Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar

Fun with numbers

Posted in:

Illinois

Governor Pat Quinn has been critical of lawmakers of not getting the job done when it comes to pension reform. Some have been critical of Quinn of not being a leader on the issue saying sometimes, he’s not even around. So is the Governor holding up his end, at least working in Springfield when lawmakers are in session? We asked that to Republican State Senator Bill Brady.

“You walk in the door and see if the Governor’s car is there and it just doesn’t seem to be there,” Brady (R-Bloomington) said. […]

We filed a Freedom of Information Act request of the Governor’s private schedule. From August 2012 to July 2013, the House or Senate or both chambers were in session 76 days. Quinn was in Springfield 54 of those days. So, the Governor was in the Capital City 71% of the time lawmakers had a session day.

“For the legislature to think he’s not there 70 percent of the time, that speaks volumes about his absence, whether he is there or not,” Brady said.

The reality is, the General Assembly more often than not does nothing on the “out” day, which is usually a Thursday and the third day of a session week. Heck, I often don’t even bother to go into the Statehouse if they’re just gonna gavel and go on the out day.

Not to mention that Brady got his numbers upside down. Quinn’s in town 71 percent of the time, not absent 70 percent of the time.

So, would it help if Quinn was around more? That depends on if you think more legislative exposure to this governor would be a positive thing. Some might say it wouldn’t be.

* But there’s no doubt that the governor brought this story upon himself. He’s the one running all over the state cutting ribbons for projects approved by the General Assembly while simultaneously saying legislators aren’t doing their jobs so they shouldn’t get paid.

Maybe the next BIMP bill ought to include a requirement that the governor must pick up his pay check every day in Springfield during session days. No attendance, no money.

Just kidding.

Mostly.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Oct 10, 13 @ 12:52 pm

Comments

That kind of complaint always reminds me of the “Reagan goes to to the ranch too much” or “Obama golfs too much.”

Communications being what they are, any governor or president that wishes to engage and work around the clock can do so from anywhere.

Conversely, they can sit around in their official office all day law and do nothing. Holding down a chair isn’t accomplishment.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Oct 10, 13 @ 12:59 pm
The other day, instead of working on the pension crisis, Quinn felt his time was best served by holding a press conference, cutting the ribbon on a new supermarket opening.

A Supermarket Opening.

Must be running out of finished Capitol Bill projects to christen or something.

But Quinn’s real problem is not having a good person to carry his water in the legislature. I have no Idea what Hannig was up to when Quinn took him on, but we are not seeing much in terms of results.

Comment by Newsclown Thursday, Oct 10, 13 @ 1:00 pm
agree Word. sleeping in the Gov mansion and sitting behind an old desk in the Capitol just to say you are here more does not mean you close more deals.

also Brady needs to learn simple math, jeesh.

Comment by PoolGuy Thursday, Oct 10, 13 @ 1:14 pm
@wordslinger,=Holding down a chair isn’t accomplishment.= A lot of GA members think it is. The members proudly list a number of bills they sponsor without going into detail. When I look up the details, I see a lot of “bill that changes paragraph 641 the word “He” to “He or She”. They do that so they “look busy” when they really do little more then collect their pay.

Comment by Anon Thursday, Oct 10, 13 @ 1:20 pm
===When I look up the details, I see a lot of “bill that changes paragraph 641 the word “He” to “He or She”. They do that so they “look busy” ===

Um, no.

Those are vehicle bills, designed to be used later if they need to run a measure effecting a similar statute.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Oct 10, 13 @ 1:28 pm
=== So, would it help if Quinn was around more? That depends on if you think more legislative exposure to this governor would be a positive thing. Some might say it wouldn’t be. ===

Put me in the “wouldn’t” category. I believe it’s helpful for a COMPETENT governor to be in town during most session days, especially during May as things come to a head, to work with solons on legislative issues. Quinn doesn’t qualify so he can stay in Chicago.

Comment by Norseman Thursday, Oct 10, 13 @ 1:36 pm
=== Maybe the next BIMP bill ought to include a requirement that the governor must pick up his pay check every day in Springfield during session days. ===

One caveat: he must pick up the check from Madigan. Every day. Open to the press. Hilarity ensues.

Please, please, please do this. ASAP.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Thursday, Oct 10, 13 @ 1:40 pm
Brady is running for Governor so I am sure that he was pleased to be able to attack the governor. Unfortunately for him, his math skills are lacking.

As another commenter would say “Ready. Fire. Aim!”

Comment by Nearly Normal Thursday, Oct 10, 13 @ 1:58 pm
@Formerly Known As…-How about time clocks and time cards? Have them punch in and punch out and make them public. That way the public can see who is and is not on the job!

Comment by Anon Thursday, Oct 10, 13 @ 1:58 pm
==“For the legislature to think he’s not there 70 percent of the time, that speaks volumes about his absence, whether he is there or not,” Brady said.==

I read this as acknowledging that the members think the Governor is absent a lot more than he actually is, but that their misconception reflects how little his presence actually matters.

Comment by Anon. Thursday, Oct 10, 13 @ 2:51 pm
===I have no Idea what Hannig was up to when Quinn took him on, but we are not seeing much in terms of results. ===

The problem isn’t that the actuaries can’t figure out how to fix the pension mess, the problem is getting the legislators to vote for a resolution that is politically very problematic. What’s Hannig supposed to do, hold a gun to their heads?

Comment by Mighty M. Mouse Thursday, Oct 10, 13 @ 3:02 pm
Anon, I agree with you. I don’t think Brady articulated his point that well, but bashing his math skills is a rush judgement. I believe what he is saying is…
While the Governor may be here 70% of the time, it only feels like 30% of the time. Essentially pointing out that while he may be in town, he’s not leading. Only a few months back many, including Rich, were beating the “Quinn isn’t a leader” drum. It was a prominent theme on here for many weeks in a row.
I’m no supporter, or defender, of Brady… I would rather stay at home than vote for him, but this seemed a bit unfair…

Comment by Cosmic Charlie Thursday, Oct 10, 13 @ 3:21 pm
@Anon - actually, that may not be a bad idea. Quinn, Simon, Topinka, Madigan, Rutherford, Madigan, Cullerton, Durkin and Radogno.

It would be interesting, at the very least.

When you say you’re “working hard for the taxpayers”, does that mean you are putting in hours at the office or kibitzing at Saputo’s and Charlie Parker’s?

Let’s find out, shall we? That would be much easier, transparent and more efficient than filing a bunch of FOIA requests.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Thursday, Oct 10, 13 @ 3:45 pm
Without more data, like what was really going on during the session days, I (ack) think this is a bogus story.
Brady getting the numbers bass-ackwards pretty well sums up his campaign to date.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Thursday, Oct 10, 13 @ 4:02 pm
i would have loved to see that FOIA request for hot rod back in the day. lol

Comment by foster brooks Thursday, Oct 10, 13 @ 8:26 pm
If Brady was interviewed in his State Senate office, was it a violation of either ethics or campaign rules to have his campaign signs visible to the camera, and thus to everyone watching the TV segment?

Comment by Little Egypt Thursday, Oct 10, 13 @ 11:49 pm
Actually, 71% is a pretty solid percentage of presence in the Capitol methinks, and many often overlook, ironicaslly, that they are SUPPOSED to be Three, Separate Branches which DO their own thing, and then the OTHER Branches interact with one or the other when necesssary, at the very least. It’s really all a Governing Style–SOME guys, like “Big Jim” often got involved with Legislators during their Sessions, others don’t. Pat Quinn sees his role differently and as one which just doesn’t REQUIRE active interaction with that Branch, but for when they send HIM Bills which they pass for him to review, sign or not sign, veto, etc. It’s really not such a big deal…!

Comment by Just The Way It Is One Friday, Oct 11, 13 @ 12:27 pm
That was meant to read “overlook, ironically,…).

Comment by Just The Way It Is One Friday, Oct 11, 13 @ 12:37 pm