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Legislative inauguration tidbits

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Noting recent budgets have been approved with only Democratic votes, Madigan pointedly said to GOP members that House Democrats “wish to welcome you back — back to the active participation of state government.” […]

“Now with the loss of revenue caused by the expiration of the Illinois income tax increase, there will be many difficult roll calls up ahead. And we Democrats are very anxious to work together on those tough roll calls,” Madigan said, turning to his cheering colleagues. “Right, everybody?” […]

Back in the Senate, Radogno admonished Democrats and members of her own Republican Party to listen to each other and not to rely on easy ways to avoid confronting the state’s problems.

“We will only be successful if our knee-jerk response to other people’s ideas is not to fall back in the comfort of partisan rhetoric and run for the cover of special interests,” she said.

* Sun-Times…

[House Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie] told the crowd of hundreds in Sangamon Auditorium that the Southwest Side Democrat is fully capable of working with a Republican governor.

“His record shows he works well, even better with the Republican than the Democratic variety,” Currie said. […]

[Speaker Madigan] said the No. 1 issue Illinois will face is the deficit, which he estimated at $5.7 billion for the next budget.

Madigan vowed to protect the working class, even while slashing the budget deficits. And he said the state must focus on education, from early childhood education to higher education.

* SJ-R…

“Governor, we need to raise the minimum wage,” Cullerton said. “The same voters who sent us here want a higher minimum wage in Illinois. It’s time to deliver.” […]

Cullerton pledged to work on streamlining the process for businesses to complete the necessary paperwork to begin operating in Illinois.

And he said it is time for lawmakers to prove their oft-repeated campaign promises that education is a top priority.

“If education is indeed our top priority, it is time to back it up,” he said, citing the funding divide among public schools.

* Erickson…

With Democrats firmly in control of the legislature, Rauner’s presence in the Capitol could be a recipe for Washington-style gridlock or it could represent a new era of bipartisanship at a time when the state is in a financial tailspin.

State Sen. Bill Brady, who had challenged Rauner for the GOP gubernatorial nomination last year, said the political newcomer represents a fresh start in a state battered by bad fiscal news.

“Even the Democrats haven’t been happy with the last 12 years. We all know the failures of Rod Blagojevich. We all know the shortcomings of Pat Quinn. Bruce Rauner brings a new approach,” said Brady, R-Bloomington.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 9:31 am

Comments

===“Now with the loss of revenue caused by the expiration of the Illinois income tax increase, there will be many difficult roll calls up ahead. And we Democrats are very anxious to work together on those tough roll calls,” Madigan said, turning to his cheering colleagues. “Right, everybody?===

Man, Cullerton and MJM were downright giddy…at the idea that lots and lots of “Green” will be next to GOP names on the board for tough votes, budget votes, controversial votes…

The smiles on their faces was priceless.

The numbers 13 and 10 are the Democratic votes minimally needed to pass a 100% GOP GA supported piece of legislation or budget.

Now, Rauner, and Griffin and Uhiline and their $20 million to “express” their …favor…disappointment…to the 67 GOP GA members is also a gift to MJM and Cullerton. I mean, how dysfunctional will the ILGOP be with the sitting Executive dictating Legislative primaries? It’s up to Rauner, Griffin and Uhiline to explain to GOP GA leadership that Caucus loyalty is 2nd to Rauner agenda demands.

“We can decide for your Caucuses who should stay, who needs to go…” and shattering the ideal of the Caucus unity.

Might as well join the Rauner Caucus just to be safe.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 9:50 am
The House leaders were an interesting contrast. Madigan lectured the Republicans about their new found responsibilities. Durkin’s speech was much less memorable; he spent most of his time thanking and acknowledging people.

Comment by Pot calling kettle Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 9:51 am
==Might as well join the Rauner Caucus just to be safe. ==

I’m wondering if Rauner will have floor leaders and, if so, who they will be.

Comment by Pot calling kettle Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 9:53 am
When MJM is cracking jokes, take note. He’s smiling because he already won.

Comment by Centennial Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 9:55 am
Anybody know where Madigan was going with the Adam Lanza references?

Comment by Wordslinger Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 10:22 am
I have never seen a line like there was list night for the Radagno-Durkin event. Could the Republican party be back?

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 10:54 am
==- Anonymous - Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 10:54 am:==

I’d hold it for a moment on that. Neither Durkin or Radogno are known as a “delicate genius.”

Comment by Precinct Captain Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 12:39 pm
Like watching a cat toying with a mouse.

“I so sincerely wish to welcome you back — back to the active participation in our little game.”

Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 1:11 pm
Wordslinger, he said it in the context of wanting to address issues of mental health by convening some panel of experts. Presumably, he thinks that making mental health issues a priority might prevent some other nut job (like Lanza) from shooting up a school or a shopping mall or whatever.

Comment by ??? Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 5:36 pm