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A wedge that might work

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Illinois

The governor needs to “get out of campaign mode.”

* From a Gov. Bruce Rauner press release…

Time Running Out to Stop Legislator Pay Raise
– Legislators have until Friday to stop pay hike –
– Pantagraph Newspaper: “Legislator Pay Hike Another Insult to Taxpayers” –

As Illinois legislators head back to Springfield, tomorrow will mark House members’ last chance to stop a pay raise worth more than $1350 before they get paid Friday, July 31.

House Bill 4225 would stop the pay raises, but Speaker Madigan and the legislators he controls refuse to vote on it.

I also happen to think that legislators shouldn’t have authorized a cost of living hike this year. But the structure of that press release is very similar to hundreds I’ve seen from campaigns over the years.

I mean, really, this is the same guy who structures a deal to give his education superintendent a Tier 1 pension.

* Even so, this particular campaign attack might actually work. People understand it and they absolutely hate this stuff…

1978: A lame-duck Legislature votes to raise its $20,000 pay by 40 percent over two years, setting off a protest organized by then-activist and former Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn. It culminated in a 1980 ballot measure to reduce the size of the House of Representatives by one-third, to 118 members.

So, if the Rauner folks are trying to drive a wedge between politically vulnerable Democratic legislators and Speaker Madigan, this is their best bet.

And if Madigan does go along with those members’ wishes, then everybody else is gonna be upset because they’re not getting pay raises.

It’s a winning issue for the governor.

I still highly doubt this will get us to a deal, however. The pay raise stuff won’t lead to blatantly anti-union laws or whatever.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 12:17 pm

Comments

The legislature should Rauner a bill cutting their pay coupled with a two-year property tax freeze. Let’s up the ante.

Comment by Precinct Captain Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 12:25 pm
Rich, you’re right. This is a Dems gaffe. It doesn’t mean a heck of a lot in the grand scheme of things, but it is a political thorn they didn’t need.

Comment by Norseman Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 12:25 pm
Low-hanging fruit. Won’t get him anything.

Comment by Wordslinger Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 12:26 pm
The longer the standoff lasts the more upset constituents will be about this.

Do nothing, and pressure increases. Do what he asks, he takes a victory lap.

The ILGA painted themselves into a corner.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 12:28 pm
Dear Mike Lawrence,

I hope you are saying that in private as well as in public. Dunno if it would help, but I know it wouldn’t hurt. OW

To the Post,

Legislative salaries work for Governors, ask Pat Quinn. It’s a winner in voterland, and it does put the onus on the Legislators, unlike Quinn’s ignorant pay scheme.

Of course, Rauner has loads of governing to do, and needs 71/36 more that once, so, there’s that. A fine line, when so much is left to do in governing.

It’s an effective wedge.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 12:29 pm
Maybe if legislators got a raise, they wouldn’t need checks from Rauner. Is that his fear? /s

Comment by Casual Observer Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 12:34 pm
Pass a bill to suspend the pay raises until there’s a balanced budget signed into law. End of problem..

Comment by Mouthy Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 12:49 pm
Raise amounts to $3.70 a day. Get out the pitch forks.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 12:49 pm
I’ll bet the TV ad is already set to go.

Comment by Lincoln Lad Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 12:53 pm
I put this in the same category as Rich puts redistricting reform: it’s not worth the fight, and Democrats should just send a bill (not the amendatory veto) to the Governor rescinding pay raises.

Honestly, the legislators who are vulnerable will give back the increase (if they are smart), and the legislators who will complain pretty much all have outside income. The few thousand bucks is simply not worth it.

Take the easy ones off the table, and leave Rauner fighting for the things that are hugely unpopular. Better yet, package it in a way that Rauner has to veto it.

Comment by the Other Anonymous Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 1:01 pm
Anon, agreed material. But certainly feeds into the overall narrative that Illinois State government is about those who govern not the citizens.

Comment by Midway Gardens Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 1:02 pm
I’ve come up with an ingenious way the Dem legislators can keep their pay raise AND demolish every item on Rauner’s “turnaround agenda.”

Apparently all of Capitol Fax’ Madigan supporters don’t know about this: the Democrats have supermajority status in the legislature. That means they can pass bills and override any vetoes Rauner may issue!!! They don’t need to keep playing this tortured game - they can laugh in the face of Rauner!

I just can’t figure out what’s taking them so long…

Comment by lake county democrat Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 1:03 pm
** “NOT” material

Comment by Midway Gardens Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 1:03 pm
Always wondered if lawmakers who consistently vote to raise their own pay citing cost of living see the irony when they then turn around and block periodic minimum wage increases. With minimum wage they will cite “business concerns” yet with their own pay can hit up the taxpayers at will.

Comment by Very Fed Up Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 1:06 pm
The real question is, if the House Dems introduce it as an amendment to one of their bills with the exact same language as the governor, will Sandack stand up and say that it’s a sham and ask his caucus to vote no or vote present?

Comment by Tired of Stalemate Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 1:08 pm
I’m not a wild rauner backer despite sharing a part of the state and party with him but these rips on him that “he’s in campaign mode” seem pretty junior varsity to me. Officials campaign for office and then they get into office and campaign and lobby for their initiatives. What were campaign operatives like Plouffe and Axelrod who had virtually no experience working in an actual government brought into to do-to help Obama sell his agenda.

Please.

Comment by Shore Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 1:11 pm
=I also happen to think that legislators shouldn’t have authorized a cost of living hike this year. But the structure of that press release is very similar to hundreds I’ve seen from campaigns over the years.

I mean, really, this is the same guy who structures a deal to give his education superintendent a Tier 1 pension. =

Agreed.

Effective wedge with the public, maybe not with the ILGA leadership.

Comment by JS Mill Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 1:13 pm
===I just can’t figure out what’s taking them so long===

His name is Jack Franks.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 1:17 pm
This is beyond a “gaffe” on the part of Dems. They can’t be that naive. It is an incredibly cold and heartless stance in light of the suffering that is going on our in the real world. And it gives ammo to the Governor. Dumb.

Comment by illinoised Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 1:24 pm
If they vote on this, does that mean everybody is going to show up???

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 1:25 pm
Vey Fed Up: I would love to see your vote analysis that shows the legislators who vote to increase their pay and vote against minimum wage increases. I’m willing to bet that number is much smaller than you think it is.

Comment by Just Me Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 1:28 pm
What a stupid move by the Speaker.
The increase puts minimal money into their pockets but helps Rauner with the narrative.

Line up the vote and, as was stated above, laugh when Sandack votes present on this one too.

Comment by Gooner Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 1:30 pm
Voters expect politicians to take care of themselves and it isn’t going to make any difference.

Comment by Liberty Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 1:37 pm
===And if Madigan does go along with those members’ wishes, then everybody else is gonna be upset because they’re not getting pay raises.===

Agreed, although I doubt you’ll have a bunch of angry press releases clogging your in-box from those HDEMs who are mad about losing a COLA. Nor will they get any sympathy from Dems like me.

===It’s a winning issue for the governor.===

Only as long as Madigan allows it to remain so. He can take this stick away without much trouble. I don’t think this particular wedge is made out of titanium, or kryptonite for that matter. Some HDEMs will always be upset about something Madigan does or doesn’t do.

Comment by 47th Ward Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 1:53 pm
speaker won’t call the bill. Won’t have a sham bill called either. The speculation is strong with you folks today. That campaign lit is gonna look so sweet after this no brainer doesn’t get called

Comment by As we go silly Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 2:10 pm
This Govenor has the highest executive payroll in IL history. Includingg oaying people with 5 years experience or less what we used to pay people with 25+ years of experience.

Comment by Ghost Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 2:27 pm
Typical team Madigan.
We get ours…..the rest of you fend for yourselves. I wonder what will happen when dems kill the goose that lays the golden egg. Ohhhh…wait. It will be all Rauner ‘ s fault!

Comment by just a taxpayer Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 2:46 pm
If Rauner could get the legislature to cut benefits for injured workers, lower wages for construction workers, and gut the bargaining rights of public employees, he would keep his mouth shut about the legislators’ pay increases. Quite a reformer he

Comment by truthteller Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 2:55 pm
“Typical team Madigan.
We get ours…..the rest of you fend for yourselves.”

We got our 370 pennies a day….Take that privately employed. If Madigan and another of his greedy GA buddies comingle a days worth of wages stolen with this raise they still could not buy one $8.00 beer at a Cub game.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 3:11 pm
==Better yet, package it in a way that Rauner has to veto it.==

This is the only plan that has a chance.

Comment by Enviro Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 3:36 pm
Ghost, be sure to factor in the Guv is not taking a salary or pension or benefits.

Comment by anon Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 4:07 pm
Republicans are loving Bruce Rauner more and more every day. Can’t wait for the 2016 elections. The majority of voters are completely fed up with Madigan. Weak Democrats in Springfield will be paying the price next election.

Comment by Raunerbot Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 4:57 pm
Structure a bill to refuse the legislative pay raise and package it will a mandated percentage reduction in the salaries of every one of Rauner’s superstars and every Director / Deputy Director / Bureau Chief. Shared pain; if it is good enough for the Legislature, it’s good enough for top State management. Then see how Rauner tries to spin it.

Comment by RNUG Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 5:57 pm
And if Rauner AV’s the bill to protect his people, over ride it to send a message about treating everyone the same.

Comment by RNUG Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 6:05 pm
Good idea by RNUG. In a larger sense you’re talking about a very small amount of money here but if the workers are going to eventually accept a contract with a salary freeze the legislature probably shouldn’t get a raise either. I know there are a lot of members in the legislature who are working hard to solve problems and they probably deserve a raise, especially considering that they haven’t had one in a while. On the other hand, those members who haven’t cast a meaningful vote in some time, the ones who won’t make a stand one way or another and vote “present” on everything, aren’t representing their constituents and don’t deserve the money they are making now, let alone an increase.

Comment by The Dude Abides Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 6:05 pm
== Republicans are loving Bruce Rauner more and more every day. ==

Not what I’m hearing once they read / understand his actual proposals. I’m hearing a lot of voter’s remorse. They voted for what they thought was going to be competent management … and aren’t seeing it.

Comment by RNUG Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 6:09 pm
Raunerbot - ===”Republicans are loving Bruce Rauner more and more every day”===

I, too, am finding here in DuPage County that even though they voted for him many were lukewarm……until they saw him holding firm and his do-no-harm governin’, to borrow an overused trend of mockingly dropping the -g-s on the posts put on this blog by his opponents!

Comment by DuPage Don Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 7:10 pm