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Sturm Und Drang

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“We are going to have to wait until the Democrats realize they are going to have to come to the table and compromise,” [Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno] said. “Remember, they’ve had 13 years of complete control, so having to compromise is a brand-new way of thinking for most of them.”

It most certainly is and they’ve never experienced this kind of treatment before.

* For instance…

“You go right to the heart and cut that off because you want to go after collective bargaining,” said [Sen. Kimberly Lightford] following a tense exchange in which [Richard] Goldberg, Rauner’s aide, at one point tried to speak over her in an attempt to rebut her argument.

Goldberg received a scolding from Sen. Don Harmon, an Oak Park Democrat who chairs the committee.

“When a senator is speaking to you, I would strongly counsel you to close your mouth and open your ears and then you’ll have a chance to respond,” Harmon said.

* And if something doesn’t change really soon, this state is careening toward DC-style gridlock…

The budget battle between GOP Gov. Bruce Rauner and Springfield Democrats is producing lots of collateral damage, as the two sides hold up action on unrelated bills to send a message in the larger dispute.

For instance, a bill to tweak the state’s telecommunications law had appeared on the path toward passage early yesterday despite opposition from the Citizens Utility Board and Attorney General Lisa Madigan.

The measure would block AT&T’s request to cut back on its number of land lines. But it would allow the company and other providers to begin imposing a means test for those who receive certain low-price phone packages via a grandfather clause in state law. It also would allow the city of Chicago to continue to impose a $3.90 tax on monthly phone bills to pay for 911 service, and would centralize 911 regulation outside Chicago into a new state agency.

But according to House Speaker Michael Madigan’s office, Rauner no longer is promising to sign the bill, risking passage prospects. A rather snippy Team Rauner isn’t denying that.

* Tribune…

As Democrats who control the General Assembly make a big political show of rejecting portions of his “Turnaround Illinois” agenda day after day, Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner has all but disappeared from the public eye.

He occasionally surfaces outside his suite of key-coded, second-floor statehouse offices to pose for pictures with high school students, or to make a quick pitch to supporters of elements of his agenda. He’s visited Republican lawmakers in closed-door sessions at the Capitol to offer pep talks to try to keep them unified, and even had the House GOP caucus to the executive mansion on Wednesday night for a chat over beers. […]

Privately, rank-and-file Republican lawmakers say the hideaway strategy is simple: one, the rookie governor wants to avoid muddling his message. Two, the governor is preparing to use an ample campaign war chest with an assist from his allies to air a fusillade of TV attack ads this summer aimed at swaying public opinion to pressure Democrats to give him what he wants.

And so as Sunday’s deadline approaches, Republicans say Rauner already is looking ahead to overtime, rather than attempting to broker a broad-based deal to end the session on time.

I have a different view about his public silence, as subscribers are aware. But I don’t necessarily disagree with the Trib’s take.

* Related…

* Rick Pearson in Springfield: “We are heading to a showdown like we’ve never seen.”

* Standoff brewing over Illinois budget, reforms

* Senate refuses Rauner on lawsuits, property taxes: “So you think the key to turning around Illinois is to pay teachers less?” Sen. Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) asked Rauner administration officials.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, May 29, 15 @ 11:18 am

Comments

Rich is making us work again with his titles.

Comment by Norseman Friday, May 29, 15 @ 11:26 am
I was surprised the governor didn’t start spending money in support of his agenda shortly after the inauguration.

He’s got plenty of it. I was expecting an integrated media campaign in support of his road show.

Strange that it didn’t happen. What was he waiting for?

Comment by Wordslinger Friday, May 29, 15 @ 11:29 am
To Sen Radogno. That knife cuts both ways. The GOP has been out of power for 13 years so taking votes other than no and present is a brand new way of thinking for most of them.

Comment by DDR Friday, May 29, 15 @ 11:29 am
New theme for overtime?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mmx68VmTEo

Comment by Boone's is Back Friday, May 29, 15 @ 11:33 am
**“Remember, they’ve had 13 years of complete control, so having to compromise is a brand-new way of thinking for most of them.”**

LOL - this is hilarious. Lets change this up just a bit:

“Remember, the GOP had 13 years of complete lack of relevance, never had to vote for anything, and never had to legislate, so having to compromise is a brand-new way of thinking for most of them.”

Comment by AlabamaShake Friday, May 29, 15 @ 11:36 am
I thought that Senator Harmon was a bit out of line. His tone toward Mr. Goldberg was overly harsh, and he basically told Mr. Goldberg told him to shut up.

Why is it so hard for people to not be short and snippy with each other?

Comment by Team Sleep Friday, May 29, 15 @ 11:36 am
“When a senator is speaking to you, I would strongly counsel you to close your mouth and open your ears and then you’ll have a chance to respond,” Harmon said.

It is always appropriate to wait until someone had finished speaking to respond, senator or no. It’s callec common courtesy.

Comment by JoanP Friday, May 29, 15 @ 11:37 am
The best line in the Tribune story was the “can I give you a hug” offer by the Governor in response to questions from a Tribune reporter. It looked like she’d been saving that nugget.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, May 29, 15 @ 11:38 am
Joan - Senator Lightford was being fairly condescending towards Mr. Goldberg. She basically attempted to lecture him. It is also appropriate to not be so hostile to a witness.

Comment by Team Sleep Friday, May 29, 15 @ 11:39 am
Harmon is absolutely right about Goldberg’s behavior. Goldberg must think he’s on some sort of right wing radio or TV shouting match. Goldberg is acting like he wants to sabotage any decent, civil relationship. Go back to Washington where you belong, Goldberg.

Radogno might be right about willingness to compromise. Dems are failing right now.

But, Rauner staying away from any bi-partisan discussions means that he is already into the “they failed and we are at war” phase. He should have spent the last two days, and today, meeting with Cullerton and Madigan.

Comment by walker Friday, May 29, 15 @ 11:40 am
–“When a senator is speaking to you, I would strongly counsel you to close your mouth and open your ears and then you’ll have a chance to respond,” Harmon said.–

That might be good advice, but Harmon needs to realize that Senators in this state, weather republican or democrat are rarely worth listening too and they don’t reciprocate the kind of respect that they believe they are entitled too.

Comment by Ahoy! Friday, May 29, 15 @ 11:41 am
@walker

Totally agree. It seems like the gov took the first shot by Madigan (after he fired first with the Good Friday Massacre) and ran away saying, “See, see, I told you they wouldn’t play fair.”

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Friday, May 29, 15 @ 11:43 am
@Team Sleep: You are right about committee members. It is also not appropriate to lecture a witness, or speechify and posture for the cameras. Drives me nuts as well.

Comment by walker Friday, May 29, 15 @ 11:43 am
Get over yourself Don.

Comment by William Friday, May 29, 15 @ 11:46 am
“Remember, the GOP had 13 years of complete lack of relevance and responsibility; never had to really do anything but collect a fat paycheck and pick up a few bar tabs; never had to govern or legislate — so don’t expect us to start anytime soon.”

Comment by Toure's Latte Friday, May 29, 15 @ 11:49 am
Neither of the two parties have needed to work with each other for awhile, so they’ve forgotten how to actually do it. This will eventually sort itself out. The only question is how much pain the State will endure before that happens?

Comment by Pelonski Friday, May 29, 15 @ 11:55 am
==this state is careening toward DC-style gridlock==

And if they reach that point, local Democrats could easily play the role of national Republicans as the party of ==obstructionists==.

Both parties here walking some thin lines.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Friday, May 29, 15 @ 12:03 pm
Um, Senators? Like it or not that’s a high ranking official from a co-equal branch of government you are scolding. He is entitled to the same courtesy and respect that you are entitled to. Grow up, people. That goes for both sides.

Comment by Ron Burgundy Friday, May 29, 15 @ 12:07 pm
Hmmm. The exchange with Harmon is a bit telling maybe. He’s a courteous man, not necessarily prone to this kind of exchange. Either Mr. Goldberg was too aggressive (to the point of rudeness), or he’s feeling it a little. Senator Lightford is almost always rude, no bulletin there, and she inspires people to either sit there shaking their heads or bite back. But Harmon isn’t known for this.

Senator Radogno is right. As is the Trib. As is Rich. A lot of crazy twists and turns now. It’s turning into a who should call who. Might be time to revert back to the flow chart set up by our founders. Haven’t used it in a while.

Comment by A guy Friday, May 29, 15 @ 12:08 pm
“Two, the governor is preparing to use an ample campaign war chest with an assist from his allies to air a fusillade of TV attack ads this summer aimed at swaying public opinion to pressure Democrats to give him what he wants.”

A few months ago the Governor told the Republican caucuses that he absolutely needed them for 7-10 tough votes. Looking ahead to whatever the end game is going to be it seems likely that those tough votes will include unpopular cuts and revenue increases (which are very tough votes for Republicans worried about primaries). So far the incumbent Republicans have been able to avoid tough votes with present votes but that won’t last forever.

However tough those upcoming votes may appear to House and Senate Republicans while the Governor is sitting on $20 million and his allies are sitting on millions more and the Governor has pledged to back the members that back his agenda, it has to be less appealing to see the Governor preparing to spend that money to attack Madigan/Cullerton/Emanuel/the Democratic party/individual Democratic members by name. If I’m a GA Republican I’d probably prefer to see that money sitting there earmarked for me for my potential upcoming primary (or general, but really are there any targets left?)

It will be interesting to see how quickly these funds get replenished once Rauner starts spending them down and if they’re replenished before these tough budget votes come up later this summer/year.

Comment by The Captain Friday, May 29, 15 @ 12:20 pm
==However tough those upcoming votes may appear to House and Senate Republicans while the Governor is sitting on $20 million and his allies are sitting on millions more and the Governor has pledged to back the members that back his agenda, it has to be less appealing to see the Governor preparing to spend that money to attack Madigan/Cullerton/Emanuel/the Democratic party/individual Democratic members by name. If I’m a GA Republican I’d probably prefer to see that money sitting there earmarked for me for my potential upcoming primary (or general, but really are there any targets left?)==

That 20 mildo is a floor, not a ceiling. If the Governor/Griffen/etc. have the will, they can dump the whole $20 million over the summer and have another $20 million ready to go for ‘16 by Christmas.

Comment by Arsenal Friday, May 29, 15 @ 12:23 pm
===and have another $20 million ready to go for ‘16 by Christmas.===

C’mon.

They can have another $30 mil by tea time today.

lol

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, May 29, 15 @ 12:25 pm
Every single story about work groups getting heated and tense has Rich Goldberg in the middle of it. He is consistently rude and condescending to legislators at every turn. And word is he has been given authority to do so. Senator Harmon is not known for speaking that way but Rich Goldberg is excellent at being the kid with his finger in your face while he’s saying..”I’m not touching you. I’m not touching you.” It’s unprofessional and designed to create the DC gridlock he’s accustomed to dealing with.

Comment by sideline watcher Friday, May 29, 15 @ 12:26 pm
What is the 13th year? I’m only counting 12. Where am I off Senator Radogno?

Comment by Precinct Captain Friday, May 29, 15 @ 12:29 pm
SW, Goldberg is the most consistently misunderstood person at the Statehouse.

I actually like the guy. A lot.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, May 29, 15 @ 12:30 pm
–13 years of complete control–

I don’t remember the bit of Blago, Emil Jones and Madigan walking arm and arm and singing “Le Marseilles.”

Comment by Wordslinger Friday, May 29, 15 @ 12:35 pm
SW - not to drag Senator Harmon through the mud, but have you ever sat through a Judiciary or Exec hearing? Senator Harmon certainly speaks that way quite a bit. He is very cordial in public, but in my mind he is definitely not very pleasant once the gavel hits and before the gavel hits again.

Comment by Team Sleep Friday, May 29, 15 @ 12:50 pm
Gridlock is what is actually wanted by at least one of the parties. Probably two. When you have ideologies so diametrically opposed, there is not a Venn Diagram’s worth of compromise available. So the next best thing is total gridlock and a whole lot of fingerpointing. The real question is: Is anybody they are trying to influence (the voters) really listening at this point?

Comment by Not quite a majority Friday, May 29, 15 @ 12:50 pm
Sorry - meant to say that is cordial in private. Not so much in public. At least that has been my experience…

Comment by Team Sleep Friday, May 29, 15 @ 1:07 pm
He’s stayed away?
THIS shows Rauner’s finely honed leadership skills
/s
Gonna backfire on him, too.
________________________

- walker - Friday, May 29, 15 @ 11:40 am:

Harmon is absolutely right about Goldberg’s behavior. Goldberg must think he’s on some sort of right wing radio or TV shouting match. Goldberg is acting like he wants to sabotage any decent, civil relationship. Go back to Washington where you belong, Goldberg.

Radogno might be right about willingness to compromise. Dems are failing right now.

But, Rauner staying away from any bi-partisan discussions means that he is already into the “they failed and we are at war” phase. He should have spent the last two days, and today, meeting with Cullerton and Madigan.

Comment by zonz Friday, May 29, 15 @ 2:03 pm
=== Wordslinger - Friday, May 29, 15 @ 12:35 pm:

–13 years of complete control–

I don’t remember the bit of Blago, Emil Jones and Madigan walking arm and arm and singing “Le Marseilles.”===

Huh, I remember 2 out of those 3 walking arm in arm, but confess I didn’t recognize the song.

Comment by A guy Friday, May 29, 15 @ 2:10 pm
I wonder why Mr. Goldberg is so consistently misunderstood?

Comment by sideline watcher Friday, May 29, 15 @ 2:49 pm
SW, he’s scary smart. And you know it the minute you meet him. Awkward personality.

Comment by A guy Friday, May 29, 15 @ 3:03 pm