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* The response from the Senate Black Caucus to Gov. Bruce Rauner’s budget proposal was mostly predictable, but on point…
“Yes, government leaders in positions of power hold many responsibilities, one of which is ensuring a thriving private sector, attractive to business and industry – but not to be forgotten are the awesome responsibilities of protecting and serving the people.” – State Senator Kimberly Lightford (D-Maywood 4th)
“Cutting services that uplift communities are not only a slap in the face, but it’s an attack on the lower and middle class. This irresponsible, smoke-and-mirrors budget balances our state’s debts on the backs of the neediest, but refuses to close corporate loopholes.” – State Senator Donne E. Trotter (D-Chicago 17th)
“I am outraged that the governor is knocking middle and lower-class families down when they are already facing tough economic circumstances. He’s putting lives and livelihoods in jeopardy by treating our state’s most vulnerable people like burdens.” – State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago 3rd)
“This proposed budget would close doors of opportunity for youth in disadvantaged communities throughout the state.
“By cutting funding for anti-violence initiatives and services for wards of the state who face homelessness and exploitation when they turn 18, this administration signals that it is giving up on the tremendous potential within our young people struggling to emerge from difficult circumstances.
“And with one-third of higher education funding eliminated in the Rauner budget, young men and women who beat the odds and make it to college would face higher tuition, less assistance and fewer resources.” – State Senator Jacqueline Y. Collins (D-Chicago 16th)
* Sen. Gary Forby also got in some licks…
“It’s pretty cold of the governor to propose cuts to energy cost assistance at a time when working families are struggling to deal with spikes in the utility bills.”
“This budget is filled with cut after cut after cut,” Forby continued. “Tuition costs are going to go up putting more of the burden on our students when they are trying to prepare themselves for the workforce.”
* As did Sen. Heather Steans…
In hearings starting next month, my colleagues and I will thoroughly discuss each agency’s needs and where savings can be achieved. But the numbers in today’s proposal simply don’t add up. I look forward to working with the governor’s office on a balanced budget that is realistic and fulfills our responsibilities to our most vulnerable residents.
* And Sen. Daniel Biss…
(T)he Governor’s proposal singles out working families and the most vulnerable among us for the deepest cuts, while asking nothing of the rich. It is simply unconscionable to slash Medicaid, foster care, and much of the rest of our safety net while leaving the most fortunate among us untouched.
* Sen. Trotter and others also did a credible job during WBEZ’s extensive coverage. But then Donne reverted to one of his bad habits…
Sen. Donne Trotter said Wednesday Rauner has proposed a “slash-and-burn budget.” The Chicago Democrat says Rauner acted “as if he was an ISIS warrior fighting a battle, not against the state of Illinois but against the people of Illinois.”
Rauner spokesman Lance Trover says the administration welcomes dialogue with legislators. But he’s urging lawmakers “to refrain from over the top rhetoric that demeans the process.”
Trover is right, Trotter is wrong.
What the Senator did was distract attention away from the governor’s cuts and put it onto himself.
C’mon, man.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 11:55 am
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“What the Senator did was distract attention away from the governor’s cuts and put it onto himself.”
Trotter’s statement was as stupid as it was shameful.
– MrJM
Comment by MrJM Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 12:04 pm
When I saw that the budget zeroed out LIHEAP, I knew all his outreach to the black caucus was all for naught.
This is what happens when you bring outsiders in to craft your budget. They don’t know where the sacred cows are. LIHEAP is an absolute sacred cor for that Caucus. Ooops.
That said, ISIS, really Donne??? Nice way to give the Gov’s defenders something to use to deflect attention from the budget.
Comment by Chicago Cynic Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 12:06 pm
Trotter has done it before. I had to laugh when I heard him on WGN last night. Rauner seems more like Procrustes, that’s the comparison I’d have made.
Comment by AC Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 12:07 pm
Donne, you don’t need to be dramatic or embellish this. The truth of Rauner’s budget is enough to discredit the Governor. Just read off the list of proposed cuts.
Someone said yesterday that most Illinoisans have no idea many of these programs even exist, suggesting that many won’t care if they get eliminated. There is an old truism that says you don’t miss something until it goes away.
Which suburban Republican is anxious to sponsor the bill cutting autism funding? Step right up, the floor is yours.
See? The truth is the best way to prevent Rauner from getting anything close to this budget. By the time session ends, the Republicans will be begging the Democrats to vote for higher taxes.
Bet on it.
Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 12:08 pm
==The truth of Rauner’s budget is enough to discredit the Governor==
Bingo.
And does anyone want to set an over/under on how many days before we get a reference to certain Germans circa the 1930’s?
Comment by Formerly Known As... Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 12:11 pm
I am still duck-faced when I began hearing the new Illinois governor tell Illinoisans that they need to sacrifice. It is just so politically stupid. I’m not going to listen to a multi-millionaire who dropped dough like toilet paper at a Halloween mummy party tell us that we need to sacrifice.
Rauner needs to give us solutions, not pile up more craptastic proof that he forgot how it takes a quarter to get a shopping cart at Aldi.
Maybe he was in the Caymans opening an account the weeks we were locking up Ryan and Blagojevich. Perhaps he was riding the mountains he owns on his horse, Flicka, when the 2007 Great Recession began. For him to be so insensitive to the people who depend upon Illinois as their last refuge to ask that they sacrifice by losing that help is simply not understanding his fellow citizens.
It was politically stupid and a horrible way to begin an administration within our troubled state.
Illinois will not be a bipartisan state in the future with political leaders so extreme as Rauner has introduced himself.
Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 12:13 pm
So…Just do these people wish to cut that will give us more or less the same bottom line?? I am all in agreement to cut business tax loopholes, tax retirees, tax services, etc. and I hope it all comes along in due course. But immediately we need massive spending cuts. So if you are going to whine about it, give us your alternative that you and your colleagues will support with their votes.
Comment by Skirmisher Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 12:16 pm
“I’m not going to listen to a multi-millionaire who dropped dough like toilet paper at a Halloween mummy party tell us that we need to sacrifice.”
I laughed out loud, walked away, came back and laughed out loud all over again.
– MrJM
Comment by MrJM Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 12:18 pm
I think in some states, Trotter’s career would have ended with that comment, but welcome to Illinois!
Comment by Niles Township Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 12:20 pm
“I am all in agreement to cut business tax loopholes, tax retirees, tax services, etc. and I hope it all comes along in due course. But immediately we need massive spending cuts.”
Your sacrifice? “Immediately.”
My sacrifice? “In due course.”
– MrJM
Comment by MrJM Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 12:21 pm
I’d love to hear what former Senator James Meeks has to say about this budget and the impact it will have in his community. Is the Black Caucus just wrong about that impact?
Comment by anon Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 12:28 pm
This Governor has no credibility asking for people to refrain from over the top rhetoric that demeans the process. What’s he been doing for the last 4 weeks? Little sensitive Gov?
Comment by unbelievable Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 12:28 pm
Sounds like those senators had an extra helping of salt on their bowls of salt.
Comment by Morton Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 12:36 pm
The Representatives and Senators of the Illinois General Assembly have been elected to do the work necessary to ensure the gov’t of Illinois works smoothly, efficiently and effectively.
Governing is tough business.
Get working and do your job.
Rauner is just one branch and is not undefeatable in getting laws passed and vetoes overridden.
You wanted the job - you have the job.
Comment by dupage dan Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 12:43 pm
Hello… not all poor people are black. The budget game is not over until the fat lady sings.
Comment by Mama Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 1:00 pm
Instructions:
Warning! Severe injury (personal political) and bodily damages (public services) WILL occur if not handled properly.
Rule #1: Do not insert thy foot when opening thy mouth. It doesn’t taste good.
Comment by northernwatersports Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 1:01 pm
When Trotter is battling ISIS, does he use his state paycheck as a sword and his state pension as a shield? Or vice versa? Funny how a man with 2 govt paychecks has so much time for hyperbole
Comment by nixit71 Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 1:13 pm
Sen. Trotter’s ridiculous comments on WBEZ aside, his comment and Sen. Biss’ make two great points.
Rauner did some heavy campaigning on closing tax loopholes for corporations. Not a peep about that since taking office.
And where’s the shared sacrifice from our wealthy neighbors? This budget takes a BIG chop to services that largely serve lower income people, but asks little to nothing at all from the wealthiest among us. This isn’t ‘class warfare’ - we’re all in this mess together and all need to contribute to fixing it.
Comment by Left Leaner Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 1:26 pm
==- Niles Township - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 12:20 pm:==
What states? Sally Kern has a job. Mo Brooks has a job. Steve King has a job. Jody Hice has a job. Gene Alday has a job.
Comment by Precinct Captain Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 1:41 pm
What Donnie said is typical of people in entitlement positions. Not to mention extremely insensitive. He’s clueless.
Comment by Westward Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 1:58 pm
Given an Illinois government rife with misfeasance, and near bankruptcy, veteran legislators should be careful with what they say. That should be particularly true of a “budgeteer.”
Comment by Keyser Soze Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 1:59 pm
Donne, that’s the kinda talk that slows down that C/C permit. /s
Comment by A guy Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 2:07 pm
==When Trotter is battling ISIS, does he use his state paycheck as a sword and his state pension as a shield?==
More likely he would use the gun he was busted with going through airport security. The one he had a carry permit for through his job as security guard.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 2:11 pm
I am heartened to see that Governor Rauner’s Budget Address inspired frank dialogue with legislative leaders and members of the General Assembly. The harsh realities of the State’s fiscal condition may be a hard pill to swallow, but the order of the day is not business as usual. And that is good.
Comment by Black Ivy Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 2:23 pm
Just another politician saying: “Yes, cuts are needed….just don’t cut anything”. The truth is that the politicians have dug such a deep hole, that almost everything must be cut to avoid fiscal disaster.
It’s time for a reality check. Term limits would flush the “can’t say no” legislators out.
Comment by A realistic citizen Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 2:25 pm
Westward - some of us don’t have hearing in the dog whistle range. What does the phrase “people in entitlement positions” mean? Trotter is an elected Senator.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 2:33 pm
Whoever you are, bite me.
Comment by Westward Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 2:43 pm
Did you read any of the “other majority/minority” releases that included LATINO legislators? Your tendency is, that the minority opinion only comes from the black caucus..Que Pasa RICARDO? Um..check your census..it’s not the color of your skin it’s the socio- economics..WE NEED A PAPER THAT IS INCLUSIVE..AND HAS A DIVERSE opinion..Thinking it’s just Black and white issue..is a reason why Illinois can’t move..forward..do you even seek their opinion?
Comment by Powerball winner Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 2:59 pm
VanillaMan 12:13 above
One of the best ever. “Duck faced” indeed.
Comment by walker Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 4:30 pm
Donne has had this problem for years. It’s one of many reasons he’s still in the IL State Senate and not one of the higher offices he has sought through the years.
Comment by low level Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 5:27 pm
Woe is me! 30 years of absolute waste in this state and all the democrats can do is complain now that the chickens have come home to roost. Sure it’s bitter medicine, most medicine is, does no good to fret and worry now, the horse has done left the barn. All parties need to dig in and compromise, you can’t tell me 20% could not be cut from my household or theirs. You simply cannot spend more than you take in, won’t work, time to pay the fiddler since we have been dancing, if I could come up with a few more cliches I’d do that too
Comment by Come on Glenn Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 5:29 pm
Powerball winner, there are only so many statements I can put in one post, and this one was too long as it was. Take a breath. And if you think I’m a racist, go away.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Feb 20, 15 @ 9:16 am