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Madigan: House to begin “thorough vetting process of proposals” to create jobs, help middle class

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Illinois

* Press release…

House Speaker Michael J. Madigan, D-Chicago, issued the following statement Wednesday after Gov. Bruce Rauner’s State of the State address:

“As we chart a course for Illinois in the coming year, we should begin by focusing on where we can all agree. We all agree the state cannot continue to operate without a budget. Passing a balanced budget remains Illinois’ top priority, and a top priority of the House Democratic Caucus.

“We can also agree that Illinois must take serious steps to improve our business climate and create new job opportunities. But House Democrats reject the idea that the only way to create jobs in Illinois is to cut wages and strip away workplace protections in order to pad the profits of big corporations. Instead, we will work to advance an agenda of positive economic reforms that improve the business climate without hurting the middle class.

“We believe we can grow our economy and create jobs without hurting middle-class families. We can provide good jobs for working families while also passing policies that help businesses grow – those two ideas are not mutually exclusive to one another. Under my direction, the House will begin a thorough vetting process of proposals that will enable us to create jobs while also lifting up and helping the middle class and struggling families around our state.”

Pretty vague, but at least he’s talking about eventually talking about something.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jan 25, 17 @ 1:18 pm

Comments

The discussion of Process here to move on substance to get a budget is encouraging.

It would be wise in all of Rauner’s “platforms” to either say nothing to ruin this or opening embrace it to box the Speaker further into Process.

That would be very wise…

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jan 25, 17 @ 1:23 pm
ok. fine. not inspiring, but fine.

Comment by Amalia Wednesday, Jan 25, 17 @ 1:23 pm
It could have been read after every SOTS for the past decade or so.

Still….it’s not counterproductive. That represents some progress.

Comment by A guy Wednesday, Jan 25, 17 @ 1:26 pm
>Under my direction, the House will begin a thorough vetting process of proposals that will enable us to create jobs while also lifting up and helping the middle class

It could just be the gloomy day, but there’s something about the phrasing “will begin” that just burns me after two years of fiscal disaster. Messaging-wise, I would have to say it is at least an improvement, though.

Comment by Earnest Wednesday, Jan 25, 17 @ 1:33 pm
It suggests that MJM is coming around to the idea he needs a stronger counter-proposal to the Turn Around. That’s progress.

Comment by Signal and Noise Wednesday, Jan 25, 17 @ 1:38 pm
I’m stuck on the phrase “begin a thorough vetting process”, because it’s astonishing to think that they haven’t already “begun” this.

Heck, even Governor Rauner had his people do the preliminary math on the TA (though it took Rich to finish showing the work on its measly return).

Comment by thunderspirit Wednesday, Jan 25, 17 @ 1:42 pm
What a state of affairs when “Eh, it could’ve been worse” is progress.

Comment by Northsider Wednesday, Jan 25, 17 @ 1:44 pm
I call BS on this! If the House Democrats had such great ideas on how to grow the state’s economy they would have passed them already.

Comment by Not It Wednesday, Jan 25, 17 @ 1:51 pm
“Begin” means the door is open and if you have an idea, speak up. Nothing is rejected because it hasn’t been put forth before. That’s all.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jan 25, 17 @ 1:56 pm
…” Instead, we will work to advance an agenda of positive economic reforms…. without hurting the middle class.” dog whistle for AFSCME folks. Same old MJM song.

Comment by Texas Red Wednesday, Jan 25, 17 @ 2:02 pm
This is the best talk we’ve heard from all sides.

Now, let’s SEE it through. Forgive me if I’m cynical… but in Illinois we hear things…and hear things….and we hear more things….and then nothing.

Comment by Peoria Citizen Wednesday, Jan 25, 17 @ 2:43 pm
I must be a pessimist. I read that to mean all the turn-around stuff has still got to go before the House will get serious about a budget.

Comment by Skirmisher Wednesday, Jan 25, 17 @ 2:43 pm
“Through vetting process” is today’s Trumptalk for “Prove to me you’re legit.”

I read this as a clever critique of those Rauner TA items that cannot be shown to have any appreciable impact on the economy.

Comment by walker Wednesday, Jan 25, 17 @ 2:48 pm
The speaker is ready to take charge once again after the Gov. has not been able to move, compromise, negotiate, trade off or get rid of his EGO.

Comment by Bear3 Wednesday, Jan 25, 17 @ 3:53 pm
Anyone ever come across a good reason why the Dems haven’t been laying out these particulars, every day, for about the last 18 months?

By now, they really don’t expect the relative handful of reporters left that cover state government on a daily basis to do their work for them, do they?

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Jan 25, 17 @ 4:24 pm
Rauner and MJM are both the same in this case. They want everybody else to do the work since it appears that they have no clue then they want to sit back and judge. They are about as useful as screen doors on a submarine. What a circus.

Comment by Ginhouse Tommy Wednesday, Jan 25, 17 @ 4:55 pm
Madigan statement sounds like the same song he has sung for 40 years. Nothing new. Little too look forward too.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jan 25, 17 @ 5:43 pm
Pass the LLC fee reduction bill already. Nothing says “we are closed for business” like charging $500 for an LLC to fill out a one page annual report that doesn’t ask for or require any real reporting. “We’re open for business here in Illinois — first just pay $500 to get started”. The Speaker could own that relief and get credit for it.

Comment by Downstater Wednesday, Jan 25, 17 @ 11:26 pm