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The Democrats fire back

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Illinois

* I posted remarks at length yesterday by House Republican Leader Jim Durkin and Senate GOP Leader Christine Radogno about how the Democrats were walking away from the “working groups” process in an attempt to push the session into overtime. Here are some stories with the Democratic response. Riopell..

A spokeswoman for Senate President John Cullerton, a Chicago Democrat, criticized Republicans’ tone.

“It’s counterproductive and raises questions about the true goal of the governor’s secret meetings,” spokeswoman Rikeesha Phelon said. “We have been fully engaged in the process and continue to hope that we can arrive at a balanced and bipartisan budget.”

* Erickson…

Democrats say they are “engaged in the process,” but have warned the governor’s “Turnaround Agenda” could hurt the middle-class.

“I don’t think anybody would realistically expect the progress that working families have made in Illinois would be dismantled in a few months,” said Steve Brown, spokesman for House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago. “It’s not going the way they want. But it is what it is.” […]

A spokeswoman for Senate President John Cullerton, D-Chicago, said the Republican announcement puts a damper on the session, which is scheduled to end on May 31 with the adoption of a budget.

“Today’s press conference really does change the temperature in the building and will probably prove to be rather counterproductive,” Phelon said. […]

“Their complaints are a little curious,” Brown said. “I don’t think there is anything different happening there.”

* WCIA…

However, Illinois Representative Mike Smiddy (D-Port Byron) said Republicans are sabotaging the negotiations.

“If anything is going to get done, it’s probably going to get done by the Democrats,” Smiddy said. “And as usual the Republicans are going to be sitting on their hands come crunch time with the budget.”

Steve Brown, spokesperson for Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago), called the press conference a distraction after Republicans came under fire for taking thousands of dollars from Bruce Rauner’s campaign

* Finke…

“We have been having roll calls on the signature elements of (Rauner’s agenda),” said Steve Brown, spokesman for House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago. “I don’t know how they can justify making that kind of a claim.”

Brown also said that to the best of his knowledge, Democrats are still participating in the working groups.

Senate Democrats are also participating, said Rikeesha Phelon, spokeswoman for Senate President John Cullerton, D-Chicago. […]

She said Cullerton “is disappointed in the change in tone in Springfield today. It’s unnecessary and counterproductive when we have such a short time to produce a balanced budget. The governor is basically asking the members of the General Assembly to wholeheartedly embrace his political agenda in exchange for producing a balanced budget.”

* AP…

Steve Brown, spokesman for Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan, fired back at Republicans for pushing an agenda he says hurts working people.

“I’m sure nobody seriously believed we’re going to dismantle decades of progress working families have made just because somebody’s showing a Power Point around the state,” Brown said, a reference to a Power Point presentation Rauner has frequently used to outline his agenda.

Oy.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 9:51 am

Comments

Same movie different reel of who wants to stick their neck out first..

Comment by Mouthy Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 9:55 am
Play with fire and sometimes you get burned. Extremely poor move by Radogno and Durkin yesterday.

Comment by Precinct Captain Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 9:56 am
Despite years of evidence to the contrary, some in Springfield still believe that stomping your feet, holding your breath, and other variations of temper tantrums will produce the desired result.

Good luck explaining to the public how Democrats are “stalling” the Governor’s reform agenda by bringing it up for a vote.

Comment by Juvenal Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 9:59 am
Children posturing. Please use your indoor voices.

Comment by Tommydanger Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 10:01 am
She said Cullerton “is disappointed in the change in tone in Springfield today. It’s unnecessary and counterproductive when we have such a short time to produce a balanced budget. The governor is basically asking the members of the General Assembly to wholeheartedly embrace his political agenda in exchange for producing a balanced budget.”

Sounds like his way of negotiating, like; “by ratifying this contract you voluntarily agree to step into the Tier 2 Pension System”.

Comment by MAD MAX Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 10:04 am
=Children posturing. Please use your indoor voices.=

I will give that one a Harumph!

Comment by JS Mill Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 10:04 am
Meh, the guy who writes the checks wanted to see a little something for the consideration.

It doesn’t change the fact that there simply aren’t the votes for Rauner’s social agenda and that the “leverage” of a scored-earth budget is a bluff.

Comment by Wordslinger Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 10:07 am
This session has always been about Governor Rauner’s ability to lead. So far, he has chosen not to. He won his election convincingly, and had the support of the public to “shake up Springfield.” He had the support of the public to make meaningful changes to the operation of government, and democrats would have had to give on those changes that were reasonable. Work comp reform. Tort reform. I think voters understand that the trial lawyers in Illinois have had their way far too long and it is costing the state in many ways. But rather than use his leverage to make meaningful progress, Rauner traveled the state essentially telling everybody who would listen that he was demanding all or nothing. That isn’t leadership.

With less than 2 weeks left, when will he demonstrate some leadership?

Comment by Anon Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 10:08 am
I don’t see what choice the GOP has with this governor of theirs. Instead of building relationships and working with the dominant political party in Illinois, Rauner has been ripping things up and spreading bad blood. He completely misread his political mandate and came out of the gate in the wrong direction completely. Governor Rauner hasn’t shaken up Springfield. What he has done so far is shake up his own political power and credibility with embarrassing political mistakes. Instead of reserving what little political power he had as a solo GOP official, Rauner thought he could circumvent the entire political and government systems with some kind of grassroots groundswell. Instead of showing power, his RTW fiasco sapped it from him. Instead of showing leadership and mature compromise, Rauner has shown a narrow extreme political view that is disrespectful of a majority of Illinois citizens.

I have never seen such a bad start to an administration. Madigan, once again, is having to run a state without an effective governor.

Illinois thought it was electing a man who would be an effective partner with Madigan and the other Four Tops. Instead it got a guy who seems to be handling the governorship like an absentee owner.

Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 10:09 am
i just don’t know what they were thinking yesterday. Perhaps if those meetings weren’t secret, we’d be able to judge for ourselves who’s holding up progress here. Instead we have two sides pointing fingers about progress they may or may not be happening and we’re less than 2 weeks away from the deadline without a budget in sight. Oh well

Comment by Johnny Pyle Driver Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 10:11 am
===“I’m sure nobody seriously believed we’re going to dismantle decades of progress working families have made just because somebody’s showing a Power Point around the state,” Brown said, a reference to a Power Point presentation Rauner has frequently used to outline his agenda.===

Steve Brown, the Gold Standard breaks down the Rauner disconnect perfectly.

When Rauner decided to not focus on;

* FY2015 Fix
* FY2016 Budget
* Union Contract negotiations

That was where the public policy/politics failed to show Rauner is serious in the eyes of those in Divided Government.

How can you “blame” the Dems when Rauner makes it a point with a PowerPoint that won’t lead to any legislative successes.

This isn’t trying to change the discussion by Rauner, and it’s certainly not changing the rules by Rauner either.

The discussion has been, and continues to be massive budget holes, and the rules are 60 and 30, and soon 71 and 36.

Remember the last Quinn/Rauner debate? Rauner started every response with “Pat Quinn failed”, or answers pivoting
to the word “fail” with every response.

Governor, you are failing.

You don’t have 60, you don’t have 30, and the spokespeople for the Democratic Legislative Caucuses are running the “basic” plays from the playbook because you, Governor, wouldn’t engage in the three area with the widest berth for success.

But, those PowerPoints, and that Fair Share, and those Good Friday Massacre cuts, and the loss of trust, and the “zero” Madigan Bills of the Rauner Agenda, and….”and”.

Failure. The Rauner Adinistration is failing, and the GOP Caucuses will be the fallout, the collateral damage, and Rauner doesn’t care.

The GOP Caucuses are lights.

Steve Brown clearly explains the “why”… to the “Who”… even Owls can read Brown’s words.

But don’t worry, you Owls, another $400K will be ready. Be ready, to be given out at the most inopportune time imaginable. Why? Rauner’s Crew can’t understand how Brown is signaling.

I can’t stand watching poor politics played. I enjoy, very much, politics played well, and to an end game, leading to resolutions and solutions.

The failure of the LLs and the Press Shop by Rauner was quite comical, not its getting quite dangerous.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 10:13 am
No doubt the GOP press conference was done at Rauner’s urging, as his turnaround agenda is dismantled piece-by-piece. The GOP leaders are really sticking their necks out, for very little appreciable gain. The voters hear the short-term white noise of partisan bickering while the budget is haggled, but in the end it’s the Governor that owns the result.

Comment by out of touch Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 10:14 am
This press confernece was an obvious mistake, but let’s hope both paties are still negoiating.
Otherwise I fear Madigan will produce another in the series of kick the can down the road phony budgets which puts us further in the hole which is now awfully deep.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 10:14 am
VMan, I think Rauner felt he had to make an effort for his national network of donors. They didn’t drop millions on him to play nice, they want to see their agenda advanced.

How long he intends to keep it up, knowing that he doesn’t have the votes for their agenda, remains to be seen. You’d think at some point the actual responsibilities of governing a big state would sober him up.

Comment by Wordslinger Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 10:17 am
When the IL GOP loses even more seats next year maybe they’ll get serious and try to find someone who knows what they’re doing. But probably not.

Comment by too obvious Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 10:25 am
He might be a “true believer” on the issue, but Rauner’s choice to make “Right To Work” the launching pad for his administration has been destructive. If anything sabotaged his working groups from the start, it was that.

He could have just stuck with “waste, fraud, and whatever”, and been further along.

Comment by walker Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 10:25 am
Bruce, you bought, and to be fair legitimately won, the office on 2. That’s it. The GA will cost you more and take longer.

Use the thing you have, stop trying to use the thing you don’t.

Comment by Deep Yogurt Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 10:30 am
Right out of the playbook and it’s still very effective. The Dems, particularly the Speaker, through his ombudsmen, accuse the other side in Press Releases and mailings of exactly what he himself is doing and coordinating.

I think you continue to run a play until the other side proves that they can stop it. The GOP has not done that yet. They have the resources to do so now. They should.

In all of my time reading and posting here, I’m convinced that the union supporters here, members or not, public service or labor, declare themselves to be clearly members of the “middle class” that’s under siege. Set aside the GOP for one minute. Has the other side really been advancing the cause for the middle class? I really don’t think so. I honestly don’t think any party really has. To represent either, it’s hard to be a member of the middle class and a member of the General Assembly. I don’t think the union leadership knows that much about being middle class either. If the middle class wants to preserve it’s standing, they’ll have to take charge of their own destiny and fire everyone who doesn’t represent them regardless of which uniform they’re wearing.

Comment by A guy Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 10:33 am
===It doesn’t change the fact that there simply aren’t the votes for Rauner’s social agenda and that the “leverage” of a scored-earth budget is a bluff.===

Word: You’ve been way out front, and smart, with your insight on this meta-negotiation.

My only concern remains that Rauner might not view the “scorched earth” option as a political career killer.

Comment by walker Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 10:37 am
===Has the other side really been advancing the cause for the middle class?===

The Owl Sandack tried this. It didn’t go well.

Changing the narrative doesn’t get to 60 or 30, but if you sleep better, keep trying to disregard the budget hole.

===… it’s hard to be a member of the middle class and a member of the General Assembly. I don’t think the union leadership knows that much about being middle class either.===

Raunerite talking point; the entrenched corrupt elected officials and the corrupt Union officials don’t know about being one of people… while Rauner clouts his kid into Payton Prep, possibly over middle-class kid without any connections, and Rauner moves into one of his 9 homes for the residency, unlike a middle-class family could do.

It’s the same Rauberite talking point, ignoring the hypocrisy of it.

===If the middle class wants to preserve it’s standing, they’ll have to take charge of their own destiny and fire everyone…===

Rauner move; layoff or fire, then give $25 gift cards. Then, file for bankruptcy…

===…who doesn’t represent them regardless of which uniform they’re wearing.===

The people are numbers on a leger, or a body in a uniform.

How about focusing on the Budget, then the Union contract?

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 10:43 am
=== I think Rauner felt he had to make an effort for his national network of donors. They didn’t drop millions on him to play nice, they want to see their agenda advanced.

How long he intends to keep it up, knowing that he doesn’t have the votes for their agenda, remains to be seen. You’d think at some point the actual responsibilities of governing a big state would sober him up.===

Thanks Word! Amen! Amen! Amen!

Comment by forwhatitsworth Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 10:45 am
Anon 10:08 hit it on the head. The Governor had a strategy. Set an agenda and then travel the state and enroll the public in pressuring their (Democrat) House and Senate representatives to make it happen. With an agenda of obvious non-starters, it didn’t work. It has been a spectacular waste of time. A true leader knows how to enroll others. Bruce’s only enrollment strategy seems to be throwing money around. It will be interesting to see how he pulls himself out of this.

Comment by Politix Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 10:51 am
=== Meh, the guy who writes the checks wanted to see a little something for the consideration ===

I don’t know, MJM seems to get his monies worth.

Comment by dupage dan Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 10:53 am
In “Ironyland” there is this… Rauner hasn’t lead our State in the right direction for a few months. True. Madigan hasn’t lead our state in the right direction for DECADES. Also true.
Madigan despite his savant ways at politics will always wear the collar for his driving Illinois off of the cliff. He has been the one constant for decades as Illinois has been in steady decline.

Comment by Anon2U Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 10:58 am
Then - Anon2U -, beat Madigan…

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 11:04 am
The Democrats saying that the press conference is a distraction is really laughable. How about all those fake roll calls with mailers into people’s districts within hours after the vote? That isn’t a distraction either? Heck, those mailers were written before the vote even took place.

Comment by Just Me Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 11:10 am
“He won his election convincingly, and had the support of the public to “shake up Springfield.” He had the support of the public to make meaningful changes to the operation of government” I respectfully disagree. He didn’t win “convincingly” and his support was as much anti-Quinn as it was pro-Rauner.

Comment by Skeptic Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 11:13 am
Once bitten (by Bruce), twice shy.

Comment by Jocko Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 11:30 am
It’s been said by so many that this is just political theater. Yes, it is another act of a political play written by terrible writers with no clue as to how to craft an ending the audience can appreciate.

Comment by Norseman Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 11:33 am
Listening in on House committee on budget oversight now. Rm 114. L Msall from Civic Fed. testifying on their ideas. Is this the grownup in the room that Rich asked for in his Capfax this morning?

Comment by Nick Danger Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 11:42 am
OW, cutting through all the political theater and nuttiness, make your case that the Democrats have really improved the lot in life for the middle class.

I don’t see it.

I do see social programs, many that have been effective, many that have not. To date, there has been no reward for effective ones and no penalty for ineffective ones. Some have moved people from Poverty level A to poverty level B. They’re still in dire straits at a more costly level to the populace.

The middle class loses more real income than either the rich or the poor when taxes are increased.

I’m all ears to hear what the Democrats have done to fight for the little guy, the middle class, etc. I’m not positing that the GOP has. I don’t think anyone has.

Comment by A guy Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 11:57 am
Something has to be done to dismantle the decades mismanagement, corruption, and entitlements. I sincerely hope the working people of this state are not believing this garbage that Madigan is spouting.

Comment by Short Bus Rider Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 12:18 pm
- A Guy -,

Rauner cut $26 million in programs, and instead of defending the cuts, they were reinstated.

Why?

Fighting for the needy, the less fortunate, those who need can’t be met by private funds alone.

All. All were reinstated.

It wasn’t the GOP GA, and it wasn’t Rauner fighting for those groups, but it also wasn’t GOP GA and Rauner defending that they stay cut.

So, Rauner can’t decide what your saying;

===I do see social programs, many that have been effective, many that have not. To date, there has been no reward for effective ones and no penalty for ineffective ones. Some have moved people from Poverty level A to poverty level B. They’re still in dire straits at a more costly level to the populace.===

You may need to check with Rauner what he can handle, what Rauner thinks will be measurable, and what Rauner can show and defended as cuttable.

Rauner hasn’t.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 12:23 pm
I think if the government would have the illegals apply and obtain ITIN’s to be able to use them like socials we would have the appropriate taxes close to what is needed and to be used throughout the US states. It would not only benefit the government but the people who need them too.

Comment by Anon Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 12:28 pm
=== How about all those fake roll calls ===

Calling them ‘fake’ doesn’t make them any less real.

Calling them “symbolic” is much more accurate.

And it is what they symbolize that has Republicans outraged.

As for whether “symbolic” votes matter: yes they do. Very much. Perhaps more so than the substantive votes.

Comment by Juvenal Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 1:00 pm
Here we are less than 2 weeks from scheduled adjournment and the Rauner Turnaround Agenda still isnt in bill form. Secretive working groups have replaced legislative committee hearings. I suppose the idea is to amemd them onto shell bills or god forbid paste them into some conference comittee draft. Its time for the horse trading to start but the horses need to make an appearance first. Rauner could get part of what he wants simply by trading for revenue growth but he needs to start giving it some form.

Comment by relocated Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 1:07 pm
OW, read the question and try again. How have the Democrats been the party of the middle class and the little guys out there?

This might flummox you, but try doing it without mentioning Rauner, Raunerite, or any other version of his name.

Comment by A guy Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 1:18 pm
- A Guy -, I’m not a Democrat, I don’t know how Democrats frame their response.

I do know that collective bargaining and workers’ rights have advanced the middle class. Saying that isn’t so is disingenuous.

The Owl Sandack tried to make your argument, I bet if you used the Google, Dems responded to him.

======“I’m sure nobody seriously believed we’re going to dismantle decades of progress working families have made just because somebody’s showing a Power Point around the state,” Brown said, a reference to a Power Point presentation Rauner has frequently used to outline his agenda.===

Steve Brown framed the discussion, you can start there…

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 1:27 pm
Powerpoint?

Come on, Big Brain Bruce. At least use Prezi.

Comment by Frenchie Mendoza Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 1:33 pm
OW, you’re right, Steve Brown framed it. As one of the ombudsmen who criticize the other side with mail, phone calls and tv and radio ads, for the precise things that his side is doing. It’s show biz.

They’re not for the little guy or the middle class as a party. They haven’t been for decades. They’ve actually held them hostage. Our party deserves criticism for not taking full advantage of this.

Comment by A guy Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 2:52 pm
This is all just kabuki for the benefit of the spectators, none of us has a seat and the table and nothing we say matters.

We all need to see a budget bill and associated BIMPs.

The fact that it’s May 20 and that hasn’t happened is sad, but not unusual. Get ready for an interesting final weekend in May, until then have a drink and chill.

Comment by Harry Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 2:58 pm
–They’ve actually held them hostage.–

How’s that, assuming those words are supposed to have any meaning?

How’s the water in the extremely shallow end today,
Guy?

Comment by Wordslinger Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 4:16 pm
Guy, I see “ombudsmen” is your word of the day to a better vocabulary. Good luck.

You really should read the definition of the word, though, before taking it out for a spin. Reading before commenting is a swell rule of thumb, actually. Like “listening,” instead of “waiting to talk.”

Steve Brown is a “spokesman,” That has a different definition, and is not synonymous, with “ombudsman.”

Comment by Wordslinger Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 8:27 pm