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* Even with all the big issues still on the table? Senate President John Cullerton thinks it’s possible…
Cullerton said there’s a chance that both the budget and tax increase could get wrapped up early this year.
“We finish up on a Saturday, which this time (of) year in May, you have people who have graduations and that sort of thing,” he said. “I think it would be better to finish the major issues like the tax extension and the budget sooner than the last day.”
He’s got a good point. If your kid is graduating from college, you don’t want to be in Springfield that day. Then again, early adjournment is never easy.
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, May 6, 14 @ 9:22 am
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MJM likes them tired and antsy. Hard to imagine an early bell.
Comment by A guy... Tuesday, May 6, 14 @ 9:41 am
Yes, let’s hurry a vote on a permanent tax increase so we don’t miss a graduation, much less a graduation party.
Nobody forced these legislators to take the job.
Comment by Sir Reel Tuesday, May 6, 14 @ 10:16 am
Early adjournment is good after the tax extension.
It will take alot of energy to hide from the voters.
Comment by Mr. T Tuesday, May 6, 14 @ 10:17 am
“Yes, let’s hurry a vote on a permanent tax increase so we don’t miss a graduation, much less a graduation party.”
I’m not sure that this will be a hurried vote. The legislators have had a while to see the budgetary effects of the tax increase, and the state’s finances can certainly use the extra revenue. We do want to recover financially, and unfortunately that will require paying down a huge backlog of bills.
I wonder whether the tax increase can pass in the House, in which it passed by the skin of its teeth in 2011, with 60 votes.
Comment by Grandson of Man Tuesday, May 6, 14 @ 10:26 am
===so we don’t miss a graduation===
It’s not just “a graduation.” You make it sound so generic, and therefore an easily dismissed desire.
Life happens. Your children (hopefully) graduate. And they only graduate from high school once.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, May 6, 14 @ 10:28 am
Rich is right. If you’re ever, ever going to feel sorry for a legislator, do so in May. It’s communions, confirmations, graduations, all very family oriented activities that only occur once. They shouldn’t have to miss them any more than you should. Even soldiers will tell you this is the hardest part about being in the service; missing the milestones. That part is NEVER worth it.
Comment by A guy... Tuesday, May 6, 14 @ 10:48 am
You can keep them in session and get them “tired and antsy” just as easily on that Friday night. The desire to go home on the holiday weekend will provide plenty of motivation.
“Hurry” the vote? They’ve been having committee hearings about this since February and the issue is being talked about everywhere.
Comment by CD Tuesday, May 6, 14 @ 10:49 am
CD, with respect, nothing is as powerful as “tired and antsy” on Memorial Day. The smell of Bar B Q alone is wicked.
Comment by A guy... Tuesday, May 6, 14 @ 10:54 am
While I favor the tax extension, I don’t understand the politics of Democrats doing it on their own. Why not wait for Gov. Rauner to ask for more revenue and to put up a structured rollcall to get it? That way Democrats don’t get the blame for a tax hike, while Republicans go back on the one thing they agree on, namely lower taxes.
Comment by Anon Tuesday, May 6, 14 @ 11:05 am
=Why not wait for Gov. Rauner to ask for more revenue and to put up a structured rollcall to get it?=
Because by then it’ll be too late to steal an extra $4 billion from Illinois taxpayers for the next tax year.
There are a lot of hungry lobbyists and unions who already have plans for that money, and they’re not willing to wait a year for that political payoff.
Comment by Arizona Bob Tuesday, May 6, 14 @ 11:24 am
Don’t underestimate the power of suggestion…dangle the early ajournment in front of them…let them get comfortable with the idea, then the hook is set. Liking them “tired and ansy” might occur more easily if they have already expected the time off, only to be told “oh, just one more thing…” followed by one more thing, then one more thing. Pretty smart move by leadership.
Comment by LisleMike Tuesday, May 6, 14 @ 11:29 am
If Cullerton is right about the Senate wrapping things up and adjourns early, it puts a bit of pressure on the House to accept what the Senate has already approved. Might be just enough extra pressure to help get a couple of tough issues across the finish line in the House.
Comment by RNUG Tuesday, May 6, 14 @ 11:54 am
So Arizona Bob is finally admitting Illinois has a revenue problem and that Rauner will be begging for tax increases? Nice.
Comment by Precinct Captain Tuesday, May 6, 14 @ 12:09 pm
==Because by then it’ll be too late to steal an extra $4 billion from Illinois taxpayers for the next tax year.==
Steal? Give me a freaking break. Enough with the taxes = stealing crap.
Also @Arizona Bob, I hope you have some brilliant plan to plug the multi-billion budget hole that will happen if the current tax rates are allowed to expire.
You want to know what the plans for the money are @Arizona Bob? Keeping the state above water and making the pension payments.
Stealing? What crap.
Comment by Demoralized Tuesday, May 6, 14 @ 12:48 pm
Waiting for rauner to ask for revenue increases? Have you not been listening to him? He is going to do all those wonderful things w magic beans.
Comment by Langhorne Tuesday, May 6, 14 @ 1:01 pm
…so we don’t miss a parade?!?
Comment by Wumpus Tuesday, May 6, 14 @ 1:26 pm
What am I missing? The GA doesn’t have to adjourn early for someone to attend and of those events. They can choose to not be in session on weekends or if a legislator has an event he/she can be excused. I have NO sympathy for any legislator who has to miss these things - after all the calendar is issued in advance. Also, I may be slightly bitter as I recall stepping outside my office one 4th of July and then having to go back inside to analyze a budget bill.
Comment by The KQ Tuesday, May 6, 14 @ 2:01 pm
If they adjourn early, it will be because both chambers’ Democrats are done. Cullerton would not shut the Senate down early and force the House to accept what they’ve done.
Comment by Norseman Tuesday, May 6, 14 @ 2:29 pm
Just out of curiosity, when was the last time both chambers adjourned early? Maybe my memory is fuzzy, but I feel like they tease the thought of an early adjournment every year, and pretty much never follow through…
Comment by Frost Tuesday, May 6, 14 @ 4:02 pm
–If Cullerton is right about the Senate wrapping things up and adjourns early, it puts a bit of pressure on the House to accept what the Senate has already approved.–
Cullterton said the House will have to go first on taxes.
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, May 6, 14 @ 4:03 pm