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“Optimistic” Cullerton: Time to set aside politics because our problems haven’t changed

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* Statement from Senate President John Cullerton on yesterday’s election…

Look, the numbers on each side of the aisle may change but our problems haven’t. The sooner everyone can set aside politics and focus on policy, the better.

Don’t forget, this summer, before the campaigns kicked in, we had begun working together and making progress. I’m optimistic that can resume.

That’s a more similar tone to the governor’s statement today than it is to Speaker Madigan’s last night.

Discuss.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Nov 9, 16 @ 2:55 pm

Comments

Good tone. Yes, it is just words, but we have to start somewhere.

Comment by Ron Burgundy Wednesday, Nov 9, 16 @ 2:57 pm
Don’t worry, we’ve seen Cullerton act independently for a bit … only to be reined in by his boss Mike Madigan.

Comment by Deft Wing Wednesday, Nov 9, 16 @ 3:05 pm
Cullerton isn’t the one I’m worried about…

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Nov 9, 16 @ 3:07 pm
Cullerton has always been willing, within limits, to make a deal IF he has a trustworthy partner to work with. The question is whether Rauner is that type of partner.

Comment by RNUG Wednesday, Nov 9, 16 @ 3:07 pm
Cullerton likes solutions, Madigan likes power.

Unfortunately only one of them gets what he wants nearly every time.

Comment by m Wednesday, Nov 9, 16 @ 3:08 pm
Yada, yada, yada. We’ve heard the words. They seldom lead to real action.

Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Nov 9, 16 @ 3:09 pm
- Deft Wing -

Note - this is the deep end of the pool and your credibility is drowning with every ridiculous comment.

How you want to be taken is up to you.

To the Post,

Also, it would benefit the Senate President if he could try to work with both Madigan and Rauner and not allow others to frame discussions as triangulations

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Nov 9, 16 @ 3:14 pm
Part of me admires Cullerton’s ability to focus on reaching a compromise. The bigger part of me want him to play hardball; nothing moves until Rauner submits a balanced budget.

Comment by Last Bull Moose Wednesday, Nov 9, 16 @ 3:19 pm
OW aka Chairman of Republicans for Madigan don’t kid yourself, Cullerton’s Senate is far more collegial than the House. Budget negotiations were far less contentious. Wonder why?

Comment by Lucky Pierre Wednesday, Nov 9, 16 @ 3:20 pm
Oh - Lucky Pierre -

Making it about me isn’t making a point.

Cullerton isn’t the problem… lol

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Nov 9, 16 @ 3:27 pm
Cullerton reminds my of Charlie Brown sometimes. Absolutely convinces himself that Lucy will somehow behave differently with the football this time.

there will be a budget when Rauner wants a budget, but if he wants to defrost things in Springfield, he oughta start by signing AFSCME contract.

Comment by Juvenal Wednesday, Nov 9, 16 @ 3:27 pm
Classic good cop, bad cop.

Comment by GA Watcher Wednesday, Nov 9, 16 @ 3:28 pm
Maybe I’ll join the optimism bandwagon tomorrow. Things don’t look bright and shiny today.

Comment by CCP Hostage Wednesday, Nov 9, 16 @ 3:29 pm
To -M-’s substantive point, over one year ago Rauner completely deferred to Cullerton on pension reform … Rauner literally said “we’ll use Cullerton’s bill as he writes it” and run that bill. But soon thereafter, Madigan didn’t like that bipartisan scenario, sans him, so rather than join in and participate, Madigan had Cullerton withdrew the bipartisan pension potential solution, because Boss Mike told Cullerton to stand down … and Cullerton did.

And to this day there is no pension bill attempting to address the monster unfunded liability issue (see the other post on that little item), all because Madigan did not want to give Rauner any kind of win.

Madigan likes power and wields it better than Cullerton likes solutions.

Comment by Deft Wing Wednesday, Nov 9, 16 @ 3:29 pm
- Deft Wing -

Explain Rauner already declaring the Pension deal done.

Thanks. lol

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Nov 9, 16 @ 3:34 pm
@RNUG 3:07 ===Cullerton has always been willing, within limits, to make a deal IF he has a trustworthy partner to work with. The question is whether Rauner is that type of partner.===

No question about it. Rauner has proven himself to be untrustworthy over and over again.

Comment by DuPage Wednesday, Nov 9, 16 @ 3:34 pm
What was that saying OW? Don’t confuse activity with progress?

Comment by Honeybear Wednesday, Nov 9, 16 @ 3:35 pm
- Honeybear -

It’s achievement… achievement… confusing activity and achievement.

lol

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Nov 9, 16 @ 3:39 pm
The logjam will only break when Rauner decides to begin Governin’ and provides the Senate and House membership the written details of his Revenue ‘ask.’ We know we need a Revenue ‘ask’, as Rauners’ appointee directors have all presented their Appropriation ’spending request’ and we are billions short…two years in a row. Do not get faked out or optimistic until the Revenue Ask is made.

Comment by yeah Wednesday, Nov 9, 16 @ 3:39 pm
Forget the TONE.

We need action by all the participants.
They are big boys and should be able to get over unkind words no matter who utters them.

Comment by MOON Wednesday, Nov 9, 16 @ 3:59 pm
Watch what they do, not what they say.

Two weeks ago, Gov. Rauner and his doggie said they were “doing their part” to fight breast cancer, but the guy has slashed screening programs as leverage to advance a political agenda.

There have been a number of instances the last two years where his actions do not match his words.

So what does “tone” matter, when your words do not?

https://capitolfax.com/2016/10/27/rauner-doesnt-escape-this-time/

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Nov 9, 16 @ 4:05 pm
- Deft Wing - Wednesday, Nov 9, 16 @ 3:29 pm:

The unfunded pension liability problem can’t be fixed by a new Bill (going forward, it was already fixed by the implementation of the Tier II class of employees). Going forward, making the current payments in as scheduled will avoid making the problem worse.

The expensive problem, though, is the hole dug by skipped or shorted payments into the system - i.e. what the state “borrowed” from the pensions to pay for other stuff (and now has the bill coming due). There isn’t a way to lower the past debt with a new Bill.

Comment by titan Wednesday, Nov 9, 16 @ 4:07 pm
I hope he’s right, but he hasn’t swayed my pessimism.

Comment by Earnest Wednesday, Nov 9, 16 @ 4:17 pm
Republican for Madigan here too!

Comment by cgo75 Wednesday, Nov 9, 16 @ 4:29 pm
The only grown-up is back in the room.

Comment by Archiesmom Wednesday, Nov 9, 16 @ 4:42 pm
Deft Wing ==so rather than join in and participate, Madigan had Cullerton withdrew the bipartisan pension potential solution, because Boss Mike told Cullerton to stand down … and Cullerton did.==

Which specific bill was that again?

Comment by Whatever Wednesday, Nov 9, 16 @ 5:07 pm