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Rauner said this week he is “not going to give in” on his agenda.

“Anyone who will work with us on those goals, I will be their best ally and their best friend,” he said. “Anyone who opposes us or blocks us, you know what, I will fight hard against.”

Emily Miller, director of policy and advocacy at Voices for Illinois Children, said Rauner needs to focus on getting a budget, not pushing a political agenda.

“How many people have to stand in front of a microphone and say that their lives are being ruined before the governor decides to make passing a budget his number one priority?” Miller said.

All of them. And even then, I don’t think it’d work.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jan 27, 16 @ 9:59 am

Comments

Reactionary. Dilettante. Zealot.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Jan 27, 16 @ 10:03 am
Until there are enough people standing in front of the microphone that a large number of GOP legislators decide to tell Rauner they’re going to work with the Dems.
(Or until after the 2016 elections.)
(Or until after the 2018 elections.)

Comment by Keyrock Wednesday, Jan 27, 16 @ 10:06 am
But is there some way of getting at least some money out to the service agencies even without a budget. I can’t believe there isn’t, although I suppose the budgeteers will shout me down. A formal budget obviously isn’t needed for many expenditures or the state would have shut down already. And we’re still paying our taxes every month. Maybe many of these agencies could keep going with a partial payment while the budget (or 2-year budget) gets worked out.

Comment by Cassandra Wednesday, Jan 27, 16 @ 10:06 am
In other words, it doesn’t matter what is in the speech today. Rauner isn’t going to do a darn thing until he gets his way.

Comment by RNUG Wednesday, Jan 27, 16 @ 10:07 am
When Mrs. Rauner said “Bruce has no social agenda”, she wasn’t kidding. He has no concern at all for funding social services for the state’s most vulnerable. Glad I finally understand what those commercials were all about.

Comment by slow down Wednesday, Jan 27, 16 @ 10:07 am
Emily Miller,

You make a difference every day. Thank you. OW.

To the Post,

The $20 million to secure GOP voting switches aren’t only going to hurt real Republicans in the long term, it’s hurting people now, today, and so many other people’s tomorrow’s.

Rauner may not care, but GOP GA, I know you care. Price me right once again.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jan 27, 16 @ 10:09 am
Prove

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jan 27, 16 @ 10:09 am
If he had run on busting the unions and won the election with a mandate, I would understand his obstinance better. But he didn’t and he is not going to win this battle.

Comment by Chicago Guy Wednesday, Jan 27, 16 @ 10:11 am
What happened last time we heard, “you are either with us or against us?” That didn’t end well.

Comment by ash Wednesday, Jan 27, 16 @ 10:12 am
I just wish he’d be honest. It’s the unions he wants to hurt. If he gets that he’ll start governing. And I didn’t see unions anywhere in the excerpts released.

Comment by Earnest Wednesday, Jan 27, 16 @ 10:12 am
Rauner drew the line in the sand when he said he’d “been successful at everything he’s ever done” or something to that effect. He didn’t leave himself an escape hatch with that statement. To back off his turnaround agenda now would be to admit defeat. His ego just won’t allow that no matter how much suffering it causes. Being an Illinoisan is a very helpless feeling nowadays.

Comment by Cubs in '16 Wednesday, Jan 27, 16 @ 10:13 am
Maybe Emily Miller should reach out to the Ghost of Christmas Future. I hear he’s very persuasive with old, rich dudes.

Comment by Century Club Wednesday, Jan 27, 16 @ 10:13 am
Blame the vendors doing business with the state.If they would just quit extending credit to them this would be over in a month.

Comment by Foster brooks Wednesday, Jan 27, 16 @ 10:14 am
Dear Illinois House of Representatives and Illinois Senate-Please pass a balanced budget.
Thank you

Comment by Steve Wednesday, Jan 27, 16 @ 10:17 am
I think I have figured out why 1.4% doesn’t care about the decimated social services - he can’t see that there are any problems from the back porch of his numerous houses.

Comment by Huh? Wednesday, Jan 27, 16 @ 10:18 am
- Steve -

Article VIII, Section 2 (a).

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jan 27, 16 @ 10:18 am
““How many people have to stand in front of a microphone and say that their lives are being ruined before the governor decides to make passing a budget his number one priority?” Miller said.”

AMEN to that. Sadly, the man seems impervious to human suffering so I’m afraid I agree with Rich. “I don’t think it’d work.”

Comment by Chicago Cynic Wednesday, Jan 27, 16 @ 10:19 am
To the ILGA-

Between now, today, and the Budget Address, I encourage you to work together to stop the damage to the 10% of the budget that you and the Governor have not funded- MAP grants, social service contracts that have not been paid, etc..

Put forth bills timely, vote on them, and send those that pass through to the Governor. Let him be responsible for the red button (veto). Or, show us, the People of Illinois, your true colors on these issues- red, yellow, or green.

Comment by Anon221 Wednesday, Jan 27, 16 @ 10:19 am
Rich, your first sentence says it all. It’s Rauner’s agenda. It’s not an overwhelming mandate from the public. If it was he would’ve run on it. It’s not an agenda that the Republicans have pushed for years. Maybe some parts but not all of it. It’s Rauner’s. And he’s willing to trash the state to get his way.

Comment by Sir Reel Wednesday, Jan 27, 16 @ 10:21 am
So long as the newspaper editors stick with Rauner, he won’t see any reason to switch. It’s clear the GOP legislators are just there to do his bidding, no matter what the consequences on the least of these.

Comment by anon Wednesday, Jan 27, 16 @ 10:22 am
“It’s the unions he wants to hurt. If he gets that he’ll start governing.”

Will he? Or will he repeat the tactic for other issues? He’s currently demonstrating the capability.

Comment by Threepwood Wednesday, Jan 27, 16 @ 10:22 am
Several months back Madigan was quoted as saying the ILGA may have to “go around” Rauner to get a budget. I’ve not heard anything like that since so my questions are: How is that even possible? and if it is possible, why hasn’t it been done?

Comment by Cubs in '16 Wednesday, Jan 27, 16 @ 10:25 am
None of the political pundits ever expected that there would be no budget seven months into the fiscal year and none of them have any idea how this is all going to end. Yet they keep talking as if they have some sort of special insight.

I admit I don’t have a clue.

Comment by Cassiopeia Wednesday, Jan 27, 16 @ 10:26 am
Rauner makes more in one week than the rest of us could ever dream about. He doesn’t care about what this is doing to the state because he doesn’t have to care. He wants to make Illinois more business friendly. According to a study done by the Illinois Economic Policy Institute, we are. https://illinoisepi.wordpress.com/2016/01/26/is-illinois-business-climate-competitive-with-neighbor-states/ If Rauner would quit bashing Illinois as being unfriendly to business because what he wants hasn’t happened, maybe we could attract new business. Illinois’ worst enemy when it comes to attracting new business is the occupant of the governor’s office. He has no interest in improving the economy of Illinois, and only wants to destroy labor.

Comment by Hottot Wednesday, Jan 27, 16 @ 10:29 am
Word of caution to those who intend to hang on every word of the State of the State: This governor has shown quite a tendency to say one thing…but do another…

Comment by Independent retired lawyer, journalist Wednesday, Jan 27, 16 @ 10:34 am
===Several months back Madigan was quoted as saying the ILGA may have to “go around” Rauner to get a budget. I’ve not heard anything like that since so my questions are: How is that even possible? and if it is possible, why hasn’t it been done?===

It won’t be done for a while, not even this year.

“Why?”

If the Democratic leadership passed a budget, an overwhelmingly passed budget, to get the needed Veto-Proofed totals, revenue will be required.

Revenue is required for Rauner’s own blueprint, but we’ll get to that…

Rauner will veto it. Ok, then the Democrats will need probably 5 or more HGOP members to override, and Cullerton would probably need 3 SGOP members. Not even close to a heavy lift. All but impossible. Voting to override Rauner with revenue? Nope.

So, after 4 or more impossibilities, Rauner is finally overridden.

The nuclear option by Rauner commences. It’s Blago on steroids; millions in ads, #TaxHikeMike, tours of the state by Rauner trashing the state and the GA.

The only honest budget requires revenue, Rauner knows it, Rauner will use that against going around him.

So… Wait Rauner out, because Governors own budgets, the exercise above is folly, and it will be up to Rauner to get structured roll calls and pass his budget, like all governors that functioned in the job have done.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jan 27, 16 @ 10:35 am
Rauner knowingly demands the impossible, then uses it as an excuse to bury us in debt and allow the social fabric and higher education system to fall apart. Deliberate misgovernin’ to sell bonds, like a salesman would do. Rauner stock has peaked.

Comment by Beaner Wednesday, Jan 27, 16 @ 10:37 am
== How is that even possible? and if it is possible, why hasn’t it been done? ==

It’s possible if you can put together a veto proof majority in the House and Senate.

That isn’t the case today because you can’t count on one or more D’s in the House. If the Rauner bought GOP legislators finally have enough, some of them could side with the D’s to pass such legislation. Then you would have to wait for Rauner to veto it, and over-ride the veto … a couple of month process.

But, and it’s a big but, there is no political gain for the D’s to passing a budget with drastic cuts and/or tax increases. So until Rauner himself actually calls for the massive cuts and tax increases, and agrees to put votes on it, and agrees to sign it, nothing is going to happen because neither party wants the ire of the voters for the cuts and increases. Previously the D’s were willing to over-ride Blago (D) and Quinn (D) because they saw them as damaging the D party. Now they have Rauner (R) to blame for everything.

The irony of the situation is all the elements of a tax deal are in place. Gov from one party, GA primarily from the other but needing a few of the other side’s votes. If a tax increase was passed, everyone would be to blame … kind of a mutual hold harmless pact. But such a deal is being stopped by one person’s insistence on union destruction first.

Comment by RNUG Wednesday, Jan 27, 16 @ 10:38 am
When Rauner says he is “not going to give in”, it is obvious in his mind that the whole budget battle is about “him”.
He forgets or does not comprehend that it is about the people.
Very sad time for our state.

Comment by Austin Blvd Wednesday, Jan 27, 16 @ 10:41 am
past time for recall

Comment by 13th Wednesday, Jan 27, 16 @ 10:44 am
- RNUG -

Agreed.

Unless a budget has Rauner’s signature for the cuts and revenues needed, making him a part if it, no way do they go around Bruce.

I could see Rauner makin’ stop after stop railing on the Dems. Then… Ad after Ad… “They raised your taxes”, #TaxHikeMike, playing victim. Why will the Dems go through all that politics to be nuked by the “victim governor”?

Quinn and Blago were hurting Dems, Rauner’s ineptness helps Dems. Yep, exactly.

Great points - RNUG -

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jan 27, 16 @ 10:46 am
Bruce Rauner is a true believer. I think everyone misjudges him because of it. He believes, IMHO, that his turnaround agenda is the only way to save IL. That to bring back business he has to break unions and the Madigan/Democrat/AFSCME hold on government. He isn’t out to get anyone for spite not even union members he believes that he has the ONLY solution to FIX IL. I would imagine he actually does feel compassion for those hurt by the standoff but sees it as Mjm/D/AFSCME’s fault for not taking his well intentioned solution to cure the ills of the old system.

This makes him extremely difficult to deal with it’s why he doesn’t want a compromise but a capitulation on the budget. It’s why any strike by AFSCME will fail and embolden him. There is no changing his mind MAP grants don’t matter neither does LSSI or CC.

This won’t end until the R’s in the GA decide it’s best to govern without him than to continue as pawns in his chess game. To me, the mosy important race this cycle on the IL level is Sam McCann’s. If McCann can get reelected after defying BVR despite Rauners money and animosity perhaps more R’s will be willing to do the right thing.

Comment by Mason born Wednesday, Jan 27, 16 @ 10:50 am
Rows of coffins, draped in bunting, made of the Turnaround Agenda.

The question is not how many it will take to change his mind.

The question is how many it will take to change the public will.

I think we’ve already hit it, if the message bears out.

Put a camera in a social service agency turning away the needy.

Investigate the cold deaths for those with turned-off heat to see whether it was a LIHEAP issue.

Cameras on the coffins.

Comment by crazybleedingheart Wednesday, Jan 27, 16 @ 10:50 am
OW & RNUG,

As always your analyses and insights are greatly appreciated!

Comment by Cubs in '16 Wednesday, Jan 27, 16 @ 10:53 am
- Mason born -

I’ve been thinking on what you’re saying for awhile now;

McCann win, Dunkin loss, one Raunerite loss, just one, in the GOP Primary need to win in March, or Rauner can claim victory.

General Election? A net-zero in seats is the statement, but remember, that includes Dunkin out.

Probably anything “better” than these parameters, Rauner will claim a “huge victory”

Count on it.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jan 27, 16 @ 10:55 am
Willy

Completely agree. Although I’m pretty sure Bruce is dying to take out McCann for not staying bought. If with all Raunets millions and venom against him he wins out the case that BVR is a paper tiger writes itself. Especially since McCann was representing his district and should have gained support.

Comment by Mason born Wednesday, Jan 27, 16 @ 11:09 am
We don’t have a governor. We have a persistent rascal wasting everyone’s time while citizens suffer.

Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Jan 27, 16 @ 11:10 am
You could run a daily body count from services lost past Rauner, and he still wouldn’t budge an inch. He doesn’t care.

Comment by Wensicia Wednesday, Jan 27, 16 @ 11:27 am
Unfortunately, too many downstate R voters believe that Rauner is still on their side, that Madigan needs to be broken, that cuts will take care of the financial problems. Talked to a person who I respect the other day; could tell after the first few comments that he was still backing Rauner bigtime.
The R House and Senate members are protecting their own butts, because the public still hasn’t got the message that Rauner is a rich guy who doesn’t care about them.
We cannot read this blog and assume that a majority of the public is turning against him, because at this point, it isn’t happening yet…

Comment by downstate commissioner Wednesday, Jan 27, 16 @ 11:32 am
Either self professed Democrat Diana Rauner suffers from the same constantly altering truth affliction as her husband or she must be furious with Bruce. Or, he is the ultimate charmer and holds her under a spell. Interesting that she has so little to say when definitely having a horse in this race. Sigh…

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jan 27, 16 @ 11:33 am
–Either self professed Democrat Diana Rauner suffers from the same constantly altering truth affliction as her husband or she must be furious with Bruce.–

Dude, you don’t get it.

The good doctor who sold it to the critical Independent suburban women vote on the tee-vee box spoke the truth:

“Bruce doesn’t have a social agenda.”

Who can argue with that? The actions speak way louder than the words ever could.

The sooner those professional do-gooders are out of work and collecting unemployment, the closer we are to that bright sunny day the governor envisions.

That’s the plan, it’s happening, right now.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Jan 27, 16 @ 11:40 am
Free advice to Emily Miller and her colleagues: learn to work in the environment you find yourself in instead of changing your environment.

Comment by Not it Wednesday, Jan 27, 16 @ 11:41 am
Alas, we are beset nationally and locally by an oligarchy of entitled would-be emperors whose own hot air keeps them from noticing the absence of their clothing.

Comment by alas Wednesday, Jan 27, 16 @ 11:45 am
–Free advice to Emily Miller and her colleagues: learn to work in the environment you find yourself in instead of changing your environment.–

Is that a gag?

Or is that just the professional boot-licker’s way of saying “lie back and enjoy it?”

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Jan 27, 16 @ 11:46 am
@wordslinger I stand corrected. Silly me. /s

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jan 27, 16 @ 11:47 am
I think we need Dave Ramsey to teach our spending government how to budget.

Comment by Deeda Wednesday, Jan 27, 16 @ 11:52 am
Mason born - I hope McCann wins, but I’m not so sure that would compel other R’s to start defying Rauner. I would suspect if he wins, it would be due to the support of the many state employees in his district. For those Republicans without a lot of state employees, what would be the incentive for them to go against the Governor? I mean, I’d love to see that happen, but I’m not too optimistic, unfortunately.

Comment by Curious Georgina Wednesday, Jan 27, 16 @ 12:06 pm
Curious georgina

I agree that McCann winning won’t flip a switch. What I hope happens is the rest of the state gop realizes it’s in their best interest to stand with their constituents instead of Rauner. Part of that decision will be showing that Rauner’s stick and carrot are not to be feared or coveted.

Comment by Mason born Wednesday, Jan 27, 16 @ 12:22 pm
“How many people have to stand in front of a microphone and say that their lives are being ruined before the governor decides to make passing a budget his number one priority?” Miller said.

All of them. And even then, I don’t think it’d work.

Bruce Rauner does not care.

He. Does. Not. Care.

– MrJM

Comment by @MisterJayEm Wednesday, Jan 27, 16 @ 12:34 pm
Mason Born - high praise for trying to view this from Rauner’s POV, which is something many here either refuse to do or just believe he’s deluded. I’m not sure he’s as much of a “true believer” as you say, but I feel something similar: Rauner is playing “go big or go home.” The odds he was going to be more than a 1 term governor was iffy at best from the moment he became elected. I don’t know if he really thinks he can gut the unions or achieve political reform (which in this state hurts the Dems and helps the GOP) as much as his turnaround agenda would, but without the budget veto he’s helpless. The GOP is in a similar situation. They’re already at superminority status and the ones left are gerrymandered into pretty safe districts. And Rauner has the money to protect those seats.

By the way, and I apologize if Rich has answered/posted something about this and I didn’t see it: has any major newspaper in the state demanded that Rauner agree to budget-only negotiations? Obviously the Trib hasn’t and the Sun-Times’ editorial board may be muzzled, but has any other taken Madigan’s side?

Comment by lake county democrat Wednesday, Jan 27, 16 @ 12:49 pm
Radogno, per Vinicky: if we capitulate to Democrats on the Turnaround, we’ll be right back where we’re at. Hold out is worth it

https://twitter.com/AmandaVinicky/status/692421120918736896

For anyone who thought Radogno was an adult, she feels the LSSI closures affecting the people in her district are “worth it.”

Comment by crazybleedingheart Wednesday, Jan 27, 16 @ 1:03 pm
We have been fortunate that there has been not outright violence but I fear that may not last forever as this fight drags on.

Comment by thechampaignlife Wednesday, Jan 27, 16 @ 1:27 pm
Bruce the almighty is teaching Illimois the downside of electing a plutocrat to be governor. Illinois is teaching Bruce the downside of leading a democracy rather than a corporation. Painful for both sides it seems. the casualties are the poor and working class.

Comment by Bumble Bee Wednesday, Jan 27, 16 @ 2:03 pm
For those on the fence.
It’s Psychology 101: What type of person has no empathy, they are never wrong?
Rauner does not care. He will not stray from his own perceptions.
Count the ways.
Wake up.

Comment by Jimmy H Wednesday, Jan 27, 16 @ 3:23 pm
Rich Miller, thank you for all you are doing! Those of us being hurt by Rauner, you give us hope.

Comment by Jimmy H Wednesday, Jan 27, 16 @ 3:30 pm
Who are the ‘us’ people are supposed to be working with? I only see Rauner on his side.

Comment by Cheryl44 Wednesday, Jan 27, 16 @ 3:52 pm
Where is Madigan? Why doesn’t he agree to get something done. Capitol Fax doesn’t cater to many people who are very tired of how Springfield has been run. To think Gov. Quinn and his henchmen cared about the disabled is the biggest joke ever…it was about lining the pockets of their pals. Illinois during Quinn ranked 48-49 in spending on the disabled, and that was with the tax increase. As the late Judy Barr Topinka told me many times…..”There is enough money to take care of the most fragile in Illinois if it were spent on the disabled, and not on lining the pockets of people’s pals.”

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jan 27, 16 @ 4:13 pm
Serious charges Anonymous, have you spoken to the F.B.I. or are they in on it.

Comment by History Prof Wednesday, Jan 27, 16 @ 9:29 pm