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I guess that’s one way of saying it

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Laurence Msall, president of the Civic Federation of Chicago, said Rauner deserves credit for refocusing everyone’s attention on the state’s budget crisis, even if a permanent state budget hasn’t been enacted.

“I think the governor has really taken the Illinois Legislature and the state Capitol building to a point of complete recognition that the budget and the financial crisis facing the state is the highest priority,” Msall said. “Everything that happens in the Capitol is now impacted or tied to the state budget for better or worse.” […]

“He came forward with his budget proposal on time without asking for an extension. He deserves credit for that,” Msall said. “The problem was, after he introduced his budget, they spent four months trying to put back the (previous) budget. That left them about four weeks to spend on the 2016 budget.”

Um, if the budget was the state’s “highest priority” it would’ve been done by now.

But, he’s right that everything is now tied to the budget, including eliminating the prevailing wage and most local collective bargaining rights, workers’ comp reform, etc.

And the time they had to deal with FY 16 had nothing whatsoever to do with it. It’s January and there’s been no concrete progress.

* More…

“I don’t think it’s fair to say that after the first quarter of a four-quarter ball game, we’re going to condemn the team or say it’s great,” Yepsen said. “It’s a new administration. There’s a lot of gears to grind. He’s new to the political community.”

Agreed, but what we’ve seen so far this month is a renewal of hostilities. There’s been no discernible readjustment.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 11:14 am

Comments

Yepsen said. “It’s a new administration. There’s a lot of gears to grind. He’s new to the political community.”-

So, this new administration of superstars needs a “learner’s permit” while they become familiar with the “stick”? Keep grinding the gears and you’ll need a new “transmission”.

Comment by Anon221 Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 11:19 am
Yepsen said. “It’s a new administration. There’s a lot of gears to grind. He’s new to the political community.”
***
So, the superstars need a “learner’s permit” while they master the “stick”? Keep grinding the gears and you’ll need a new “transmission”.

Comment by Anon221 Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 11:22 am
“This surgery was scheduled for an hour — so with forty-five minutes left, there’s no reason to get excited just because the patient is dead.”

– MrJM

Comment by @MisterJayEm Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 11:25 am
“Everything that happens in the Capitol is now impacted or tied to the Turnaround Agenda for better or worse.”

There. Fixed that for ya Lawrence.

There is a lot that goes on at the state capital that has nothing to do with the budget, but Rauner still insists on injecting the Turnaround Agenda into the conversation.

Comment by Juvenal Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 11:27 am
What are they drinking, I want some.

Comment by Precinct Captain Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 11:28 am
C’mon, Rauner isn’t the first Governor to have protracted budget drama. He’s not even the first Governor who ran in the 2014 election to face that (though I don’t remember any being THIS protracted…), so spare me all of this “he’s making us focus on the issue!” malarky.

Comment by Boss Tweed Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 11:28 am
===He came forward with his budget proposal on time without asking for an extension. He deserves credit for that,===

Rauner’s signature accomplishment of 2015.

#lowexpectations

Comment by 47th Ward Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 11:29 am
Sure, state employees are showing up for work.
But if there were ever a measure of productivity at state agencies, we’d find that it is at an all time low.
When employees can’t do their job because suppliers won’t provide materials or old equipment and cars aren’t being replaced, the state is effectively being run into the ground.
If that is not the case, then new Auditor General Mautino will have his hands full chasing down how supplies are being purchased from unauthorized accounts.
Of course, those chickens wouldn’t come home to roost for at least one auditing cycle.

Comment by Austin Blvd Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 11:30 am
==Yepsen said. “It’s a new administration. There’s a lot of gears to grind. He’s new to the political community.”==
How do they define the “gears” they think need grinding? Are the ‘gears’ Madigan and Rahm or 60/30 (winning the state elections)?

Comment by Mama Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 11:32 am
“But if there were ever a measure of productivity at state agencies, we’d find that it is at an all time low.” You base this on what?
Moral is at an all time low, but productivity by those who know what they are doing is good. Their working conditions are very stressful. However, the new contractual hires are having problems doing their work.

Comment by Mama Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 11:38 am
Fortunately, the sky hasn’t fallen.

Comment by Keyser Soze Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 11:39 am
MisterJayEm @ 11:25…about spit out my cottage cheese laughing at that one! (Thanks for the smile on such a depressing subject!!)

Comment by cardsmama Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 11:39 am
Rauners number 1 priority is crushing unions

Madigans number 1 priority is the opposite

Welfare of the state be damned
No one is talking

Comment by Langhorne Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 11:43 am
Credit? Really Lawrence? Credit?

Comment by Honeybear Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 11:44 am
Mama, my comments focused on a lack of resources and supplies, not the employees. Apologies if it was construed otherwise.
When employees show up for their job but lack resources to do them, that is certainly one way productivity suffers.
I would suggest that is leading to some of the stress.

Comment by Austin Blvd Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 11:45 am
when we wake up on Nov. 8th, we will have a better idea of what lies ahead..If Rep. Bourne and Bryant have lost, then you will see a completely different attitude inside the House Republican caucus. If Mussman, and Cloonen have lost, and no incumbent R’s lose then things will be different in the D caucus..until then..more of what 2015 was like..CHILL until then..

Comment by Not Rich Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 11:51 am
“Refocusing attention” is one of the lowest bars around.

A series of muggings around the Capitol in Springfield would refocus attention on the issue of public safety, but I wouldn’t give much praise nor acclaim to the muggers.

Comment by ZC Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 11:52 am
“I don’t think it’s fair to say that after the first quarter of a four-quarter ball game, we’re going to condemn the team or say it’s great,” Yepsen said.

OK, but when one team shows up for the opening tip in helmets and shoulder pads, it’s fair to ask if they have any real idea what they’re doing.

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 12:03 pm
The budget is the “highest priority” and our #1 item of important. But now for something completely different…..

Comment by zatoichi Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 12:09 pm
“I think Capt. Smith has really brought the crew and passengers of Titanic to the point of complete recognition that not hitting icebergs is of the highest priority.”

“So I says, Lama, how’s about something for the effort? And he says, ‘when you die, you’ll come to a point of complete recognition.’

“So I’ve got that going for me. Which is nice.”

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 12:12 pm
==“It’s a new administration. There’s a lot of gears to grind. He’s new to the political community.”==

Being Governor of Illinois isn’t an internship.

Comment by Joe M Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 12:13 pm
Seriously disappointed in Yepsen’s observation, the more I think about it.

Comment by Austin Blvd Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 12:34 pm
Assessments geared more to avoid angering the person being evaluated than to accurately reflect the actual performance.

Comment by Norseman Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 12:48 pm
== However, the new contractual hires are having problems doing their work.==

Without a budget where are the contractual line item appropriations coming from?

Comment by Kevin Highland Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 12:51 pm
“It’s a new administration. There’s a lot of gears to grind. He’s new to the political community.”

Should’ve elected someone who could drive a clutch.

– MrJM

Comment by @MisterJayEm Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 12:51 pm
Sure, it focused me on the fact that the Guv’nor submitted a budget that was billions out of whack and blames everyone else for it.

Comment by Jack Stephens Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 12:52 pm
“I think the governor has really taken the Illinois Legislature and the state Capitol building to a point of complete recognition that the budget and the financial crisis facing the state is the highest priority,” Msall said.

“The assassination of Mr. Lincoln refocused attention on the nature and comedy of “Our American Cousin” during this particular performance, and it will be remembered for many years”, Mr. Small said.

“Osama Bin Laden’s role in the September 11 World Trade Center attacks has helped focus more attention upon the need for sturdier skyscrapers”, said Mr. Little.

“The fire in Chicago over the past week, has helped other cities refocus and recognize how many disgruntled cows live within their city limits”, Mr. O’Leary stated.

Comment by VanillaMan Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 12:54 pm
Giving the governor credit for submitting a balanced budget strikes me as a serious stretch when the balance was premised on what was, at best, a highly risky assumption that the Supreme Court would approve his pension manipulations.

Comment by JackD Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 12:54 pm
== Without a budget where are the contractual line item appropriations coming from? ==

Either court orders (in some cases) or (possibly illegal) promises to eventually pay for services delivered.

Comment by RNUG Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 1:13 pm
“Rauner deserves credit for refocusing everyone’s attention on the state’s budget crisis, even if a permanent state budget hasn’t been enacted.”

Isn’t that a little like giving credit to Manson for focusing everyone’s attention on murderous cults?

Comment by Cubs in '16 Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 1:27 pm
= Agreed, but what we’ve seen so far this month is a renewal of hostilities. There’s been no discernible readjustment.=

…from either side.

Comment by Anon Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 1:28 pm
Excellent VanillaMan.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 2:02 pm
We’re really scraping the bottom of the barrel when we are giving “credit” to the Governor just because he submitted a budget on time. Never mind that budget was grossly out of balance and thus, was not realistic and that we still don’t have a budget 6 months into the fiscal year.

Comment by Demoralized Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 3:23 pm
Absolute disgrace for Msall to fail to note that Rauner’s budget proposal, though presented on time, was $3.1B out of balance. It started the whole process of not taking a budget negotiation seriously. Rauner’s priority was obviously elsewhere fro day one.

The reality is the opposite of the point Msall is trying to make.

One of the least credible sources on anything with numbers, in the state. Strange, because Fahner is one of the best.

Comment by walker Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 3:43 pm
== “…said Rauner deserves credit for refocusing everyone’s attention on the state’s budget crisis, even if a permanent state budget hasn’t been enacted.” ==

Quite for this long and THIS is what Msall comes up with?

Sounds like: ‘…deserves credit for refocusing everyone’s attention that starvation reminds you of the problem with hunger, even if a permanent solution hasn’t been enacted.’

Comment by sal-says Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 4:40 pm
== He came forward with his budget proposal on time without asking for an extension. He deserves credit for that… ==

So, that fact that Raunner’s BUDGET wasn’t balanced is no big issue, eh?

Comment by sal-says Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 4:43 pm
=== So, that fact that Raunner’s BUDGET wasn’t balanced is no big issue, eh? ===

Teacher’s extra credit for handing the assignment in on time. The actual work was deficient, but it was there on time.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 4:49 pm
The previous comment was mine.

Comment by Norseman Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 4:50 pm
“Without a budget where are the contractual line item appropriations coming from? ”
I do not know where the contractor line item is or if there is one, but I do know new employees hired are hired as “contractual employees or state employees”.

Comment by Mama Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 9:28 pm
“contractual employees or state employees”

that should have said…contractual employees NOT state employees. Sorry

Comment by Mama Monday, Jan 11, 16 @ 9:31 pm