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* UPDATED x1 - Durkin responds * Back to the future: Madigan demands “memorandums of understanding”

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* Press release…

House Speaker Michael Madigan on Friday released the following statement regarding meetings with Gov. Bruce Rauner about the state budget and other state issues:

“I am available to meet with Governor Rauner this Saturday and Sunday, and I will work to get a budget completed. Representative Greg Harris, who will continue to join me in these meetings, has worked successfully with other legislators to negotiate the details of budgets we’ve passed previously. We believe this previously successful framework should be used to work on a budget that will ensure schools open on time, public safety is maintained and services for seniors and the most vulnerable continue.

“I am requesting from the governor’s office by Sunday a list of topics, so experts from our caucus can attend to facilitate a real conversation on these issues, unlike the superficial discussions held by the governor this week that did not help us get any closer to a full-year budget. Like I privately requested earlier this week, I request that we get into the details of these issues. I hope the governor and all legislative leaders bring with them any expert they deem necessary to have a real discussion on these topics, rather than a repeat of the same dialogue. I would also like to add for consideration the following topics:

· Memorandums of Understanding for future and past funding agreed to by the governor. House Democrats are concerned about the ability to ensure money appropriated from the Legislature will be spent as intended when an agreement is reached with Governor Rauner. For instance, the governor’s Good Friday cuts in April 2015 included severe and draconian cuts to many items previously agreed to by the governor with our caucus. These cuts betrayed the agreement our caucus made with the governor. This behavior has continued with the most recent stopgap budget, in which line items have not been spent per the agreement made by the governor to the leaders. House Democrats want to be assured the governor will spend appropriations based on his agreements when a full budget is passed.

· Governor Rauner’s veto of Senate Bill 2822. The governor’s veto of this bipartisan legislation will severely harm the education of nearly 400,000 school children in the Chicago Public Schools, all for the purpose of holding more meetings. In light of Senate President Cullerton’s presentation just the other day on pension reform, it seems that this was simply a punitive move meant to harm the schoolchildren of CPS.

· A full recounting of all taxpayer-funded corporate giveaways handed out to businesses since Governor Rauner took office, and how many new jobs have been created in Illinois by those corporations since Governor Rauner awarded them taxpayer dollars. Also, a list of all state tax incentives given to corporations in instances when those corporations had any interaction with the Public Private Partnership introduced by Governor Rauner.

· A status of contract negotiations with AFSCME state employees following the governor’s declared impasse with workers. As this matter concerns the wages and benefits of employees throughout the state, and the potential shutdown of critical state services, it is therefore a significant budget issue and important we know the facts of the present situation and the governor’s plan moving forward.”

Longtime readers will recall Madigan demanded multiple memorandums of understanding from Rod Blagojevich after Blagojevich broke his word several times.

In other words, the defcon level has been increased.

*** UPDATE *** House GOP Leader Jim Durkin has a measured response…

“I am pleased to see the Speaker engaged in the process and committed to attending meetings. Traditionally, we have been able to reach agreement on tough issues among the four leaders and the governor. That’s why I have asked the governor to limit these meetings to the actual decision makers–the leaders and their key staff.”

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Dec 2, 16 @ 3:53 pm

Comments

This was inevitable.

Rauner has a problem with the truth.

Madigan may be a power-monger, but he’s not a liar.

Comment by Handle Bar Mustache Friday, Dec 2, 16 @ 3:55 pm
Bruce Rauner financed the Blago dream of “Governor Caucuses” and made it a reality.

So, like Blago, Rauner gets MOUs.

Rod and Bruce…

Bruce is Rod with the money to be ignorant to the governing Rod never had

Now… Bruce gets the Blago treatment.

Finally. Thankfully. No games. MOUs.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Dec 2, 16 @ 3:56 pm
’bout time!

Comment by very old soil Friday, Dec 2, 16 @ 3:57 pm
This line is a real peach !…” experts from our caucus”

Comment by Lech W Friday, Dec 2, 16 @ 3:57 pm
Only surprise is it took this long to reach a demand for MoU’s.

Comment by RNUG Friday, Dec 2, 16 @ 3:59 pm
Blago treatment. Whack.

Comment by The_Equalizer Friday, Dec 2, 16 @ 4:00 pm
===Only surprise is it took this long to reach a demand for MoU’s.===

Agreed. About 7-8 months too long.

That “BossMadigan.Com” website will be interesting now, lol

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Dec 2, 16 @ 4:00 pm
It felt like we were at defcon 1 already.

Comment by Norseman Friday, Dec 2, 16 @ 4:02 pm
Clown Show. It appears that the House Dem braintrust thinks that these old plays will work, the problem is its a new game. OW can claim its on the Governor, but thats not what the voters believe. If MJM doesn’t get some new tactics, he is in severe jeopardy of finding himself in minority status.

Comment by Altgelds Ghost Friday, Dec 2, 16 @ 4:02 pm
Can we get a memorandum of understanding that the Speaker will call Senator Cullerton’s pension reform bill for a vote as part of the agreement to fund CPS pensions?

Comment by Lucky Pierre Friday, Dec 2, 16 @ 4:02 pm
Will we have a response from the governors office by the time Rich closes up shop this evening?

Comment by No Longer A Lurker Friday, Dec 2, 16 @ 4:02 pm
Not “Trust but verify “. Distrust and memorialize.

Comment by Last Bull Moose Friday, Dec 2, 16 @ 4:03 pm
“Look, what I’ve said all along is that we can have memorandums of understanding, but only if we also have needed structural reforms that will improve Illinois’ business climate……”

Bruce Rauner, December 12th, 2016

Comment by Lincoln Clay Friday, Dec 2, 16 @ 4:03 pm
Cue the tweet from Rauner that MoU’s are phoney baloney in 3…2…1…

Comment by Cubs in '16 Friday, Dec 2, 16 @ 4:08 pm
===“Look, what I’ve said all along is that we can have memorandums of understanding, but only if we also have needed structural reforms that will improve Illinois’ business climate……”

Bruce Rauner, December 12th, 2016===

Yeah. That’s not how it works, Governor.

You show ALL your cards, agree to pay out what is appropriated, cut what is cut… then you get to sign the MOUs, then you get to move to signing budgets, then you get to discuss other things.

===Can we get a memorandum of understanding that the Speaker will call Senator Cullerton’s pension reform bill for a vote as part of the agreement to fund CPS pensions?===

The Rauner Veto hurting Chicago Students was a Rauner choice, not a Cullerton choice.

If I were you, I’d ask the Governor. “Why now?”

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Dec 2, 16 @ 4:08 pm
Lucky Pierre is this one going to stand up to the state constitution? Or is going to end up costing the state more money (again) to have it shot down in court just like Cullerton’s last pension reform bill?

Comment by Fixer Friday, Dec 2, 16 @ 4:09 pm
DEFCON “War Games”: Literally, for *everyone’s* sake, I hope Governor Rauner gleans as much as Joshua.

Comment by GetTogetherSomehow Friday, Dec 2, 16 @ 4:11 pm
Dad to teenage son- Enough!. Done. Keys and cell phone -now! Go to your room Bruce.

Comment by Thoughts Matter Friday, Dec 2, 16 @ 4:11 pm
Rauner had to go a long way to get the Blago treatment. The first Republican Governor to achieve that status.

MOAs are a way to signify earned lack of trust. They are a clear message to insiders, but too clunky to be useful PR for either side.

Once in a while they are required to stop the evasive tactics of shifting positions and goalposts. They slow down progress in legitimate negotiations if any was to be had. No matter how you read this, it is bad.

Comment by walker Friday, Dec 2, 16 @ 4:11 pm
” . . . so experts from our caucus can attend to facilitate a real conversation on these issues, . . . ”

He is inviting others to these meetings?

S.S. Illinois meet gigantic Iceberg!

Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Friday, Dec 2, 16 @ 4:16 pm
Does this mean that Madigan will also chair Rauner’s reelection campaign?
Madigan trotting out these agreements again just reinforces how badly he messed up back then and is an old dog who refuses to learn any new tricks.

Comment by Don Draper Friday, Dec 2, 16 @ 4:19 pm
===OW can claim its on the Governor, but thats not what the voters believe.===

If Rauner wants anything now, it’s by MOU…

Rauner lost trust so badly that he IS Rod now, and Rauner needs things, like wins…

Wins now come with MOUs…

Not. Good.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Dec 2, 16 @ 4:22 pm
“successful budgets”. HA! If he truly believes we’ve had a SINGLE “successful” budget in the last decade, he’s been overwhelmed by his own Kool-Aid.

Comment by LessAnon? Friday, Dec 2, 16 @ 4:22 pm
@ Lucky Pierre: Why is pension reform even on the table given its constitutionally protected status, reaffirmed by the state supreme court? Isn’t it time to move on from this turnaround agenda item?

Comment by Scamp640 Friday, Dec 2, 16 @ 4:23 pm
Old playbook stuff. Chapter one.

It’s a bit transparent, desperate, creepy.

A memo is not even the most interesting part. “Meant to harm children?” !!!

Does he kick puppies too and push grandmas down the stairs?

Comment by Deplorable Friday, Dec 2, 16 @ 4:24 pm
- LessAnon? -,

… now Rauner needs MOUs for any budget. How’s that going to help Rauner?

===Madigan trotting out these agreements again just reinforces how badly he messed up back then and is an old dog who refuses to learn any new tricks.===

… and yet… Rauner now will need MOUs.

It’s like all the Rauner apologists don’t comprehend what this means, and why this escalation isn’t helping any governor, Rod or Rauner.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Dec 2, 16 @ 4:25 pm
Lech W: “”experts from our caucus”"

Yeah, I chuckled at that too. (Not because they don’t exist, they do.) Rather because some caucus members were likely pushing Madigan to make this demand. What outsiders often miss, is that power occasionally flows strongly upward in the Dem caucus. Especially around Speaker election time.

Comment by walker Friday, Dec 2, 16 @ 4:25 pm
==Lucky Pierre is this one going to stand up to the state constitution? Or is going to end up costing the state more money (again) to have it shot down in court just like Cullerton’s last pension reform bill?==

Exactly. This dart throwing exercise is akin to a guy with $25,000 in credit card debt buying a $20 scratch off ticket and thinking he has a legitimate chance to clean the slate. This pension reform plan is just a guise. It plays well with people who aren’t following the court decisions closely. Any chance at meaningful reforms is truly a Hail Mary but Rauner acts like it’s 2nd and inches with Walter Payton in the backfield.

Comment by CrazyHorse Friday, Dec 2, 16 @ 4:28 pm
What a nice early Christmas present for our “governor.”

Comment by Precinct Captain Friday, Dec 2, 16 @ 4:30 pm
Madigan has to go. He needs to lose the House. I may just go sit on Santa’s lap this year and next and ask for an HRO takeover in 2018.

ABM: Anyone But Madigan

And after his scorched earth tactics to win and retain seats I could not care less how Rauner and the ILGOP make it happen.

Comment by Team Sleep Friday, Dec 2, 16 @ 4:31 pm
===“I am pleased to see the Speaker engaged in the process and committed to attending meetings. Traditionally, we have been able to reach agreement on tough issues among the four leaders and the governor. That’s why I have asked the governor to limit these meetings to the actual decision makers–the leaders and their key staff.”===

Normally, I’d 1,000% agree with Leader Durkin.

The only way I’d agree with Leader Durkin now is if a stenographer is in that room and all 5 sign the stenographer’s work.

Other than that, pretty good try Leader Durkin, no snark.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Dec 2, 16 @ 4:32 pm
You tip your hand when you call me an apologist. I’m a taxpayer sick of a legislature - sometimes aided by a governor; sometimes not - passing unbalanced budgets year after year expecting the next governor to just write the check to cover the kid’s credit card bill. It’s insanity. I don’t particularly like how Rauner is fighting the fight, but I’m glad somebody is at least fighting it.

So Madigan doesn’t trust Rauner. That’s news? Really? After the last two years? To think that this will really matter assumes that Madigan would actually be willing to get a deal done. That’s naive at this point. He dug his heels in further immediately after the election, and he’s willing to let it go through a fight in 2018 - even at the expense of his own members’ constituencies that are most-deeply hurt.

Apologist. Nah. Just ready for actual change. If it doesn’t come soon, and Rauner loses or doesn’t run again after nothing happens in his four year term, there’s little reason for a lot of us to keep riding this train-wreck. No change in out-migration. No change in spending habits. No change in financial status to anyone looking to move or even stay here.

Comment by LessAnon? Friday, Dec 2, 16 @ 4:34 pm
MOU’s. So 2004.

Comment by Pontiac Friday, Dec 2, 16 @ 4:35 pm
Did Leader Durkin just say that the individual members of his caucus aren’t decision makers?

Comment by Hamlet's Ghost Friday, Dec 2, 16 @ 4:35 pm
Disagree w/Altgelds Ghost. This can end the Clown Show. If everyone believes that their proposals make sense, they shouldn’t be afraid to put them out in public where taxpayers can see them. As a taxpayer, I want to know why I’m going to have to pay all the higher interest rates on debt resulting from the lack of budget. If there’s some solution that really gets us out of the hole we’re drowning in making it worth this excruciating situation, let’s see the math from both sides. That shouldn’t be viewed as partisan or a game. It’s called transparency.

Voters need the facts. We are making decisions based on who has the better PR approach. Irresponsibly, childish nonsense.

Comment by Facts are fun Friday, Dec 2, 16 @ 4:39 pm
===Does he kick puppies too and push grandmas down the stairs?===

Not unless they give him ******* problems.

Comment by Cubs in '16 Friday, Dec 2, 16 @ 4:40 pm
===I don’t particularly like how Rauner is fighting the fight, but I’m glad somebody is at least fighting it.===

This is why you’re an apologist.

Read exactly what you wrote. It’s there.

===I’m a taxpayer===

We’re all taxpayers. Who’s not a taxpayer? Use your words on that one.

With respect, the idea that Rauner hurting so many in Illinois and you’re “I don’t like it, but I’m glad some is fighting”…and “I’m a taxpayer”…

… You’re enabling a man destroying Illinois so you feel “good” about “taxpayers” and glad “non-taxpayers” hurt?

That’s what you’re saying. Read.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Dec 2, 16 @ 4:41 pm
MOU willl make Rauner connect the dots and not erase them later or pretend they never existed.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Dec 2, 16 @ 4:46 pm
–· A full recounting of all taxpayer-funded corporate giveaways handed out to businesses since Governor Rauner took office, and how many new jobs have been created in Illinois by those corporations since Governor Rauner awarded them taxpayer dollars. Also, a list of all state tax incentives given to corporations in instances when those corporations had any interaction with the Public Private Partnership introduced by Governor Rauner.–

That’s a great idea.

–ABM: Anyone But Madigan

And after his scorched earth tactics to win and retain seats I could not care less how Rauner and the ILGOP make it happen.–

Good thing for you. Because the billions in new debt and the thousands of lost jobs from broken contracts sure are adding up.

So… what happens after that?

Comment by wordslinger Friday, Dec 2, 16 @ 4:46 pm
+++- Team Sleep - Friday, Dec 2, 16 @ 4:31 pm:
Madigan has to go. He needs to lose the House. I may just go sit on Santa’s lap this year and next and ask for an HRO takeover in 2018. +++

You have seen the district maps, haven’t you?

Comment by titan Friday, Dec 2, 16 @ 4:47 pm