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* UPDATED x1 - Brown responds * Rauner to Dems: Don’t be controlled by Madigan

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If Democrats want to send a budget to Gov. Bruce Rauner, they might have to do so without the votes of some suburban party members in the Illinois Senate

Some Senate Democrats are balking at the idea of approving a budget that would spend $3 billion more than the state is set to take in next year as party leaders prepare to send the spending plan to Rauner.

“I’m not going to be supporting an unbalanced budget,” said state Sen. Mike Noland, an Elgin Democrat.

State Sen. Tom Cullerton, a Villa Park Democrat, said he’d also not vote for a plan that has a deficit that big. Democratic state Sens. Julie Morrison of Deerfield and Melinda Bush of Grayslake say they’re undecided.

“That (deficit spending) is kind of how we got here,” Morrison said.

* From the governor’s office…

ICYMI: The Daily Herald

SPRINGFIELD – The Daily Herald reports suburban Democrats do not back the proposed unbalanced budget by Speaker Madigan, which currently has a hole of $4 billion. If covering this story, please attribute the following statement to Lance Trover, Director of Communications.

“There is now bipartisan opposition to Speaker Madigan’s plan to double down on a broken system and avoid critical reforms needed to turnaround Illinois. Now is the time for all members of the General Assembly to make clear whether they stand with taxpayers and for reform or will continue to be controlled by Speaker Madigan.”

OK, first of all, Noland and Cullerton are both considering congressional bids. Bush and Morrison are targets. Targets and congressional candidates rarely vote for budgets.

But this does show the rapidly rising hostility between Rauner and the Speaker. And it probably tips us to the subject matter of the coming TV ad campaign.

Whew, man, it’s gonna be a long, hot summer.

*** UPDATE *** Speaker Madigan’s spokesman just said that perhaps the governor’s press secretary should “slow down his typing.”

Why would he want to do that? Because, Brownie said, there was nothing in what those Democratic Senators said to indicate that they favored the governor’s “non-budget items.”

[ *** End Of Update *** ]

* But Madigan’s proposal is being supported by at least one group. From a press release…

News Release: TAP Supports Madigan Budget Proposal

State leaders of The Autism Program of Illinois (TAP) today called on Illinois elected officials to adopt a state budget that meets the needs of Illinois’ most vulnerable citizens. Russell J. Bonanno, state director of the TAP network, called on legislators and Governor Rauner to avoid exposing Illinois families to months of uncertainty that will accompany an ongoing political stalemate over the FY 2016 budget.

“It has become clear that Illinois’ fiscal crisis cannot be solved simply by attempting to cut our way out of it,” Bonanno said. “It is both unfair and unreasonable to balance the state budget on the backs of those dependent on state human services programs – including the families of more than 45,000 children with an autism spectrum disorder. It is incumbent upon our leaders to fulfill one of the pre-eminent duties of government: to accomplish for our most vulnerable citizens those things which they cannot accomplish for themselves.”

Total funding for TAP, amounting to $4.3 million, was eliminated from the state budget for the coming fiscal year in the budget presented to the General Assembly on February 18. If TAP funding is not restored to the budget, more than 15,000 Illinois families would have nowhere to turn for critically needed services. Most autism services are not covered by the state Medicaid program, and TAP network partners have stated that most of the program’s 19 locations in Illinois would simply close their doors if funding is not continued. A number of families served by TAP have indicated they would seriously consider relocation to another state if AP funding is not continued. An effort to discontinue TAP funding for the remainder of the current fiscal year was averted when FY 2015 revenues came in at a higher-than-expected rate in April.

“While our state faces significant fiscal challenges, we want to make our position clear,” Bonanno said. “We support any budget proposal which preserves funding for critical human services programs, including TAP. At the present time, House Bill 4165, advanced by Speaker Madigan, is the only budget proposal under consideration that restores TAP funding. As the Speaker acknowledged, his budget proposal requires additional revenue to balance the budget. We support the Speaker’s budget and urge our political leaders to work together to balance the budget by finding revenues to meet our needs.”

“The elimination of TAP from the FY 2016 state budget, as proposed in February, would be penny wise and pound foolish,” Bonanno concluded. “Many studies, including those cited by the Governor in his budget message, conclude that early and effective intervention for children with an autism spectrum disorder actually saves money over the long run by preventing the need for more costly services later in life.”

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 3:37 pm

Comments

Picking off Democrats, publicly, by a GOP Governor, dangerous game.

Rich explained the rationale perfectly. Rauner is looking for Raunerites, and trying to cause riffs.

It is what it is I guess(?)

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 3:41 pm
==off Democrats, publicly, by a GOP Governor, dangerous game.==

Not as dangerous as arguing “Let’s pass this now and figure out how to pay for it later.”

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 3:46 pm
Cullerton only needs 30 for now. He’ll need even less than that after May 31 when they get serious about balancing the Democrats’ spending plan with Rauner’s bi-partisan tax hike(s).

Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 3:48 pm
===Not as dangerous as arguing “Let’s pass this now and figure out how to pay for it later.”===

I’m sure Rauner’s phony budget will try to address that, don’t be too hard on Bruce…

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 3:50 pm
@Anon,

Rauner is not wanting to get that budget. Not because it’s out of whack, but because HE’D have to outline the cuts.

Don’t you track this? Rauner want’s to be the savior of Illinois, but doesn’t want to do any of the actual dirty work.

He wants others to propose the budget, propose the cuts, and pass the budget. He doesn’t want to be the ‘decider’.

He couldn’t even weather the heat from the $26Million cut during the Good Friday Massacre.

How do you think he’d fare with $3B to cut?

I hope they do pass the budget, and force him to make the cuts. He didn’t want the tax increase, deal with the fall out.

Comment by How Ironic Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 3:50 pm
===He couldn’t even weather the heat from the $26Million cut during the Good Friday Massacre.===

They’re still talking about that…..Massacre???….nowhere.

Aside from the hyperbole, I’d suggest to you that the Dems really don’t want the Governor making those decisions for very obvious reasons.

Comment by A guy Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 4:00 pm
@OW- What does Rauner have to lose (assuming that the seemingly rising level of antagonism between he and the Democratic leadership is real) by picking off legislators?

It is pretty much what he said he would do, so what am I missing?

Comment by JS Mill Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 4:00 pm
=- Anonymous - Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 3:46 pm:=

So you’re against your plan with $3 billion in phony pension and health savings, Governor?

Comment by Precinct Captain Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 4:09 pm
Both Madigan and Rauner’s budget proposals are out of whack by about $3 billion.

But I’m quite certain that, absent new revenue, Madigan woulda be more than happy to let Rauner cut another 10 percent out of GRF all by himself.

Because the only place to do that would be K-12.

Comment by Wordslinger Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 4:10 pm
Trover claims that their resistance to voting for MJM’s budget which still needs more revenue to balance (just like Rauner’s budget), equals Dem support for the Turnaround Agenda.

Pure nonsense, but that’s his job I guess.

Comment by walker Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 4:10 pm
It aint soup yet.

Comment by Langhorne Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 4:11 pm
“But this does show the rapidly rising hostility between Rauner and the Speaker. And it probably tips us to the subject matter of the coming TV ad campaign.”

A lot has been said about the Gov’s. summer TV buy, but I’m not sold on the concept?
First, there are several reasons that “real” campaigns don’t start until after Labor Day. Lot of stuff going on, people not at home, ect.
Now there will be those writing about the ads on this and other blogs, some other media will have stories, but probably short news cycle on it.
Further, what is the goal of the ad campaign? How will they quantify if it’s working?
Just not sure how running negative ads, during the summer, 18 months before an election, will have any impact on what goes on in SPI?
It could actually work in a negative way against the gov and the new republic brand, in that people really hate all the negative ads during the campaign season, how do you think they will feel about the cluttering of the airwaves during the summer?

Comment by Are Ya Kiddin' Me? Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 4:12 pm
I think Rauner said his tens of millions of slush money was available to Democrats as well as Republicans. I guess everyone has their price.

Comment by DuPage Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 4:12 pm
== because HE’D have to outline the cuts.==

…or he could veto the entire thing and call it out for the fraud budget it is

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 4:13 pm
What happens if Rauner sends those Dems a check?

Comment by Mama Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 4:13 pm
Doesn’t any of rauner staff realize they just insulted the Senate and if anything strengthened their resolve to oppose him? He just basically said the senate are a bunch of brainless hacks for mjm…AGAIN!!! Didn’t they learn the first time???

Comment by dawn Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 4:20 pm
Anonymous:

Rauner can veto anything in the budget.

Heck, he can sign the budget and just not spend the money.

There is hardly anything “dangerous” about it.

I can understand why the dream team in the governor’s office is upset that the speaker has decided to basically just ignore their incessant temper tantrum for his pet legislative items.

They developed and implemented a deeply flawed plan, and when it became apparent it was a failure, they doubled down with plans of spending not $20M, not $30M, but $50 million.

But just because they are upset doesn’t mean we have to cave in to their demands. In fact, the last thing you do is reward someone for negotiating in bad faith.

Comment by Juvenal Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 4:20 pm
An old and comforting myth that Madigan “controls” Democrats. He earns their trust and support. These statements by these four legislators are typical, and there are probably a few more on the fence DH didn’t ask. Often it’s for the reasons Rich listed, but when they say “still considering” it’s an ask for more incentive.

Comment by walker Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 4:24 pm
I think it a little unfair to complain that Rauner’s introduced budget is unbalanced. An introduced budget is just a proposal of ideas.

Comment by Just Me Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 4:27 pm
Rich is right. This is more about worsening Rauner- Madigan relations than the budget itself. It’s now declared war.

Comment by walker Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 4:28 pm
==- Anonymous - Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 4:13 pm:==

Governor, why would you propose a fraud budget with $3 billion in phony savings?

Comment by Precinct Captain Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 4:30 pm
Dawn -

First, how did you come to that conclusion?! Governor Rauner is attempting to show a schism and, for him, that is fairly tame rhetoric.

Second, the Senate Dems voted wholesale on last year’s House “bimps”. No amendments. No changes. Nothing.

Comment by Team Sleep Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 4:35 pm
–I thnk it’s a little unfair to complain that Rauner’s introduced budget is unbalanced. –

Huh? Accuracy is now unfair? The Victim Force is strong in this one.

–An introduced budget is just a proposal of ideas–

Where did you get that idea? Two big honkin’ books, line item after line item for every function of state government to the penny, and you’re just spitballin’?

It’s like the Through the Looking Glass around here today.

Comment by Wordslinger Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 4:39 pm
So. There are enough votes to pass a budget, but not enough to override a veto.

And yes, even with an override, the Governor isn’t obligated to spend the money.

The Governor isn’t on the ballot in 2016, but targeted Democrats will be passing petitions in the fall.

Looks to me like the Governor is in a pretty strong position.

And, all this because the Speaker doesn’t want to pass workers’ compensation reforms that Lisa Madigan endorsed long ago?

I don’t usually bet against Madigan, but it sure looks like the Governor is holding a better hand in this poker game.

Comment by Old Elephant Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 4:40 pm
“I think it a little unfair to complain that Rauner’s introduced budget is unbalanced. An introduced budget is just a proposal of ideas.”

Like appropriations, the governor’s proposed budget is required to be balanced by the constitution. Both parties are avoiding their responsibilities.

Comment by Pelonski Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 4:43 pm
/s

Hi Rich,

Turnaround agenda 2.0 in the Illinois Senate.

M. Noland
T. Cullerton
M. Bush
J. Morrison

thanks,
ck

Comment by A guy Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 4:43 pm
Rauner controls the GOP…Madigan/Culerton have control over the Dems. There are a few strays on either side at times - dependent on the money and even sometimes the issues.

Ummm…Makes me think of this quote from Groucho Marx - “Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it everywhere, diagnosing it incorrectly and applying the wrong remedies.”

UGH!

Comment by Just saying... Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 4:47 pm
Morrison might be a target but I haven’t heard of anyone credible planning to run against her.

Comment by Confused Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 4:47 pm
“Dear - A Guy -,

Your still ‘6′ votes short of 30, if those four are even saying they’d vote WITH Rauner.

Signed,
Math.”

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 4:50 pm
Guy, where exactly do you and Trover see that those legislators are backing Rauner’s agenda in the General Assembly?

I see opposition to voting for an unbalanced budget (Rauner has one of those, too).

Comment by Wordslinger Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 4:51 pm
I think this blog, although meant to predict the national midterms, is pretty prescient of what happened in our state midterms as well:

http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/05/26/things-i-wish-id-been-wrong-about/?module=BlogPost-Title&version=Blog%20Main&contentCollection=Opinion&action=Click&pgtype=Blogs&region=Body

Comment by PublicServant Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 4:55 pm
OW, there may be more. We’ll just have to see.

Sling, I don’t see them backing the Rauner agenda. Maybe a few elements of it that are popular (very) in their districts (Senate or Congressional)

I do see them voting against an unbalanced budget no matter who the authors are.

Maybe it’s just a tiny chink in the armor…or maybe it’s a little more than that. Time will tell. Might even be a little Senate/House jostling. We’ll see.

You’ll have to ask Lance for his thoughts from himself. We aren’t chat buddies.

thanks,
ag

PS, Sling it was a joke with a /s at the beginning. I’m trying dude.

Comment by A guy Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 4:58 pm
If Bruce wants to fix things all he really has to do is write the check.

Comment by Cheryl44 Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 5:03 pm
SECTION 2. STATE FINANCE
(a) The Governor shall prepare and submit to the General
Assembly, at a time prescribed by law, a State budget for the
ensuing fiscal year. The budget shall set forth the estimated
balance of funds available for appropriation at the beginning
of the fiscal year, the estimated receipts, and a plan for
expenditures and obligations during the fiscal year of every
department, authority, public corporation and quasi-public
corporation of the State, every State college and university,
and every other public agency created by the State, but not
of units of local government or school districts. The budget
shall also set forth the indebtedness and contingent
liabilities of the State and such other information as may be
required by law. Proposed expenditures shall not exceed funds
estimated to be available for the fiscal year as shown in the
budget.
(b) The General Assembly by law shall make
appropriations for all expenditures of public funds by the
State. Appropriations for a fiscal year shall not exceed
funds estimated by the General Assembly to be available
during that year.

Comment by Just Me Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 5:05 pm
“Slow down his typing.”

It will be a long summer, but with Brown unleashed it will not be a boring summer.

Comment by Juvenal Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 5:12 pm
Why limit the deficit to $3 billion??

Free lunches, dinners, medical care, housing, transportation for everyone. Also free parking!!

Comment by northshore cynic Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 5:13 pm
===OW, there may be more. We’ll just have to see.===

“Bruce Rauner will not accept one more Democratic vote to help him… until his Turnaround Agenda is passed.”

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 5:17 pm
To be fair to a guy, I could see Tom Cullerton voting with the Republicans — he’s done it before. https://capitolfax.com/wp-mobile.php?p=5817&more=1

– MrJM

Comment by MrJM Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 5:17 pm
Rauner is gaining traction, the longer and uglier this gets, Rauner has the advantage. Makes it harder for Madigan to hold his caucus together too. I just can’t see the downside for Rauner if this plays out all summer, he has the money and the print media to promote his agenda. This is something Madigan and Cullerton have never seen,it’s going to be hard to keep the troops aligned come July especially in the suburbs with TV ads blasting around the clock with no legitimate response. Constituent service can only go so far.

Comment by Almost the Weekend Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 5:19 pm
In the Madigan/Blago War, the Speaker demonstrated that he is willing and able to drive the state over the cliff to win a political fight. If the Guv has that sort of win-at-all-costs mentality then it is really going to be a rough ride. As someone pointed out already, we are rapidly going past the budget issues and heading into something more personal.

Comment by Skirmisher Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 5:20 pm
@OldElephant: If all Rauner was holding out for was tort and workers’ comp reform, we could be done by now. Other than holding off on RTW til later, he seems to still be demanding the other “structural reforms.”

We will get there, but not this week.

Comment by walker Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 5:20 pm
Just Me, by quoting the state constitution, you really showed that other Just Me guy how goofy his “unfair” complaint was.

Comment by Wordslinger Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 5:22 pm
==Rauner is gaining traction, the longer and uglier this gets, Rauner has the advantage.==

lol

Comment by Wensicia Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 5:22 pm
===Rauner is gaining traction, the longer and uglier this gets, Rauner has the advantage. Makes it harder for Madigan to hold his caucus together too===

Hmm…

===OK, first of all, Noland and Cullerton are both considering congressional bids. Bush and Morrison are targets. Targets and congressional candidates rarely vote for budgets.===

They are also Democrats, from the … Senate…

Not Madigan’s Mushrooms.

You’re welcome.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 5:24 pm
$3 billion appears to be the new revenue envisioned for both the Rauner and Madigan budget proposals.

So there are the makings of a deal. Media reports have Rauner willing to go to $3.5 billion if they can figure out a way for him to declare victory.

Comment by Wordslinger Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 5:26 pm
Advantage Rauner: He has the ability to make a lot of Tier 1 targeted Dems uncomfortable in their seats next cycle, when Rauner’s not on the ballot.

Disadvantage Rauner: A lot of Dems are probably questioning whether Rauner will be gunning for them anyway, no matter how they vote, if they’re currently in a district that really could be flipped. Why should they saw off their base support, when likely a year from now, they’re gonna get blasted by Rauner $$ no matter what? Our Governor, his word is not his bond.

Comment by ZC Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 5:30 pm
Well ok Northshore Cynic, what are you going to cut? Autism funding, dialysis funding or both? Then what about the other 6 billion? Why not cut Medicaid funding totally? Please share your solutions drive-by boy.

Comment by PublicServant Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 5:30 pm
@Northshore cynic: are you talking about the $3B deficit in Rauner’s budget, or the $3.5B in Madigan’s?

That’s the problem. This standoff is more about the non- budget items than the actual numbers.

Comment by walker Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 5:30 pm
OW last time I checked there are Democratic State Reps, in all of these Senate districts it gives them an out. “Madigan’s Mushrooms” are more conservative compared to the Cullerton’s Cauliflower and have less margin of error with their super majority.

Comment by Almost the Weekend Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 5:35 pm
- Almost the Weekend -,

I think the Democratic members speak for themselves,

It’s the GOP GA that are NOT allowed to go against Rauner…

MJM herds cats. Always has. Diverse Caucuses do that.

I don’t know what real point your are trying to make, but Rauner has less than 4 days of needing 23 Dems, then it becomes 40 Dems there after.

Calling all the Dem GA members corrupt probably might make that task… more difficult, lol

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 5:43 pm
I don’t think this is about votes anymore it is about egos. Since last Friday it has gotten much more personal by both sides. For the better or worse of Illinois I don’t know time will tell. But looking back on history with Blago and Madigan I have a bad feeling it’s not for the better.

Comment by Almost the Weekend Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 5:49 pm
Speakin’ on new developments
McSweeney report a presentation of just $4K from BVR but $5K from Wisconsin billionaire Uline (using his lake forest address)

Comment by Anonin' Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 5:53 pm
- Almost the Weekend -,

You’re right about the bad feeling, right now, in a snapshot of today… yes.

However, it’s always about what can pass, what can’t, how many “green lights” you have, and how many are needed.

The reality? If/when it gets to 71/36, or MJM and Cullerton vote out a Budget by May 31st and Rauner AVs only parts of the Budget, but keeps and signs it away, it always comes down to “Have all voted who wish?”.

That’s the framework everyone is talking about, actually;

Who can pass out a “signable”, and “passable” budget…

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 5:56 pm
Brown to Republicans, don’t be bought by Rauner

Comment by me too Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 6:03 pm
===What does Rauner have to lose (assuming that the seemingly rising level of antagonism between he and the Democratic leadership is real) by picking off legislators?

It is pretty much what he said he would do, so what am I missing?===

Rauner isn’t picking off Dems in the very specific instance;

===OK, first of all, Noland and Cullerton are both considering congressional bids. Bush and Morrison are targets. Targets and congressional candidates rarely vote for budgets.===

That’s pretty much why. Actually, it’s exactly why this isn’t picking off anyone.

Much respect.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 6:12 pm
Seems like it should be easy for Rauner to veto and attack the entire budget. I don’t know what MJM is thinking here. I don’t mean that pejoratively: I assume he’s thinking something, I just haven’t figured it out.

Comment by chi Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 6:16 pm
== Seems like it should be easy for Rauner to veto and attack the entire budget. ==

I disagree.

The Governor can amendatory veto or sign and simply refuse to spend the dollars and he gets the budget he wants.

If he simply vetoes the bill outright then Illinois shuts down, because of Governor Rauner.

Either the cuts are on the Governor or the shut down is on the Governor.

= = =

GOP: Irresponsible budget!

Dems: Use the Governor’s power to line item veto and delete what you don’t like.

Seems clear enough.

Comment by Bill White Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 6:22 pm
I’ll give it to Rauner, he knows that Madigan is the source of all power. But this is no way to get what you want Bruce.

Comment by Amalia Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 6:27 pm
HGOP members keep asking for a “balanced budget note” on today’s budget bills. Except they don’t realize that the “balanced budget note” only applies to supplemental budget bills. The House isn’t voting on supplemental bills, they are voting on approp bills for FY16, not FY15.

The relevant statute:
Sec. 5. Supplemental Appropriation Bill Defined. For purposes of this Act, “supplemental appropriation bill” means any appropriation bill that is (a) introduced or amended (including any changes to legislation by means of the submission of a conference committee report) on or after July 1 of a fiscal year and (b) proposes (as introduced or as amended as the case may be) to authorize, increase, decrease, or reallocate any general funds appropriation for that same fiscal year. The general funds consist of the General Revenue Fund, the Common School Fund, the General Revenue Common School Special Account Fund, and the Education Assistance Fund.

Comment by AlabamaShake Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 6:29 pm
SpeedTyper must be dozin’ or else he would be countin’ the Ds not votin’ “yes” on the budget…. major erosion…but nothin’…zip,zero nada for the “non budget items”
what a shame

Comment by Anonin' Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 6:30 pm
I don’t know if declaring war on the Speaker is the best way to go for Rauner. Rauner is the guy who campaigned on his ability of negotiating and getting things done. If we can’t get a budget passed to bring this state back to sound fiscal footing it will fall back on the Governor, that is where the buck ultimately stops, as former Governor Quinn found out.

Comment by The Dude Abides Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 6:35 pm
++Governor, why would you propose a fraud budget with $3 billion in phony savings?++ To force the Dems to make cuts?

Comment by Mama Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 7:06 pm
GOPies just spent six hours with questions about when a committee met, how long it tooo to draft5 bills…all that process stuff that Capt DFax whined about this a.m.
TTFN

Comment by Anonin' Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 7:17 pm
This is Bruce’s war. He can take credit for the collateral damage to people in this state, win or lose.

Comment by Wensicia Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 7:27 pm
@walker

You may be right. But, let’s dissect the issues in a logical way.

Tort reform has been rejected multiple times by the Supreme Court, so neither side should be fighting over that.

Workers Comp reforms are badly needed and legitimate for the the business climate.

Right to Work has already been dropped. Couldn’t get many GOP votes on that one anyway.

The new Constitutional language on pensions is much more reasonable than SB1 and shouldn’t be a partisan issue.

Cities declaring bankruptcy means nothing. If a city did declare bankruptcy, it would make them a pariah for future borrowing and contracting. Frankly, it’s short sighted for business to support this. It’s a blank check for municipalities to break contracts with those who do business with them.

Project Labor/Prevailing wage is a huge issue for labor. Like Right to Work, I’m not even sure most Republicans would vote for it.

That leaves term limits and redistricting reform. I personally think term limits are a bad idea, but don’t see it as something that should hold up the budget.

So, it probably all comes down to redistricting reform. The one change that is most needed and most important for truly reforming government, but also the change that Madigan and Cullerton will fight to the death over.

If at some point Rauner pivots to focus on term limits and redistricting reform, he’ll have the public on his side and could probably sustain a long fight over those issues.

Comment by Old Elephant Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 7:54 pm
Check out Zorn’s post in the 5/22 Tribune about redistricting and how gerrymandering saved the Democratic supermajorities.

Comment by Louis G Atsaves Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 8:01 pm
1992-2002…

Madigan - 4
Daniels - 1

Maps help, but maps dont win elections.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 8:06 pm
Hey - Louis G. Atsaves -,

Wish I woujd have seen Zorn befure I posted this

=== - Oswego Willy - Monday, May 25, 15 @ 2:32 pm

- walker -,

…The Jerry Clarke map, “may” save the Dems in the Senate, but the House, yikes.===

I just call it something differebt than Zorn I guess(?)

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 8:49 pm
Dear Governor-

I hear pigs squealing. Speed up the typing. Take this budget and put it in front of every taxpayer, with the question of whether they are ready for new taxes it mandates. If you have the money do billboards and ads to educate the voters. Make them override your vetos. Get personal. Make 2016 about Mike Madigan and overspending and not you, especially after the coming Pension Bombs go off. It is the only way. You can win.

Comment by Percival Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 8:49 pm
Illinois has a revenue problem, not a spending problem. As in, it took in way too little revenue for the past 20 years, and then when it finally set an appropriate tax rate, it allowed it to expire. That has led to an interest problem, of such enormous scale that you can’t cut your way out of it — unless of course the game plan is to out Tea Party the Tea Partiest states. Do Democrats, and even many Republicans, want that on their record?

Comment by Angry Chicagoan Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 9:38 pm
Angry Chicagoan: Please speak for yourself. I’m a middle-income taxpayer (about $47K adjusted gross), and with the state’s current “nominal/low” income tax, “very high” sales tax, and “outrageous” property tax ($5200 annually on a south suburban home worth maybe $160K, or over 3%), I believe I currently pay WAY more than my fair share to the state - somewhere approaching $9-10K per yaar. So, I don’t care WHAT Gov. Rauner cuts, even if it is social services (there are 49 other states, if you can find a better welfare deal, take it), or education (the public schools aren’t exactly turnng out top-tier products for the $15K per student per year expenditure), or whatever else he deems “low priority”. But if he rolls over and raises my taxes without making fundamental changes to this state, I’ll be one of the 100,000 expected to leave in 2016. The real solution? Dump half of the 7000 taxing districts in the state, starting with the townships. The guys actually doing useful work in the townships (animal control, snow removal, etc.) can be absorbed into the county workforce, if needed. The Township managers, assessors, offices, and administration staff? Bye, bye, we can no longer afford you, the Gravy Train just came off the tracks. Mr. Rauner, if you must shut down the state to get this done, you have my blessing, and full support. Let the outsourcing begin.

Comment by Tom K. Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 11:00 pm
@Tom K. Are you in Cook Co.?

Comment by DuPage Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 11:32 pm
- DuPage - Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 11:32 pm:
@Tom K. Are you in Cook Co.?

Yes, I live in Cook, and work in DuPage. I used to love living here, with the Lake, the forest preserves, etc.. But not anymore, paying for Madiganistan is driving me out.

Comment by Tom K. Wednesday, May 27, 15 @ 7:12 am
AFSCME wants to know how to beat Rauner?
Don’t let him drag it into a fight, because that is all he seems able to do.

It is no way to run a government or serve citizens.

Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, May 27, 15 @ 8:09 am
Anyone who thinks cutting government will save them tax money isn’t thinking about how a government works. Cutting government may make a government more efficient, but most likely, not less expensive.

It is like believing that preventative health care will save you money. It won’t, but you will have a healthier life while you are alive.

A more efficient government is better than a sloppy inefficient one, but becoming efficient will cost - not save.

Governments are bloated because citizens wanted government services. Governments expanded astronomically during the last half of the 20th century because citizens wanted it. Technology made government more productive. Now, the folks who were needed during the government boom are retiring and their pension costs outweigh the tax base - especially after legislators robbed the retirees of their pension funding.

In 20 years, this will all pass. The Boomers will be buried and the costs associated with their retirement will end.

Don’t destroy our constitutional government because of a generational issue on which the Grim Reaper has the final say.

It will get worse before it gets better - but it will get better. Stop thinking like an anarchist. It is counterproductive.

Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, May 27, 15 @ 8:18 am
VM - Ridiculous. It’s like saying “we set the house on fire, but let it burn down because we can live happily in the ashes.” You are just giving a half-baked, fantastical rationale for everyone accepting yet more of Madigan’s long time disastrous course.

Comment by Percival Wednesday, May 27, 15 @ 9:48 am
== *** Rauner to Dems: Don’t be controlled by Madigan. ==

Rauner to Everybody: Be controlled by ME.

Better.

Comment by sal-says Wednesday, May 27, 15 @ 11:16 am