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Question of the day

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Illinois

* Gov. Bruce Rauner is doing several one-on-one reporter interviews today. What question(s) do you think he should be asked?

This is a serious question, so no snark, please.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 9:34 am

Comments

Your family foundation recently gave $100,000 to Turning Point USA (http://www.sj-r.com/opinion/20160109/bernard-schoenburg-rauners-foundation-gave-100000-to-group-developing-conservative-activists?rssfeed=true) to fund young community activists on college campuses. What impact do you see of the lack of MAP funding for some of the same college students TPUSA may be targeting with their campaigns? (Truly not written as snark. He should be able to make the connection!)

Comment by Anon221 Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 9:38 am
Do you understand the difference between being the CEO in charge of a company and the governor of a representative government?

Comment by Father Ted Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 9:43 am
What are you doing to improve the economy of rural Illinois?

Comment by Very Old Soil Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 9:44 am
Other than “waiting the other side out” how do you intend to solve the budget impasse?

Comment by Stones Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 9:47 am
What part of your turnaround agenda will grow the economy in IL and why?

Comment by Angry Republican Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 9:47 am
If you accept the fact that neither you nor Speaker Madigan are going to compromise your basic principles, don’t you think it’s time to try something different to break this stalemate?

Comment by Streator Curmudgeon Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 9:48 am
“How would you explain Senator Durbin quoting you saying ‘unions going away’ last year? Do you deny saying words that express that idea? Then the follow-up, if you support unions like AFSCME, why haven’t you come to anworkingvagreement?

Comment by Union Man Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 9:48 am
If AFSCME is willing to bargain in good faith, will your team return to the bargaining table?

Comment by AC Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 9:48 am
What action are you taking to assist the flood victims in the down-state area? Are there plans to make permanent alternations to this area to prevent flooding in the future?

Comment by Belle Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 9:49 am
Why do you say the unions just have to go away?

Comment by Enviro Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 9:50 am
Every day that there is no budget resolution we are spending some $15 million (pick a number here) that the State of Illinois does not have. Also Every day is one less day to generate the tax revenue that we need to cover that hole. How do you plan on filling that hole in such a short period of time? Especially since it now looks like there will not be an agreement until after the primaries.

Comment by BIG R. Ph. Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 9:52 am
Have you given up on having a budget deal until after the primary?

Comment by AC Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 9:53 am
When you authorized your campaign ads that had your wife stating that you “no social agenda”, what did you mean to convey with that ad and how do you square that statement with the devastating reality of what the budget impasse is doing to the delivery of social services to the state’s most vulnerable?

Comment by slow down Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 9:54 am
The growing states (outside the commodity states like oil producers)are high tax states like California and New York. How does that fit with Illinois’ strategy to be a low tax (& low service) state like Indiana?

Comment by Lurking MBA Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 9:56 am
What data and analysis have you produced to support your contention of economic and fiscal benefits to your agenda?

Have you actually done any? If so, will you release it to the public?

If you haven’t conducted such a a real analysis, how do you justify the quantifiable damage you’re doing?

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 9:58 am
What’s the plan for social service providers that have been contractually obligated to perform service but have not been paid?

Comment by Conn Smythe Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 9:59 am
With the exception of a few, most of your staff have been brought in from other states. Has this been a help or hindrance in your effort to fix the state’s problems? Are they exhibiting signs of “burnout” by the lack of progress?

Comment by Colin O'Scopey Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 9:59 am
You touted your skills as a “negotiator” and problem solver. Why haven’t you used these skills to move your agenda forward? Is Mike Madigan the most challenging “foe” you’ve experienced in business?

Comment by Colin O'Scopey Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 10:01 am
What are your three most significant accomplishments as governor?

– MrJM

Comment by @MisterJayEm Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 10:06 am
What has your administration done to try to attract a manufacturer to replace Mitsubishi at their plant in Normal? Were those efforts limited by your freeze in EDGE grants?

Comment by hisgirlfriday Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 10:06 am
Explain how these “pro-business reforms” are worth it, in detail.

Comment by Honeybear Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 10:07 am
What do you plan to say in your budget address?

Comment by Nick Name Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 10:07 am
In light of the fact that social service agencies exist to save taxpayer’s money, how do you justify not funding them now? If you fail to fund the social service agencies, and the bill comes due a few years from now, how can you not blame you and your administration for the increased spending?

Comment by Try-4-Truth Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 10:08 am
Echo wordslinger’s comment. That’s the heart of the matter.

Comment by out of touch Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 10:09 am
Other than unions and Michael Madigan, what powerful special interest groups have you ‘taken on’?

Comment by Quizzical Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 10:09 am
At this moment in time, what would the Speaker be definitively willing to agree to?

Comment by A guy Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 10:16 am
Why did you make going after unions your number one priority after you said it wasn’t a priority in the General Election campaign?

How much money do you think you personally made from investing public employee pensions?

How much public pension business has your firm done?

Where is the evidence that justifies your proposals to repeal prevailing wage and severely restrict collective bargaining?

Comment by Grandson of Man Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 10:18 am
Gov. Rauner, are you an avid reader, and if so, what writers do you most admire?

Comment by Question Man Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 10:19 am
Wordslinger’s questions X however many interviews he does.

Any reporter who doesn’t ask some form of those doesn’t deserve a press pass.

Comment by LizPhairTax Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 10:20 am
Who would you spend your money lashing out at if Mike Madigan were no longer speaker, and Democrats still opposed your Turnaround Agenda?

Comment by Austin Blvd Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 10:20 am
Does leadership mean accepting responsibility for the consequences of your actions or blaming someone else?

Comment by nona Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 10:21 am
When are you going to release your ROI studies on your Turnaround Agenda? Follow-up: If not, why not?

Comment by RNUG Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 10:21 am
IL and federal governments are based on the concepts of democracy. What characteristics do you identify as necessary for democracy to function?
( Follow up )
Democracy implies leaders do what majority of Citizen’s identify. So when 66% of Citizens say a 3% surtax on millionaires is a good idea why have you ignored the majority?

Comment by IL17 Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 10:22 am
How can you, without being disingenuous, take credit for increased education funding when you ordered House and Senate Republicans to vote against the spending? And how can you take credit for any increased funding when you vetoed the rest of the budget?

Comment by Austin Blvd Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 10:23 am
What mistakes have you made as Governor?

Comment by Hedley Lamarr Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 10:26 am
Why will you not be honest with the voters and, in Mea culpa fashion, tell them that you, too introduced a deficit budget? And that you assumed Democrats would pass a tax increase to fill the hole? And that rather than veto the Democrat budget, you could have rolled up your sleeves and got to work like you promised to do??

Comment by Austin Blvd Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 10:27 am
Governor, do you have any intention of ever answering a question with a direct answer instead of regurgitating your campaign rhetoric again and again? If not, this is a waste of everyone’s time.

Comment by Fine Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 10:28 am
Provide support for the Turnaround Agenda’s economic impact on Illinois and how it will generate enough revenue to close the budget deficit.

Comment by deadguy Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 10:30 am
if this fiscal year ends without a budget, do you foresee it impacting your credibility in the next three budget negotiations?

Comment by Homer J. Quinn Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 10:32 am
Knowing what you know now, would you still have bought the Illinois governorship and the GOP party?

OK, I’ll concede the question is as slanted as most polls, but I’d still like to bear an answer to it.

Comment by RNUG Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 10:33 am
Do you believe the pain associated with not having a budget in place has been worth it so far? What do you think has been accomplished so far as a result of the impasse?

Comment by AC Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 10:38 am
How do you square going to court to pay employee salaries without a budget with the record deficit you have racked up during your first year in office?

Comment by Austin Blvd Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 10:38 am
Rich, honestly, the Rauner folks generally invite friendly reporters and new reporters who will not ask tough questions but will give him an opening to bash legislators,legislative leaders and the corrupt system. Maybe we will be surprised today.

Comment by Austin Blvd Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 10:41 am
Some agencies facing utility disconnection have been able to make partial payments, how have they been able to do so without a budget in place?

Comment by AC Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 10:41 am
How many nights have you stayed at the Governor’s mansion in Springfield in your first year?

Comment by frisbee Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 10:42 am
If the current health insurance program for state employees is unaffordable, how can the state afford to pay bonuses?

Comment by AC Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 10:45 am
If you ran a businees that provided goods or services to the state, would you continue to do so in light of the budget situation?

Comment by AC Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 10:50 am
Exactly when will you show us solid facts on how your TA will solve IL’s State & local budget crisis?

Please show IL citizens in writing the charts that will list your “Turnaround Agenda” (TA) costs & impact on all IL citizens.

Comment by Mama Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 10:50 am
++- Honeybear - Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 10:07 am:

Explain how these “pro-business reforms” are worth it, in detail.++
Honeybear, I would like to add “…are worth it” to the 99%’ers.

Comment by Mama Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 10:53 am
Should future governors follow your lead and refuse to advance a budget until their policy agendas are passed?

Comment by Young State Worker Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 10:53 am
Why are you trying to dissolve public-sector unions by taking away all of their bargaining powers?

Comment by Mama Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 10:56 am
What is your plan to correct the budget problem without new revenue? Please eliminate the turn around agenda from your response when responding.

Comment by oldman Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 10:57 am
How much has the State, yourself and your friends spent in legal fees to defend all your actions that have been challenged in court?

Comment by RNUG Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 10:57 am
You said something to the effect in a campaign ad

that Illinois would be “toast” unless the

turnaround agenda was passed. Did you mean you

would make it toast by not having a budget? How

do you plan to un-toast Illinois?

Comment by DuPage Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 10:59 am
++- @MisterJayEm - Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 10:06 am:
What are your three most significant accomplishments as governor? – MrJM ++
MrJM, the answer to your question was in yesterday’s State Journal Register, Springfield IL.

Comment by Mama Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 11:01 am
“You stated that you would be willing to discuss higher taxes if the Turnaround Agenda were passed. Assume it were passed, what would be the starting point for a tax increase?”

Comment by Skeptic Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 11:15 am
What reforms do you support without them being tied to changes in collective bargaining or prevailing wage?

Comment by AC Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 11:24 am
With unprecedented delays on passing a state buget and negotiating a new AFSME contract, why should the general public not regard this as a failure of leadership by your administration??

Comment by GOP Extremist Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 11:25 am
What about State Government surprises you the most since you have taken office?

Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 11:26 am
What is your plan B for lowering the pension debt? Please keep your answer in the context that diminishment of benefits is not constitutionally allowed, including future benefits.

Comment by A Jack Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 11:30 am
Mama,

“Assembled a super team of high-talent, high-integrity executives to lead our state agencies.”

Bwahahahahaha!

– MrJM

Comment by @MisterJayEm Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 11:42 am
What specific agencies, boards and departments do you consider to be essential State services and why? Please be specific in your explanation.

Comment by northsider Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 11:48 am
if your agenda is so good for Illinois, why won’t you let the GOP vote how their constituents wish?

Why would someone who has a personal fortune want to be governor of IL? What is the ROI on the governorship?

Comment by Trolling Troll Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 11:50 am
In a capitalistic, free market country, do you feel it is right to give one company tax advantages over another company that produces or provides similar services or goods?

Comment by Blue dog dem Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 12:11 pm
Are you willing to go four years with no state budget if you don’t get want you want on your agenda?

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 12:14 pm
Does he feel any OBLIGATION OR RESPONSIBILITY with regard to the four year budget deficits and backlog of bills, released by his GOMB last week.

Pretty dire stuff that many think are caused by him.

Comment by cdog Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 1:18 pm
Remember, when asking him the above question, it is $25 billion in backlog bills, and a 4th year of $5billion budget deficit.
Reporter needs to keep it real, keep it on this planet. Don’t let the message machine spout his typical line of disconnected oddness. It’s math folks. Money in, money out. Nothin in the violent TA can change these numbers.

Comment by cdog Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 1:25 pm
So far, I’ve seen two or three posts that would be useful.

Keep trying.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 1:29 pm
Are you willing to go your entire term without a budget?

Comment by illinoised Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 1:47 pm
The top 1% and 10% of Illinois taxpayers enjoy roughly one quarter and one half, respectively, of the state’s personal income. Yet, when considering total state + local taxes, the remaining 90% of taxpayers pay rates two to three times higher than these wealthy groups. Given the state’s fiscal condition, how can this gift to the wealthy at the expense of other citizens be justified and sustained? You have indicated your preference that new revenue come from increased sales tax, rather than income tax. Wouldn’t this make the Illinois personal tax system even more imbalanced?

Comment by X-prof Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 1:58 pm
You said you were a salesman, not an analyst. What skills as a salesman are helping you solve the budget crisis you created?

Comment by Precinct Captain Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 2:13 pm
Ask him where a good starting point is on the revenue discussion. Expect a serious answer that is related to the question, keep asking until a direct and honest answer is given.

He has already stated revenue is needed.

(on the road doing business chores, so haven’t read all the above answers. My apologies if these have been previously suggested.)

Comment by cdog Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 2:29 pm
Whay are you not using executive authority and calling the GA into session to vote on one or all of the individual budget and reform bills. The longer they stay in the disrticts the less likely they are to move forward on any initiates. the public has grown bored with the same response in the districts.

Comment by the Cardinal Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 2:34 pm
Does he see the CONTRADICTION between his pro-business reform RHETORIC and the REAL-TIME business implications?

( the rating downgrades, vendor destruction, higher-Ed’s looming troubles, etc.)

The future costs to taxpayers, that have now been guaranteed because of his shaking, does not seem to support his rhetoric.

Comment by cdog Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 2:49 pm
Have you ever commented on the Capitol Fax Blog?

Comment by Arthur Andersen Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 2:53 pm
Define superstar.

Comment by X-prof Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 3:25 pm
Does the Governor intend on killing the state’s medical cannabis program and as he has said previously “sell the licenses to the highest bidder???

Comment by Mike G Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 4:01 pm
What do you actually do for a living?

Comment by DuPage Saint Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 6:49 pm