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* Gov. Pat Quinn has said he’ll keep the General Assembly in session throughout the summer if necessary if the gaping $2.7 billion hole in the state’s Medicaid budget isn’t resolved. He also says that Medicaid and pension fixes must both happen this spring.
* The Question: I know it’s only May 2nd, but do you think the General Assembly’s spring session will last into the summer? Take the poll and then explain your answer in comments, please.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, May 2, 12 @ 1:00 pm
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Doing big things, like pension reform, always takes a combination of threats and deadlines.
The members are going to have to see that Quinn, Madigan, and Cullerton are serious about pension reform, and are willing to put some actual political muscle into making sure that the bill passes the GA.
The only way you do that is by finding a way to show that this is more than lip service, and an extra long session is an easy way to show that.
Comment by J Wednesday, May 2, 12 @ 1:09 pm
I voted no and would remind the governor that his precedessor tried the same s&*%# and it was met with much weeping and wailing and ghashing of teeth. In other words- don’t try it>
Comment by Not gonna matter Wednesday, May 2, 12 @ 1:10 pm
Passage will require a super majority for the budget if the assembly goes into the summer. That would require more Repubs to vote with the Dems.
Comment by Nearly Normal Wednesday, May 2, 12 @ 1:15 pm
@Not gonna matter
Comparing Quinn to Blago is inappropriate. Polling shows the public supports radical changes to how Illinois budgets. Blago didn’t have the public at his back.
That said, I voted “No” because given recent history, I highly doubt that Republicans are likely to get behind major bipartisan reforms. Absent any bipartisan cooperation prior to May 31st, there’s no reason for Quinn, Madigan and Cullerton to expect bipartisan cooperation after May 31st.
Democrats will realize their only hope is to pass a Democrats-only bill prior to May 31st. That plan will most likely make “significant reforms” that Democrats can point to in their re-election efforts. Republicans and the Tribune will argue that the reforms don’t go far enough but will offer no real solutions of their own.
Both sides will be right in a sense, and further action will be necessary in veto session.
Democrats might also construct their plans in such a way that they go “too far” by design, setting up court battles over the constitutional pension guarantee and/or federal Medicaid requirements designed to bring us back to Square One in the Spring.
Also, you’ve got to expect that we’ll pass something this spring because Madigan said so.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Wednesday, May 2, 12 @ 1:22 pm
Tough question…..On 1 hand these are 2 huge issues that need alot of time to work themselves out, but on the other hand this is an election year based on newly drawn maps.
I voted Yes, but it wouldn’t surprise me if the GA ignored Quinn’s threats & passed Medicaid reform & waited until the fall to fiddle with pensions.
Comment by TCB Wednesday, May 2, 12 @ 1:33 pm
Yellow Dog - “Democrats might also construct their plans in such a way that they go “too far” by design, setting up court battles over the constitutional pension guarantee and/or federal Medicaid requirements designed to bring us back to Square One in the Spring.”
But we wouldn’t be at square one in the spring…we’d be much further in the hole - the GA will spend all of the available money (and likely some we don’t have) in their budget, and if the courts derail them later, they’ll have to make up the money to the other areas (after they’ve spent a lot of it elsewhere).
Comment by titan Wednesday, May 2, 12 @ 1:43 pm
I think the Dem’s are going to make the Republican’s vote for all these spending cuts they keep talking about.
Comment by Ahoy Wednesday, May 2, 12 @ 1:46 pm
I agree with Ahoy. Too bad there isn’t a way to forbid the GA from collecting a per diem if Quinn calls them back into session.
Comment by retired Wednesday, May 2, 12 @ 2:00 pm
First our raises, then our pensions and now our healthcare, what will they take next our first born children???????
Comment by fedup Wednesday, May 2, 12 @ 2:05 pm
retired, if they come back I am guessing the Speaker and President will call them back so they will not recieve per diem. At least that is how they have done it the last few post-blago times.
Comment by Raising Kane Wednesday, May 2, 12 @ 2:05 pm
I voted “no”. My rationale - I basically agree with YDD’s comment @ 1:22pm.
Comment by cover Wednesday, May 2, 12 @ 2:11 pm
I voted yes, because it seems like it’s been difficult to call a pension bill for a vote (for existing state workers), and the legislation must be as sound as possible, because it has such large implications.
Comment by Grandson of Man Wednesday, May 2, 12 @ 2:13 pm
I voted no becuase I believe that if the Governor follows through on this Blago-like threat, the easy out will be to pass yet another massive cut to provider reimbursement rates, the unintended effect of which will be to drive even mroe providers out of the Medicaid system, choking off access without suffering the political heat of facing necessary but unpopular eligability cuts.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, May 2, 12 @ 2:16 pm
Republicans gain clout after May 31st, so they have no incentive to cooperate before then. If Republicans withhold any votes from the cigarette tax or other controversial proposals, we could have gridlock this month.
Comment by reformer Wednesday, May 2, 12 @ 2:17 pm
Sorry. Anon 2:16 was my rambling.
Comment by Downstate weed chewing hick Wednesday, May 2, 12 @ 2:18 pm
No overtime. The recent decent bond sale, in spite of Illinois’ fiscal woes, will provide “kick the can down the road” momentum. The last thing state legislators want is state employee pension reform because ultimately the unionists will demand that they swallow the same medicine. (Do legislators really receive lifetime healthcare after four years in office? I can’t believe that.) And with an election coming up, they need the unionists both for their money and legwork. The mantra in the backrooms in Springfield right now is: “Just one more election, just one more election.” Besides, nothing awful will happen, fiscally speaking, for an uncertain number of years. So long as the bond buyers keep lining up, everything is good. The worst that will happen is that some poor people will die from lack of healthcare because whatever money comes in , little will be lavished on their needs.
Comment by Cook County Commoner Wednesday, May 2, 12 @ 2:22 pm
I voted yes. This will take a lot of blood, sweat and tears, not to mention time, while both sides spin their wheels.
Comment by Wensicia Wednesday, May 2, 12 @ 2:47 pm
No. In 2007, when Blago wanted them back, didn’t they just pack up and go home anyway?
Comment by Mr. Ethics Wednesday, May 2, 12 @ 3:16 pm
Purchasing bonds at such low rates from an eager bond market isn’t “kicking the can down the road”. It will save the state many millions in interest on the pension debt from the differential between bond interest rates and actuarially calculated pension interest, and it will force the state to make the payments (on the bonded debt) as opposed to using it for other state programs as has been done in the past, and will most certainly otherwise be done in the future. Far from “kicking the can down the road”, which is the Republican talking point regarding borrowing, it would be one of the few responsible, legal and just options the state has right now in dealing with the pension underfunding.
Comment by PublicServant Wednesday, May 2, 12 @ 3:25 pm
Voted yes because I can’t see the Dems, even though they control the majorities, doing any reforms on their own. The GOP isn’t going to agree to taking any of the blame wihtout getitng something in return. It’s too late to redraw the maps so the real question is what will the Dems have to give the GOP to get them on board with the votes and how much is that going to cost the taxpayers?
Comment by Retired Non-Union Guy Wednesday, May 2, 12 @ 3:27 pm
Yes. These people don’t have a clue…
Comment by Mouthy Wednesday, May 2, 12 @ 3:42 pm
@ Public Servant
I know this is off-topic, but the exact same thing goes for paying down the back-log of bills. This “no new debt” crap that the GOPs keep talking about ignores the fact that the current accounts payable is a debt.
Bond it! That forces you to set aside money to pay down the back-log over the course of the next few years. Heck then if the backlog continues to creep up, the Dems can’t blame the blame on past Gov’s & GAs, the blame rest squarly on them.
If the GOPs wanted to be relevant, they could….but they just seem unwilling to cooperate whatsoever.
Comment by TCB Wednesday, May 2, 12 @ 3:43 pm
TCB - isn’t the rate paid on the bonds also far lower than the rate the state pays for late payments?
Comment by titan Wednesday, May 2, 12 @ 3:53 pm
No, certainly not past June 30.
No point waking up the GOP and trying to get them to take any tough votes.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, May 2, 12 @ 3:58 pm
Cook County Commoner: Go to the general assembly retirement website to get the real facts about GA pensions. It will make you sick. 20 years and they get 85% of their salary for part time employment!! Not a bag gig for the boys and girls of the GA who “have all the gold and make the rules”.
Comment by fedup Wednesday, May 2, 12 @ 4:04 pm
The Republicans will act when ALEC gets back to them with their newly written bills.
Comment by PublicServant Wednesday, May 2, 12 @ 4:16 pm
As we know the Civic Federation is endorsing the Governor’s proposals for both pension reform and destroying Medicaid. Tyrone Fahner from the Civic Committee of the Commerical Club of Chicago clearly seems to support Governor Quinn’s pension proposal from his appearance about a week ago or so on WTTW. If these two operations are on board and given the kind of conservative big money people they represent who exactly do the Republicans think will be paying their bills? The AFL-CIO of Illinois?
I suspect given political support from the right Republicans will not be able to maintain a solid front in opposition to the Quinn, Madigan, Cullerton proposals or for that matter the larger budget proposals. So I voted No, we will not have to go into the summer. Unfortunately the deal will get done at the last minute and particularly in relation to Medicaid poor and disabled people in our state are going to get hurt.
Comment by Rod Wednesday, May 2, 12 @ 4:36 pm
I tried to vote but my iPhone wouldn’t let me. Im a yes vote.
Unlike Blago this threat isn’t a gimmick to get a quick nod in the media cycle. I hope Quinn means it because these two things are needed and the Constitution has a special session clause for these types of purposes.
Since the majority party has indicated they want minority party votes on this, there is no rush to have it done by May 31. I would however note the majority party only wants minority party participation so they can spread the pain around. They were perfectly happy ignoring this problem and in many cases making the problem worse all by themselves (ie All Kids) for the past decade so forgive me for not believing their sudden interest in bipartisanship is true.
Comment by It's Just Me Wednesday, May 2, 12 @ 5:26 pm
I say “no” on a summer session. The Governor, Madigan and Cullerton really need to pass a budget for FY2013 and won’t get any help at all from the Republicans. Thus it has to be done on time.
I think that means a lot of Medicaid cuts, but nowhere near the $2.7 billion. The announced number will be over $1 billion but will probably be inflated by lofty expectations.
I think a smaller cigarette tax will pass and they will promise to use the revenue on Medicaid, but it won’t get put into writing.
I think they will pass what many will call a “weak” pension bill. They will increase current state employee contributions by 2.5 percent. A commission will be appointed to examine the actuarial implications of raising health insurance fees on current retirees. The rule of 85 will stay in place for now.
Everyone will promise to get really serious about the tough issues in November, but no one will believe them.
Comment by DuPage Dave Wednesday, May 2, 12 @ 7:01 pm
Yes, the GOP must have some “skin” in the game. If they refuse to vote for pension or, at a minimum, medicaid reform, their standing in the eyes of Illinois voters will be even worse than the state’s likely junk bond status in the markets. The only one who comes out smelling like a rose in this scenario is Gov. Quinn.
Comment by soxfan Wednesday, May 2, 12 @ 9:03 pm