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Rauner called out on Madigan tax hike comments

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Illinois

* For the umpteenth time, Gov. Rauner said this again today about Speaker Madigan…

A year ago he was clear that what he wanted to do was a tax hike without reforms starting back to 5 percent for the income tax and go up from there.

That’s not what Madigan said…

“A good place to begin, good place to begin would be the level we were at before the income tax expired,” Madigan said, referring to the 5 percent individual income tax rate and 7 percent corporate tax rate set in 2011 as part of a four-year temporary tax hike.

“And starting there, you can go in whatever direction you want to go,” Madigan said.

* The SJ-R’s Bernie Schoenburg called Rauner out on it today. Their exchange…

Bernie: He said up or down. He said a starting point and then you go up or down from there.

Rauner: OK.

Bernie: You keep saying he did it one way, but he said something different than what you say.

Rauner: Income tax hike without reforms.

Bernie: Is your administration OK with 4.75 percent because that’s been reported?

Rauner: A year ago he said he wanted to do an income tax hike without reforms, without reforms. And, now he’s not talking about that, in fact he’s trying to go like this on new revenue. And he’s just saying ‘Let’s just do a budget like we’ve done seven times… What were those seven? What were those seven? Do you know? Have you asked? What were those seven? Those seven were all stopgap, short-term, incomplete spending plans. That’s what they were. And they didn’t include any reforms. We can play word games if you want, it’s a waste of time.

Progress, I suppose, but notice how the governor avoided that last question?

* Raw audio…

Click to listen

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 2:24 pm

Comments

Bravo Bernie! Need more folks besides Rich pushing back on Rauner (and other pols) rhetoric.

Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 2:27 pm
===Progress, I suppose, but notice how the governor avoided that last question?===

Maybe Bernie shouldn’t have let him. Rauner has plenty of platforms from which to spew talking points. It might be time to push the issue.

Comment by Anon Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 2:27 pm
Way to go, Bernie!

Comment by GA Watcher Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 2:27 pm
Rauner doesn’t perform particularly well under pressure. Fortunately for him there’s been an absence of that from the press and he’s largely been able to control the narrative. If we had a lot more exchanges like this it might actually help in ending the campaign and shifting the focus to governing.

Comment by Pundent Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 2:31 pm
“More like this please!”

Bernie, kudos. Calling the Governor for his own words, that’s on the Press as much as the Dems, and Bernie, well done.

===…but notice how the governor avoided that last question?===

Rauner will avoid that “Rauner Tax” premise as long as he can.

Right about … “Now”…

… “BossMadigan.Com” is spinning this exchange as another example of #TaxHikeMike tryin’ to hurt Illinois with them taxin’ eye-dee-ers.

Ugh.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 2:31 pm
Where is your #@%*&! balanced budget governor?

I asked your guy daft wing and all I got were crickets.

Where is yours! You are not talking this process seriously.

We see your 24/7 work, basically name calling and nonsense words.

“massively indirectly impacts the budget”, show me. Make me a believer. I want something different, better.

Pants on fire.

Comment by JS Mill Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 2:32 pm
===We can play word games if you want, it’s a waste of time.===

Indeed Governor. It’s time for you to act.

Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 2:33 pm
Beenie will be the next one added to bossmadigan.com

Comment by Rogue Roni Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 2:33 pm
Touchy… touchy!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9fUwr1FiPs

Comment by Anon221 Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 2:33 pm
You know Bernie used to work for Madigan I hear…

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 2:37 pm
Great job, Bernie!

I noticed the Governor got agitated when a couple of the reporters corrected his false statements. You can almost hear the “Don’t you know who I am?” creep up in his voice. Journalism as it should be, questioning, challenging, probing….. More of this, please!

Comment by Ole' Nelson Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 2:38 pm
This is what a guy with no fallback plan stammers like

Comment by Madness Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 2:39 pm
ILGOP hooked their wagon to this?

Comment by Madness Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 2:40 pm
FEEL THE BERN! Rauner sounded quite agitated.

Comment by anon Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 2:42 pm
Words do matter. Should we take him seriously and not literally or literally and not seriously?

Comment by justagma Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 2:44 pm
Expect this behavior for the next 2 years. It worked for Trump.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 2:44 pm
Looks like Bernie will soon find himself on bossmadigan.com

Comment by dominionhinny Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 2:45 pm
At one point in the audio the governor says the stopgaps aren’t a budget because “a budget needs to be balanced and constitutional.” On that point, then he should propose one!

Later on (starting at 6:20) Rauner admits that a property tax freeze and term limits won’t solve our problems, presumably fiscal.

Comment by Precinct Captain Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 2:45 pm
I assume Rauner is talking about HB6630 which imposes PTELL across the state (local units only) and sets the limiting rate at 0%.

So, if I understand this correctly Rauner thinks (not really) costs never rise for local government (independently elected bodies of government) and that we operate in a world exclusive of inflation (which can be higher or lower locally than CPI)? Is that correct?

Going to referendum every time you need an increase is asinine.

People elect local governments to represent them and run local governmental bodies’ day to day operations just like state offices. He is an complete @## for even pushing that.

Comment by JS Mill Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 2:47 pm
Just a tip to the superstars when it comes to Bernie. He is an old school reporter who can, and will dig and dig deeply and despite what you make think, you are not going scare him.

There are two guys you don’t tick off left in Springfield, our leader here Mr. Miller and Bernie.

Comment by Give Me A Break Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 2:48 pm
I can’t say anything nice. . .

Comment by Lt Guv Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 2:51 pm
—
….. More of this, please!
—

Agreed 100%. Rauner has — without a doubt — gotten a near 100% pass with the Illinois media.

No one presses him. No one follows up.

Yeah, dude can stay on message — but the reporting — by and large — is remarkably non-aggressive. In fact, I’d call most reporting on Rauner (as opposed to Madigan) *infantile* — both in its content and in its overall aggressive factor.

Most media folks seem to fawn over Rauner and simply take him at his word. “What, me to blame? Blame Madigan!”

Duh, ok.

Comment by Bobby Catalpa Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 2:55 pm
==- JS Mill - Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 2:47 pm:==

Rauner says he has a bill that will make all increases subject to referendum.

Comment by Precinct Captain Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 2:56 pm
Maybe ck can supply us with the two bill numbers Rauner referred to??? He should have been able to roll them right off as he walked away after, “LAST QUESTION!”. He said he wanted us to look them up, after all.

Comment by Anon221 Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 3:02 pm
Bernie is not going to ask MJM a tough question

Comment by Piece of Work Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 3:04 pm
Based on his rambling response, I don’t think the governor wants to play “word games” with anyone. Not so good off-script, thinking on his feet.

Who’s the Superstar who put the governor in a position where Bernie could ask a follow-up? That’s not in the regular game plan.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 3:05 pm
It’s about time! Thank you Bernie for pressing Governor Rauner on the issue

Comment by ILGOV2018 Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 3:05 pm
News Flash - he wasn’t interviewing MJM

Comment by Madness Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 3:06 pm
Nice to see a reporter that did his homework. Kudos to you Bernie.

Comment by Fixer Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 3:07 pm
===We can play word games if you want, it’s a waste of time.===

That’s a pretty good synopsis of your term thus far, gov.

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 3:09 pm
Re the barked “happy holidays” as he fled - does this mean he won’t be seen or heard by the press corps for the rest of the month?

Comment by Reality Check Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 3:14 pm
I went back and looked at the video. At 35:30 he is asked “How high do you think taxes need to go?” His response is that often repeated quote.

Comment by Not ItRich Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 3:19 pm
Listen to this guy.
He hasn’t a clue how to bring people together. If Rauner had to choose between two evils, he’d take both and then blame Madigan. There is nothing in the tone of his voice suggesting he’s interested in considering other points of view.

Rauner isn’t authentic, he just sounds that way to folks unfamiliar with sincerity.

Keep talking Bruce. You’re exposing your complete embrace of pessimism.

Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 3:19 pm
same old same old

Comment by JDuc Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 3:21 pm
Well it took two years. I guess Rauner is going to have to buy the SJ-R now.

Comment by magic carpet ride Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 3:29 pm
Thank you Bernie!

Comment by doofusguy Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 3:31 pm
The problem is there aren’t enough Bernies. Six statehouse reporters have left in last several weeks. The ones who challenge get McKinneyed. The Dems refuse to put out an effective media response so the only thing public hears is from Rauner. Sad.

Comment by Thinking Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 3:40 pm
Wow. What’s sad is that commenters are going ape—- over a reporter pressing a Governor to own up to his words. That used to be no big deal.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 3:40 pm
No. The SJR is now on the enemies list. Some flunky will scan it online.

Comment by Lt Guv Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 3:41 pm
Yeah, that was quite the takedown by Bernie because everyone knows Madigan really wants to LOWER taxes after merely starting a conversation at 5%.

Sheesh.

And in other obvious news, Gov Rauner goes not have the famous Irish gift of gab.

Comment by Deft Wing Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 3:51 pm
Kudos to Bernie of course, but media take what you give them.

So don’t blame the media for the Democratic failure to craft a counter-narrative and to pursue their own economic message. Rauner has been talking turnaround agenda for almost two years without Dems challenging his fundamental premise that he meant “economic turnaround agenda” which he doesn’t. Dems haven’t come out with their own economic agenda.

As yourself this question - when’s the last time we saw a unified response like, “how many jobs will redistricting reform or term limits create? Instead what we need is an economic turnaround agenda that puts working people first and that includes X, Y and Z.”

Don’t get me wrong, the gov has gotten away with murder. But other than some of the videos put forward by Biss, the D’s have essentially let him ride roughshod on messaging. Media is driven by that.

Comment by Chicago Cynic Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 3:55 pm
===Wow. What’s sad is that commenters are going ape—- over a reporter pressing a Governor to own up to his words. That used to be no big deal.===

You’re telling me. But now there are barely any reporters.

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 3:56 pm
=Rauner says he has a bill that will make all increases subject to referendum.=

Right. So, now the bills can start to pile up if the “citizens” say no. Good idea.

=And in other obvious news, Gov Rauner goes not have the famous Irish gift of gab. =

He ought to, seems to like to talk when nobody challenges him or he gets to cherry pick the questions like his Facebook thingy.

Clip your string chatty Cathy, we are all still waitin’ for a balanced budget from the Guv.

Comment by JS Mill Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 4:00 pm
The seven times BigBrain seems fixed on include:
1.correctin’the FY15 gap caused by BigBrain’s decision to let the tax hike lapse
2. Fed funds
3. Other state funds
4. local govt + lottery + video poker
5. higher ed
6.
7. June stopgap

Comment by Annonin' Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 4:06 pm
This is fun there must be some quote or video saying let the tax expire, explain that one?

Comment by Rabid Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 4:10 pm
Classic negotiation skills put words in your opponents mouth

Comment by Rabid Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 4:12 pm
Did he get this plan from Linda McMahon? Make mike the heavy, and you come to the rescue?

Comment by Rabid Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 4:17 pm
–Don’t get me wrong, the gov has gotten away with murder. But other than some of the videos put forward by Biss, the D’s have essentially let him ride roughshod on messaging. Media is driven by that.–

CC, the Dems aren’t even in the ballgame on messaging. It’s not like the Superstars are any good. The other guys don’t even try.

How hard would it be to create and maintain a simple website that tracked deficit, backlog of bills, jobs lost and vendors shut down due to squeeze the beast? That’s just for starters. There are all kind of wacky delivery platforms — just provide the content.

But the media doesn’t get a pass. They’re supposed to do more than work as the steno pool. Some try, but not many.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 4:20 pm
“A defining trait of post-truth politics is that campaigners continue to repeat their talking points, even if these are found to be untrue by the media or independent experts.” — wikipedia entry for Post-truth Politics.

Comment by Homer J. Quinn Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 4:26 pm
Even if an agreement was reached tomorrow, Governor Edgar stated yesterday that it will take a decade to dig out of the hole Illinois has dug. Rauner will still be shoveling during his reelection campaign in 2 years. Obviously he could care less. His belly is full every night, no worries.

Comment by JLR Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 4:32 pm
Rauner wanted to meet with Madigan, and has wanted to negotiate with him, but Madigan doesn’t take it seriously…..isn’t that what AFSCME’s been saying about Rauner? Sounds like Rauner is getting a dose of his own medicine. And how can they develop a budget until the contract negotiations with AFSCME, the INA, SEIU, and the other unions still wanting to bargain, aren’t resolved?

Comment by Hottot Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 4:55 pm
And when Madigan retires, will they say the same thing about Lou Lang?

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 5:07 pm
Agreed 100% Word. It’s mind-numbingly frustrating! And it doesn’t need to be this way.

Comment by Chicago Cynic Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 6:13 pm
Somebody posted on another topic, that Edgar was a moderate Republican. I would contend that Rauner is a fiscal Liberal.

Comment by Blue dog dem Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 6:21 pm
Rauner is a Raunerite.

Ask Diana Rauner, Uihlein, and Griffin.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 6:22 pm
OW
I do agree. This guy is a new found species.

Comment by Blue dog dem Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 6:26 pm
In my dream world a Budget Forum would be held with governor and four tops having to answer to the press and audience members as to why no budget agreement can be reached.

Comment by Illinoised Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 6:38 pm