Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar

Nuding on the hot seat

Posted in:

Illinois
Updated Posts

* House Speaker Michael Madigan’s special oversight committee designed to get to the bottom of what happened after the Fiscal Year 2015 fix was approved met this morning. The governor’s budget director Tim Nuding is testifying as I write this. Follow along with a ScribbleLive roundup…

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 10:20 am

Comments

Not an ounce of snark. None.

I’d buy Nuding an adult beverage. It’s tough being the guy facing the music for his/her boss.

OW

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 10:23 am
Saw the DHS Legislative Director last week, she did not look like she was having a lot of fun.

Comment by Give Me A Break Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 10:41 am
OW,

Agree with you. Nuding is a good guy in a tough spot, but…

Rauner’s whole deal has always been he reaps the benefits, somebody else faces the music, he hands out gift cards.

Tim is smart. He knew what he was getting himself into.

Comment by LizPhairTax Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 10:43 am
Tough job by Nuding trying to argue that cuts to the Autism program are necessary. If Nuding wanted to be brutally honest he would explain to the parents of these kids that they are pawns being used as leverage by the administration in the negotiations on the 2016 budget. Eventually there will be money for the program once the Democrats give us something in return.

Comment by The Dude Abides Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 10:47 am
Nuding has failed to explain how he skipped cuts to some programs the legislature exempted from the FY15 budget correction but not autism, DD and mental health….how did the miss the clues. Dug himself and BVR big hole going forward

Comment by Anonin' Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 11:01 am
Believe me, Dude, some of those parents know this all too well.

Comment by Not quite a majority Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 11:17 am
Imagine trying to defend a boss who is as out of touch as Rauner. What a thankless task.

Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 11:26 am
Nuding’s in a no-win situation. Many of the choices made were not his to make. His only good option is to focus on what will happen going forward.

If Crespo, (a responsible legislator with private sector management experience) didn’t know a certain deal had not been struck, part of that is on Nuding.

TeamRauner needs to know that there are about ten legislators outside of senior leadership, who should be briefed on key budget moves, because they are the ones others informally turn to for their judgment. Sen. Kotowski and Rep. Crespo are two of that number who have already expressed misunderstandings. Nuding and staff should make that short list, and stay in touch.

Comment by walker Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 11:31 am
“Representative, I’m a button. When the boss says push a button, I push a button.”

“We’re taking hostages. Nice little Autism and epilepsy programs you have here. Shame if something permanent happened to them. Give us right to work or you’ll never see them again.”

Comment by Wordslinger Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 11:45 am
This is a no win battle for the new administration. The FY 15 deficit budget passed last year was at Least $2 billinoin short of actual costs and they have to plug that hole in four months with no real new revenue options.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 11:53 am
Don’t waste your money, OW. Nuding knew what gig (i.e. ‘who’) he was signing on for.

Comment by ReallySad Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 12:03 pm
===- Anonymous - Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 11:53 am:
This is a no win battle for the new administration…and they have to plug that hole in four months with no real new revenue options. ===

Pahleeeze. Guv said “don’t raise revenue” (indeed, “don’t do anything until I’m sworn in!”). He’s now had time to propose needed revenue and he’s not done it. Kill autism, epilepsy, etc. funding is unconscionable.

Comment by ReallySad Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 12:08 pm
I saw the headline and thought lawmakers were finally going to get serious about skinny-dipping.

Comment by Downstate Illinois Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 12:10 pm
- ReallySad -,

I know the Nuding is a “big kid”, and “knew the gig”, and all that follows along with taking a job. I get it.

Sometimes it’s just about appreciating someone doing a task that most wouldn’t want to do, even if it IS part of the gig, for another. That’s all. Staff and Crew work is tough enough when things are going well, let alone when they are out there taking the heat for the boss, right OR wrong.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 12:10 pm
@Anon,

Your argument is substantially undercut with the simple fact that Rauner lobbied for the expiration of the tax increase.

He literally begged the legislature to NOT keep the increase, thereby cutting additional revenue out of the equation.

It’s like going to the auto shop to have your tires rotated, then asking that they only put on 3 of the tires. Then leaving the shop, and being ‘SHOCKED’ that the car is no longer drivable.

Comment by How Ironic Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 12:10 pm
ReallySad nailed it.

There is nothing heroic about slashing funding for those people least able to defend themselves. It isn’t like the kids on ventilators or their parents can trek to Springfield or hire lobbyists.

Comment by Juvenal Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 12:17 pm
===Rauner’s whole deal has always been he reaps the benefits, somebody else faces the music, he hands out gift cards.===

Pretty much sums it up… The gig is what it is, for bad or worse in this example. Good point, well said.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 12:17 pm
===Dug himself and BVR big hole going forward ===

You’re right. Exactly right.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 12:18 pm
OW, I guess I would be more empathetic with your sympathy for Nuding, if I thought that he really cared. People don’t willingly sign up as Budget Director for the likes of Bruce Rauner unless they are clueless or a “true believer.” Nuding isn’t clueless, and BR doesn’t hire the clueless. Given your professed love for the Guv [snark], I don’t see how you buy Nuding a beer. But go ahead…I know you’re a nice guy. I just think there are others more worthy out there having a worse time — like some of those parents of autistic kids. Let BR buy his tool the beer (if he’s got the decency).

Comment by ReallySad Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 12:26 pm
Guessin’ we won’t get to new revenue until after the strike/lock out

Comment by Anonin' Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 12:28 pm
It’s not sympathy. It’s not even empathy. It’s not even close to choosing between him or the parents of the children faced with the cuts, or even ignoring the Good Friday Massacre.

It’s also, for me, about this being probably as “easy” as Nuding will “get it” going forward for quite sometime.

And you’re right, my professed love notwithstanding, I’d rather see an Administration act as a partner, not adversary, if tough decisions require heavy lifting.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 12:35 pm
ReallySad

You’re going way out there and being way out of line in questioning the integrity of Tim Nuding.

Comment by Demoralized Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 12:39 pm
Some people may not agree with me on this, but I think it may be possible that Tim Nuding was not the staffer who made these decisions. The decision may have been made and he may have been told about it afterwards. Gov. Rauner’s deputy chiefs and legislative staffers are over on the Stratton Building’s 6th Floor enough that Mr. Nuding may have been apprised of potential events. Given how the Rauner people work, I think that may be plausible.

Comment by Team Sleep Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 12:45 pm
No one made Nuding take the job. I do not feel a bit sorry for him. His integrity is not in question, but his judgment in taking the job is in question - he knew how Rauner made his money and hence how he would approach governing.

Comment by illinoised Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 12:46 pm
I suspect that the cut decisions were made by Tim Nuding collaboratively with other key staff. Whether or not the individual cuts were signed off on by the Governor is hard to stay: I would guess the smaller the number the less likely but that is supposition only.

If I was elected Governor in the circumstances the state currently faces, Tim Nuding would have been my instant choice for budget director. He knows the budget better than anyone else I know,he is a very decent person, is as honest as the day is long, and has no power agenda for himself. My experience is that he is always one of the adults in the room.

Comment by steve schnorf Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 12:54 pm
Steve - agreed. I got to know Tim when he was JBT’s point person on budget & revenue during the 2006 election cycle. He is just an awesome person.

Comment by Team Sleep Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 12:56 pm
I don’t think Tim wants anyone to empathize, sympathize or any other “ize” for him. He’s doing his job. I’m sure he feels a little different in this job dealing with members than his previous one. He doesn’t work for them anymore and can likely be more honest and candid, regardless of the topic. There is some liberation in that.

Comment by A guy Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 1:00 pm
I truly believe Rauner and his crew have no idea what the word “optics” means, or they just don’t care.

Comment by Wensicia Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 1:01 pm
- steve schnorf -

As always, with respect…

===Whether or not the individual cuts were signed off on by the Governor is hard to stay: I would guess the smaller the number the less likely but that is supposition only.===

I get what you’re saying, and giving you the benefit of the doubt, as you said, it’s only supposition…

Are you absolving the governor from owning the Good Friday cuts? Even if Staff slated the cuts be made, doesn’t Rauner own the cuts by making the deal for the FY2015 fix?

Just asking, I want to be clear as to your supposition.

With respect, as always,

OW

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 1:02 pm
===…and can likely be more honest and candid, regardless of the topic. There is some liberation in that.===

Good Friday Massacre cuts, hidden and buried during the holiday weekend…that’s neither honest OR candid, and it isn’t done in liberation, but in darkness.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 1:05 pm
Anyone who doesn’t believe the governor signed off on every single cut is not listening between the lines.

The reason that Nuding and Bassi cannot explain the rationale behind the cuts is because it was not their decision to make, nor anyone who reports to them.

That only leaves two people: Rauner and Arduin, and you can bet if Arduin handed these cuts over, she discussed it with Rauner first.

Comment by Juvenal Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 1:07 pm
- Are you absolving the governor from owning the Good Friday cuts? -

Of course he is, what else are members of the executive ethics commission supposed to do?

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 1:15 pm
Nuding is pretty far down the totem pole. He answers to Arduin, the chief of staff and the governor. That’s hardly “liberated.”

Comment by Wordslinger Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 1:20 pm
Tim Nuding is a good guy. I honestly believe that Rauner used the old bait-and-switch to recruit him. Nuding thought that he was going to be working for competent mature executive, not a raving heartless lunatic. Remember — Nuding was on board BEFORE Cruella (”can I get my money now?”) deArduin was hired. I’m pretty sure Nuding wouldn’t have taken the gig AFTER she’d been hired.

Comment by ChiTownSeven Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 1:24 pm
With all sympathy for Nuding’s situation, maybe he should look for another job. He is well liked and would not have a hard time finding a better boss. That’s what I did when I had a boss who was just like Rauner. It made my life better.

Comment by illinoised Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 1:33 pm
Gov. has approved money just this morning for Direct flight to Washington D.C. through United airlines from Quad Cities to be taken out of the 2015 fy budget. But autistic and epileptic families have to go beg for l/4 of their funds. Sinful. Just plain sinful

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 1:41 pm
http://wqad.com/2015/04/21/money-for-direct-flight-taken-out-of-fy-2015-budget/

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 1:42 pm
Steve Schnorf, Rauner appointee to the IL Executive Ethics Commission, goes stone cold silent.

Comment by AnonAnon Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 1:44 pm
- AnonAnon -,

Not at all. Check back, that’s not his M.O. and that’s one of the dozens of reasons I respect him.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 1:47 pm
@anonymous: don’t rewrite history. The 2015 budget was 1.6b short, as acknowledged by both the GA leadership and Rauner. Then they agreed to transfer 1.6 in funds to cover that gap. Other decisions have been made outside of that funding loop, for other reasons and priorities.

Comment by walker Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 1:59 pm
get off the rhetoric and actually see through all the b.s. It’s plain and simply wrong (funding direct flights from a tiny airport to Washington. D.C. ). Costs me tax $$$$ to have committee and hearings, etc. When all the airport/manufacturing sector has to do is give a tour and get their funding without any blood, sweat or tears. Yes, they will make money for the state; kids and families will suffer…. I doubt media will even pick up the gross discrepancy. That’s all I have to say.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 2:12 pm
so you dopes think I like and applaud Tim Nuding because Governor Rauner appointed me to the Ethics Commission? Unfortunately that wouldn’t explain the 15 years before Rauner was elected, back to before he was Senate R approp director, during which I publicly supported him and his qualifications. Dopes!

Comment by steve schnorf Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 2:14 pm
Actually, - steve schnorf -, I don’t know your position, the Dopes that hace little use for discussion are trying to say…well, I don’t even know…

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 2:20 pm
I asked this, - steve schnorf -;

===Are you absolving the governor from owning the Good Friday cuts? Even if Staff slated the cuts be made, doesn’t Rauner own the cuts by making the deal for the FY2015 fix?

Just asking, I want to be clear as to your supposition.===

With respect, as always.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 2:27 pm
==Gov. has approved money just this morning for Direct flight to Washington D.C. through United airlines from Quad Cities to be *taken out of* the 2015 fy budget.==

Doesn’t that mean the money is no longer being given, Anonymoyous? Or am I reading the article wrong? I don’t see that as approved, just him saying he’d consider reinstating it. Not that he has.

Comment by HangingOn Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 2:39 pm
- think I like and applaud Tim Nuding -

No, I think it’s why you vigorously defend Rauner, dope.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 2:40 pm
I think that Rauner has put a lot of people, both good and bad, in awkward positions. I doubt that anyone, except maybe Arduin (and the brothers Koch), knew how he was going to act as a governor.

Comment by CharlieKratos Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 2:45 pm
OW (and secondarily,dopes), no one can absolve a Governor from owning the acts of his/her administration.

Comment by steve schnorf Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 3:02 pm
==- CharlieKratos - Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 2:45 pm:
I think that Rauner has put a lot of people, both good and bad, in awkward positions. I doubt that anyone…knew how he was going to act as a governor. ==

Really!? Who else doesn’t read the papers?!

Comment by AnonAnon Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 3:05 pm
@Anonymous: ==No, I think that’s why you vigorously defend Rauner”==

I’m a close reader of this blog, and never have seen SS “vigorously defend Rauner.” He simply points out where some things might be working well, and some working badly. He did likewise for Quinn. Steve usually comments about the processes to reach solutions, not about policies. He is also a subject expert on government operations.

You think serving on a committee for ethics negatively impacts his behavior and comments? Really? Steve has a decades-long reputation for integrity.

You might want to consider what is driving that assumption on your part.

Not sure why I even bother to react.

Comment by walker Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 3:15 pm
As long as we’re calling people out as dopes, I must confess that when I clicked on that headline “Nuding on the hot seat,” I thought “nuding” was a gerund.

Very disappointing…

– MrJM

Comment by MrJM Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 3:18 pm
Is it cynical or merely ironic to accuse a person of good character of asserting views that they really don’t believe in because they got an appointment to an ethics committee?

Comment by Earnest Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 3:25 pm
- steve schnorf -, thanks.

I hope you aren’t lumping me in with the ill-informed.

I have nothing but respect for you, and further, your impeccable record to service to Illinois and the people residing in her borders. You are beyond reproach. Period.

OW

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 3:25 pm
walker: “…He is also a subject expert on government operations….”

Smart people make dumb decisions all the time. Nothing wrong with SS respecting Nuding’s integrity or honesty. The problem was Nuding’s judgment in signing on to be Bruce Rauner’s *Budget Director*. Nuding’s an adult…he knew the gig. SS may be a fantastic guy, but he needs to cool his jets (esp. if he’s preaching from the Ethics Commission grandstands).

Comment by AnonAnon Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 3:31 pm
@AnonAnon: His jets aren’t hot, and he’s not preaching from any platform. Surprised you read his comments that way. I didn’t see either.

I’ll go away now. Best wishes.

Comment by walker Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 3:42 pm
AnonAnon

What the heck does his role in the Ethics Commission have to do with anything?

The guy is smarter than anybody here when it comes to the budget. If some of you dopes want to question somebody about their budget knowledge I would suggest you go to a smaller sandbox with people on your own intellectual levels.

Comment by Demoralized Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 3:45 pm
Wow! You guys (e.g., Demoralized) really are dopes. No one on this blog today has questioned SS’s perfect knowledge over anything financial, budgetary or fiducial. However, we have witnessed an interesting display of insiders (e.g., commission appointees) championing/defending fellow Rauner insiders (e.g., budget directors). As always, consider the source(s) >> people who’ve signed on to the Rauner team and agenda.

Comment by TrueSilk Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 4:33 pm
Oh - TrueSilk -,

If you want to say something, say it plain.

- steve schnorf -’s personal integrity is also beyond reproach.

If you want to disagree with him, on anything mind you, have at it. Understand, you aren’t going to find many who know - steve schnorf - or know of him and his character that will follow your premise to its end.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 4:41 pm
You can’t have it both ways, OW. Guys like Rauner are what they are. They use money, power, and yes patronage, to get their way. They even hire (and appoint) people with sterling reputations to get their way. Sure, we all like being flattered. But remember, no one forces you to accept high honors and positions from a Governor who is (or who appears to be, by all accounts), out of control (and clearly willing to use autistic children as pawns). You can’t just sit pat on your past, well-earned, reputations…you have to own that new part too. Given their positions, hopefully Nuding and SS will do all they can to mitigate the damage BR is doing.

Comment by TrueSilk Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 5:00 pm
So am I a Rauner apologist?

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 5:01 pm
OW, not by any stretch of my imagination; and I certainly admire your loyalty to SS (most of us could only hope for such defenders). But have you accepted any posts/positions from Rauner? If not (and I suspect you haven’t), then I would consider your voice more objective than someone who is paid or appointed. Come on…this seems natural, straightforward, uncontroversial, easy…

Comment by TrueSilk Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 5:12 pm
I’ll leave it here when it comes to - steve schnorf - and his character, regardless of his position on any of the past Administrations, and this current Administration;

You want a straight answer, even an answer that may go counter to the Administrations, Mr. Schnorf has always served with honorable intentions in word and deed. I can’t do justice to his career or his integrity that would match his work product for Illinois.

If your definition is neatly packaged for all situations and all appointees, that is your reality to governing, and it may even be historically accurate for you and your premise. There might be many you can point to and your premise can be as true as true can be. I understand.

I also understand who Mr. Schnorf is, the people, all kinds of people who vouch for him, unsolicited. He is one of the good ones. Governors, members of both parties on down agree. I agree too.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 5:29 pm
I second Mr. Schnorf’s original comments and his and Mr. Nuding’s integrity.

Comment by Tatler Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 5:36 pm
I attended the hearing today and one of the most interesting answers Mr. Nuding provided today was in relation to a prompt from Republicans relating to the $26 million in cuts now called the Good Friday cuts. Specifically Nuding discussed how the 2.25% across the board cuts did not and would not generate the $300 million necessary to achieve the full $1.6 billion in FY 15 cuts Rauner’s team wanted.

Even though the appropriation line reductions appeared to add up to $300 million the reality was they might realize only around $100 million. Mr. Nuding then admitted that there could be another $174 million in cuts between now and June depending on how much is actually realized by the 2.25% reductions.

Lastly the presentations by the parents of children witty Autism given at the end of the meeting was emotionally compelling, but most of us were intellectually drained by that point and the impact was really lost. I am not sure it was appropriate to have these families speak at this hearing since there were so many complex issues discussed prior to their presentations. A seperate hearing should have been held on those Autism related cuts and should have included professional testimony on the importance of the services being cut for the development of these children.

Comment by Rod Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 6:52 pm
– the full $1.6 billion in FY15 cuts Rauner’s team wanted –

Rauner did not want $1.6 billion in cuts, hence the fund sweeps.

Comment by Wordslinger Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 7:38 pm
Actually word I wrote it confusingly. But Nuding very openly said his team asked for additional sweeps of funds that were not agree to. He indicated that the $300 million in agency level cut were necessary because of the failure to sweep at a higher level based on my notes from this morning. But since the $300 million really will not add up to that amount I was left wondering why that was not stated at the time? Really no one asked a follow up question on that issue.

Comment by Rod Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 8:34 pm