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* UPDATED x1 * Rep. Welch claims Rauner has canceled further negotiations

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* Earlier today, GOP Rep. Mark Batinick gave his side of the story about Tuesday’s often tense working group meeting to discuss local government mandates and consolidations. A few minutes ago, Rep. Chris Welch (D-Hillside) sent me this…

Hi Rich,

I attended Tuesday’s meeting at the request of Speaker Madigan and I’m happy to share my perspective. Unlike my colleagues on the other side of the aisle, I think it’s incumbent on any legislator to gather the proper information and data prior to passing important legislation. I and my other Democratic colleagues refuse to be a rubber stamp for the Executive Branch while important questions remain unanswered. The message I heard loud and clear was that in order for the State to get a budget, the General Assembly better cave to the Governor’s demands.

Prior to the meeting, I was told the group would discuss mandates, but the actual topic was destruction of collective bargaining rights. The Governor’s office did not provide us with legislative language prior to or during the meeting. Democratic members and staff asked many questions in an attempt to nail down specifics on each proposal discussed. There were some tense moments, usually when a Democratic legislator or staff had the audacity to ask for specific information, or an explanation about the negative impacts of the Governor’s proposals on middle-class families.

When the meeting ended, there was a willingness to continue discussions, despite the fact that the Governor’s Office was leaking blatantly false information about Democrats’ position to the media during what we thought were private discussions. We asked the Governor’s Office to provide language and additional information, and indicated we were ready to meet again. However, I was informed a few minutes ago that the Governor’s Office refuses to engage in further negotiations at this time.

Chris Welch

Man, if they’re still trying to push through significant collective bargaining limits at this stage of the game, we can probably forget about a deal.

*** UPDATE *** I’m told by the Rauner folks that they disagree with everything in Welch’s e-mail.

Democrats, they say, have been asked to provide some counter-offers, which they say the Democrats have refused to provide. So, until the Dems do provide those counter-offers, there’s apparently no sense in having further meetings.

However, Sen. Andy Manar told me that he agrees with everything Rep. Welch wrote. “I was fully expecting to have another meeting to continue where we left off,” he continued. “To prepare, I asked our staff to put together information to be ready for the next time we met.”

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 2:25 pm

Comments

== the Governor’s Office refuses to engage in further negotiations at this time.==

I think I’m starting to see a pattern here.

Comment by Gruntled University Employee Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 2:29 pm
There’s your response Deft Wing.

Comment by Ratso Rizzo Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 2:31 pm
“Barclay, call the Labor Board and tell them I want them to declare an impasse with the Democrats! What do you mean, it doesn’t work that way? Figure it out or you’re fired!”

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 2:34 pm
The heart of the matter:

== I was told the group would discuss mandates, but the actual topic was destruction of collective bargaining rights. ==

Comment by Hamlet's Ghost Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 2:39 pm
This reminds me of that time Rich worked as an aide to Mike Madigan.

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 2:39 pm
Was that so hard Dems?

Barclay bailed for the private sector a couple months ago.

Comment by Henry Francis Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 2:40 pm
–“Barclay, call the Labor Board and tell them I want them to declare an impasse with the Democrats! What do you mean, it doesn’t work that way? Figure it out or you’re fired!”–

I hope he’s not yelling that. Barclay isn’t there anymore.

Comment by Ron Burgundy Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 2:40 pm
Imagine that…….the Governor has declared an impasse!

Comment by MAD MAX Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 2:44 pm
He said, she said. Or in this case, he said, he said.

Comment by allknowingmasterofracoondom Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 2:44 pm
Man this sounds so so familiar…….can’t quite put my finger…. Oh right! Afscme contract negotiations.

Smell the alluring aroma of freshly baked perfidy

Comment by Honeybear Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 2:46 pm
I love the way the Dem’s couch their response…”negative impacts of the Governor’s proposals on middle-class families.” One could just as easily say that the Governors proposals would increase opportunities for the middle class. Nothing new here!

Comment by Texas Red Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 2:46 pm
Man, I would like to see that whole response in the Tribune, Sun-Times, and Herald. But that probably will never happen. So the citizens that read those rags will still just get the shill comments from the GOPies. Pitiful.

Comment by Big Joe Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 2:48 pm
What? Someone involved with commercial real estate deals lying?

Why, I never!

Comment by Anon Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 2:48 pm
It’s all about Labor.

Labor yields, or the state gets it.

That’s the Rauner ball game.

No deal in sight.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 2:49 pm
Now go back and read the earlier account of the meeting by the Republican real estate developer (now state rep). He can tell the Dems aren’t really negotiating, and his assumption is that they aren’t doing their jobs.

But they are PRECISELY doing their jobs in this context: the demands for negotiating (not getting something, but actually starting a negotiation) are a poison pill. No one in their right minds would swallow that in order to move forward, since it would be moving backwards.

Comment by Blue Bayou Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 2:49 pm
There was never going to be a deal unless it was 100% on Rauner’s terms. He still doesn’t understand he was elected Governor and co-equal to the Legislature and Courts, who both get a say in running the state. He still thinks he bought the State and is its CEO.

Comment by RNUG Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 2:50 pm
–”Unlike my colleagues on the other side of the aisle, I think it’s incumbent on any legislator to gather the proper information and data prior to passing important legislation.” —

vs.

–”I saw all the telltale signs of a party not wanting get a deal completed. Frankly, I wish the meeting was in public and video recorded. Some of the pettiness displayed was breathtaking.”

Maybe there is agreement after all.

Comment by Deft Wing Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 2:50 pm
Trust and belief is built on precedent. The last two years have destroyed any chance of me believing Rauner and his Merry Band of Followers.

We will have a budget when Rauner stops his T/A, asks for a tax increase or - when his children are somehow hurt by the lack of a budget- or when he gets annoyed and resigns.

Comment by Thoughts Matter Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 2:50 pm
The bulk of the meeting was spent on unfunded mandates and consolidation. Representative Welch was not in attendance at that time. Maybe we can just discuss those issues publicly so the truth can be laid out to bare.

Comment by Batinick Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 2:51 pm
===The bulk of the meeting was spent on unfunded mandates and consolidation. Representative Welch was not in attendance at that time. Maybe we can just discuss those issues publicly so the truth can be laid out to bare.===

Mr. Batinick,

So you don’t deny… the “destruction of collective bargaining rights.”

Was NOT discussed?

It’s a yes or no answer, Mr. Batinick.

Collective Bargining, was it discussed?

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 2:55 pm
===The bulk of the meeting was spent on unfunded mandates ===

OK, but do you consider collective bargaining rules to be unfunded mandates?

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 2:56 pm
Kudos to a Democrat for getting a response out there.

>There were some tense moments, usually when a Democratic legislator or staff had the audacity to ask for specific information

>Governor’s Office was leaking blatantly false information

If the Democratic Party was to put out messaging on consistent themes, these both seem to be issues they frequently associate with the Governor–not providing specifics and falsehoods. These statements would have a lot more resonance if that background had been built, or was going to be built.

Comment by Earnest Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 2:56 pm
I see Batnick is not denying that they talked about taking collective bargaining rights away from teachers. Mr billionaire doesn’t think teachers making $50k have a right to negotiate work rules and benefits.

Comment by Wow Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 2:56 pm
Even Rauner’s claim that he is now only holding the budget hostage to two of his demands is phony. One of his two “remaining demands” is a property tax freeze. But part of his property tax freeze proposal is to end collective bargaining in local government and school districts. As evidenced by the meeting described above, Rauner is still looking to do away with collective bargaining of public employees. Even if he were to get any of his hostage demands, as soon as he would get those more demands of his would sprout up for any future budget talks. That is how a hostage taker works.

Comment by Joe M Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 2:57 pm
Mr. Batinick,

Your response will be very telling to an Oswego resident.

Collective Bargining, was it discussed?

Yes or No.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 2:58 pm
I would recommend all of these leaders and workgroup members be assigned to my four year old’s Orange Room class at his daycare, but they aren’t accepting new enrollees, and the state can’t pay the bill anyway.

Darn it. They are doing great things in maturing my four year old child.

Comment by Love it all Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 3:01 pm
===The bulk of the meeting was spent on unfunded mandates and consolidation. Representative Welch was not in attendance at that time.===

Actually, from what I’m told Welch was there for the first two hours, which was all about unfunded mandates (including and especially collective bargaining). The last hour was about consolidation, and Welch had to leave at 5:04 to go do Chicago Tonight.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 3:01 pm
===The bulk of the meeting was spent on unfunded mandates and consolidation. Representative Welch was not in attendance at that time. (Batinick’s post)===
If true, Rep. Welch missed the majority of the meeting and summarized it anyway. But I have a feeling Welch would deny missing more than half the meeting, so the parties probably can’t even agree on who was there.

Comment by Robert the Bruce Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 3:03 pm
==Representative Welch was not in attendance at that time==

==Actually, from what I’m told Welch was there for the first two hours==

Oh for pete’s sake. They can’t even agree on who was at the meeting.

This would be funny if it weren’t so pathetic.

Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 3:03 pm
Sorry, was typing while Rich was posting. Seems like Welch was there (Batinick is wrong), though I imagine Batinick won’t agree.

Comment by Robert the Bruce Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 3:04 pm
Other than collective bargaining issues, are there any unfunded mandates that have s meaningful price tag attached to them?

If yes, can someone share specific examples?

If the local government property tax freeze is to be offset by relief from unfunded mandates, it would be helpful to hear specific examples.

Comment by Hamlet's Ghost Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 3:05 pm
Was there language presented by the Governor?
Rep Welch said there wasn’t. The Governor’s folks disagree so there must be language the Governor and his people have about Collective bargaining rights. Correct?

Comment by DuPage Bard Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 3:05 pm
Mr. Batinick,

You wanted to respond.

I’d hope you answer the question.

Collective Bargaining, was it discussed?

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 3:05 pm
Nice OW. It’s at this point that my teens would erupt in a bellowing chorus of SHADE and BOOmmmmm roasted! Yeah I’m not sure either but I think it is the equivalent of my generations’ (Gen X) “burned”!

Comment by Honeybear Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 3:06 pm
===Was there language presented by the Governor?===

That gets way into the weeds. I’m told by the Dems that the governor’s people referred back to language they had provided earlier this year. But the Dems claim that the Rauner folks promised them an update in June (or July, can’t remember now) and never did.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 3:08 pm
Batnick — was collective bargaining discussed?

Comment by Macbeth Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 3:09 pm
RUG @ 2:50 === He still doesn’t understand he was elected Governor and co-equal to the Legislature and Courts, who both get a say in running the state. ===

Want to make some progress? Forget the Speaker and the legislators. Meet with the fifty or so leading lobbyists who fund the Speaker, and the lobbyists for the social services and charitable organizations who are taking it in the neck.

Comment by Anon III Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 3:11 pm
OW…..perhaps the gentleman is now covering his eyes so that he might be able to say “”I did NOT see that question from that commenter…”

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 3:11 pm
Batinck — did you guys discuss collective bargaining?

Gov people — did you guys discuss collective bargaining?

Anyone in the room other than Batinck and Welch — did you guys discuss collective bargaining?

If the Gov disagrees with everything Welch says, they are saying collective bargaining wasn’t discussed. Someone is lying and they should be called out.

Comment by interesting Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 3:12 pm
=== Meet with the fifty or so leading lobbyists who fund the Speaker===

So, you want the trade unions, AFSCME, the teachers, the trial lawyers, Personal PAC, etc. all sitting down with the governor?

Highly productive, I’m sure.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 3:14 pm
Welch has the benefit of responding, but I note that his explanation of the meeting includes specific areas of discussion and disagreements, while Batnick’s was basically just, “Trust me, the Democrats are bad.”

Comment by Arsenal Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 3:14 pm
==Oh for pete’s sake. They can’t even agree on who was at the meeting.==

Actually, it appears to be Batnick and Rich who disagree on that score.

Comment by Arsenal Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 3:16 pm
Continuing the Ace Rothstein line of inquiry,

===The last hour was about consolidation, and Welch had to leave at 5:04 to go do Chicago Tonight.==

==When the meeting ended, there was a willingness to continue discussions=== (Rep Welch’s statement)

Comment by Robert the Bruce Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 3:18 pm
==Democrats, they say, have been asked to provide some counter-offers==

Wait, I’m confused- hasn’t Rauner made term limits and a property tax freeze the sin qua non of any budget? What counter-offer could Democrats possibly offer?

Comment by Arsenal Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 3:18 pm
===the sin qua non of any budget?===

No. That’s for a stopgap.

Try to keep up.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 3:18 pm
In Response to Rep. Batanik,it is important to put out correct facts. Facts matter. The meeting on mandates started at 3:03pm. However, for most of the time I was there, we talked about collective bargaining. I left the meeting at 5:05pm when we had agreed as a group to come back at another date and time after additional information was provided by the Governor’s office. At that time, Rep. Hoffman left the meeting which he was attending via telephone, and I left the meeting which I was attending in person at the Thompson Center. It is my understanding, the meeting went on for another hour regarding government consolidation. Other Democratic colleagues with expertise in local government arrived at that time for that portion of the meeting. Facts matter.

Comment by Rep. Welch Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 3:20 pm
The outstanding bill log is approaching $11 billion. Does the Governor have the Treasurer and AG on board for his Bond issuance ask?

Comment by yeah Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 3:20 pm
==No. That’s for a stopgap.==

So what’s the current demand for a “full” budget? And if a “full” budget can get done, can they side-step the need for a stop gap? Which one, exactly, was the subject of this meeting?

Comment by Arsenal Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 3:22 pm
== Robert the Bruce - Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 3:18 pm:

Continuing the Ace Rothstein line of inquiry,

===The last hour was about consolidation, and Welch had to leave at 5:04 to go do Chicago Tonight.==

==When the meeting ended, there was a willingness to continue discussions=== (Rep Welch’s statement)
==

Two meetings. They happen to be back to back.

Comment by interesting Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 3:23 pm
===Which one, exactly, was the subject of this meeting? ===

Full budget. Again, keep up.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 3:23 pm
In this OW series of a strait up question to the gent re: collective bargaining reminds me of a story Wm F Buckley told about when his show “Firing Line” began he was doing very well demolishing the arguements of many liberals, so much so, they had trouble gettting them to come on the show. Someone asked him why one particular, high profile liberal stalwart refused to come on……Buckley responded, “Why does balony reject the grinder?” Keep it up, Willy.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 3:24 pm
I’m about to start using the ‘R’ word.

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 3:24 pm
==Again, keep up.==

That’s the point of asking questions!

So, does Rauner have any pre-conditions for a Full budget? If so, what are they?

(I am side-stepping the sometimes-used canard about revenue.)

Comment by Arsenal Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 3:27 pm
Theatre. There will be no deal for at least two more years.

Comment by JDuc Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 3:28 pm
===So, does Rauner have any pre-conditions for a Full budget?===

Oh, for crying out loud. Seriously?

Go use the Google.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 3:29 pm
As nutty as the goo-goo idea was, I’m beginning to think the only way to get out of this is to hold budget negotiations on Facebook Live.

Comment by vibes Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 3:31 pm
Did anybody really expect a different response from 1.4%’s mouthpieceso?

Democrats will say it is a nice sunny day.
1.4%’s hit squad will demand that they have to open a window, check the radar and read the tea leaves before giving a response that it is a dreary day that is too cold to play and it’s all Madigan’s fault.

Comment by Huh? Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 3:36 pm
==Oh, for crying out loud. Seriously?==

Yes. Rauner has shifted his position on the budget over time, and his public utterances have not always reflected his under-the-dome bottom lines. “The Turnaround Agenda” has meant different things at different points in time. Moreover, with both a “stopgap” and “Full” budget being discussed in public at the same time, it’s difficult (perhaps only for me) to keep track of which statements are connected to which discussion.

That being said, I’ll gladly take my questions to a different outlet, and had I known that you’d find them annoying, I wouldn’t have asked in the first place.

Comment by Arsenal Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 3:36 pm
(Hat tip to - Honeybear and - Anonymous -)

If the governor’s office says the totally disagree with Rep. Welch’s account, and Mr. Batinick felt the need to “clarify”…

Rep. Batinick, your clarification and the governor’s office response makes it cloudy.

Collective Bargaining… was it discussed?

I just each to understand what “disagree with everything” actually … means

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 3:36 pm
===I’ll gladly take my questions to a different outlet===

Google.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 3:37 pm
I mean , how old is this argument? Can’t the governor talk about his agenda after a budget that actually does something for all of Illinois?

Comment by Flyer Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 3:37 pm
I’m starting to think Rauner is not a people person.

Comment by Blue Bayou Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 3:40 pm
“We have seen with previous successful budget efforts that we can come together, achieve compromise and pass a budget when the governor’s demands relative to his personal agenda that hurts families are dropped,” Madigan said. “That happened again today.”

Mike Madigan after the last stopgap was signed by the Governor. Now, can anyone tell me why anyone would give in to a hostage taker that has already signed a stopgap? And, is there anyone out there who can ask the Governor, “You signed a stopgap without preconditions six months ago, what has changed since then?”

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 3:44 pm
Honestly, the more I read about these negotiations, the more confused I am. Are we any closer to an agreement than we were when veto session ended two weeks ago? Has anything actually materialized from these meetings?

It sure sounds like a giant waste of time to me.

Comment by Speculator Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 3:45 pm
@ blue bayou

Sure he is. It just depends on who the “peoples’” are.

Comment by Former hillrod Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 3:48 pm
Honeybear, for the sake of this state, I hope you don’t go. But, should you change professions, consider manufacturing a new - very select - cologne….’Perfidy’ - ‘For the man who has …….”

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 3:48 pm
Wow, this is just like “Rashomon” — except tedious and stupid.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 3:53 pm
If meetings are not confidential then how can either side candidly discuss potential compromises or hypothetical trade-offs?

Comment by Northside Dude Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 3:57 pm
“I’m starting to think Rauner is not a people person.”

People who are insulated from society be virtue of their wealth and position tend to lose the ability to empathize with the less fortunate. They also have a sense of entitlement because of their wealth, social status and power, expecting others to subjugate themselves to their will.

It has been said many times that 1.4% doesn’t care about the harm he is causing. Why should he? He is insulated behind his walled house in a gated subdivision, with enough money to buy just about any thing he wants.

1.4% doesn’t understand what it is like to have to choose between paying the rent or buying food for the children. He doesn’t know what it is like to choose between paying the utility bill or insurance premium.

1.4% wants his way because he thinks he is entitled to it, doesn’t care about anyone or the harm he causes.

Comment by Huh? Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 3:59 pm
OMG I totally guffawed. I’m not very creative in that way. OW maybe Dads Home State could run the commercial for Perfidy.

Okay okay let me try one.

“When I have no social agenda I wear ……Perfidy”

Comment by Honeybear Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 4:02 pm
Nothing will get settled unless both side agree to — and follow — a gag order while talks are taking place.

Comment by Roman Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 4:04 pm
I’m beginning to come to the conclusion that when the governor refers to “taxpayers” he is really referring to himself.

Comment by Former hillrod Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 4:04 pm
It’s time to start conducting negotiations in The Thunderdome.

Comment by Team Sleep Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 4:07 pm
@Honeybear–

You could hire the old Dos Equis guy…

“I don’t always state my intentions. But when I do, I prefer Perfidy.”

Comment by Cubs in '16 Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 4:08 pm
The “people person” query re: Rauner was, obviously, snark.

Check the batteries in your detectors.

But “Huh?” is right: some people get to be people while others don’t.

Comment by Blue Bayou Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 4:08 pm
When I don my carharts or biker vest only one scent will do…Perfidy.

Comment by Former hillrod Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 4:11 pm
You and me up first Team Sleep! I’m springing for that chainsaw! Love that movie! Didn’t we have a whole three days discussing master blaster etc? Ah the good old days.

Comment by Honeybear Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 4:12 pm
@ blue

I responded to your snarkiness with more snarkiness.

Comment by Former hillrod Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 4:15 pm
Willy, I wouldn’t hold my breath waiting on a response from “Batnick”. He probably was told to dummy up, or be the latest addition to the BossMadigan website.

Comment by PublicServant Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 4:15 pm
Is Rep. Welch on the BossMadigan site yet? If not, can I guess the next addition?

Comment by Dee Lay Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 4:17 pm
@hillrod, noted and appreciated.

Comment by Blue Bayou Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 4:20 pm
It has turned in into a battle of making the other side look worse. Getting a deal done is insignificant. I’m embarrassed to be from Illinois.

Comment by Not It Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 4:23 pm
“Perfidy…when you don’t care enough to send your very best.”

Comment by Skeptic Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 4:26 pm
Perfidy….the sweet smell of union bustin’ and term limitin’.

Comment by Blue Bayou Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 4:30 pm
Ugh…enough of the “Team Illinois” survey reminder emails. Don’t we have bigger problems???

Comment by Ratso Rizzo Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 4:32 pm
- PublicServant -

It’s early. We’ll see. I’m not giving up.

I could run into him in Oswego too.

To - Former hillrod -, - Skeptic -, and - Honeybear -

Being on HBO, it limits Advertising opportunities, and there are none during the programming.

But…

I’ll ask “Bruce” if he’d be interested in a product “Perfidy” and maybe we can have an episode about “Bruce” wringing his hands at the opportunity.

Meanwhile, y’all work on tag lines for the product and the writers’ room will make sure you get writing credit within the episode.

OW.

To the Post,

If you “disagree with everything”, it leaves little room for agreement on anything.

Plus, Rauner likes the framing of Batinick’s version, even if Welch’s version can’t be refuted?

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 4:34 pm
In some ways this reminds me of the prolonged negotiations that went on between the US and Vietnam just trying to decide on the size and shape of the negotiating table - while thousands more young men died.

Yeah, I’m old enough to remember. And I am as appalled with this “gamesmanship” now as I was those many years ago.

And now there are over 12 Million residents of Illinois being impacted by the charade being played out!

Comment by illini Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 4:37 pm
We are much closer to the upcoming Gubernatorial primary in March 2018 than the inauguration on January 2015.

Are the people and State of Illinois better off than they were on January 2015 ?

“Speaker Madigan ate my homework”, isn’t going to cut it as an excuse.

Comment by peon Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 4:40 pm
@ Ratso

At least it’s not another Ask JT video.

I love the smell of governin’ in the morning. It smells like…,perfidy.

Comment by Former hillrod Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 4:43 pm
I’m so deflated OW. You’re so good at the pithy captions I thought for sure you’d apply that skill to the new scent. I feel like the gang is all outside your house and your mom said you can’t come out to play. It’s dinner time…….(kicks the dirt and walks off muttering and pouty)

Comment by Honeybear Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 4:51 pm
Rep. Batinick should provide a response to questions raised by his post.

I guess he got muzzled by his sponsor.

Gov. Rauner and the GOP he flat out owns.

Comment by JS Mill Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 4:56 pm
Wow, a response with details of the topics discussed vs. one with self promoting evidence of “experience” and vague claims of pettiness.

If you can’t spot the mark, you’re it.

Comment by Daniel Plainview Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 4:58 pm
You must be having a bad day, Rich. Hard to imagine why with who and what you cover. But give Arsenal a break. I follow closely here, as I know he does, and Rauner’s (and his legions’) demands are scattered and confusing — as is his pointless, cruel hostage-taking.

Comment by Emotionless Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 4:59 pm
OW and HB, Don’t let lack of commercials on HBO stop you. Product placement! Whenever that rascal Bruce needs to sweet talk Diana into dropping another $10 million into the state GOP, he dabs a little Perfidy behind the ears and he is suddenly irresistible!

Comment by Henry Francis Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 5:02 pm
- Honeybear -

I can’t have ya deflated.

HBO - “Dad’s Home State” - Season 2, Episode 61

Bruce gets a contract to do advertising for a new cologne, “Perfidy”, described as smelling like something everyone is fooled as something else. Bruce loves it. Diana prepares seating arraignments for her Holdiay Ball for Socisl Services, she finds few willing to sit with her and Bruce. Diana’s State Worker meets with the New Comptroller to help social service vendors. Lance tweets pictures of Marijuana temperature gauges to Rep Lang, “ck” emails Madeupville for comment on local government consolidation. “Z” brings the chronological “Godfather” for he and Bruce to watch, Goldberg writes a letter to Elk Grove. “Z” Guest Stars. Comedy, 73 minutes.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 5:05 pm
So Republicans bolt when they have to put something in writing?

How can you counter-offer a yet to be understood and reviewed offer?

Very unimpressive missed point on the Republican side of the scorecard in this contest to nowhere (really worse-than-nowhere).

Dems get a point in this round, and can convert to two points, if they publicly tell Rauner they need the written offer/MOA on his proposals that were made last night.

Hard to love either of these extremists.

Comment by cdog Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 5:24 pm
Batnick disappeared like a bat out of h€//. Likes to spout out vague info, make a post, and then disappear like smoke in the wind. Obviously, he’s not serious about negotiating. Another cog in Rauner Inc.

And, yes Hillrod, the survey is more acceptable than 20 minutes of nonsense in a JT promo video for Rauner Inc.

Comment by Ratso Rizzo Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 5:50 pm
Is it possible that despite his my way or else Rauners actually sweatin bullets? He goes back on his own call for negotiations and does a weird Facebook “I’m not makin the crisis it’s Madigan” and now trying to get the Dems to do his dirty work with unions, is he afraid what may happen to his power base, despite all the money, if Mendoza shuts down without a budget and he’s afraid to take the heat for a public worker strike?

Comment by Jeep Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 6:16 pm
Representative Batinik-
Not ready for primetime.
Try again, next be better.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 6:31 pm
I will believe Senator Andy Manar over the governor, every time. Senator Manar is a class act! The gov and his peeps have been caught in many lies!!!!

Comment by Madtig12 Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 10:02 pm
clapping with sheer glee!!!!!!!! Thank you OW!

Comment by honeybear Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 10:35 pm
The topic of reducing collective bargaining rights is a non-starter. This would hurt every middle class worker.

Comment by Enviro Friday, Dec 16, 16 @ 7:27 am
“The topic of reducing collective bargaining rights is a non-starter.”

It’s a price too high to bear, especially when the people pushing it make so much money and are willing to give comparatively nothing toward the solutions. It boils down to basic humanity and fairness.

Comment by Grandson of Man Friday, Dec 16, 16 @ 8:18 am