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* Press release…
Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan issued the following statement Thursday after Gov. Bruce Rauner and Republican legislative leaders proposed changes to Illinois’ pension system:
“I have shown my commitment to achieving pension reform on a number of occasions over the last several years. The Illinois Supreme Court has ruled that the General Assembly cannot alter earned benefits. With the court’s guidance, we now have a clearer framework of what cannot be done in any future pension reform proposal. To avoid wasting taxpayer dollars on lawsuits, it’s important that we carefully consider the court’s direction when we take up pension reform proposals as we work to address the state’s unfunded pension debt while ensuring that retirees who have worked hard for decades will receive their retirement benefits.
“The Governor said today that in exchange for negotiating on pension reform, he will continue to demand changes that will drive down the wages and standard of living of middle-class families. Despite the Governor’s desire to drive a wedge between Democrats in the House and Senate, neither President Cullerton nor I will agree to make changes proposed by the Governor that will hurt the middle-class families of our state.”
So, not a “no” on doing some sort of pension reform, but it sure looks like a definite “no” on this…
It's about the unions: #ILGov Rauner says to be constitutional, wages cannot be part of collective bargaining with public employees.
— Rick Pearson (@rap30) January 21, 2016
*** UPDATE *** The governor’s people flatly deny this, by the way. They say this is indeed Cullerton’s plan…
The following statement was released by Senate President John J. Cullerton regarding Republican leaders’ pension proposal:
“The governor called me this morning to say he was going to back my ideas for pension reform. The plan he outlined at his news conference isn’t what we talked about. It’s not my plan. It goes beyond what we discussed and beyond what I support.
“We apparently still have a fundamental disagreement over the role of collective bargaining in this process, in the sense that I think collective bargaining should continue to exist and the governor does not.
“I look forward to working with the governor to clarify these issues and appreciate his willingness to consider other ideas and just how far he’s moved away from his original pension reform ideas.
“But this is not my plan, not the plan we discussed this morning, and it does not have my support.”
*** UPDATE 2 *** From the We Are One Illinois union coalition…
“Another day, another hostage for Governor Rauner in his war on the working people of Illinois. Yesterday it was public schools, for more than a year it has been the state budget, and today it is retirement security for teachers, first responders and other public service workers.
“Rather than address his failure to enact a state budget or take a new approach by showing a willingness to work together, the Governor promotes cutting constitutionally-protected pensions in an effort to further attack working people and their unions he considers his political enemies.
“Rauner’s latest proposal is irresponsible and divisive. Slashing retirement security by forcing workers to choose between two diminished options is clearly unconstitutional. And to no one’s surprise, poison pills in the governor’s plan would wipe out the right of working people to have a collective voice on the job on behalf of their families and those they serve.
“Our coalition has always advocated a responsible solution to the pension funding issue that is both constitutional and fair. We urge the governor to abandon unconstitutional attacks and put the people of this state ahead of his political agenda. His disregard for working families is causing irreparable harm to children and communities across Illinois.”
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jan 21, 16 @ 12:06 pm
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Comment by 360 Degree TurnAround Thursday, Jan 21, 16 @ 12:13 pm
Coming from the man who wouldn’t compromise or even call Cullerton’s bill for a vote when it would have passed? And instead demanded pushing his own bill requiring more drastic cuts?
We should take any advice from such a statesman on pension reform matters with a large grain of salt.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Thursday, Jan 21, 16 @ 12:13 pm
There are no angels here.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Thursday, Jan 21, 16 @ 12:14 pm
This is a governor whose staff doesn’t understand Separation of Powers and a governor who thinks he got elected to rule Illinois and destroy anyone who questions him.
This is not about the unions, oh Wise One - it is about the state constitution. The unions cannot break a constitutional right anymore than a governor. PLEASE take a government class from Jim Edgar.
Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Jan 21, 16 @ 12:16 pm
So if unions can’t negotiate wages, what can they do? Bargain over who gets which parking space?
Even the most rabid anti-union person I know acknowledges that bargaining over wages is a legitimate role for unions.
Comment by the Other Anonymous Thursday, Jan 21, 16 @ 12:17 pm
I’d say that settles the pension question except you were dealing with Capt Ahab that may have morphed into Dr. Strangelove’s General Jack D. Ripper. Jack’s quote “War is too important to be left to politicians.” fits the Governor to a Tee.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1KvgtEnABY
It’s like Rauner has the State of Illinois strapped to his chest like a suicide belt and keeps running at the unions. He might have better luck if he didn’t wear it on the outside of his shirt..
Comment by Mouthy Thursday, Jan 21, 16 @ 12:19 pm
I thought at the time, and still think it today, that Madigan deliberately hijacked Cullerton’s pension bill and reframed it so the court would have a clearly (drastically) unconstitutional bill in front of them.
I also thought that was MJM’s strategy to get political cover for a tax hike to specifically fund the pensions.
Now I’m inclined to think we go through this exercise again with a less drastic bill (with less savings). Be interesting to see if Madigan let’s this bill go “as is” or does something like add a severable section that dedicates a percentage of any future income tax increase to pension funding.
That would be a perfect move; pension funding would come out of the income tax increase that Rauner is going to have to eventually ask for.
Comment by RNUG Thursday, Jan 21, 16 @ 12:21 pm
I view this as major progress. It’s the most substantive dialogue the two of them have ever had.
Comment by siriusly Thursday, Jan 21, 16 @ 12:21 pm
Leader Radogno may want to check her voting record on SB 2404 on May 9, 2013 - SHE VOTED AGAINST IT.
Comment by 360 Degree TurnAround Thursday, Jan 21, 16 @ 12:26 pm
Just when you think the Governor is running out of room. Madigan speaks. He wasted years on a pension plan that everyone knew was not legal. If he ever thought the Court would uphold that he should surrender his law license.
Middle class wages are in trouble due to a decade of deficit spending where democrats made it clear to the middle class that the non working entitlement class, not the working class is the number one priority for the modern democrat party.
Comment by the Patriot Thursday, Jan 21, 16 @ 12:28 pm
Can some serious work be done to accomplish constitutional reform? Or will the Speaker again inhibit any meaningful progress (like last time around)?
Comment by Lincoln Lad Thursday, Jan 21, 16 @ 12:29 pm
=I view this as major progress.=
Lol. That fact certainly jumped a bar they couldn’t have put any lower to the ground.
Comment by Harvest76 Thursday, Jan 21, 16 @ 12:29 pm
One prediction:
The AG will eventually chime in, publicly and urgently, in opposition to whatever pension reforms the Governor supports.
This will be in stark contrast to her public silence while the House recently demanded a clearly unconstitutional (to most of us, due to the constitution’s clear language) pension reform ==theft==.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Thursday, Jan 21, 16 @ 12:30 pm
Didn’t take Cullerton long. King Rauner is going to go down in flames. Look at his latest poll numbers. Unfortunately that wont happen for a few more years. Much more fun ahead.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jan 21, 16 @ 12:30 pm
===
“The governor called me this morning to say he was going to back my ideas for pension reform. The plan he outlined at his news conference isn’t what we talked about. It’s not my plan. It goes beyond what we discussed and beyond what I support.
“We apparently still have a fundamental disagreement over the role of collective bargaining in this process, in the sense that I think collective bargaining should continue to exist and the governor does not.”===
Hmm…
“We apparently still have a fundamental disagreement over the role of collective bargaining in this process, in the sense that I think collective bargaining should continue to exist and the governor does not.”
Hilarious.
That “rascal” Gov. Rauner, lol
To the Cullerton Update,
Rauner *cough* Crew *cough*
Hows aboutch ya have President Cullerton BE at these… “Shows”… and then the Governor will learn..,
A) Who (h/t Rep. Sandack) is really on board
Or
B) The Governor can’t say these useless things to the press and THEN get refuted before the hour is up.
Geez, Louise, this is beyond Keystone Kop malpractice here, folks.
This one I hacevto blame on Staff.
“Why?”
Who (h/t Rep. Sandack) is feeding these talking points to the Governor, or not minding the Press Shop to ensure he doesn’t think this stuff?
Seriously, do better. The Governor is awful on his feet. It’s been a whole year, you guys know better…
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jan 21, 16 @ 12:33 pm
Just once I would like to hear the Speaker and the President say that they’ll take a look at the Governor’s ideas, instead of just saying no within 15 minutes of the Governor’s press conference.
Comment by Just Me Thursday, Jan 21, 16 @ 12:33 pm
This isn’t a game to Rauner: it’s a sport.
I was looking for a non-”Godfather” movie metaphor for what the governor is trying to do. “Wreck-It_Ralph” was my animated choice, with “Wreck-It Rauner” being so euphonious… And with the CPS bankruptcy/buyout offer, he’s really channelling the scene in “It’s a Wonderful Life” when Potter is using the depression and a run on the bank to leverage the entire town… but the more I think about it, the more Rauner resembles Gordon Gekko in “Wallstreet”:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCC1H7MSIsg
“Why do you want to wreck this company?
“Because it’s wreckable, all right???”
Comment by Newsclown Thursday, Jan 21, 16 @ 12:33 pm
Sen. John Cullerton: “The governor called me this morning to say he was going to back my ideas for pension reform. The plan he outlined at his news conference isn’t what we talked about. It’s not my plan. It goes beyond what we discussed and beyond what I support.”
*****
Multiverse portals are a (banned word)! Rauner and Co. LLC needs more practice in inter-dimensional travel.
Comment by Anon221 Thursday, Jan 21, 16 @ 12:34 pm
===- Just Me - Thursday, Jan 21, 16 @ 12:33 pm
Just once I would like to hear the Speaker and the President say that they’ll take a look at the Governor’s ideas, instead of just saying no within 15 minutes of the Governor’s press conference.===
‘Nember when President Cullerton was actually at the podium speaking… And the Rauner Crew responded during the Q abd A? lol.
I do.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jan 21, 16 @ 12:35 pm
“[This] is not my plan, not the plan we discussed this morning, and it does not have my support.”
And Bruce Rauner’s relationship to the truth remains in tatters.
– MrJM
Comment by @MisterJayEm Thursday, Jan 21, 16 @ 12:37 pm
== - Just Me - Thursday, Jan 21, 16 @ 12:33 pm:
Just once I would like to hear the Speaker and the President say that they’ll take a look at the Governor’s ideas, instead of just saying no within 15 minutes of the Governor’s press conference.==
The governor didn’t propose any new ideas here. To his credit, his staff drafted a pension bill earlier this year and the house held about 10 hearings on it. That’s not exactly dismissing an idea within 15 minutes.
Comment by Everyone needs a hug Thursday, Jan 21, 16 @ 12:39 pm
Me thinks that the last, best, final offer will remove bumping rights and bargain over wages.
Then that opens the door for this type of plan.
Comment by Undone Thursday, Jan 21, 16 @ 12:40 pm
So the leaders still meeting? Hows that goin’? Maybe they can have a court reporter at their mtgs.
Comment by burbanite Thursday, Jan 21, 16 @ 12:40 pm
@patriot:
By non working entitlement class you mean Whites who receive Food Stamps, as thats the largest group on that Entitlement. Why cant Whites work?
Comment by Jack Stephens Thursday, Jan 21, 16 @ 12:42 pm
“Just once I would like to hear the Speaker and the President say that they’ll take a look at the Governor’s ideas, instead of just saying no within 15 minutes of the Governor’s press conference.”
Then the Governor should stop putting anti-union poison pills in his ideas. Or at least stop announcing them.
Comment by Boss Tweed Thursday, Jan 21, 16 @ 12:42 pm
just goes to show the governor hasn’t been, and never will, bargain in good faith with afsme. send the contract negotiations to an arbitrator and work on a budget! can you imagine 3 more years of this stupidity?
Comment by nuff said Thursday, Jan 21, 16 @ 12:43 pm
Great post!
Comment by Jack Stephens Thursday, Jan 21, 16 @ 12:44 pm
Illinois has become a sad soap opera. The Rauner superstars seem so incredibly desperate that they toss handgrenades from the newly restored Mansion roof.
Are we done yet? Every day another drama attack bevause its full moon and there is nothing to say about the State of the Mistake next week. Sigh.
Comment by princess buttercup Thursday, Jan 21, 16 @ 12:44 pm
This is how the .01% view us common folk.. How dare a teacher have the nerve to think that they have a right to negotiate their salary, their working conditions, and their retirement benefits..this coming from a guy who campaigned the entire time in 2014 and earned $56 million without working 1 hour..there is ME, Uhlein, Griffin and the rest of you peasants..
Comment by Not Rich Thursday, Jan 21, 16 @ 12:50 pm
So do I have this right?
Rauner: I agree with his plan.
Cullerton: That’s not my plan.
Rauner: Yes it is.
Comment by ArchPundit Thursday, Jan 21, 16 @ 12:52 pm
John Cullerton or Harrison Ford?
“But this is not my plan, not the plan we discussed this morning, and it does not have my support.”
This is how to deal with OODA Loops:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ua_TZ84hmEA
Comment by Bill White Thursday, Jan 21, 16 @ 12:55 pm
somebody needs to take Sandack’s twitter account away from him..give him a timeout in a corner of the mansion..LOL
Comment by Not Rich Thursday, Jan 21, 16 @ 12:59 pm
Clearly unconstitutional if there is no status quo option. Period. This would appear to be forcing the employee to choose between two diminishment’s from the little bit of detail I have seen. It’s a waste of time IMO. Just like the governor.
Comment by Old and In the Way Thursday, Jan 21, 16 @ 12:59 pm
“Either we’re confused or Rauner hung us out to dry again.”
Comment by Radogno and Durkin Thursday, Jan 21, 16 @ 1:00 pm
It’s not Cullerton’s plan. The Governor wants to add an anti-union measure in the plan: no collective bargaining over wages.
Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Jan 21, 16 @ 1:00 pm
How much time and energy does this administration have to spend spinning it’s wheels on an issue that has been resolved by the courts? As each day passes with no payments toward the debt created by past legislatures we are deeper in the hole. This is nothing more than kicking the proverbial can…..something our governor accused everyone else of doing. He has done nothing to stabilize our finances, nothing to address the pension debt and is looking to create even more chaos and debt. Is this resolution? Anyone could’ve done this!
Comment by AnonymousOne Thursday, Jan 21, 16 @ 1:03 pm
=====The governor’s people flatly deny this, by the way. They say this is indeed Cullerton’s plan…
Are they high?
That would sorta be an excuse.
Comment by ArchPundit Thursday, Jan 21, 16 @ 1:04 pm
It’s called getting your ducks in a row before you open your mouth.
Comment by Chicago Cynic Thursday, Jan 21, 16 @ 1:05 pm
What a nightmare and embarrassment for Illinois.
Comment by Ferris Wheel Thursday, Jan 21, 16 @ 1:08 pm
Seems like Rauner and Co. LLC have a bad case of “senioritis” before Finals Week (SOS and Budget speeches). The problem is, they’re just starting their sophomore year!
Comment by Anon221 Thursday, Jan 21, 16 @ 1:10 pm
Bruce: Good morning John. It is a wonderful sunny day here in Illinois
John: You are right Bruce we are in total agreement the sun is shining.
Bruce: Thanks John glad to see we are in full agreement.
Bruce at press conference: Here is the pension plan which is Cullerton’s plan. He was in full agreement with me when we talked this morning.
Comment by illinifan Thursday, Jan 21, 16 @ 1:11 pm
You know, if we’re going to go down the path of trying to get a constitutional change, maybe the one we should be lobbying for is removing the immunity that government officials have from being sued for their actions. We could test the concept for a for a few years by just making it apply to the governor’s office.
Comment by RNUG Thursday, Jan 21, 16 @ 1:12 pm
As to the current budget impasse-how will the pension reform “savings” be treated in next fy’s budget. The one that will combine with this fy’s budget, will rely heavily on sweeps and borrowing, and now, possibly, imaginary savings?
Comment by Cassandra Thursday, Jan 21, 16 @ 1:17 pm
“The governor called me this morning to say he was going to back my ideas for pension reform. The plan he outlined at his news conference isn’t what we talked about. It’s not my plan. It goes beyond what we discussed and beyond what I support.”
It’s hard to deny that this reflects progress since the night Rauner was elected. There’s no denying that they actually had a conversation. That’s a vast improvement. /s
Comment by AC Thursday, Jan 21, 16 @ 1:17 pm
===Bruce at press conference: Here is the pension plan which is Cullerton’s plan. He was in full agreement with me when we talked this morning.
That’s the thing here. It’s an entirely new step to go from we are in agreement to, “Hey, it’s his plan!”
It’s like you are sitting at a bar and talking about the Blackhawks and some weirdo starts talking about Alpacas.
Comment by ArchPundit Thursday, Jan 21, 16 @ 1:17 pm
There’s nothing in the Illinois state constitution that prevents government workers from paying a bigger share of their salaries for their pensions. It could be a much higher rate than it is now.
Comment by Steve Thursday, Jan 21, 16 @ 1:19 pm
Therefore as a consequence of this stuff, Madigan and Cullerton will act on their solidarity by filing and pushing Cullerton’s “original” pension bill … right?
Comment by Georg Sande Thursday, Jan 21, 16 @ 1:23 pm
-Steve-
The IL SC has been clear that the pension contract terms are those in place at time of hiring plus enhancements granted by the General Assembly (slightly paraphrased to get in one sentence).
Given the above, what reason or motivation is there to voluntarily pay more?
Comment by RNUG Thursday, Jan 21, 16 @ 1:24 pm
RNUG @ 1:12 pm - best pension reform suggestion I’ve seen. Note, I would classify this as a reform in that making the process better by emphasizing the fiduciary responsibility of the policymaker.
Comment by Norseman Thursday, Jan 21, 16 @ 1:24 pm
Bruce: Heckuva plan, Cully.
Cullerton: Thanks, Bruce. Happy you like it.
Bruce (Hmm. Needs one slight tweak.)
Bruce at presser: Here’s John’s plan. I like it. (Well, his plan IS in there, but I added the tweak about no bargaining on wages. But he doesn’t need to know that.)
Cullerton: What the what? That’s not my plan! It’s been tweaked. My plan doesn’t have any tweaks.
Bruce: I was misquoted. It could be John’s plan or it couldn’t be John’s plan. Hey, who are you going to believe? An earlier version of me or me right now–subject to being misquoted, of course?
Cullerton: Drat! Hoodwinked again!
Bruce: And THAT’s how you shake up Springfield!
Comment by Streator Curmudgeon Thursday, Jan 21, 16 @ 1:26 pm
That was a diplomatic reply by Cullerton. He established himself as the adult on pension reform last time, and appears willing to be the adult again.
More like this, please.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Thursday, Jan 21, 16 @ 1:27 pm
I’ve thought the same thing, RNUG. I wouldn’t confine it to Rauner, tho. So many, many Illinois politicians and state bureaucrats deserve to be sued for, at a minimum, chronic misfeasance, greed, and execrable judgment. But, as was the case with the titans of the recent financial crash, this is only a dream.
Comment by Cassandra Thursday, Jan 21, 16 @ 1:28 pm
-Norseman-
I’m kind of partial to the 12:21 pm proposal, which is what I assume you are referring to.
Comment by RNUG Thursday, Jan 21, 16 @ 1:28 pm
Rauner will never let go of the anti union, anti collective bargaining poison pills. Never.
Comment by Wensicia Thursday, Jan 21, 16 @ 1:33 pm
@Georg:
The proposal would have been fine with Cullerton had the Governor not added his usual anti-union poison pill. As long as he keeps doing that there’s nothing to negotiate. Either the Governor is a slow learner or simply is going to continue holding his breath until he gets his way.
Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Jan 21, 16 @ 1:35 pm
We’ve got an update. https://capitolfax.com/2016/01/21/rauner-clarifies-says-theyre-in-agreement/
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Jan 21, 16 @ 1:37 pm
Question: A bill can only relate to one subject. Is the Removal of Salaries as a bargaining right and the Pension fix one subject? I do not seem to be grasping this.
Comment by He Makes Ryan Look Like a Saint Thursday, Jan 21, 16 @ 1:47 pm
- Oswego Willy -@ 12:33 pm:
== Geez, Louise, this is beyond Keystone Kop malpractice here, folks. ==
Does the governor have anyone on staff who says “that’s wrong, that’s going too far, you can’t just say that, you can’t do that?” Or are they all afraid if they do, he will bury them?
Comment by Cheswick Thursday, Jan 21, 16 @ 1:48 pm
Is the “Cullerton plan” SB2404 from 2013?
Based on the clear language in last year’s Supreme Court decision on SB 1, we know SB 2404 is unconstitutional as well.
If the “Cullerton plan” is now “choose your COLA or your pay raise,” then we’ll have to wait for the court to chime in. But as mentioned above, if a consideration-based reform plan does not include “I choose the status quo” as one of the options, it’s likely to be found unconstitutional, too.
Comment by PT Thursday, Jan 21, 16 @ 1:49 pm
-PT-
You are on it. Contract Law 101. Rauner must have skipped taking Business Law …
Comment by RNUG Thursday, Jan 21, 16 @ 1:52 pm
+- Anon221 - Thursday, Jan 21, 16 @ 1:10 pm: +
Anon221, thanks for the much needed laugh.
Comment by Mama Thursday, Jan 21, 16 @ 2:03 pm
+- RNUG - Thursday, Jan 21, 16 @ 1:12 pm:
You know, if we’re going to go down the path of trying to get a constitutional change, maybe the one we should be lobbying for is removing the immunity that government officials have from being sued for their actions. We could test the concept for a for a few years by just making it apply to the governor’s office.++
RNUG, is there any way the people can remove the immunity that government officials have…?
Comment by Mama Thursday, Jan 21, 16 @ 2:10 pm
You are welcome, Mama
Comment by Anon221 Thursday, Jan 21, 16 @ 2:14 pm
++- He Makes Ryan Look Like a Saint - Thursday, Jan 21, 16 @ 1:47 pm: ++
It is 2 subjects.
Comment by Mama Thursday, Jan 21, 16 @ 2:17 pm
Seems this would be unconstitutional. No option to keep what you have. Also, currently pensions are based on highest 48 months salary in the previous 10 years and in the case of the “alternative formula” you also have option of taking “last days Pay”. I think the ISC would view this “back door attempt” to diminish pensions in a very negative light. If the state actually passes something along this line, I think the next big NO from the ISC court may come with a requirement to fund the pensions at a certain level.
Comment by Facts are Stubborn Things Thursday, Jan 21, 16 @ 2:31 pm
-Mama-
Two possible ways, neither easy or fast:
Pressure the GA into making such a change
Get it passed at a Constitutional Convention
Comment by RNUG Thursday, Jan 21, 16 @ 2:33 pm
“Jan 21, 16 @ 12:33 pm:
Just once I would like to hear the Speaker and the President say that they’ll take a look at the Governor’s ideas, instead of just saying no within 15 minutes of the Governor’s press conference.”
Give it a rest ck
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jan 21, 16 @ 2:59 pm
=== I’m kind of partial to the 12:21 pm proposal, which is what I assume you are referring to. ===
Interesting! It’s shows up later on my browser.
Comment by Norseman Thursday, Jan 21, 16 @ 3:01 pm
“- Jack Stephens - Thursday, Jan 21, 16 @ 12:42 pm:”
Attacking Whites is not the answer. Grow up
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jan 21, 16 @ 3:11 pm
Once again, the Governor’s anti Union obsession stops progress in its tracks. It’s not too hard to figure out who is misrepresenting what was agreed to here. I would ask that they make sure this time that any pension reform that becomes law pass muster with the high court.
Comment by The Dude Abides Thursday, Jan 21, 16 @ 3:14 pm
How about this for a pension fix. The legislature dictates that every public employee shall have his/her salary reduced by 10 percent with every dollar saved by the respective employers to be contributed into,the applicable pension funds. Legal and won’t cost taxpayers a dime except those taxpayers who are public employees.
Comment by Sue Thursday, Jan 21, 16 @ 3:31 pm
IMO everything Rauner is doing is ultimately aimed at “proving” that he considered every possible alternative before deciding to approve a tax increase. He HAS to know that most if not all of his proposals re unions, pensions, etc. are going to be shot down by either the GA or the courts — but even if they are, at least he can claim he tried.
Comment by Secret Square Thursday, Jan 21, 16 @ 4:10 pm
“- Sue - Thursday, Jan 21, 16 @ 3:31 pm:”
This is better.
How about this for a pension fix. The legislature dictates that Sue shall have his/her salary reduced by 100 percent with every dollar saved to be contributed into,the pension funds. Legal and won’t cost taxpayers a dime.
Also, Sue will have to work at least 100 hours per week.
There fixed it.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jan 21, 16 @ 5:17 pm
I think Secret Square has it. It’s a dance. And he won’t be the first. Pat Quinn, with a law degree from a competitive school, had to have known that pension bill was unconstitutional. But he went for it anyway so he could claim to have addressed pensions. Must be something in the water quaffed by Illinois politicians. And it didn’t even work for Quinn.
Comment by Cassandra Thursday, Jan 21, 16 @ 5:17 pm
This is not the plan you’re looking for.
Move along
Comment by Michelle Flaherty Thursday, Jan 21, 16 @ 6:16 pm