Latest Post | Last 10 Posts | Archives
Previous Post: Comptroller now says quote was “misreported,” but still wants Rauner to stop whacking unions
Next Post: Kirk stands by his man
Posted in:
* He does have a point…
Every downgrade, & there have been many, has been on the Speaker's watch. That's on him, not Gov. #ReformIllinois https://t.co/PflGbEX3Pi
— Ron Sandack (@RonSandack) October 19, 2015
…Adding… Like I said, he does have a point. From comments…
To be fair, it was ironic seeing Madigan lecture Rauner about credit downgrades yesterday after supporting pension holidays, decades of borrowing, passing consecutive unbalanced budgets and years of downgrades.
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 11:15 am
Sorry, comments are closed at this time.
Previous Post: Comptroller now says quote was “misreported,” but still wants Rauner to stop whacking unions
Next Post: Kirk stands by his man
WordPress Mobile Edition available at alexking.org.
powered by WordPress.
Is this getting old yet?
Comment by Waffle Fries Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 11:18 am
So Rauner can blame Quinn during a debate — but in the real world — after the election is over — it’s actually Madigan’s fault?
Wouldn’t it have been less dishonest to blame Madigan during the debate?
Comment by Frenchie Mendoza Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 11:18 am
Hey Ronny, every downgrade has been on your watch too.
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 11:20 am
To be fair, a lot of things have happened in the last 32 years. It’s hard to pin the bad and good on him. There are still 176 other members of the GA that could have spoken up if they disagreed, as unlikely as that seems.
Comment by Colin O'Scopey Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 11:20 am
When downgrades occurred on Quinn’s watch, the governor was responsible. But on Rauner’s watch, that’s different.
Comment by nona Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 11:20 am
Isn’t Rauner the one who was elected without having to say what he would do? With no plan?? How ’bout a plan Governor?
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 11:21 am
And every rating upswing would be under Madigan.
Comment by Precinct Captain Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 11:22 am
Hey Sandack: here’s a morsel.
How about you make sure there are no *more* downgrades on your watch? We’ll be watching.
And voting.
Comment by Frenchie Mendoza Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 11:22 am
It is difficult to heard 118 cats and come to a specific number of $35 billions doled out between 140 Agencies, Boards and Commissions. It is the solely the Governor’s job to use his Constitutionally mandated power to Amendatorily Veto provisions of bills, or to alter minor wording or reduce dollars to any line item. It the Governors who have consistently failed to provide Budget leadership and trim expenditure to match revenues, and this one is no exception. It is not the Speaker.
Comment by Beaner Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 11:22 am
Do you know how the rating process works, Ron? Actually, it’s up to GOMB to present the state in the most favorable light to the rating agencies. They’re the ones who have contracts with the agencies and meet with them. One legislator - even one who has been speaker for 30+ years - isn’t solely responsible for the financial status of the state.
Comment by Anon Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 11:23 am
The Vietnam War ended while the Speaker was in the general assembly. I’d like to give him credit for that.
Comment by 360 Degree Turnaround Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 11:23 am
“He does have a point…”
True.
But if he wears a hat, no one will notice.
– MrJM
Comment by @MisterJayEm Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 11:24 am
There’s plenty of blame to go around.
Everyone knows that the problem has taken decades to create, and has many parents on both sides of the aisle. Rep. Sandack and his colleagues have helped put off a solution by attacking anyone who suggests new revenue will need to be part of the solution.
The problem won’t be solved until all sides agree to cuts and revenue, both of which will be very unpopular. If you look at the explanations for each downgrade, you find fingers pointing at Republicans as well as Democrats.
Comment by Pot calling kettle Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 11:24 am
Well said Frenchie!
Comment by Norseman Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 11:24 am
This seems really simple to me…we are all looking for a resolution and leadership on this. Illinois elected the Governor because, in part, as a result of an absence of leadership in the previous Governor. Rep. Sandack can keep doing his thing, in large part because he is in the super-minority in the House, but Governor Rauner needs to lead, something he has failed to do since he took office. Leadership involves compromise, prioritizing, and making choices. All Gov. Rauner has proven with his standoff is that Government cannot be run like a business…as it is fundamentally different. Something most all of us seemed to know already.
Comment by Downstate GOP Faithless Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 11:25 am
LOL, Rep. Sandack. This is a joke, right?
“Dear ‘The Owl’,
See https://capitolfax.com/2014/08/06/traders-pushing-up-state-bond-yields-but-no-state-issuances-on-horizon/
Candidate Rauner made it clear; Governors own this, not Speakers.
Signed,
Rauner Victimhood”
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 11:26 am
See OW, MJM owns this baby!!
Comment by anon Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 11:28 am
From the link…
https://capitolfax.com/2014/08/06/traders-pushing-up-state-bond-yields-but-no-state-issuances-on-horizon/
===“Illinois’ credit rating has been downgraded 13 times under Pat Quinn and now, because of his failed leadership, our state’s economy and finances are still broken. Pat Quinn put special interest politics ahead of Illinois workers. We need to change direction before it’s too late.” – Rauner campaign spokesperson Mike Schrimpf […]===
Let’s note that the Rauner Campaign states a “Governor Rauner” would own the change needed. Something to… “consider”.
Sorry, Owl, Rauner owns, Candidate Rauner says its so…
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 11:31 am
Dear SlickHeadSandy and ck
just checked the minutes of all the GUMBY presentations to the raters..Madigan did NOT attend…opps
Comment by Anonin' Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 11:33 am
Springtime has followed Winter FORTY-ONE TIMES since Michael J. Madigan joined the Illinois General Assembly!!
Thanks, Mike!!1!
#BecaseMadigan
– MrJM
Comment by @MisterJayEm Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 11:33 am
A search of the #ReformIllinois hashtag demonstrates broad support of the governor’s agenda across the Twittersphere: from Ron Sandack’s campaign account to Ron Sandack’s personal account.
Comment by LakeviewJ Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 11:33 am
Sandack is a HOOT!
Comment by Austin Blvd Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 11:37 am
What an amazing history lesson.
So, what to do about FY16, in 140 characters or less?
Nice of Rep. Sandback to reveal that insight in-between heavy-lifting tweets on the new “Star Wars” trailer and his dislike for fantasy sport betting commercials.
But on to weightier issues.
“Gilmore Girls,” “Gossip Girl,” or just “Girls?” #lightweight
Comment by Wordslinger Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 11:40 am
To be fair, it was ironic seeing Madigan lecture Rauner about credit downgrades yesterday after supporting pension holidays, decades of borrowing, passing consecutive unbalanced budgets and years of downgrades.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 11:48 am
FKA +1.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 11:50 am
Sandack is not wrong, and the Speaker is as responsible as any one person is on the challenges the State faces fiscally. But Rauner campaigned and was elected on the premise of doing something positive about those challenges. To date, he’s only made things worse. Nothing meaningful has been accomplished, and the situation has further deteriorated. The ‘A’ Team he brought in has not accomplished a single thing except losing the support of the past GOP Governors.
Comment by Lincoln Lad Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 11:51 am
All of the commenters here are right. Madigan is a blameless Saint. Pure and humble, he is. His wise, benevolent and altruistic leadership have brought Illinois to the promised land. Any who disagree shall be mocked and burned as heretics.
Comment by Bored Chairman Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 11:53 am
everytime I come across a ron sandack tweet I get the tune of the south park “blame canada” song stuck in my head with the lyrics as “blame madigan” instead
Comment by hisgirlfriday Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 11:54 am
- Bored Chairman -
All the good that - FKA - just did… you just ruined.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 11:55 am
FKA - forget the mic drop. You just earned a Pete Townsend guitar smash!
Comment by Team Sleep Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 11:57 am
And this Because Madigan helps us reach a solution in what way?
Comment by Norseman Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 11:57 am
@TheFakeOwl - I’m at my best hooting when I ignore what Rauner said in the campaign and never match it to his actions as Governor #WhosWatchingMyHypocrisy
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 11:59 am
Has there ever been an upgrade? Was that on his watch too?
Comment by NoGifts Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 12:00 pm
In my short time of following Illinois politics, Madigan voted for or supported tax increases that have helped or would have helped our finances.
Who didn’t vote for or support the revenue increases? Whooo? Whoooo, as in Owl?
Comment by Grandson of Man Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 12:01 pm
@TheFakeOwl - retweet my “Because Madigan” tweet and you’re eligible for a “Fire Madigan, 2.0″ t-shirt and coffee mug #RetreadHooting
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 12:01 pm
Sandack, an abrasive OWL that neglects ALL the facts. Probably has a tattoo of Rauner on his body.
Comment by Big Joe Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 12:03 pm
A more honest tweet would’ve been:
Too bad Madigan adhered to Rauner’s demand to reduce state revenues. What was he thinking?
Now, our bills have piled up and I, like Rauner, blame Madigan.
Comment by Austin Blvd Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 12:10 pm
@Rich, @Team Sleep, @Oswego Willy - thanks. Many of us are exasperated, and it helps having this community to laugh and cry at the madness.
I’m also going to need a new guitar /s
Comment by Formerly Known As... Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 12:23 pm
- FKA -, if we don’t laugh at the comedic tragedy in front of us, it just becomes a tragedy without hope.
I always hope…
- Austin Blvd -,
Ha. I see what you did there…
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 12:28 pm
“after supporting pension holidays” Sigh.
The only pension holiday proposed by Madigan, before the 2006 election, was paid back, with interest. To wit, consult Judy Baar Topinka, FY 2011 CAFR:
“For fiscal year 2006 through fiscal year 2007, the relevant State statutes were amended to allow for significantly lower State contribution levels to the retirement systems with levels increasing in fiscal years 2008, 2009, and 2010 before returning to the mandated levels of the 1995 law for fiscal year 2011.”
http://ledger.illinoiscomptroller.com/ledger/assets/File/CAFR/CAFR%202011.pdf
Comment by Anyone Remember Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 12:33 pm
You can’t point your finger at just one person, we are all to blame; past and present Governors, legislators, and we the people who keep electing them. And to OW point budgets don’t get passed without a Governor’s signature (overrides aside).
Comment by Pacman Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 12:53 pm
What we are seeing from Rauner is what it looks to NOT kick the can down the road. It appears people still want free government services and to not pay for it.
Comment by Rhino Slider Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 12:58 pm
- Rhino Slider -,
I’m confused.
With no budget, how does this look like anything you describe.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 1:05 pm
Rhino, that’s a bizarre comment.
What do you see regarding the FY16 fiscal situation that would cause you to say that?
Comment by Wordslinger Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 1:14 pm
Rhino Slider, what government services would you be willing to give up? Those who don’t like government should go a day without using government services. See how easy it is.
Comment by 360 Degree TurnAround Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 1:23 pm
I don’t think Madigan deserves all the blame and i don’t think he gets enough credit for saving us from the insanity that was Blago & Jones, but, his hands are not clean and he deserved his portion of the blame, which is a very large piece of the pie.
Just because he wasn’t insane like Blago & Jones, doesn’t mean he didn’t make awful decisions. He has been the one constant through all our downturn, but this friends have always been pretty successful.
Comment by Ahoy! Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 1:24 pm
Well, if there’s one thing this guy has going for him is that he’s pretty consistent in playing the victim all the time.
Comment by Demoralized Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 2:29 pm
Rauner doesn’t want to kick the can down the road - he wants to use it as an excuse to outlaw cans.
Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 2:54 pm
In the same vein, haven’t they been on Sandack’s watch too? And all been on days that end in “y”?
Comment by Man with a plan Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 3:14 pm
Such a waste of time!
Do comments like Sandack’s make some people feel good when nothing good is happening?
Comment by walker Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 4:35 pm
==To be fair, it was ironic seeing Madigan lecture Rauner about credit downgrades yesterday after supporting pension holidays, decades of borrowing, passing consecutive unbalanced budgets and years of downgrades.==
Also ironic is the three guys most responsible for the state’s fiscal situation — Madigan, Edgar and Thompson — all piling on Rauner.
Comment by Anon Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 6:14 pm
– …piling on Rauner.–
Geez, I hope he can take it.
Suggesting that you do the job you were elected to do before inflicting anymore damage on a personal vendetta is good advice, not piling on.
As far as the “fiscal situation,” FY16 is something the governor is constitutionally obligated to deal with. So get on with it already.
You can still whine about the past while you’re dealing with the present.
Comment by Wordslinger Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 6:29 pm
===Also ironic is the three guys most responsible for the state’s fiscal situation — Madigan, Edgar and Thompson — all piling on Rauner.===
Why are more Rauner supporters so willing to play off Rauner as a victim now, than tout how Rauner has/can/will lead Illinois.
Is it because all Rauner supporters now know… Rauner isn’t up to his task up to now?
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 6:43 pm
Why didn’t we pass a progressive income tax when we controlled the GA and governors office. And make it permanent?
Comment by Blue dog dem Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 9:24 pm
@Blue
Because you have to amend the state constitution to do that. Your limited to three come next election.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 10:26 pm
Both legislative chambers have to pass a bill before it gets to a governor’s desk. A governor has to sign a bill for it to become law. A governor is the person who decides whether a bill, in this case a budget bill, becomes law. You can say Madigan or any other legislator that voted for a bill is to blame or to get credit, but ultimately the governor is the person to takes the responsibility for any bill becoming law. This argument about Madigan “passing” any bill, any budget, is really straw man BS.
Comment by My New Handle Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 10:57 pm