budget crisis. As we prepare to celebrate the 4th of July, it finally felt like we had gained independence from Governor Rauner’s political threats and radical agenda that lowers taxes on the wealthy while working families struggle.
Of course, it didn’t last long.
The Governor’s pledge to veto this strong, bipartisan agreement and worsen the damage is deplorable. Five universities have reached junk bond status. The state owes more than $1 billion to our K-12 schools and $15 billion to businesses who have provided goods and services expecting to be paid. Social services are shuttered.
But Governor Rauner couldn’t care less, because he’s never wanted resolution.
He said he would happily shut down government and create a crisis for leverage to enact his agenda. And while claiming to negotiate in good faith, he spent millions of dollars on political ads attacking those with whom he was supposed to be working.
On behalf of more than 100,000 educators, staff, and public employees across Illinois, we want to thank lawmakers for doing the right thing, particularly the fifteen House Republicans who courageously stood up to Bruce Rauner who would rather see Illinois crumble than prosper.
We urge the Senate to follow the example of their House colleagues and vote for this bipartisan revenue and spending plan, and when approved, we urge Governor Rauner to end this madness and sign the bills immediately.”
Tonight, the Illinois House of Representatives took a major step toward stabilizing the financial crisis Illinois has been in for more than two budget-less years.
We thank the members of the House for taking this step to vote on a full and balanced budget – especially those Republicans who saw the dire circumstances our education systems in this state were facing – and stepped up to support them.
We urge the Senate to concur with this budget plan and we strongly urge Gov. Bruce Rauner to sign it.
“From the preschool student learning to write his name and add his numbers to the university student planning her future career, this budget bill gives our state hope,” said IEA President Cinda Klickna.
“Education and the state of Illinois are too important to be allowed to crash and burn. Thank you for finding common ground for the good of us all.”
*** UPDATE *** Shortly after the Senate’s votes today, the U of I sent this to legislators…
We are grateful to the legislators who voted to support the budget that provides funding for the second half of FY17 and for the full year of FY18. This financial support is crucial to ensure the continued excellence of the University of Illinois System, which enrolls more than 81,000 students and plays a key role as an engine of progress for our state. We hope the lessons learned during this long and difficult impasse will help to restore long-term stability and provide predictable funding year after year so we can plan our future and expand our impact on the public good. We urge the governor to sign the legislation.
Thank you!
Jennifer M. Creasey
Director State Relations
Office of Government Relations
House Democratic women request meeting with Gov 2 implore him to retract his threat to veto the budget & save our state from junk status. pic.twitter.com/pY3AxYnDCx
— Rep Sara Feigenholtz (@StateRepSara) July 3, 2017
Sit in by House Democratic women in Gov Rauners office demanding a meeting to save our state and keep schools open!! #DoYourJobpic.twitter.com/DL1T4pwkeU
GOP Reps. Barbara Wheeler, Keith Wheeler, Margo McDermed, Grant Wehrli, Tony McCombie, Lindsay Parkhurst, Jeanne Ives and Peter Breen showed up.
The group of anti-tax Republicans whipped out their own phones and apparently started asking the Democrats about their tax hike plan. The Democrats then returned to the floor. I’m hoping to find video of the latter exchange. If you see it somewhere, post a link in comments.
…Adding… From the Democratic women…
“We believe now is the time to end this state budget impasse and yesterday’s votes are an important step toward a solution. Our group today visited the Governor’s office to request a meeting with the Governor to ask him to approve this package.
We have made significant compromises and have seen bipartisan support for a balanced budget. Rather than issuing veto threats, we want to meet with the Governor to explain why this is the right solution and hope he will meet with us soon.”
* For months, newspapers, pundit, etc. have been screaming “Get a budget!” So, what happens when the House passed what appears to have been a balanced budget? Check out the headlines…
* Tribune: Madigan’s House approves major income tax hike as Republicans break with Rauner
* Sun-Times: Illinois House OKs income tax hike, spending plan; Rauner vows vetoes
* AP: Rauner says he’ll veto hike in Ill. income tax
* Daily Herald: Rauner promises to veto income tax hike
All tax hike, all Rauner veto, all the time. With a sprinkling of “Madigan!”
Polling consistently shows that Illinoisans do not want a tax hike. So, from that perspective, Gov. Rauner “won” today’s headline war.
*** UPDATE 1 *** From the Illinois Republican Party…
Hey Rich,
In addition to the headlines you posted, Governor Rauner’s message is also cutting through the clutter on social media. The Governor’s veto message on the Bruce Rauner Facebook page was the farthest reaching organic post ever for Rauner. That post has already organically reached over 300,000 individual newsfeeds.
Taken together, posts from Rauner and ILGOP pages about Madigan’s tax hike and last minute budget organically reached over 550,000 newsfeeds since yesterday. That’s not even including the Governor’s official side veto post, which received even more shares.
The prospect of Madigan’s massive tax hike - the largest in state history since it is a permanent increase - is activating voters who otherwise have been passive observers of the impasse so far.
* From Comptroller Mendoza’s statement last night…
We still have a long road ahead to a comprehensive budget plan to pay down our $15 billion backlog of unpaid bills that has tripled in the two years since Governor Rauner took office.
It’s actually worse than that. Except for K-12, last year’s stopgap budget only contained appropriations for half the year. Universities, social service groups, business vendors, etc., etc., etc. never got an appropriation for the second half of Fiscal Year 2017, which ended Friday.
The second half of FY 16 ended the same way and the state’s leaders just sent that down the memory hole.
So, they not only need to deal with most of that backlog (they don’t have to deal with all of it at once, just as long as they can get it down to a 30-day payment cycle), they also have to figure out what to do about the billions they never got around to appropriating in the first place.
* Aside from passing a temporary tax and then not preparing for its partial rollback, the other giant failure of the Democrats in 2011 was not dealing with the overdue bills. That debt was like a massive ball and chain being dragged around by the government’s neck, and it didn’t get resolved for four years, helping to convince folks that the tax hike “didn’t work” and that Pat Quinn was a failed governor. Borrowing to pay off that debt would’ve done wonders for Quinn, and so I’m curious whether the Democrats will “help” Rauner out this time.
The Illinois House of Representatives on Monday passed a bill for the final piece of the state’s fiscal 2018 budget that includes authorization for $6 billion of bonds to pay down a $15 billion bill pile.
The budget implementation bill was sent to the Senate on a 72-36 vote. The House on Sunday passed appropriation and revenue bills that require concurrence votes in the Senate.
In passing the budget implementation bill, a dozen House Republicans joined majority Democrats to reach a 73-vote threshold that could withstand a possible veto by the governor if the measure passes the Senate. Republican Governor Bruce Rauner has already said he will veto the revenue bill that includes a big income tax rate hike. […]
State Representative Greg Harris, the House Democrats’ budget point person, said enough money has been identified only to cover debt service on $3 billion of bonds and that the rest of the debt could be issued once additional revenue is available.
Sigh.
$3 billion is almost a point on the income tax.
There’s also some dispute over the language in the BIMP about when the bonds are supposed to be paid back.
