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Crain’s: “By nearly every measure, the state is worse off since Rauner took office”

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* Crain’s Chicago Business endorsed Bruce Rauner in the 2014 Republican primary and then again in the general election. They’re not happy with the results…

At the time, we were skeptical that the governor could accomplish much with a Democratic-controlled Legislature. But Rauner assured us that he’d dedicate himself to persuading his opponents—and he promised he would wield his executive powers to work around House Speaker Michael Madigan if he had to.

Madigan, of course, bears the lion’s share of responsibility for the mess Illinois is in, thanks to his decades in power. But Madigan is not the governor. Rauner is. And there’s no way to deny it: By nearly every measure, the state is worse off since Rauner took office. Pension liabilities now top $110 billion and are rising by the minute. The stack of unpaid bills is ballooning, turning Illinois into a notorious deadbeat. Vital social service agencies are being cut. Students are abandoning the state’s universities. Illinois’ credit rating hovers just above junk-bond range. We’re in Year Two without a budget—and the best hope for one is months away, after the Nov. 8 election.

In short, Illinois needs fixing more than ever. No matter how beneficial Rauner’s idea of reform might be for the state’s economy long term, what he’s doing to get there is not working.

It’s time for the governor to redefine victory. It can and should look something like this: Craft a balanced budget by cutting where we can and raising enough sustainable revenue to pay for it. For a governor who once hoped to usher in a raft of business-friendly reforms, this probably will feel like failure. But as he himself noted during a visit to Crain’s editorial board, Illinois hasn’t had a balanced budget in 25 years. If Rauner could deliver one, that alone would be a major accomplishment—and put Illinois finally on the path toward living within our means. We could cheer for that and for him.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 9:39 am

Comments

Well, after watching the disastrous video from the sit-down, I’m surprised it took them this long.

Best line — most honest line, at least — came from Crain’s when Rauner talked about his “heroics” attempting to govern without a budget.

Crain’s: “I’d reserve that word for the social service providers. They’re the real heroes.”

Comment by Formerly Known as Frenchie M Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 9:42 am
If the Governor hasn’t figured out by now he isn’t going to get what he wants then the man doesn’t live in the real world. Crains is exactly right. His priority now should be a budget. Period. Unless and until he gets that his term will continue to be a complete and total failure.

Comment by Demoralized Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 9:47 am
The perfect should not be the enemy of the good.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 9:49 am
Great editorial except for one thing–how in the world could Crain’s think Rauner would be a pragmatic governor, after his anti-union positions and attacks in the Primary? This guy is a far right ideologue, which is why it’s taking so long for him to move away from his controversial policy positions. He started out with how many TA demands? That was a monumental waste of time.

Comment by Grandson of Man Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 9:50 am
I’m guessing Rauner misses the irony of Crain’s final point — a good one, I think — that since it’s been 25 years without a budget, Rauner could score big — big — political points by simply creating and then passing a legitimately balanced budget.

Rauner, I’m guessing, will see this advice as simply more noise. You can’t work on a legitimate budget when your sole focus is decimating unions and pushing bankruptcy.

Comment by Formerly Known as Frenchie M Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 9:53 am
===It’s time for the governor to redefine victory. It can and should look something like this: Craft a balanced budget by cutting where we can and raising enough sustainable revenue to pay for it. For a governor who once hoped to usher in a raft of business-friendly reforms, this probably will feel like failure. But as he himself noted during a visit to Crain’s editorial board, Illinois hasn’t had a balanced budget in 25 years. If Rauner could deliver one, that alone would be a major accomplishment—and put Illinois finally on the path toward living within our means. We could cheer for that and for him.===

This.

I asked for 3 things. If Rauner had accomplished these 3 things, I would’ve had no beefs…

A clean FY2015 Fix
A FY2016 Budget
Labor Peace.

Now?

===But Madigan is not the governor. Rauner is. And there’s no way to deny it: By nearly every measure, the state is worse off since Rauner took office. Pension liabilities now top $110 billion and are rising by the minute. The stack of unpaid bills is ballooning, turning Illinois into a notorious deadbeat. Vital social service agencies are being cut. Students are abandoning the state’s universities. Illinois’ credit rating hovers just above junk-bond range. We’re in Year Two without a budget—and the best hope for one is months away, after the Nov. 8 election.===

By recognizing that being a governor of Illinois isn’t a helpless position, this grab from Crain’s IS the beef I have had with Rauner, and why this hostage-taking nonsense is Rauner unilaterally destroying Illlinois, because a governor is NOT a passenger, but driving Illinois into ruin… by Rauner’s own choices.

To “all” who think my measure of Rauner is unrealistic with the 3 asks I had… or my criticism has been myopic to the negative of this Administration, I now give you this “simple” retort from Crain’s.

I asked for THREE things.

Three.

FY2015 Fix, FY2016 Budget, Labor Peace.

All things governors do. This Crain’s Editorial covers the rest of my complete disappointment of the governing from the governor. Gov. Bruce Rauner.

To Crain’s,

My respect for your editorial page has sincerely grown. Not for the reason(s) above, or why you as an editorial page may think.

“We did it, we were wrong”

Wow. Just wow. Admitting what the premise of your editorial frames, I have a greater respect to you as an editorial board, and towards your mission as a place to inform and educate, as you collectively looked where things are, were, and your mistake and why you are responding now.

It may not matter in any measurable way, Crain’s, but my respect for how you go about your business has sincerely grown because of admitting what you see isn’t what you had thought you endorsed.

Oswego Willy

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 9:53 am
Anyone see Madigan smile as he read that article?

Comment by logic not emotion Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 9:56 am
Et tu, Crain’s!

Well written piece. Rauner do a real budget and begin addressing the problems you’ve now exacerbated.

Comment by Norseman Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 10:00 am
What is the tax rate required to have labor peace? How much of a raise are we to give to government workers to keep the peace? Do you think the rest of Illinois will be peaceful when you raise taxes but don’t make any reforms. Senator Steans and Representative Nekritz public all acknowledge reform of state government, and our business environment is required.

Comment by Lucky Pierre Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 10:01 am
- Lucky Pierre -

===By nearly every measure, the state is worse off since Rauner took office.===

Ok, now you go…

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 10:03 am
I think as long as he’s got even one person telling him, “Hang in there, Governor,” Rauner’s not going to change.

Comment by Streator Curmudgeon Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 10:05 am
Illinois has not had a balanced budget in 25 years and Madigan of course bears the lions share of the responsibility.

Illinois is worse in every respect since Madigan took office.

Comment by Lucky Pierre Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 10:08 am
I can see the campaign ads already “Are you better off now than you were 4 years ago?” The ads are followed by that video of 1.4% calling his staff heroic and the newspaper headlines.

When is the rest of the lame stream media going to pick up on the Crain’s reporting?

Comment by Huh? Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 10:08 am
- Lucky Pierre -

===But Madigan is not the governor. Rauner is.===

Ok, now you go…

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 10:09 am
I thought Crains was a business pub not a Dem rag. Nobody likes change Rich including all the winers on the blog. Staffer in SPF never get.

Comment by scott aster Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 10:10 am
Crain’s states the obvious, something that eludes just about every other edit board in the state.

I can’t argue with Crain’s logic, but I think their assumptions are wrong.

“Sqeeuze the beast” is not just a tactic to advance Rauner’s alleged real agenda, but a goal in and of itself.

At this point, nothing else makes sense. It’s beyond reason to inflict this kind of damage for an ROI you can’t even articulate.

The GA could pass all of Rauner’s “reforms” tomorrow, and then he would come up with new conditions that would allow him to still squeeze the beast.

Who doesn’t believe that? He’s proven that he’s willing to do it. Why wouldn’t he do it again?

Witness the social services provider emergency approp. Not a single Republican voted against it.

Yet, once it passed, the governor came up with new reasons as to why he wouldn’t sign it.

He wants to put those folks out of business. Eastern, Western and Chicago State, too.

Rauner’s actions could not be more clear. His words have proven to be meaningless, time and again.

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 10:11 am
- Illinois hasn’t had a balanced budget in 25 years. -

Is the hope that repeating this lie enough will make it true?

Say what you want about Pat Quinn, but after getting the tax increase he balanced the budgets until the last one.

Comment by Daniel Plainview Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 10:11 am
- scott aster -

Your drive-by would be considerably stronger if it included any rebuff of the editorial and didn’t play to a victim mentality.

I’m sure you feel better trying it.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 10:12 am
—
Illinois is worse in every respect since Madigan took office.
—

Right.

Then Rauner should step up, drop the impotent “man at the top but I can’t do nothin’” routine, and pass a balanced budget.

He hasn’t done that. Crain’s is offering him a roadmap for an easy political win — and a likely future endorsement. I’m guessing Rauner won’t follow the map, ignore it, and pretend it doesn’t matter. Because a budget is not his top priority.

I’m interested, too, in Rauner’s so-called “nuclear options” that he referred to a couple times during the interview. Crain’s even asked him — why not use these mysteriously powerful options?

Rauner’s response was — essentially — maybe I will, maybe I won’t.

The whole thing made little sense, actually — especially 18 months into his term without a budget. Very odd.

Comment by Formerly Known as Frenchie M Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 10:12 am
For all who voted for Rauner because they wanted someone from the “outside” and for those who didnt vote at all because they didn’t like Quinn or Rauner…you got what you asked for. You know the saying…you might get what you want, but you may not want what you get.

Comment by You asked for it... Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 10:19 am
Reforms to the business environment like approving more EDGE tax incentives in 2015 than ever! And to mostly companies who have no tax liability so they get to keep million in personal income tax withholding instead of sending it in to the State, thus ever robbing us all of revenue so that Grandma can get her one Meals on Wheels meal a day. No, your idea of “reforms” should not trump human need. Your “reforms” are morally bankrupt as is your continued cheerleading for the destruction of peoples lives.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 10:21 am
A bit of compromise on worker’s comp and a property tax freeze last year and this would have been entirely avoided.

No compromise. No reforms. No alternatives. No change. No progress.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 10:21 am
===“Sqeeuze the beast” is not just a tactic to advance Rauner’s alleged real agenda, but a goal in and of itself.===

… and…

===He (Gov. Rauner) wants to put those folks out of business. Eastern, Western and Chicago State, too.

Rauner’s actions could not be more clear. His words have proven to be meaningless, time and again.===

- Wordslinger - has it right. Like he alluded, Crain’s isn’t wrong, but - Wordslinger - is “more right” in capsulizing the real rationale.

I neglect to include it because I guess my own naïveté is based on the idea I can’t fathom any person purposely wanting to go into contracts with people in hopes to making those people and groups are ruined by trusting Bruce Rauner and a signed contract.

When I think about the phoniness of entering contracts with no intent to pay and in the same thought hoping groups fold because of money they won’t get for services they rendered…

… that’s on me. All on me. I can’t believe a man would ruin people and groups based on their trust. But… actions and words… and - Wordslinger - is right.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 10:22 am
I really disagree with Madigan owning “the lion’s share.” Budgets are signed and administered by governors. They approve the appropriations and spend from those approps as they deem prudent. Further, the Senate was Republican, under Pate Phillip no less, during 10 of the past 25 years. If the state’s books are out of whack, the “lion’s share” of that responsibility is on the governors who signed those budgets and spent them.

Comment by My New Handle Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 10:23 am
=Illinois hasn’t had a balanced budget in 25 years=

Wow.

So much for it being =only= 14 years without a balanced budget.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 10:24 am
So I guess we give up, and just maintain the “status quo’………as someone told me this weekend. Illinois is broken, and it is probably too late to ever fix it.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 10:27 am
There is a bipartisan working group working on reforms because they are required to reverse the negative trends in our state economy. Do you think a state with a lower unemployment rate and more business investing here would actually take in more tax revenue and have more funds available for social services?

Comment by Lucky Pierre Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 10:28 am
Streator Curmudgeon - “I think as long as he’s got even one person telling him, ‘Hang in there, Governor,’ Rauner’s not going to change.”
*****
He always will have someone telling him to hang in there. Every morning he looks in the mirror. Remember the Rauner mantra- “Change is hard. Change takes time!”. He isn’t willing to work hard, and he believes he has all the time in the world to keep on squeezin’.

Comment by Anon221 Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 10:28 am
===So I guess we give up, and just maintain the “status quo’…===

Typical. Raunerite. Victimhood.

“If you don’t 100% agree, you’re against everything and for the status quo.”

Ugh.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 10:29 am
Willy, do you have to make demeaning comments? Your opinions and thoughts are just that, yours. Some agree, some don’t. I know you don’t care what I think, but you should. You come off quite haughty at times even as you make valid points. “Ok, now you go?”

To the post: 100% agree with Crains and it’s nice to see those who supported BR come out and advocate for BR to behave as the leader of our state (something OW rightly points out almost 10x a day).

Comment by New Slang Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 10:29 am
- New Slang -

Don’t read what I write. No one is forcing you.

Also, the false bravado that is - Lucky Pierre - has been catalogued here. If you don’t know that, that’s on you.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 10:32 am
If he said he would take the arrows then he should take the arrows, especially the arrows from business publications like Crain’s. Sometimes the arrows come from your allies and serve as a guidepost for when your course needs to be corrected.

Comment by frisbee Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 10:33 am
===…they are required to reverse the negative trends in our state economy===

If they are required, please cite in any economics book you’d like when talking about a budget where “reforms” are found in the accounting principles.

Are “reforms” a debit? Credit? Accounts Receivable? Asset? Liability?

Nope. Reforns are not required. Not required budgetary element.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 10:35 am
As long as Rauner believes he’s #Winning, nothing changes the downward spiral. He.Does.Not.Care.

Comment by Wensicia Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 10:36 am
Sticks and stones and never answering a question is the stock and trade of Oswego Willy. All he wants is labor peace but he does not say how we can get it. If we weren’t able to get it with 25 years of unbalanced budget how can we get it with a balanced one?

Comment by Lucky Pierre Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 10:36 am
Reforms would not be listed in an accounting textbook Willy but the general principles of supply and demand and competitiveness would be found in an economics textbook

Comment by Lucky Pierre Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 10:40 am
=== A bit of compromise on worker’s comp and a property tax freeze last year and this would have been entirely avoided. ===

LOL, a bit of a compromise was rejected by Rauner many times. For example, property tax freeze was rejected by Rauner because it didn’t include the anti-union poison pill.

Comment by Norseman Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 10:41 am
- Lucky Pierre -

1) I’m not the Governor. You constantly forget that.

2) Go back to the rate before the roll back for FY2015 and FY2016, cut the difference in FY2017 tax rate, full roll back for FY2018.

Said that now about a dozen times.

You know that, you commented on my SAYING that before.

Making it about me won’t help…

===By nearly every measure, the state is worse off since Rauner took office.===

That’s on Rauner, and you have nothing to buttress that fact.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 10:43 am
OW- Once Rauner made that statement that Illinois was being destroyed by a collectivist economy, it became crystal clear that he, as many others have stated, does not care if the service providers ever get paid. In the presser right now, he proclaimed himself the CEO of Illinois. He’s not a governor (little g or big G) in any sense of the word, other than he won the election on a narrow margin.

Comment by Anon221 Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 10:44 am
–Do you think a state with a lower unemployment rate and more business investing here would actually take in more tax revenue and have more funds available for social services?–

LOL, or, the governor could sign the bill that was passed by the GA without a dissenting vote that has been on his desk for more than a month. It’s a crazy idea, but it just might work.

LP, shouldn’t you be at the airport, chanting, dancing, playing hand-cymbals and proselytizing your faith-based beliefs in the economic benefits of the Turnaround Agenda?

Because you have yet to offer a reasonable, fact and data-based argument for it, after all this time. But the damage being done in it’s name is very real.

See you at the airport. “Rauner Rauner, krishna krishna, Turnaround agenda, Rauner Rauner …..”

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 10:52 am
Hopefully this will be a new beginning, maybe just maybe when the media asks Rauner a question, the media will demand an answer to that question.

Comment by Chicago 20 Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 10:52 am
===Reforms would not be listed in an accounting textbook Willy…===

… then they are NOT a required element of a budget.

Since 1818, Illinois has not had an “accounting” column in budgets listed as a line item called “reforms”

Budgets are numbers. Numbers.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 10:53 am
- Norseman @ 10:41 am: -

Comment by Mama Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 10:57 am
@Anon221 brings up a good point. Rauner’s use of that term — “collectivist” — is telling.

This guy is much more of an ideologue than I thought he was.

Comment by Ricardo Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 10:58 am
OW: I hear your anguish in this ==… that’s on me. All on me. I can’t believe a man would ruin people and groups based on their trust. But… actions and words… and - Wordslinger - is right.==

I have to say, that this is one of things I am most bitter about. The Governor has taken the very best of our natures in social service — our compassion and commitment to improving the lives of others — and used that to manipulate us and destroy us. It is outrageous and difficult to even get our minds around, because it is so far from our instincts and cognitive framework.

I will remember that long after this stalemate has been resolved, and I don’t think i will ever forgive it.

Comment by Pawn Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 11:01 am
Proposing a budget is an obligation the Gov should have met by now, even if it was a budget people didn’t like. However, define labor peace in terms of a goal. Some labor factions are never happy, and even if they are, they don’t like to portray themselves that way lest they appear to not need (want) more.

Comment by Shemp Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 11:02 am
Now — in today’s presser — Rauner calls Crain’s ‘Collectivist’.

Until a couple weeks ago, I hadn’t heard that word used by Rauner (or anyone) very much. I’m astounded that he’s used it several times in nearly every interview over the past few weeks.

Comment by Formerly Known as Frenchie M Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 11:07 am
Yes, the state is worse off under Rauner. But it is was worse off under Quinn and Blago and Ryan and some would say Edgar and Thompson.

There is a downward trend here that is quite obvious. And the sole reason is not just enough tax increases.

Comment by Federalist Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 11:13 am
–Now — in today’s presser — Rauner calls Crain’s ‘Collectivist’.–

You can’t make this stuff up.

But seriously, that’s unhinged.

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 11:18 am
- Anon221 -

The Rauner failures are defined by your grab from the presser.

It all starts there.

- Pawn -

It does pain me, thanks for your understanding. You will not be the only one not forgetting Rauner’s… tactics. It’s been - Wordslinger - that’s kept me, along with others, from letting this victimhood be the defining, it has, indeed, been a Rauner choice.

- New Slang -,

I do hope you also recognized my pointed remarks were for one, not the collective. While your own pointed criticism is noted, the history of interacting with - Lucky Pierre - and the babe in the woods routine becomes a tiring exercise, waiting for talking points that refute little.

That’s why, specifically, I singled - Lucky Pierre - for my response. Hope that makes even clearer my rationale. OW

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 11:18 am
==.@GovRauner : “Crains is supposed to be a business publication but they’re a little bit more collectivist than your standard business pub.” ==

“Collectivist” seems to be Rauner’s new buzz word for everything he doesn’t like.

Comment by Mama Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 11:20 am
“If the Governor hasn’t figured out by now he isn’t going to get what he wants then the man doesn’t live in the real world.”

Or, alternatively, Rauner is getting exactly what he wants.

For months, that has seemed like the more likely explanation.

– MrJM

Comment by @MisterJayEm Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 11:21 am
Here is a suggested question of the day:

If people in the UK have “Breget” over their votes to leave the EU, what do people who endorsed or voted for Rauner have?

Comment by Urban girl Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 11:26 am
@Urban Girl: I would like to call it the same; Bregret (Bruce regret)

Alas, it may just be wishful thinking since at face value, most people that voted for him are blindly following him regardless of his actions, or lack thereof

Comment by Chi Native/Spfld Resident Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 11:35 am
Urban girl- Ramorse???

Comment by Anon221 Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 11:44 am
ILLusions of granduer
ILL will
ILconceived notions

Comment by chi Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 11:45 am
This guy is a hard-right wingnut, there’s no other word for it. If Crain’s Chicago Business is “collectivist,” I am the general secretary of the Council of People’s Commissars of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic.

Comment by olddog Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 11:45 am
Anon221-

Can we add Rahmorse?

Comment by TinyDancer(FKA Sue) Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 11:51 am
I seriously think that a battered Rauner has been consulting the Scriptures to find comfort over the past few weeks. Only in his case, the Scriptures are the collected works of Ayn Rand. (By the way, would someone please ask our Rand-loving leaders how they feel about the rape of Dominique? And whether, once they institute Rand’s vision of government, they plan to go to work to revise courtship according to her vision as well?)

It’s clearly time for some protein. Soccermom is getting hangry.

Comment by Soccermom Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 11:53 am
Couple of points

Collectivist Crains supports Rauner’s proposed reforms

OW’s “pointed remarks” are not just reserved for me but for anyone who does not fall in line with the Madigan view of the world.

Comment by Lucky Pierre Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 11:59 am
Pierre, as to your question about the cost of labor peace. Right now I don’t think it would cost much, at least as far as AFSCME is concerned, and that’s where much of the unrest lies. I don’t think it would take much to offer a contract they would grab for like a life jacket. There would be opportunity cost though, of the things not taken from them. But I don’t think the whole thing is soup yet?

Comment by steve schnorf Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 12:03 pm
- New Slang -

===Collectivist Crains supports Rauner’s proposed reforms===

You see? Ugh. Tell me what this means? This is the rationale of - Lucky Pierre - and trying to shape the talking points to the verbiage when neither compliments the other.

===…but for anyone who does not fall in line with the Madigan view of the world===

Yeah, me and Jim Edgar, huge Madigan apologists…

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 12:03 pm
===…as to your question about the cost of labor peace. Right now I don’t think it would cost much, at least as far as AFSCME is concerned, and that’s where much of the unrest lies. I don’t think it would take much to offer a contract they would grab for like a life jacket. There would be opportunity cost though, of the things not taken from them. But I don’t think the whole thing is soup yet?===

Yep, - steve schnorf - is on the issue, and that it’s not soup yet as well.

The issue for me is this Raunerite reality that 19 agreements means AFSCME is off in the logic, when even - steve schnorf - recognizes that AFSCME wants a deal, a life jacket, just not a life jacket full of lead weights.

Not soup yet, 100% correct.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 12:07 pm
OW watch the Crains editorial meeting with the Governor where they say they support the Governor’s reforms it is more productive than what you are doing now.

Comment by Lucky Pierre Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 12:10 pm
- Lucky Pierre -

===By nearly every measure, the state is worse off since Rauner took office.===

And…

===n short, Illinois needs fixing more than ever. No matter how beneficial Rauner’s idea of reform might be for the state’s economy long term, what he’s doing to get there is not working.===

But… Crain’s is a Collective…

Rauner’s utter and complete failure is the governing and understanding about doing the doable.

You keep ignoring that.

Anything else?

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 12:13 pm
anonymous 10:21 was me responding to Lucky P. Sorry my bad.

Comment by Honeybear Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 12:16 pm
Some days it’s entertaining watching people try to argue that the sky is pineapple, because Rauner said so. Then they get upset when people try to explain that pineapple isn’t a color.

Other days, not so entertaining.

Comment by HangingOn Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 12:19 pm
Honeybear no one at Crains or Tribune editorial board or myself for that matter is advocating for the destruction of people’s lives. Other blue states like Massachusetts that have enacted some of these dreaded reforms like workers comp and reforming state employee health coverage are actually attracting business like GE. There are democrats also advocation for reforms. Now we just need the leaders to wrap up a compromise which should have been done last summer

Comment by Lucky Pierre Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 12:24 pm
=OW watch the Crains editorial meeting with the Governor where they say they support the Governor’s reforms it is more productive than what you are doing now.=

Supporting Rauner’s reforms is not an endorsement for holding hostages and refusing to fund government. The ends have never justified the means and that’s what Crain’s is pointing out.

Your notion that a criticism of Rauner is somehow an endorsement of Madigan is tiring.

Comment by pundent Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 12:27 pm
“Reforms” are NOT a budgetary must in accounting.

Revenue IS a budgetary requirement of a budget.

Requiring a want to get a must IS not compromising, especially if that Governor can’t get 60 and get 30.

If Raunerites can NOT understand these governing fundamentals, then they are hopeless to the discussion(s) of what a real compromise means.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 12:28 pm
===Supporting Rauner’s reforms is not an endorsement for holding hostages and refusing to fund government. The ends have never justified the means and that’s what Crain’s is pointing out.===

+1.

Exactly.

Crain’s says so with this…

===In short, Illinois needs fixing more than ever. No matter how beneficial Rauner’s idea of reform might be for the state’s economy long term, what he’s doing to get there is not working.===

Period.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 12:31 pm
I have a question for all of you Democratic status quo types- what happens if Rauner were to agree to reinstating the 5 percent but drops his RA in terms of our overall business climate. We still have structural deficits, CPS and Chicago are still a mess and the pensions are underfunded. How are we ever going to turn the situation around unless we take on the public unions and the inability to obtain structural relief. Raising taxes alone gets us more of the same.

Comment by Sue Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 12:34 pm
===I’m interested, too, in Rauner’s so-called “nuclear options”===

I am not sure I want to know. What unchecked powers does a governor have? Commute all prison sentences?

===maybe when the media asks Rauner a question, the media will demand an answer===

How great would it be for a reporter to walk out on the governor for refusing to answer?! “If you are not going to answer my question, this interview is over!”

Comment by thechampaignlife Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 12:37 pm
===I have a question for all of you Democratic status quo types===

Another victim heard from.

===How are we ever going to turn the situation around unless we take on the public unions and the inability to obtain structural relief. Raising taxes alone gets us more of the same.===

Then…

You own the hostage taking, no schools starting, the dismantling of social services, no road construction, prisons lacking food, water, and electricity, and the State Police vehicles not having gasoline…

… because you, - Sue -, and Rauner want… what there isn’t 60 and 30 (or 71 and 36) to pass.

Capiche?

You - Sue -, and Rauner are holding hostage Illinois, and destroying Illinois purposely.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 12:39 pm
Perhaps not a surprise, but Crain’s board did not speak with one voice during the interview. One off-camera member seemed to be urging Rauner to double down with harsher more coercive tactics to get his TA passed. Good to see that there’s none of that in the editorial.

Comment by X-prof Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 12:39 pm
Sue @ 12:34p: We pay off our backlog, continue to make the required payments per the pension ramp, and actually provide social services that save us $$$ in the long run.

We did not get in this hole overnight so it will take time. I know 24 years seems like a long time but slowly and steadily we will right this ship.

Comment by thechampaignlife Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 12:41 pm
–Honeybear no one at Crains or Tribune editorial board or myself for that matter is advocating for the destruction of people’s lives. Other blue states like Massachusetts that have enacted some of these dreaded reforms like workers comp and reforming state employee health coverage are actually attracting business like GE.–

Workers comp was a big issue for GE corporate? Lot of paper cuts or something in that dangerous workplace?

You make things up. You aspire to sophistry, but chronically fall short.

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20160114/BLOGS02/160119905/who-lost-ge-becomes-latest-rauner-emanuel-flashpoint

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 12:50 pm
Actually OW the democrats would own the schools not opening as the Goveror has proposed full funding to the foundation level and the democrats are insisting on a CPS bailout or no money for any district

Comment by Lucky Pierre Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 12:50 pm
“For all who voted for Rauner because they wanted someone from the “outside” and for those who didnt vote at all because they didn’t like Quinn or Rauner…you got what you asked for.”

I didn’t vote for either of these guys. I voted for the other other guy, you know the forgotten guy because he was the 3rd party candidate.

I knew from long ago that government cannot be run like a business. They have mutually exclusive purposes. Our current office holder is state’s evidence #1.

Comment by Huh? Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 12:53 pm
Forgive me OW if this is not your intended meaning. Labor peace commonly refers to a contract between management and labor. With a contract there is no strike or lockout; hence labor peace.

“It’s not soup yet.” The manager of the restaurant will not talk to the cooks.

Comment by Steve Polite Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 12:57 pm
- Lucky Pierre -

I think Crain’s says it best…

===By nearly every measure, the state is worse off since Rauner took office.===

Governors own. Selling schools closed, while the Cullerton Mistake is there for the pivot, the rallies in Springfield seem to focus on the governor, like all rallies have since the third Tuesday of forever.

===“It’s not soup yet.” The manager of the restaurant will not talk to the cooks.===

Nothing, nothing would please Rauner more than a nasty strike, picketing, chanting, yelling…

… but governmentally… Rauner needs a deal, even if it’s against every fiber of his nature… because Rauner’s own negatives come November are heavy on Raunerites in College Towns and State Worker friendly competitive districts.

It’s not soup, but the prep work is there if all the chefs want it to BE soup

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 1:08 pm
Honeybear no one at Crains or Tribune editorial board or myself for that matter is advocating for the destruction of people’s lives.

Insisting on “reforms” before budget is doing exactly that, destroying lives. Come on Lucky. Get your inner Ayn Rand on and own your callousness.

Comment by Honeybear Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 1:10 pm
“By nearly every measure, the state is worse off since Rauner took office”

And this is, quite simply, an unassailable fact.

– MrJM

Comment by @MisterJayEm Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 1:37 pm
Yep, governors own. Yep, the state is worse off since Rauner took over. Yep, Rauner is going to wear the “worst governor ever in Illinois” moniker if he continues to destroy the state. I work at a public university–people have lost jobs, lost homes, moved away, our fall enrollment numbers look gloomy, businesses are suffering, social services have been cut. The rich are the only ones not suffering. Goodbye middle class in _____.

Comment by illinoised Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 1:55 pm
In light of this article I rest my case.

Comment by Rest my case Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 2:04 pm
== As long as Rauner believes he’s #Winning, nothing changes the downward spiral. He.Does.Not.Care. ==

As long as there is a downward spiral he is winning.

Comment by Dale Cooper Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 2:37 pm
Lucky Pierre - Nice t know that CPS is not in the education business. What happens when they don’t open and everyone else does?

Comment by PlayK8 Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 3:19 pm
=a bit of a compromise was rejected by Rauner many times=

This was avoidable with a bit of compromise. Remember the posts at the end of session last year?

May 23 2015, Rauner offered more than $3 Bill in tax increases. May 30, he =singled out= WC and a property tax freeze. May 31, it’s pretty much up to Madigan and Cullerton to tell Rauner now what they would be willing to do after Rauner pared his massive Turnaround Agenda down to just two items.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 4:09 pm
Then June 1 2015 =In my own mind, there’s little doubt that Speaker Madigan has wanted to push the session into overtime for quite a while. I’ll have a fuller explanation of why for subscribers tomorrow, but Madigan did nothing all spring except demand that Rauner take things off the table. And when the governor complied, Madigan didn’t negotiate on the remaining agenda. But, also, I’m not sure that Rauner did everything he could’ve to change Madigan’s mind. After back-tracking like crazy, he just couldn’t find a way to close a final deal. Make no mistake, Rauner went a whole lot further than Madigan did (which was pretty much nothing). But he’s the governor. It’s ultimately his responsibility to bring those massive Statehouse egos together. And he also seemed to relish this upcoming fight at times.=

Comment by Formerly Known As... Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 4:11 pm
Formerly Known As, you can say it as many times as you want, but you know that Rauner was asking for far more than “a bit” of a compromise. If you want to be disingenuous, apply for a job with the Rauner press office - if you’re not there already.

Comment by Norseman Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 4:33 pm
There appears to be a feeling of giddy glee in our governor when another victim is added to the list. That agencies are folding, vendors are not being paid and the state is in an uncontrolled downward spiral is horrendous. But the spirit of the people watching this is the worst part. How do things ever go back to normal? Assumed trust that our elected governor would want GOOD things for our state has been blown away as we realize he is not a representative with the well being of Illinois citizens at heart. Dysfunctional, sick, destructive governing. And proud to do so.

Comment by AnonymousOne Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 4:49 pm
I just want to thank Pawn for these words ” have to say, that this is one of things I am most bitter about. The Governor has taken the very best of our natures in social service — our compassion and commitment to improving the lives of others — and used that to manipulate us and destroy us. It is outrageous and difficult to even get our minds around, because it is so far from our instincts and cognitive framework.

I will remember that long after this stalemate has been resolved, and I don’t think i will ever forgive it.”

I could not have said it better.

Comment by Ann Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 6:35 pm
–Honeybear no one at Crains or Tribune editorial board or myself for that matter is advocating for the destruction of people’s lives.–

–”Danny, I’ve sentenced boys younger than you to the gas chamber. Didn’t want to do it. I felt I owed it to them.”–

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 7:13 pm
I too think it important to have compassion and commitment to improving the lives of others. The age old argument between liberals and conservatives is how this is accomplished.

Comment by blue dog dem Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 7:32 pm
–I too think it important to have compassion and commitment to improving the lives of others. The age old argument between liberals and conservatives is how this is accomplished.–

Is there an “ago-old argument” about honoring contracts that you’ve signed? Paying your bills?

When I was coming up, honoring contracts was the bedrock of GOP conservatism.

Not anymore.

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 7:41 pm
- Lucky Pierre - Monday, Jun 27, 16 @ 12:50 pm:

Actually OW the democrats would own the schools not opening as the Goveror has proposed full funding to the foundation level and the democrats are insisting on a CPS bailout or no money for any district

You speak as if CPS children and parents are not part of Illinois.

I say this you hate Chicago so much try running this State (or lack thereof) without the City of Chicago. As Chicago goes so does Dupage, Lake, Will, Lasalle, Mchenry and probably countless others. How many soybeans would it take to balance the budget?

This state will be known as Mississippi of the North.

Remember CPS was great when he( King Bruce) paid $250K for his kid to attend. His selfishness did not even consider that true kid that earned the right to attend that school instead of paying for it.

So if CPS was good enough for the Rauner’s kid it good enough for the real of the state.

Fancy that!

Comment by Shanb Tuesday, Jun 28, 16 @ 12:06 am
Now Rauner’s ego won’t let me resolve this mess.

I believe behind the scene, fellow Republicans have brought to the table how harmful his position is to their November bid to just hold the number of elected offices they have.

It may be too late to save Illinois from Raunerism.

Comment by tinsel town Tuesday, Jun 28, 16 @ 6:21 am