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When the pot is actually the kettle

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Illinois

* Rep. Jack Franks on Comptroller Leslie Munger’s decision not to make November’s state pension payment…

“It’s illegal,” said state Rep. Jack Franks, a Democrat from Marengo. “I helped draft the law. We have to pay this — there’s no discretion. So for her to knowingly not pay this, she’s violating the law.”

But as long as all the payments are made by the end of the fiscal year, delaying a payment is not illegal…

The comptroller’s office argued it wasn’t at odds with the law because the office wasn’t skipping payments all together — a past practice that largely contributed to the more than $100 billion in unfunded pension liability facing the state.

“Really the monthly payment is more of an internal matter. We’re not skipping payments, we’re merely delaying them,” said Munger spokesman Rich Carter.

* This suggestion by Rep. Franks, however, would be illegal…

“She ought to consider not paying any of the state workers, including the General Assembly.”

State workers are being paid because of a judicial order. And Franks and other legislators are being paid because of a continuing appropriation.

Man, what a pointless story that was.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 9:11 am

Comments

Hey Franks, listen up: State workers didn’t cause the problems.

You did.

Comment by Frenchie Mendoza Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 9:17 am
Earnest Question. Why does Franks always seem angry? The guy seems like a real putz. What’s his deal? I’d like to learn about the guy.

Comment by Honeybear Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 9:18 am
Strange time to go after the Comptroller, the day after she stepped out of the Rauner tent a bit. Rep. Franks, you aren’t helping…

Comment by Robert the Bruce Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 9:19 am
Not helpful to the discourse. Amateur hour all around.

Comment by Roamin' Numeral Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 9:19 am
Franks would cut down the tallest tree in Illinois to stand on the tree’s stump to tell us what a great conservationist he is.. What a waste of time reading that blurb

Comment by Wow Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 9:19 am
If Rep. Franks wants to be the counter-weight to actual governing moves done by Gov. Rauner or Comptroller Munger, at least make an attempt to be honest in you counter-balance.

Otherwise, Rep. Franks, when you do show your “Maverick” ways, what are you saying to your own interpretation to governance?

Right now, it’s not your opinion that’s being sought, it’s your hyperbole that’s being peddled, by you.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 9:22 am
“I helped draft the law”. Next time read the bill before you post, Jack.

Comment by John Parnell Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 9:23 am
Rich, Does “pointless” refer to the remarks or the person making them?
Franks got attention which is what he is after

Comment by truthteller Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 9:28 am
Maybe she shouldn’t pay the judges, then they will quit ordering her to pay everyone else.

But seriously, I am waiting to see what will happen when she can’t make the bond interest payment.

Comment by A Jack Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 9:29 am
===Does “pointless” refer to the remarks or the person making them?===

It refers to the story itself.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 9:31 am
I generally appreciate Jack Frank’s independence and willingness to be a gadfly. But he needs to realize that when he steps out and makes factually incorrect statements like this he loses credibility that he needs to be banking for actual meaningful fights.

Comment by Bluegrass Boy Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 9:36 am
This is Franks trying to get noticed. He’s still trying to figure out why his multi-billion dollar loophole proposal fell on deaf ears. Your ‘present’ vote put you in the doghouse Jack. Dunkin may carry the public wrath, but you weren’t on the team either.

Comment by Lincoln Lad Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 9:37 am
Franks hasn’t liked Munger since she ran against Sente.

Comment by LizPhairTax Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 9:52 am
“Why does Franks always seem angry? The guy seems like a real putz.”

Asked and answered.

– MrJM

Comment by @MisterJayEm Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 9:56 am
Just because he was elected many times, doesn’t make him a fount of wisdom or an expert in all things.

He’s human. He’s emotional. Right now, he’s very emotional. It is OK for him to do a giant belly flop. Just turn away and don’t listen to him.

Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 10:03 am
Sorry, Politico. We already have the Tribbie edit board. We’re full up on shallow and willful ignorance.

Comment by Wordslinger Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 10:05 am
Hey Jack, who is the ultimate PR w* got some attention…always his only goal…Wingman probably had 8 hours of meetin’s to understand why she could not do what Jack wanted.
So on we know young state workers more important that old state workers

Comment by Anonin' Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 10:10 am
I lost any respect for Franks when he railed against a state agency for opposing a piece of legislation on fiscal grounds. How dare the agency tell the legislators that they shouldn’t pass something that costs money.

Comment by Norseman Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 10:16 am
Rep. Jack Franks on [insert anything here]: “Notice me!!!!!”

Comment by Agricola Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 10:17 am
I love when a Member says they drafted/wrote/authored a law. When is the last time you saw a Member sit down at a computer and type out a bill? And most of the time whenever they make that claim (like Franks is now) they forget or are ignorant of an important details (like Franks is now as well).

Comment by Just Me Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 10:50 am
I just like the sound of it, “Jack Franks”.

Comment by Denny Crain, Attorney, Boston Mass Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 12:07 pm
===We’re not skipping payments, we’re merely delaying them===

While it may or may not be legal it will defiantly increase the unfunded pension liability. Even when the delayed payment is finally made there will have been interest lost by the pension system. This lost interest will need to be made up by the taxpayers at some future date. Making the pension payment on time saves taxpayer money in the long run.

Comment by Hit or Miss Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 1:30 pm
Sorry, guys. Franks is right and Munger is wrong. I helped write that law as well. Monthly installments are specifically mandated. Although payments have previously been missed and caught up by year’s end, it was wrong then and it’s wrong now.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 8:37 pm
Always easy for a millionaire legislator to say stop paying state employees. Jack, not all of us have rich daddies.

Comment by ouch Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 9:01 pm