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More green shoots?

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Illinois

* They are indeed getting along much better in the Senate, and this is indeed a big reason…

Democrats and Republicans in the Illinois Senate believe they’ve found a successful formula for ending nearly yearlong partisan standoffs over state spending.

For the second time in as many weeks, senators from both sides of the aisle came together Thursday to approve funding for public universities, community colleges and grants to low-income students, all of which had been deprived of state money since the fiscal year began July 1 without a budget in place.

The winning formula: spending bills that aren’t tied to items on Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner’s pro-business, union-weakening “turnaround agenda” but are tied to specific revenue sources. […]

The measure approved Thursday would spend $454 million to bring eight state university systems up to 60 percent funding, the same level that Chicago State University received in a measure Rauner signed into law last week. That part of the plan was approved on a 55-2 vote.

The spending would be covered by letting the state off the hook for repaying money borrowed from special funds to plug holes in last year’s budget. That portion passed on a 54-3 vote.

But here’s the problem: There aren’t enough fiscal gimmicks and special fund sweeps in the world that can patch this gaping budget hole. Eventually, they’re gonna have to come to an agreement on aspects of the Turnaround Agenda.

Having said that, I think the Senate Dems are working intently to find a path to end this madness. The question, as always, is what the House Dems will do.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, May 6, 16 @ 10:00 am

Comments

Problem is that Madigan’s idea of an agreement on the turnaround agenda is for Rauner to drop it.

Comment by jim Friday, May 6, 16 @ 10:05 am
We borrow money from the funds to spend. Then we let ourselves off the hook for having to repay those funds, and we get to spend the money again. That’s some creative accounting.
Regardless, the Senate deserves credit for leading where the House will not.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, May 6, 16 @ 10:06 am
Why do we have to agree to some items on the Turn Around Agenda? Because the Governor wants them? Just because Donald Trump wants to build a wall doesn’t make it a good idea. Stand firm House Dems, stand firm.

Comment by Tom Friday, May 6, 16 @ 10:08 am
Does the BigBrain support this “plan”?
If he keeps his foot on the throats of Durkie, SlickHeadSandy and the rest of House GOPies this goes nowhere.
BTW for those countin’ it seems like BigBrain sent 2 signals this week that his budget impasse will have a summer season. First, his 2nd annual announced summer massive media plan (remember the 2015 season which promised millions of devastating ads and resulted in a $2 million wasted. This week he predicted massicial social media attacks on Dems.
Warnin’ #2 was his backflip on Trump. He reasoned his bigbrain will still be workin’ on the budget crisis in July — budget should done in May
You do the math.

Comment by Annonin' Friday, May 6, 16 @ 10:09 am
In FY 16, the State of Illinois has $32 billion to spend. Without a budget, and before the passage of the higher ed stop gap, the State was projected to spend around $32 billion. Nowhere within that $32 billion was $454 million in inter-fund borrowing. (But the revenues for the Education Assistance Fund were in there.) That is over $1 billion in spending over this year’s projected revenues that Republicans have signed off on. Tip of the cap to the party of fiscal responsibility.

Comment by Juice Friday, May 6, 16 @ 10:11 am
Is this separate from the “Ad Hoc” group and the “Budget Committee” group? Did I miss what came out of those groups?

Comment by Johnny Pyle Driver Friday, May 6, 16 @ 10:12 am
===Having said that, I think the Senate Dems are working intently to find a path to end this madness. The question, as always, is what the House Dems will do.===

At some point, governing needs to happen.

Cullerton might “passively” be putting the end game on HDems, if the Senate can agree to a plan Rauner will sign clean, and pass with a structured roll call in that Chamber.

Agreements are “good”, they show movement.

Time will tell.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, May 6, 16 @ 10:14 am
++”Eventually, they’re gonna have to come to an agreement on aspects of the Turnaround Agenda.”++

Capitol Fax members have proved Rauner’s T.A. doesn’t save enough money to make any difference in solving the budget crisis. Regarding the T.A., the House tried to pass the remap, but it was killed in the Senate.

Comment by Mama Friday, May 6, 16 @ 10:16 am
= There aren’t enough fiscal gimmicks and special fund sweeps in the world that can patch this gaping budget hole. =

Obviously we have enormous fiscal issues that require short, interim, and long-term solutions, but didn’t Rauner attack Quinn and Madigan on the fund sweep business? And hasn’t that been his primary path so far for the short-term funding solutions he has proposed and signed?

If the aforementioned is true, and it is, then it is time for him to specifically lay out the funding solutions he will accept and move forward. We already know that there is some bipartisan agreement on workers comp. Time for the governor to lead.

Comment by JS Mill Friday, May 6, 16 @ 10:19 am
–The spending would be covered by letting the state off the hook for repaying money borrowed from special funds to plug holes in last year’s budget. That portion passed on a 54-3 vote.

But here’s the problem: There aren’t enough fiscal gimmicks and special fund sweeps in the world that can patch this gaping budget hole.–

Kicking the can down the road, baking in spending levels that can’t be covered in the future under current revenues.

If you’ll recall, there were a few years under Quinn where the parties settled on a revenue number beforehand and hewed to it. That’s how they were able pay down billions on the backlog of bills.

You remember, the irresponsible days the governor tells about. Not like the sober fiscal responsibility we’ve experienced since January 2015.

Comment by wordslinger Friday, May 6, 16 @ 10:23 am
=== But here’s the problem: There aren’t enough fiscal gimmicks and special fund sweeps in the world that can patch this gaping budget hole. Eventually, they’re gonna have to come to an agreement on aspects of the Turnaround Agenda ===

This is a HUGE (using your best Bernie imitation) understatement.

I get a big chuckle out of the “winning formula” comment. Going back to our WWI analogy, this looks like the Christmas truce. There is still a long path to the end of the impasse.

Even if GOP Solons were to totally ignore the TA for these budget negotiations, they are not going to vote for a tax hike in an election year. Without TA, Rauner will not force them to vote for a tax increase. The best we’ll see under this scenario is some horrible cobbled together smoke and mirrors band-aid.

The green shoots may be appearing, but it’s a big lawn that needs to be grown.

Comment by Norseman Friday, May 6, 16 @ 10:28 am
Oh, for the halcyon days of 2013 and 2014.
The days when we could pass budgets that spent more than our revenue on party-line votes and no one batted an eye…

Comment by Anonymous Friday, May 6, 16 @ 10:41 am
Pick a name, then I can mock you for your ridiculous non-sequitur.

===Even if GOP Solons were to totally ignore the TA for these budget negotiations, they are not going to vote for a tax hike in an election year. Without TA, Rauner will not force them to vote for a tax increase. The best we’ll see under this scenario is some horrible cobbled together smoke and mirrors band-aid.===

You’re On It.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, May 6, 16 @ 10:46 am
Not convinced Illinois needs to turnaround. The appetite doesn’t seem to be here for that agenda. Even the business leaders in the state seem quite pleased to move forward with a budget but without reform.

Comment by cgo75 Friday, May 6, 16 @ 10:47 am
Anyone checked in with the governor to see if he’s heard any more “rumors” about what’s going on?

Comment by wordslinger Friday, May 6, 16 @ 10:49 am
== the State was projected to spend around $32 billion. ==

Uh, -Juice-, since spending is occurring mostly at the previous FY’s pace, right now the State is on track to spend more like $36B - $38B

Comment by RNUG Friday, May 6, 16 @ 10:50 am
== Regarding the T.A., the House tried to pass the remap, but it was killed in the Senate. ==

-Mama-, both chambers passed their own version, which the other promptly ignored.

Comment by RNUG Friday, May 6, 16 @ 10:52 am
=== … both chambers passed their own version, which the other promptly ignored. ===

The good news is that Rauner supports the Independent Maps proposal which is to be filed soon, so remap has to be out of the mix. A term limits amendment is now constitutionally impossible for this election so that should be off the table too.

Comment by Norseman Friday, May 6, 16 @ 11:00 am
I agree with Norseman. The only winning formula will include a tax increase. In the meantime this additional funding is urgently needed.

Comment by Jimmy H Friday, May 6, 16 @ 11:03 am
“Oh, for the halcyon days of 2013 and 2014. The days when we could pass budgets that spent more than our revenue on party-line votes and no one batted an eye…”

LOL! Stop bringing that up! A few commentators here will pop a gasket blowing their righteous indignation and smoke at this obvious fact. According to them, it is all Rauner’s fault, Rauner “owns” it, and Rauner is wrong for demanding changes to government that is clearly broken and has been for a long time.

Illinois isn’t broken. Illinois was perfect until Rauner’s election! LOL!

Just raise taxes, reform nothing, and Illinois will immediately return to the pre-Rauner days when we were the most admired State in the Union in every single category! LOL!

Thank goodness its Friday!

Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Friday, May 6, 16 @ 11:11 am
===Illinois was perfect until Rauner’s election! LOL!===

Stop arguing like a 12-year-old. Seriously.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, May 6, 16 @ 11:16 am
Louis, please share your budget expertise and unlimited supply of exclamation points to compare and contrast the FY13, FY14 and FY16 budgets in terms of fiscal responsibility.

Comment by wordslinger Friday, May 6, 16 @ 11:16 am
@Louis:

You really have to stop playing the victim and stop spouting off this sort of nonsense. You may want to go review the post a few days ago regarding absolutism. It would do you good.

Once again, just because you oppose the Governor’s specific reforms does not mean that you support the status quo.

I’m ready to call a shelter for some of you. I’m worried about you. Somebody needs to help you out of this victim situation.

Comment by Demoralized Friday, May 6, 16 @ 11:19 am
- Louis G Atsaves -

===According to them, it is all Rauner’s fault, Rauner “owns” it, and Rauner is wrong for demanding changes to government that is clearly broken and has been for a long time.===

@RonSandack: I’m frustrated 2, but taking steps towards reforming IL more important than short term budget stalemate. - Ron Sandack, 9/28/15

Rauner owns his willfulness.

Ask Ron Sandack.

===Illinois isn’t broken. Illinois was perfect until Rauner’s election! LOL!

Just raise taxes, reform nothing, and Illinois will immediately return to the pre-Rauner days when we were the most admired State in the Union in every single category! LOL!===

This applies to you…

https://capitolfax.com/2016/05/02/naive-cynicism-and-illinois/

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, May 6, 16 @ 11:20 am
The important thing is… How did Norseman get bold type?

Comment by Jimmy H Friday, May 6, 16 @ 11:23 am
==Eventually, they’re gonna have to come to an agreement on aspects of the Turnaround Agenda.==

Agreement and compromise aren’t necessarily the same thing. One side or the other caving in, seems to be the agreement path we are stuck on. And I hope that the Democrats stand strong and not cave in to the anti-union parts of Rauner’s agenda. But, there may be room for compromise in other areas of the Governor’s agenda?

Comment by Joe M Friday, May 6, 16 @ 11:26 am
@ Louis G. Atsaves. I think you need to read more carefully. Did you have your sarcasm translator turned off? I believe that the person was acknowledging that things were problematic in 2013 and 2014, but those days were better than what we are experiencing now. He is implying that while Rauner did not create the situation, he has made it worse.

Comment by Scamp640 Friday, May 6, 16 @ 11:29 am
@jim 10:05 ==Problem is that Madigan’s idea of an agreement on the turnaround agenda is for Rauner to drop it.==

The problem is Rauner’s idea to put passage of his unrelated turnaround agenda as a precondition to any budget. The turnaround agenda should be voted on separately.

Comment by DuPage Friday, May 6, 16 @ 11:31 am
need to balance the budget. state income tax goes to up back up 5 percent on all income. no exception for retirees. all new public employees get 401k’s and use medicaid for their healthcare. if the don’t like, they can work in the private sector. state salaries frozen until the end of rauner’s first term. the private sector union stuff and term limits is a no go. focus on limiting gov unions, workers comp. Also review onerous regulation move il more in line with tx, fl, ut and other growth states.

Comment by atsuishin Friday, May 6, 16 @ 11:35 am
@Joe M 11:26 ==And I hope that the Democrats stand strong and not cave in to the anti-union parts of Rauner’s agenda. But, there may be room for compromise in other areas of the Governor’s agenda?==

What part of Rauner’s turnaround agenda is not anti-union/anti-worker?

Comment by DuPage Friday, May 6, 16 @ 11:44 am
Jimmy H: HTML

Comment by Anonymous Friday, May 6, 16 @ 11:58 am
atsuishin,
“all new public employees get 401k’s”

Moving Tier II employees into a 401(k) will likely make the situation worse. As long as it is not challenged, Tier II will continue to slowly heal the system. If the state were to switch to a defined contribution plan they would (presumably) have to actually pay their share. Tier II not only funds itself, but also subsidizes some of the Tier I costs.

Comment by Ole' Nelson Friday, May 6, 16 @ 12:05 pm
So is the funding measure going to be voted on in the House? Is it likely to pass? If so, will the Gov sign it? Or is this all for show, like so much else?

Comment by UIC Guy Friday, May 6, 16 @ 1:03 pm
Even if we send more money to the college, the damage is done.

Comment by Mama Friday, May 6, 16 @ 1:47 pm
Louis- I just had an incredibly interesting man in my office. He was laid off from Cahokia mounds. He had a Buffalo tooth around his neck. He was a latter day hippy, a conservator, he’d been working on a pre-Columbian canoe. Had my boss not walked by I would have talked to him all afternoon. Now he needs help to eat. Incredible man, an asset to our community and culture now needs our states help because he got laid off. That’s solely on Rauner and his lust for union blood. The reforms as proven by Rauners own numbers would only have a 1.4% effect. So Rauner put this man in poverty over 1.4% This fascinating man broke down and cried. You think on what your Lord hath wrought.

Comment by Honeybear Friday, May 6, 16 @ 2:44 pm