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* Here we go, campers…
House taking up Rauner's proposed budget for human services next year. He called for big cuts to many programs.
— DougFinkeSJR (@DougFinkeSJR) May 6, 2015
Republicans want to caucus to discuss the bill which is being sponsored by Speaker Madigan.
— DougFinkeSJR (@DougFinkeSJR) May 6, 2015
Speculation is the House Democrats would vote against the budget and its cuts to send a message to the governor.
— DougFinkeSJR (@DougFinkeSJR) May 6, 2015
The Republicans are caucusing until 12:15. Watch our live session coverage post for constant updates.
*** UPDATE *** AP…
Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan presented the proposal Wednesday even though members of his caucus largely oppose the budget plan that would balance the state budget entirely by slashing spending. Medicaid would be cut by $1.5 billion. Mental health and addiction treatment programs would also see cuts.
Madigan says the vote is intended to “facilitate consideration” of the next year’s budget. […]
House Human Services Appropriations Chair Greg Harris says Rauner’s proposal attempts to balance the budget “on the backs of the most vulnerable.”
“Facilitate consideration”?
Hilarious.
*** UPDATE 2 *** None voted yes, Democrats went “No” and Republicans went “Present.” The bill is here.
*** UPDATE 3 *** Rep. Greg Harris…
When the House reconvenes, I will start presenting my 16 amendments undoing the Governor’s proposed budget cuts to homeless youth, autism, childcare, senor services, disabilities, supportive housing, substance abuse, early intervention and many other programs.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 11:39 am
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McSweeney is on the floor shooting the breeze with Dems while they wait for GOP to come back from caucus. Is he out of GOP caucus?
Comment by Unspun Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 11:43 am
“The Republicans are caucusing until 12:15.”
Or in other words, trying to figure out exactly who among them has a ‘$%^# problem’ with Rauners ‘vision’?
Comment by How Ironic Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 11:44 am
It’s 60 and 30 Governor, not leverage, hostages, ultimatums, or $60+ million waiting in the wings.
The 60/30 dynamic is the ball game now. Rubber is hitting the road.
Rauner needs 13 Dems, strike that, 12, with the Speaker…
“Who” is counting noses, the Owl Sandack?
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 11:44 am
I need predictions- not familiar with this process. What happens when you tell MJM or Cullerton what they are going to do?
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 11:59 am
Any predictions? How does MJM or Cullerton react? Can budget veto’s be overridden?
Comment by Ljt73 Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 12:01 pm
Are these cuts larger than what Rauner has proposed previously?
Do they cover some of the $2-3B in gaps he still had in his budget proposal?
That will determine whether he is finally serious with them, and/or whether he is still counting on shorting the pension payment.
Comment by walker Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 12:01 pm
Messages are being sent by the Speaker in response to the Governor’s in your face style. If we’re lucky, some of his few Illinoisan superstaffers will explain it to Sonny and HE WILL LISTEN.
I’m sorry, wishful thinking.
Comment by Norseman Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 12:08 pm
Madigan is the sponsor? What’s the over-under on Dem votes for this? 10?
The sooner they dispatch this farce, the sooner they can get working on an actual budget for 2016.
Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 12:10 pm
Bruce, is that you?
- Anonymous - Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 11:59 am:
I need predictions- not familiar with this process. What happens when you tell MJM or Cullerton what they are going to do?
Comment by Deep Yogurt Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 12:11 pm
As for the GOP caucus, they needed the meeting to get the script from Sonny.
Comment by Norseman Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 12:11 pm
47, I’d be surprised with 1 yea.
Comment by Norseman Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 12:13 pm
My only question: Does this vote qualify MJM for the Century Club trophy?
lol
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 12:13 pm
- Norseman -, lol…
I’m afraid, - 47th Ward -, that the Speaker might orchestrate 58 yeas, with 47 GOP members, and hang that on the GOP GA for “not doing enough” and the Dems get their first Rauner pelt, and a bad vote catalogued for GOP House members.
Caucus Politics played at the Elite level.
Sandack must be beside himself;
“Who” will be the 60th vote?
“Who” forgot to count noses?
…
“Who” is going to tell Sonny I couldn’t get it done?
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 12:19 pm
How long did the Republicans have to analyze the legislation? These tired old games is such a waste of energy. If the Dems put half of much energy into solving our state’s problems rather then playing political games maybe we wouldn’t be in this situation.
Comment by Just Me Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 12:19 pm
===the Century Club trophy===
I thought about that, but figured some of the HGOPs would figure out where the green light was on this one. They have 20 million reasons to vote for Rauner’s budget, don’t they?
I mean, if this really is Rauner’s budget. I guess if it’s just a cynical ploy to exact a RTW law and stiff the pensioners, then yeah, the HGOPs would be crazy to vote for this.
If I weren’t already so cynical, this would make me very cynical.
Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 12:20 pm
I think Speaker Madigan just emerged from the toll booth on the causeway.
Comment by Snucka Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 12:21 pm
It also seems a little odd to me that the Speaker would chose today to run this bill, when he knows that the Governor is at this very moment sitting before the Chicago City Council and unavailable.
Comment by Just Me Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 12:22 pm
Time to clear the decks and get real.
The number is $6 billion.
Comment by Wordslinger Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 12:23 pm
===They have 20 million reasons to vote for Rauner’s budget, don’t they?===
Betting they get the order to go “Present”
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 12:24 pm
@Just Me-
No political ‘games’ here. For the first time in a very long time we have a GOP Gov, and the GOP is in a position were they can’t say ‘NO’.
Just because you don’t like where the pieces are laying, doesn’t mean you get to walk off the court. The GOP has got exactly what they have been asking for. A head seat at the table. Too bad they are not hungry for what is going to be served shortly…
Comment by How Ironic Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 12:25 pm
===Betting they get the order to go “Present”===
“Mushrooms being Mushrooms”
“Vote ‘Present’? Golly I can do that!”
To that,
Seems the most logical and probably why they’re caucusing to get the word.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 12:27 pm
=== Betting they get the order to go “Present” ===
Suckers bet. Any suckers out there who want to give Rich and I some money.
Comment by Norseman Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 12:30 pm
===Madigan says the vote is intended to “facilitate consideration” of the next year’s budget.===
No matter if you agree or disagree to the politics at play, or even MJM and his politics…
You must respect how the Speaker goes about his business.
Wow. Absolutely love watching politics played well, and pieces move on the chess board.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 12:31 pm
===*** UPDATE 2 *** None voted yes, Democrats went “No” and Republicans went “Present.”===
Your move, Sonny.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 12:33 pm
How much of that $20 million do they get for voting present?
Has Madigan ever sponsored a bill that garnered zero votes?
Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 12:35 pm
===Has Madigan ever sponsored a bill that garnered zero votes? ===
Remember the GRT vote?
MJM just GRT’d BVR’s human service cuts.
“A fair trial before the hanging.”
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 12:36 pm
Never understood the “present” vote in the GA.
It’s the same as “no.” You can’t spin your way out of it.
Comment by Wordslinger Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 12:39 pm
I didn’t remember that MJM sponsored the GRT. Heh. That’s why you’re you. Thanks Rich.
Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 12:40 pm
Is there still a doubt that Madigan thought he had a deal on the FY15 fix? Buckle up, campers.
Comment by Get a Job! Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 12:40 pm
Did Rauner give the word to the Republican caucus to vote “Present” on his own budget proposal?
That would mean Rauner’s about as committed to his fake numbers as Madigan is. It’s all still up for grabs.
Comment by walker Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 12:41 pm
===That would mean Rauner’s about as committed to his fake numbers===
You’re looking at this the wrong way.
I’ll explain tomorrow.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 12:42 pm
There’s no theatre in the present vote. The HGOP should have sent up one member to vote and the others ditch out of the session in protest for an impromptu press conference denouncing the Dems. At least inject some drama and have fun with it.
Comment by CLJ Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 12:45 pm
===You’re looking at this the wrong way.===
Probably. I’ll admit to being more an agitator in my comment, than a thinker.
Comment by walker Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 12:47 pm
Until the Governor has a deal for a structured roll call passing any or all of the Governor’s budget bills, or any and all Rauner Cuts, putting any GOP GA member “green” on a bill destined to fail is poor caucus politics, and bad optics to boot.
Can’t vote “No”…can’t be hung out on a bad partisan failed “yes” either.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 12:48 pm
This is head scratching to me. Present? Why would you actually be present if you didn’t intend to vote for the Budget. What a waste of time.
Comment by BlameBruceRauner Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 12:52 pm
Fair to say that the fight has begun. See amendments 2-16 on HB4141.
Comment by out of touch Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 12:57 pm
A “present” vote is a non-vote. A chicken way out of having to take a stand on the bill.
Comment by Huh? Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 12:57 pm
Lol, the HGOPs say the bill was sprung on them, and they wanted time to debate it. Wow, that’s rich.
Maybe if Governor Rauner spent more time holding Leader Durkin’s hand and meeting with the No-Green-Light Caucus instead of winning landmark votes by the Fayetteville and Bluford village boards, he could have explained to the HGOPs what was in the bill.
Or maybe the HGOPs could simply have read the bill. Wasn’t the budget speech back in February? I seem to remember reading about it in all the newspapers.
Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 12:58 pm
It’s gonna be a long summer.
Comment by Wensicia Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 12:58 pm
How Ironic — having a seat at the table means helping to write the legislation that is thrust upon the House for a vote. Just because the Governor is a Republican that doesn’t mean the Republicans in the House are in complete agreement.
How often were Quinn and the Speaker in total agreement?
Comment by Just Me Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 1:04 pm
Huh, a “present” vote is not a “non-vote,” it’s a “no” vote.
It takes a majority of all members voting “yes” to pass a bill. Anything that is not a “yes” is a “no.”
Comment by Wordslinger Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 1:05 pm
An attempt at a reality check for the gov. Too bad he ain’t gonna get the message. He won’t read the news, and his people are too scared to tell him.
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 1:06 pm
Just Me - That language was taken from appropriation bills filed by Durkin.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 1:08 pm
===Just because the Governor is a Republican that doesn’t mean the Republicans in the House are in complete agreement.===
I think you missed the $20 million and the “$&@#% problem” speech Rauner gave to all ILGOP GA members.
Rauner owns the GOP GA, at the cost of $20 million.
“Put the receipt in the bag, if you could please…”
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 1:08 pm
===Put the receipt in the bag,===
Don’t you mean, “I left the money on the nightstand?”
Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 1:11 pm
===Don’t you mean, “I left the money on the nightstand?”===
(hangs head)
Well played…
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 1:13 pm
Lol Willy, nobody wants a paper trail of this unseemly business.
Only former Cincinnati Mayor Jerry Springer was dumb enough to write a check. Everybody else pays cash.
Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 1:17 pm
Haven’t seen that many “present” votes since Obama was here.
Comment by Michelle Flaherty Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 1:21 pm
===…nobody wants a paper trail of this unseemly business.===
lol…
“Vegas”
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 1:22 pm
===Rich Miller - Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 12:13 pm:
My only question: Does this vote qualify MJM for the Century Club trophy? lol===
My only question: Did the Speaker vote?
Comment by A guy Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 1:33 pm
WS - Respectfully, I disagree. While a “present” vote does not count towards the final tally to pass a bill, it allows a limp backed politician to claim they didn’t vote either for or against the bill.
A solid “yes” or “no” vote is a weapon to be used against a politician.
Comment by Huh? Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 1:33 pm
Just another “up day” for another administration.
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/votehistory/95/house/09500HR0402_05102007_002000.pdf
Comment by Michelle Flaherty Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 1:34 pm
===A solid “yes” or “no” vote is a weapon to be used against a politician.===
Tell that to Barack Obama and Pennie Von Bergen Wessels.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 1:34 pm
Rich:
I am occasionally mistaken, but I recall Hoffman sponsored the GRT and voted No.
Either way, the roll call and the Committee of the Whole are all eerily similar.
Comment by Juvenal Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 1:42 pm
Juvenal, you are mistaken. It was a Madigan resolution.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 1:44 pm
Rauner is playing a wild game of checkers and MJM is playing a serious game of chess.
Comment by facts are stubborn things Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 1:45 pm
Huh:
Now you can tell one group of people that Rep. Kay voted against efforts led by Gov. Rauner to balance the budget, and the other that Kay failed to stand up for children with disabilities and stand against Rauner’s heartless cuts.
Present votes are a little more difficult to attack, but they are even more difficult to defend.
Comment by Juvenal Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 1:47 pm
This hearing is the art of disposing as Rauner proposes, but first by giving it a hearing and shining much light - in the direction and way you want - before slamming the door on it. MJM is also the master of giving members the votes they either want to make or don’t want to make.
Comment by facts are stubborn things Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 1:48 pm
Rich -
Makes sense, Jay wouldn’t call a vote, but he did vote against passage, did he not? I thought that one went down 0-118.
Comment by Juvenal Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 1:48 pm
Juvenal, you’re correct. Even the handful of members, including Jay, who were loyal to Rod until nearly the bitter end voted against. Rod then said it was an up day, hence what Michelle Flaherty is referring to.
Comment by Juice Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 1:54 pm
To clarify, here’s the GRT resolution roll call from 2007:
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/votehistory/95/house/09500HR0402_05102007_002000.pdf
It was a Madigan-Cross initiative.
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/billstatus.asp?DocNum=402&GAID=9&GA=95&DocTypeID=HR&LegID=33513&SessionID=51
Comment by Michelle Flaherty Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 1:57 pm
I guess the honeymoon ended on Good Friday.
Comment by Juvenal Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 2:06 pm
These comparisons of Blago and Bruce are really unfair.
1. Bruce goes to Springfield and spends the night sometimes.
2. Bruce speaks to groups all over the state.
3. . . . .
(Can somebody help me with 3?)
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 2:11 pm
Bruce has never been mistaken for Mayor Daley.
Comment by Michelle Flaherty Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 2:16 pm
I just ordered more popcorn
Comment by Former Merit Comp Slave Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 2:21 pm
3. Bruce doesnt duck tough ques….
Um, try again.
3. Bruce doesn’t have delusions of national offi….
Wait, I’ve got it.
3. Bruce is fully engaged in the duties he was elected to…..
I’ll get back to you….
Comment by Wordslinger Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 2:21 pm
Dear Governor:
Any budget that relies solely on cuts is DOA.
Sincerely,
The Democrats
Dear Governor:
Don’t make us vote for a budget that only cuts.
Sincerely,
The Republicans
My July vacation plans are screwed.
Comment by Demoralized Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 2:27 pm
3. Blago thought he was Elvis. Bruce thinks he’s James Dean.
4. Blago wanted money; Bruce already has it.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 2:53 pm
Slinger: Chompin’ chiles today!
Comment by walker Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 3:58 pm
3. Profit!
Comment by Skeptic Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 4:08 pm
Democrat kabooki in theater.
The Speaker introduces a bill that gets no votes? And people wonder why people are laughing at democrat controlled Illinois.
Is it any wonder we are where we are? Worst deficit. Lowest citizen satisfaction rate. No surprise here.
Comment by A realistic citizen Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 4:12 pm
ARC:
Are you done with your dopey drive by comments yet?
Comment by Demoralized Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 4:18 pm
==Lowest citizen satisfaction rate.==
I’d love to see your back up for that statement. It must be the same dopey survey the Governor did of “nations.”
Comment by Demoralized Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 4:19 pm
A realistic citizen, thank you for your comment. Now take your “Illinois Activities Book
for Kids” and crayons and enjoy reading about how our state government works. Meanwhile the rest of us will discuss the strategies and effectiveness of those strategies used by our state elected officials.
Comment by Norseman Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 4:25 pm
“The Speaker introduces a bill that is the Governor’s budget and it gets no votes?”
There, fixed it.
Comment by cover Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 4:30 pm
=== Rich Miller @capitolfax 15m15 minutes ago
House vs Senate softball game might be delayed due to ongoing House debate. Stay tuned. ===
No softball game until the Turnaround Agenda has been passed.
Comment by Norseman Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 4:34 pm
===No softball game until the Turnaround Agenda has been passed.===
lol. Classic.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 4:36 pm
ARC, you’re revealing a little too much.
Comment by Wordslinger Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 4:37 pm
#3 Bruce does not need to sell 10 board seats to buy nice ties ( actually he wears cheap stuff) but the comparison works
Comment by Anonin' Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 4:41 pm
I have very high regard for Rep Harris, but quite clearly if he has 16 amendments restoring funding he needs a 17th somewhere restoring revenue, doesn’t he?
Comment by steve schnorf Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 4:46 pm
Predatory Plutocrat punked by Premier Professional Pol
Comment by Hawkeye in Illinois Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 4:52 pm
===he needs a 17th somewhere restoring revenue, doesn’t he?===
That’d certainly help, but the revenue portion doesn’t need to be in the same bill as the Human Services Appropriations, does it? Do you have any quibbles with the 16 spending amendments he did file Steve, or just the fact that his spending doesn’t match the available revenue in the same way the Governor’s overall budget plan is out of balance?
Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 4:54 pm
Any word on the state paying the pension funds?
Comment by DuPage Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 5:00 pm
Steve, when someone sends me a message I generally try to focus more on the message and how to respond to the message rather than the method the message was sent.
Comment by Norseman Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 5:07 pm
Jeez, if they were going to quit this amendment process in the middle so everyone could go play softball, then they might as well had just assigned the amendments to committee to be heard tomorrow like the HGOP was suggesting.
Really great follow through by the HDEMS today. Keep up the good work.
Comment by Phenomynous Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 5:31 pm
Those committee of the whole hearings on the GRT, on a Saturday-Sunday IIRC, turned into a big fiasco for Blago & Co.
Mr. Speaker was as close to laughing out loud as I have ever seen him at the open bashing the GRT was taking. One of the talking points was that they would go out and sell a huge amount of pension bonds supported by GRT to make up for the then-recent pension holidays and then some. This is right at the top of the market in Spring 2007 before the bottom fell out the next year. The pension systems essentially got up one after the other and said “we don’t want the money because we’re likely to lose a chunk of it right from the git-go.” Whoops.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 5:34 pm
=== Jeez, if they were going to quit this amendment process in the middle so everyone could go play softball, then they might as well had just assigned the amendments to committee to be heard tomorrow like the HGOP was suggesting. ===
You don’t realize what a big event the softball game is. First thing tomorrow morning, everyone will be anxious to read Rich’s wrap-up of the game. Rich probably gets half his ad revenue from the folks wanting to be near his game coverage.
Comment by Norseman Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 5:36 pm
DuPage, make your question more specific and we’ll try and answer it.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 5:37 pm
Actually 47, it couldn’t be in the approp, that’s why I said somewhere. My quibble is always with paying for it. Our elected officials are entrusted with the responsibility of deciding how much should be spent on what and they’re pretty good at it. Unfortunately they aren’t nearly as good on the other side, paying for it, at least partially because most of them are never told that stuff has to be paid for.
I believe that’s a big part of what our new governor is telling us with his budget: this is how much we can pay for spending. Rep Harris adds large amounts to that number, so the number is now above our current ability to pay. Rep Harris is a very responsible person and a fine legislator, and I have no doubt he will be willing to vote to pay for the additional spending. But, the Governor has told us quite straightforwardly that he will approve no new revenues unless there is first action on his structural reforms. So those amendments are the cart before the horse.
Comment by steve schnorf Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 5:41 pm
@ Steve Schnorf,
“But, the Governor has told us quite straightforwardly that he will approve no new revenues unless there is first action on his structural reforms. So those amendments are the cart before the horse.”
I’ll rephrase the Gov’s ‘agenda’ for you Steve. Essentially he’s not going to buy the citizens of Illinois a new pair of shoes, until they agree to cut their legs off as a prepayment.
He’s not negotiating.
Comment by How Ironic Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 5:51 pm
- on his structural reforms. So those amendments are the cart before the horse. -
Well Steve, maybe you can tell your new pal Bruce to file the legislation if he wants action. As of right now his structural reforms exist only in power point.
Just make sure you’re polite so you don’t jam up your paid appointment.
Comment by Gov. Rauner Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 6:10 pm
Steve, if this was the end game I’d be a little more concerned about the numbers balancing. Today was the message to the Gov.
To take Harris’ budget proposals today seriously, then we would have to take the Gov’s budget at face value. Both of which are jokes and won’t work.
Comment by Norseman Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 6:37 pm
GR, and in work groups. And btw, I’ve never met Governor Rauner or any of his top staff as far as I know. I’m reacting to him the same as I did to Blagojevich and Quinn when they were Governor. I take him at face value until he shows me differently, and, at face value, he has said no new revenues without structural reforms. Tactically the only way he gets structural reforms done is by doing them before revenues. If revenues get done any leverage disappears. I don’t view that analysis as kissing up, just as recognizing reality.
Comment by steve schnorf Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 7:40 pm
Steve, I have much respect for the work you do and have done. I further respect your using your real name while I take the cowardly approach to commenting. But you know from your vast experience in Illinois politics that, leverage or not, Rauner’s structural reforms as presented to date have no chance of becoming law. You also know at some point the state needs a budget. So what you are recognizing isn’t reality, it’s nihilism. Is Rauner really prepared to burn down the village in order to save it? Will there be enough votes to get him there?
The reality I see is 60-30, or 71-36 even. And I don’t see how Rauner get even close to those numbers with RTW, etc. again, if there was a specific bill that had the language he was proposing, maybe we could debate possible roll calls, but we’re still waiting for that.
Tomorrow is May 7. Tick-tock my friend.
Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 8:15 pm
Filling a $6 billion hole and devising some face-saving outs for Rauner is going to take some real heavy lifts from Dems and Republicans.
Because nothing is going to happen without a lot of green GOP votes. Better make sure the governor has your back in the primaries when the tough votes come.
Comment by Wordslinger Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 8:51 pm
3. Rauner is prepared to totally crash the state and doe not care at all. He is willing to lock out all the workers not have a budget shut down all services for the poor not pay the pensions let the schools and universities shut down unless he gets everything he wants ….Hope we don’t go there but I am beginning to wonder
Comment by Illinois Manufacturer Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 9:48 pm
Steve Schnorf @ 4:46 “if he has 16 amendments restoring funding, he needs a17th somewhere restoring revenue,doesn’t he?” …And could someone please ask for the inclusion of dignity, integrity, and morality??? Rauner can’t have his “restored” because he never had any….but he could sure use some, a little empathy wouldn’t hurt either (Listen to me, talk in’ all crazy!).
Comment by Property of IDOC Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 11:05 pm
== Hope we don’t go there … ==
- Illinois Manufacturer - I’ve been expecting we are going there because (a) it plays on the national 1% stage and (b) a lockout is the only possible way Rauner has to try to break the unions since it appears the unions will be smart enough to not strike unless / until the public is 100% on the workers’ side of the fight.
That’s why I’ve been warning the union people here they need to be prepared for a long, hard strike … the likes of which they have never seen personally.
Comment by RNUG Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 11:22 pm
47, that assumes he is unwilling to compromise ANY on what he wants and ANY on what he will give and I won’t believe that until I see it. I personally can’t understand why so many people on here who have watched government work for so many years just assume he won’t be willing to negotiate and compromise. Did he start the process with the line in the sand way out there? Yeah, he did, but I have to assume most of us understand why he did that. On the other hand if our goal is to get 100% of the ‘16 cuts restored while giving nothing at all on the structural reforms we might as well go home. Not. Gonna. Happen.
Comment by steve schnorf Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 11:26 pm
And why do so many believe that he wants to “shut down the state”? He has smart people around him and they all know, as most of us on here do, that Gov’s only win very short shutdowns, once they last any time at all and become disruptive Govs and Presidents wear the jacket for government shutdowns. at least they always have in any I’m aware of around the country in the last 30 years or so.
Comment by steve schnorf Wednesday, May 6, 15 @ 11:30 pm
Steve
I believe it because he has pretty much said it. Meetings at restaurants to threaten people who don’t go with his flow. Several quotes where he has more or less said that he sees crisis as a way to get what he wants…. rather than something you don’t want to happen. I believe it because he asked (demanded?) that the outgoing legislation session NOT pass a revenue bill. Spending all of his time giving speeches on his turnaround agenda when he should be giving speeches on the budget.
Comment by mythoughtis Thursday, May 7, 15 @ 6:57 am
It’s the budget stupid. We pay taxes for what?? The satisfaction that our elected representatives can hire their buddies at all levels and pay them out of touch salaries. What a good deal. Mean while all the working people get the stick! Cuts and low wages. I love it when people decry “welfare momma” If you work 36 hours per week at the NATIONS #1 employer and qualify as poverty level. Hmmmmm. Who are we giving welfare to???? Huh?
Comment by real one Thursday, May 7, 15 @ 7:29 am