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* UPDATED x1 * Rauner uses amendatory veto to strike legislative pay raises from BIMP bill

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* Rewrite to do right…

To the Honorable Members of
The Illinois Senate,
99th General Assembly:

Today I return Senate Bill 1354, one of several budget implementation bills, with a specific recommendation for change.

After a decade of mismanagement, the State of Illinois is facing an unprecedented fiscal crisis. The State is suffering from a debt burden well in excess of $100 billion.

Instead of acknowledging this reality, the General Assembly passed an unbalanced and unconstitutional budget for Fiscal Year 2016. Last week I vetoed 19 of those appropriation bills and have asked the General Assembly to work with me to craft a balanced budget.

A balanced budget requires shared sacrifice. My Administration has reduced State personnel costs among agencies under my jurisdiction by $4 million during the first four full months (February through May) of this year, compared to the same period last year.

Under these circumstances, the State cannot afford to give legislators a raise. Illinois legislators are already among the highest paid in the United States, earning $68,000 to $95,000 per year for part-time service, plus per diem payments and mileage reimbursement. Without the change recommended below, legislators would receive raises ranging from $1,356 to $1,905 for Fiscal Year 2016 and increases in both the per diem amount and mileage reimbursement rate.

I recommend that Senate Bill 1354 be changed to eliminate raises for legislators, elected officers of the Executive Branch, and agency directors and other highly compensated State officials, and to freeze the per diem amount and mileage reimbursement rate. Budget implementation bills must give us the tools to implement a balanced and realistic budget, and this change is an important step in closing our budget deficit. A similar provision has been enacted for each of the past six fiscal years.

Therefore, pursuant to Section 9(e) of Article IV of the Illinois Constitution of 1970, I hereby return Senate Bill 1354, entitled “AN ACT concerning State government”, with the following specific recommendation for change:

I’ll get a link or a file so you can read the whole thing in a bit.

If the GA refuses to act, as is often the case with these, the whole BIMP goes down.

…Adding… The full veto message is here.

…Adding More… Wasn’t it sweet of the Tribune editorial page to provide a conveniently timed framing of this issue for the governor today?…

Office of the Governor
Bruce Rauner
Wednesday, July 01, 2015

ICYMI: If there’s a shutdown, guess who won’t feel it?

The following is an excerpt of an Op-Ed that was published by the Chicago Tribune:

Remarkably, while workers face layoffs, state legislators won’t feel the pinch, thanks to a bill passed last year. It classifies legislator pay as a continuing appropriation — a budget item that state law mandates be funded even in the event of a government shutdown. The bill puts compensating part-time legislators on par with the state’s big-ticket items such as debt and pension payments and retiree health benefits.

This bill was pushed through the General Assembly on the last day of the 2014 spring session, with full support from Democratic supermajorities in both chambers. Supermajorities who owe their place in the debacle that is Springfield to the millions of dollars they receive to fund their campaigns from state worker unions. The same state workers who are jeopardized by the budget impasse.

But, hey, no skin off Rep. Kate Cloonen’s back. The Kankakee Democrat’s paycheck will arrive right on time, thanks to her vote on the bill. Same with Reps. Deb Conroy, D-Villa Park; Mike Smiddy, D-Hillsdale; Marty Moylan, D-Des Plaines; Michelle Mussman, D-Schaumburg; Carol Sente, D-Vernon Hills; and John Bradley, D-Marion. Why run the state and deliver necessary services efficiently when you can win an election? Why protect the lives that people are trying to build when you can make the new Republican governor look like a villain?

Lovely.

*** UPDATE *** From the governor’s office…

Under a longstanding resolution, the GA gets an automatic COLA increase unless they vote to stop it. They have done so often, including each of the past six years.

Here are the bills that denied the COLA in recent years: FY10 (P.A. 96-800), FY11 (P.A. 96-958), FY12 (P.A. 97-71), FY13 (P.A. 97-718), FY14 (P.A. 98-30), and FY15 (P.A.98-682)

Some of these are stand alone bills (eg 98-30). Others are BIMPs or coupled with other fiscal changes (eg 98-682).

The GA normally acts before July 1. But there is nothing to stop them from accepting our amendment now, before the first paycheck. If they do, it would difficult for them to assert a constitutional challenge, in particular because it is a change by their own acceptance.

This is different than what Quinn tried to do when he stopped paying them and tried to line item veto their salaries. We are asking only that the GA take the same vote they have repeatedly done.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 10:44 am

Comments

University of Illinois employees received an email from President Tim Killeen this morning stating that raises for next year are on hold and will be revisited once a budget is approved.

Comment by Stuff Happens Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 10:48 am
One thing I can agree with Rauner on - no pay increase for our already-purchased legislators. The legislators should be required to wear a NASCAR-type jacket with sewn-on patches of all their sponsors (AKA donors).

Comment by See the forest Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 10:48 am
Forget cancelling the raise, give them a pay cut.

Uncertain if I am being snarky or not lol.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 10:49 am
Hey Bruce, Pat Quinn tried something very similar. How’d that work?

Comment by Former Merit Comp Slave Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 10:49 am
I believe Judge Cohen wrote:

“Therefore, the governor’s line-item veto of (the budget bill containing legislative salaries) was constitutionally void and of no effect.”

Comment by ryan Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 10:50 am
Good political theatre. But constitutionally wrong. “See the forest” and the Gov’s motorcycle best should have pics of Zell n Griffin on it

Comment by Wow Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 10:52 am
How would legislators even consider giving themselves a raise under current conditions? For a job well done?

Comment by Very Fed Up Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 10:53 am
Forest - so the Republican legislators would just wear Carhartts?

Comment by Demise Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 10:53 am
Symbolic.

Declared unconstitutional in 2013, but symbolic.

Comment by thunderspirit Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 10:53 am
Very Fed Up, they passed a law over Quinn’s veto to make it automatic. Over the past few years they have frozen that provision, but without passing a bill, it just happens.

Comment by Juice Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 10:56 am
Meh

Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 10:56 am
Very Fed Up: Illinois Constitution Article IV, Section 11: A member shall receive a salary and allowances as provided by law, but changes in the salary of a member shall not take effect during the term for which he has been elected.

So these raises were already on the books from last session.

Comment by thunderspirit Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 10:58 am
The ILGA is tricky. They worked it so raises are automatic, unless there is a vote for a raise. They vote against a raise (so they can tell the constituents that) then the automatic raise kicks in.
I say term limits on House Leadership Roles. Did you know that you cannot be a committee chairman unless you have served 8 years…. MJM’s rule, not the Consti.

Comment by Ben Franklin Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 11:00 am
Who is ready for a Constitutional Convention?

Comment by Willi P Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 11:00 am
==My Administration has reduced State personnel costs among agencies under my jurisdiction by $4 million during the first four full months (February through May) of this year, compared to the same period last year.==

Yeah, by scaring people to death so that they retire (that’s only sorta snark).

I’m not sure you can take credit for reducing payroll costs if you haven’t done anything in particular to do so, which they haven’t.

Comment by Demoralized Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 11:02 am
“Rewrite to do right…” - brilliant. Everything old is new again.

Comment by Name Withheld Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 11:03 am
Is the guy of the $30,000 per month budget assistant and the $100,000 Chief of Staff to Family Member really claiming that he’s been making cuts to staff?

Comment by Gooner Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 11:03 am
Winning the battle of public opinion, if the public is paying any attention at all. Feel like there’s a plan rolling along from Bruce and team.

Comment by Might be the A Team Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 11:09 am
Had dinner with a couple friends who work for iepa last night. Of course the budget mess came up. My wife, who has 0 interest in politics about list her mind when she heard the g.a. would still get paid. I heard words that I’d never heard her use. It sounds like this isn’t constitutional but the optics of MJM and co. getting a raise while state employees are not being paid is not going to go over well with those who aren’t tuned in to the situation.

Comment by Mason born Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 11:11 am
Part time work, they get paid and a raise, and for what? The state is in a financial mess, no budget, people needing services and state employees lives are in limbo. Not to mention creditors that the state owes. Something wrong with that picture.

Comment by Clodhopper Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 11:11 am
Willi P: There was a vote for one on the ballot in 2010 and it failed.

Comment by Skeptic Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 11:15 am
If somebody thinks our legislators work parttime, then they should follow them for a week. In our area of the State, a legislator can drive forty hours a week just to cover the district and then have to do the meetings and other work necessary to carry out the job.

Comment by South of 64 Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 11:15 am
From the Blago to the Quinn play book of faux populism.

“Superstar” is kind of losing its meaning.

“A balanced budget requires shared sacrifice.”

A balanced budget requires proposed appropriation bills in which spending and revenues are equal.

Anytime now, governor, no rush, anytime now….

Comment by Wordslinger Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 11:17 am
My comment regarding part time work came directly from the article stating part time. I absolutely have no idea if it is part time work/service or not. But either way it is absolutely ridiculous they get paid and a raise. And like I said, for what?

Comment by Clodhopper Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 11:25 am
Hey Trib, why bother calling it an editorial board when you’re essential the governor’s second press office, working for free?

Comment by Tournaround Agenda Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 11:25 am
Puts the GA on record as either voting for a pay raise while there is no budget or letting the BIMP crash. Good politics, bad Con Law.

Comment by SAP Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 11:25 am
Doesn’t Rauner or his team know ANY political or legal / constitutional history in Illinois? Five minutes with Lexis/Nexis or Westlaw could have told them …

More court time wasted …

Comment by RNUG Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 11:26 am
Clodhopper, “for what” would be to help convince quality people to take the job.

There are a lot of people who might be interested in serving, but the cut in income would prevent it.

If you are making $300,000 and have the sorts of skills and experience that might benefit the state, is there any chance you are going to run for State Rep?

The result is that we have basically three categories: 1)People who do it because they make more than they otherwise would; 2) people willing to make a financial sacrifice for the good of the state; and 3) people who have made so much in the past that they don’t care.

So yes, I believe they are underpaid and I suspect that increasing the pay might lead to an overall increase in quality.

Comment by Gooner Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 11:29 am
It’s nice to see that Rauner’s PR department is working with the Tribune editorial staff. I suppose they’ll be publishing updates jointly as long as this lasts.

Comment by Wensicia Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 11:33 am
SAP, there’s not really anything in that BIMP that is operationally necessary. I suspect the GA will let it crash, introduce a new bill to remove FY ‘16 COLAs, and move on. No way the Speaker is going to consider that AV compliant, but not worth the political heat for a little over $100 bucks a month.

Comment by Juice Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 11:34 am
http://ballotpedia.org/Comparison_of_state_legislative_salaries

Compared to just about every other state, Illinois legislators are over paid. Especially considering the financial condition of our state

Comment by Shoedoctor Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 11:36 am
It’s nice to see that Rauner’s PR department is the Tribune editorial staff

There, I fixed it for you.

Comment by Horse w/ No Name Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 11:36 am
- Shoedoctor -

What should Illinois legislators get paid? The Illinois Constitution demands payment.

What should legislators be paid.

And… You must live on it too…

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 11:40 am
OW:

I have noticed it has been months and months and months since the governor proposed closing the tax loopholes for newspapers.

Comment by Juvenal Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 11:43 am
Legislators should be paid tree fiddy.

Comment by Team Sleep Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 11:48 am
I love how the Tribbies select THOSE specific legislators, Cloonen? Bradley? Smiddy? Looks like a political target list offered by the Gov. and HGOP. If one needs proof of coordination, then the inclusion of those specific names screams out.

Comment by Joe Cannon Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 11:51 am
Calling out only Tier 1 targets by name. Wow.

Comment by Jimmy CrackCorn Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 11:51 am
Meh, the Tribbies aren’t tne first edit board to go in the tank for a politician. This crew just isn’t good at it.

Comment by Wordslinger Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 11:54 am
I have avoided the Blagojevich comparison, but Rauner is making it very hard for me. Right out of the Blago PR manual.

Comment by TurnaroundWhat Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 11:57 am
To paraphrase Col. Jessup, the Trib can’t handle the truth.

Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 11:58 am
This AV was done in the extreme. Not in moderation.

The Trib is close to becoming the Fox News of Illinois.

Comment by Snucka Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 11:58 am
Gooner, I am definitely not a political insider,but enjoy CapFax. That being said I actually agree with most of your comment. However, I respectfully disagree. I do not believe they are underpaid. I base my opinion solely on the chaos and mess that the State apparently seems to be in. For me that does not warrant a raise.

Comment by Clodhopper Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 12:08 pm
= …for part-time service =

Foul. Beating up on the unpopular General Assembly is one thing. Mischaracterizing the job and its responsibilities is another.

Comment by Dirty Red Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 12:19 pm
= The Trib is close to becoming the Fox News of Illinois. =

I think the editorial section deserves all this criticism, but let’s not forget there are still super-stars in the newsroom that do not allow those leanings to impact their work.

Comment by Dirty Red Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 12:25 pm
BVR : ” We’re having a sales contest; 1st Prize is a Cadillac Eldorado, 2nd Prize (is) a set of steak knifes, 3rd Prize is you’re fired.”

Comment by Hedley Lamarr Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 12:32 pm
===Foul. Beating up on the unpopular General Assembly is one thing. Mischaracterizing the job and its responsibilities is another.===

Preach.

Lack of institutional knowledge. Ugh.

Well said, - Dirty Red -

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 12:33 pm
Rich,

I just wanted you to know I’m no longer texting the daily instructions to Bruce and @statehousechick. Mike S. has taken over that role.

Best,
ck

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 12:33 pm
My respect for Governor Rauner grows every day. Stay strong, Bruce.

Comment by Let'sMovetoTexas Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 12:40 pm
==But there is nothing to stop them from accepting our amendment now, before the first paycheck. If they do, it would difficult for them to assert a constitutional challenge, in particular because it is a change by their own acceptance.==

All it takes is one who doesn’t vote to sustain the change and insists that the constitution be followed. And don’t forget that in Jorgensen, the issue was the judge’s COLA that Blago vetoed.

Comment by Anon. Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 12:42 pm
Billionaire Bruce has his friends carrying his agenda, and our old and baddest bullies don’t like being pushed and played the same way they’ve done to others over the years. Watch for cracks in MJM’s team of legislators to come, friends to become enemies, and might we see a serious wound in this classic battle?

Comment by Might be the A Team Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 12:43 pm
Rauner went from Blago to Quinn in one Veto.

@TribTowerChick - the pay is just better, and the job is easier when you don’t need to fall back on things learned #FairTrade

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 12:43 pm
In no way should any servant of the citizens of the State of Illinois get any raises. If the little people don’t get them, why should the “big” people. Every legislator should vote down their raises if they really mean what they say about the budget and if the “regular” state employees don’t get their checks the legislators shouldn’t either. Just who do they think they are?

Comment by Challengerrt Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 12:43 pm
Golly Gee…Brucie has discovered the AV that he couldn’t find for the 19 budget bills…

Comment by D.P.Gumby Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 12:45 pm
===My respect for Governor Rauner grows every day. Stay strong, Bruce.===

That stopping pay is again going to be ruled unconstitutional? You’re proud? Yikes.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 12:57 pm
DP, for Rauner, tne problem with the Illinois governor’s formidable veto powers is that you can’t use them to increase revenue.

The whole dog-and-pony show up to now has been Gov. Rauner begging the GA to give him some anti-union “victories” to show his donor network before he raises taxes.

To date, they have declined to do so on his terms as they know he wants the revenue as much as they do.

The governor revealed that when he couldn’t make on paper in his proposed FY16 budget the massive cuts necessary without new revenue.

Comment by Wordslinger Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 12:57 pm
I like this “After a decade of mismanagement, the State of Illinois is facing an unprecedented fiscal crisis.”

So Thompson, Edgar, Ryan all absolved of responsibility.

Comment by chi Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 1:15 pm
===So Thompson, Edgar, Ryan all absolved of responsibility.===

Yep.

I keep askin’ that too, but… “It’s not helping”

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 1:17 pm
Well OW, Edgar does own the “Ramp”.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 1:22 pm
Pate and Lee should probably be on the list too. Just sayin’.

Comment by Juice Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 1:23 pm
- AA -, Shhh! Don’t yiu know you’re ruining the narrative… lol

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 1:29 pm
== Golly Gee…Brucie has discovered the AV that he couldn’t find for the 19 budget bills… ==

- D.P.Gumby -, that’s probably the best comment on this thread.

Comment by RNUG Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 1:40 pm
I’m bemused by this idea that legislators aren’t doing anything or aren’t doing a good job, therefore they shouldn’t get pay raises (or shouldn’t get paid at all). We have a mechanism for deciding whether or not a state legislator has done a good enough job to get a paycheck - it’s called an election. Who gets to decide how much pay they’ve earned in a given year? Are we going to take a vote on that? If not, then I think the critics need to can it. These are COLAs, not actual raises, but if you want to argue that legislator salaries shouldn’t keep pace with inflation - fine. Just don’t turn it into a merit-based pay situation, because for an elected official, that makes no sense.

Comment by Commander Norton Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 1:43 pm
Your right Bruce! Since we have fallen on some hard times and it requires “shared sacrifice” (Rauner, 2015)…you have 50 million more reasons to sacrifice than others!

Support a Progressive Income Tax for Illinois!

Comment by Jack Stephens Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 2:04 pm
Again, criticism from the GA of the Governor not producing a balanced budget bill remains laughable. The GA writes the legislation. They admitted that first budget wasn’t balanced, hence, they admitted it was unconstitutional. All that to say that they have yet to pass a real budget for the governor to consider. What they sent him wasn’t in the realm of feasible.

Try to use the Dem tactics in any other negotiation. One side offers to meet somewhere in the middle if the other does. One makes a move to the middle. The other is expected to do the same to keep the process moving forward.

The Democrats have still not made or offered ONE SINGLE concession to the Governor, who they apparently forget is meant to be a co-equal branch of government. I know: Silly me. Constitution and all that… Blah, blah, blah.

“Rauner won’t budge!”
“He’s operating in the extreme.”

Spare me. It takes two to have an agreement, and, like it or not, so far, the Governor is the only party willing to give on something (a tax hike). I suppose to a spend first, pay for it later-if-ever politician, a tax hike isn’t significant. To the Governor and rest of the world who will have to pay for it - many of whom probably voted for him - all we ask is some genuine compromise. Someone needs to give Madigan a dictionary with the word “compromise” tabbed and highlighted. He’s a smart guy. He knows better. He just doesn’t believe he has to compromise, because he’s rarely ever had to before.

Comment by Anon Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 2:10 pm
===Again, criticism from the GA of the Governor not producing a balanced budget bill remains laughable.===

Hmm.

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.

Please. Learn.

Everything else im your “argument” after ignoring the constitution is pretty laughable.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 2:18 pm
The Tribbie piece is actually written by some troll from one the dark money lobbo groups that usually bankrolled by TeamBungle and their fellow investors. Tribbies only had to copy/paste which can be done after reading Chapter One of “Governor For Idiots”

Comment by Anonin' Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 2:27 pm
Sorry Willy, I’ll try and remain in moderation to the best of my ability.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 2:41 pm
You should give your “Please. Learn.” arrogant advice to the General Assembly. When they make ANY kind of a move to compromise with the Governor, I’ll think about shifting blame. Until then, it’s clearly on the GA.

I know you’ll have a tough time believing it, but some people that work/have worked “in the arena” disagree with you. And many, like me, don’t even have to be condescending in disagreeing.

It’s convenient that you continue to gloss over my whole point, but I’ve come to expect that here.

” It takes two to have an agreement, and, like it or not, so far, the Governor is the only party willing to give on something (a tax hike). I suppose to a spend first, pay for it later-if-ever politician, a tax hike isn’t significant. To the Governor and rest of the world who will have to pay for it - many of whom probably voted for him - all we ask is some genuine compromise. Someone needs to give Madigan a dictionary with the word “compromise” tabbed and highlighted. He’s a smart guy. He knows better. He just doesn’t believe he has to compromise, because he’s rarely ever had to before.”

Comment by Anon Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 2:47 pm
- Anon -,

It was complained that Quinn’s lump sum budget, passed by the General Assembly, reflected a lack of leadership by a governor not producing a budget.

So Rauner is as Quinn is, lacking a budget?

===You should give your “Please. Learn.” arrogant advice to the General Assembly. When they make ANY kind of a move to compromise with the Governor, I’ll think about shifting blame. Until then, it’s clearly on the GA.===

lol, can you seriously NOT read the constitution? Seriously.

===It’s convenient that you continue to gloss over my whole point, but I’ve come to expect that here.===

You mean by pointing out that pesky Constitution thingy? You mean when I do… that?

Governors need budgets. The General Assembly is the place to find 60/30… but now it’s 71/36.

Rauner would rather have the GOP GA not vote for Ed Approps, then sign it, double-crossing the GOP.

Why won’t Rauner AV? Then Rauner “owns”; why this not that, why here, not there.

Why? Why, is easy. Governors own.

All the rest is spin. Compromise by all, I’d like that, but Rauner needs that. If Rauner didn’t think he owned it, no Ads pushing faux blame, and the “good guy” ending.

Rauner is choosing. It’s the job.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 2:58 pm
This move from Rauner will probably engender approval from a majority of the voting public. It might move the needle currently pointing at 36% approval up a few points. As RNUG and others have mentioned, if he is taken to court by the legislature it will be thrown out.

Comment by The Dude Abides Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 2:58 pm
When tonight’s news opens with coverage of the salary veto, the public will agree it’s the right thing to do. It doesn’t matter if it’s constitutional - the battle is for public opinion. The GA can take it to court, and again will lose in the public’s eyes when they win the argument, but lose the public’s support.

Comment by Might be the A Team Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 2:59 pm
“This is different than what Quinn tried to do when he stopped paying them and tried to line item veto their salaries. We are asking only that the GA take the same vote they have repeatedly done.”
Aha the Blagoofian Defense as spoken by TeamBungle…first a back flip on short term borrowin’ They are having a bad, bad day.

Comment by Anonin' Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 3:17 pm
===Aha the Blagoofian Defense as spoken by TeamBungle===

lol

You’re quite something, dude.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 3:18 pm
Gooner, you forgot reason 4: People who will do as they are told.

Comment by See the forest Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 3:55 pm
Do you wanna a sign a budget?
Come on, let’s go and pay!
The state doesn’t want you anymore
Come out the door
We wish you go away

We used to be best buddies
And now we fight
I wish you would tell me why!

Do you wanna sign a budget?
Yes it has to be a budget…

[8-Year-Old Brucey:] Go away, GA.

[5-Year-Old GA:] Okay, bye…

[Knocks]

[9-Year-Old GA:]
Do you wanna a sign a budget?
Or blame each other around the halls?
I think some compromise is overdue
We started talking to
The pictures on the walls!

(Hang in there, Abe.)

It gets a little maddenin (g)
All these empty suits
Just watching the demands fly in…)

[Partly crying]

[Knocks]

[15-Year-Old GA:]
Brucey, please I know you’re in there
People are asking where you’ve been
They say, “Have courage, ” and I’m trying to
The GA’s here for you
Just let us in

We only have each other
It’s just you and me
What are You gonna do?
Do you wanna sign a budget?

Comment by By the river Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 4:46 pm
==You’re quite something, dude.==

Where else would we find Colorful Capfax Commenters like Anonin?

He may not win a Golden Horseshoe, but he is unique lol

Comment by Formerly Known As... Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 4:52 pm
===He may not win a Golden Horseshoe===

Oh, you might be surprised.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 5:00 pm
RM, surprised I would not be. I’ve found my old CFS decoder ring works, too, if you hold it just right.

Comment by Wordslinger Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 6:02 pm
See the tv commercial about the scape goat? Thats what union worker are. You have mismanaged funds, over spending since thompson, corrupt governers to date who made his vast vulgar display of wealth from federal government , and state pension funds without doing a days work . Raunerhood is correct . Its a shell game. Watch whats going on in my left hand but my end goal is in my right.

Comment by Thomas Stell Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 6:25 pm
–We are asking only that the GA take the same vote they have repeatedly done. –

They are also jeopardizing the BIMP, which is far riskier. Using an AV to make a point like this is something Pat Quinn used to do, without any success.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 6:27 pm
==Oh, you might be surprised==

Rich, this has already been a surprising year. I’ll just have to nominate him and find out.

Wordslinger, yours too? Mine is lost, but I found another. It has a different label but identical craftsmanship. One of my favorites.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 7:01 pm