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Looking at Rauner’s ROI

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Illinois

* My weekly syndicated newspaper column…

For months now, Gov. Bruce Rauner has said he won’t negotiate a state budget unless his “Turnaround Agenda” demands are met.

In the meantime, he has slashed funding for the child care assistance program, homeless services have been decimated, mental health services are going without cash, universities are struggling and even the Meals on Wheels service for the elderly is cutting back deliveries.

But one of the most important things missing from the debate over that “Turnaround Agenda” is how much money the governor’s proposals will truly save state and local governments. Is it really worth all this pain?

There is simply no hard, reliable, trustworthy data out there because numbers from both sides of the debate on union-related subjects like the prevailing wage are so steeped in ideology.

Among other things, the governor is demanding that local governments, including school districts, be allowed to opt out of paying the prevailing wage on construction and other projects. The amount is set by county and all publicly financed projects must pay those wages. Unions say killing off the prevailing wage won’t save much if any money because productivity will drop when inexperienced, low-wage employees are used to replace trained construction and trades workers.

But, just for the sake of argument, let’s take the proponents at their word on this particular topic.

A June, 2014 study conducted by the Anderson Economic Group for the far-right Illinois Policy Institute, the Illinois Association of School Boards, the Illinois Chamber and the Illinois Black Chamber found that eliminating the prevailing wage would’ve saved local school districts $126.4 million in 2011 (that’s in 2013 dollars, by the way).

According to the state’s Commission on Governmental Forecasting and Accountability, local school districts extended (billed) $16.4 billion in property taxes in 2011. Adjust that 2011 amount to 2013 dollars to even it out with the Anderson study and we get $16.98 billion.

So, even if every single local school district throughout Illinois immediately stopped paying prevailing wage rates on construction projects (not gonna happen) and even if eliminating the prevailing wage does indeed save as much as the Anderson study projected (doubtful), school districts could’ve saved a grand total of 0.74 percent of their property tax budgets, which is not much more than a rounding error. Now figure, in reality, savings of at most half that amount and we’re looking at about a third of a percentage point. That’s not even a rounding error.

Not to mention that the total percentage saved from allowing local governments to opt-in to eliminate the prevailing wage in their actual operating budgets is quite a bit smaller because to get an accurate count you’d have to add in revenues from local sales taxes, state and federal money, etc. Charitably, are we talking maybe a quarter of a percentage point saved here? If that?

Whenever you make a huge investment of time and effort, you should always calculate what’s known as the Return on Investment, or ROI. As far as the prevailing wage goes, this doesn’t look to my eyes like a good enough ROI to continue refusing to negotiate on the budget.

I mean, really, you’re gonna shut down critical state services for months on end for a few million bucks—on a bill that the pro-union majority Democratic General Assembly will never support anyway?

Either change the proposal (perhaps to apply it to only smaller projects) or move along. The benefit is nowhere near worth the current pain.

And, by the way, I am not by any means saying that the governor has to be the only one who needs to start talking about a budget deal.

Legislative Democrats have completely eluded the topic of higher revenues all year. Yes, they say in general that they want a “mixture” of budget cuts and tax hikes. That’s nice and all, but if they truly support the programs they say they hold so dear, like child care assistance and need-based college grants, then they’re gonna have to pay for them.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, voting to fund these programs without voting for any revenue to pay for them is like the college student who can’t get it in his head that having checks in his checkbook doesn’t translate into having money in his bank account.

Somehow, some way, we need to get our leaders to start facing reality.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 8:54 am

Comments

Spread the blame out and negotiations will begin/resume/restart. Blame one man only and the current status will remain in place.

Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 9:03 am
Rauner had his chance and has failed.

Comment by Rauner Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 9:06 am
“Ideology will always win over facts.” - Republican Primer.

Comment by Rufus Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 9:07 am
Why’s that, Louis? Who has to “spread the blame” for these things to happen? Why is that necessary?

Dont many people already “spread the blame?” Who are we waiting on?

In short, what are you talking about?

Comment by Wordslinger Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 9:08 am
9:06 was me. Need some coffee to wake up.

Comment by DuPage Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 9:09 am
Stop name calling and sending dead fish and maybe the talks will start. Rich did acknowledge that both parties share blame.

Comment by burbanite Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 9:10 am
What I’ve read is that he wants to prohibit bargaining over wages, hours, pensions, etc…but what I heard in that video was he wants local control over whether to. Is that a flip-flop or is the former a mischaracterization?

To the Post: Imagine your doctor recommends amputating your left leg but won’t talk specifics about how it will improve your health, and all the research you do on your own shows only marginal benefit. That’s what this is all about.

Comment by Skeptic Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 9:11 am
===Blame one man only and the current status will remain in place.===

Rauner is not a victim of taking the hostsges, nor should heat be removed, as Candidate Rauner reminded voters often;

“Pat Quinn failed…”

Bruce Rauner owns his decisions.

“Stay the course”, “Hang in there” really means…

…Rauner is choosing the pain.

Rauner owns.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 9:13 am
Skeptic, he still wants that. It is just that he can’t sell it as easily.

Comment by Me too Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 9:14 am
“Somehow, some way, we need to get our leaders to start facing reality.” Reality? Hello… we don’t do reality in IL. /s

Comment by Mama Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 9:16 am
Why does Chicago get to have local control over collective bargaining but not the rest of the state?

Comment by Lucky Pierre Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 9:18 am
Dear Gov. Raunger a .74% savings statewide IF the numbers compiled are accurate? This is what your entire union busting proposal will do? C’MON MAN! Do the job you were elected to do! Propose a REAL balanced budget and work the votes if you can, if not, sit down with the four tops TODAY and find out what can be passed (revenue increase). IT IS YOUR JOB AFTER ALL, RIGHT?

Comment by qualified somebody nobody sent Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 9:18 am
The ROI is further diminishment of the power of working people. This is something that has great long term appeal to the 1%.

Comment by Niblets Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 9:19 am
==- Rufus - Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 9:07 am:
“Ideology will always win over facts.” - Republican Primer.==
Rufus you must be a Dufus!

Comment by Mama Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 9:19 am
@wordslinger and @oswegowilly, you both think that Madigan and Cullerton have NO culpability over this budget impasse?

None whatsoever? Not even a teeny little bit? Give. Me. A. Break.

Go ahead. Pretend otherwise.

Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 9:19 am
I’m probably in the minority but to be able to get term limit and gerrymandering ammendments on the ballot passed is worth a lot. To never again have a career politician like Mike Madigan infect this state. To have citizen legislators coming from competitive districts will put this state on a path to success for future generations.

Comment by Very Fed Up Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 9:20 am
==The ROI is further diminishment of the power of working people. This is something that has great long term appeal to the 1%.==
Should we allow the 1% to control the 99%? H- NO!

Comment by Mama Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 9:21 am
“If I say it’s worth holding hostages, then it’s worth it.” Bruce

Comment by Norseman Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 9:22 am
Don’t forget - every dollar ’saved’ under his proposal is a dollar out of some worker’s pocket. Cutting prevailing wage means cutting wages. And it’s not just the specific workers - employers have to compete in the marketplace to attract workers. If those workers can get prevailing wage on a covered project, employers not covered have to pay higher wages to fill their jobs. Prevailing wage props up the wages for all workers. Rauner is seeking to lower wages for workers, plain and simple, in order to save taxpayers pennies.

Comment by Rasselas Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 9:23 am
==Somehow, some way, we need to get our leaders to start facing reality.==

The 5% income tax was a little closer to reality. The annual pension payment was made. The back pile of vendor bills decreased. We more or less had a balanced budget if we didn’t count the pension debt. But Rauner asked the General Assembly not to extend the 5% income tax rate. What reality is Rauner working with?

Comment by Joe M Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 9:24 am
Rich, Thanks for doing this work and assigning numbers to the (projected, hoped for) savings from the changes that Rauner wants.

The numbers are extremely interesting and revealing. Among other things, they suggest that Rauner is indeed (as some of us have suspected all along) driven purely by ideology [dogma], not by any genuine belief that the changes are needed. (And of course there are reasons to think the changes would be very bad for some people: here the numbers suggest that there would be no significant off-setting gain.)

As usual, I don’t suppose that facts will do much to get in the way of the ideology, but it’s important to have them available and publicized as much as possible.

Comment by UIC Guy Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 9:24 am
The only way you can insure even the 0.74% savings is if you legislate that the cost savings from lower wages is passed on to the customer and not pocketed by the Contractor. If you don’t, you end up in the same situation that the 2011 Work Comp legislation created. RTW is not about ROI, it’s about being “Business Friendly”.

Comment by Gruntled University Employee Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 9:25 am
–eliminating the prevailing wage would’ve saved… a grand total of 0.74 percent of their property tax budgets==

Can we get a Raunerite response other than “But…but Madigan!”

Comment by Jocko Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 9:26 am
- Louis G Atsaves -

1) Rauner doesn’t have the 71/36 nor does he have the 60/30 to get what he wants, today. Rauner first chose a multi-million dollar Ad campaign against Madigan, that didn’t get Rauner closer. Rauner chose to Veto the budget, (a Rauner choice), and the harm of not understanding 60/30 or 71/36, a poorly thoughtout “Ad campaign”, and not funding his state agencies, all on Rauner.

2) See Gov. Edgar’s recent quotes to as to, with personal experiences, as my ready-read example.

3) Wasn’t shutting down the state part of “Shaking up” and “Bringing back”? Candidate Rauner said it was so.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 9:27 am
===Madigan and Cullerton have NO culpability over this budget impasse?===

You can blame them for a lot of problems. Not this. They are willing to work with anyone to solve the budget problem. The governor is willing to work with nobody. So, yes. It is ALL EVERY BIT the fault of the governor. PERIOD.

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 9:27 am
While I appreciate the careful legwork of running these numbers down, it seems almost quaint of you to have taken the “turnaround agenda”seriously in this way.

Slim reeds though they be, Republicans continually invent these kinds of red herring arguments and proposals not just to distract voters from the failures of supply side tax cuts for the wealthy over the past generation, but to distract themselves.

Understanding our current slow rate of growth requires accounting for lack of demand. Lack of demand can only be explained by a broad lack of buying power. The historic loss of buying power can only be explained by falling wages in real terms.

But to acknowledge the obvious would mean admitting that Reaganomics has been a huge failure, which no Republican can admit. This is why a “turnaround agenda” that came out of nowhere is suddenly and article of faith. Next week it will be the Gold Standard or some other kooky nonsense; mark my words.

Nevermind that Edgar and Thompson both called B.S. on it; the Republicans in the G.A. will grasp at anything. To acknowledge the truth would be devastating. So they won’t.

Comment by History Prof Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 9:28 am
Very Fed Up beat me to it. How do you quantify ROI on political reform? Especially when the current system has given unions so much power that they almost picked the GOP nominee for governor, and came one vote away from severely limiting the negotiating power of the only non-gerrymandered elected official? And why does the principle of one-man, one-vote need to be quantified with ROI? People have died for that principle.

Comment by lake county democrat Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 9:29 am
==Spread the blame…== All this blaming, so childish in how long it’s going on. Adults take responsibility. How about the leaders Sread the Responsibility!

…and no one gets to be called a leader until he or she steps forward to work.

Comment by South Central Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 9:30 am
Wouldn’t it be fascinating to know the “economic impact” that Rauner’s policies have had on Illinois?
First, of course, comes his demand that tax rates be reduced in Jan. 1.
Then we must factor in state employees showing up for work with no resources to go their jobs.
Then we must calculate the interest IL will be paying vendors whose payments will be delayed.
Then we must calculate the impact of those who have lost their jobs due to agencies not being funded.
Then we must calculate the impact on childcare providers who lost business.
Then we must calculate the impact of lost wages for those parents who had to quit their jobs because they lost childcare benefits.
Then we must calculate the cost of unemployment benefits for all those no longer working due to this Governor’s policies.
What did I miss?

Comment by Solid Dwight Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 9:34 am
If Rauner’s policies are so extreme why are they being held up in committee and not voted on?

Could it be that some are popular and force tough votes?

Enough of the delay vote on it and if it doesn’t pass then they will at least be all on the record

Comment by Lucky Pierre Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 9:34 am
Great column, Rich. In the whirlwind of Rauner vs. Madigan and Republican vs. Democrat, you’ve provided everyone with a clear, mathematical, dollars-and-cents example of why this is so ridiculous. Furthermore, you didn’t just blame one person, you spread the blame around to everyone who deserves it. Great work.

Comment by Roamin' Numeral Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 9:34 am
Buying a package of fish fillets as a joke for the mayor asking you to do your job is not an example of facing reality.

Comment by Wensicia Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 9:35 am
Rauner doesn’t understand what it means to serve, only to own. So he cannot negotiate with other government leaders because he disrespects their values.

He doesn’t care what the bottom line is - he believes in what he believes and doesn’t respect other opinions.

After ten months of this man in office, I find it amazing that there are actually some Illinoisans who are still holding out hope that Rauner knows what he is doing. He doesn’t.

Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 9:38 am
Joe M. you hit the nail on the head. Rauner played demagogue with the tax hike…the reason Quinn lost was the tax hike. Now Rauner squirms, worms, dances, distracts but bottom line, he lied, Quinn was right, we needed the tax hike. It ain’t about turn around, it is about it you can’t confuse them with the facts dazzle them with your b.s.

Comment by ottawa otter Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 9:38 am
Willy and Word

I’m Ashamed of you 2 Ashamed! Clearly Louis is stating that Rauner blaming everything that has happened since 12/03/1818 on Michael Madigan is preventing any kind of budget compromise. It’s obvious isn’t it? I mean everyone knows it’s easier to negotiate when you respect the other party as an equal. Louis is an accomplished attorney surely he wouldn’t propose slandering someone he has to reach a settlement with? Especially when the otherside holds the advantage?

Oh wait I see he responded never mind the Farce is strong in that one carry on.

Comment by Mason born Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 9:39 am
===”Rauner doesn’t have the 71/36 nor does he have the 60/30 to get what he wants, today.”===

This is true. Two other individuals have the 71/36 and 60/30. You know, the two other individuals who you refuse to acknowledge any wrongdoing here, or that they even exist in your arguments. They can peel off some of their votes to add to GOP votes and the impasse could end.

But all of them have to sit down and start talking. All. Of. Them. They. Are. All. Responsible. For. This.

Spread the blame around, there is plenty to go around.

Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 9:43 am
Will the grown ups show up to actually legislate and govern? No? Then I guess it’s all name calling, campaigning and press conferences. When do we officially become DC?

Comment by DuPage Bard Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 9:44 am
The Turnaround Agenda is not an economic agenda. Its goal is not to improve Illinois’ economy.

It is a political agenda and its goal is to weaken the Democratic party. Attacking and doing everything possible to weaken organized labor has the goal of weakening the Democratic party. Same thing with term limits and redistricting. Why have we heard ad nauseam how corrupt (and how long they have been in power - over 100 years!) Madigan and his democratic cronies are?

Comment by Henry Francis Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 9:44 am
Either change the proposal (perhaps to apply it to only smaller projects) or move along.-

Rich, applying this turn around agenda proposal to “smaller projects” would have a catastrophic impact on the State’s economy.

Are you really advocating a Death Swirl instead of a Death Spiral?

Either way you’ll end up in the same place, with less revenue.

From Eric Zorn’s column; http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/zorn/ct-prevailing-wage-debate-zorn-perspec-1028-jm-20151027-column.html

But a substantial body of research suggests that the hoped-for virtuous cycle sparked by a repeal of prevailing wage laws is more likely to become a death spiral.

“Eliminating prevailing wage would have broad-reaching negative impacts across the California economy,” said a report by Colorado State University economist Kevin Duncan issued earlier this year in response to a Rauner-like proposal in California.

Why? Because if construction contractors pay their employees less or hire cheaper labor from elsewhere, the local workers are likely to spend less in the community, and more of them will end up on public-assistance programs. Duncan forecast a net loss of 17,500 jobs and a $1.4 billion hit to California’s bottom line.

Comment by Chicago 20 Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 9:44 am
Here’s what I believe the deal was between the ILGOP and Rauner done at the crossroads at midnight. Rauner will destroy the unions for himself (and the oligarchs) and for the ILGOP to take control of the GA. This will be the only goal of the administration. Perfidy and obfuscation will be the order of the day to hide the true and only goal. Deals at the crossroads at midnight are irrevocable. The deal was done. Now it plays out. Rauner will not fold. He has nothing to lose, either way it doesn’t matter to him. If he wins he get’s a great victory, if he doesn’t and the ILGOP dies in the process he still get’s their soul. If he loses he also has done irreparable damage to the social safety net making it ripe for profit. Ripe for privatization. (Buy it, Break it, Replace it for profit) Either way, he is winning. He doesn’t care about the damage. It is the way to profit. It’s funny, I always assumed that the Turnaround Agenda meant turning Illinois around to better times. Nope, not enough profit in that. It’s turnaround agenda towards breaking it where it can be replaced for the profit of a few. ILGOP made the deal at the crossroads for power, not for a better ROI.

Comment by Honeybear Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 9:45 am
@Mason born: “Clearly Louis is stating that Rauner blaming everything that has happened since 12/03/1818 on Michael Madigan is preventing any kind of budget compromise.”

I didn’t realize the current Speaker of the House was that old!
Xronia polla Mr. Madigan!

Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 9:46 am
@very fed up:

Draconian cuts for Wealthy Welfare WERE on the ballot last November.

Why doesn’t he support these cuts?

Comment by Jack Stephens Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 9:46 am
==- Very Fed Up - Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 9:20 am:

I’m probably in the minority but to be able to get term limit and gerrymandering ammendments on the ballot passed is worth a lot. To never again have a career politician like Mike Madigan infect this state. To have citizen legislators coming from competitive districts will put this state on a path to success for future generations.==

That is very poetic, but can you figure out a lyrical way to mention how your fresh faced citizen leaders will be even more controlled than they are now by party leaders and lobbyists, who are unelected and have no term limits?

Comment by Term Limits Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 9:47 am
The ROI on this issue, as shaky and small is it is, is the most solid forecast available of any of the eight Turnaround Agenda items.

The direct impact on the state budget itself, when using locally available savings to help justify a property tax freeze, is zero. Any state-level savings would only occur if the state can use these forecasted local savings to justify lower distributed funds.

ROI on the “business friendly environment” items like tort reform, workers’ comp, and DCEO: very hard to estimate in terms of impacting numbers of companies and jobs deciding to stay or go, or come to Illinois. Some potential positives, some day, but how much and when?

ROI on lower business and personal taxes? What studies have been done show very minimal changes in state economies if any, at the rates we’re talking, nowhere near what the ideologues like IPI and Rauner’s own “Blueprint” claim, and won’t be happening in Illinois any time soon.

Term limits, remapping, and other “good government” items won’t have any impact until 2022 and later, and that impact is just as likely to encourage more spending by GA members to respond to donors and constituents, as it is to cut spending. Not to say they’re bad things to do. Just that their “returns” are not financial, but could be in public trust, over the long term.

In short to make his point, Rich rightly picked Rauner’s best-case ROI item, and even it comes sadly short.

Comment by walker Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 9:48 am
===Two other individuals have the 71/36 and 60/30.===

Governors own the budgeting process. Governors are crafting budgets to give monetary value… to their beliefs, whst their Administration values, and where governors want the state heading, by a passed document placing value on the levers to move the state in their visions of state government.

It’s a governor’s responsibilty to get a passed budget for HIS state agencies.

Seriously, - Louis G Atsaves -, if Bruce Rauner lacks, just say so.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 9:50 am
Louis, try reading posts for comprehension, including your own. I didn’t mention any names.

I was trying to make sense of your claim that “spread the blame around and negotiations will start.”

Who do you think needs to do that? Why would that start negotiations? I don’t understand.

Or was that just a meaningless platitude?

You’re obsessed with “blame,”

Tell you what — I’ll take the blame for, whatever.

Feel better? Will that start negotiations?

Comment by Wordslinger Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 9:53 am
- Gruntled University Employee -

“The only way you can insure even the 0.74% savings is if you legislate that the cost savings from lower wages is passed on to the customer and not pocketed by the Contractor.”

Legislation that lowered the McCormick Place workers wages didn’t reduce exhibitors costs. Since the McCormick Place reforms exhibitors costs have doubled, tripled and quadrupled.
Audits are required by the reforms are so severely restricted that even the auditor acknowledges the futility.

Comment by Chicago 20 Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 9:54 am
Louis

Exageration to prove a point. In this case that the governor has blinders on and has blamed Madigan for every perceived sin he can think of including his own incompetence.

Why did the courts have to order state employees paid? Because Rauner and co. weren’t competent to line item the budget. If you attempt to use logic it’s pretty ludicrous Rauners attempt to shift blame even for his own actions. At this point I wouldn’t be surprised if he blamed Madigan for the 1818 compromise. Good lord my boys took more responsibilty in preschool than Rauner does.

Comment by Mason born Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 9:56 am
The Dem leaders did not extend the tax hike under Quinn (something PQ campaigned for) because the Speaker believed he’d lose his super majority in the district elections. The needed revenue was bypassed for legislative power in the House. Of course Rauner didn’t support a tax increase while campaigning (no surprise). Now that the super majority was held, and a Republican was elected Governor - the effort to diminish that Gov has been priority one. If the Dems want a revenue increase - put a bill on the Gov’s desk. He’ll blame the Dems, of course. The Dems will have the opportunity to hang the tax increase on the Gov at election time. That was the plan all along - so just do it already. If he vetoes it, then you have the visual you want to make him ‘own’ the social service failure. Either way, the Gov will own the increase or own the failure. Just do it already, with that super majority that was at the heart of all this long ago.

Comment by Lincoln Lad Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 9:58 am
If prevailing wage is so insignificant, why haven’t the Dems proposed applying it to smaller projects to compromise as Rich suggested?

Comment by justacitizen Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 9:59 am
===Very Fed Up beat me to it. How do you quantify ROI on political reform? Especially when the current system has given unions so much power that they almost picked the GOP nominee for governor,===

Welcome to the magic of low turnout elections. The “silent majority” might want to consider stopping by the polls next time.

===and came one vote away from severely limiting the negotiating power of the only non-gerrymandered elected official?===

It also severely limited the negotiating power of the union by taking away their “nuclear option” as well, but hey, narratives…

=== And why does the principle of one-man, one-vote need to be quantified with ROI? People have died for that principle. ===

I’m going to assume you never sat in on a political science class. That said, where do you think the concept of “strategic voting” came from?

More seriously though, any remap plan that promises to “respect the territorial integrity of geographic units” is going to be just as prone to gerrymandering and disproportionate representation as the current setup.

Comment by GraduatedCollegeStudent Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 9:59 am
@wordslinger, I comprehend just fine. For months Mr. Madigan has been finger pointing. Haven’t you noticed?

Keep pretending.

Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 9:59 am
==If the Dems want a revenue increase - put a bill on the Gov’s desk.==

Not the issue. The issue is that the Governor refuses to even TALK about the budget until his Mystery Box of reforms is passed.

Comment by Arsenal Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 10:01 am
“Especially when the current system has given billionaires so much power that they bought the GOP nominee for governor”

Fixed it for you.

Comment by Name Withheld Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 10:02 am
==Especially when the current system has given unions so much power that they almost picked the GOP nominee for governor==

I will forever love the idea that unions trying to have a say in politics is ipso facto evidence of corruption.

Comment by Arsenal Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 10:04 am
===The Dem leaders did not extend the tax hike under Quinn (something PQ campaigned for) because the Speaker believed he’d lose his super majority in the district elections.===

Did you forget that Gov-Elect Rauner also asked for it expire? The election was over. Rauner asked for the expiration.

Try, just try, to be honest. Thanks.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 10:04 am
Chicago 20

=Legislation that lowered the McCormick Place workers wages didn’t reduce exhibitors costs. Since the McCormick Place reforms exhibitors costs have doubled, tripled and quadrupled.
Audits are required by the reforms are so severely restricted that even the auditor acknowledges the futility. =

My point exactly, thank you for the example. The problem Prevailing Wage has helped create is an “us against them” mentality by the people not covered by it. It’s an “if I cant have it, no one should” mindset by rank and file labor, heavily fueled by Management.

Comment by Gruntled University Employee Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 10:09 am
A little off topic but related: I filed my individual income tax return October 14 and was getting a 4-figure refund. I thought I would be waiting in line like everyone else and it would awhile before I received it. The refund was deposited in two weeks, and that is even filing a paper return, not electronically. I guess they don’t want a lot of taxpayers complaining about refunds.

Comment by 32nd Ward Roscoe Village Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 10:09 am
- OW -
Of course Rauner asked for it to expire, what Republican runs on increasing taxes? Don’t try to tell the readers of this blog that the Dems are holding back a revenue increase because of a republican campaign stump speech.
Try, just try, to see that today’s issues are a result of the unwillingness to do what needed to be done when PQ was governor and would have signed into law the extension of the tax increase everyone knew was needed.
You want honest? The only reason the tax increase carried a sunset provision was the Speaker’s belief that without the sunset provision he would have had issues at election time in the districts in the previous election.
This all was born in the desire for gaining and holding a super majority in the House.

Comment by Lincoln Lad Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 10:15 am
The comptroller puts the gap between projected FY16 GRF revenues and mandated spending at about $6 billion.

That doesn’t include the billions in usual social service and university spending that is currently out in the cold.

It’s lunacy to talk about obtuse structural reforms with no credible ROI when willfully inflicting that kind of damage.

Unless, of course, the plan, is to radically “structurally reform” the state out of the social services and university funding business.

I suspect that’s the case. The deficit already is enormous. The governor has signaled he’s not willing to deal until January, more than halfway through the fiscal year.

Paint me a picture where you close the GRF deficit and social services and unis get made whole on what they’ve already lost? The arithmetic is unforgiving.

The same is true for local governments dedicated revenues. Each passing day, the pressure mounts to change the law and sweep those funds for GRF now and going forward.

That’s the real “structural reform” the governor is pushing, using a willfully contrived GRF deficit to greatly reduce state funding for social services, higher education and local governments.

Rather than a “Turnaround Agenda” it should be called “A Return to Normalcy.”

Comment by Wordslinger Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 10:18 am
===Don’t try to tell the readers of this blog that the Dems are holding back a revenue increase because of a republican campaign stump speech.===

Read what I wrote, exactly as I wrote it;

“Did you forget that Gov-Elect Rauner also asked for it expire? The election was over. Rauner asked for the expiration.”

Please, try, try to be honest.

===The only reason the tax increase carried a sunset provision was the Speaker’s belief that without the sunset provision he would have had issues at election time in the districts in the previous election.===

Then Gov-Elect Rauner should have stayed silent instead of asking, as Gov-Elect, after the election, (both facts you conveniently ignore) that the tax increase expire.

The Democrats obliged.

Can’t re-write what happened.

Sorry.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 10:20 am
A few points on this topic. First, two things about the study that I think diminish Rich’s ROI (and I’m not saying the study is wrong, just think these need pointing out). One, if you look at what is driving the average, it was building in 2002 and 2003, during Illinois first. Actual spending today is far less than it was during that time and earlier. Two, a lot of these projects are bonded out, so you would not see annual savings, but the savings would be amortized over an extended period of time.

LCD, I really can’t believe you are buying all this political reform stuff hook line and sinker. If the Governor was offered his anti-Union stuff, he would drop redistributing and term limits like a bad habit. That is just the lipstick on the pig to keep the editorial boards happy that he is fighting for the populist stuff.

Justacitizen, it’s important to remember that the Governor has said that he wants prevailing wage changes because that is what allows the property tax freeze to happen. Granted, I think the property freeze is also the lipstick on the pig, because there are many other ways to bring about property tax relief if that was his actual objective. But it’s not. He doesn’t mind making people pay higher taxes, as long as his friends get to make more profits.

Comment by Juice Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 10:23 am
Redistricting. Auto-correct.

Comment by Juice Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 10:24 am
===Of course Rauner asked for it to expire, what Republican runs on increasing taxes? ===

IIRC Jim Edgar did.

Comment by GraduatedCollegeStudent Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 10:24 am
The Turnaround Agenda is not based upon serving Illinoisans. It is based upon taking from Illinoisans.

The reason Rauner didn’t campaign on it, was because it is asking Illinoisans to slit their own throats. Rauner has NO MANDATE for it. As a matter of fact - he tried to get his little counties to support it - and he failed miserably.

Rauner proved to everyone that his Turnaround Agenda is unpopular to even the parts of Illinois which overwhelmingly voted for him. Rauner bled himself dry by chasing after his RTW fiasco.

It is the height of foolishness to negotiate with a failing governor with no mandate and no political power outside his own wallet. It doesn’t matter the parties. It doesn’t matter the personality. Bottom line is basic political power - Rauner blew himself up, and refuses to acknowledge it.

Rauner is like the castle guard in the Monty Python movie who has no limbs, but still claims he can do his job.

Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 10:24 am
=== Understanding our current slow rate of growth requires accounting for lack of demand. Lack of demand can only be explained by a broad lack of buying power. The historic loss of buying power can only be explained by falling wages in real terms.===

Best explanation yet as to why Rauner’s plan is not really about improving Illinois’ economic health.

Comment by forwhatitsworth Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 10:25 am
Beside the minuscule savings that elimination of the prevailing wage would bring to school districts, there’s no reason to think that widespread wage cuts wouldn’t further hurt the economy, when even more workers have less money to spend.

Here’s an article about the problem of wage stagnation in today’s economy. Per the article, managers are being rewarded for keeping labor costs low, and merit pay systems have downsides if there’s large-scale pay stagnation. Wages as a share of corporate income are the lowest since 1951 (per the article).

http://mobile.nytimes.com/2015/11/01/sunday-review/the-mystery-of-the-vanishing-pay-raise.html?referer=https://t.co/AeLxTfZiSJ

It is in this economic environment that we must consider policy decisions. How can we have a decent economy if policy makers keep passing laws that diminish economic security and strength for the gain of worse-paying jobs?

As some mention, there’s a political element to Rauner’s and other right wing corporate leaders’ policy ideas–to weaken the opposition party. Something to consider is if public unions are crippled, and trade unions don’t recover, who can even begin to compete with the massive money that Rauner, the Kochs and their allies put into politics?

Comment by Grandson of Man Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 10:33 am
Louis

Seriously?? — I comprehend just fine. For months Mr. Madigan has been finger pointing. Haven’t you noticed?–

Serious question what do you call what Rauner has beem doing since election night? I won’t hold the campaign finger pointing against him that is election politics but really?

I’m afraid sir you have a serious lack of self awareness you might want to get that checked out.

Comment by Mason born Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 10:36 am
Does anyone here actually think Rauner would be willing to quickly negotiate a balanced budget if only he got remapping reform and term limits?

Comment by walker Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 10:38 am
@Mason born, thus my comments about how the blame needs to be spread around. Because all three deserve to be blamed. If you don’t feel “blame” is the appropriate word, then ridicule the three until they start talking and resolve this.

The election is over Mr. Rauner, Mr. Madigan and Mr. Cullerton. Thank you @Mason born for proving my point.

Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 10:41 am
- Louis G Atsaves -

Governors own.

“Pat Quinn failed… ”

Countless Jim Edgar quotes, a former governor no less, have Rauner owning.

Rauner refuses to fund his state agencies, continues to personally embarrass the President of Ounce of Prevention, after she personally vouched for him, and Rauner vetoed a budget, and as of yet, hasn’t run a budget of his own…

… as those defending Rauner, like you… tell Rauner to “Hang in there”… and hanging in there, literally, means own ing a choice to hang with. Period.

“Hang in there, Governor Rauner, you own this choice!”

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 10:46 am
“he also has done irreparable damage to the social safety net making it ripe for profit. Ripe for privatization. (Buy it, Break it, Replace it for profit)”

Which makes this development even more interesting:

http://www.sj-r.com/article/20151103/NEWS/151109908/10511/NEWS?rssfeed=true

“The state of Illinois is launching a pilot project of a public-private partnership that would have investors pay for services to people in need…”

Comment by Secret Square Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 10:52 am
-Juice-

There is no ROI, instead there is a loss of investment in tax revenue.

Numerous academic studies have found the same conclusion. Repealing prevailing wage laws don’t save the taxpayers any money, but the workers are paid less.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/zorn/ct-prevailing-wage-debate-zorn-perspec-1028-jm-20151027-column.html

Comment by Chicago 20 Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 10:52 am
Chicago 20. Don’t disagree. Just trying to be nice and give Rich the benefit of the doubt.

Comment by Juice Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 11:02 am
Well, maybe my sample is small, LaSalle County, but these here parts all we heard was the anguished screams over the 67% tax increase and that it takes a business man to run the state and roll bank the increase. Rauner campaigned on it. Quinn was defeated on it. A rerun of Ogilvie-Walker. This is bait and switch, I promise to take away the hike but end up taking over union rights. I knew the reduction wouldn’t work and was equally certain Rauner and company would wriggle out of the campaign promise.

Comment by ottawa otter Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 11:09 am
Louis

On That point we agree. Until something huge happens to affect all three and shine a statewide if not nationwide spotlight on this stupidity nothing is going to change. That being said it was hard to get that from your previous comments I’ll work on my reading comprehension.

Do you agree that Madigan cannot give Rauner the turnaround agenda even if he wanted to? Can’t get the votes from his people.

Do you agree that Rauner has fenced himself in to where anything less than the turnaround agenda is a defeat?

If we accept those two points than it’s pretty obvious it doesn’t matter whose fault it is or was. Either both sides lose or we continue in this mess.

If Rauner gets anything out of this do you think he will repeat this with fy17?

Comment by Mason born Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 11:19 am
God Bless you Secret Square! Bingo! There it is, there it is. Buy it, Break it, Replace it for Profit in action.

Comment by Honeybear Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 11:19 am
– People have died for that principle.–

LCD, is that a gag? People have died for redistricting reform?

Do you really think redistricting reform is the holdup here? You can’t be serious.

It’s pretty whacked-out to equate Rauner’s agenda with the civil rights movement, don’t you think?

Comment by Wordslinger Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 11:20 am
Juice - I’ve previously commented about Rauner’s cynicism as to redistricting. I think he means it about term limits - why shouldn’t he, in Illinois it would likely inure to the GOP’s benefit (so would redistricting but not nearly as much). Doesn’t change a thing: the overwhelming majority of voters want political reform. The Dems aren’t rushing to say “drop the anti-union stuff and we’ll talk.” Review the history of political reform discussions on this site and you’ll see it amounts to terse lip service by the Madigan genuflectors along with taunts of “go win an election” (which obviously they didn’t mean).

Grad School - if in those political science classes they teach you that if voters want something they shouldn’t just elect a person who can bring immense pressure to get it and then keep the pressure on that person to do it, but instead should shrug and take up Quixote like efforts instead, you’re at the wrong school. As for the bargaining power….yeah, in a sluggish economy with a hostile voter atmosphere and a more hostile governor, unions were really giving up a “nuclear option” by agreeing to mandatory arbitration for Rauner’s term in office. Guess that’s why every newspaper in the state went ballistic over the bill.

Comment by lake county democrat Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 11:22 am
Hate to look back, but it’s wrong to say that the tax increase was temporary because MJM wanted to protect his supermajority. First overall, he likes to maintain a healthy vote advantage in the House, but having a nominal but unusable “supermajority” does him as much harm as good. It allows the GOP to opt out of everything with an easy excuse. He probably prefers a couple of votes short a supermajority as optimal for his operations.

Second, the “temporary” had as much to do with getting Republican votes as Democratic ones. There was a general belief that it couldn’t have gotten anywhere near the required votes as permanent, regardless of the actions of any leader. (too bad IMHO)

It is equally disingenuous to claim that the tax increase was allowed to expire primarily because Governor-elect Rauner asked that it do so. It was scheduled to expire, and only if Quinn had won the election, might the Dems have been willing to reinstate it. Even that would have been a stretch to pull off. With Rauner as Governor-elect, it became his barge to tow, and he was clearly not ready or able to do anything of the sort at that time. It was the election result itself that was the deciding factor.

Comment by walker Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 11:24 am
“If prevailing wage is so insignificant,” why hasn’t the Governor dropped the issue?

Comment by Skeptic Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 11:29 am
===It is equally disingenuous to claim that the tax increase was allowed to expire primarily because Governor-elect Rauner asked that it do so. It was scheduled to expire, and only if Quinn had won the election, might the Dems have been willing to reinstate it. Even that would have been a stretch to pull off. With Rauner as Governor-elect, it became his barge to tow, and he was clearly not ready or able to do anything of the sort at that time. It was the election result itself that was the deciding factor.===

Yep. Agreed.

That’s why I clearly say the Democrats “obliged” abd filling IG up with;

“Then Gov-Elect Rauner should have stayed silent instead of asking, as Gov-Elect, after the election, (both facts you conveniently ignore) that the tax increase expire.”

Rauner overplayed a position he didn’t need to overplay. The Democrats obliged. It was a gift. It was also an error by Rauner’s Crew to give that cover.

It doesn’t make it “less true” that a Gov-Elect Rauner asked abd the Democrats obliged, also putting a great deal of heat on Rauner to nudget for less revenue.

It was a Rauner calculated gamble. Democrats will raise taxes. How has that gone?

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 11:34 am
“That’s why I clearly say the Democrats “obliged” and followed up with;”

Apologies

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 11:35 am
-walker-
Completely agree with everything you’re adding. Appreciate as well thoughtful input that expands understanding for all who take this stuff seriously. Too often comments push hype and talk points instead of meaningful discussion. Thanks for taking chiming in.

Comment by Lincoln Lad Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 11:39 am
…taking time and chiming in.

Comment by Lincoln Lad Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 11:41 am
The tax increase did not have 60 House Dem votes last year when Quinn said he would sign it.

Why would it have more Dem votes with Rauner as governor? That makes no sense.

Comment by Wordslinger Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 11:45 am
Adding a third point to Walker. When the tax increase passed, the Speaker was one shy of the super-majority, so it wasn’t there to protect. And he had just lost six seats. (Sky point for Walker).

Comment by Juice Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 11:48 am
And LCD, less than one third of the GA have been in office for ten years or longer (not taking into account announced retirements). Granted, some of those members are duds, but some are some of the more thoughtful and knowledgable members there. So how is a constitutional amendment that won’t even be on the ballot for over one year, that impacts less than one third of a branch of government that is one third of the Government and will not actually have any sort of Governmental impact until 2027 worth holding social services and higher Ed hostage.

I mean by then, Donald Trump will have already completed his second term as our collective overlord. No way is the Governor actually holding out for that.

Comment by Juice Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 12:05 pm
Amen to that.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 12:25 pm
@Mason born: ===”Do you agree that Madigan cannot give Rauner the turnaround agenda even if he wanted to? Can’t get the votes from his people. Do you agree that Rauner has fenced himself in to where anything less than the turnaround agenda is a defeat?”===

They both have painted themselves in opposite corners of the same room. They need to blame themselves, then put their Big Boy Pants on and ruin their paint jobs for the good of Illinois.

Term limits and redistricting seem to be wildly popular with voters. Freezing property taxes also falls into the same category. To a lesser extent, Workers’ Compensation and Unemployment Insurance reforms also seem more popular than unpopular. Yet the will of the public, which included a few referendums last election that the Democrats never took action over, continues to be ignored in favor of desperately maintaining the status quo.

A more responsive government to the people that elects it may lead to an economic renaissance, although I have to remember that this Illinois and we would most certainly screw all of that or part of that up. Comp and unemployment are serious business concerns. Freezing property taxes also falls into that category. That Rahm rascal must know it is coming because he hammered through a huge property tax increase just last week.

The Turn Around Agenda is being portrayed as being crazy, out of touch and a menace to this State. I sincerely doubt that Michael Madigan, with all of his political skills, would suddenly find himself being powerless and run out of town if that Agenda finds it’s way to enactment. He survived in the past and prospered and I would expect him to continue to do so.

With that said, all that is left is the High School Drama stuff that demeans our state.

Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 12:30 pm
Juice - those are different arguments. I’m against term limits myself (though not strongly). But the polls consistently show overwhelming support for them - it’s a sickness of the state’s democracy that there’s no other way to get a vote on them. As for the merits: a big part of the argument for term limits is that it forces the leadership to turnover. It’s not just anyone who has been there for more than 10 years or longer. And some would say 33% over 10 years is pretty bad, not pretty good. It’s also argued that you detract from the advantage of name recognition and voters will more thoroughly evaluate candidates because of the turnover. In any event, you can make at least a valid claim that politicians seeking to keep a long-term/I’ll-leave-when-I-want career open are more subject to special interests (you can make a valid claim that term limits will have the opposite effect too, but those believing the former would find it worth fighting for).

The “hostage” language leaves me cold - Ted Kennedy and Walter Mondale tried to do exactly the same thing to Richard Nixon for campaign finance reform. If the Democrats want to end the suffering to higher education and recipients of social services, they can pass their own budget - they just are either unwilling to pass a fair one or think the voters are too dumb to credit them if they did.

Comment by lake county democrat Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 12:36 pm
===Freezing property taxes also falls into the same category.===

- Louis G Atsaves -

Why do you seemly always forget the destroying of collective bargaining and prevailing wage when you talk of property taxes?

An… “oversight”… on your part?

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 12:47 pm
LGA-
“The Turn Around Agenda is being portrayed as being crazy, out of touch and a menace to this State”

For once, I can agree with something you said.

Rauner’s Turn Around Agenda is a canard.

Comment by Chicago 20 Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 1:14 pm
Louis

It is the Governors fault if his turnaround agenda isn’t being portrayed as crazy etc. as you say. He isn’t selling it to the public I have heard him say reform a few thousand times what I haven’t heard is him explain what reforms he wants and how they will help John Q Public. Maybe in hindsight the money spent to blame MJM would have been better spent convincing the public those reforms were needed.

I think you missed my point. No voting for the turnaround agenda wouldn’t end MJM but what it would do is end many of his members. Since MJM can’t deliver anything without his members votes, and his members won’t vote to in essence retire themselves he cannot deliver it period.

Comment by Mason born Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 1:14 pm
ROI-Rauner Owns It?

Comment by blue dog dem Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 1:33 pm
@Skeptic, 11:29: Removing it represents an insignificant saving to local government. This does not mean that it is not a significant, even large, loss to the individuals who benefit from it.

Comment by UIC Guy Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 1:44 pm
UIC Guy: I wasn’t arguing for or against prevailing wage, just countering the argument that if it’s so insignificant that the D’s should just pass it anyway with a “and vice versa.”

Comment by Skeptic Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 1:55 pm
@Mason born, “He isn’t selling it to the public . . .”

I agree. I watched the entire video yesterday and came back impressed. More like that is needed to sell his agenda. Include position papers with projections and figures.

Oswego Willy seems upset that I left a few things out in my response to you. But then again, he is always upset with what I say. So riddle me this: if the prevailing wage provisions Rauner wants results in “minimal” or very modest savings, “not worth even talking about” then why are they being fought against tooth and nail?

I always understood that you negotiate away the items that don’t hurt your position. That conflict I am having a difficult time trying to reconcile under these circumstances.

Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 2:07 pm
===So riddle me this: if the prevailing wage provisions Rauner wants results in “minimal” or very modest savings, “not worth even talking about” then why are they being fought against tooth and nail?===

If it’s so little, why ask for it at all? Why must Gov. Rauner hace it?

Maybe Gov. Rauner doesn’t thibk its about the ROI, financially, but the ROI to destro Unions.

“So riddle me this: if the prevailing wage provisions Rauner wants results in “minimal” or very modest savings, “not worth even talking about” then why are they being fought against tooth and nail?”

If Rauner agrees it minimal too, I’m sure prevailing wage dismissed quickly by the Governor.

Whew.

Thanks - Louis G Atsaves -, and thanks for pointing out your purposeful omissions

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 2:19 pm
Louis, just because the savings is minimal, does not mean that the cost to workers is insignificant. In fact, prevailing wage increases wages for people it doesn’t even apply to. The point is that for a tiny amount of savings, we would be depressing wages in a very real way. This wage reduction would further reduce demand, and have a very real effect on the economy.

Comment by Me too Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 2:21 pm
Rauner doesn’t want the savings. He wants to weaken unions, which will hurt democratic fundraising and also increase corporate influence over both parties. If you think corporate influence is less corrupt than union influence I can’t help you. Unions aren’t bad bro. In fact they are the only bulwark against the interests of the super wealthy. Even you can’t think a large percentage of them have middle class people’s interests in mind when they spend millions of dollars buying politicians.

Comment by Me too Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 2:25 pm
Pat Quinn’s Cutback Amendment of 1980 created Mike Madigan.

Comment by Dinsdale Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 3:05 pm
Drive 150 miles south of a major metropolitan area, bid out some work, go back home and see if prevailing wages aren’t significantly lower. Extrapolate that wage over a year and see if you could live in Lincoln Park,Joliet or a Edwardsville. Don’t let anybody tell you it’s NOT significant. Was in Arkansas a couple weeks ago. I saw a standard of living that looked third world.

Comment by Blue dog dem Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 3:32 pm
– Include position papers with projections and figures.–

Louis, your man-crush has you seeing funny.

Those things don’t exist. If they did, we would have seen them by now, don’t you think?

Because, in case you missed the point of the entire post when you were sounding out the words, there is not a reasonsable “economic and fiscal” rationale for this strategy.

Let’s take, as an example of the lack of rationale, the goofy word-salad from Todd the Chamber Man, a real business go-getter, point-by point:

According to Todd, under the governor’s strategy, this is what’s being restored:

“Fiscal sanity” — $6 billion and growing in FY16 deficit, alone, plus billions more for social services and unis out in tne cold. Then, you have hundreds of millions in dedicated revenues, like MFT, that you’re being taxed for, every day, gathering dust in the Treasury and not going for their intended purposes. Because…. hang in there.

“Basic competency” — Many examples, but my favorite is the downgrade of McPier seven notches from AAA to BBB+ , because the dog obviously ate some superstars’s homework when this routine transfer of dedicated funds was vetoed, then, sheepishly, after-the-fact, re-instated with a new bill. Blago never screwed that up at the height of his battles with Madigan.

“Partnership with business” — That’s a real knee slapper. Businesses aren’t being paid, by the billions. They like to get paid, for services rendered. When they don’t, they throw people out of work, go into debt and stop services, all of which are happening right now.

There’s your ROI, Louis.

Sell it.

Comment by Wordslinger Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 3:42 pm
Blue Dog Dem-

Prevailing wage laws are based on the county’s prevailing wage, not the State’s.

Prevailing wages 150 miles south of metropolitan areas are based on that county’s prevailing wages, not the metropolitan areas.

Extrapolate that for every county.

Do some research.

Comment by Chicago 20 Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 3:55 pm
@wordslinger, you truly are slipping. I said INCLUDE position papers. If that forced your rant I truly pity you.

Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 4:08 pm
Louis, I know you’re hooked on phonics, but read more closely. I quoted you accurately:

– “Include position papers with projections and figures.–

What’s your beef?

It’s Nov. 3. Obviously, those “position papers with projections and figures” don’t exist, and are not possible, or we would have seen them by now.

Again, Louis, that’s tne point of the column.

Lawyer Louis, keep pounding the table when you can’t pound the evidence.

Comment by Wordslinger Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 4:23 pm
Only thing Demos should do is repeat “Gov Brucie & Highly paid Staff & GOP acolytes : Show us the analysis that shows how {idea} aids in (1) paying backlog of bills, (2) making stable budget environment, (3) pays the unfunded pension liability.”
Rich’s prevailing wage is one analysis which assumes that spending decreases by the some % due to prevailing wage. That is a FALSE assumption. Every GOP minion I know claims prevailing wage is a way to do more with the SAME $ - not to reduce total spending. I’ve previously giving my analysis of that vision. The result being a 10-15% DROP in state revenues from sales and income taxes because far fewer $ going to PEOPLE who pay those two taxes.
{ I appolgize for cross post. }

Comment by IL17Progressive Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 5:13 pm
Dear Gov. Rauner, let’s start over and 1) please for the first time read the ILLINOIS CONSTITUTION AND 2) SUBMIT A Balanced Budget

Comment by Roscoe Tom Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 5:15 pm
At least the Democrats have filed bills, had debates, and voted on budget legislation….

If you want to see the GOP proposal, you must look up HB000. It’s counterpart, SB000 - the Senate GOP caucus budget proposal also is pending.

Analysis is easy. They are both blank sheets of paper…

Comment by HB000 Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 5:55 pm
Chicago 20. Don’t get your point. Eliminate prevailing wage and you will see Cairo wages in Chicago. You won’t see Chicago wages in Cairo.

Comment by Blue dog dem Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 6:39 pm
Can someone show us a study where eliminating prevailing wages in a state improved the economy of the state?

There are a number of studies that show eliminating prevailing wages has hurt various states, and especially lowered wages in those states.

Comment by Joe M Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 7:35 pm
Joe M.- the Raun Man wants to pay us blue collar guys $8/hr. He wants us to pay lots of taxes so he can give out EDGE tax credits to corporate America so the CEO and officers can make a couple of million/ yr. not throwing a pity party for myself. Hell ,I chose my profession. Just a shame that guys like him don’t understand blisters and back aches.

Comment by Blue dog dem Tuesday, Nov 3, 15 @ 7:46 pm
Blue Dog-

Chicago’s prevailing wages are Cook county’s prevailing wages.

Cairo’s prevailing wages are Alexander county’s prevailing wages.

The prevailing wages are different in every county because they are based on that county’s wages.

A worker in Chicago would be paid Cook county’s prevailing wages in Cook county when working in Cook county, if that same person works in Cairo they would be paid the Alexander county prevailing wage rate.

Comment by Chicago 20 Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 7:37 am
“No one is to blame, we all had a bad few months but now we have a deal.”

That’s how you might get movement.

Sometimes you have to rise above principle in order to get things done.

Plenty of opportunity to fight about it in the 2016 and 2018 elections.

Comment by Harry Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 3:23 pm