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* From yesterday…
Rauner also outlined a series of financial pressures he said totaled $1.4 billion, citing budget gimmicks mostly identified when the General Assembly left town last spring. The items included borrowing as much as $650 million from state funds set aside for myriad specially designated purposes.
The Republican lashed out at what he called “dishonest” Democrat-approved financial tricks, saying the price tag of the current year’s budget was masked by absorbing some of the costs in a previous budget to make the current one look better. In other cases, Rauner maintained that expenses were deferred and will be pushed into the coming year.
* Here is Rauner’s breakdown. You can click the pic for a larger image…
* But Rauner shouldn’t have been so surprised. This is what I wrote back in June of this year…
I based what follows on what I know about how the budget was crafted. But whatever the final number ends up being, it’s crystal clear that whoever wins the governor’s race will face a monstrous challenge after he’s sworn in next January.
Borrowing $660 million from special state funds, as this new budget does, is a one-off affair. The money is being put into the state’s spending base and will have to somehow be replaced the following year. A two-year repayment plan means another $330 million will also have to be found in the next budget, for a total hole of about a billion dollars.
Using about $500 million in one-time revenue increases from this fiscal year to pay forward some bills in next fiscal year means that same $500 million will have to be found again when the next budget is crafted.
Not funding employee salary and health insurance-benefit-cost increases kicks another $380 million down the road. So, now we’re at $1.9 billion. […]
Also, Rep. Greg Harris, who chairs a House appropriations committee, told reporters last week that the new budget could create as much as a “couple of billion” dollars in past-due bills in the coming fiscal year. If that’s accurate, then the FY16 hole becomes much, much worse, plus there’s all that new debt owed to providers which will eventually have to be paid back.
…Adding… Don’t forget that the state’s pension payment is expected to rise by almost a billion dollars next fiscal year.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Dec 3, 14 @ 9:33 am
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I’m sure we’ll be able to fix it by lowering income taxes and freezing property taxes, though.
It bothers me that Rauner will probably not be able to keep the few campaign promises that he made and will blame it on these ’surprise’ shortfalls when any candidate worth their salt would’ve known this well in advance.
It’s the old bait and switch, and the people are going to buy his explanation.
Comment by Stuff Happens Wednesday, Dec 3, 14 @ 9:39 am
Wait you wrote about this back in June? Legislators openly explained the limitations of the budget to the media, and in floor debates?
I thought all of these “gimmicks” were just exposed yesterday after some serious hammering-and-shaking by the Governor-elect. You mean to tell me its possible he knew about the severity of the budget shortfall all along? Well, color me surprised!
Comment by Jimmy CrackCorn Wednesday, Dec 3, 14 @ 9:40 am
@Stuff Happens,
As long as Rauner keeps the income tax at 5%, it’s not a big deal. Regardless of whether people “buy his explanation” it’s imperative that the state maintain the income tax for fiscal health. Let him play the politics of it all he wants as long as he does the right thing. Notice how he’s blaming “Quinn budget” and not the GA for approving it… can see that legislation to keep the tax coming from a few miles away.
Comment by PMcP Wednesday, Dec 3, 14 @ 9:47 am
People will buy Rauner’s explanation because lots of people are tired of the budget gimmicks.
The means by which he got elected are one thing. The solutions he presents and how he proposes to get there are quite another.
At this point, accepting his bait and switch feels a whole lot better than another year of Quinn and Madigan, Cullerton and their caucuses coming up with gimmicks to yet again kick the can down the road.
Comment by Left Leaner Wednesday, Dec 3, 14 @ 9:47 am
Actually, re-reading it, he did mention the legislature… oops, well fml.
Comment by PMcP Wednesday, Dec 3, 14 @ 9:48 am
Why he didn’t use this during the campaign is (to me, at least) troubling.
If it’s as bad as Rauner says, it could have been a great campaign issue — especially because this is the first time we’re starting to see numbers from Rauner.
A more plausible explanation (again, to me at least) is that Rauner is only discovering this now — even though the budget books have been online since he started campaigning. In other words, he never had a plan — not even when he was saying “we have a plan, you’ll find out after I’m elected”.
And how in the world can someone so self-righteous and business savvy *npt* open the books to a potential acquisition they plan to buy *before* purchasing it? Rauner bought the state of Illinois and he’s only discovering this now?
That’s not very savvy, IMHO.
Comment by Frenchie Mendoza Wednesday, Dec 3, 14 @ 9:48 am
boy, it’s a good thing that all rauner has to do is apply sound management practices to the budget and it will be in balance!
Comment by bored now Wednesday, Dec 3, 14 @ 9:48 am
This is a magician, pulling off a trick, that everyone knew the secret, but the magician is playing to a “new” audience who didn’t see the “show” in …June.
At some point, the “babe in the woods” schtick has to become leadership at some point, and further, a “whip” that can get, arguably 30 GOP House votes, and 15 GOP Senate votes for bills to …correct …issues like these, which may include increases in revenues.
Think; 45 of 67 GOP members will, more likely or not, have to vote in ways some never, EVER, have voted.
Some “olive branch”, lol
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Dec 3, 14 @ 9:50 am
What bothers me the most is how this has been allowed to go on for so long. Yes, its a mess and somebody is going to have to work on fixing it. But when do we hold the guilty ones accountable? Politics in Illinois is toxic.
Comment by Tequila Mockingbird Wednesday, Dec 3, 14 @ 9:50 am
===If it’s as bad as Rauner says, it could have been a great campaign issue===
Yeah, but then he couldn’t be “surprised.”
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Dec 3, 14 @ 9:52 am
Frenchie - There are plenty of reasons why Rauner didn’t bring this up during the campaign. Campaigns by their very nature are built off of sound bites and there’s no way that this particularly issue can be neatly captured in one. I have no doubt that this isn’t new information to Rauner. But if he acknowledged it on the campaign trail he would have had to propose a solution or worse yet acknowlege that we have a major funding problem that can only be solved by increased revenue. Forget about keeping the income tax level at 5%, it’s still not enough to get us out of the hole we’re in.
So Rauner went right along campaigning on the false promise of lower taxes when we all new that was fantasy. No one should be surprised by the dose of reality we’re now getting - it was inevitable. Facts are facts and math is math. You can only kick the can so far. Sooner or later you have to pay the piper.
Comment by pundent Wednesday, Dec 3, 14 @ 10:03 am
Rauner’s solution is what he learned at GTCR.
Social services will be staffed in Pakistan. Everything below I-80 will be sold to Indiana. The capital moves to Winnetka…that’s in the first 100 days.
Comment by north shore cynic Wednesday, Dec 3, 14 @ 10:06 am
We all read it here on Cap Fax. So did Rauner’s people. This is an act and we all know it.
Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Dec 3, 14 @ 10:12 am
Rich, has ANYBODY put together a “doomsday” budget identifying legally mandated expenses,including contractual obligations, and those required for “health and safety” of citizens?
It seems that that’s the only spending that’s off the table in this “man created” financial crisis.
It doesn’t seem the Civic Federation budget cut that deeply to the bone.
It would be great to see that “short list” and give it to the people to help them decide where the least painful cuts to the people of Illinois would be.
I’d love to see a “Dave” moment here. There was one scene in that movie where he was trying to save a day care program, and found places to cut out nonsense, like paying for an advertising campaign to make people feel better about an American car they already purchased and paying defense contractors on time even thought they’re behind in deliveries.
I’d love to see Rauner sit down, with the press there, asking the unions and ISBE reps, “Do you REALLY want to tell students that they won’t have the extra summer and after school tutoring they need so that you can “spike” pensions with 6% end of career raises and pay $120K for 180 days work to high school gym teachers, even if they do an lousy job?”
It could make for some interesting public debate….
Comment by Arizona Bob Wednesday, Dec 3, 14 @ 10:13 am
Is there any more money in the “special funds.” If I were Rauner, I’d take it all. What a silly concept. Money is fungible, and the notion that some government enterprises should be funded from “special” piggy banks is naive, even deceptive.
Comment by Cassandra Wednesday, Dec 3, 14 @ 10:20 am
“Surprise” that the budget was booby trapped and in way worse shape than anybody knew was a card Rauner had in his hand in June but needed to hold until now.
And I think it worked. He won a month ago without making this case, but now’s the time to be surprised. It gives him cover for when he asks for more money later.
Comment by Rookie Wednesday, Dec 3, 14 @ 10:23 am
Aw geez. The “guilty ones” are the Illinois residents who kept on believing in magic beans — no increases in income or sales tax, while programs kept on expanding.
The whole idea of “let’s find the bad guys” is a waste of time. We have met the bad guy, and he is us.
If you want to start turning things around, start with the special funds. Go through every single fund and ask: Is the purpose of this fund more pressing, more high-priority, than funding education and human services?
If the answer is no — and in almost every case, the answer will be no — then it goes into GRF. That’s how other states do it, and the sky doesn’t fall.
Comment by Soccermom Wednesday, Dec 3, 14 @ 10:25 am
@ Arizona Bob 10:13
=== Rich, has ANYBODY put together a “doomsday” budget identifying legally mandated expenses,including contractual obligations, and those required for “health and safety” of citizens? ===
Yep.
Happens all the time, at every level of government.
Comment by olddog Wednesday, Dec 3, 14 @ 10:32 am
I didn’t realize that “Dave” was a documentary.
Comment by Soccermom Wednesday, Dec 3, 14 @ 10:40 am
The GA passed and Quinn signed a budget that spent the tax increase revenues while letting the increase expire. Casual newspaper readers knew that.
The election was then to be a referendum on reinstating the increase. Quinn was for it, Rauner was against it, kind of, I think. He made conflicting statements.
However, Rauner was reported to say yesterday that the tax increase expiring wasnt the problem, but “mismanagement” was.
That implies that it can be fixed through better “management,” (whatever that means), and additional revenues aren’t needed.
The GA honored Rauner’s request not to take up any major issues in the veto session. It’s now on him to show his cards. He no longer has a choice.
Comment by Wordslinger Wednesday, Dec 3, 14 @ 10:44 am
Maybe Rauner should invite Jerry Brown to join his transition team.
http://articles.latimes.com/2011/mar/25/local/la-me-state-budget-20110325
Comment by Soccermom Wednesday, Dec 3, 14 @ 10:45 am
Bruce Rauner made his money by examining the books, records and balance sheets of companies targeted for takeover and choosing targets wisely.
Is Bruce Rauner now saying he failed to do quality “due diligence” before acquiring the Office of Governor?
Comment by Bill White Wednesday, Dec 3, 14 @ 10:54 am
Arizona Bob - Much of the state budget, like pension funding, is mandated by law. I always chuckle when the “cut spending” crowd opines that this is as easy as cutting waste and eliminating fraud. While there are certainly some elements of that in the budget the vast majority of expenditures have to be made. It’s irresponsible to suggest slashing a budget without knowing what goes in it. Of course the Rauner campaigan provided music to the ears of that crowd.
As others have mentioned previously, governing is tough.
Comment by pundent Wednesday, Dec 3, 14 @ 10:55 am
@Bill White
Rauner couldn’t tell a capitalized company from one already in bankruptcy. He’s a schmoozer, a salesman, not a finance guy. He brings people together, others do the grunt work.
He knows people that can do that stuff for him, Rauner’s skill is making people ok with whatever it is coming out of his mouth.
Comment by PMcP Wednesday, Dec 3, 14 @ 11:12 am
Cassandra, that makes no sense. If the general assembly creates a special fund for receipt of a surcharge on the fee for nurse licenses, dedicated to scholarships for the education of nurses, at the request of the nurses professional association, and then the general assembly takes that money for some other purpose, how is doing the former ‘deceptive’, but the latter is honest?
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Dec 3, 14 @ 11:19 am
Cassandra, we don’t always agree. But we are absolutely in agreement on the special funds.
It is ridiculous to set aside money for scholarships for nursing students while starving the school districts that should be producing those students.
Comment by Soccermom Wednesday, Dec 3, 14 @ 11:24 am
And here’s the thing — OF COURSE RAUNER KNEW. If he thinks it is politically advantageous to do the “shocked shocked” bit, well — he’s not the first. So let’s not waste time playing the “oh, he said this before and he says this now” game.
There is a serious, serious problem with our state finances. And it is useless to complain about who moved the deck chairs.
It stinks that Rauner won. It breaks my heart. But he won, and we all have a stake in solving this problem. Because good lord — what will this state look like in four years if we don’t?
Comment by Soccermom Wednesday, Dec 3, 14 @ 11:26 am
= It is ridiculous to set aside money for scholarships for nursing students while starving the school districts that should be producing those students. =
The source of funds does seem relevant to me
If the revenue source is “taxes” I agree with soccermom; if the source is “user fees” then things get much trickier
Comment by Bill White Wednesday, Dec 3, 14 @ 11:29 am
Rauner is lowering the expectations bar.
Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Dec 3, 14 @ 11:30 am
It’s almost like Quinn didn’t produce a doomsday budget.
Comment by From the 'Dale to HP Wednesday, Dec 3, 14 @ 11:40 am
===Rauner is lowering the expectations bar.===
He is doing no such thing.
This is the Jim Thompson pivot, allowing Rauner to not have to worry about tax cuts, or fiscal promises made, and allies Rauner to break any promise made under the guise of;
“I didn’t realize it was so bad.”
No bar is being lowered.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Dec 3, 14 @ 11:40 am
Revenues are revenues.
Comment by Soccermom Wednesday, Dec 3, 14 @ 11:47 am
Well, one reason it’s deceptive is because the folks paying that surcharge are probably unaware that the fund can be “swept,” for other purposes. And will be. If the state needs to hand out nursing scholarships as a priority, why not put it in the regular state budget and fund it properly. If it’s not a priority, let interested parties set up their own scholarship charity and solicit funds for that. The state doesn’t have to do everything. And the GA can’t get to the charity funds.
Comment by Cassandra Wednesday, Dec 3, 14 @ 11:48 am
@Cassandra
That’s the thing, the funds can’t just be “swept” , they have to be paid back. Think of it more like each individual special fund has its own balance sheet and income statement and the money that is “swept” is really a loan between funds. Thus it becomes a loan receivable for the special fund and loan payable for the general fund.
Comment by PMcP Wednesday, Dec 3, 14 @ 11:57 am
Put the special funds to the “more important than human services?” test. If they fail, into GRF they go. boom.
Comment by Soccermom Wednesday, Dec 3, 14 @ 11:59 am
The only expectation Rauner set during the campaign was that he was going to “save” the state.
A little old budget situation is no problemo for a man of such messianic vision, ambition and abilities.
Comment by Wordslinger Wednesday, Dec 3, 14 @ 12:05 pm
Not “everybody” knows what “most everybody” here knows with regard to this budget and the serious shortfalls. Where Gov. Quinn failed, and Rauner needs to succeed, is making sure everyone understands how this will affect every family and every taxpayer in Illinois in a personal way. He’s laying it out.
Building consensus for sacrifice, compromise and investment is an important step in this process if everyone is to be satisfied, if not totally happy. I am a bit surprised at some of you. You’re deeply criticizing him when he even nudges or takes a small step in the direction that serves your best interests.
He’s confronting something Gov. Quinn just wouldn’t in a visible way. Call it pivot, spin, backsteps, whatever you want. Revenue needs to meet expense by some formula. I don’t expect many of you to cheer for him, but being less critical might be in your better interests.
Comment by A guy... Wednesday, Dec 3, 14 @ 12:09 pm
Now might be a good time to increase the fuel tax a few cents and fix the roads and bridges. Decades ago, when the price of gas shot up, Illinois suspended the gas tax for a number of months to counteract the higher cost of gas. This act of temporary insanity caused a hole in the road funds, and the roads have been crap ever since.
Comment by DuPage Wednesday, Dec 3, 14 @ 12:17 pm
===Not “everybody” knows what “most everybody” here knows with regard to this budget and the serious shortfalls.===
Are you saying Rauner, personally, didn’t know? Explain please.
===Where Gov. Quinn failed, and Rauner needs to succeed, is making sure everyone understands how this will affect every family and every taxpayer in Illinois in a personal way. He’s laying it out.===
Laying it out by admitting Rauner knew nothing about how bad things are/were? That makes no sense. Rauner ran as a savior, including lower property taxes, and increases in school funding. So, rationalize your thought please.
===. I am a bit surprised at some of you. You’re deeply criticizing him when he even nudges or takes a small step in the direction that serves your best interests.===
Rauner wanted this. It’s part of the job. Rauner is using the Thompson Pivot to again justify no plan to attack, what Rauner attacked for over a year. Rauner can’t be called on it? Please.
===I don’t expect many of you to cheer for him, but being less critical might be in your better interests.===
Rauner is now a victim that many here are cheering for him?
“Let’s wait till Rauner gets sworn in before he claims victimhood.” lol
What’s in my better interest. Please explain.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Dec 3, 14 @ 12:29 pm
Guy, Quinn published a big old doomsday budget book on what spending would look like without the tax rate that will expire Jan. 1., line item after line item.
You and anyone else are free to peruse it at your leisure.
If you’re going to engage in revisionist history, try going back more than a few months.
Comment by Wordslinger Wednesday, Dec 3, 14 @ 12:38 pm
I think Rauner’s issue is, how does he sell this to the media? The media knew (or at least should have) what was coming on Jan. 1, 2015. So for Rauner to stand up and say, “Whoa! This is worse than I thought!” isn’t even a pivot because Quinn told us and the media that it was this bad. So is the media going to call Rauner out on this if he keeps this up?
Comment by From the 'Dale to HP Wednesday, Dec 3, 14 @ 12:44 pm
DuPage - they suspended the sales tax on gasoline, not the motor fuel tax - so that wasn’t the cause of drop in funds to the road fund - there are other reasons but that wasn’t one of them.
Comment by Just the Facts Wednesday, Dec 3, 14 @ 1:00 pm
Although there are many possible explanations for the Governor Elect’s apparent ignorance of the State’s budget, I’m going with “dumb as a sack of rocks” until the evidence suggests otherwise.
Comment by MikeMacD Wednesday, Dec 3, 14 @ 1:55 pm
Guy, you don’t read what anyone writes or even pay attention to what Rauner says.
Rauner is being criticized for pretending that he didn’t know that the FY15 budget was out of a whack when it was widely reported and acknowledged as such by those who passed it.
And where do you see that he’s building a consensus on anything? He hasnt said anything.
Comment by Wordslinger Wednesday, Dec 3, 14 @ 1:59 pm
If Rauner raises taxes to pay the bills, then I will applaud him for doing what is necessary. On the other hand, I didn’t vote for him, so I would not be disappointed if he breaks his promise to lower taxes.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Dec 3, 14 @ 2:12 pm
@Cassandra:
While your idea sounds good in theory I think the courts would disagree.
Comment by Demoralized Wednesday, Dec 3, 14 @ 2:19 pm
=== Wordslinger - Wednesday, Dec 3, 14 @ 1:59 pm:
Guy, you don’t read what anyone writes or even pay attention to what Rauner says.
“* Here is Rauner’s breakdown. You can click the pic for a larger image…”
Rauner is being criticized for pretending that he didn’t know that the FY15 budget was out of a whack when it was widely reported and acknowledged as such by those who passed it.
And where do you see that he’s building a consensus on anything? He hasnt said anything.===
Really dude? Go back to the top of this blog and see if there’s a line that says:
“* Here is Rauner’s breakdown. You can click the pic for a larger image…”
According to Rich, Rauner produced this. So I guess he’s said something now, hasn’t he?
Comment by A guy... Wednesday, Dec 3, 14 @ 3:13 pm
- A Guy -,
Are you saying, honestly, all of this is new to Bruce Rauner?
Are you saying Rauner didn’t know?
Are you saying, when Bruce was telling voters how dire things are, Bruve is learning now, it’s far worse than he, Bruce Rauner, imagined it?
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Dec 3, 14 @ 3:26 pm
Guy, try reading for comprehension. Where has Rauner said anything about building consensus, shared sacrifice, and all the stuff you’re yammering about. He’s just now “discovering” the problem. The other stuff you’re making up.
You know, he is speaking for himself.
Comment by Wordslinger Wednesday, Dec 3, 14 @ 3:27 pm
Yikes man. I’ll deal with you two pixies one at a time. You, Willy in CAPS.
=== Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Dec 3, 14 @ 3:26 pm:
- A Guy -,
Are you saying, honestly, all of this is new to Bruce Rauner? NO, I’M NOT.
Are you saying Rauner didn’t know? NO I’M NOT.
Are you saying, when Bruce was telling voters how dire things are, Bruve is learning now, it’s far worse than he, Bruce Rauner, imagined it? NO, I’M NOT. I’M TELLING YOU THAT HE’S CREATING A BETTER NARRATIVE TO FOLLOW THIS BUDGET ISSUE AND REVENUE CRISIS THAN GOV. QUINN DID. IN THE OLD DAYS, BEFORE COMMON CORE MATH, WE USED TO CALL IT, “SHOWING YOUR WORK”. HE’S SPLAINING WILLIS. ===
Comment by A guy... Wednesday, Dec 3, 14 @ 3:55 pm
Now for you, Sling,
=== Wordslinger - Wednesday, Dec 3, 14 @ 3:27 pm:
Guy, try reading for comprehension. Where has Rauner said anything about building consensus, shared sacrifice, and all the stuff you’re yammering about. He’s just now “discovering” the problem. The other stuff you’re making up.
You know, he is speaking for himself.====
Perhaps you’d like it better if he said, Now Slinger and the rest of you, I’m going to build consensus by showing you charts telling you where we are within the budget in key areas of state spending. If your eyes are bad, sit in the first row.
Instead, he’s just doing it. He’s establishing for the people of Illinois a picture of where we are and to an extent, how we got there. He’s in the phase of identifying the gravity of the problem in easier to understand ways. I would suspect the next step is to put together a list of different options and hypothetical combinations of solutions to see what looks most palatable to the people, the legislators, the unions and everyone else.
Then, I suspect he’ll pay careful attention how they respond and what looks to be the best and most doable approach with their participation whether reluctant or not.
That Sling is building consensus. That’s what I think he’s doing. That’s what I’d do. What I wouldn’t pay much attention to is the comments from people who are rooting for me to fail. Those who would call me disingenuous at every turn. They aren’t useful to solving some very real problems. That’s what I think is happening Sling. Pardon if it doesn’t coincide with your play by play commentary. His actions never will. He’ll be Governor in a month. You won’t.
Comment by A guy... Wednesday, Dec 3, 14 @ 4:03 pm
A guy:
He is also treating all of this information as if it is breaking news.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Wednesday, Dec 3, 14 @ 4:19 pm
===”What I wouldn’t pay much attention to is the comments from people who are rooting for **ME** to fail. Those who would call **ME** disingenuous at every turn.” ===
Brucie, did you just slip into the first person? Thou dost protest too much!
Comment by Cuddly Wednesday, Dec 3, 14 @ 4:20 pm
==howing you charts telling you where we are within the budget in key areas of state spending==
==He’s establishing for the people of Illinois a picture of where we are and to an extent, how we got there.==
I don’t understand where you are coming from here. This has been done before. Multiple times. I’m not sure how what Rauner is doing is any different than what has been done before. It’s just a different messenger with the same message.
Comment by Demoralized Wednesday, Dec 3, 14 @ 4:22 pm
Y Dog, no doubt it’s coming across this way. The people on this blog are far more tuned in. Sad, but true is that this is breaking news to many people. At least the degree of it is. He’s speaking to who he needs to speak to the way he needs to speak to them. The people who need to rely on the state to get it’s fiscal house straight have the most to gain here.
Comment by A guy... Wednesday, Dec 3, 14 @ 4:23 pm
So…
If none of this is new…and none of this Bruce didn’t already know…
Then why go “here”?
===The Republican lashed out at what he called “dishonest” Democrat-approved financial tricks, saying the price tag of the current year’s budget was masked by absorbing some of the costs in a previous budget to make the current one look better.===
This is called the Thompson Pivot, saying things are worse than “previously” thought, found in, “to make the current one look good”
As for the caps, lol “r-e-l-a-x”….
This whole idea you think this is a reinvention of the wheel is quite comical.
This idea people are already rooting against “your guy” and it gnaws at you is ridiculously sad. Stop claiming martyrdom for Rauner playing the Thompson Pivot. This ain’t bean bag.
This whole post is the faux surprise of Rauner, the use of the Thompson Pivot, and you think this is is 1000 times more brilliant than when it was first ever used, ever, and everyone is out to get “your guy”
Get. A. Grip.
It might be a long four years for you of you try to keep making stuff up to defend your guy from all the people rooting against “your guy”
As for me to that,
Only 2 things I’ve had issue with;
Jim Ardis is an embarrassing disaster to be in a transition.
No governmental people on the Governmental subgroup.
That’s it. Read.
You should relax, governing only gets harder.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Dec 3, 14 @ 4:25 pm
Ah, Wilbur, the CAPS were only to differentiate between your prose and my simple-minded answers to you. You were convinced I wouldn’t be here the day after election day and “my guy” would lose. Wrong on both counts. I’m here. He won. What did they call the Thompson pivit before Thompson?
Or did it never occur before in a century and a half? He’s equipped to do fine over the next 4 years. It’s going to be a tough start, but there’s a lot of work to do. He’ll just keep making progress. Some folks will like it, some won’t. Some will write deja vous quotes everyday quoting old movies. You’ll be in the last group. He’ll give you plenty to work with I’m sure.
Comment by A guy... Wednesday, Dec 3, 14 @ 4:33 pm
OK…is anyone else here not liking Guy (and his Boss’) tone?
Comment by Anonymoat Wednesday, Dec 3, 14 @ 4:40 pm
Guy, if you’ll google the May 31, 2014, Trib, you’ll find an article by Pearson, Garcia and Long where Rauner goes on and on about the “phony,” “dishonest,” budget that had just been passed.
He seemed to understand what was going on then.
So his surprise from yesterday is a little bit surprising. Savvy?
Comment by Wordslinger Wednesday, Dec 3, 14 @ 4:48 pm
===Ah, Wilbur, the CAPS were only to differentiate between your prose and my simple-minded answers to you.===
Oh, I wouldn’t call your answers simple-minded, only your delivery and arrogance are simple minded. You can work on that. The arrogance, I don’t know if you have humility.
Who knows if you would have been here if Bruce lost, we don’t know, but, we I’ll suffer along with you here, it ain’t my shop, and the arrogance that you are “sticking around” really speaks to your own idea of what yiu bring to discussions, so if you’re proud your here after your guy won, ok, if that helps you.
What confuses me most, in all your defending, why make it about me? You are notorious for it, even I your last paragraph,
Funny thing is, I’ve moved on from the campaign, you seen to keep reliving it.
I think “Z” will do great and is a great choice, so what are you trying to pick on here with all this rooting for Rauner to fail?
If you think your “role” here is to defend Bruce at every turn, pack a lunch, lol.
The reason you are confronted as you are, is you. Own it.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Dec 3, 14 @ 4:49 pm
@olddog
@ Arizona Bob 10:13
=== Rich, has ANYBODY put together a “doomsday” budget identifying legally mandated expenses,including contractual obligations, and those required for “health and safety” of citizens? ===
Yep.
Happens all the time, at every level of government.=
Got a link for the Illinois state 2015 “doomsday” budget?
Comment by Arizona Bob Wednesday, Dec 3, 14 @ 5:03 pm
Wow, now who’s the victim?
Comment by A guy... Wednesday, Dec 3, 14 @ 5:09 pm
=== He’ll just keep making progress. Some folks will like it, some won’t. Some will write deja vous quotes everyday quoting old movies. You’ll be in the last group.===
===Wilbur===
Your arrogance makes you oblivious.
Why make it about me, cause making up facts for your made up thoughts is too hard?
Or which end of the horse dies that come out to address “Wilbur”
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Dec 3, 14 @ 5:15 pm
Bob, it’s the FY 2015 State Budget Book as presented by Governor Quinn. A man of your vast intellect should find it in seconds.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Wednesday, Dec 3, 14 @ 5:18 pm
My wife can’t stand to watch baseball.
I try to explain to her it is a pastime, but she keeps waiting for someone to score and can’t understand what everyone is tuning into between runs.
So it is with politics, A guy, and this is probably the wrong place to argue that folks should just tune in on June 1 to catch the box score and the highlights.
At Capitolfax, we don’t just analyze every at bat and every pitch, we ruminate over every pause on the mound, every adjustment in the outfield, every time the batter steps out of the box.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Wednesday, Dec 3, 14 @ 5:20 pm
==Got a link for the Illinois state 2015 “doomsday” budget?==
http://Illinois.gov
Comment by Precinct Captain Wednesday, Dec 3, 14 @ 5:20 pm
==Bob, it’s the FY 2015 State Budget Book as presented by Governor Quinn. A man of your vast intellect should find it in seconds.==
It takes a long times for things to load on the Google in Arizona. Stuff takes awhile to travel on the tubes.
Comment by Precinct Captain Wednesday, Dec 3, 14 @ 5:22 pm
That’s really good - YDD -, that’s exactly what goes on, which is what makes it great to follow, like watching the nuances of baseball, the games within “the game” and even the pitch sequences.
Some watch a ball game like that, some don’t. Thus is like a whole section of seats with favs like that.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Dec 3, 14 @ 5:24 pm
Oh good! It wasn’t just me. :^)
Comment by Anonymoat Wednesday, Dec 3, 14 @ 5:27 pm
Spot on YDD! That’s what keeps us coming back for more.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Wednesday, Dec 3, 14 @ 6:22 pm
Thanks guys.
It’s great to be among fellow fans of the game, even though we may be rooting for different teams sometimes.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Wednesday, Dec 3, 14 @ 6:43 pm
@12:09pm: I don’t expect many of you to cheer for him, but being less critical might be in your better interests.
@12:29pm:
What’s in my better interest. Please explain.
@7:20: Still no clarification about why being less critical might be in someone’s better interest.
But criticism of our elected public servants is the right and duty of all citizens in our country.
Better get used to it, Guy.
Comment by Enviro Wednesday, Dec 3, 14 @ 7:20 pm
Let Rauner play his game, and feign surprise or shock. It’s just a carry-forward from his campaign mode.
And A Guy is right — the average citizen didn’t know the things about the budget that we on this blog, and Rauner, all knew and discussed months ago. He is now speaking to the general public to prepare for newsworthy demands.
What matters is not this game, but what he will attempt to do about the problems. That remains very cloudy. We can only hope he gets a lot of responsible input, and information, before taking firm stands, and avoids simple-minded ideological solutions.
The irony is that if he doesn’t do something impactful very early in 2015, he will have to continue with the “borrowing”, funds transfers and reporting practices that he just criticized in order to make it to July 2015.
Comment by walker Wednesday, Dec 3, 14 @ 7:59 pm
@Bob
It’s on the OMB website. There’s lots of materials there.
http://www2.illinois.gov/gov/budget/Pages/default.aspx
Comment by Demoralized Wednesday, Dec 3, 14 @ 8:26 pm
Bob, “Dave” wasn’t actually looking for much money, and that was from a federal budget of hundreds of billions. We’re looking for a lot, and out of a budget of $65B, about half of which is more difficult to touch. Believe me, if all they were looking for was the $300M or so Dave needed, no one would be burning the midnight oil at the Capitol
Comment by steve schnorf Wednesday, Dec 3, 14 @ 8:50 pm
Rauner is not even in office and he’s already pointing fingers…He knew the state of state’s finances prior to this election and so did the rest of the state ….he (Rauner) has yet to talk about his budget nor has he even presented a preliminary budget, just more whining, bobbing and weaving. Here’s some sound advice, quit pointing fingers and fix the budget.
Comment by PollVaulter Thursday, Dec 4, 14 @ 7:30 am
Can somebody explain to me how you pull future year expenditures into a prior year? That doesn’t even make sense. If it is paid in FY14 it’s because it was incurred in FY14. Does anybody know if he happens to be looking at lapse period spending and claiming that because it was booked in FY14 that it was somehow pulled into that year? If so then he doesn’t understand the budget.
Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Dec 4, 14 @ 8:30 am
To those who linked me to Quinn’s budget:
Of course I know about what Quinn proposed, and that is NOT a “doomsday” budget.
This includes all the nonsense that Rauner’s criticizing in this release.
Correst me if I’m wring, but doesn’t this still assume extension of the 67% tax increase?
What I’m looking for is and INDEPENDENT evaluation of the budget that DOES identify “needs”, “mandatory” and “wants” with revenue projections that don’t require a miracle to occur.
Arthur Andersen, if you think what was propsoed by Quinn eliminated all the unnecessary “wants” from expenditures, then your accountiung skills are cmparabble to those that resulted in your namesake been driven out of business.
Regarding establishiing justifiable budgets and ensuring that the highest standards of efficiency are being met, that should be the resonsibility of each department head. Since Quality improvement is part of their job, THEY should be looking at the cost of service delivery compared to Southern and Midwestern states, finding out operationally what the more efficient organizations are doing differently than Illinois, then making organizational changes to achieve those efficiencies in their departments.
Those of us in professional service industries are comparing and contrasting our costs of doing business with our peers continuoulsy.
I guess that’s too much to ask of the management political hires in Illinois, though.
After all, 24/7 Wall Street has joined the chorus of giving the “honor” of “Worst run state” to Illinois again today, a well deserved “honor”.
Comment by Arizona Bob Thursday, Dec 4, 14 @ 8:37 am
AB, Quinn proposed two budgets: one with the tax increase, one without. Neither was passed.
This ain’t a heavy lift, dude. It was in all the papers.
Stick with willful ignorance, it will keep your usual talking points intact.
Comment by Wordslinger Thursday, Dec 4, 14 @ 9:01 am
@Bob:
If you look at the book there was a “doomsday” budget. It was the “Not Recommended” budget.
And I’m not sure what you mean by independent. You want somebody from outside of state government to do a budget? I can tell you from personal experience that the people that work on the budget are professionals.
As for your continued call for comparisons . . . comparisons to what? Government isn’t a business. We don’t “compare and contrast” costs with other states. You can’t do that. No two states are alike. So who are we comparing costs to? What you are saying is absolute nonsense in that regard.
Bob, I’ve been working on state budgets for 17 years. I’d be happy to give you a primer. A very large chunk of the budget is for needs and mandatory spending.
Finally, I don’t think I’d throw stones about AA’s accounting skills because from what I’ve seen you aren’t too good at math.
Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Dec 4, 14 @ 9:37 am
Bob, I’ll correct you. The “Not Recommended” budget did not assume the continuation of the 5% tax.
Comment by steve schnorf Thursday, Dec 4, 14 @ 9:54 am