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Rauner vetoes $3.9 billion for social services, higher ed

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* Veto message…

To the Honorable Members of
The Illinois Senate,
99th General Assembly:

The State has gone too long without a balanced budget. State vendors and service providers have gone too long without payment. We need real solutions to our fiscal problems, not unfunded, empty promises. So today I return Senate Bill 2046 and implore the General Assembly to pass a complete, balanced budget for Fiscal Years 2016 and 2017.

The Constitution requires the General Assembly to pass a balanced budget, but the General Assembly continues to abdicate that responsibility.

A balanced budget is not just a constitutional requirement or the right thing to do for taxpayers; it is the only possible way to manage State government over the long-term. Unlike the federal government, the State is unable to sustain deficit spending over multiple years without significantly impairing its operations. Case-in-point: the State is suffering from a cash-flow crisis from years of deficit spending, leading to a current bill backlog of more than $7 billion. The State is months or even years late in paying vendors and service providers, particularly from general funds.

Without a balanced budget, an appropriation is just an unfunded, empty promise – a check written from an over-drawn bank account.

Social service agencies and providers need real funding, not empty promises. Social services are being squeezed out by State debt and pension obligations, personnel costs, and other mandated spending. The only way to ensure that social services are fully funded is to pass a balanced budget, where spending is in line with revenues.

Senate Bill 2046 is an empty promise. The bill purports to appropriate $3.89 billion, including more than $3 billion in general funds that the State does not have, for higher education and social service providers, but provides no source of funding. Students, universities, community colleges, social service agencies, and our most vulnerable residents need real solutions and real funding, which Senate Bill 2046 does not provide.

Therefore, pursuant to Section 9(b) of Article IV of the Illinois Constitution of 1970, I hereby return Senate Bill 2046, entitled “AN ACT concerning appropriations”, with the foregoing objections, vetoed in its entirety.

Sincerely,

Bruce Rauner
GOVERNOR

* The bill passed the Senate with a strong veto-proof majority. It only received 65 votes in the House, which is six shy of an override. Three Democrats were absent. I suppose the Democrats will now try to flip one or two of their own votes and hope that a college-town Republican or two will cave. But that hasn’t worked in the past.

…Adding… Illinois AFL-CIO President Michael Carrigan…

“Gov. Rauner has shown, once again, that he puts politics above people. His veto keeps vital services like education, mental health services, addiction treatment, and grants for low-income college students from desperately-needed funding. His veto of SB 2046 prolongs and exacerbates the pain he created in the first place by forcing the budget crisis. He says one thing, does another, and then blames everyone else. Rauner is playing political games and people are getting hurt.”

…Adding More… SEIU Healthcare Illinois President Keith Kelleher…

“The governor’s veto of Senate Bill 2046 is more evidence this governor wishes to continue the hostage situation he has caused in Illinois. He has spent recent days blaming everyone but himself for holding up a budget until he gets his union-busting demands that have nothing to do with saving taxpayer dollars and everything to do with weakening rights and protections for Illinois’ working families and driving down wages and benefits for ALL workers.

“The governor needs to stop the blame game and do what’s right. We have seen too many suffer for his misplaced priorities.”

…Adding Still More… Statement from John Patterson, spokesman for Illinois Senate President John J. Cullerton…

“It’s disappointing that the governor chose to veto the entire proposal. The governor’s veto underscores the need for immediate action on the balanced, bipartisan emergency budget for human service providers that has been on his desk for nearly a month. His administration identified the dollars. Nearly $700 million in overdue payments could go to businesses as soon as he signs it.”

“Despite today’s veto, the Senate President remains optimistic that the governor will do the right thing and sign the balanced, bipartisan emergency budget for human service businesses. We would encourage him to do so quickly. These businesses, their employees, clients and families have waited long enough.”

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 2:47 pm

Comments

Grassbowl

Comment by crazybleedingheart Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 2:50 pm
I can’t see this being overridden in the House.

The colkege town Raunerites have made it clear, their college towns that they represent don’t matter(?)

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 2:51 pm
Another vote to take, decisions for button pushers to make. Do you stand with your constituents, or take the money and run??? There may not be stopgap anytime soon. There may not be a completed FY16 budget any time soon. But there CAN be appropriations and a queue started for those we as a State owe money to for services provided (and still being provided). Your vote matters and will be noted and counted!

Comment by Anon221 Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 2:51 pm
The Gov sincerely addressed this letter to the “Honorable” GA members, what about all the “corrupt’ ones?

Comment by Qui Tam Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 2:55 pm
Hopefully, Madigan won’t try to veto it. Let the Gov own the lack of funding totally!!

Comment by Baruch Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 2:57 pm
Rep. Terri Bryant, (R) Murphysboro, has made it clear that she is a Raunerite first, and a representative of a college town second. Don’t expect a flip there.

Comment by Bronco Bahma Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 2:59 pm
Rauner says there’s not enough money. But he had no problem with this year’s education appropriation which didn’t have enough money behind it and wants to do it again for next year. Mr. Consistency strikes again.

Comment by Sir Reel Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 2:59 pm
Uhgg. There is nothing this man won’t do to avoid doing his job. If you want a truly balanced budget, the first step would be to propose one.

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 3:00 pm
Whelp, score is still love-love. Your serve GA.

Comment by Cubs in '16 Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 3:00 pm
Governor Rauner’s actions are clear, consistent and effective. This is no different. I see no need to chase whatever white rabbit of verbage he threw out this time around.

Comment by Earnest Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 3:02 pm
Rauner said he could get by just fine with the income tax being reduced from 5%. Well Governor, let’s see your magic tricks that you promised.

Comment by DuPage Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 3:02 pm
Fulfill YOUR constitutional responsibilities concerning the budget, governor. Instead, he’d rather hold fast to his hostages.

Comment by Wensicia Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 3:04 pm
==The Constitution requires the General Assembly to pass a balanced budget, but the General Assembly continues to abdicate that responsibility==

Forgive me if I am mistaken, but doesn’t the constitution just require that the Governor to submit a balanced budget? Or is there another section that states that the legislature must pass a balanced budget? If the latter is the case, wouldn’t somebody have filed suit over the past 10 years?

Comment by Lester Holt's Mustache Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 3:04 pm
I am looking for something in that message that is unreasonable.

Comment by Keyser Soze Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 3:05 pm
Where is your balanced budget Brucie?

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 3:05 pm
Major job cuts coming in August at the U of I. I just hope the only people who lose their jobs are Rauner voters. They asked for it, so they should get it.

Comment by Filmmaker Professor Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 3:06 pm
A strange game. The only winning move is not to play. How about a nice game of chess?

Comment by hisgirlfriday Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 3:07 pm
“Dear Charleston and Macomb,

You. Don’t. Matter.

Gov. Rauner”

Right? Exactly right.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 3:09 pm
I am by no means a fan of Rauner in fact I pretty much despise his governing. But I think his basic premise is correct. The problem is he has earned only distrust. The is no pathway forward from the Dem perspective other than to sit and wait. The ONLY way this impasse will end is if the governor mans up and concedes whatever is necessary to get a budget. And make the cuts necessary to balance the budget to whatever degree he sees fit.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 3:09 pm
Only Bruce Rauner can veto spending and still have the state spiraling out of a control financially.

Comment by Precinct Captain Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 3:14 pm
He seems very familiar with some parts of the constitution and oblivious to others

Comment by JohnnyPyleDriver Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 3:14 pm
“Without a balanced budget, an appropriation is just an unfunded, empty promise – a check written from an over-drawn bank account.”

Ummm…is his stopgap appropriation bill part of a balanced budget? Isn’t really just mostly using budget gimmicks to rob Peter to pay Paul?

Comment by Dance Band on the Titanic Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 3:14 pm
Desperate times, desperate measures. The Governor wants a balanced budget. I wonder why the legislature does not raise the personal exemption greatly, allow all sales tax and property tax up to say $7000 as a deduction, and then raise the flat rate to the point that it needs to be taken to balance, say, 15%. It would be constitutional, be a defacto graduated income tax, and balance the budget. Just wondering.

Comment by wondering Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 3:16 pm
No surprise, at all. Good veto.

Comment by Georg Sande Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 3:17 pm
Disappointed but not surprised!!!!!

Comment by illini Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 3:18 pm
Precinct Captain +1

Comment by Saluki Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 3:18 pm
The Constitution requires that I submit a balanced budget to the General Assembly for consideration, but I continue to abdicate that responsibility.

Fixed it for you.

Comment by Huh? Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 3:18 pm
more crisis = more leverage

Pay no attention to Bruce’s words, only his actions.

Comment by dominionhinny Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 3:19 pm
===then raise the flat rate to the point that it needs to be taken to balance, say, 15%.===

The campaign ads stating Representative John Doe and Senator Richard Roe voted to hike taxes by 300% kind of make themselves.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 3:20 pm
Please don’t include Plummer in terms of operative and only refer to Plummer being IN intelligence very specifically.

Thank you

“Caption?”

“1-A… 1-A… (Rolls Eyes)… 1-A”

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 3:20 pm
OW- any new scripts based on today’s developments???

Comment by Anon221 Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 3:24 pm
Anonymous at 3:20 was me.

Comment by Graduated College Student Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 3:24 pm
- Anon221 -

There’s a “Very Special” episode in the works, I don’t want to give too much away but it does include the college towns, plywood, and u-hauls….

I’ve said… too much.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 3:28 pm
Funny how he mentions that the GA has a constitutional obligation to pass a balanced budget, yet fails to not the concomitant obligation of the governor to present a balance budget to the GA.

Comment by Tominchicago Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 3:30 pm
“The State has gone too long without a balanced budget.”

Wow. You have had two chances to submit a balanced budget to the General Assembly, governor, and both times, you refused to do your constitutionally mandated duty.

“The Constitution requires the General Assembly to pass a balanced budget, but the General Assembly continues to abdicate that responsibility.”

Article VIII, Section 2(a) of the State Constitution: “The Governor shall prepare and submit to the General Assembly, at a time prescribed by law, a State budget for the ensuing fiscal year.”

The General Assembly cannot perform its duty mandated in Section 2(b) (the duty you referred to) until you, governor, perform the duty mandated in 2(a).

Maybe a superstar could explain it to you.

Comment by Nick Name Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 3:30 pm
How is not doing one’s constitutionally-prescribed duty not a recall-able offense?

I don’t get it.

Comment by Blue Bayou Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 3:32 pm
This is truly sickening. I honestly feel nauseated. Hold on for a lot of layoffs and closures. A lot of people were waiting on this bill to make decisions.

Comment by Pawn Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 3:34 pm
Bruce,

Where is YOUR Constitutionally Mandated Balanced Budget?

If you dont want to do the job, then please go back to the nursing home and clean bed pans or whatever you did there.

Worst. Governor. Ever.

Comment by John Reynolds Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 3:35 pm
I miss governance.

– MrJM

Comment by @MisterJayEm Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 3:40 pm
==Without a balanced budget, an appropriation is just an unfunded, empty promise – a check written from an over-drawn bank account.==

A detailed balanced budget proposal, that’s a great idea!

Comment by AC Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 3:41 pm
Oh and Michael Carrigan’s opinion?!? Put that in the “who cares” category.

Comment by Georg Sande Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 3:41 pm
Call 911 please, somebody.

“…So today I return Senate Bill 2046 and implore the General Assembly to pass a complete, balanced budget for Fiscal Years 2016 and 2017.”

I thought OodaLoop wanted a stop gap?

I think we have a medical issue….

Comment by cdog Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 3:42 pm
-OW-
How much plywood?

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 3:50 pm
It would be nice if Dwight Kay ended up being one of those college-town Republicans you talked about, Rich, the ones who could help override Rauner’s veto in order to support higher ed in his backyard, as well as much needed social services funding. But something tells me he’ll come up with an excuse not to do so. When you look past his excuses, it seems like he doesn’t care at all about what happens to SIUE or other state universities — or, for that matter, the people who send their sons and daughters there.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 3:50 pm
==I thought OodaLoop wanted a stop gap?==

That’s what he said, but he’ll probably veto that too.

Comment by Wensicia Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 3:53 pm
“Oh and Michael Carrigan’s opinion?!? Put that in the ‘who cares’ category,” posted Georg Sande without a trace of irony or self-awareness.

– MrJM

Comment by @MisterJayEm Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 3:54 pm
Representative Kay, it’s an election year. Do you stand with SIUe and the $514 million impact it has on the area? Or do you stand with Governor Rauner and the $20 million political warchest?

Your opponent this November is a professor at said University. I can guess who she sides with.

Vote accordingly.

Comment by illini97 Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 3:55 pm
MrJM, me too.

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 3:56 pm
- illini97 -

Yep. The fun and games have been over, now it’s time to realize that November might be the only way to be heard.

“How much plywood?”

How much can be found… That much.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 3:57 pm
Vetoing on a Friday afternoon is a dead giveaway that the administration knows this is bad news.

Comment by The_Equalizer Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 4:02 pm
I am seeing plenty of John Curstis signs. Noreen Hammond is in trouble.WIU passed more cuts today

Comment by illinois manufacturer Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 4:03 pm
Didn’t Dr. Rauner just make a presentation about how we really need a budget and funding for these kind of items?
I guess her husband wasn’t listening.
Or maybe that’s just another ooda-loop.

Comment by Keyrock Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 4:07 pm
===WIU passed more cuts today ===

The university made clear these were not state related. Low interest programs.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 4:12 pm
“[S]ervice providers have gone too long without payment” therefor he vetoes a bill for…service providers. I’m really getting lost here in the tangle of logic.

He goes on to complain about a lack of a balanced budget as the reason for the veto. I thought the turnaround agenda was his big thing.

It looks to me like the “Governor” will continue to block everything (while shifting his story and his blame) until GTCR or Ken Griffin can pick up a few more acquisitions for their portfolio at 10 cents on the dollar or provide services with their existing companies. That may be the real game here.

Comment by Sangamo Sam Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 4:16 pm
24 million in budget though not just the programs

Comment by anon Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 4:16 pm
Thank heaven! Four long years with funny money and imaginary budgets. Enough! Send the man a balanced budget so he can sign it.

Comment by Hostages R Us Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 4:17 pm
http://www.wiu.edu/news/newsrelease.php?release_id=13712

Comment by anon Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 4:18 pm
So if the speaker wins a real super majority this fall which is likely doesn’t the big brain just keep vetoing and let them do all the work and run on that basis next time?

Comment by Former State Emoloyee Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 4:19 pm
===“[S]ervice providers have gone too long without payment” therefor he vetoes a bill for…service providers.===

If there’s no revenue behind the bills, how are they gonna be paid anyway? Eventually, you get to the point where the state is overwhelmed with overdue bills and then… ? Victory?

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 4:20 pm
“I miss governance. – MrJM”

Not sure I have witnessed it in my adult life in Illinois. I may not know it if I were to ever get the chance to see it.

Comment by Shemp Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 4:22 pm
Point of information re balanced budget requirement:

ARTICLE VIII — FINANCE

SECTION 2. STATE FINANCE
(a) The Governor shall prepare and submit to the General Assembly, at a time prescribed by law, a State budget for the ensuing fiscal year… Proposed expenditures shall not exceed funds estimated to be available for the fiscal year as shown in the budget.
(b) The General Assembly by law shall make appropriations for all expenditures of public funds by the State. Appropriations for a fiscal year shall not exceed funds estimated by the General Assembly to be available during that year.
(Source: Illinois Constitution.)

By a literal reading of Section 2 (b), House Speaker Michael Madigan’s budget plan– embodied in House floor amendment 2 to SB 2048– met the constitutional requirement, because its lines appropriated only $13.5 billion from the state’s general funds– its main checkbook account– for FY 17, when GF revenues are estimated to total $31.7 billion.

Madigan’s plan was able to do this, critics rightly noted, by failing to include any appropriations for some $25 billion in FY 16 “auto pilot” spending pursuant to statutory language, consent decrees, and court orders. If the non-appropriated spending were continued at FY 16 levels in FY 17, total spending would exceed revenues by some $7 billion.

Charlie Wheeler

Comment by Charlie Wheeler Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 4:24 pm
Agreeing with earlier comments - both Kay and Bryant need to be included in the conversation. Each represents parts of the SIU system.

Willy is right - Vote Accordingly!

And the lame letter signed by Bryant and the 7 does nothing to mitigate her votes or the “present” votes she has cast. Not sure where Kay was on some of these bills.

Comment by illini Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 4:29 pm
Dereliction of duty. LT Goldberg should know a bit about that and advise his boss accordingly.

Comment by Frankly Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 4:38 pm
Thinking Rauner’s game is to get the D’s on record as many times as possible voting to spend money the State doesn’t have. THAT is going to be the theme of the fall campaigns.

Comment by RNUG Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 4:50 pm
Thank you Charlie Weaver for that interesting clarification.

Comment by RNUG Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 5:00 pm