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It’s also “long-term pain”

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Illinois

* Gov. Bruce Rauner recently said this about his fight for his Turnaround Agenda and the resulting impasse…

“We’ll take short-term pain for big long-term gain.”

* But as several commenters have been saying recently, the impasse is creating long-term, perhaps irreversible pain. Service providers, for example, are in real danger of going under, never to return. And then there is higher education…

As Illinois makes its way through the sixth month of the fiscal year without a budget, state universities continue to look for ways to keep the bills paid. […]

Southern Illinois University President Randy Dunn wasn’t available for comment on Tuesday, but he’s been quoted as saying the lack of state funding is creating a problem of crisis proportions.

“It will take us years to dig out … if the state doesn’t fulfill its commitment,” Dunn told KFVS-TV.

“We’re going to have to figure out a means to pay back about $200 million in operations and about $46 million or so in student aid and grants and contracts we typically have from the state,” Dunn said.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Dec 16, 15 @ 9:02 am

Comments

“Hang in there!” Sheesh

Comment by Skeptic Wednesday, Dec 16, 15 @ 9:08 am
The “double down”, “all or nothing” tactic/gamble that the Raunerites have made is putting us in a death spiral. Over half of Americans are at or near the poverty line. The Raunerite gamble will add to that number in an incredibly fast way.

Comment by Honeybear Wednesday, Dec 16, 15 @ 9:08 am
“As long as it’s not Dartmouth, meh. These state universities will just have to figure this out” - Fake Bruce Rauner.

Is anyone expecting sympathy… for the students of Illinois from… a man who clouted his Winnetka-living, denied daughter, into a Chicago school… over a worthy Chicago-living child might want to look at the actions beyond “short term pain”.

What’s the big deal? Rauner doesn’t have a child in an Illinois university. If he did, he’d donate to it. Right? Exactly right.

Higher education is in serious, serious trouble.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Dec 16, 15 @ 9:11 am
It’s worth it. All the neighbors at the Montana ranch, both actually, have been very impressed by the use of the oodle-oops (ooh, it’s a military tactic!) and Ken Griffin is in constant priapismic state.

Comment by LizPhairTax Wednesday, Dec 16, 15 @ 9:14 am
–”…big long-term gain.”–

But it’s a secret. No one - not the governor, not the Tribbies, not Tweeter Ron, — can articulate what those gains would be beyond empty slogans.

It’s quite revealing when you willfully choose to single out for damage the poor and needy, Illinois businesses that provide services to the state, and universities to advance a political agenda whose ultimate goal is to reduce the workplace rights and incomes of Illinois citizens.

That’s quite a statement of values.

Ladies and gentlemen, your Illinois Republican Party of 2015.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Dec 16, 15 @ 9:22 am
This governor’s single-handed attempted gutting of public higher education is outrageous. Some “businessman,” willfully crippling one of Illinois’ biggest economic engines. Once again, a complete and abject dereliction of his constitutional dutie, in spirit if not in letter.

Just spitballing here, but is there any way the universities could force action through the courts? If it’s possible, I’m sure they’re looking at it; would like to know what their plan is.

Beyond that, I’ve got nothing, other than hopes for swift and painful karma for Bruce, prayers for a miracle for the rest of us, and a long string of banned words. Dark days for the state. This can’t be allowed to continue.

Comment by Crispy Wednesday, Dec 16, 15 @ 9:29 am
But imagine how great the village will be once we’ve destroyed it. Like the new growth that springs up after the forest fire.

Comment by Joe cannon Wednesday, Dec 16, 15 @ 9:37 am
Long term gain? In the form of undermining working families, term limits and new maps? Nothing in that will take care of the budget in either the near or short term. This guy has one goal to weaken his political enemies and destroy organized labor. Other than that he cares more about Wyoming than Illinois we can only hope he goes away in 3 years.

Comment by Obamas Puppy Wednesday, Dec 16, 15 @ 9:48 am
I don’t think one year budget issues cause irreversible pain. Illinois has been going in the wrong direction for a very long time, at least 12 years and probably more if you start counting the mistakes that Edgar was making that no one wants to talk about since he’s a nice guy.

One problem is that is’s been so bad for so long that many folks do not believe that small steps can create much impact. We might be better served if people like Madigan understood how bad things are going in Illinois.

Also, instead of asking if those service providers will come back (which they will when money is available, laws of nature) we should be asking if we are providing the needed services in the most efficient way possible.

Comment by Ahoy! Wednesday, Dec 16, 15 @ 9:53 am
The election was over a year ago and he won. Yet he is still in his campaign mode and trying to preach to the choir to sell his Turn Around Agenda.

Many in the choir are on the verge of joining another church. His words are falling on deaf ears.

Comment by illini Wednesday, Dec 16, 15 @ 9:54 am
Word is so right about the alleged gains to justify the pain.

If our public universities have any quality professors left after this “short-term” pain, I’d love to see an economic analysis of the cost of Rauner’s anti-union crusade.

The real tragedy is that the end game may not arrive until after January of 2017 when the new General Assembly is convened.

Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Dec 16, 15 @ 9:57 am
Turnaround Government – Wonderful Christmastime, McCartney – enhanced by VanillaMan

Compromise ain’t right
It won’t get you stuff
We’re here to fight
And call their bluff

Simply having a Turnaround Government
Simply having a Turnaround Government

Their party’s on
the run this year
And so we’ve got
a lot to cheer

Simply having a Turnaround Government
Simply having a Turnaround Government

The choir of Tribbie sing their song
Ding dong, ding dong
Ding dong, ding
Ooh, ooh
Doo-doo, doo-doo, doo doo-doo

We’re simply having a Turnaround Government
Simply having a Turnaround Government

The word is out
About a compromise
So lift a glass
They believe our lies!

Simply having a Turnaround Government

The choir at IPI sing their song
They practiced all year long
Ding dong, ding dong
Ding dong, ding dong
Ding dong, ding dong

The election’s on
The spending’s up
We’re in the Mansion
And that’s enough

Simply having a Turnaround Government
We’re simply having a Turnaround Government

Our support is low
Union support is up
They’re here tonight
With pitchforks and torches, so

We’re simply having a Turnaround Government
Simply having a Turnaround Government
Simply having a Turnaround Government
Simply having a Turnaround Government

Ohh-ohh-ohh-ohh
Ohh-ohh-ohh
Government

Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Dec 16, 15 @ 9:59 am
VMan, as always, your talent shines, but I wish you would have chosen something other than the most vapid and annoying Christmas tune ever.

I fear what I might do if I can’t get that insidious schmaltz out of my head.

That McCartney tune is only suitable for blasting to coax hostage-takers in barricade situations.

Actually, on second thought, I guess that makes it highly appropriate. They should blast it around the clock in JRTC.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Dec 16, 15 @ 10:18 am
“and Ken Griffin is in constant priapismic state.”

I had a co worker who to Priapismic State, he said the entrance requirements were pretty stiff..

Comment by Shark Sandwich Wednesday, Dec 16, 15 @ 10:22 am
==willfully choose to single out for damage the poor and needy==

I heard a rumor that IMSA will run out of money in January. Along with expiring MAP grants, How does interrupting our children’s learning lead to long-term gain?

Comment by Jocko Wednesday, Dec 16, 15 @ 10:24 am
Best turnaround would come if everyone fools the lead of the mayors of Peoria and east Peoria. And buy a new truck from CAT

Zap

Comment by Anonin' Wednesday, Dec 16, 15 @ 10:26 am
“Service providers, for example, are in real danger of going under, never to return.”

The loss of the service providers would be bad enough. But the damage to the children & families who could have been helped by those service providers them is something from which many will never, ever recover.

We can argue all day long about who’s got blood on their hands and how much; but make no mistake, the blood is real.

– MrJM

Comment by @MisterJayEm Wednesday, Dec 16, 15 @ 10:31 am
I mentioned this in a previous post on this topic, that the Court of Claims (a state agency) normally pays vendor/supplier bills that aren’t paid by the end of the state’s lapse period (8/31). I know this won’t help those that can’t sustain until then, but it is a way to get caught up if they can. It is a “court” of law (the legislature has to “appropriate” money to the Court of Claims 1st) and may be a record year for them.

Comment by justacitizen Wednesday, Dec 16, 15 @ 10:34 am
What good is a piggy bank if you don’t glue it back together for the next big smash?

Comment by Dirty Red Wednesday, Dec 16, 15 @ 10:48 am
=== the legislature has to “appropriate” money to the Court of Claims 1st ===

I believe the appropriation comes after the judgment. Of course, an “appropriation” is the rub here. The way this clown show has been going, there may be no appropriations for much of anything for a long time.

This impasse has forced so many promised payments and funky workarounds to keep government functioning that it will take a lot of superstars from more than the governor’s office to straighten out the mess when an agreement is reached. I believe Steve Schnorf rightly mentioned the need for a BIMP bill to deal with the problems. Even then, I predict that Rich and a lot of reporters will have a field day reporting on things that fall through the crack.

Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Dec 16, 15 @ 10:50 am
VMan: You’re an artist.

Comment by walker Wednesday, Dec 16, 15 @ 10:59 am
When the patient is deathly ill from decades of neglect and poor habits, it does not take much for something “manageable” to blossom into causing irreparable damage.

No meaningful rainy day fund or savings, borrowing maxed out from both lenders and future generations, and no way to file bankruptcy leaves little margin for error.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Dec 16, 15 @ 10:59 am
The damage done has already been incredible. Many of the social service networks have already been destroyed. Many of those who had cut back in hopes of surviving until a budget resolution have lost staff who knowledge and experience will not be easily replaced. I’m aware of several entities (including public ones) who will likely not survive if the impasse continues past January.

There is a bad joke about the middle east having invented a time machine. ISIS is making significant progress in taking them back to the dark ages. We seem to have our own time machine in Illinois - albeit not a violent nor radical one. Our Governor and Legislative Leaders are taking social services / health services / confidence in state management and good financial management back decades.

Comment by logic not emotion Wednesday, Dec 16, 15 @ 11:02 am
I wish you would have chosen something other than the most vapid and annoying Christmas tune ever.

Rauner administration. This song. Meant to be.

Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Dec 16, 15 @ 11:03 am
It’s not only the extended pain for many, we have government by judicial intervention in place of a real governor.

This blood is on Rauner’s hands.

Comment by Wensicia Wednesday, Dec 16, 15 @ 11:05 am
The trouble with Rauner is that he’s about causing long-term economic and social pain for short-term political gain. The impasse is breaking Illinois’ entire service provision model, and the only way back will be to bring these services in-house as state departments. At least this will help bring in more Tier 2 employees to bail out the pensions . . . . . but when Rauner blathers on about outsourcing, who would ever do business with the state again?

Comment by Angry Chicagoan Wednesday, Dec 16, 15 @ 11:17 am
Angry Chicagoan has a good point. After this, the vendors wanting to do business and being willing to offer their best deals to the state will be fewer.

Comment by logic not emotion Wednesday, Dec 16, 15 @ 11:34 am
Remarkable hyperbole by some ITT. And such short memories. ‘Tis the season.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Dec 16, 15 @ 11:37 am
Maybe the Governor could enlighten us and share with us exactly what pain he and Ken Griffin are suffering during this process?

I would love to know.

Comment by JS Mill Wednesday, Dec 16, 15 @ 11:42 am
Bruce’s Illinois.:
Reduce revenues.
Refuse to veto spending.
Worst deficit ever.
Survival of the fittest.

Comment by Austin Blvd Wednesday, Dec 16, 15 @ 11:43 am
We should ask the governor to personally define short-term and long-term. We should ask his wife as well.

Comment by Precinct Captain Wednesday, Dec 16, 15 @ 11:56 am
Bruce Rauner’s biggest problem is that apparently all that personal wealth hasn’t allowed him to buy one share of compassion or empathy for Illinoisans who don’t live in his sphere.

Comment by ZC Wednesday, Dec 16, 15 @ 12:09 pm
The harm to already financially stressed state universities cannot be emphasized enough. Layoffs will be coming. And the ripple effect to the regions around each state school will be substantial. Illinois’ brightest students are already heavily courted by our neighbors. Now, they’ll have even more reasons to look elsewhere. The Governor’s “short term pain” will leave us with long term drain.

Comment by dr. reason a. goodwin Wednesday, Dec 16, 15 @ 12:33 pm
The long term pain is a feature, not a bug. Last summer, when consent decrees and court orders continued much of the FY15 spending levels into FY16 many of us though that the Governor lost the reins on spending because he could not cut that spending via a budget. However, the widows and orphans who are getting nothing will starve to death. Pure Darwin politics.

Comment by SAP Wednesday, Dec 16, 15 @ 2:51 pm
How many will have to die

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Dec 16, 15 @ 4:33 pm
I think 1,000,000 people will die. And then big old meanie Bruce will notice.

Comment by Tone Wednesday, Dec 16, 15 @ 5:54 pm
“Higher education is in serious, serious trouble.”
The problem is, the governor does not care.

Comment by Mama Wednesday, Dec 16, 15 @ 6:48 pm
A union bashing play book being orchestrated! Stop the money to sick, elderly, child care and education, then blame it on those high wages of union members! Koch Bros plan to destroy unions in United States! Rauner is their play maker!

Comment by Mitch59 Wednesday, Dec 16, 15 @ 8:09 pm
I got nothing good to say about Mr. Rauner or his fans. Season’s Greetings and Merry Christmas to all the rest of you that care about our state government.

Comment by jknell Wednesday, Dec 16, 15 @ 8:31 pm
I think it is worth mentioning that, if funding ever returns, so will service providers if they go under. The real long-term pain is for those who rely on the services and the people who work for those service providers.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Dec 17, 15 @ 8:59 am
It seems a little funny the the college and university’s can make it on surplus funds. But every time we turn around they are raising fees and tuition. They can pay coaches a half million a year plus perks. The presidents get close to that with perks. The professors go on extravagant retreats paid for by the tax payers. Maybe its time we audit the (FED) college and university’s and make public how much surplus they have. I know a couple of years ago a down state university Trustee was told he was not allowed to look into the financial reports, “THAT WAS NOT HIS JOB” It may work out to as a advantage to the state to make the university use surplus.

Comment by Surplus Thursday, Dec 17, 15 @ 10:57 am
To Surplus:

“Extravagant retreats”. That’s funny. In my department our travel allowance last year was $150/each. This year it’s $75. I can’t even drive to the airport for my extravagant retreat for that amount. And yet I’m expected to stay connected to the industry we teach our students to succeed in.

Comment by dr. reason a. goodwin Thursday, Dec 17, 15 @ 6:15 pm