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* Senate President Pro Tempore Don Harmon penned an op-ed for his local paper about the incoming Rauner administration…
A divided government has virtues and vulnerabilities. With a Democratic legislature and a Republican governor, I do not foresee more of the bold, progressive policy victories we achieved over the last six years. Marriage equality, abolition of the death penalty, expanding health insurance to thousands of low-income adults — none of these victories would likely be possible in an age of divided government. Bipartisan power sharing may help us achieve difficult things, but not dramatic things.
A divided government does give us the opportunity, however, to deal in a more bipartisan fashion with the nuts and bolts of government. For more than a decade, we have adopted Democratic budgets paid for with Democratic revenue proposals. Now, Gov. Rauner and the Republican Party will own the state budget and need to provide revenues adequate to pay for their proposals.
I fully expect the Democratic majorities in the General Assembly to cooperate with the governor to achieve fair and balanced budgets. But fair and balanced budgets will require something we haven’t seen in recent years: the active engagement, sponsorship and affirmative votes of Republicans. The GOP has had the luxury of avoiding responsibility by voting “no” on necessary yet unpopular reforms. But now, with a governor of their own party, Republican legislators have responsibility for real, achievable solutions. This may be a rude awakening for my GOP friends but potentially good for Illinois. We shall see.
While divided government can lead to cooperation on certain issues, it leads to confrontation on others. With a Republican governor, the Democratic General Assembly will become even more important as the defender of progressive ideals. If Gov. Rauner advances proposals to do away with collective bargaining, adopt “right to work for less” proposals, repeal or lower the minimum wage or otherwise attack the bedrock of working families in Illinois, he should gird for a fierce fight.
Thoughts?
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Nov 18, 14 @ 12:14 pm
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yep, right on the money…Durkin can deny that they’ve been the party of no…but that is all about to change. No more finger pointing across the aisle and saying its their fault…they must be actively engaged in solutions, not just criticism…won’t be dull for sure…
Comment by Loop Lady Tuesday, Nov 18, 14 @ 12:23 pm
That about covers it. If Rauner tries to fix the State, there are going to be a lot of GOP Solons who will be unhappy with their new-found ally.
Comment by Norseman Tuesday, Nov 18, 14 @ 12:26 pm
Pretty much stating the obvious, I hope. Again, I’m anxiously awaiting the Rauner Budget to be able to discuss its merits, and its proximity to reality while bringing back Illinois, and shaking up Springfield albeit compassionately, while remaining competitive.
Comment by PublicServant Tuesday, Nov 18, 14 @ 12:28 pm
Geez wonder why Senator Harmon didnt run for governor himself? That type of chest pumping rhetoric does nobody any good.
Wake up Senator not everybody is a bleeding heart liberal like you.
Comment by Chicago outsider Tuesday, Nov 18, 14 @ 12:32 pm
“A divided government does give us the opportunity, however, to deal in a more bipartisan fashion with the nuts and bolts of government.” Very well put.
Comment by Ann Tuesday, Nov 18, 14 @ 12:33 pm
I am not sure what point Sen. Harmon is making. Legislative super-majorities were maintained, so the electorate did not seem upset with the Dems’ lawmaking efforts. I do not see the process of turning legislation into law any more “confrontational” than it was with Gov. Quinn in office.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Nov 18, 14 @ 12:40 pm
But fair and balanced budgets will require something we haven’t seen in recent years: the active engagement, sponsorship and affirmative votes of Republicans.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
What a pointless comment. If the affirmative votes came from the GOP it wouldn’t have changed the budget to balanced and fair.
Comment by Pete Tuesday, Nov 18, 14 @ 12:44 pm
Wasn’t it Republicans who paved the way for marriage equality in Illinois (eg, Pat Brady, Jason Barrickman, Tom Cross)?
Comment by Eastsider Tuesday, Nov 18, 14 @ 12:47 pm
Do those “bold, progressive victories” include a $100 billion pension liability, $6 billion in unpaid bills, and the worst credit rating in the country?
Face it, the people of Illinois wanted a change from the progressive status quo and now they will get it.
Let’s see what happens.
Comment by Veto Corleone Tuesday, Nov 18, 14 @ 12:49 pm
Great op-ed. Thanks for sharing.
I am very grateful for what Illinois accomplished in the last few years: MMJ, SSM and Obamacare Medicaid expansion, for example. Some of my family members are benefiting from Obamacare.
We also grappled with and made some inroads into our budget mess.
We in the union are well-aware of what may be attempted by Rauner, and we’re trying to gird ourselves for possible battles.
Comment by Grandson of Man Tuesday, Nov 18, 14 @ 12:51 pm
Is the ==Party of No== label about to switch parties in Illinois?
Only one way to find out.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Tuesday, Nov 18, 14 @ 12:52 pm
I’m guessing there will be some other “rude awakenings” when these drunken sailors get the kibosh put on some of their pet projects.
Use that line item veto liberally, Bruce!
Comment by LincolnLounger Tuesday, Nov 18, 14 @ 12:55 pm
Government isn’t divided. After Ryan, Blagojevich and Quinn, we have a weakened governor’s office that has seen its power vacuumed up by the General Assembly leadership. There is no divided government within the General Assembly. Those “bold” progressives were reelected. There is no reason to be suspicious of the reasons Illinoisans continue favoring the Democratic Party.
Rauner got elected by not being a Republican, and by being different and better than Ryan, Blagojevich or Quinn - a low bar. He freely gave to both political parties before 2014. Thinking we have Jim Edgar II in Bruce Rauner is inaccurate.
This is a BLUE state. Rauner knows it and will govern like a he is the governor of one. He is the kitten sleeping in the mouth of an alligator who needs to keep his claws in while claiming he couldn’t be eaten. Nothing will get done in Illinois without the undivided veto-proof General Assembly’s nod.
Rude awakening? I don’t believe Rauner expected to have a good night’s sleep after he decided to run, seeing his term as a launching pad to something national in scale. He will want to play nice until his next political career move.
Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Nov 18, 14 @ 1:02 pm
I enjoy the assumption that a supermajority will mean the Democrats will march in lockstep together. There’s enough difference in the Democratic caucus to make unity difficult. The Democrats have a Chicago caucus, suburban caucus, downstate caucus, Black caucus, Latino caucus, Jack Franks…
Comment by Littler Big Guy Tuesday, Nov 18, 14 @ 1:17 pm
===Do those “bold, progressive victories” include a $100 billion pension liability, $6 billion in unpaid bills, and the worst credit rating in the country?===
No, those bills are caused by inadequate revenues with which to pay for the expenses incurred by representatives of both parties over the last several decades. Failure to make the tax increase permanent is what caused the credit rating to tank.
Comment by PublicServant Tuesday, Nov 18, 14 @ 1:30 pm
Interpretation = Now we can blame someone else
Comment by Empty Suit Tuesday, Nov 18, 14 @ 1:39 pm
7/10 Op-ed; would recommend.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Nov 18, 14 @ 1:39 pm
Penned op-ed response: “Oh yeah says you”
Signed
Bruce Rauner
Comment by Empty Suit Tuesday, Nov 18, 14 @ 1:43 pm
===Rauner got elected by not being a Republican===
Hmm.
I thought I was not a good Republican by not supporting Rauner, according to you, now you say Rauner isbt a Republican?
So by not supporting Rauner, I chose not to support someone who isn’t a Republican?
You are a Dope.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Nov 18, 14 @ 1:46 pm
Dan Harmon, channeling his inner Mitch McConnell circa 2010.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Tuesday, Nov 18, 14 @ 1:55 pm
The is the Democrat’s best chance to get the tough things done that they cannot do on their own. They should allow Rauner legislative victories, but extract political costs on the him. In four years, they would take power of a fiscally healthier Illinois and would then get another decade to run our state into the toilet.
Comment by The Ardvark Tuesday, Nov 18, 14 @ 2:03 pm
What “rude awakening”? It seems to me he is stating the obvious and what republican lawmakers have known for years now: Democrats have never “needed” any republican votes and have shown it time and again as they steamrolled through the state budget and more. Shame on the Senator. Would love to see him taking the lead and practice some of the bipartisanship he speaks of…
Comment by NiagraFalls Tuesday, Nov 18, 14 @ 2:10 pm
Pardon me for perhaps being obtuse, but I do not much care for Senator Harmon.
Comment by Team Sleep Tuesday, Nov 18, 14 @ 2:12 pm
Team Sleep, like him or not. He makes a very good point.
Comment by Norseman Tuesday, Nov 18, 14 @ 2:16 pm
Might have been better to wait a little longer before having the staff work this one up. It’s not gracious or helpful. Divided government, for better or worse, is what that document they all got together to write tried to ensure. Donnie, get an ice pack and try again in a month.
Comment by A guy... Tuesday, Nov 18, 14 @ 2:19 pm
===No, those bills are caused by inadequate revenues with which to pay for the expenses incurred by representatives of both parties over the last several decades.===
Rauner has said that he wants to cut income taxes and freeze property taxes. I wonder how he will be able to keep these promises to the voters and at the same time pay down the $100 billion unfunded pension debt?
Comment by Hit or Miss Tuesday, Nov 18, 14 @ 2:29 pm
Like it or not, the fact is the GOP could/did sit back for years and just say ‘no’. Now they will actually have to propose a budget, put their name on it, and wear the jacket for it.
If they expect to sit back and let the Dems carry Brucie’s water, they are delusional.
I’d say this knife of Bruce ‘winning’ is going to cause the GOP considerable heartache and indigestion.
Comment by How Ironic Tuesday, Nov 18, 14 @ 2:32 pm
“If Gov. Rauner advances proposals to do away with collective bargaining, adopt ‘right to work for less’ proposals, repeal or lower the minimum wage or otherwise attack the bedrock of working families in Illinois, he should gird for a fierce fight.”
He knows none of those things are going to happen. At least I hope he knows better.
What a demagogic dope.
One more thing, I don’t understand why Harmon continues to harp about minority republicans not going along with Dems on past budgets. Dems had majorities/super-majorities. Why did they need GOP votes to pass their bills? This commentary is garbage, with the exception of suggesting that since Republicans are now part of the process they must participate in the process.
What a bold observation.(sarcasm alert)
Comment by jim Tuesday, Nov 18, 14 @ 2:59 pm
Well, Norseman, I guess that depends on your political persuasion.
Comment by Team Sleep Tuesday, Nov 18, 14 @ 3:06 pm
Team Sleep. No it doesn’t. He’s not someone I’d vote for. I’m analyzing what he’s saying and not his political affiliation.
Comment by Norseman Tuesday, Nov 18, 14 @ 3:20 pm
Given the makeup of the GA, the daunting budget challenges and the need to clean up State government, I don’t expect Rauner to achieve much in terms of the standard Republican goals.
Perhaps if he doesn’t screw up he can move some modest pro business policies (tort and workman’s comp reform) forward but even that’ll be difficult with the trial lawyers power.
Comment by Sir Reel Tuesday, Nov 18, 14 @ 3:23 pm
“Governor Rauner and the Republicans will own the state budget.”
Funny and slightly ironic considering they continued to blame the GOP for not voting for the budget. Last time I checked Senator, the House and Senate must pass budgets to the Governor unless you’re going to rubber stamp his proposals.
Comment by 1776 Tuesday, Nov 18, 14 @ 3:37 pm
Tort and workers comp will be done through the agreed bill process or it won’t get done at all.
Comment by Joe Blow Tuesday, Nov 18, 14 @ 3:44 pm
@1776
You do realize that now that the GOP ‘Owns’ the Gov seat at the table…that’s where the budget originates from right?
And that means that the GOP is going to have to sponsor the budget.
Which means they ALL are going to have to support the budget.
Do you really think that Madigan/Cullerton are going to sponsor the GOP budget, load it up with all the GOP goodies they want, and then wear the jacket for it.
Are you delusional?
Comment by How Ironic Tuesday, Nov 18, 14 @ 3:53 pm
VMan, FKA and Guy filling their drawers with the realization that their guys might actually have to be responsible and accountablefor something.
You guys have been pretty windy over the years. Fill them and us in on what should be done.
Start with the budget.
Comment by Wordslinger Tuesday, Nov 18, 14 @ 3:56 pm
So, that’s what they were doing for 8 years — bold, progressive and dramatic — not nuts and bolts. Well, without nuts and bolts the thing sure has fallen apart. Nuts and bolts is principally what a State legislature with a balanced budget (hah!) limitation should do — leave bold and dramatic for Washington.
Comment by Alexander Cut The Knot Tuesday, Nov 18, 14 @ 4:18 pm
== You guys have been pretty windy over the years. ==
Strict partisan, right? Thus my support for ==none of the above== this past November? You got me, word :0
As for the budget, well, you will see in due time. The Democrats left a nice present with the hole they deliberately blew in the last budget, so what is done going forward it cannot be much worse than what has already been done in the past.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Tuesday, Nov 18, 14 @ 4:54 pm
And of course, your suggestions are also welcome in their own right.
Since we are ushering in a new spirit of collaboration and all. Plus your many calls over the years to offer ideas rather than sit on one’s hands. Show us how it is done, my friend! What do you suggest with the budget, in addition to extending the tax rate?
Comment by Formerly Known As... Tuesday, Nov 18, 14 @ 4:57 pm
@FKA “so what is done going forward it cannot be much worse than what has already been done in the past.”
Is that how one sets up failure, only to gloss over it? Or are you basically giving Rauner a pass on anything going forward? I thought he was going to shake things up…not blame everyone else.
Talk about a victim mentality, and he’s not even taken office yet. Yikes.
Comment by How Ironic Tuesday, Nov 18, 14 @ 4:58 pm
“For more than a decade, we have adopted Democratic budgets paid for with Democratic revenue proposals.”
Wrong Harmon. For more than a decade we’ve had Republican spending with no revenue. Your downstate Republican Union Prison Patronage Army costs billions. Want more prisons? Increase taxes to pay for them.
Talk about partisan schlock.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Nov 18, 14 @ 5:50 pm
No free passes or excuses should be made for anyone, especially the Governor. He and the ILGA will either get the job done or allow things to decay into gridlock and mindless fighting. That begins with Rauner.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Tuesday, Nov 18, 14 @ 6:01 pm
===That begins with Rauner===
Actually Thursday begins with Madigan and the ILGA. I’m quite sure he’s not going to sit back and wait for Rauner’s guidence before acting on the mandate that he’s been given.
Comment by PublicServant Tuesday, Nov 18, 14 @ 6:59 pm
== I’m quite sure he’s not going to sit back and wait for Rauner’s guidence before acting on the mandate that he’s been given. ==
No reason he should right now. And beginning in January, he shares responsibility with Rauner for making progress in this state. Until then, it’s on him, Quinn, Cullerton and friends.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Tuesday, Nov 18, 14 @ 10:18 pm
=== Wordslinger - Tuesday, Nov 18, 14 @ 3:56 pm:
VMan, FKA and Guy filling their drawers with the realization that their guys might actually have to be responsible and accountablefor something.
You guys have been pretty windy over the years. Fill them and us in on what should be done.
Start with the budget.===
Sling, it’s a compliment to be criticized in the company of Nilla and FK. Despite the obvious huge hole this irresponsible budget was created with on the revenue side, I’m pretty certain you’re going to see a budget from Rauner that recognizes some pretty harsh reality. My guess is that it will be the impetus for deciding what the options are on some bitter medicine before things can improve.
I’ve never thought of you as a dude who wasn’t tethered to reality Sling. Like a whole page of referenda, same day registration for one cycle in only certain locations and other tactics, this lousy budget was a “campaign tactic”. I’m not some naif who doesn’t understand that any side will use whatever leverage it can to gain an advantage; that’s how politics works. But, in this case, Government policy was being overused to gain those advantages to such a cynical level that violates and goes beyond typical campaign gamesmanship.
The current horrible budget belongs to the outgoing Governor, the Speaker and the Senate Pres. All 3 knew what it did, and the whole collar for this piece of stink is theirs.
Advantage Rauner for the opening salvo. He gets to say with complete honesty and demonstrate that Gov. Quinn, Mike M and John C brought us to the movie and only paid for us to watch less than half of it. Any responsibility for running out of money to pay for anything and everything rests with them. To be responsible, he will have to create an extraordinary solution. We’ll see what that is in the budget Rauner proposes. He will have the moral justification for asking for help getting out of this hole and to quit digging going forward.
Let’s just wait and see what he does. Is that “windy” enough for you?
Comment by A guy Wednesday, Nov 19, 14 @ 6:14 am