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* I don’t think that this is necessarily a bad idea. It could be a good idea. But the timing is horrible…

After months of indecision, the Rauner administration is lifting a freeze it put on $100 million in business tax-incentive deals that had been approved in principle by outgoing Gov. Pat Quinn but not yet executed.

The Rauner administration and business sources confirm that an internal review of such spending was conducted and a decision reached to fulfill “commitments made by the Quinn administration” to companies including eBay, CapitalOne, CDW and SAC Wireless. Some deals reportedly were finalized in the past 10 days or so, others are still in process.

But the decision to go ahead with deals under the state’s Economic Development for a Growing Economy program may be controversial — both because Rauner and others have criticized the EDGE program, and because he has suspended $26 million in social services grants and $180 million in park grants that had been approved by Quinn but not yet been disbursed.

Rauner has cited the state’s financial woes in freezing those monies. A spokeswoman said the EDGE credit will proceed “because they have no impact on the current fiscal year.”

That part about the impact on this fiscal year is probably true because it takes a while to get these things going. But, man, they nitpick $26 million for indigent burials, autism programs, etc. and then give some huge corporations EDGE credits?

Whew.

* The Question: The Rauner administration’s new slogan?

…Adding… From the IFT…

“If anyone is still unclear about Governor Rauner’s priorities, look no further,” said Aviva Bowen, IFT Director of Communications. “Giving tax breaks to big corporations while slashing millions from the services our most vulnerable citizens rely upon is beyond the pale.

“Cutting funding for autism, homelessness, parks, and after-school programs before asking the most wealthy to chip in a dime is completely out of touch with what Illinois wants or deserves.”

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 2:39 pm

Comments

The Rauner Administration - Livin’ on the Sonny Side of Life

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 2:41 pm
The Rauner Administration - We’ll take your funds and the Cannoli!

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 2:43 pm
I was criticized for saying “I will bury her”, so now we won’t be burying anyone.

Comment by Juice Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 2:43 pm
We Care: Big Business & 1%’ers Only

Comment by sal-says Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 2:43 pm
“That part about the impact on this fiscal year is probably true because it takes a while to get these things going.”

That’s as may be, but it doesn’t really jive with his comments on the tax code you previously posted. If we have to make the major, systemic changes he’s talking about, then the fact that we’ll lose the money 9 months from now instead of now is a pretty trifling thing.

Comment by Arsenal Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 2:44 pm
The Rauner Administration- ‘Shared Sacrifice’ is too selfish- we’re going to give you ALL the sacrifice!

Comment by Arsenal Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 2:45 pm
The Rauner Administration - Confusing and Suprising Since January.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 2:46 pm
“Rauner Admin…We can afford corporate giveaways, because they never die and we don’t have to bury them”

“Rauner Admin, where optics don’t matter, because we just don’t care”

Comment by How Ironic Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 2:46 pm
The Rauner Administration - The Grants Giveth, We Taketh Away

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 2:47 pm
The Rauner Administration - We’d Feel Awful If…Oh, Who We Kidding…

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 2:48 pm
“We’re here to help, but only if you don’t need it”

Comment by Truthteller Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 2:49 pm
Robin Hood had it backwards; we’ll get it right

Comment by Truthteller Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 2:50 pm
We told you Rauner would use his business experience to run Illinois and he is.

Comment by Earnest Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 2:50 pm
It’s hard to beat the man himself

“I am one of the baddest, you know, enemies anybody can have. And when I set a goal, we do it. I don’t care what the headline is. I want the results. And we’re coming after Indiana big time. But you know what, we’re going to do it on our terms, the right way.”

He’s Gengis, you know, Khan

Comment by ArchPundit Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 2:50 pm
Rauner Admin “The more it hurts you, the better we’re doing”

Rauner Admin “Making the poor feel worse since 2015″

Comment by How Ironic Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 2:51 pm
The Rauner Administration - We’ll Lie to Your Face, Now You Know

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 2:51 pm
Rauner Admin “Entitlements are for the rich, scorn for the rest”

Comment by How Ironic Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 2:52 pm
We’re kinda new at this.

Comment by Sangamo Sam Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 2:53 pm
Welfare: Not for the poor anymore.

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 2:54 pm
We wish we cared.

Comment by Sangamo Sam Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 2:54 pm
$20 million says we’re right.

Comment by Sangamo Sam Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 2:54 pm
The Rauner Administration - If You Know What’s Good For You, Watch Out Over Holiday Weekends

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 2:54 pm
“Illinois-NOT for you”

Comment by JS Mill Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 2:55 pm
Feels a bit obvious, but

“Robbing from the poor to give to the rich.”

Also,

“Heckuva Job, Brucie”

Comment by jerry 101 Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 2:56 pm
Slightly better hair. Even more clueless.

Comment by Sangamo Sam Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 2:56 pm
The Rauner Administration - We Have No Social Agenda, Remember?

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 2:57 pm
“Base-a-ball been berry berry good to Bruce Rauner” - (whisper whisper whisper)

And now, the clarification/walk-back

“Jus-a-base, base been berry berry good to Bruce Rauner”.

Comment by dupage dan Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 2:57 pm
“Believe me, I’m gonna rip the guts out of….well, out of everyone and everthing.”

Comment by ??? Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 2:57 pm
“Get a job. But not a good-paying union job.”

“We’d like to invite the poor to take a break. Maybe go fly a kite. Or take a long walk on a short pier.”

Comment by jerry 101 Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 2:57 pm
“You’re Stuck with Us for the Next 45 Months”

Comment by Bluefish Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 2:58 pm
So what are you going to do about it?

Comment by Nobody Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 2:58 pm
“The New Illinois. For Rich People Only. Kinda Like San Francisco, But Bigger.”

Comment by jerry 101 Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 2:58 pm
This governmental message is brought to you by Capital One.

“The only way you get buried in Illinois, is in debt.”

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 2:59 pm
Rauner Admin “Doing our best to top Henry F Potter”

Rauner Admin “Lord of the Flies wasn’t so bad”

Rauner Admin “All citizens are equal, just some are more equal”

Comment by How Ironic Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 2:59 pm
The Rauner Administration - We Don’t Care. There. We Said It, Ok?

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 3:00 pm
Your program gets cancelled, and your program gets cancelled, and your program gets cancelled!!!

Comment by Sangamo Sam Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 3:00 pm
Rauner Admin “Those with cash to the front. No cash, please leave”

Rauner Admin “Illinois can be Mississippi if I try real hard”

Comment by How Ironic Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 3:02 pm
Since we can’t create jobs, we’re gonna buy ‘em.

Comment by Sir Reel Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 3:05 pm
We’re doing stuff.

Comment by Team Sleep Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 3:07 pm
Give us four years and we’ll give you Kansas.

Comment by Sangamo Sam Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 3:08 pm
The Rauner Administration - Say the Governor’s a Bully Again, He’ll Have Your Legs Broken

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 3:09 pm
Dopey and Grumpy are roll models. Bashful and Happy, not so much.

Comment by Sangamo Sam Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 3:13 pm
The Rauner Administration - If it didn’t come from us, it’s corrupt.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 3:13 pm
We got ours, for the rest of you:

“It’s not that we’re insensitive, we just don’t care…”

Comment by Wensicia Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 3:13 pm
*role

Comment by Sangamo Sam Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 3:14 pm
Illinois, We know where all the bodies are not buried.

Illinois, Only 4/5th of the State is Corrupt

Illinois, The best motorcycle education program in the country.

Illinois, Our word is the good as the next guy’s.

Illinois, Let them eat cake 2.0

Comment by Norseman Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 3:14 pm
The Rauner Administration - If You Have To Ask If You Matter To Us, You Don’t

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 3:15 pm
Oops.

Illinois, Our word is as good as the next guy’s.

Comment by Norseman Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 3:15 pm
“The Question: The Rauner administration’s new slogan?”

Pillage * Plunder * Privatize

– MrJM

Comment by MrJM Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 3:16 pm
Governor Brucie–If its against me, its corrupt.

Comment by D.P.Gumby Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 3:16 pm
Bring out your dead……Oh wait we cut that program

Comment by BlameBruceRauner Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 3:16 pm
We have our priorities.

Comment by walker Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 3:18 pm
Don’t bring out your dead.

Comment by Dinsdale Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 3:19 pm
The Rauner Administration - Work Against Us, Face $20 Million Dollars!

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 3:21 pm
The Rauner Administration - Yeah, We Sleep Just Fine At Night

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 3:24 pm
The Rauner Administration - We’d Care, But The “Money” Is So Much Better Not Caring

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 3:26 pm
Not a slogan, but Confucious once said:

“In a country well governed, poverty is something to be ashamed of. In a country badly governed, wealth is something to be ashamed of.”

Rauner is incapable of feeling shame apparently.

Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 3:26 pm
The Rauner Administration - We Do Feel Bad, Nut It Goes Away Pretty Quick, So…

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 3:27 pm
Stop complaining and pull yourself up by your corporate welfare!

Comment by Bull Moose Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 3:29 pm
“You tired, you poor,
You huddled masses yearning to be cut-free,
The wretched refuse of burdensome mores.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to my axe, I lift it outside the copper doors!”

Comment by Mittuns Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 3:29 pm
The Rauner Administration - Now you know how we really feel about the middle class — who needs it.

Comment by kimocat Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 3:31 pm
Illinois is open for business and ready for work.

Comment by Muscular Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 3:31 pm
Juice

I love it!

Comment by Fantasma Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 3:34 pm
Illinois is open, for the highest bidders, and ready for co-opting!

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 3:34 pm
The Rauner Administration, we’ll get around to governing, eventually

Comment by AC Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 3:35 pm
Farmer Brucie took an axe, And gave the budget forty whacks; and When he saw what he had done, He gave the poor forty-one.

Comment by Mittuns Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 3:37 pm
The Rauner Administration - Fighting Corruption With Every Sweetheart EDGE Credit Awarded

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 3:38 pm
The Rauner Administration - Creating tax incentives off of the dead since 2015

Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 3:38 pm
Who controls the British crown?
Who keeps the metric system down?
We do, we do!
Who keeps Atlantis off the maps?
Who keeps the Martians under wraps?
We do, we do!
Who holds back the electric car?
Who makes Steve Guttenberg a star?
We do, we do!
Who robs cavefish of their sight?
Who rigs every Oscar night?
We do!
We do!!!

Comment by 100 Miles West Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 3:38 pm
Tax breaks for sale!

Don’t be poor in Illinois. We can’t afford you!

Grease my palm and I’ll find a way to hear you.

Comment by Sunshine Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 3:40 pm
Give me your tired, your hungry, and your corporate handouts

Comment by Boone's is Back Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 3:40 pm
Bruce Rauner: Moonwalking for Illinois

Comment by anonlurker Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 3:42 pm
We have a three step program!:
1. Cut social programs.
2. ?????????
3. Illinois turnaround!

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 3:42 pm
The Rauner Administration - Optics Are For The Un-Corrupted

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 3:42 pm
Illinois - The most compassionate state for America’s top 1% - Caution stay away if you plan to die poor.

Comment by bluecollargal Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 3:43 pm
What’s good for the golden goose isn’t so good for the poor old gander

Comment by Pacman Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 3:44 pm
The Rauner Administration - Optics Bad? Send Out Diana!

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 3:46 pm
The Rauner Administration - Trust Us

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 3:47 pm
The Rauner Administration — lobbying by the unions, attorneys, and the 99%ers is corrupt.

Comment by Diogenes in DuPage Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 3:48 pm
Government of big business, by big business and for big business.

Buying off government- it doesn’t sound so bad when we do it

Do as I say, not as I do

The Rauner Administration- It’s like ENRON only with beer and basketball games

Our interests are special

Comment by Hah Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 3:49 pm
‘There are 49 other states to choose from. If you’re not rich, may we suggest LA or AK?’

Comment by Belle Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 3:50 pm
The Rauner Administration- where common sense won’t be tolerated

Comment by Pacman Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 3:51 pm
You wanna see a corupt bargain? Say yes to twenty million bucks sucker.

Comment by Publius Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 3:51 pm
Optics? My vision is just fine.

Comment by AC Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 3:52 pm
We take from the poor, and give to the rich.

Comment by Not liking my old nickname Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 3:53 pm
Good Friday Massacre? You ain’t seen nothin’ yet.

Comment by GA Watcher Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 3:53 pm
Bruce Rauner: He’s the “I” in Illinois. You can have the “no.”

Comment by Reformed Optimist Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 3:54 pm
Illinois — it’s not my problem, and I don’t care.

http://dianeravitch.net/2014/01/16/candidate-rauner-in-illinois-supports-charters-lower-minimum-wage/

Comment by olddog Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 3:55 pm
I’m Growing!

Comment by Hedley Lamarr Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 3:56 pm
Oligarchy: Putting Theory into Practice

or

Oligarchy: Showing the Russians How to Do It

Comment by Pot calling kettle Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 3:58 pm
We Learned to Govern by Reading “Animal Farm”

Comment by Pot calling kettle Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 3:59 pm
Don’t Fight Us Because We Will Rip Your Guts Out!

Comment by Pot calling kettle Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 4:00 pm
“Makin’ Blagoof Look Better By The Hour”

Btw if we give Pat “Fire Madigan” Brady credit for the ComEd windfall who are the hired hands who do the winin’ here?

Comment by Anonyin' Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 4:03 pm
What is good for the 1-percenters, is good for Illinois - Gov Rauner’s new slogan.

Comment by Joe M Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 4:03 pm
- Anonyin’ -,

What’s up with the “Governor that shan’t be named??” lol!

The Rauner Administration - Governing. We Don’t Think It Means What You Think It Means

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 4:07 pm
“The Rauner administration’s new slogan?”

You Knew I Was A Scorpion

– MrJM

Comment by MrJM Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 4:11 pm
Lots of ignorant comments in this thread. I say ignorant because it seems many people don’t understand how EDGE credits work.

These projects don’t receive money from the State. They still pay new tax revenue to the state. Under the EDGE credit they pay slightly less in tax than they otherwise would have for a short period.

If the project is cancelled because the EDGE agreement is cancelled the State does not save any money. The State loses significant amounts of new tax revenue.

Please understand, paying less is not the same as paying nothing and it is certainly different from receiving payment.

Comment by Thunder Fred Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 4:12 pm
The Rauner Administration - Co-Optin’ Ain’t Corruptin’

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 4:14 pm
Come on, come on, listen to the money talk.

Comment by OldSmoky2 Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 4:16 pm
The Rauner Administration - Cuts, Breaks, Less, More, It’s Only Money

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 4:16 pm
The Rauner Administration - Making Illinois the “Bake Sale!” State

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 4:17 pm
I did a bad thing

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 4:17 pm
“Soak the poor.”
“Stick it to the little guy.”
“Jesus never met a welfare queen.”

Comment by nona Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 4:18 pm
Illinois it’s bleeping golden

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 4:20 pm
Freddy — you seem to think we’re buttheads. In fact, we’re “but-for” heads…. (See what I did there? Thanks, ladies and germs. I’ll be here all week.)

Um, $100 million in EDGE credits adds up to, I think, $100 million. These corporations not only can apply the tax credits against their own tax bills, and also can get to keep the employee income tax withholding that would otherwise go to the State — something I like to call a Very Special EDGE.

It costs the state money. Under Pat Quinn, the State handed out more than $500 million in EDGE credits - not included this latest chunk. It’s a loosey-goosey program that needs to be reined in, not made more “special.”

Comment by Soccermom Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 4:21 pm
Winnin’ is a good thing.

Comment by zatoichi Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 4:22 pm
Today is a new day to help corporate america….we are here to help…

Comment by jazzy Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 4:26 pm
The Rauner Administration — We Don’t Care That You Care.

Comment by SaggingTree Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 4:29 pm
We will voluntarily honor our agreements with big business. We won’t honor our agreements with employees to pay them pension benefits, unless the courts force us to do so!

Comment by One of the 35 Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 4:38 pm
Buyin’ Elections cuz I’m sick of payin’ for Autism.

Comment by Juice Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 4:42 pm
I think we perfectly understand the issue. The problem is, that’s $100 million in tax revenue we won’t get now. It’s just as good as spending. In fact, things like that are often called “Tax expenditures”.

Comment by Arsenal Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 4:44 pm
“Unlocking Illinois’ value”

Comment by GraduatedCollegeStudent Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 4:46 pm
The new Illinois: at the intersection of “Where’s mine?” and “Greed is good.”

Comment by Crispy Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 4:48 pm
The Rauner Administration “No matter what you read on the blog, Rich likes me personally. That’s enough for me”.

Comment by A guy Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 4:50 pm
I’m a bad boy.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 4:50 pm
Illinois: Comfortin’ the comfortable, afflictin’ the afflicted

Comment by GA Watcher Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 4:54 pm
They only noncorupt branch I bought

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 4:54 pm
[One] man is an island.

Comment by anonlurker Thursday, Apr 9, 15 @ 4:57 pm
“First, Shared Sacrifice. Next, Human Sacrifice!”

For the record, according to the google, in 2014:

Capital One:
Revenue — $22.3B
Net Income — $4.3B

EBay:
Revenue — $18B
Net Income — $3.5B

CDW:
Revenue — $10.8B
Net Income — $133M

Under what theory of government, economics or morality are these highly profitable corporations entitled to handouts from the taxpayer? It’s criminal, whether it’s Quinn or Rauner.

If Mr. Businessman really wants to shake things up, he can cut companies that make billions in annual profits off the dole.

Maybe start at that end of the spectrum, rather then with the indigent and those with disabilities.

Comment by Wordslinger Monday, Apr 13, 15 @ 8:16 am