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Let’s get to governing, please

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Illinois

* My weekly syndicated newspaper column…

There are those who believe strongly that one side or the other is “winning” our latest and perhaps greatest Statehouse impasse in Illinois history.

I think it’s too early to judge, and, frankly, I think everyone is going to end up losing here anyway.

As you know, the governor has refused to negotiate a budget until the Democrats accede to his demands to essentially neuter the power of labor unions. The Democrats won’t ever back down from his more radical proposals, including forbidding schoolteachers from negotiating their own salaries.

Many who think Gov. Bruce Rauner is winning point to the fact that about 80 percent of the state general revenue fund’s budget is being spent under court order or signed legislation.

State employee wages and pensions, Medicaid-reliant hospitals in Cook County, part of the state child care program, debt service, transfers to local governments and human service programs tied to federal consent decrees all are being funded. In addition, Rauner signed the K-12 budget, so schools are being paid on time.

In addition, as I write this the House is expected to pass legislation appropriating about $5 billion in federal pass-through money.

So Rauner has managed to avoid wearing the jacket for any devastating consequences of a state shutdown because there hasn’t really been a shutdown.

But there are plenty of crises to come.

For instance, the state’s Monetary Award Program can’t distribute money to 125,000 poor college students without an appropriation. As of Friday afternoon, Western Illinois University was planning to inform its students that they would have to replace that state aid with other sources or out of their own pockets.

Mark Brown of the Chicago Sun-Times has been doing a great job documenting the impact of Rauner’s child care program changes, which are wreaking havoc throughout the state.

There also are serious problems with federal grants matched with state dollars. If there’s no state appropriation by the end of September, the state could lose a whole lot of money in the next federal fiscal year.

And what about nursing homes? The federal Medicaid decree doesn’t cover them, and neither does the “federal only” appropriations bill. But many rely heavily on Medicaid. Are we gonna see old folks kicked to the curb soon?

There’s also over $3 billion in nonfederal human service appropriations that can’t be spent. We definitely will see some all-too-real horror stories very soon.

Then there are all the fiscal problems in Chicago. The city’s media tend to give the mayor a whole lot of credence in disputes with governors, and Mayor Rahm Emanuel has been cranking up the heat on Rauner lately, so that’s a major pressure point.

Not to mention that former Republican Gov. Jim Edgar publicly chided Rauner the other day for not dropping his more extreme anti-union demands and focusing on the budget. That attack could give cover to pro-union Republican legislators to eventually break with Rauner.

What Rauner’s been doing so far kinda reminds me of those movies where somebody gets chased through a house. One door is breached, so the person being chased runs into another room and locks the door. That door is broken, so he runs into another room and puts a chair in front of the door. Etc. That’s kind of what Rauner has been doing with state dollars. The spending has given him breathing room to last another day.

But Rauner can’t just escape through a window. He runs the government. Eventually, he could very well run out of doors to lock.

Right now, I think voters are giving the new guy the benefit of the doubt. Add those who approve of his job performance to the undecideds in the last statewide poll we’ve seen and you have a 57 percent majority.

That could change quickly, however, when pain starts being felt.

Rather than focus on winning or losing, I really wish the state’s leaders (all of them) would start focusing on solving problems.

You want to bring down local government costs to ease the burden of a property tax freeze? You want to help employers with workers’ comp costs? You want a more equitable and fair way of drawing legislative district maps? OK, then find a way to do these things that both sides can live with.

The governor should stop trying to stick it to the unions and the Democrats absolutely need to help him come up with some alternative ideas.

Forget about “winning.” Try governing.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Aug 10, 15 @ 9:21 am

Comments

Spot on. Hope Rauner listens.

Comment by ihpsdm Monday, Aug 10, 15 @ 9:25 am
Because…Madigan

Comment by PublicServant Monday, Aug 10, 15 @ 9:30 am
Spot on. Hope EVERYONE listens.

Comment by Slick Willy Monday, Aug 10, 15 @ 9:33 am
Funny how the very first comment here only singled out Rauner. I liked Rich’s column because he rightly observes that all of the leaders must govern. Hear hear!

Comment by phocion Monday, Aug 10, 15 @ 9:33 am
Great column, but there is little evidence so far to suggest that Rauner will listen. By the time this is done, we know that significant revenue will have been lost by not extending the tax increase, and we probably will lose federal money as well. I think nearly everyone loses, with few exceptions, and it’s sad to see state government this paralyzed.

Comment by AC Monday, Aug 10, 15 @ 9:34 am
Good article. Yes. I wish they’d all work together to actually get something passed instead of blame shifting that won’t ultimately work. Those who are unhappy with lack of services and lack of payments are going to blame everyone involved (legislators and governor) and they’re not going to soon forget either.

Comment by Logic not emotion Monday, Aug 10, 15 @ 9:36 am
It’s hard to figure what, if any, path to success the governor thought he had with his anti-union agenda.

He never built any public support for it, and gave away most of the alleged “leverage” in the budget.

Seriously, did his peeps ever do a count of how many GOP GA members would vote for some of this stuff?

Comment by Wordslinger Monday, Aug 10, 15 @ 9:38 am
The governor isn’t exactly winning. If anything, he had proven that a true state government shutdown is out of his reach. As the state limps along each day, the governor’s power is diminishing.

Comment by A Jack Monday, Aug 10, 15 @ 9:38 am
Great work, per usual, again looking at what’s happening and what needs to happen. Well said.

To the Post,

At this stage, the lack of pragmatism and the staking out of winning and losing, even more so than who “owns” where we are is the real stumbling block to cooperation.

Both sides need to find the common ground if governing. That’s the ball game. Not forging compromise, actively, ours both sides in modes of blame, winners and losers, and pain, real and political.

There comes a point, that the ones making the headway in the deal have more credibility than those steadfast in holding their ground regardless of the deal(s) in front of them. We’re there as a state, they both are there as actors in this next chapter of a lack of governing and compromise effecting us all.

I don’t want to hear, “I gave up ALL this.” I don’t. I don’t want to hear, “We’re giving up NONE of anything.” It’s the pragmatism that is lost that is driving more of the impasse than the areas of disagreement and finding or even talking about solutions to end this.

There can be significant movement, but both sides, not one overwhelmingly more than the other, need to find where common ground can secure 71, and can secure 36, structured, so governing, again, can be a “We” thing, as Co-Equal partners in governing know is the best way to lead Illinois.

I hope.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Aug 10, 15 @ 9:38 am
Phocion, read:

“As you know, the governor has refused to negotiate a budget….”

Comment by Wordslinger Monday, Aug 10, 15 @ 9:40 am
Local school boards need to stand up to the unions. The State should give them some help on this with the phoney-baloney teachers strikes by allowing local boards to reduce the mandated length of a school year by the length of any strike. When private sector workers strike they lose pay & don’t make it up. Teachers have no risk of economic loss when they strike because the strike days are added to the end of the school year and they are paid anyway.

Comment by anon. Monday, Aug 10, 15 @ 9:40 am
The frightening thing is that we could all be looking at another 3 1/2 years of this.

Comment by Stones Monday, Aug 10, 15 @ 9:40 am
The question will be, after all this budget posturing will there be an increase in spending from the prior for the fiscal year starting July 1? If there isn’t then Rauner has accomplished a big part of his goal of righting the fiscal ship in Illinois.

Comment by Apocalypse Now Monday, Aug 10, 15 @ 9:45 am
The disapproval rating will continue to rise especially if the impact HEADLINES are truthful about these foolish/mockery/simpleton actions being taken by Rauner.

The Raunerbots need to get their Free Will back and choose the Christ-like options. #thereisaidit

NURSING HOMES TO REFUSE POOR
UNIVERSITIES COLLAPSE AS POOR STUDENTS DROP OUT
EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS FOR POOR HARD TO FIND DUE TO CLOSURES
DISENFRANCHISED FRUSTRATED AND TURN TO ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES FOR SURVIVAL. CRIME RATES UP.

Comment by cdog Monday, Aug 10, 15 @ 9:46 am
Yeah, what Rich said!

Comment by Concerned Monday, Aug 10, 15 @ 9:47 am
As clear a statement of where we are, as exists. Especially liked the locked doors illustration.

Reminds me of the Wilderness Campaign. Both sides suffered while delaying the inevitable.

Also laid out points of contention which are negotiable.

Comment by walker Monday, Aug 10, 15 @ 9:48 am
==- anon. - Monday, Aug 10, 15 @ 9:40 am:==

What is the average length of strike days by public school teachers in Illinois, let’s say for the last five years?

Comment by Precinct Captain Monday, Aug 10, 15 @ 9:48 am
There’s roughly a 20% difference between spending and revenue which means no cash by April 2016. However those pesky automatic and court decree payments (about $26B) still require a lot of cash be set aside for those coming payments. Unless schools or other big items get chopped midyear there will be no money for human services and higher ed regardless of the open court testimony by the State in Cook County. How is that ‘winning’ by any side?

Comment by zatoichi Monday, Aug 10, 15 @ 9:52 am
- Apocalypse Now -

There will be a revenue increase. That’s going to happen, Rauner will put GOP GA votes on it, and Rauner will sign it.

That’s real.

Rauner’s own budget made a revenue increase mandatory, not optional.

The question is how pragmatic will both sides be to find 71 and 36 for all the other things before Rauner gets around to his signed budget, because a signed budget, is a governor’s, since forever.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Aug 10, 15 @ 9:52 am
Let’s not forget the shut down of low income energy assistance, the portion paid with raterpayer funds, and the resulting hardship.

Comment by MickJ Monday, Aug 10, 15 @ 9:55 am
Excellent column and needed to be said early on this week. Tick-Tock!

Comment by Slippin' Jimmy Monday, Aug 10, 15 @ 9:57 am
=- Apocalypse Now -

There will be a revenue increase. That’s going to happen, Rauner will put GOP GA votes on it, and Rauner will sign it.

That’s real.

Rauner’s own budget made a revenue increase mandatory, not optional.

The question is how pragmatic will both sides be to find 71 and 36 for all the other things before Rauner gets around to his signed budget, because a signed budget, is a governor’s, since forever.=
At least try to respond to the comment. Your commenting about revenue. I commented about spending. Follow along, please.

Comment by Apocalypse Now Monday, Aug 10, 15 @ 9:59 am
“I think everyone is going to end up losing here anyway.”

Absolutely true with regard to the politics.

But with regard to other matters, there’s losing and there’s losing.

Some will lose opportunities for health care, education and the public services for children and seniors associated with first world societies, and others (of both parties) will suffer politically but remain secure in their personal fortunes regardless of the outcome.

When the dust finally settles, everyone will feel worse, but many in Illinois will live measurably worse lives. Partisan political losses just don’t compare.

– MrJM

Comment by @MisterJayEm Monday, Aug 10, 15 @ 10:00 am
- Apocalpse Now -

Can’t spend, what you don’t have. In budgeting, follow along, please.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Aug 10, 15 @ 10:01 am
Great column, as usual.

“The Democrats won’t ever back down from his more radical proposals”

I wonder which Rauner union proposal(s) the Democrats would consider to not be radical. Also, why can’t concessions be obtained at the contract negotiation table as opposed to a law? Quinn and the union(s) agreed to health insurance concessions that amounted to perhaps hundreds of millions in savings to taxpayers.

Rauner has damaged the environment with hard-core union attacks and draconian contract proposals, which brought SB 1229.

Comment by Grandson of Man Monday, Aug 10, 15 @ 10:01 am
It might help if a certain Chicago newspaper’s editorial board could see past its anti-Madigan rage and realize that the Speaker has a very valid point that Governor Rauner is holding up the state budget over issues on an agenda that is not at all directly related to the state budget.

Comment by PJ Monday, Aug 10, 15 @ 10:01 am
@.anon.:

Bruce’s exciting “right to work” proposal does NOT….I repeat….DOES NOT give you a Right to Work.

In July of 1971, the Constitutuon of the United States of America (my country) was officially Amended to give 18 year old Citizens the Right to Vote.

There is no similarity between that Right and “right to work”.

Republicans support an Individuals Right to associate and collectively bargain wages and benefits.

Comment by Jack Stephens Monday, Aug 10, 15 @ 10:03 am
I do not deny part of governing is compromise, but Rauner feels he was elected to fix this his way. Democrats have had full control of the government for a long time and I hope no one argues that the state isn’t in a major fiscal crisis.
A comparison with the civil war could be used here. Should we compromise like Clay and extend the final accounting or do you force the issue and try to come to a resolution no matter how bloody it gets.
There is not much middle ground on the union issues and state spending. Not many remember Clay for his compromises, but many remember Lincoln and the South battling wills on who would triumph.

Just trying to put a historical frame on this discussion of governing.

Comment by Dudeman Monday, Aug 10, 15 @ 10:03 am
Excellent column, with a lot of specifics.

More governing please.

Optimistic Monday morning hope: the commenters here help with suggestions as well.

Comment by Robert the Bruce Monday, Aug 10, 15 @ 10:04 am
I just have to say it’s so nice to come back from a week away and find sound reasoning again. You are so right. There is no percievable effort into problem solving, only endless posturing. Your analogy of horror movie escaping is perfect.

Comment by Honeybear Monday, Aug 10, 15 @ 10:05 am
@dudesman:

Agreed, Bruce feels he was elected to fix this. Had he said he was going to bust unions during the campaign….Quinn would be Governor.

Comment by Jack Stephens Monday, Aug 10, 15 @ 10:08 am
I agree with the substance of this post. But color me a pessimist - I iust don’t think it (rauner taking the lead) will happen anytime soon.

A massive and immediate shutdown of most government functions will get peoples attention. So far we’ve just got a few programs to vulnerable communities which, sadly, won’t raise the ire of most citizens. Even with more of the same as you point out - nursing homes, college students, etc. - it’s still death by a thousand cuts.
I think, much to the loss of everyone, well devolve into either a debate over those individual programs or there will be minimal protests etc here and there but the unifying theme of “this is all because of the budget standoff” will get lost, thereby continuing rauner the cover he needs to smirk and attack and blame madigan without doing any work.
We need something BIG to happen. And these programs, individually or collectively, won’t rise to the level we need to shift the focus. I’m not saying it should be that way, but sadly that’s the state of our collective attention span/news cycle.

Comment by Ferris Wheel Monday, Aug 10, 15 @ 10:09 am
There is spending freeze on commodities, some of which will run out by the end of the month. This will directly affect the ability to prosecute criminal cases. Something that all of those in Springfield, including the Governor, are probably not aware of.

Comment by Rusty618 Monday, Aug 10, 15 @ 10:09 am
It’s too bad the real losers don’t have much of a voice or the political strength to stop this stalemate. The quality of life for thousands will reduce faster than Rauner’s poll numbers.
Because…Madigan, right?

Comment by Wensicia Monday, Aug 10, 15 @ 10:12 am
Let them eat Corn Dogs at the State Fair.
Hubert Humphrey must be rolling over in his grave over the way the states and federal government have taken care of those he fought so hard for.

Comment by fun at the fair Monday, Aug 10, 15 @ 10:16 am
==Quinn and the union(s) agreed to health insurance concessions that amounted to perhaps hundreds of millions in savings to taxpayers.==
I remember when this was negotiated, but haven’t heard anything about it since then. I would think if it actually resulted in “hundreds of millions in savings” Quinn would have used it in the election. I would like to know how much the taxpayers actually saved by this union “concession.”

Comment by phocion Monday, Aug 10, 15 @ 10:17 am
Jack Stephens—you are so right! A little bait and switch there on Rauner’s part. Makes a person never, ever want to listen to any campaign rhetoric. Doesn’t seem to mean much.

Comment by AnonymousOne Monday, Aug 10, 15 @ 10:18 am
In the idea dept: how about Rauner getting rid of some “senior staff” as Mr. Claypool is reported to be doing at CPS. Maybe the ones on the budgets of other agencies. Apparently those other agencies are so awash in cash, that they can afford to take on the elevated salaries of some of Rauner’s executive hires. In addition to those agencies’ own rather bloated “senior staffs,” a number of whom probably date back to Ryan and Blago. Rauner is seemingly not into housecleaning. He does want to raise middle class income taxes though, just like the Democrats.

Comment by Cassandra Monday, Aug 10, 15 @ 10:19 am
Great article that cuts to the chase. I wish it could be reprinted in every newspaper around the state.

The mentioned 57 percent approval of the governor’s performance would plummet if more voters understood the details of his performance. But, it’s easier to read a headline or listen to a sound bite that mentions “more cuts” and the cheering begins because he’s “finally cleaning up a mess that the Chicago politicians created for years.” Sheesh

Comment by South Central Monday, Aug 10, 15 @ 10:20 am
Rauner wants what he wants. He always wins. We may have to take a shutdown, or inflict pain indiscriminately, to get there.

He bought the governorship. Its his toy and he can break it if he wants. He bought the gop. They dare not speak in opposition. (How many repubs are holding town hall meetings to push the turnaround agenda? Zip.) i dont think rauner really cares about pressure points, other than as leverage to maybe make dems cave.

Comment by Langhorne Monday, Aug 10, 15 @ 10:21 am
@Cassandra,

Housecleaning? Not quite, he’s overloading those houses with even more staff. Credit the AP for the story:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-illinois-agencies-cover-half-the-pay-for-gov-rauner-s-staff-20150810-story.html

Comment by Wensicia Monday, Aug 10, 15 @ 10:23 am
@ApocNow: Rauner getting that “win” on spending might be a good way out, because neither side proposed spending increases. He will need a bit more, and will get it. Probably prop tax, DCEO, work comp, maybe tort reform — but probably not exactly what he originally proposed.

Comment by walker Monday, Aug 10, 15 @ 10:25 am
Excellent excellent excellent column. But I just don’t see the equivalency in the two sides on this one. I do think the Dems are trying to govern. Rauner said he wanted workers compensation reform. Anytime he is sent anything on that the answer is that it’s a sham.. NO! While everyone is telling him that the labor stuff goes too far, he ties every negotiation to the labor stuff. Every week it’s a different theory as to why there’s no deal…and it always leads back to Madigan. He campaigned on rhetoric that Quinn failed. Quinn failed. Quinn failed. But now that he’s Governor, everybody else has failed. Everybody else is corrupt. Never him. When you concentrate on the budget you are governing. Tell me where Republicans are doing that?

Comment by sideline watcher Monday, Aug 10, 15 @ 10:27 am
Rich writes: “There’s also over $3 billion in nonfederal human service appropriations that can’t be spent. We definitely will see some all-too-real horror stories very soon.” I susppect we will also see some litigation that may mitigate those horror stories.

If

orders are entered by Courts they will require provision of some services and programs based on aspects of Article 1 of the IL Constitution. The Governor’s office even while implementating orders will radically reduce programs and services and I doubt any Court would encroach on the Governor ’s authority to manage the budget. The budget impasse could well continue.

Comment by Rod Monday, Aug 10, 15 @ 10:31 am
My only comment is Rauner wants neuter public employee unions, not all unions.

Not very many in the media are making that distinction and it is starting to annoy me.

Comment by Not it Monday, Aug 10, 15 @ 10:36 am
“Rauner wants neuter public employee unions, not all unions.”

Nonsense

– MrJM

Comment by @MisterJayEm Monday, Aug 10, 15 @ 10:44 am
Succinct & right on Rich. I believe your final thoughts are key…the dems need to give him some alternatives. Was that Oscar in the background saying “give him a bone”? Speaking of Oscar a pic & update at you earliest convenience would be great. After all, these are the dog days. Seriously,thanks for the fine article.

Comment by Hummingbird Monday, Aug 10, 15 @ 10:45 am
–You want to bring down local government costs to ease the burden of a property tax freeze? You want to help employers with workers’ comp costs? You want a more equitable and fair way of drawing legislative district maps? OK, then find a way to do these things that both sides can live with.–

Doesn’t the evidence support a position that there is no way to do this without “winning”? Just how is Rauner supposed to get a fair map when Madigan has done everything in his power to thwart the bipartisan efforts and spending of legions of people? Why would he believe he could accomplish the rest without the leverage of the budget deal? Wordslinger (inadvertently?) admits that Rauner’s biggest mistake was giving too much up in the way of leverage already. If you assume for the sake of argument that Rauner truly believes Illinois needs the full antibiotic course of treatment, I don’t see how he can make the kind of compromises his biggest critics are pushing.

Comment by lake county democrat Monday, Aug 10, 15 @ 10:45 am
Rauner wants collective bargaining eliminated wherever possible.

If you are a Union worker, and you don’t understand that, I can’t help you.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Aug 10, 15 @ 10:46 am
Not it - What don’t you understand about the governor’s push for right to work zones? This is a direct attack against the trade unions.

Comment by Huh? Monday, Aug 10, 15 @ 10:48 am
@10:36 =…Rauner wants neuter public employee unions, not all unions.=

Rauner’s “right to work”, and “end prevailing

wage” apply to all unions including the private

sector.

Comment by DuPage Monday, Aug 10, 15 @ 11:02 am
=== Forget about “winning.” Try governing. ===

Jesse, put this on signs and hang them on all entrances of the Capitol.

Comment by Norseman Monday, Aug 10, 15 @ 11:06 am
Not it - Rauner wants to neuter ALL unions. Have you read the Turnaround Agenda? Why do you think local trade union members showed up to fight at city halls across the state? Prevailing wage guarantees fair wage and prevents contractors from bringing in unqualified low wage workers to replace skilled union labor. Right to Work Zones effectively end collective bargaining for all workers.

Comment by DuPage Grandma Monday, Aug 10, 15 @ 11:07 am
I am increasingly suspicious. We know Tyrone C. Fahner, well known Casino attorney has bragged publicly about calling the Bond houses in New York and maybe Boston to deliberate tank Illinois Bonds being issued. These bonds have tax advantages that are nice for wealthy folks in high tax brackets. Our Governor brags he is working for free. Is he trying to create a crisis to tank Illinois Bonds further on a phony crisis created by his $3 billion Constitutionally out of balance budget, and deliberately created Budget impasse due to his broad Vetoes, so good old GCRT, and his NOT blind trust can clean up?

Just saying, I am uncertain we can really see or track all the pieces on the game board. Shoot, we don’t even know who the Gov meets with from day to day. Mr. Transparency my foot. I smell something, and it ain’t aged cheese.

Comment by Beaner Monday, Aug 10, 15 @ 11:25 am
=Can’t spend, what you don’t have. In budgeting, follow along, please. =
Oswego Willy, the Democrats spent more than they took in for years and years. They didn’t care about a balanced budget.

Comment by Apocalypse Now Monday, Aug 10, 15 @ 11:27 am
===the Democrats spent more than they took in for years and years. They didn’t care about a balanced budget.===

Didn’t Rauner run on not doing business as usual?

His budget… is… business as usual… unless the required revenue match his overspending expenses.

You’re welcome.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Aug 10, 15 @ 11:36 am
@Grandson - why can’t concessions be obtained at the contract negotiation table as opposed to a law?

Because Rauner hates unions. He appears to fundamentally hate the idea of workers being able to negotiate with employers. It is about control.

Comment by Anon Monday, Aug 10, 15 @ 11:58 am
After the lst election results were announced, I was one that said “wow. We have both political parties in charge, so substantial changes can take place in governing and revenues generating. Both parties are stuck with the credit and blame. The voters cannot blame only one party or the other.”
Idealistically - let’s form two state governmental task forces, one to determine which functions and responsibilities should remain with state government, and the second to examine our revenue base and determine which taxes should be reduced and which increased or restructured to raise more funds to meet those essential state responsibilities.
Any idealists out there???

Comment by Capitol View Monday, Aug 10, 15 @ 12:19 pm
==the Democrats spent more than they took in for years and years. They didn’t care about a balanced budget.==

Many of those years included Republican Governors who where more than happy to sign and implement those budgets. Why? Because the voters punish spending cuts and tax increases.

Comment by Pot calling kettle Monday, Aug 10, 15 @ 12:22 pm
==I think everyone is going to end up losing here anyway==

Well said. Including the state.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Monday, Aug 10, 15 @ 12:31 pm
I don’t think Rauner’s turn around agenda is all that much leverage because at the end of the day we will have to have a budget but a turn around agenda can wait. Some of the items in the turn around agenda are not possible under democratic control and would have to come slowly election after election if with changes in the legislature.

Comment by Facts are Stubborn Things Monday, Aug 10, 15 @ 12:32 pm
Rainer must quit defending the taxpayer and the people who want to create businesses in Illinois or move to Illinois and instead focus on compromising with the Democrats so we can keep their special interests and policies in power. Rauner is also encroaching seriously on insiders’ “downtime” when they could be relaxing and enjoying the summer. In short, this is every liberal special interest and politician’s nightmare that the governor would want to change their failed policies and actually make the state great again.

Comment by The obvious Monday, Aug 10, 15 @ 12:36 pm
“Rainer must quit defending the taxpayer and the people who want to create businesses in Illinois or move to Illinois.”

What a coincidence. Amazon announced today that it plans on opening a warehouse in Joliet and hiring 1,000 full-time workers.

http://m.therepublic.com/view/story/fa68f59bb35c41db914dd98a96ae9a68/IL–Amazon-Joliet-Facility

Comment by Grandson of Man Monday, Aug 10, 15 @ 1:18 pm
From a management point of view, any property tax freeze must be linked to a way for localities to cut spending. Rauner’s selling prop.

From a consumer’s point of view, any income tax increase must be sold as a package with property tax relief. That’s how MJM is trying to roll. Could work for Rauner as well.

Comment by walker Monday, Aug 10, 15 @ 1:46 pm
Rich’s article nails the issue and shows the players that they just need to let go of the power and their egos if they really want to help IL.
The alternative is to continue arguing and we stay in the same fiscal struggle.

Comment by Belle Monday, Aug 10, 15 @ 1:51 pm
I would agree with the article if the current legislature hasn’t “stuck it” to previous governors and tax-paying residents.

It’s simple math.

X = Legislature
Y = Governor
Z = Balanced Budget

If X+Y=Z;
and we’ve changed Y in 1999,2003,2009,and 2015 and we still haven’t been able to make X+Y=Z… we need to start changing X.

It really is that simple. The constant through all of the fiscal issues in Illinois has been the State House of Representatives.

Comment by Pete Monday, Aug 10, 15 @ 2:21 pm
- Pete -,

Governors own the budget, yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Same as it ever was, or ever will be.

You ‘nember “Pat Quinn failed…” said over and over by Candidate Rauner? Yeah. Me too. Welp, “Bruce Rauner failed to get a budget.”

Thems the breaks with the Big Chair…

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Aug 10, 15 @ 2:28 pm
Too much talk. Gov holding budget hostage. Done.”

Comment by moby Monday, Aug 10, 15 @ 2:33 pm
==we need to start changing X==

OK, work on that in 2016, maybe that argument will finally work. But in the meantime, the state’s gotta state.

Comment by Arsenal Monday, Aug 10, 15 @ 3:50 pm
Rich, now you’re just talkin’ crazy! Governing? Ridiculous!

Comment by Lt. Guv. Monday, Aug 10, 15 @ 4:12 pm
“Forget about “winning.””
Winning “ego” is the problem in a nutshell.

Comment by Mama Monday, Aug 10, 15 @ 4:13 pm
Pretty sure most of you were saying the same thing when Obama refused to negotiate with Republicans in Congress a little while ago…

Thumbs up for consistency

Comment by Fed up Monday, Aug 10, 15 @ 6:45 pm
If you want to know when the budget stalemate will end, ask the CTA when they’ll be forced to raise fares because they haven’t been receiving their state subsidy.

Comment by Just Me Monday, Aug 10, 15 @ 10:29 pm
Hey @MisterJayEm: look at the date of the last time Rauner and Right To Work pops up in that Google search.

That was an eternity ago.

Comment by Not it Monday, Aug 10, 15 @ 11:08 pm
Daniel entered the lion’s den and came out his own two feet. I wonder what will be left of me after knowlegable commenters have weighed on my “Lincoln Scenario” for Rauner (AND Madigan) to end and win the so-called War For Illinois. https://medium.com/@stevesewall

Comment by Civic Sam Tuesday, Aug 11, 15 @ 7:13 am
@Not it:

You aren’t paying attention. The Governor is still demanding things to hurt all unions, not just public sector unions. Try and keep up.

Comment by Demoralized Tuesday, Aug 11, 15 @ 7:54 am
The Democrats have a veto-proof super-majority, correct? Let’s forget about the two years they had it with Quinn when they could have literally done anything their heart desires without Republican support (and didn’t; probably leading to Quinn’s defeat). Rauner’s ideology and demands are insane. Sure. But the Democrats could pass a reasonable budget, tax hike, etc. without his support. Without any Republican votes. The only reason they don’t is because it goes against Mike Madigan’s personal political strategy of the last 30 years. Madigan has worked his entire career to shut Republicans out of the legislature. Now that he has, they have to govern. Rauner isn’t governing either (and might have no clue how), but the Democrats are the ones literally playing politics instead of just passing a budget already.

Am I wrong on this? Does the budget require the governor’s signature unlike other veto-proof legislation?

Comment by Sacks Romana Tuesday, Aug 11, 15 @ 9:00 am
@- anon. - Monday, Aug 10, 15 @ 9:40 am:

Local school boards need to stand up to the unions. The State should give them some help on this with the phoney-baloney teachers strikes by allowing local boards to reduce the mandated length of a school year by the length of any strike. When private sector workers strike they lose pay & don’t make it up. Teachers have no risk of economic loss when they strike because the strike days are added to the end of the school year and they are paid anyway.=============

Anon, you realize your “solution” results in fewer days in class for students, potentially leading to them learning less, right?

Not a “solution” I would propose…

Comment by Lynn S, Wednesday, Aug 12, 15 @ 2:17 am