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* From a hand-delivered letter…
October 28, 2015
Dear Governor Rauner and Legislative Leaders:
Last week, The Illinois Campaign for Political Reform (ICPR) and the undersigned group of civic organizations urged you to meet to end the Illinois budget crisis.
We asked, and you responded. A meeting date of Wednesday, November 18th was deemed mutually acceptable. We hope this meeting will include serious budget negotiations, given the increasingly dire consequences to our state as the current impasse continues.
We are reaching out again to recommend that the agenda for this meeting include input from all participants, thus ensuring that all perspectives are considered. Your collective leadership in this meeting will demonstrate a bipartisan effort to find a solution for this prolonged budget stalemate. A meeting agenda that reflects this bipartisan effort and encompasses all issues is necessary to produce a positive outcome for our state.
We commend the Speaker and Governor for supporting public access to this important meeting. Providing media access and a live stream online will create an opportunity for the public to see and understand the budget negotiation process.
A bipartisan effort is required to end the budget crisis. A meeting on November 18th with an agenda developed by all parties could lead to an important resolution for our state.
Sincerely,
Hon. Susan Garrett
Board Chair, ICPRMary Kubasak
President, League of Women Voters of IllinoisHoy McConnell
Executive Director, BPIMaryam Judar
Executive Director, Citizen Advocacy CenterAbe Scarr
Director, Illinois PIRGAndy Shaw
President and CEO, Better Government AssociationGeorge Ranney
Chair, CHANGE IllinoisBrooke Wiseman
President, Union League Club of Chicago
I’ll let you know if anyone responds.
…Adding… I added some emphasis because some folks in comments seem to be confused. This is about making sure that the budget is discussed along with whatever else. It was, after all, supposed to be a budget meeting. The governor decided to make it about other things besides the budget. It should be seen as a rebuke of what Gov. Rauner tried to do. A polite rebuke, but a rebuke nonetheless.
*** UPDATE 1 *** Rikeesha Phelon with the Senate Democrats…
The meeting agenda will be the best predictor of the meeting’s productivity.
If the governor truly wants to end the budget stalemate he will be open to an inclusive process that focuses on immediate state budget solutions.
*** UPDATE 2 *** The press release is out and here’s the headline…
Reform Groups Urge Bipartisan Agenda for Upcoming Budget Meeting
Notice they use the word “budget.” Make no mistake, these groups want budget talks to finally begin.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Oct 28, 15 @ 12:11 pm
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I’m sure Madigan and Cullerton will respond, and shortly. All the better to box in Rauner, who seems content to hijack the original offer then try to lower any expectations.
Comment by How Ironic Wednesday, Oct 28, 15 @ 12:15 pm
Madigan, Cullerton — please respond quickly and positively.
We know Rauner’s team will start to hedge here. But let’s get it all on the record — and in public.
Comment by Macbeth Wednesday, Oct 28, 15 @ 12:16 pm
===We are reaching out again to recommend that the agenda for this meeting include input from all participants, thus ensuring that all perspectives are considered.===
Welp, it appears a lone agenda isn’t going to pacify this Crew.
Wonder how “ck” will be told to respond; what will the Rauner Word Jumble machine say?
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 28, 15 @ 12:16 pm
Legit question without snark or disparagement:
Why does Susan Garrett have the Hon. title? From being in the senate two years ago?
Comment by LizPhairTax Wednesday, Oct 28, 15 @ 12:17 pm
The “Daily Herald” from the northwest suburbs requested in todays editorial that this meeting should be done in public on November 18th.
Comment by No Longer A Lurker Wednesday, Oct 28, 15 @ 12:18 pm
Sounds like a good way to ensure some public political grandstanding.
Comment by Pawnee Wednesday, Oct 28, 15 @ 12:21 pm
Will the Governor be given a lifeline or call a friend option in the public meeting? He might need it. He can’t call Rahm now.
Comment by 360 Degree TurnAround Wednesday, Oct 28, 15 @ 12:22 pm
===”We are reaching out again to recommend that the agenda for this meeting include input from all participants, thus ensuring that all perspectives are considered.”===
So that includes the Turn Around Agenda? Sure sounds like it.
Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Wednesday, Oct 28, 15 @ 12:22 pm
“encompasses all issues” - sounds like it came from Rauner
Comment by Liberty Wednesday, Oct 28, 15 @ 12:23 pm
If they do it in public, I’ll bring the popcorn.
Comment by Chicago Cynic Wednesday, Oct 28, 15 @ 12:25 pm
I feel much better now. This will most certainly insure that the budget crisis is swiftly resolved.
Comment by One of the 35 Wednesday, Oct 28, 15 @ 12:25 pm
@Louis
Yeah I sure hope so. I would actually love to hear the “turnaround agenda” discussed beyond simple generalities.
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Wednesday, Oct 28, 15 @ 12:27 pm
But…but…but, WE said WE’D take it from here!- ck
Comment by Anon221 Wednesday, Oct 28, 15 @ 12:27 pm
===So that includes the Turn Around Agenda? Sure sounds like it.===
Why would Rauner worry about that, the man IS the governor, lol… ever the victim….
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 28, 15 @ 12:27 pm
@LizPhairTax -
Yes, exactly. Once you are in a position that bears that honorific, you keep it for life. It should be “The Honorable Susan Garrett”, however, not “Hon. Susan Garrett”.
Comment by JoanP Wednesday, Oct 28, 15 @ 12:28 pm
“So that includes the Turn Around Agenda? Sure sounds like it.”
The word “budget” occurs five times in that letter. That may offer a subtle clue as to what its authors intended as the subject of the meeting.
– MrJM
Comment by @MisterJayEm Wednesday, Oct 28, 15 @ 12:28 pm
I might be the out of step Charlie here but I would much rather that they meet in private and without fanfare. This is going to be a circus.
Comment by Stones Wednesday, Oct 28, 15 @ 12:31 pm
==So that includes the Turn Around Agenda? Sure sounds like it.==
Sure, why not? It’s not the Goo-Goos who have been afraid to talk about what’s actually on that agenda.
Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Oct 28, 15 @ 12:32 pm
@OswegoWilly, “Why would Rauner worry about that, the man IS the governor, lol… ever the victim….”
If you were paying attention to all this high drama, it would appear that the two parties most worried about the Turn Around Agenda appearing on the agenda are Madigan and Cullerton.
Try to keep up, will you?
Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Wednesday, Oct 28, 15 @ 12:33 pm
Glad to see that the goo-goo’s are keeping the pressure on. They publicly shamed the Gov. into this meeting and, hopefully, this letter drives home the message all participants must have input into the agenda. Also, it will make it harder for the Gov. to continue to speak in negative terms about this meeting.
Comment by Former Hoosier Wednesday, Oct 28, 15 @ 12:34 pm
The more public this is, the less likely any progress will be made.
Wake us up if they make progress on anything. Until then, this is more theater from Rauner and Madigan.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Wednesday, Oct 28, 15 @ 12:36 pm
Louis -
After the reformers saw their meeting hijacked by the governor, I am sure that they suspected that the ONLY thing on the agenda would the governor’s Turnaround Agenda.
No, what the reformers are telling the governor is that spending and revenue need to be on the agenda.
Comment by Juvenal Wednesday, Oct 28, 15 @ 12:38 pm
The leaders should offer a carrot on the turn around agenda and be adult about it and see if the indifferent Rauner wants a budget at all.
Comment by Nero say let it burn Wednesday, Oct 28, 15 @ 12:38 pm
Nero-
The “carrots” can, and probably are to some degree on some of the TurnAround Reforms, already in the budget. The budget deserves the priority right now. Let’s ALL start there first, and as it’s worked on, identify those areas/agencies that could be worked into the TAR. After all, a road cannot be built with TAR alone. It takes a lot of aggregation to make it drivable.
Comment by Anon221 Wednesday, Oct 28, 15 @ 12:43 pm
@juvenal, the letter is addressed “Dear Governor and Legislative Leaders.” It goes on to say: “We are reaching out again to recommend that the agenda for this meeting include input from all participants, thus ensuring that all perspectives are considered.”
Doesn’t call for any one leader to veto what will be discussed, now does it?
Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Wednesday, Oct 28, 15 @ 12:43 pm
Excellent idea.
Rauner needs to say how he’s going to balance a budget without counting pension changes in the same year.
Madigan and the Dems need to say how they’re going to stop the hemorrhaging of jobs and businesses by putting forward some economic ideas.
Comment by Political Animal Wednesday, Oct 28, 15 @ 12:44 pm
===If you were paying attention to all this high drama, it would appear that the two parties most worried about the Turn Around Agenda appearing on the agenda are Madigan and Cullerton.===
Um, - Louis G Atsaves -…
You said…
===So that includes the Turn Around Agenda? Sure sounds like it.===
When Rauner hijacked the meeting, as Governor, why in the world would Rauner worry about it NOT being on the Agenda?
The man is hosting, sent and email saying such, I mean, everyone is under the impression Rauner’s taking points will be a part of it. Madigan is/was waiting to see how much of the hijacking was going to be a part of the agenda.
If you think the Governor of the state of Illinois is a victim to “Fire Madigan”, but it’s a bit disingenuous to believe the man, sitting in the Big Chair isn’t going to have his talking points as part and parcel of it.
Saying Madigan and Cullerton were fearful of that, given how the hijacking occurred is playing the victim card and “we won” to nothing.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 28, 15 @ 12:46 pm
===Doesn’t call for any one leader to veto what will be discussed, now does it? ===
Louis, you’re a smart man so I know you’re not that dense.
It was the governor who insisted that he and he alone set the agenda. This letter is aimed squarely at him.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Oct 28, 15 @ 12:47 pm
Wonder what prompted them to do this today? Any insight Rich?
Comment by burbanite Wednesday, Oct 28, 15 @ 12:47 pm
===Wonder what prompted them to do this today? ===
Seems fairly straight-forward. The governor wanted to set the agenda himself and was saying he doubted anything would get done.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Oct 28, 15 @ 12:50 pm
DraftKings or Fanduel should get involved just to make it really exciting..
Comment by Mouthy Wednesday, Oct 28, 15 @ 12:51 pm
A public meeting means that everything will be for public consumption. If the meeting was private, there may be a slim chance that serious negotiations could begin. Oh well, maybe in January.
Comment by Silent Majority Wednesday, Oct 28, 15 @ 12:52 pm
@Rich Miller, I appreciate your attempt to parse the letter, but the organizations stated: “We are reaching out again to recommend that the agenda for this meeting include input from all participants, thus ensuring that all perspectives are considered.”
It may frustrate many who do not want any portion of the Turn Around Agenda discussed as part of the budget negotiations, but the authors clearly are stating differently.
Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Wednesday, Oct 28, 15 @ 12:53 pm
===“We are reaching out again to recommend that the agenda for this meeting include input from all participants===
And the only person who disagreed with that is the governor.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Oct 28, 15 @ 12:53 pm
How could Cullerton or Madigan respond affirmatively until they know what the agenda is?
Madigan says his participation depends on the agenda, since the meeting was so piggishly hijacked by Rauner.
Wouldn’t be assuming anything…
Comment by Austin Blvd Wednesday, Oct 28, 15 @ 12:53 pm
===I would much rather that they meet in private===
Those haven’t gone anywhere at all.
There are some huge benefits to this public meeting.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Oct 28, 15 @ 12:54 pm
I will be surprised if the “more transparent” governor will want the meeting public in addition to letting others set the agenda.
Comment by illinifan Wednesday, Oct 28, 15 @ 12:54 pm
Madigan & Cullerton need to publically state what they want on the agenda. Please use a statewide medium to report your talking points for the agenda.
Comment by Mama Wednesday, Oct 28, 15 @ 12:55 pm
==A public meeting means that everything will be for public consumption==
This may simply give them a bigger stage to act out the drama. Live streamed for everyone to watch the show.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Wednesday, Oct 28, 15 @ 12:56 pm
Please provide closed caption of the live- stream for the hearing impaired. Thank you
Comment by Mama Wednesday, Oct 28, 15 @ 12:57 pm
I would love for the Governor to go out there and present very specifically to the public what the turn around agenda is. Not platitudes or statements that are not based in mathematical facts. I want A because the state will benefit B. The whole agenda get it out there, let the public see what it is. He didn’t do it during the campaign, he said he would let us know his plans after the election. I wanna see it. I just don’t want to see it at this meeting, he can do it now, plenty of time before the mtg.
Comment by burbanite Wednesday, Oct 28, 15 @ 12:57 pm
Though I do support the good gov groups for stepping up and trying to get the leaders o do something, at least start talking again.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Wednesday, Oct 28, 15 @ 12:57 pm
===I appreciate your attempt to parse the letter, but===
lol
Look at their press release headline: Reform Groups Urge Bipartisan Agenda for Upcoming Budget Meeting
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Oct 28, 15 @ 12:57 pm
- Louis G Atsaves - poking the bear.
===And the only person who disagreed with that is the governor.===
- Louis G Atsaves - the Governor hijacked the location, the framing of his email doing so, and “explaining” how an “agenda” will be framed.
I’ve kept up, so have you, you are choosing to try to make this not a response to Rauner’s hijacking.
Just say that’s why, I’ll respect that. Otherwise, c’mon, you’re smarter than this, bud.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 28, 15 @ 12:58 pm
…And Rauner’s political strategy is to delay, so he has no incentive to have a productive meeting. His prediction of a non-productive meeting was an indicator of that.
Bruce won’t play ball until he knows who on the D side will have a Raunerite opponent.
Comment by Austin Blvd Wednesday, Oct 28, 15 @ 12:59 pm
I wonder how Rauner’s communication’s superstar will respond?
Comment by Mama Wednesday, Oct 28, 15 @ 1:00 pm
==Look at their press release headline: Reform Groups Urge Bipartisan Agenda for Upcoming Budget Meeting==
See, your problem is you’re trying to *read* the *words they wrote*. If you try to *feel* the words *they didn’t write*, you’ll see that this is clearly a demand for an exclusive discussion of the Turnaround Agenda.
Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Oct 28, 15 @ 1:00 pm
Agenda Nov 18, 2015
Revenue
Expense
Timeline
Comment by cdog Wednesday, Oct 28, 15 @ 1:07 pm
What if he (Rauner) sends Goldberg instead? Might happen;/
Comment by Anon221 Wednesday, Oct 28, 15 @ 1:08 pm
Agenda, access, participants all must be acceptable to the leaders including Governor, to create a potentially productive meeting.
Comment by walker Wednesday, Oct 28, 15 @ 1:09 pm
“Hi Rich-
Until those calling for this meeting to happen require the Turnaround Agenda be THE agenda, we may just call it a ’sham’ and send Mr. Goldberg instead.
If we can do that and blame Speaker Madigan, all the better. We’re workin’ on it.
Thanks!
ck
ps - forgive Louis, the talking points he has are outdated.
ck”
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 28, 15 @ 1:11 pm
Louis, this letter was done because they knew Rauner would play games with the agenda. While Rauner was successful in hijacking the meeting, he can’t stop these folks from involving themselves in the process. He’ll reject it and try to bully them out, but their continued insistence on encouraging cooperation is a good thing. A very good thing. All Rauner can do with his ham-handed efforts to control things is generate some bad press.
Keep it up goo goos.
Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Oct 28, 15 @ 1:11 pm
OW- Thought ck might send you something like that;)
Comment by Anon221 Wednesday, Oct 28, 15 @ 1:13 pm
The governor will not commence governing until painted into a corner. Let’s see how he attempts to avoid the intent of this proposed meeting.
Comment by illinoised Wednesday, Oct 28, 15 @ 1:16 pm
I’ll admit that I understand Governor Rauner’s propensity for keeping things in house. But since we’re 5+ months without a budget - using the normal timeline - then that has to go out the window.
I hope they sell tickets and sponsorships to these things. I wonder who DraftKings or FanDuel will sponsor?!
Comment by Team Sleep Wednesday, Oct 28, 15 @ 1:17 pm
Rauner will ignore this request. Nobody tells him how to run his meetings.
Comment by Wensicia Wednesday, Oct 28, 15 @ 1:17 pm
“include input from all participants”
Do the goo goos mean they want input? Are they considering themselves participants? If so god help us all.
Comment by allknowingmasterofracoondom Wednesday, Oct 28, 15 @ 1:18 pm
Venue?
Is there a group out there, that’s keeping up, that is already set up with cameras and streaming technology, that could offer to do this? Somebody in Higher Ed at a University maybe? One of the GooGoos? Let’s go! Make your move!
This is the GooGoos’ meeting for the ALL citizens of Illinois, not King Rauner’s.
Comment by cdog Wednesday, Oct 28, 15 @ 1:22 pm
- Anon221 -
Apologies, I hadn’t seen your comment, don’t want to steal your thunder.
I’ll piggy-back on you abd claim great minds. I need the cred.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 28, 15 @ 1:24 pm
The whole thing is a farce. Why anybody would think that any progress will actually occur just because this meeting is “public” is beyond me. Rauner is not going to present anything specific. He’s gonna keep dropin his ‘g’s and blamin the other side. It’s gonna be good drama, but it isn’t going to be progress. In the meantime, while these goofballs are acting out on their political stage, Illinois citizens are hurting.
Comment by Caramel and Apples Wednesday, Oct 28, 15 @ 1:25 pm
==I’ll admit that I understand Governor Rauner’s propensity for keeping things in house. But since we’re 5+ months without a budget - using the normal timeline - then that has to go out the window.==
You say that like being 5 months without a budget is some kind of evidence that Rauner’s plan isn’t working.
Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Oct 28, 15 @ 1:26 pm
Use c-span live feed
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Oct 28, 15 @ 1:44 pm
@walker nails it, as usual.
To the letter, ==thus ensuring that all perspectives are considered.== indicates that ==all== perspectives are addressed. That obviously includes the budget perspective, but it also includes the reforms being proposed. That is ==all perspectives==.
A prediction: Madigan will try publicly scoring points and boxing Rauner in on the budget. Rauner will try publicly scoring points and boxing Madigan in on specific reforms. Once they publicly trade blows, they will be farther from a compromise rather than closer.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Wednesday, Oct 28, 15 @ 1:45 pm
“It was a sham meeting”, House Speaker Michael Madigan said, “Governor Rauner and the Republicans he controls presented his phony agenda for the failed status quo that hurts the middle class . . .”
Comment by Skeptic Wednesday, Oct 28, 15 @ 1:51 pm
OW- No problem. Gold star:)
Comment by Anon221 Wednesday, Oct 28, 15 @ 1:52 pm
Obviously this is an attempt to force the Governor to govern, and given his full-time commitment to do anything but govern, he will do his all to prevent it from happening.
Bruce Rauner has only one bullet in his political weapon. He is cornered by more than one here, so when the group surrounding him have decided that they aren’t afraid of that one bullet anymore - Rauner officially loses.
Governor Rauner has no more bridges left. He has burned them all down in this one fight. The moment it is resolved is the moment he will be left friendless and irrelevant.
No one is going to support future attempts to do a repeat of what he’s put us through since July. Like John Brown walled up in Harper’s Ferry, Rauner has not seen a massive uprising he expected would support him in his battle.
Illinoisans are tired of his antics. They might agree that things need to change, but they are even more tired of seeing a foolish rich man play Russian Roulette with dwindling state assets.
Ten months. What has he done? Where is the good will he could have been generating in our state’s highest elected office? He flits around posing with pumpkins and waffles, meeting seniors in meet and greets, but hasn’t done anything he had done during last year’s campaign.
This meeting exposes Illinois government in a negative light. The fact this it is being held is a nightmare. We’ve been through a parade of governors who have ended up in handcuffs and as laughingstocks - but we still didn’t have to do this.
Rauner is a wreck of a governor.
Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Oct 28, 15 @ 1:56 pm
This letter reminds me a bit of the MOAs a certain former Governor received. No, no, no…we agreed to THIS not THAT. Good for them for trying to box everyone in.
Comment by Sangamo Sam Wednesday, Oct 28, 15 @ 1:57 pm
To Rich’s comment on the update,
I really don’t think these groups are taking Madigan’s side by claiming that the economy (from where taxes come) is unrelated to the budget. If that is what they’re trying to do (aka force Rauner to give up on his entire bargaining position) then this meeting failed before it started.
Comment by Political Animal Wednesday, Oct 28, 15 @ 2:09 pm
Didn’t Sue Garrett serve in the House and Senate while the State of Illinois deteriorated? As a former supporter of both Cullerton and Madigan, where does she get the standing to be a fixer?
Comment by Pawnee Wednesday, Oct 28, 15 @ 2:10 pm
C-Span live feed? I like it.
Serious national journalists will then realize that non-1-percenter Illinoisans are faced with open class warfare by the disingenuous governor they elected.
Comment by Stumpy's bunker Wednesday, Oct 28, 15 @ 2:17 pm
- Pawnee -,
It’s more than Ms. Garrett involved.
Lots of people under your bed?
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 28, 15 @ 2:20 pm
@Norseman, the more that letter is explained, the more convoluted the explanations get. A number have also claimed the Governor has “hijacked” the meeting. Either invite all special interest groups in to participate or none of them at all. Rauner was correct to take charge. The meeting should be the 5 only.
“We are reaching out again to recommend that the agenda for this meeting include input from all participants, thus ensuring that all perspectives are considered.” I thought that was pretty clear and still do. It would include the “Turn Around Agenda” and other topics of interest.
I would prefer a private meeting between the 5, but really feel that a public meeting would blow a lot of myths about the 5 to smithereens. Make sure they all are on camera at all times. Let it go public!
And it should be in the Governor’s office, not some hotel or the Union League Club.
Just a few more of my “dense” (LOL) thoughts uttered today on OXI Day, when bravery confronted fear against astronomical odds.
Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Wednesday, Oct 28, 15 @ 2:26 pm
The present course of exponential damage, if not resolved, means Illinois will soon become national news. The ICPR can jump-start this certainty with planning.
Thinking it through, national news interest would not be good for Raun Man.
Comment by Stumpy's bunker Wednesday, Oct 28, 15 @ 2:26 pm
- Louis G Atsaves -
===A number have also claimed the Governor has “hijacked” the meeting.===
He has.
===Rauner was correct to take charge. The meeting should be the 5 only.===
Rauner hijacked the meeting because being overshadowed abd having other point out that Rauner refuses to do his job is quite embarrassing for Rauner.
===Rauner was correct to take charge.===
He could have taken charge weeks and weeks ago. Rauner didn’t. Was it because Rauner can’t be governor, or doesn’t want to be a functioning governor?
===I thought that was pretty clear and still do. It would include the “Turn Around Agenda” and other topics of interest.===
LOL.
Rauner hijacked the meeting and the location, and the agenda. Bruce Rauner is lacking in trust. When you take what isn’t yours, those want what it was intended to be. This Rauner Victimhood knows no bounds.
- Louis G Atsaves - you are not this dense.
===And it should be in the Governor’s office, not some hotel or the Union League Club.===
Again, it’s embarrassingly pathetic it took those to point out Rauner is inept at calling a meeting, to get Rauber to… hijack a meeting. Comically sad on Rauner.
Other than that…
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 28, 15 @ 2:37 pm
- Polar Vertex Survivor -
Good luck with all that. I suggest you not holding your breath.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 28, 15 @ 2:44 pm
MJM: “All we want to do is decide whether to play touch or tackle football, but Bruce won’t compe out of his house until we call ourselves poopy heads, tie one hand behind our backs and only play one at a time.”
BVR: “Well, you and the football players you control are bad for the neighborhood. No one can compete when you play as a team, especially when they have to play on the field by your house.”
Random passer-by: “Say, why don’t you go over to the park there and talk about what kind of football you’re going to play?”
BVR: “Good idea! Glad I thought of it! Let’s all go over to my house and talk about how MJM is going to call himself a poopy head and tie one hand behind his back while we break up the team!”
Comment by Skeptic Wednesday, Oct 28, 15 @ 2:53 pm
Gov. Rauner has been saying all along that the Turnaround Agenda needs to be discussed along with budget.
He might get what he wishes for with this public meeting if the agenda ends up being (1) Various Turnaround Agenda items, (2) Budget.
But, in a public meeting, it’ll be hard to hide his holding the budget hostage to the Turnaround Agenda.
Comment by Robert the Bruce Wednesday, Oct 28, 15 @ 3:10 pm
@OswegoWilly, it would appear that Greg Hinz of Crain’s Chicago Business has the same take on this that I, a dense person, have. He even quotes the same thing I have been quoting:
From his article:
“”We are reaching out again to recommend that the agenda for this meeting include input from all the participants, thus ensuring that all perspectives are considered,” the letter said. “A meeting agenda that reflects this bipartisan effort and encompasses all of the issues is necessary to a positive outcome for our state.”
“I took that as mostly a shot at Rauner, who earlier had seemed to suggest he’d take the lead in setting the agenda. But saying “all issues” must be on the table is a message of sorts to Madigan, who has insisted that the state deal with the budget before getting to some of the pro-business, anti-union cost-cutting measures the governor wants.”
Happy OXI day to you!
Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Wednesday, Oct 28, 15 @ 3:17 pm
===I took that as mostly a shot at Rauner===
That’s not what you were saying Louis.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Oct 28, 15 @ 3:23 pm
===That’s not what you were saying Louis.===
Agreed.
From your grab;
===“I took that as mostly a shot at Rauner, who earlier had seemed to suggest he’d take the lead in setting the agenda.===
What am I missing in your original point, that you are trying to make now?
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 28, 15 @ 3:29 pm
Can the court legally forced a governor to do his job (functioning as a governor)?
Comment by Mama Wednesday, Oct 28, 15 @ 3:37 pm
The agenda should include:
1) Economic reforms to grow the tax base and relieve pressure on social services. These ideas should include both Rauner’s and the Dem’s ideas. I haven’t heard any economic ideas from the Dems yet.
2) Direct budget talks, again including a comprehensive plan from both sides that includes spending goals as well as funding goals. Neither side has put forward a true comprehensive solution to the current deficit yet.
Comment by Political Animal Wednesday, Oct 28, 15 @ 3:43 pm
@Mama - they may not be able to force him to ==do his job==, generally speaking, any more than they can force the GA to do the same.
But they can force them to take certain steps and do certain things that a Governor or the GA would normally do as part of their jobs. Such as directing some of the payments that are being made right now, which normally would have been handled as part of the budget process.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Wednesday, Oct 28, 15 @ 3:44 pm
Next these groups are going to call for a live media stream into caucus meetings.
Comment by Just Me Wednesday, Oct 28, 15 @ 3:55 pm
I’ve read and re-read the letter and how anyone can interpret that letter to be an admonishment to make sure the Turnaround Agenda is on the agenda is beyond me. The letter is pretty crystal clear to me. It’s plain that they want to make sure the agenda isn’t hijacked to only include the Turnaround Agenda. They are very specifically calling for the budget to be part of the agenda. When the Governor insists on controlling the meeting and organizing the agenda, the only conclusion to make would be that he would hijack the meeting and turn it once again into a pointless meeting on the Turnaround Agenda and wouldn’t discuss the budget. He’s never deviated from that and I wouldn’t expect him to now. So, try as you might to spin this Louis, your spin looks ridiculous.
Comment by Demoralized Wednesday, Oct 28, 15 @ 3:57 pm
I am so looking forward to Rauner have to defend his assertions in public oral discourse, parliamentary style.
He comes across rather one-trick ponyish and just might not have the orator skills to do this.
C-SPAN!!!!
Comment by cdog Wednesday, Oct 28, 15 @ 4:16 pm
Louis, I’ve been out and about. I see that Willy and Demoralized has adequately addressed your points. I would add that while you’re concern is basically defending Rauner, our concern is seeing that something gets done.
Rauner could have convened multiple meetings to try and negotiate a budget. He didn’t. This meeting only came about because groups felt some catalyst was needed to break the stalemate. They’re right. Since you’ve stated that it’s a proper role for Rauner to convene the meeting, I can only interpret his failure to do so prior to the goo goo invitation as further proof of Rauner’s inadequacy as a leader. We can’t let Rauner’s hijacking (I’ll accept that description) lead to a meeting that basically ends up being a campaign speech by Rauner and the four tops. A good agenda will be an important tool to try and focus the meeting.
I’ve already thrown out the idea of Ryan or Thompson arbitrating the process. The goo goo involvement is our next best hope for movement. We know you’re good at spinning for Rauner, what is your suggestion for moving us toward a budget. Parroting Rauner’s turnaround agenda doesn’t count.
Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Oct 28, 15 @ 4:56 pm
We have been at an impasse over the agenda since February.
A definition of issues to tackle, and the order in which to address them, has not been agreed.
The Agenda is the “impasse.”
That’s why this will be watched like the CIA studies worry lines on the faces of North Korean generals.
Comment by walker Wednesday, Oct 28, 15 @ 5:03 pm
Wonder when the “draft” Agenda is going to be provided. 11:59 on the 17th?
Comment by burbanite Wednesday, Oct 28, 15 @ 6:07 pm
Awesome an after election debate!
Comment by present Thursday, Oct 29, 15 @ 7:59 am