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Unclear on the concept

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Cullerton’s election-year focus on education funding comes as Rauner has been taking credit for the recent increase in state spending on K-12 schools after Rauner signed an education portion of the Democrats’ spending plan while vetoing the rest of the budget.

“I fought hard and we won an increase in state support for all schools,” Rauner said.

Cullerton on Monday noted that it was Democrats who passed that bill — not a single Republican voted for it.

Cullerton is right. And not mentioned is that Rauner pushed House and Senate Republicans to vote against the bill he eventually signed into law.

So, I’m not sure who Rauner “fought,” except for members of his own party, many of whom wanted to vote for the K-12 approp bill.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 10:55 am

Comments

The guy will say anything. Even by politician standards, Rauner’s constant dissembling is breathtaking.

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 10:58 am
===Rauner pushed House and Senate Republicans to vote against the bill he eventually signed into law.===

When discussing how to view Rauner has 67 lights to make any color he wants, remember this.

Autonomous caucuses woukd never agree to be played like that, or all those other votes after the double-cross that happened.

Raunerite demands supersede sound governmental rationale

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 10:59 am
This, for me, sort of underscores how out of his league Rauner is as Governor. The K-12 bill was a comedy of errors. He worked against, pushed all of the GOP members off it, and then signed it solely because a veto would have disrupted the start of the school year thus creating a crisis. Now he touts it as his signature achievement. I think that’s called “chutzpah.”

This really symbolizes his first year quite well. Cynicism, failure to understand the process, bad advice, political miscalculation, alternate reality.

I sure hope they’re learning over there. We can’t afford the on-the-job training much longer.

Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 11:00 am
He’s Bill O’Reilly. He can be smart and will surprise you from time to time, but he gets something stuck in his head and no amount of evidence will change it.

Comment by ArchPundit Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 11:00 am
Actually — and I’m loathe to say this because I despise Rauner — especially this week — his biggest achievement thus far is his work on Criminal Justice reforms. The Reform Commission.

If he’s not touting that as an actual, authentic bi-partisan achievement — which it is — then he’s truly bonkers.

Double-crossing his members to sign a bill that avoids a crisis? That’s no achievement. That’s just weak and ineffective.

Comment by Frenchie Mendoza Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 11:03 am
In Rauner’s defense, I’m sure that somewhere in the multiverse is an Earth where he championed more funding for K-12 education.

Comment by Juvenal Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 11:04 am
>So, I’m not sure who Rauner “fought,” except for members of his own party, many of whom wanted to vote for the K-12 approp bill.

If he’d wanted a budget, that would have been the bill to veto. Instead he chose to decimate the human service system, even going to far as to blame the consent decrees for this year’s budget problems. In business, you don’t spend money you don’t have, even for a good thing like education.

Comment by Earnest Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 11:05 am
Hopefully the people of Illinois, including the Republican leadership and legislators will realize before it is to late that this Governor is taking them for a bunch of fools

Comment by JB Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 11:06 am
Not to mention the fact that the Governor has been trumpeting the increase in education funding partially as a response to what is going on with CPS, even though despite the increase, state funding for CPS is declining by $60 mil.

Comment by Juice Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 11:07 am
Rich,

If you keep posting this stuff the invitation is off.

Bruce / snark

Comment by Stones Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 11:09 am
Oh those tricky spend and spend Republicans. Just wait til later this year. There will be some fun.

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 11:10 am
Cullerton–More Of This. Nicely played.

Expose the lie –”We fought hard and we won”
Wrapped in hypocrisy — “I support education, see?” What a joke!
Inside a half-truth — “I increased funding for K-12.” Funding may be up, so that part is true.

Comment by cdog Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 11:11 am
== his biggest achievement thus far is his work on Criminal Justice reforms. The Reform Commission.==

Horsepucky.

Comment by crazybleedingheart Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 11:11 am
=== “I fought hard and we won an increase in state support for all schools,” Rauner said. ===

My wife doesn’t like it when I use the word “WE” all the time!

Comment by forwhatitsworth Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 11:13 am
I guess he fought with himself to sing the bill

Comment by cb Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 11:13 am
JB- It doesn’t matter. The Republican Party leadership were bought out. It is the Rauner Party now. The hostile takeover of Illinois has just begun.

Comment by Liberty Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 11:14 am
“Mendacity is a system that we live in.”

Comment by hisgirlfriday Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 11:14 am
I think it is accurate of the Trib to say that the Governor has been taking credit for increased education funding. Where the Trib is disingenuous is where they imply that the Governor deserves credit for increased education spending.

Comment by SAP Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 11:14 am
If he opens his mouth …

Comment by Sir Reel Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 11:17 am
Governors own, for better or worse.

In this case, for better.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 11:17 am
Regardless of the truth, Rauner needs some big achievement he can tout to the public tomorrow.

Increased school spending is something the public understands. It’s a lot easier to sell than ” my blue ribbon commission is redefining the meaning of criminal so we’ll save money by locking up less criminals”.

And the real irony is that criminal reform, done correctly, would most likely save money now and in the future plus, if enough reduction is achieved, he could close prisons, reducing the union work force. Sometimes I think this Governor can’t see the forest for the trees.

Comment by RNUG Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 11:17 am
For those who, especially after tomorrow’s SOTS, want to continue down the Rauner Road with his GPS, here’s your song-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYMVYgznlNA

Comment by Anon221 Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 11:19 am
It’s an amazingly revealing lesson as to Rauner’s character.

He led his peeps to the edge of the cliff and they dutifully followed him. Then, he pushed every single one of them over to save his skin — and only his skin.

That, he’s told us, is his greatest accomplishment to date.

Forget Democrats — how can Republicans trust this guy?

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 11:19 am
The Reform Commission has done great work. Puzzling that the final report was posted last week and the Gov’s office hasn’t said a word about it.

Comment by Politix Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 11:19 am
“How can Republicans trust this guy?”

Tough spot for House and Senate Republicans: They can’t trust the governor — and they can’t afford not to.

– MrJM

Comment by @MisterJayEm Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 11:23 am
—
Puzzling that the final report was posted last week and the Gov’s office hasn’t said a word about it.
—

Exactly.

This should be front and center tomorrow. Everything else — and I mean *everything* else — should be labelled “work-in-progress … eventually…. maybe — but only when we decimate unions”.

My sense is that Rauner doesn’t realize a success or a win when he (finally) gets one.

Comment by Frenchie Mendoza Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 11:23 am
==Puzzling that the final report was posted last week and the Gov’s office hasn’t said a word about it.==

The man is dim, but he probably knows how to count to 25.

Comment by crazybleedingheart Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 11:23 am
Dear Rich, Your continually referencing facts when discussing the Governor’s statements clearly illustrates that you are in the pocket of the Speaker. Sorry but the Governor is forced to revoke his kind invitation for a beer after the Sots. Maybe you can reschedule when you drop the whole, using facts thing. tks! -ck-

Comment by burbanite Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 11:24 am
This shouldn’t be the story, K-12 education got funded. What about the other areas, where is their budget?

Comment by 360 Degree Turnaround Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 11:26 am
===Tough spot for House and Senate Republicans: They can’t trust the governor — and they can’t afford not to.===

This is what happens when you let a stranger in your house.

The ILGOP can’t seperate now because they are “one” now.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 11:26 am
Cold as Ice- Gramm/Jones, enhanced by VanillaMan

You’re as cold as ice
You’re willing to sacrifice our best
You never take advice
You can afford any price, we know

We’ve seen this before - you’re a Frankenstein
You’re taking us hostage - you’re out of your mind
You’re addicted to power - and demanding your way
If anyone questions you - you make them pay and pay

You’re as cold as ice
You’re willing to sacrifice our kids
You want fame and praise
But our poor hasn’t eaten for days, we know

We’ve seen this before - with Blagojevich
A governor who likes to throw people into a ditch
You’re locking us up - for 1.4 percent
Yet you can’t even make a cogent argument!

You don’t care who you slice
In your fool’s paradise - we know
You want to turn us around
But don’t care what you burn down, we know

What will you say at the State of the State?
When after a year, we see nothing but hate?
How will you brag about your accomplishment?
Without the bipartisanship you always prevent?

Cold as ice, you know that you are
Cold, cold, as, as, ice, as cold as ice to me
Cold, cold, as, as, ice Cold as, cold as I, I, ice, (you’re as cold as ice) yes (Cold as ice) You’re as cold as ice, cold as ice, I know (Cold as ice) You’re as cold as ice, yes I know (Cold as ice) You’re as cold as ice, you’re as cold as ice, cold as ice, I know
(Cold as ice) You’re as cold as ice, oh yes I know
(Cold as ice) You’re as cold as ice, you’re as cold as ice, cold as ice, I know(Cold as ice) You’re as cold as ice, oh yes I know(Cold as ice) You’re as cold as ice, you’re as cold as ice, you’re as cold as ice, I know

Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 11:32 am
Am I the only Neanderthal in the world(state) opposed to more state spending on education? I am pretty confident that my property taxes are still going to be raised the max in every school district I have taxable property in! Thinking the unthinkable, maybe it’s time the Land of Lincoln stopped sports in K-12(I almost didn’t have the nerve to post that)!

Comment by Blue dog dem Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 11:41 am
== my property taxes are still going to be raised the max in every school district I have taxable property in! ==

HI BRUCE

Comment by crazybleedingheart Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 11:52 am
Nice work, VM.

Comment by Politix Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 12:20 pm
“Am I the only Neanderthal in the world(state) opposed to more state spending on education?”

I mean, there’s something to the notion that adding $50 million (or whatever) to the Illinois school system might not accomplish much. Really depends on how the money was spent.

Comment by Boss Tweed Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 12:22 pm
===Tough spot for House and Senate Republicans: They can’t trust the governor — and they can’t afford not to.===

Trust doesn’t come into this. He owns all of them; he says he owns the Republican Party in this state. He’s made a promise, backed up with $20 million, on what will happen to any GOP legislator who doesn’t vote as he wishes. I think they’re worse off than before he became governor. They’re little more than puppets, and Rauner holds all the strings.

Comment by Wensicia Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 12:37 pm
++Cold as Ice- Gramm/Jones, enhanced by VanillaMan++

Perfecto!!!

Comment by Mama Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 12:38 pm
Blue dog dem-

And one reason your property taxes may be raised to the max is BECAUSE of Rauner’s TA. School districts, and other LOCAL taxing bodies are scared to death of what his property tax freeze plan(s) may result in for the local control he wants to turn over to them.

Comment by Anon221 Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 12:42 pm
My guess is he has so much campaign cash he feels he can bail out those deserving House and Senate GOP members no matter how many times he pulls a bait and switch on them.

Comment by Annon3 Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 1:24 pm
“Thinking the unthinkable, maybe it’s time the Land of Lincoln stopped sports in K-12(I almost didn’t have the nerve to post that)!”

Sports make up a very small portion of a school district’s budget. In the Springfield school district, it’s about 1 percent. Some low-overhead sports, like basketball, even generate a little revenue.

Comment by Nick Name Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 1:44 pm
=In Rauner’s defense, I’m sure that somewhere in the multiverse is an Earth where he championed more funding for K-12 education.=

The Rauner of Two Worlds Defense — I like it.

Comment by Carhartt Representative Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 3:18 pm
Points VM, Points!

Comment by Carhartt Representative Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 3:19 pm