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* If you haven’t read it yet, click here for House Speaker Michael Madigan’s comments to Jordan Abudayyeh about his plan to “continue to do budget-making without references to changes in collective bargaining, workers’ compensation and prevailing wage.”

* The Question: Should Madigan resist any and all attempts to reform collective bargaining, workers’ compensation and prevailing wage in relation to a new state budget? Or should he try and find a reasonable compromise? Take the poll and then explain your answer in comments, please.

survey service

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 2:43 pm

Comments

With the exceptioon of worker’s comp, I just don’t see how you can compromise on the other issues. Either we have collective bargaining on salaries and work rules or we don’t. Either prevailing wage controls or it doesn’t.

Comment by tominchicago Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 2:49 pm
Compromise is a give between both parties. I don’t support Governor Rauner’s positions at all, but I also believe some low-hanging fruit exists here, like in WC. I voted yes, the Speaker should find some compromise.

I also recognize saying what he said could be positioning to gain the greatest advantage possible.

Comment by Mongo Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 2:51 pm
I don’t think he should budge on prevailing wage or collective bargaining, but certainly workers comp

Comment by Johnny Pyle Driver Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 2:51 pm
I voted for compromise, have to allow the Governor to save face. Nothing will get done without compromise.

Comment by Pacman Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 2:51 pm
I voted “resist all.” I don’t want to reinforce the behavior of holding the budget hostage to other demands.

That said, separate from the budget, I do think he should compromise on reforms to make the state more business-friendly. But the one thing that will do the most for our business climate is establishing a stable budget.

Comment by Earnest Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 2:55 pm
I don’t think he should resist “any and all” attempts. I don’t think anyone really thinks that. The impasse is more a result of the process Rauner has chosen to use, not so much the ideology. As Rauner says himself, collective bargaining exclusions have passed the GA before.

What we cannot afford is to trade the Rauner agenda for a budget. Once a budget is law, then Madigan should allow some of Rauner’s better ideas to go through the legislative process. Furthermore, since the legislative process is by definition a deliberative process, Rauner needs to drop his insistence that only the exact language of his bills will suffice. He’s simply one player in a larger process and needs to work compromise.

Comment by One hand //ing Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 2:56 pm
Does it have to be all or nothing? If it does, I vote for “Resist” Rauner’s plans to get rid of the middle class (unions) in IL. Without unions - there will be no middle class.

Comment by Mama Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 2:57 pm
When both parties negotiate and neither of them is completely happy, that is a successful outcome. If MJM does not budge on anything, he will be the ultimate loser. The question is who moves to the middle first.

Comment by Bogey Golfer Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 3:00 pm
The question is loaded with our favorite words of “reform” and “compromise”, but the issues that Rauner is pushing (mentioned in the question) are not reform and, if implemented, would not be compromise. Reforming is the process of making something better, not decimating it. Compromise is a process of give and take, not take and take more while giving nothing in return.

Comment by out of touch Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 3:01 pm
Follow - Louis G Atsaves -’s suggestion and work the WC suggestions…

The Labor aspects of Collective Bargaining and Prevailing Wage, no conpromise.

The WC? Lots of daylight.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 3:03 pm
I voted for “Try and find a reasonable compromise.”

48% are against even considering a compromise. As they wouldn’t even try, I guess they know that God is on their side… or, something.

That’s a lot of site visitors who disagree with Rich’s analysis of that Politico poll this morning.

Comment by Harry Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 3:05 pm
The only reasonable compromise is NO compromise.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 3:10 pm
Harry, some people just don’t give a care about the very real damage this is doing. Maybe they will when the courts block state worker paychecks.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 3:11 pm
Collecting bargaining requires both sides to meet until a compromise is reached. Maybe the governor and the GA should give it a try.

Comment by Wensicia Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 3:13 pm
Voted for some compromise…

Understand why 48% or so are voting the other way, people vote with the wallets all the time.

Rich I would say they don’t care about the real damage this is causing, they just don’t care as much as they care about any sort of negative impact on themselves.

Comment by OneMan Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 3:15 pm
Resist. Gov. Word not sincere, question trust ..

Comment by Big Foot Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 3:16 pm
Work Comp has room to move. The other issues have much harder options.

Comment by zatoichi Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 3:16 pm
There is room to do some work comp reform.

Comment by RNUG Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 3:18 pm
I voted to try to find a compromise. I don’t think there is one. Remember the first time Madigan thought they had a compromise? And remember, just because there is an appropriation, doesn’t mean you have to spend the money. So rolling over on TA agenda items in return for absolutely nothing makes no sense.

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 3:19 pm
I voted resist. Collective bargaining and prevailing wage are non-starters. So many people seem to willing to accept compromise on WC, but we haven’t heard from a single WC provider that states doing X, Y, or Z will reduce rates by X percent. As of right now, it’s all yada yada which cannot ever, never, never be the basis of limiting someone’s right to redress. Never.

Comment by Springfieldish Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 3:19 pm
There are ways to finess this.., but not during the budgeting process. Capitulating to any of the Governor’s TAA whenever it’s tied to the budget will only encourage him to repeat the same reckless and callous behavior that we’ve witnessed since the 2016 budget process began.

Comment by Triple fat Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 3:22 pm
What he said:

==I voted resist. Collective bargaining and prevailing wage are non-starters. So many people seem to willing to accept compromise on WC, but we haven’t heard from a single WC provider that states doing X, Y, or Z will reduce rates by X percent. As of right now, it’s all yada yada which cannot ever, never, never be the basis of limiting someone’s right to redress. Never.==

Comment by Kasparov Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 3:23 pm
As well vote on whether glaciers should melt. They’re going to do it for reasons decided long ago and no one is willing to consider the expense and effort of stopping it.

Comment by WIll Caskey Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 3:24 pm
WC reform is distinct from union busting; there compromise may be in order. There may be fig-leaf compromises possible on the union side.

The impasse is hurting unionized state workers, most obviously perhaps at universities, where furloughs and layoffs are increasing. Cratering enrollment will lead to more of the same–and those jobs (and that lost pay) won’t come back even if the Dems crush the GOP in elections this fall, and Rauner slinks away as a discredited one-term governor.

So even if Madigan “wins” with his no-compromise strategy, many unionized workers lose–as does our higher education system.

I don’t think small compromises with Rauner mean we’re automatically headed to Wisconsin. Rather, utterly dysfunctional state government lowers everyone’s expectations for government, and with it support for public education, social services, etc.

Comment by Doc Anonymous Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 3:24 pm
Everyone in life compromises on a daily basis. We all have to make choices, whether we like those choices or not. None of us get 100% of what we dream about. Representative democracies and republics govern through compromise, through give and take.

That applies to the Speaker of the House, and every one else involved in this “battle.” Both sides have made their points. Now both sides need to hammer out an agreement that will be reasonable and satisfactory that will be benefit everyone. Not just unions. Not just business. Not just one political party. Not just . . . (fill in your own blank here, the list is endless).

Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 3:24 pm
I also don’t feel like people really understand what even the slightest erosion of collective bargaining or prevailing wage would do. It’s really all or nothing. People don’t realize that any give on those would destroy us. Once it’s done it’s too late to change it. We’re done.

Comment by Honeybear Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 3:26 pm
Most of those positions are pretty unreasonable. I’m not sure how one gets to a reasonable compromise when most of the positions are unreasonable and can’t be addressed by piecemeal.

The State has made significant progress on worker’s compensation reform to such an extent that I’m not sure that a good reform bill really needs to be placed in a tit for tat situation.

Comment by Anon Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 3:26 pm
Compromise. WC should have some room, not so much on the others.

Comment by Mad Brown Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 3:27 pm
I voted that there needs to be compromise, yet, I’m a State Employee and don’t see how crushing the union will actually “help the taxpayers”, since we are included in that statement, though Rauner doesn’t acknowledge us as so. I’m sorry, but why are the politicians giving up the extra money they get from all the extra committees they sit on. They are elected to do a job, which by all accounts, none are doing well. If I was doing that poorly of a job, I’d have been shown the door and asked to vacate the premises, yet they continue to waste tax payer dollars allowing two blow hards to continue puffing their chests up and shaking their fists at each other, and shifting blame to the whole mess this great State of Lincoln is in.

Comment by PERPLEXED Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 3:28 pm
I am sympathetic to Earnest’s argument against any compromise in order to teach the governor that taking hostages is no acceptable, but a “no compromises” position now is itself taking hostages. Compromise now, save the hostages that are still alive, and then teach the governor a lesson, if it means that much to you.

Comment by Whatever Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 3:28 pm
===Collective bargaining and prevailing wage are non-starters===

Meh. They’ve altered collective bargaining several times over the years. Remember the last round of school reforms?

Collective bargaining changes doesn’t mean eliminating all collective bargaining.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 3:28 pm
The state budget should be settled first.

Then The GA can negotiate the worker wish list vs the corporate wish list agendas.

Comment by Enviro Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 3:28 pm
- Collective bargaining changes doesn’t mean eliminating all collective bargaining. -

So let’s see Rauner’s reasonable proposals, or do the HDems have to write them for him?

Comment by Daniel Plainview Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 3:32 pm
Rich also had proposals in a Post of possible “middle ground” areas to lead to compromise.

They included Labor compromises.

Those, if Rauner signed off, I could see common ground found there.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 3:37 pm
Once one starts paying ransom to hostage taker Rauner, the Governor will only want more and more ransom.

Comment by Joe M Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 3:41 pm
“in relation to” are the key words for me considering these two stark choices. I certainly think the budget comes first, and should not be tied to any of the Rauner reforms. But the ability to say, in good faith, that there will be serious discussion on the reforms after a budget is done would be a great step forward.

Comment by Archiesmom Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 3:42 pm
Get a budget. Let all sides claim shreds of winning. But before the ink is dry, we will be on to TA 2.0, 3.0, etc. the list of reforms/wants is infinite.

“They cant force me to spend.”

Comment by Langhorne Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 3:43 pm
Resist, or compromise. Those words say it all. I voted for compromise.

Comment by NoNews Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 3:48 pm
Yes of course he needs to compromise, he’s not a dictator anymore and Rauner won statewide campaigning on all those items. Madigan just forgot what it was like to deal with someone he couldn’t bully.

Comment by Ahoy! Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 3:49 pm
Where is the middle? When someone’s initial position is to put down all of your dogs, you don’t bargain with them to only put down one. You simply reject the outrageous offer.

Comment by Me Too Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 3:50 pm
Looking at my last WC renewal rates, I think there is plenty of room to work there.

Remember the last round of school reforms?=

Several trailer bills changed to original impact. Not much different today than it was 10 years ago. that said, while it is a pain in the neck to bargain sometimes, I really do not have an issue with collective bargaining. I wish the ILRB was “neutral” rather than very pro-labor. Good thing we have very little that ever goes to them.

Comment by JS Mill Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 3:55 pm
I voted compromise BUT that would only be throwing him something on worker’s comp. Collective bargaining and RTW cannot be part of the deal, at all.

Comment by burbanite Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 3:56 pm
Really Mama ? Most middle class workers don’t work for unions or the government.
To the post, there’s room to compromise on all of it, but WC and PW are no brainers. As a member of a school board, every year we were given a list of contracting jobs (plumber, drywaller, etc) and the hourly rate we to pay, and we were told we had to pass it - insane.

Comment by DGD Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 4:01 pm
Let him have workers’ comp, but that’s it.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 4:04 pm
==Harry, some people just don’t give a care about the very real damage this is doing. Maybe they will when the courts block state worker paychecks.==

Wow, that’s pretty harsh on a post that offers an all-or-nothing choice. Responses couldn’t possibly be based on principle? Or based on a “he should compromise on x and y, but not z” opinion?

Everyone posting here that voted not to compromise, they’re just lazy state workers worried about their paychecks? That’s a pretty cheap shot at folks like honeybear, for example, who I would bet cares a lot more about the damage done than most.

Comment by fka Lester Holt's Mustache Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 4:04 pm
How do you compromise with a person who says one thing and does another? Rauner is not trustworthy.

Comment by Mama Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 4:07 pm
Voted compromise, there’s room. Not that I necessarily agree, but ideas I’ve seen proposed include: Collective bargaining - employee pension pick up. Workers comp - repeal Blagojevich era modifications. Prevailing wage - exempt small projects and limit the number for local governments so projects weren’t magically split up to fall under the limit. None of these decimate labor, nor do they limit the ability to bargain over job security, wages or working conditions.

Comment by AC Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 4:07 pm
“Collective bargaining changes doesn’t mean eliminating all collective bargaining.”

The changes Rauner wants to make will destroy the union by taking away union employees rights to bargain for wages and benefits.

Comment by Mama Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 4:11 pm
IN RELATION TO A BUDGET,yes Madigan resist any and all attempts to reform collective bargaining, workers’ compensation and prevailing wage.

Comment by BlueMan Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 4:11 pm
===That’s a pretty cheap shot===

Bite me.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 4:11 pm
When do the state workers paychecks stop?

Comment by Jorge Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 4:13 pm
===The changes Rauner wants to make will destroy the union by taking away union employees rights to bargain for wages and benefits===

Yes, he wants that. But that’s not what’s on the table.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 4:13 pm
Unemployment insurance provides the road map for getting things done on worker’s comp. Agreed bill, bipartisan process.

There’s a long list of reforms actually related to the budget that Rauner can make progress on if he wants to, things he promised two years ago like sales tax reform.

But no: if Madigan allows Rauner to use kids with autism as leverage now to pursue a political agenda, we will never get Pandora back in the box.

There is a reason only 16 percent of voters support the Rauner Swap.

Comment by Juvenal Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 4:13 pm
===Yes, he wants that. But that’s not what’s on the table.===

Thank you, Rich.

The paralyzingly fear by those afraid to compromise is aided by not looking at the deal.

The merits, that’s the ball game, of what is at play.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 4:17 pm
I did a Brucie–I said resist, but don’t really mean it. Actually, there is room for WC adjustments, but not what Brucie wants or would probably be satisfied w/. His other demands are just absurd and do not warrant consideration.

Comment by D.P.Gumby Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 4:28 pm
Compromise on prevailing wage could be something small like “projects under $30,000″ or some other number. Let’s Rauner brag about how local gov contractor doesn’t have to submit prevailing wage paperwork for a 30 minute air conditioning repair. Let’s dem’s say they protected the original concept of prevailing wage, which is to be applied to construction projects.

Comment by BK Bro Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 4:28 pm
“Everyone in life compromises on a daily basis.”

Our current state of affairs is like a well-armed man barricaded in a building with hostages demanding a cool mil and a Gulfstream.

“You gotta give us something!” They yell through a bullhorn. So the guy tosses out a single bullet.

“Meh. They’ve altered collective bargaining several times over the years. Remember the last round of school reforms?”

Didn’t help much, did it. And now we have a wolf named Rauner telling the sheep, “C’mon, let’s compromise. I’ll just take a nibble.”
Yeah, right.

Ineffectual past bargaining compromises as stop-gaps and quick fixes only served to lower the starting point now. That sure as shootin hasn’t earned any extra credit with the governor or his evil minions. Sorry, evil, well-paid minions.

So yeah, I remember the past. I just don’t want to see it repeated.

Comment by Springfieldish Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 4:30 pm
Rich, provocative as always, and maybe its a Hobson’s choice, but for now - in my humble opinion - until there is real understanding of the semantics between factions, I voted for no compromise. That’s not to say that compromise isn’t needed or couldn’t take place say in Workers Comp., but too much talking around each other is going on to negotiate properly.

Comment by Captain Illini Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 4:33 pm
Resist ALL attempts to connect budget with any part of Bruce’s agenda. Bruce tried adding items as poison pills. Bruce wanted ‘leverage’ to build ‘wedges’ because he is incompetent to actually sell his agenda items to a majority of citizens.

Any acceptance of even smallest element of an Bruce’s agenda means you give your an enormous win the ‘leverage’ and ‘wedges’ are successful.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 4:34 pm
Voted that he should resist all efforts to reduce workers salaries. Before you cut one salary, taxes on the 1% should put at a fair and equitable level.

Comment by Groucho Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 4:38 pm
I know the poll is not scientific but 50 percent don’t want compromise. That is an eye opener, no wonder there has been no compromise. Legislators in safe, gerrymandered districts don’t feel any pressure to give an inch to the other side. They also can hang onto their seats for as long as they want because we don’t have term limits.

Comment by Lucky Pierre Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 4:40 pm
==Maybe they will when the courts block state worker paychecks.== Or k-12 schools can’t open.

Comment by SAP Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 4:45 pm
==So let’s see Rauner’s reasonable proposals, or do the HDems have to write them for him?==

This is the most interesting question I’ve seen today. I believe the answer will determine if there’s any hope for compromise.

Comment by AC Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 4:45 pm
I don’t see a lot of compromise on these issues. Also if you look at the PEW report on reasons for the decline in middle class incomes, they report one of the reasons is decline in unions which historically get their workers higher wages.

Comment by illlinifan Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 4:46 pm
No compromise. It is absolutely incorrect to say that workers comp is the low hanging fruit or the topic must amenable to compromise. In fact it may be the most difficult issue as it affects almost every powerful group in SPFLD: labor, doctors, hospitals, trial lawyers, insurance companies, large employers, small employers, and last but not least injured workers. band what makes it even more difficult is that experience has shown that even significant workers comp reform like enacted in 2011 (not the face saving measures talked about here)have little or no impact on the WC insurance premiums that almost all IL employers pay. So agreement on WC is difficult and it does not even have the intended result of reducing premiums. No more compromise on WC until we figure out how to reduce premiums.

Comment by Just Me Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 4:48 pm
===That’s a pretty cheap shot===
Bite me.

Hmm, an interesting response. I voted for compromise, but let’s ask those who disagree. What say you, Honeybear? Or DP Gumby? Mama, Bigfoot, Ernest? Are you really all just callous state workers, awaiting your paychecks and sneering at all of those harmed by Madigans refusal to compromise?

Comment by fka Lester Holt's Mustache Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 4:57 pm
None of Rauner’s turn around agenda items benefit the taxpayers of Illinois.

None of Rauner’s turn around agenda items has anything to do with the budget.

There are no compromises or appeasements for fruitless demands without any redeeming social benefits.

If Rauner’s demands had benefits he should have campaigned on those ideals and laid out his plans before he was elected.

Rauner’s agenda items are simply extortion items that are repugnant punitive actions against people who work in Illinois.

Comment by Chicago 20 Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 4:58 pm
The vote is currently 51/49 against trying to find reasonable compromise.

One explanation of these results is that half of the respondents are opposed to reasonable compromise. Another explanation is that half the respondents believe that the governor is completely and utterly untrustworthy.

And the best explanation would be a combination of the two.

– MrJM

Comment by @MisterJayEm Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 5:05 pm
I voted oppose all because I did not trust an undefined “reasonable.” What is “reasonable” to one group (I’ll just call it the “sane” group) is probably diametrically opposed to the “reasonable” for the other (”insane”) group. Use your own political affiliation to determine which group is the sane one.

Comment by Another Prof Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 5:06 pm
Voted resist. Separation of powers between the Governor and Legislature must be maintained unless you want the Governor to be the “Ruler of Illinois” That will take a change in the state’s constitution.

Comment by Mouthy Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 5:13 pm
Prevailing Wage - No. Collective Bargaining - NO. Workers Compensation - Why not exclude the insurance companies altogether. They claim they cant make money unless there are reforms and the State will make the injured wards of the State without. Why not cut out the middle man?

Comment by compromise this Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 5:19 pm
BTW, I voted “Try to find a reasonable compromise” (’Cause there’s gotta be a pony in there somewhere, rite?)

– MrJM

Comment by @MisterJayEm Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 5:20 pm
So only the Governor should compromise and be lambasted for not compromising. The status quo that got us here should remain steadfast and not seek any compromise. Compromise! Makes sense. Pretty sure this is also the same polarizing that got us where we are.

Comment by Shemp Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 5:33 pm
it is unacceptable for the Governor to hold up the annual budget process due to his obsession with unions. Any Governors social agenda could be cleverly deamed budget related. The next Governors passion could be the environment, gun control or whatever.

Comment by GOP Extremist Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 5:43 pm
Reasonable compromise on all or anything directly budget related.

But nothing to strengthen, encourage, or entrench the principle of: “I’ve got this budget, and it’s meep-meep golden, and I’m not giving it away for meep-meep nothing”.

Comment by peon Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 5:59 pm
You don’t have to give up everything to admit something can be done about something. Facts should always drive decisions; so of course, compromise is preferred.

Comment by Jerry Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 6:07 pm
I voted compromise. I think there is some room to compromise on all those issues.

Comment by logic not emotion Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 6:08 pm
I voted no compromise because Rauner his own words is not a politician. He has nothing to gain if he compromises, he was elected as he understands to completely cause meltdown. I think all he is doing is stalling till general election when the cards will be shown on the table.

Comment by cleric dcn Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 6:35 pm
Shake up Springfield. Shut it down for awhile. These are all we have to analyze. Where does compromise fit in those positions?

Comment by Nothin's easy... Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 6:51 pm
Perhaps there’s much to ponder in the list of items that the Speaker said he intended to not address as work continued on the budget. That list didn’t include several things on the Governor’s list. There’s property tax relief, unemployment compensation, redistricting, etc.

Comment by steve schnorf Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 7:14 pm
MJM will not comprise. The pain caused does not directly effect him while the power/ego of not conceding is far more important to MJM.

Comment by cannon649 Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 7:26 pm
I voted resist any and all attempts.i think people should really go and see workers rights in the early 1900’s.Our ancestors fought and some died to have these rights

Comment by Lucas74 Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 7:39 pm
If the Governor is able to get his way on the AFSCME contract, he will be able to fire any state employee at any time for any reason and there will not be any reason for him to ever bargain with us again. That is why we will have to strike!

Comment by Omega Man Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 9:31 pm
In the Dictionary under appeasement it says, Pacify with Concessions. I don’t think it works.

The next time it will require bigger concessions. If the leverage and wedges are allowed to work the Dam has been breached and the lake will have been lost.

Comment by Bemused Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 11:29 pm
Class warfare govenor wants to protect the rich from the poor, speaker wants to protect the poor from the rich

Comment by Rabid Friday, May 13, 16 @ 6:15 am
speaker wants to protect the poor from the rich

I don’t think so. The poor are a tool for the speaker in the conflict. The door will be shut to them in time.

Comment by Honeybear Friday, May 13, 16 @ 8:43 am
Of course Madigan should compromise. Rauner believes these issues fundamentally helped cause the current budget crisis we’re in, and he was elected to address that. All three issues have cost-saving compromises that should be attainable.

Is Madigan going to shut down government for four or more years in order to resist any adjustments at all? Is he running on just power plays and ego at this point?

Comment by Liandro Friday, May 13, 16 @ 8:59 am
- Linandro -

===Is Madigan going to shut down government for four or more years in order to resist any adjustments at all?===

Representative, “who” is frustrated but wants thibgs held up?

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

Thanks.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, May 13, 16 @ 9:07 am
I voted “resist.” Rauner is trying to frame this as him wanting “reforms” and Madigan wanting increased revenue, and he wants to trade one for the other. In reality, Rauner knows it is impossible to balance the budget without new revenue. If I were Madigan, I would refuse to negotiate until Rauner publicly states what a true balanced budget would look like. Only then would I be willing to discuss trading Rauner’s desired reforms for new revenue above and beyond what Rauner thinks is necessary. Until Rauner is honest about how much new revenue he thinks we need, I don’t see how Madigan can negotiate with him. Rauner has to set a baseline.

Comment by Twirling Towards Freedom Friday, May 13, 16 @ 9:19 am
Compromise… The easy thing to do is workman’s comp. The hostages win…That’s us gang… Tier 2 TRS only delayed the pyramid scheme.. Did not take away rights of bargaining..

Comment by Kenny Powers Friday, May 13, 16 @ 9:55 am
First pass the budget.

Then exchange worker’s comp reform for an increase in the minimum wage. That would be a compromise.

Comment by Enviro Friday, May 13, 16 @ 3:19 pm