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* For whatever reason, Gov. Rauner repeated his claim yesterday that a fix for this fiscal year’s problems was just days away. He was promptly disabused of that notion, however…
Gov. Bruce Rauner said again Wednesday that he is very close to reaching an agreement with legislative leaders to give him emergency powers to plug holes in the current state budget.
However, a spokeswoman for Senate President John Cullerton, D-Chicago, said there are still “major issues” that must be resolved with the administration before the Senate will cede power to the governor to rearrange the current spending plan. […]
“To a large extent, the governor is asking for us to simply trust him,” [Cullerton spokeswoman Rikeesha Phelon] said. “That is a relationship that is going to have to be built.”
After Rauner’s budget speech last week, House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, said an agreement with Rauner on giving him emergency budget powers was days away. On Wednesday, Madigan spokesman Steve Brown referred to that statement, but he added, “No one has defined how many 24 hour segments that is.”
Emphasis added for obvious reasons.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 9:00 am
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Could also be the biblical term ‘day’.
Comment by Bogey Golfer Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 9:03 am
Is Rauner dealing with the “good ones” or “bad ones” here?
Comment by Wordslinger Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 9:05 am
Many, many days away.
Comment by DuPage Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 9:05 am
They didn’t really state that days were 24 hour periods. A day on Venus takes 243 Earth days. A day is like a thousand years to the Lord. Guess we’ll find out how many it is like for our elected officials.
Comment by AC Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 9:08 am
I suspect he’s still laboring under a corporate mindset, where simply expecting something to happen within days usually makes it so.
Comment by Arsenal Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 9:09 am
Welcome to the big time Brucie!
Comment by Publius Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 9:10 am
Not only what Arsenal said but he’s still operating under top down managerial style. He makes all the decisions and the peons follow orders. But we need to trust him, he says because he knows best.
Comment by AnonymousOne Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 9:11 am
The “very most important” members of the Rauner Administration:
Legislstive liaisons
Press Shop
That’s the list. Period.
Why? Trust and honesty with the Speaker and President are beyond important, and speaking with, or to, the media in regards to that relationship and trust and honesty will dictate to the Rauner Crew how they will be engaged in the business of governing.
Dear Mike Z.,
Your #1 goal/challenge/priority isn’t setting the Gov’s agenda, or agency filling, or the actual budget numbers. No. Not even close.
Your #1 “thingy” you must be doing is telling the Principle to:
A) Stop undercutting the LLs credibility and their “word” by saying things are going one way with MJM and Madigan and Cullerton and they mock and refute it.
B) Tell the Principle that “less is more” when answering “timetable” questions.
C) Get the Press Shop to clean up this mess by having disciplined talking points (Hello? That’s all you guys did for 19 months!) that are the only acceptable responses to General Assembly questions. Period. Stop the self-inflicted press hits.
And finally…
D) when it comes to confrontational language, and even olive branch language, when it comes to dealing with the GA, as a whole, a chamber, a Caucus, a leader…
Tell. The. Truth.
With respect,
OW
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 9:13 am
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Comment by Griz Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 9:13 am
Soo, we will be getting a check in the mail any day now?
Comment by I B Strapped Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 9:14 am
I love Steve Brown so much.
Comment by Soccermom Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 9:14 am
Madigan and Cullerton are responsible for one of the most negligent budgets we have ever seen.
They should be begging Rauner not to hoist them on their own petard.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 9:15 am
AC - by the end of May, a day will feel like a thousand years to Illinois residents.
Comment by a drop in Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 9:18 am
Give Rauner budget power? Based on his track record, he will use it to hire politically connected consultants and cut more funding for autistic kids.
Considering what he’s done so far, why would anybody expect him to act differently?
Comment by Gooner Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 9:20 am
With rhetoric like “kids being yanked off ventilators” and “orphanages being closed”, you really think John Cullerton is going to dig in on plugging funding holes? I don’t.
There will be an understanding as to how much and where the dough will go. We’re as many days away as the crisis begins to unfold with these problems which were of the making of the Legislators who passed that budget…all by themselves. We are days away. Whatever the heck that turns out to be.
Comment by A guy Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 9:21 am
“That is a relationship that is going to have to be built.”
At this point, normally there is a bit of trust from a honeymoon, but after his Decatur Power Point Anti-Union flub, the governor’s honeymoon ended quickly.
There is no reason to trust a guy who does 180s on important governing positions, and presents budgets without a shred of seriousness. As governor, Rauner needs to indicate that he can do the job beyond finding a microphone, and he hasn’t done that yet. He needs to display a willingness to find common ground within the existing government, and he hasn’t done that yet. He needs to show that he takes the situation we face as a state financially, and he hasn’t done that beyond finger pointing and blame.
How can we trust someone who has spent millions to get elected and then continues campaigning instead of governing? New flash Governor - you have the job now. Lets see some governing.
Phelon’s comment above was being kind. I would have said, “That is a relationship that is going to need to be RE-built after what we’ve witnessed so far.”
Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 9:24 am
Seriously…farmin’, growing’, booming’, etc. & using the word ‘ain’t’ repeatedly.
Comment by G Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 9:29 am
===We’re as many days away as the crisis begins to unfold with these problems which were of the making of the Legislators who passed that budget…all by themselves.===
- A Guy -,
No one is making Rauner say the things he is saying. Rauner wants to look foolish? Keep saying things to get hammered and shook by MJM and Cullerton…
Rauner is governor now. The problems are Rauner’s to help solve.
Please stop this …
===..,these problems which were of the making of the Legislators who passed that budget…all by themselves.===
Ok, but pointing to spilled milk and saying “That’s spilled milk!”, that ain’t governing. Problem solving IS governing.
Rauner wanted the gig. This is the gig. Complaining about the gig’s problems…that ain’t gettibg anything done.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 9:33 am
OW… If they take your advice, there is hope. If they do not, and unless there is some grand conspiracy to create cover for all involved, it’s not gonna be pretty.
Tin foil angle: Madigan needs the public unions to take a cut in the next negotiations. The Gov plays basher in chief for negotiation purposes… The Gov needs revenue and can’t be raising taxes.. Madigan can do that… Crazy I know.I continue to believe this is Madigan’s best dance partner ever.
Comment by Walter Mitty Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 9:33 am
Steve Brown isn’t the best around for no reason.
Comment by Man with a plan Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 9:34 am
Willy, you just provided Mike Z with a manifesto of how to deal with the guy who’s playing hard to get on plugging the holes. In my world, JC doesn’t get to be a hard guy when the problem was very much part of “his” making. Rauner’s diatribe aside, this is the pot hole we’re about to hit. Being coy now is not Cullerton’s best angle. His spokesy will be running that back, not walking it.
Comment by A guy Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 9:42 am
=== In my world, JC doesn’t get to be a hard guy when the problem was very much part of “his” making.===
Welp,
Then you aren’t going to find 30 votes in the Senate.
Campaigns, and campaign rhetoric, are hard. Governing is difficult.
Rauner = MJM + Cullerton
In “your world”, that equation is completely lost on you…
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 9:46 am
Real governing;
Rauner = MJM + Cullerton = ILSC
Rauner’s apparent interpretation
Rauner > MJM + Cullerton, “remainder” ILSC.
The math doesn’t add up.
Someone should trademark that…
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 9:50 am
With a divided government you must work with the other side. To successfully do that you have to be trusted to do things promised. Trust does have to be built. You can’t do that with excessive rhetoric vilifying folks.
Comment by Norseman Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 9:51 am
Remember “drunken sailors”? Seems almost tame compared to “corrupt”. Threats and name calling are not the way to assemble votes needed to pass bills. Someone against you today might be with you tomorrow, but not the way rauner is going, esp if going against him on one out of ten votes makes you a bleeping problem.
Comment by Langhorne Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 9:54 am
Steve Brown reinterpreted: “Never assume you know what Madigan is thinking.”
Comment by walker Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 9:56 am
Rauner and Obama are very much alike.
Keep campaigning and forget about governing.
Comment by MOON Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 10:00 am
Gov. Rauner wants emergency powers… translation - Bruce wants to be handed the kingdom, so he can rule all by him self. Doesn’t Mr. Cullerton realize that he is the “bad” lawmaker, standing in his way? Bruce wants the legislative branch to give up it’s authority, so he can be King of Illinois. Where are those Republicans that complain about Obama’s use of executive orders, when Wannabe King Rauner uses Executive Orders and asks for Emergency Powers? This is way beyond anything President Obama has done and Bruce has only just begun.
Comment by Say It Ain't So!! Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 10:03 am
Trust is a strange word in business and carries great risk. Rauner knows how this game works. Sometimes trust is not appropriate because it is impossible to calculate the risks, especially when the people at the table have shown themselves to be double-talkin’. (Don’t forget “10 things for my $20 million or else” spoken in private.)
In my business experience, anybody that doesn’t want to be pinned down to facts, and is asking for “trust,” is exactly who I don’t trust. It is prudent to then proceed to lock them down with real numbers and signatures. Trust in business, without consensus of facts and recourse, is for fools, mockers, and simpletons.
It all comes down to debits and credits folks. It is very black and white, very objective, and should contain no risk or fake and unearned trust from either side.
Cut the deal folks. You are appearing to be either incompetent or worse.
Comment by cdog Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 10:04 am
===I continue to believe Rauner is Madigan’s best dance partner ever.”===
And I continue to believe more snow is just more moisture in the soil for our farmers.
You could be right, but one of them needs to keep quieter to better hear the beat.
Comment by walker Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 10:08 am
I take Rauner at his word. It is just days away. And it has been days away for 240 days. And they will still probably be days away in 125 days.
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 10:10 am
I know Rauner has people that know the budget and the budget process on his staff. I understand that.
But I’m confused — and somewhat bemused — by the fact that Rauner assumes on the basis of … nothing, really — that the legislature is simply going to give him the keys. I understand that he’s governor. And I understand that he won the election.
But he’s been in state government for … what? A month now? A month and a half? Before that he had a morally ambiguous track record of failing businesses and behind-the-scenes shenanigans. Nothing about Rauner — either the way he looks, the way he acts, the way he chummily talks — none of it points to a guy that actually knows what he’s doing. He has people that know what they’re doing — but if you look at the video of Rauner yesterday and cabinet meeting: he looks and talks like he’s still campaigning.
Journalists and media folks like to point out about what a great guy he is. That he tells jokes, drinks beer, and is pretty much just all around swell. But he’s no raging intellect. He’s not curious. And he’s pretentious as heck.
Comment by Frenchie Mendoza Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 10:14 am
My guess is the Cullerton is asking what Rauner actually wants to do and Rauner is just saying trust me. Given the budget Rauner proposed, I would definitely want at least a general plan from Rauner. I hope Cullerton holds on until he gets some specifics. Rauner has to at least have some idea. Given the budget proposal, I will assume his “fix” is awful to the poor and underprivileged.
Comment by Demise Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 10:14 am
“This my leverage.”
“No it’s mine.”
Comment by walker Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 10:35 am
didn’t Brucie also say during the campaign that his plan for dealing w/ the budget was just days away…
Comment by D.P.Gumby Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 10:39 am
The proposed Rauner budget is like a fine wine. It needs to breathe a bit to fully appreciate it. I suspect that Cullerton and Madigan are allowing that to occur now. Once there’s a better appreciation for the consequences of that budget and implausibility of some of his suggestions (like pension reform) they’ll allow Rauner to reveal his next grand plan to announce his answers to this years’ fiscal problems.
Comment by pundent Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 10:40 am
Any deal will need an outline of where Rauner intends to move the money from and where he intends to move it. How many days this takes depends on his willingness to share this information, and legislative support for his planned moves. If only Rauner would hire skilled financial consultants, and if only there were a few lawyers on staff, and assigned this task to them with more seriousness than was given to his budget, this process would be many “days” closer to completion.
Comment by AC Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 11:39 am
Madigan and Cullerton are not just waiting for the wine to breath. They have appropriations committees already meeting this week and digging into the details line by line, by agency.
That’s where much of the budget critique and re-creation actually occur. Rauner’s evolving positions on the 2016 budget, will be concurrent with those activities. All gets folded in by May.
Bridging the 2015 tar pit, will be a separate discussion with the leaders. Key will be what funds, when moved, and no carry over of special powers to next fiscal year.
How much the 2015 ask, will be used as leverage on the 2016 budget, is critical. Hopefully not so much.
Comment by walker Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 11:50 am
Oswego Willy, it would really help me out if you would stop capitalizing the wrong form of principle/principal…and of everything else, like it’s a platonic ideal of itself.
I realize this is a nitpicky grammar complaint that nobody ever likes.
But it grates to see the word “principle” used with respect to this particular administration, which also evokes exactly zero ideals about government entities and functions, platonic or otherwise.
Comment by crazybleedingheart Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 12:03 pm
Wonder whose lawyer is drafting the memoranda of understanding and how many pages it will run?
Comment by RNUG Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 12:10 pm
- crazybleedingheart -,
I read your comment.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 12:12 pm
RNUG, great reminder of what happens when you prove untrustworthy. A number of us have expressed fears that Rauner is a GOP Blago. So far Rauner hasn’t allayed those fears. In fact, his efforts to vilify unions and public employees only serve to verify that fear.
Comment by Norseman Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 12:33 pm
You are right about that - Norseman -.
The fear was the GOP version of Blago might be coming.
So far, it’s like Rauner, personally, is going from the Blago playbook.
The irony is that the people around, they are “trying” to clean up the messes, but Rauner can’t help but to say things unhelpful to those trying to help him.,,and himself.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 12:48 pm
Like you Willy?
I’d prefer to see some of the union chatter ratchet down a bit, but at the same time, when it comes time to sit at the table, they’ll know precisely what and who they’re dealing with. That’s a vast departure from the last two guys.
Drawing those similarities does not make it so. They’re vastly different people.
Comment by A guy Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 12:59 pm
=So far, it’s like Rauner, personally, is going from the Blago playbook.= OW 12:48
Thus you shouldn’t be too concerned because it’s just “Political Puffery”. (snark)
Besides - Lisa’s got his back too.
Comment by Qui Tam Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 1:08 pm
No, - A Guy -, not “like” me… Me.
I own it. I’ve commented as such many times.
===… but at the same time, when it comes time to sit at the table, they’ll know precisely what and who they’re dealing with. ===
A “Rod” clone?
- A Guy -,
Let me let you in on a lil secret;
If Rauner would’ve been more sincere, more honest about himself, his own history, his failings, even his accomplishments, I would have approach his candidacy far different.
Rauner was willing to throw his wife and daughter, individually, under buses, instead of just saying “yeah, I did this”, “yeah, I did that”.
Everything revolves around image; watch, Carhartt, Van, dropping Gs…
Now - Louis G. Atsaves -, made it clear to me that trying to work to mend fences with those not already onboard is just not going to be done. Heck, unions, Rauner is doubling down against them, and forcing by “$20 million” the ideal of what is good…and what is bad.
There are incredibly talented people working for Rauner, as there are incredibly talented abd skilled legislators who know how to work bipartisan bills in both chambers. Rauner needs to, not hammer and shake those GOP members, Rauner needs to hammer out where they can get real stuff done with the Dems, and shake a leg getting those items rolled out first to build goodwill and trust. That’s the game.
Rauner makes it easy for those like me to mock because he embraces his caricature, when in reality, the job of Governor, if accepted with humility, and grace, and an open hand, no one can mock leaders who lead the willing, instead of herding the co-opted.
If the Press Shop and those driving the legislative agenda make it more about working towards cooperation instead of driving the wedge of isolation, I’d really have little to say.
I’m still with the Caucuses, with Durkin in his hope and belief, and with Radogno, with her understanding that the dance between being co-opted and being engaged is one done on the ledge of tall building with no net.
I hope. Will Rauner allow my hope to grow with him too?
Right now, it’s not looking too good.
OW
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 1:17 pm
Poor Bruce and his crack team still don’t understand that Bruce is simply the CEO. He’s not the President of the Board — in fact, he’s not on the Board at all, and he doesn’t own shares in the company. Maybe someone needs to show him a simple organizational diagram that shows his place in it.
Comment by ChiTown Seven Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 1:30 pm
===Maybe someone needs to show him a simple organizational diagram that shows his place in it.===
Bruce Rauner = MJM + John Cullerton = IL Supreme Court
Governors who understand the 3-part Co-Equal Branches of government understand the powers of their own office better, and respect and work better within the legislative processes.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 1:39 pm
Willy, the closest he’ll come to a Rod clone is working closely with MJM to push Cullerton, ala, Emil Jones working with Rod to frustrate MJM. (Do you suppose MJM forgot this era?)
The only factor you seem to leave out of all of your equations is “people”. Rauner is not getting booed in the places he’s having these talks.
I know you’ve turned on Sandack (I know, he turned on you…), but there’s not a single other GOP elected talking like you are.
There does come a time where a fella might ask himself “With all the advice I’m offering for free, why is not a single soul taking it?”.
Comment by A guy Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 2:15 pm
===but there’s not a single other GOP elected talking like you are. ===
Ha!
Try spending some evening time with them.
Panic is building within the ranks.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 2:23 pm
They’re bolder when they spend the evening with you. lol. They’re in uncharted territory to be sure (panic), but they’re certainly not talking like this in sunlight (outside of your influential presence)
Comment by A guy Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 2:36 pm
– There comes a time when a fella might ask himself: “With all the advice I’m offering for free, why is a not a single soul taking it?”–
Mr.JMs observation as to your underdeveloped sense of irony just kind of blew right by you, didn’t it?
Comment by Wordslinger Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 2:39 pm
===Willy, the closest he’ll come to a Rod clone is working closely with MJM to push Cullerton, ala, Emil Jones working with Rod to frustrate MJM. (Do you suppose MJM forgot this era?)===
Nope.
The minute Rauner had meetings that implimented the “Blago PAC” and the Raunerite Caucuses, those are Rod Blagojevich plans that never had the money to be true.
Another one? Pressing the idea it’s “Me against everyone”, at the same time forcing the blowback on himself.
“Man of the People” schtick, when Rauner should be working to find common ground where he can, make a deal where he can’t. Those are Blago traits too…
===Rauner is not getting booed in the places he’s having these talks.===
When you meet with the members of your alleged party’s caucus and threaten with $20 million that you actually have, who is going to boo that person?
Further, running around the stste to tweak your enemies with slides and hyperbole, and you don’t get booed, it doesn’t mean people are with you, besides your “silent majority” none ce you have tried before.
The Owl Sandack is just being protective of his own feathers. It’s one thing to be completely co-opted, it’s another when your co-opting runs smack dab in the face to how you one were abd believed as a legislator, and as a mayor.
===…but there’s not a single other GOP elected talking like you are.
There does come a time where a fella might ask himself “With all the advice I’m offering for free, why is not a single soul taking it?”.===
When those being held hostage by $20 million and the whim of the person writing the check against you, “who” will stand up to that.
I think there has been blowback.
You don’t threaten those who agree with you…just saying.
I doubt Rauner’s Crew reads what I comment. Why woukd you worry if it fell on deaf ears? If I’m wrong, then you should be glad I comment as I do, encourage it.
Your spin - A Guy -, really didn’t read what I wrote, all it did was talk past what I was saying…another Rauner/Rod comparison that isn’t helpful when dealing with MJM and Cullerton.
So, - A Guy -, take solace. The “silent majority” will help Rauner get to 30 and 60. No is complaining, or booing, (just laughing during speeches, but I digress). No one is readig what I have to say, nor is anyone seeing value in it, and…while running the Blago style of a Rauner/Blago fund designed to propel an agebda, not a party, you have really put my own fears to rest…as you talked past them to go after me.
Food for thought…
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 2:40 pm
A Guy,
Sandack hitched his wagon to Rauner and now he’s probably the only one left who is really behind him.
And unless Rauner dumps a ton of cash on him, Sandack is probably gone next time anyway. Either Proft will take him out or a Democrat will. Rauner’s forcing Ron into positions that most GOP voters are not going to accept.
Comment by Gooner Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 2:41 pm
Yep Slinger. You’re the only guy smart enough to keep up with everybody. Smartest guy in the room for sure.
Comment by A guy Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 2:41 pm
Gooner, all you have suggested will/would happen whether Rauner was in play or not as it relates to Sandack. Except the Democrat part. That ain’t happenin’. Not there.
Comment by A guy Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 2:46 pm
Rep. Sandack chose to be aligned with Rauner because his SSM vote made him vulnerable to the Right and Uihline. When Uihiline donated, in part, to the $20 million designed as discipline, the “Owl” who asked those “Who” questions became the Prime Minister of the Paliament of Owls, in hopes to staving of the Right and Uihile in one swoop of the Owl wings.
It’s the way he has been an Owl that’s explainable. It doesn’t make it ok, however, the way it’s now evolved.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 2:51 pm
===They’re bolder when they spend the evening with you. lol. They’re in uncharted territory to be sure (panic), but they’re certainly not talking like this in sunlight (outside of your influential presence)===
Let’s look at this…
===They’re bolder when they spend the evening with you.===
I thought Rauner just told his cabinet to tell him what he wants to hear. Well, the rub is that $20 million and that threat of a “problem”
What kool-aid are you drinking, - A Guy -
===They’re in uncharted territory to be sure (panic)…===
Governors don’t threaten their own party’s members, collectively, as Caucuses, with their own demises.
===…but they’re certainly not talking like this in sunlight (outside of your influential presence)===
You keep forgetting about the $20 million, the “problem” thing, and threats are not the same gettibg support on the merits.
You are just blinded by your Raunerite ideals to see/hear/feel what is permeating around the GOP GA(?)
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 3:06 pm
That’s quite a diagnosis Doctor. Can I get an Rx for Med Mar from you too? I’ll need it to keep reading.
Comment by A guy Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 3:13 pm
==Panic is building within the ranks.==
Well played.
Second, only to democrats incompetence in leading has been republicans ability to challenge. A major part of the problem has been lack of formidable opposition by the Republicans.
Most of the same republicans that failed to sell viable alternatives to the people the last 15 years are who Bruce needs.
Bruce is sort of like John Fox wanting to go 14-2 next year. Yea, you may be better than the last guy, but you also inherited a pretty bad team.
How about this for a question? Odds of Bears winning 10 or more games next year better or worse than odds Rauner can get a balanced budget passed?
Comment by the Patriot Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 3:16 pm
- A Guy -,
Make your case. I made mine, you retorrted, I responded.
Are you saying the ILGOP GA is excited and thrilled, since no one is “complaining”?
I not hearing of too many wanting to get in front of cameras to applaud…maybe that’s next for the $20 million; say something nice AND vote how I tell you.
Make your case - A Guy -, leave the med mar out of it.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 3:18 pm
Willy, it really comes down to what this bundle of legislation ultimately looks like after the horse trading, belly aching and arm twisting is over with. Then the Gov’s party is going to have to originate the legislation. Both Leaders have said they’ll sponsor the bills. The Gov is going to expect his team to line up and move the bills. He says he expects some cooperation from the other side based on his discussions. Neither of us are in the room. Nor are too many others. My own opinion (I’m owning this) is that there is going to have to be some revenue included in these agreements. With everything going on now and the state in crisis mode (that’s not hyperbole for this FY budget), there will need to be a reckoning that all the waste that can be gotten out has been beat out; and we’re still short. Being short means x,y, and z won’t get done. Enough folks will want x,y and z and be resigned to the fact there needs to be more revenue. How much and how are the magic questions right now. We’d both have to be idiots to not believe such things are in discussion at some level.
Everyone is going to have to own the cuts, everyone is going to have to own the revenue increases. And that is only way divided government can move forward given the )*)(^(*&^ circumstances we’re in. Nothing will look the same in a month the way it looks today. That’s what I think. We may not have a gulf between us.
Now, how bout that prescription? I think I’ve earned it. lol
Comment by A guy Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 4:35 pm
Dear Cullerton & M. Madigan, Please hold off on all agreements to turn the entire budget over to Rauner’s crew until you get all of the detailed specifics on exactly what the Rauner crew plans are for the budget in question. If you don’t like what you see, walk away.
Comment by Mama Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 5:02 pm
==I think I’ve earned it==
With some cannoli for dessert.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 5:17 pm
===My own opinion (I’m owning this) is that there is going to have to be some revenue included in these agreements.===
Rauner doesn’t see it that way. That’s not my opinion. That’s Rauner’s opinion.
===Everyone is going to have to own the cuts, everyone is going to have to own the revenue increases.===
Nope.
These will be called “The Rauner cuts”.
Further, the deeper the cuts, the fewer Dems on the structured roll call.
Right now, today, Rauner would be hard pressed to get the minimum 13 Dem House votes and really, really be hard pressed to get 10 Dem Senate votes.
If Rauner forces the issue and demands all 67 GOP votes in both chambers, it will be disastrous to the ILGOP and the ILGOP GA.
MJM and Cullerton are going to make Rauner own this, and make Rauner drag his Owned Caucuses to carry loads of water.
To get to “shared” pain, why would MJM or Cullerton let a single GOP vote off the hook for ventilators and orphanages, breast cancer screening, and even Ounce funding in Grants.
No way will they.
Rauner can’t get to 13 and 10, and holding the GOP GA hostage for 67 will destroy the caucuses for the whim of Rauner’s ego.
Funny thing about calling into Cullerton’s district demanding that the income tax expire, going back to Cullerton, after attacking Unions, and these Draconian cuts, and questioning the meaning of “days”…the goodwill is evaporating quick for the LLs when the governor is mocked by the Dem’s Legislative flacks.
This is the ball game - A Guy -. Right here. Rubber hitting the road.
Don’t think for a second, even if things get through, Rauner and his bought Owls where the jacket. All 67, unless dispensation is given, which requires 1 more Dem vote, Rauner might not have.
The GOP GA Caucuses should be scared. Terrified.
Rauner doesn’t have THEIR back, Rauners holding $20 million over THEIR heads.
Caucus running, structured votes, damaging votes…it’s always about blame, it’s always about reward.
The blame the voters will place will be on the “green lights”…
It’s 13 and 10. Anything above that, heck anything achieving that…
…anything getting to 60 and 30 will be Rauner taking down the ILGOP GA, nothing more.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 5:24 pm
@Oswego Willy - the second half of your 1:17pm is some of the better commentary ever read here. If they sold a 50 pound cannoli at the state fair, I would get you two.
You have to share with the rest of us though.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 5:43 pm
Where are you media? Call this dishonest man out!
Comment by justjoe Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 5:48 pm
- FKA -,
Thanks for the kind words.
the only thing better than Cannoli is a 50 lb. Cannoli, and if you had two 50 pounders…
I hope. I really do. I want the state to do well, better than well, but all parties in Springfield must be pulling in the same direction in the end. That part needs to start soon.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 5:58 pm
I was way down on Rauner during the campaign for a lot of reasons, the biggest being I thought he was just a terrible phony.
I figured after he got the gig, he’d stop yelling and demonstrate a little appreciation and humility for the central role he has to play for all citizens.
Guess not.
Like some, but not all, GOP governors around the country, he sees his role as using his office to drive down the take-home of citizens in both the public and private sectors.
I won’t go into the many reasons why I found that weird, appalling and destructive in an era of stagnant incomes underemployment, and economy-killing low demand, but I think he means it.
We’re going to find out how far he’s willing to go with the crazy. Some have brought up Blago. When it comes to the regular guy act, the faux populism and the “good ones, bad ones” rhetoric, I’d suggest Dan Walker.
Comment by Wordslinger Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 10:37 pm
===Some have brought up Blago. When it comes to the regular guy act, the faux populism and the “good ones, bad ones” rhetoric, I’d suggest Dan Walker.===
I can’t speak knowledgeably to the comparison to Walker, as opposed to Blago, but I think I can say that beibg compared to either because of less than flattering traits being exposed, that should make that Crew take pause.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 10:59 pm
The biggest things driving down the take home of citizens in this state are in no particular order the barriers to owning and operating a business, the tax/public pension burden (now and coming - oh, is it coming) and the entrenched, pervasive corruption. Whatever one thinks that Rauner is doing, it is small potatoes compared to those three.
Comment by Percival Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 12:50 am
Percival, income stagnation is a national thing that has been going on for some time. Illinoks is not a self-contained economic diorama. Where do you get these ideas?
Comment by Wordslinger Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 8:57 am
From things like this: “The Impact of Public Officials’ Corruption on the Size and Allocation of U.S. State Spending” Public Administration Review, Volume 74, Issue 3, May/June 2014.
Comment by Percival Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 1:24 pm