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* I decided to use some of your questions from yesterday when I interviewed Gov. Bruce Rauner, although I kinda modified a few…
What is your single most significant accomplishment as governor?
In October of 2014, you said, “Pushing any specific labor regulation is not my priority at all.” What changed?
Do you have any specific data about what the return on investment would be for your Turnaround Agenda?
If you accept the fact that neither you nor Speaker Madigan are going to compromise your basic principles, do you think it’s time to try something different to break this stalemate?
Are you willing to go four years with no state budget if you don’t get want you want on your agenda?
* Before you listen to his answers, a warning. I took Oscar with me because he loves the grounds at the governor’s mansion, but he didn’t get a chance to run around before the interview. Stella, the Rauner family dog, wasn’t in town, either, so he was looking all over for her.
The bottom line is Oscar started barking toward the end of the interview. Loud. Insistently loud. The little guy really wanted to go outside and play. So, end of interview.
*** UPDATE 1 *** We killed the audio link because too many people clicked it. Try clicking here instead.
* And here’s a photo of Oscar tearing up the turf, post interview…
Gov. Rauner sat for other interviews, and we’ll have more on them in a bit.
*** UPDATE 2 *** A reader put together a “rush” transcript…
Miller: I saw your op-ed in the SJ-R, but what do you think so far in one year has been your single most treasured accomplishment?
Rauner: I really have to say three: Having a “world record” education fundin’ for Illinois – most we’ve ever had despite no budget. That’s a big deal to me. Gettin’ innovative contracts with the 17 unions. That’s a big deal. And then saving over $700 million from the operating costs of the government.
Miller: Number one, though, all the Republicans voted against that bill and then you signed it – any regrets on that?
Rauner: None at all. We need education funding.
Miller: In October of 2014, you said to IRN “pushing any specific labor regulation is not my priority at all.” So what happened? What changed?
Rauner: Nothing has changed. Why do you say something has changed?
Miller: Well you have been pushing for different labor laws.
Rauner: You and a couple of the other guys don’t see the difference. I’m not sayin’ that communities can’t collectively bargain. I’m not sayin’ collective bargaining rights get stripped away. I’m not sayin’ that people can’t join unions. A lot of communities agree with you and others and they want to pay more taxes for prevailing wage. Terrific! They want to pay higher taxes to support collective bargaining in government. Terrific! I got no problem, I just don’t want one community telling another community how to do it. That’s not advocating some labor law.
Miller: Well it is.
Rauner: It’s not – it’s local control of government, not a labor law. That is democracy at work, getting the democracy to the level of the people. This is empowering the people of Illinois - that is what the agenda is about. 100%
Miller: One of the things that several of my commenters have been asking for months, including one of the top commenters I have on the blog, is do you have any –
::Oscar barks, making his presence known::
Miller: Oscar stop.
Miller: Do you have any specific data about what the return on investment would be on your Turnaround Agenda? For instance, what is the benefit to the state in dollars and cents for your agenda?
Rauner: We have quantified a lot of that stuff. We can send that to you. This is why I am frustrated when the Speaker says this is not related to the budget. For example, if we can get business regulatory change so I can recruit manufacturer’s here and more transportation companies here, and more businesses here, we can generate billions of new revenue without raising tax rates. That’s directly tied to the budget. And if we can get the pension reform I’m asking for and the local control of government costs, we can save billions for the taxpayers that’s directly related to the budget.
Miller: Billions?
Rauner: Billions.
Miller: Because the Illinois Policy Institute did a study on prevailing wage and they didn’t find much savings at all, you’re looking at ¾ of a point.
Rauner: I’d have to see the study. ¾ of what point?
Miller: ¾ of a percentage point on their property tax bills.
Rauner: That’s a lot of money.
Miller: When I took a look at their numbers it’s probably half that, so it’s less than half of a percentage point. That’s not billions of dollars.
Rauner: I didn’t say prevailing wage alone is billions per year, it’s a lot, it’s many, many hundreds of millions. All of those changes together - Local control is billions. Because local control on pensions, what gets collectively bargained, the prevailing wage, HUGE. Some agree with you. Fine! I’m not saying they can’t do what you want but why do the communities who agree with you tell the communities that agree with me how to run their communities? Where does that come off? That’s not what democracy is about.
Miller: Well there is some dispute over whether you can even do that at the local level.
Rauner: Well I don’t agree it’s disputable but let’s have the dispute – that’s fine.
Miller: It’s getting us nowhere because it’s not being accepted, there are veto-proof majorities in both the House and the Senate. You said recently to Dan Proft that we aren’t’ going to get a budget until Mike Madigan changes. And Mike Madigan is not a guy who changes very often. So if you accept the fact, I don’t know if you do or not, that neither you nor the speaker are going to compromise on what you call your “basic principles” –
::Oscar bark::
Miller: Oscar stop.
Miller: Do you think it’s time to try something different to break the log-jam?
Rauner: Well I am up for your suggestions. Let me dispute a couple of your assumptions. I have compromised and I will compromise. There are no one of my six bills that I say have to be the one that passes and any bill that does pass can be tweaked. There is nothin’ that is off the table for me in terms of what will happen. But what we can’t do – and I said this in the op-ed you read – a massive tax hike and nothing else? No. Failure. That’s a disaster for the state. That we can’t go there.. And the reason I am optimistic, the Speaker and I get along perfectly well, it’s not a personal thing. It’s always spun that we hate each other. Not true. The reason I am cautiously optimistic is that Mike has done things in the past that have really ticked off AFSCME or the teachers union or whoever and yes, do some of what I’m recommending do that? Yes, but he’s done it before. It’s not like it’s unheard of for him.
Miller: I agree with you. So I don’t disagree I just don’t see him doing it yet. Do you see him cutting a deal before the primary? Or before the General Election?
Rauner: I don’t know what timing he is going to choose. You know my buddies over in the Democratic caucus, some say that there’s a chance he’ll do it soon, others have said there is no way it’s happening before the primary. And more and more are sayin’ no way until after the general. At some point we got to lead.
Miller: How do you get there? You’ve faced complicated situations in business. You didn’t become who you were by just waiting everyone out.
::Oscar growing increasingly agitated::
Rauner: I haven’t played every card in my hand, I haven’t done everything I can do. I’m just going to keep doing what I can do to try and get a compromise.
Miller: Are you going to wait four years? Before we get a budget? Your entire term?
Rauner: Here’s the thing – I will not sign off on a tax hike that doesn’t have reforms in it.
::Oscar barking madly::
Miller: Oscar please!!
Miller: So, four years? Are you really willing to wait four years?
::Oscar continues barking as if to stop the interview all together::
Miller: Are you really willing to wait four years?
Rauner: I’m not waiting, I’m working my ass off 24/7.
Miller: Ok, are you willing to work your ass off and get nothing 24/7 for four years?
Rauner: We’ve already got a lot in the first year. I’m all about improvin’ the future for the people of Illinois.
Miller: (After a pause) Uh-huh.
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Jan 12, 16 @ 8:37 am
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any chance of a written transcription for the deaf and hard of hearing?
Comment by ottawa otter Tuesday, Jan 12, 16 @ 8:41 am
Oscar is digging for la plata (cash, as defined by Carlos Escobar in Narcos).
Comment by Anon Tuesday, Jan 12, 16 @ 8:45 am
Oscar had an agenda, looked for a playmate, and with no playmate around, then took it upon himself to be heard.
Oscar is a role model (and quite awesome too)
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jan 12, 16 @ 8:48 am
**Pablo Escobar.
Comment by Anon Tuesday, Jan 12, 16 @ 8:49 am
Just listenting now. What an impatient, miserable guy Rauner is.
Best question: Do you have quantifiable data for the Turnaround Agenda?
“We’ve quanitifed lots of that stuff. We can send it to ya.”
Yeah, Rauner. How about you send it? How about you do that. Yeah. That sure would be swell.
Comment by Frenchie Mendoza Tuesday, Jan 12, 16 @ 8:50 am
Oscar decided he was tired of hearing all the noise and wanted to get down to some serious business!
Comment by JS Mill Tuesday, Jan 12, 16 @ 8:52 am
LOL… “Local control of government is not a labor law.”
Sigh…
Comment by AlabamaShake Tuesday, Jan 12, 16 @ 8:52 am
The notion that our budget is being held hostage, with all of the human collateral damage, for an agenda that has not yet been justified beyond the platitudes is incomprehensible. Please post his “numbers” when you get them. If you get them. We’ll all be refreshing our browsers in anticipation.
Comment by out of touch Tuesday, Jan 12, 16 @ 8:58 am
Finished the interview. Rauner is impatient (as I say above) and not particularly savvy. Doesn’t seem to know a lot of details.
And charisma level from this audio? Zero.
What, was this like the last interview for the day? He couldn’t even get up even a little bit of enthusiasm for his own stuff?
Comment by Frenchie Mendoza Tuesday, Jan 12, 16 @ 9:00 am
You always know when a Republican is pushing something that is neither popular or fiscally justified - they frame it merely as an issue of “choice” and “freedom.”
Rich - please hold the Governor’s Office to his promise to provide the fiscal analyses on the Turn Around Agenda.
Comment by Sam Weinberg Tuesday, Jan 12, 16 @ 9:01 am
Does Oscar always growl at the mention of Dan Proft?
Comment by Michelle Flaherty Tuesday, Jan 12, 16 @ 9:02 am
===was this like the last interview for the day?===
Yep.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jan 12, 16 @ 9:02 am
Rauner waffles vacillates between tens and hundreds of millions, many millions, and billions in the same breath. Commas are darn confusin’.
Comment by out of touch Tuesday, Jan 12, 16 @ 9:03 am
Actually I’m sure IPI could come up with plenty of academic papers and justification. I’ve seen some of it on their website. It’s Laffer curve/ “trickle down”/ supply side economic/ free market stuff. That’s fine in theory but in reality we only have to look at the theory in practice, Kansas. Non-functional state government, no services, extreme income inequality, declining jobs, wages, gdp. Kansas is tanking HARD. The data is there that he could produce. The problem is the chain reaction that would cause. Then he would have to defend it when Kansas is sitting there burning and sinking. That’s the game right there. Supply side economics only helps large corporations and the owner/investor class.
By the way Rich, God bless you for your questions. And bless Oscar for letting me focus on something important in life, care for those who cannot do for themselves. Someone has to call attention to the situation. Oscar did that perfectly. Good boy!
Comment by Honeybear Tuesday, Jan 12, 16 @ 9:13 am
Nice try Rich, but to get Rauner to provide some empirical data on the savings that his TA will generate is folly. IF you get anything, please let us see it. And he and Mike MAdigan get along great, yeah. Are we supposed to believe that Madigan actually likes the guy that is called the lone cause of all that is wrong with IL government? Corrupt politician, Mike Madigan? What else is he trying to sell us?
Comment by Big Joe Tuesday, Jan 12, 16 @ 9:19 am
Should have said ” likes the guy that is calling him the lone cause of all that is wrong with IL government.” Not fully awake yet.
Comment by Big Joe Tuesday, Jan 12, 16 @ 9:22 am
Can’t wait to see the quantifiable data.
You’d think they would have released that long ago.
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Jan 12, 16 @ 9:23 am
One of the best lines from the interview-
Rauner, “I’ve been workin’ my a$$ off.”
Maybe it’s time to reflect, then…
http://www.businessinsider.com/answer-these-questions-to-find-out-if-youre-a-workaholic-2015-7
****
If Rauner continues down this Madigan blame game, the State of Illinois and the People of Illinois will continue to suffer. This will be HIS legacy. It will be written about in articles, books, webpages. It will be dissected long after he’s out of office. And, it will be discussed by his peers in hallowed halls and over glasses of wine.
It’s time to decide. Get the budget(s) done on keep on keepin’ on with your “legacy”.
Comment by Anon221 Tuesday, Jan 12, 16 @ 9:25 am
—
You’d think they would have released that long ago.
—
Except they don’t have it. Maybe someone told Rauner they have it. He’s not a details guy. He’ll just grumble and shrug and be like: whatever.
Comment by Frenchie Mendoza Tuesday, Jan 12, 16 @ 9:26 am
The google drive link is no longer working.
Comment by Gorganzola Tuesday, Jan 12, 16 @ 9:51 am
It’s still working. I just checked.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jan 12, 16 @ 9:56 am
Have you ever asked a mechanic or repair person to see the old part when they tell you they replaced something and you’re just not quite sure?
That’s the vibe I got. Uh, sure. We’ll get that right out to you.
Comment by LizPhairTax Tuesday, Jan 12, 16 @ 10:01 am
OK. I see the problem now. Working on a fix.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jan 12, 16 @ 10:03 am
Why in the world would you conduct this interview with your dog in the room? Not very professional.
Comment by Citizen of Illinois Tuesday, Jan 12, 16 @ 10:12 am
I explained why up top.
Try reading.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jan 12, 16 @ 10:19 am
Does your dog bite?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ui442IDw16o
Comment by Dave Dahl Tuesday, Jan 12, 16 @ 10:19 am
I hope Oscar left a gift on the lawn.
Comment by deadguy Tuesday, Jan 12, 16 @ 10:27 am
Rauner sounds like he has no idea what he’s talking about on prevailing wage. After Rich called him out on a study about prevailing wages, he asserts the savings are “a lot, it’s many, many, hundreds of millions…not billions” SMH
Comment by Bull Moose Tuesday, Jan 12, 16 @ 10:30 am
Rauner sounds like a real post turtle. he has no idea what he’s saying or trying to do. he needs his billionaire buddies to help him answer the questions. he might as well come out and say “i bought the election for a reason”. i’m gonna bust the unions so me and my buddies can fill contracts with non-union people making a minimal minimum wage. I will not raise said minimum wage or taxes because that will cut down on my/our profits. he could care less about the state of illinois, the people, and he hates the employees who he’d like to replace with before mentioned workers. i believe as a citizen of illinois, we’re hosed. thanks for asking the questions!
Comment by wow Tuesday, Jan 12, 16 @ 10:58 am
Great stuff
#1 achievement —Ed $ w/GOPies votin’ “no” and higher ed about to become national disaster
2. No facts on the ‘Genda. bet was surprised anyone asked.
3. Oscar jumpin’ up and down yellin’ B* S* ,B*S* through the whole thing
Priceless
Comment by Annonin" Tuesday, Jan 12, 16 @ 11:02 am
Not especially looking forward to what the campaign/executive staff produce quantifying the TA benefits. There are a bunch of numbers available through IPI, AFP, Heartland Institute, and the like on many of the general topics meant to be covered in the TA. The campaign used many of them. The problem is that they are either too general to be applied to Illinois in this Century, or based on demonstrably false economic myths.
Hope to be pleasantly surprised, but not betting on it.
Comment by walker Tuesday, Jan 12, 16 @ 11:10 am
Ha!! Oscar barked everytime he lied. His BS detector was off the scale at the end. I bet small children hide when they see Rauner.
Comment by Trolling Troll Tuesday, Jan 12, 16 @ 11:13 am
Great interview Rich. I especially appreciate the follow up question on the education budget. I think that was an important clarificTion and something the GOP will regret voting no on.
The local control patter falls flat when he is pushing (in fact it was a key campaign promise) hard on a property tax freeze. That revenue is purely local and a completely local decision. He is not the only one talking local control and they are all hypocrites.
Good stuff Rich. I appreciate the additional come tary from Oscar, salient, nearly clairvoyant, and to the point!
Comment by JS Mill Tuesday, Jan 12, 16 @ 11:16 am
“Why in the world would you conduct this interview with your dog in the room? Not very professional.”
I do not presume to speak for Mr. Miller or for his journalistic methods, but I can think of few better tactics for getting more candid responses from an interview subject.
If you just want “professional” journalism kabuki — predictable question followed by canned response — there are plenty of other sources for that.
– MrJM
Comment by @MisterJayEm Tuesday, Jan 12, 16 @ 11:17 am
Oscar was simply alerting when he detected baloney in the air, Rich. Dogs do have sensitive noses dontcha know. Plus all those dropped ‘G’s were fallin all over the floor.
Comment by PublicServant Tuesday, Jan 12, 16 @ 11:38 am
Guessin’ fatigue must starve the SuperStar ability to use the letter G in oral communications. He had lot o’ them with the rentals at IPI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcHCHMsqem4 but not so many with Oscar & Capt. Fax.
Comment by Annoin' Tuesday, Jan 12, 16 @ 12:09 pm
=== but I can think of few better tactics for getting more candid responses from an interview subject.===
lol
He’s definitely an ice breaker.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jan 12, 16 @ 12:11 pm
==For example, if we can get business regulatory change so I can recruit manufacturer’s here and more transportation companies here, and more businesses here, we can generate billions of new revenue without raising tax rates.==
That has nothing to do with the FY16 budget.
Comment by Boss Tweed Tuesday, Jan 12, 16 @ 12:32 pm
—
Miller: One of the things that several of my commenters have been asking for months, including one of the top commenters I have on the blog, is do you have any –
::Oscar barks, making his presence known::
–
Oscar: “Me! I’m asking! Spill it governor.”
Comment by Timmeh Tuesday, Jan 12, 16 @ 12:37 pm
Remember when Putin brought his wolfhound to a meeting with Angela Merkel, after he heard that she was afraid of big dogs?
Not sayin’ anything.
Comment by walker Tuesday, Jan 12, 16 @ 12:37 pm
I have say on my hands, not really knowing what to say about Rauner and his own perception and perceptions.
This I know;
===I’m not waiting, I’m working my #%& off 24/7.===
“Never mistake activity for achievement.” - John Wooden
And here I though Gov. Pat “Day and Night” Quinn embodied the Wooden axiom.
You have no budget, Governor.
You have no labor peace, Governor.
You have the Wooden Quote… as you epitomize what Wooden warns.
Congratulations.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jan 12, 16 @ 12:43 pm
–Rauner: I really have to say three: Having a “world record” education fundin’ for Illinois – most we’ve ever had despite no budget. That’s a big deal to me…. –
Miller: Number one, though, all the Republicans voted against that bill and then you signed it – any regrets on that?
Rauner: None at all. We need education funding.–
LOL, GOP members, do you get it now? Or does the governor have to go upside your pumpkins with a two-by-four for real?
You all wear the jacket for voting against opening up schools on time, he takes all the glory for throwing you under the bus.
Expect more of the same in coming months.
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Jan 12, 16 @ 12:49 pm
This interview reminds me of this scene:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbWWxGmbS9s
Rauner: Awww, come on guys, it’s so simple. Maybe you need a refresher course. It’s all Madigan’s fault nowadays.
Comment by Michelle Flaherty Tuesday, Jan 12, 16 @ 12:50 pm
Just read the transcript and that was a great interview. Way to hold him accountable for his inaction. Oscar is as mad as the rest of us!
Comment by deadguy Tuesday, Jan 12, 16 @ 12:50 pm
I’m glad you took Oscar with you. I’m sure he made the gov feel more comfortable with your questions. I think Oscar was alerting you to what is important.
Comment by Mama Tuesday, Jan 12, 16 @ 1:01 pm
he’s very easily put on the defensive.
Comment by Homer J. Quinn Tuesday, Jan 12, 16 @ 1:02 pm
You actually said “please” to Oscar? LOL Not poking fun because I talk to my dogs the same way. It just looks comical in print.
Comment by Cubs in '16 Tuesday, Jan 12, 16 @ 1:05 pm
Thanks to the governor’s recently released schedule, I think we can all see that he is not in fact working his ass off 24/7.
Maybe that’s how they should fill it out every day.
Monday 8 a.m. to Tuesday 8 a.m.: Working ass off.
Comment by Michelle Flaherty Tuesday, Jan 12, 16 @ 1:06 pm
Good job Rich. Good interview
Comment by Johnny Pyle Driver Tuesday, Jan 12, 16 @ 1:11 pm
===GOP members, do you get it now? Or does the governor have to go upside your pumpkins with a two-by-four for real?
You all wear the jacket for voting against opening up schools on time, he takes all the glory for throwing you under the bus.
Expect more of the same in coming months.===
- Wordslinger - wins.
Rauner is tellin’ ya what has been says here far too often;
GOP GA; You’re lights on the board to Gov. Rauner. Nothing more, nothing less.
If you think Gov. Rauner has your best interest in mind with all that cash, listen/read what Rauner really feels about turnin’ on you cause, well, he can.
Comically tragic to say the least.
An autonomous GOP GA would have never let that happen. Never.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jan 12, 16 @ 1:22 pm
Re: the world record increase in education funding
Increasing spending without corresponding cuts or revenue increases is what got us here.
Comment by Earnest Tuesday, Jan 12, 16 @ 1:42 pm
Rich,
The transcript shows why you are a good reporter. You pressed for answers but didn’t overly push it when it was clear you weren’t going to get any more.
Be interesting to see whatever follow-up you receive.
Comment by RNUG Tuesday, Jan 12, 16 @ 1:45 pm
=== Oscar barking madly ===
The only response at Rich’s interview that I believed. Oscar the truth detector.
Comment by Norseman Tuesday, Jan 12, 16 @ 2:01 pm
==The reason I am cautiously optimistic is that Mike has done things in the past that have really ticked off AFSCME or the teachers union or whoever and yes, do some of what I’m recommending do that? Yes, but he’s done it before. It’s not like it’s unheard of for him.==
This is true - Madigan repeatedly bucks the Democratic base in his quest to build and maintain his power. It’s widely acknowledged that Madigan has been so successful because he is willing to do that.
Rauner has elevated the goal of breaking Madigan over the goal of accomplishing his agenda.
Comment by Century Club Tuesday, Jan 12, 16 @ 2:02 pm
Thanks for the new link. You’re questions and persistence were great and your dog is a bad azz.
Comment by Politix Tuesday, Jan 12, 16 @ 2:03 pm
Bad interview for the Governor. Platitudes and no real leadership. Sadly he will run the ship into the iceberg, watch the crash, stay with the ship while it sinks then fly off in his helicopter as everyone below freezes to death.
Comment by DuPage Bard Tuesday, Jan 12, 16 @ 2:07 pm
So when’s Sean Penn’s interview with Rauner?
Comment by Michelle Flaherty Tuesday, Jan 12, 16 @ 2:24 pm
Michelle F. LOL!!
Comment by My New Handle Tuesday, Jan 12, 16 @ 2:48 pm
I suggest this short summary of what I heard the governor say:
No I didn’t.
No it’s not.
Billions. Billions!
No, I said hundreds of millions.
Huge. Huge!
Democracy.
Mike.
My buddies.
I haven’t done everything I can do.
Working my *** off.
Bark! Bark! Bark!
Oscar sums it up beautifully.
Comment by South Central Tuesday, Jan 12, 16 @ 4:51 pm
Oscar can detect bull lol ie my buddies in the dem caucus
Comment by foster brooks Tuesday, Jan 12, 16 @ 5:03 pm
Rich, I am not sure the RAUN Man likes you! But really, too often we mistake wealth and financial success with intelligence. Gamblers, risk takers, criminals, bullies, drug lords, inheritance, marriage. Lots of ways to become a billionaire. Guy kinda reminds me of Stan Kroenke…
Comment by Blue dog dem Tuesday, Jan 12, 16 @ 8:05 pm
–We need education funding.–
As opposed to university funding and social services funding?
Why were they left out in the cold? How do you rationalize that, if you can?
How is that a legitimate use of your office?
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Jan 12, 16 @ 8:34 pm
I like Oscar.
Comment by James Knell Tuesday, Jan 12, 16 @ 10:00 pm