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Question of the day

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Illinois

* Overall, was the “stopgap” appropriation passed today for higher education a good idea or a bad idea? Take the poll and then explain your answer in comments, please.

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posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 1:48 pm

Comments

I voted “good idea” because at least someone’s getting some help. I would like to have seen human service providers included as well, but let’s take what we can get and build from there. I do continue to oppose any kind of piecemeal FY17 budget–leave no one behind there.

Comment by Earnest Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 1:54 pm
It was necessary for some of our schools.

Criticisms that it did not go far enough or include social services are fair and accurate, but they have to start somewhere.

Comment by JS Mill Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 1:54 pm
If keeping the doors open is the they can do, then that’s better than doing nothing.

Comment by Stating the facts Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 1:55 pm
It was a mixed bag. I reluctantly voted Good Idea, only because allowing Chicago State to be shuttered is unthinkable.

The damage is likely already done though. Before this session is over, we’ll know whether the expected drops in enrollment at Eastern, Western and elsewhere are as severe as predicted. If the freshman class at one of those is down 200 students, then there won’t be much the state can do to fix the self-inflicted damage. That’s a four year problem, not a one-off.

As for MAP, as Wordslinger famously says here, “anybody that won’t accept half a loaf wasn’t that hungry in the first place.” I know from first-hand experience that these students are hungry, and even 45 cents on the dollar helps. It just means they have to borrow 55 cents more if they want to stay in school.

And for those students who’ve already reached the loan cap? I guess it’s time for another part-time job.

This forestalls the day of reckoning and takes some pressure off. No one in Springfield deserves any applause today. This was an easy fix made complicated by myopic political considerations. Once again, the citizens of Illinois lost because our politicians put their self-interest ahead of ours.

Same as it ever was. TII.

Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 1:57 pm
good idea.

Hopefully the news gets out quickly and enrollment will bounce.

Just first aid for one of worst victims. Still in ER/ICU.

Comment by cdog Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 1:58 pm
Tired of distant people using human bodies for leverage.

Comment by walker Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 1:59 pm
It was the best idea to date.

Comment by A guy Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 2:01 pm
It was a good idea because there was no alternative that could be passed before CSU closed its doors. It also showed that despite the nihilism and intransigence exhibited by the Governor (and MJM), some elected officials still care about the public good.

Comment by Scamp640 Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 2:02 pm
Good idea, because we just cannot fail these schools, their students and staffs. But it’s shameful we have to resort to bridge funding.

Comment by Archiesmom Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 2:03 pm
I’d say good idea, but I think everyone is right to be very suspicious that this “stopgap” will end up becoming the 2016 appropriation, which would be really selling IL’s future short. We need to invest in higher education for our state.

Comment by tabster Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 2:04 pm
Voted “Good Idea”

“Why?”

Can’t help Higher Ed when the schools vanish.

Plus, all sides need “victories of trust” to build upon to get a budget, structured roll calls, and governing.

It has to begin.

Voted “Good Idea”

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 2:05 pm
More kicking the can down the road… what happens in September?

Comment by Slient Majority Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 2:06 pm
They just kicked the can down the road. They’ll pat themselves on the back, smile for the camera, and say they got something done. BS! They’re a bunch of cowards, afraid of Rauner and Madigan, nothing more. Do your jobs, pass a frickin’ budget!

And I work at a University!!

Comment by Ryan Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 2:09 pm
BTW - I voted “Bad Idea.”

Comment by Ryan Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 2:09 pm
Rauner and the Republicans blinked. Rauner was the one who said if they need to shut it down to get his agenda through they will shut it down. The shut down failed to work and that’s a good lesson. Now if Madigan can avoid gloating and use the opportunity to give Rauner something/anything on another deal it would be a nice step away from crisis intervention and towards governing.

Comment by truthteller Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 2:10 pm
Yes, better than the status quo, but the problem of paying for this tax cut remains and is growing by the week.

Comment by Dan Johnson Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 2:10 pm
A terrible (but necessary) idea.

On the good side, it keeps the hostages alive.

On the bad side, it seems to move the Overton Window so that by agreeing to fund the universities at a 30% level the Governor seems more “reasonable” to some.

Comment by Ole' Nelson Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 2:10 pm
I think it was good in that it was the result of cooperation between all sides. It might give the rank and file the confidence they need to push the leaders and the Governor toward a solution.

Comment by NoNews Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 2:17 pm
I voted ‘good’. College spending has been reduced. But there will be cuts to many programs ahead, no matter how an agreement is forged. Groups will be whining. By having no budget, social services are de facto being cut significantly. That must be what Madigan and Co. want. I don’t sense any support for any tax increase among the hard-working people I see every day.

Comment by Formerpol Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 2:24 pm
The moral at the Universities is at an all time low point. CV’s are going out and people are leaving.

This should NOT have happened and it must stop.

Illinois education system is at risk.

Comment by maddog Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 2:25 pm
Bad idea in that it puts off the necessary. However, I voted good idea because it is necessary. Too much is being destroyed and higher ed is the foundation of the future of the state. We cannot afford to lose students and faculty to other states, because they won’t come back.

Comment by Pot calling kettle Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 2:25 pm
Voted Good Idea with these caveats-

Finish what’s left of the FY 16 budget piecemeal with legislation, especially for the social services.

LEARN from what happened with the FY16 budget AND DO NOT DO THIS EVER AGAIN!!!

Comment by Anon221 Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 2:29 pm
I think this was a “good thing” to help keep the doors open for a few more months, but I also think it was a “bad idea” in that it alleviates pressure to come to a more inclusive response to the problems that have been created by the impasse.

The college doors are open, but the doubts of students or parents are still there. Will they see this stopgap as assurance that they can commit to a university with certainty their or their child’s education will not suffer?

Human services are still out on a limb. The rhetoric is there that something will be done. But from the reports, it looks like their stopgap solution will be short on the dollars needed to recoup the IOU’s accumulated by Rauner’s agencies promises.

Comment by Norseman Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 2:31 pm
It’s a better idea than doing nothing at all. Regardless of The Game, there are real futures at risk.

Gov. Rauner needs to get real about what kind of state Illinois is, and what kind of state it isn’t.

Comment by Moist von Lipwig Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 2:32 pm
Oh, and I will add- OVERRRIDE when necessary!!!

Comment by Anon221 Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 2:33 pm
Good Idea. Showed Madigan that it is time he begins to cooperate. The constituents have had enough of him.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 2:36 pm
===The constituents have had enough of him.===

Yeah, um, I don’t think thise in his House district have.

You made me giggle. That’s for sure.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 2:41 pm
Voted “good idea”, cautiously. It bought some time and it created a template for getting to a real budget. I just hope the Governor and the Legislature don’t misoverestimate how much time this deal bought them. (Also, please note my use of the term “legislature” as opposed to the 4 Tops. Rank and file legislators had a say in this thing and I hope that continues, messy as it was last night)

Comment by SAP Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 2:47 pm
bad idea, this is just a trickle to move the problem long enough that it is forgotten and the pressure form a budget is relieved. We need to do this as a whole budget not a couple months here, couple months there…

Comment by Allen D Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 2:47 pm
Great idea!

Gave Rauner a win (with no Turnaround agenda items which is a closet win for Madigan).

Now it’s time for him to compromise and give Madigan a win.

Comment by Pip Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 2:48 pm
I am reluctantly voting “Bad Idea”, because it only keeps some of the hostages alive, but almost certainly condemns some to death in the social services sector because pressure is taken off Rauner and the GOP to finalize the FY16 budget. Additionally, I see part two of the shutdown coming after July 1. However, this MAY encourage additional green shoots on both sides of the aisle, so I reserve the right to upgrade my opinion to “possibly good”, depending on the results of the green shoots. Not holding my breath.

Comment by Jibba Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 2:51 pm
Voted good idea. It was necessary to keep the hostage alive. Rauner wanted a 31% cut in FY16 Higher Education funding, in most cases this is a 70% reduction. I hope someone in the press asks him if this 70% reduction in funding is acceptable to him.

Comment by Jimmy H Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 2:55 pm
Voted good with the hope that it leads to something better. If cooler heads don’t prevail over the long run then it will be all for not. Still very skeptical.

Comment by Tough Guy Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 2:56 pm
Yes, demonstrated some bipartisanship, some real progress, and some thoughtful compromise.

Comment by Mongo Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 2:58 pm
Its tough.
Yes the universities need the funds, but our politicians need to get it together. This is NOT how you govern.

Comment by Bleh Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 2:59 pm
Good idea, because it’s better than the only foreseeable alternative at this point, which would be doing the same nothing that’s been going on for 10 months now.

But the rest of the bills still need to be paid.

Comment by thunderspirit Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 3:03 pm
“Good idea” Sometimes, you have to take the bad to get some good. It is obvious that kids count more than old and/or poor people, but the Repubs. at least are beginning to get the message.

Comment by downstate commissioner Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 3:04 pm
Good. The universities definitely are hurting and we do not want to degrade the system any further.

Comment by BaronvonHammer Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 3:05 pm
Bad idea. Ex gov Edgar still has a job.

Comment by blue dog dem Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 3:08 pm
I voted good idea because of the pressing need to avoid harming so many people.

I still think it’s horrible that we have to proceed this way, by doing piecemeal funding of what should be done on a budget-level scale. I’m in the camp of those who say we’re in throes of Rauner’s radical agenda, seeing again that he won’t accept a property tax freeze bill without the collective bargaining/prevailing wage poison pills.

Comment by Grandson of Man Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 3:10 pm
A reluctant yes, and as usual I think 47th hit the main points. I had wondered how much was actually in the EAF account, now according to Munger its $354m. Yes, we knew it wouldn’t have $600m until the end of FY16, which means the Raunerbots agreed to spend money we haven’t collected yet. Isn’t that contrary to their primary position that has led us to this crossroad? I know, I know, I can hear Phil Rock telling me about being logical…..

Comment by Columbo Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 3:12 pm
===agreed to spend money we haven’t collected yet

What an extraordinarily silly thing to say. All budgets do that. You think we have a year’s reserves sitting idle in Switzerland or something?

C’mon, man.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 3:14 pm
Touche Rich, my argument proves I need a nap…..

Comment by Columbo Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 3:18 pm
===I need a nap===

I’m gonna sleep all weekend I think.

lol

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 3:20 pm
I voted bad idea, not because I wanted to see CSU and other colleges close, but because this proposal sets the stage for additional short term deals that could never allow the Universities to catch up and remain in a weakened condition. Short term deals like the one reached set the stage for high quality younger faculty members that have options as to where they teach to look for an exit strategy. This deal demonstrates that our legislature does not see our Universities as a mission, but rather as yet another obligation.

Comment by Rod Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 3:25 pm
Yes because it keeps the universities open. However, the universities still needs the governor and 4 leaders to pass a budget.

Comment by Mama Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 3:33 pm
A good idea. At least some hostages have been kept alive. As it is, we have so damaged our state university system that it will take years to recover from the loss of faculty and students.

Comment by NSideLady Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 3:34 pm
While CSU needed to be saved, on a broader scale this simply kicked the can and not very far out at all for several institutions. And this does little to nothing to help with the “crisis of confidence” WIU’s administrators keep pointing to fueling the mass exodus of students and staff. Heck - I have no confidence and I have been around this stuff for over a decade. The “we always get it done eventually” arguments are becoming .. well… so far, for FY16… not true. This State has no idea the self-inflicted damage it has already caused. We will deal with the fallout for a decade or more. Hope it has been worth it, guys. #winning

Comment by DownStateGrl Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 3:38 pm
I voted “good idea”… some money is better than no money. What people take from the passage is up to them.

Comment by James Knell Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 3:40 pm
First, it was needed to avoid absolute catastrophe with university closures that could be difficult to “undo” in the future. Second, it appears to be an expenditure with an acceptable way to actually pay for it, which is more than can be said for other appropriations bills that have been voted on this past year. Third, it shows there is a viable path to compromise. A good start.

Comment by Anon Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 3:44 pm
I think it is good in the short term for universities, but bad for everyone else in the state as it relieves a pressure point.

Voted Bad Idea.

Comment by A Modest Proposal Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 3:49 pm
After reading everyone’s comments… looks like mixed bag is the consensus.

Comment by A Modest Proposal Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 3:50 pm
Good. Small gulp of air in a burning building.
Buys some time. May…be builds a little trust.

Comment by Langhorne Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 4:09 pm
It’s better than nothing. I don’t think it will contribute to successful budget talks going forward, just takes the pressure off GA members getting grief for refusing to do anything. I hope they follow up with social services help.

Comment by Wensicia Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 4:09 pm
==After reading everyone’s comments… looks like mixed bag is the consensus.===

Might want to check out that poll up top. The bag is mixed 68% good, 32% bad at 4:10pm. I guess that’s a mix. Mostly good mix.

Comment by A guy Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 4:10 pm
Great idea–unless you’re one of the other hostages. Motivation to help those left behind is not as pressing now–especially for those that need the motivation pressing most.

Comment by Kippax Blue Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 4:10 pm
I voted “good idea”, but now reading the comments has me a bit worried:

==Finish what’s left of the FY 16 budget piecemeal with legislation, especially for the social services.

To take WIU as an example, this bill provides 29% of FY2015’s funding. I think WIU is pretty sure it can stay open through November, and since its payroll is 12 million a month, this 15 million plus some MAP money will probably get WIU through the Fall 2016 semester. But will WIU survive the Spring 2017 semester? I guess so? But I’m not sure.

Comment by A bit worried Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 4:12 pm
/s aside, because of the hurt this self-inflicted harm continues to cause–for those that were not seen as pressed enough for a meager 30%, I vote no.

Comment by Kippax Blue Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 4:12 pm
- A Guy -

While this is a “good” thing, Rauner has yet to secure a FY2016 Budget and has no Labor Peace.

People are voting they are pleased with this specific “solve” for what Ron Sandack called an important short term budget stalemate by Rauner.

I can show you the tweet…

Rauner has yet to prove he wants stability.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 4:17 pm
I voted bad idea because it seems like it took money intended for other purposes…and what about those other purposes?

Comment by NoGifts Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 8:52 am