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* The governor sent an e-mail to state employees today…
Dear State Employees:
As you know, Attorney General Lisa Madigan is attempting to block state employee pay and force a crisis in Illinois. There are two proposals in the General Assembly, but only one is a real solution. Watch this video to know where we stand.
Thank you for your work on behalf of the people of Illinois.
Sincerely,
Bruce
* The video…
* Transcript…
Hi Everybody.
As you know, Attorney General Madigan is going into court asking a judge to end state employee pay. The Attorney General now believes the state should be shut down until a budget is passed. We do not agree.
Two proposals have emerged in Springfield to address this issue. One proposal, sponsored by Rep. Avery Bourne and Rep. CD Davidsmeyer, would ensure state employees get the same treatment as legislators and constitutional officers — making it the law of Illinois to pay state employees on a continual basis regardless of the budget impasse. The other proposal is backed by Speaker Madigan — and it supports the Attorney General’s attempt to shut down government. Rather than stop paying employees and shut down government immediately, Speaker Madigan’s bill would stop employee pay and shut down government on June 30th instead.
Speaker Madigan will try to sell his June 30th government shut down proposal as a solution in case his daughter wins in court. But don’t be fooled. It’s not a solution — it’s a crisis showdown set for June 30th when the Speaker will use the leverage of a forced shut down to finally get the massive tax hike he recommended in December 2015.There’s only one solution that makes sense: give state employees the same rights as the Speaker, rank-and-file legislators and the Attorney General herself. Give state employees permanent continuing appropriation for their pay just like legislators gave themselves. I will veto the Speaker’s June 30th government shut down proposal should it reach my desk. The General Assembly should fix this problem once and for all by sending the Bourne-Davidsmeyer state employee pay proposal to my desk immediately.
I don’t take a paycheck - never have, never will, but I believe state employees who show up to work every day for the people of Illinois should get their paychecks no matter what.
After all the hooplah over that CPS letter to parents blasting Rauner, this might be a bit much [ADDING: Click here for Greg Hinz’s take on that particular dustup.]. It’s not nearly as blatantly political, of course, but it most certainly mirrors the Rauner political attack machine messaging.
The Bourne bill is here.
…Adding… When the governor promised to veto the Madigan bill, wasn’t he actually threatening to “create a crisis”? Isn’t that what he accuses both Speaker and AG Madigan of trying to do?
…Adding More… The governor’s people strongly disagree. They say they believe Madigan’s bill is designed to take the heat off himself and the attorney general so that he can then flip the pressure on the governor to do a stopgap budget deal by the end of June to avoid a “real” shutdown because there would be no appropriations authority to pay state workers and likely no court order, either.
…Adding Still More… Hmmm…
@GovRauner's plan 2 avoid shutdown is IL employees be paid like legislators? So 7 months behind? Not complaining, but.. #alternativefact https://t.co/GonKJXiIs9
— Christian Mitchell (@cljmitchell) February 9, 2017
*** UPDATE *** From AFSCME Council 31…
Governor Rauner’s latest attempt to mislead state workers is centered on the claim that he wants state employees to be paid ‘like legislators’, but legislators are now paid six months late due to Rauner’s refusal to do his job and sign a budget.
The governor caused this crisis by holding the budget hostage to his political demands. Next week he’s due to present a spending plan for fiscal year 2018. If he introduces a budget, helps pass it and signs it into law on schedule this spring, this entire conversation is moot. Instead Rauner says he’d veto a payroll bill, an action that could shut down state government.
For our part, AFSCME and a dozen other unions representing state workers won the court order upholding payroll even without a budget, and our unions have been working with Rep. Sue Scherer to advance House Bill 1798 to ensure state employee payroll now. That bill wasn’t perfect in its initial form, but Rep. Scherer has been willing to address our concerns, and the bill is moving forward. That’s how compromise and the legislative process work.
In contrast, the governor’s threat to veto a bill not sponsored by his partisan political allies follows a familiar pattern: Rauner makes a demand, refuses to compromise, and bullies those who disagree.
If he wants to make progress, the governor should negotiate, not dictate, both in developing a fully-funded budget and reaching a fair contract for state employees.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 10:06 am
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==I will veto the Speaker’s June 30th government shut down proposal should it reach my desk.==
What a dumb move. Please proceed, Governor.
Comment by Arsenal Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 10:10 am
===Rep. Avery Bourne and Rep. CD Davidsmeyer, would ensure state employees get the same treatment as legislators and constitutional officers — making it the law of Illinois to pay state employees on a continual basis regardless of the budget impasse.===
… this is the same governor that feels Legislators should NOT get paid without a budget. Governor Rauner wants “no budget, no pay” to now be “Everyone gets paid!”
Whaaa?
I guess Avery Bourne was absent the day they taught law in law school?
This is embarrassing for Bourne. But, Rauner writes the checks, that we all, including Bourne knows.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 10:11 am
It’s the new normal. Tweet.
Comment by Winnin' Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 10:12 am
I need a bucket…
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 10:13 am
He should just stop with the messaging and do his job. He wouldn’t need the messaging and the gazillion dollar investment in campaigns if he would just successfully do his job.
Comment by CCP Hostage Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 10:13 am
Signed from “Bruce”? The buddy of state employees? Really?
Comment by Archiesmom Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 10:13 am
So why can’t we use the state email for political messages regarding house bills? Oh yeah, the ethics act…
Someone in the governor’s office should read it. This is even worse than the “JT” propaganda.
Comment by Union proud Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 10:14 am
==It’s not nearly as blatantly political==
Really? It’s a Madigan attack piece. Not blatantly political? Please.
Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 10:14 am
So does this mean Rauner is actively trying to sabotage the grand bargain? If a budget is reached Boss Madigan proposal is mute. This should be ammunition for the dems.
Comment by So tired of political hacks Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 10:15 am
If Rauner doesn’t sign the democrats pay bill it only shows that he never meant to sign the Senate budget bill either.
Comment by Ok Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 10:15 am
“I don’t take a paycheck - never have, never will…”
Give away all your money and live on what you earn by doing your job, Bruce, and then you’ll know how the rest of us feel.
Comment by Blue Bayou Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 10:15 am
Don’t they realize that YouTube is blocked on most state networks?
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 10:15 am
Could someone tell BigBrain legislators not gettin’ checks thanks to the genius he hired as a budget adviser….maybe he thunk we forgot. BTW who foots the bill for this campaign ad?
Comment by Annonin' Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 10:15 am
Let me get this straight: He is making a plea to a group of people most of which are presently voting on a strike because of him? Am I missing something here?
Comment by Hambone Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 10:16 am
Governor Rauner does not want a deal.
Comment by 100 miles west Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 10:18 am
There are court rulings, citing separation of powers, to explain why legislators and judges get paid even when the governor vetoes their appropriation. There are no separation of powers issues when the governor vetoes funding for his own employees.
The Pay Now people must be livid about this turnabout by the governor. He vetoes funding for their work, then issues their contracts, then makes then work to standards without paying them, and leaves them in the cold while saying state employees should get paid without a budget? Slap, and slap again.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 10:18 am
=blue bayou=
Awesome and spot on.
Comment by So tired of political hacks Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 10:19 am
OW, that’s what really jumped out at me. Treating this like state legislator pay? Does that mean he thinks state employees should wait six months for a pay check? Or not get paid without a budget?
My hope is that the broader media will play this clip (or print this quote) next to what he has said about legislator pay.
Comment by Pot calling kettle Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 10:21 am
I can’t imagine Madigan would let a continuing approp for State employees go through, as the General Assembly would permanently lose a lot of leverage in budget negotiations. If Rauner is going to veto a temporary approp, it looks like we’re in for a shutdown. Or, more accurately, we’re in for most State employees working for $7.50 after being declared “essential.”
Could that be a veto that gets overridden?
Comment by Twirling Towards Freedom Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 10:22 am
===My hope is that the broader media will play this clip (or print this quote) next to what he has said about legislator pay.===
The media won’t.
The one thing Avery Bourne learned is that there’s no accountability to the truth of the messaging. Rauner will backfill the message with millions so it just won’t matter.
===Treating this like state legislator pay? Does that mean he thinks state employees should wait six months for a pay check? Or not get paid without a budget?===
It’s about the 1:45 seconds the Press may give it, albeit not looking at the rich irony.
This, again, is Rauner winning. Thinking it’s not is a huge mistake.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 10:24 am
Bourne’s first bill only created a continuing appropriation until June 30, 2017, so would have also shut down the State after that time.
So nice of her to accommodate the Governors demands to get rid of any sort of checks and balances on personal services in perpetuity.
And seriously, does the Governor not even understand that being able to reduce appropriations over personal services actually helps provide some leverage with labor? How do you argue you can’t afford pay increases or else layoffs will be required when a continuing appropriation will have it covered so who cares?
Comment by Juice Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 10:25 am
If Bourne’s bill gets passed I believe Mendoza should treat state employees pay the same as legislatures until Rauner passes a budget. They got him in a bind now.
Comment by Ok Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 10:25 am
==This, again, is Rauner winning. Thinking it’s not is a huge mistake.==
Depends on what’s next. The message is what it is. But if Rauner actually goes through with vetoing Madigan’s bill…well, Governors Own.
Comment by Arsenal Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 10:28 am
Didn’t get this one. Side benefit of blocking Terranova I guess. Bonus!
Comment by PDJT Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 10:30 am
===Mendoza should treat state employees pay the same as legislatures until Rauner passes a budget. They got him in a bind now.===
The inept Mendoza Crew is still the “no budget, no pay” crowd.
The smartest person in Mendoza’s Ads was the woman that asked, correctly “you can do that?”
This issue is where Mendoza continually fails, and sees her oath as comical.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 10:30 am
Isn’t there some money owed to state employees from years back that was never paid because it was not in the budget? Would this be paid under this new proposal?
Comment by DuPage Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 10:30 am
Illinois has managed to pass budgets and pay employees for almost 200 years.
What has changed that we now need a continuing appropriation to cover employee pay?
Comment by RNUG Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 10:32 am
== And seriously, does the Governor not even understand that being able to reduce appropriations over personal services actually helps provide some leverage with labor? ==
Doesn’t matter when the plan is to fire everyone and just outsource the work. /s
Comment by RNUG Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 10:34 am
Here is the Governor putting politics ahead of policy. It’s a truly terrible idea to create continuing approps for state employee payrolls as it essentially gives agencies (and Governors) a blank check. There are no safeguards in place to prevent the Governor or his staff from doling out raises to whomever they want. There’s nothing to stop the Governor from going on a hiring spree. It’s truly awful policy & the only reason it’s being pursued is because the Scherer proposal actually undermines Rauner’s message that the Madigans were creating a crisis. Rauner wants/needs to tie Madigan to EVERY crisis created by this impasse.
Shouldn’t someone explain to the Governor that last February he himself proposed a budget which expires June 30, 2017? Heck, I presume that next week he’ll propose another budget which expires on June 30, 2018.
Comment by Get a Job!! Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 10:35 am
===Depends on what’s next. The message is what it is. But if Rauner actually goes through with vetoing Madigan’s bill…well, Governors Own.===
You are correct, - Arsenal -, but Rauner is proving you’re not “right”.
Until Rauner loses consecutive days in the Press, then I’ll be more inclined to think Rauner will feel heat.
Governors own, they always do. The question is who is going to put that ownership daily on this Governor?
With respect.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 10:36 am
It’s pretty hilarious that the Gov sends us a message and its blocked!!
Comment by Dkchoclovr Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 10:37 am
My real goal is to get rid of your union, but to do that I have to pretend I am your friend. Join me in my parlor said the spider to the fly.
sincerely Gov. Rauner
Comment by facts are stubborn things Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 10:42 am
What I don’t get is his focus on June 30? Isn’t it Feb 28 that we need to be dreaming about? Does he know something we don’t? Judge laChien doesn’t rule till the 16th. Has that changed?
Again, State Workers prepare for total shut down and no pay!
I don’t trust any of these people!
Comment by Honeybear Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 10:44 am
RNUG, fair point.
And I’m sure those bids four outsourcing will be extremely economical since the contractual services line items are actually enacted to pay the vendors.
Comment by Juice Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 10:44 am
There is a difference between the two approaches.
The Scherer/Madigan bill is an appropriation bill. It does what the Governor and General Assembly are supposed to do. It provides clear line items with specified amounts. You can read it and know exactly how much money an agency has for personnel costs. In my opinion, it’s more transparent.
The Bourne bill is a substantive bill that gives all executive agencies a continuing appropriation. Unlike the continuing appropriation for the judiciary and legislature, this continuing appropriation does not include a cap on spending. It allows agencies to spend as much as they want on personnel costs. There is no way of knowing how much they will spend until they submit vouchers to the Comptroller. It’s anti-transparency.
Comment by anonawho Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 10:45 am
The email went straight to the junk folder. I don’t click on links in spam email or from people I don’t trust. May end up getting a computer virus or go to some x rated website.
Comment by Huh? Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 10:47 am
Note the “in case his daughter wins in court” line. Hey, Gub’nor, it’s Attorney General Lisa Madigan! The 1950’s called and wants its paternalism back.
Comment by Ratso Rizzo Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 10:47 am
==Until Rauner loses consecutive days in the Press, then I’ll be more inclined to think Rauner will feel heat.==
I see what you’re saying, and I don’t want to minimize the sophistication of Rauner’s messaging apparatus. But I think the media is too overwhelmed and discredited to really carry through Rauner’s message. For example, yesterday was a big day in IL politics, and the Rauner crew certainly had a response for everything, but the press pops were little more than “Kennedy announced for Governor, Pritzker might run, too, and a thing happened in the Senate, but we don’t really know what it was.”
The real issue, and it’s a real issue, is that he’ll be able to put out whatever message he wants through paid media. Whoever runs against him will have to be ready for that, and I don’t know what you do about it. But I don’t think a guy with a sub-40 approval rating actually has been masterfully playing the press yet.
Yet.
Comment by Arsenal Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 10:49 am
===But I don’t think a guy with a sub-40 approval rating actually has been masterfully playing the press yet.===
I’d argue Rauner controlling what he’s controlled has “stopped” the bleeding to still make it about Madigan and have that message, thru vertical integration, thru controlling editorial boards, thru Ads… Rauner is still “more popular” than his anti-Madigan framing.
You still have Press slurping up “Madigan vs. Rauner”.
That’s a win for Rauner.
Be it Kennedy’s, Pritzker’s, Biss’ or Raoul’s Crews, the goal is to win consecutive days without “both sides” and without “… meanwhile, Madigan… ”
With respect.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 10:54 am
“The Bourne bill is here.”
Anyone know the bill number for the Madigan bill?
Comment by Nick Name Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 10:56 am
When Rauner forces a government shut down here’s my outgoing voicemail message:
“I’m sorry, I can’t take you call right now because Governor Rauner has chosen to shut down state government. Please direct your emergency to (312) 814-2121.”
Or something to that effect.
Comment by State employee/hostage Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 11:01 am
–When the governor promised to veto the Madigan bill, wasn’t he actually threatening to “create a crisis”? Isn’t that what he accuses both Speaker and AG Madigan of trying to do?–
Obviously, it’s Self-Contradiction Day.
Again, does he know that he’s doing it or not?
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 11:02 am
Seeing that those who work at the Illinois Department of Revenue are part of AFSCME, what happens when their work gets outsourced? Do you really want ALL of your personal information doled out to someone possibly hired off Craigslist or living in a 3rd world country?
If those individuals at IDOR are deemed “essential”, do you think someone required to have a minimum of a Bachelor Degree will actually work for $7.50 an hour? Comical.
Comment by SMH Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 11:03 am
Yup. Can’t view it because YouTube is blocked. Hilarious!
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 11:04 am
I thought it was blatantly political. I felt uneasy even telling co-workers what it said because it seemed so political.
Perhaps it was an entrapment ploy on behalf of the Governor to get us all on ethics violations by having us watch a political message during working hours.
Comment by A Jack Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 11:05 am
Mike Madigan just needs to go. The governor’s entire campaign and farce of an administration is completely and wholly based on the fact that Mike Madigan is Speaker. But don’t listen to me, democrats. When young people stay home instead of voting, you will only have yourselves to blame for another four years of this. But just keep cycling back and forth between having a horrible message and having no message; I’m sure people will just magically see the reality of the situation.
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 11:07 am
==That’s a win for Rauner.==
I agree that that’s better for Rauner in relative terms, but I’m not sold it’s good for him in absolute terms. Certainly, his approval ratings could be lower. But also clearly, they’re not high enough to move his agenda.
Comment by Arsenal Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 11:08 am
Nickname, I believe its HB1798
Comment by Get a Job!! Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 11:09 am
All of you need to understand that state employees are
FA-REAK-ING out right now.
Far worse than a strike. The thought of no pay is apocalyptic!
People feel like they are getting played!
Man morale is like its never been!
Rauner your email poured gas on it.
Secure your PGA loan
Secure a lawyer friend
Brace for impact!
General Quarters general quarters
All hands man your battle stations
Incoming missile to starboard side
Brace for impact!
Comment by Honeybear Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 11:13 am
Ducky, if the Speaker retired, Rauner would have a replacement bogeyman within minutes.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 11:14 am
Dear General Assembly: Pass a budget bill EVERY DAY for one month. When the Governor vetoes each bill, consecutively for an entire month, then remind the public he’s vetoed 30 balanced budgets…keep creating ownership…adding pressure…drip…drip…drip.
Comment by RandomIdea Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 11:15 am
==Two proposals have emerged in Springfield to address this issue.==
It’s a shame Bruce doesn’t know anyone (within the executive or legislative branch) who could propose a third./s
Comment by Jocko Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 11:15 am
===Dear General Assembly: Pass a budget bill EVERY DAY for one month. When the Governor vetoes each bill, consecutively for an entire month, then remind the public he’s vetoed 30 balanced budgets…keep creating ownership…adding pressure…drip…drip…drip.===
Sounds fun!
To make those budgets work, revenue is 1,000% required.
Rauner will say…
“I have now vetoed 30 unbalanced budgets that included crippling taxes…”
There has to be a bargain.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 11:19 am
The governor cannot hire strike breakers if he doesn’t have the appropriation. All this is doing is giving him the money to pay for the temp agency, guard and other strike breakers when the time comes. This has nothing to do with helping the state employees… Only hurting them. He is playing a short game to defeat the unions. Not a longer term game to better the State of Illinois. I am tired of being a political pawn in this mans political agenda.
Comment by SoILL Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 11:20 am
===I agree that that’s better for Rauner in relative terms, but I’m not sold it’s good for him in absolute terms. Certainly, his approval ratings could be lower. But also clearly, they’re not high enough to move his agenda===
This is also about a long game Rauner himself talked about last night.
It’s about getting Raunerite Majority Caucuses… by 2020… according to Rauner.
No budget, no problem… they just need to win… daily.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 11:21 am
@Get a Job!! -
Thanks!
Comment by Nick Name Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 11:21 am
===Ducky, if the Speaker retired, Rauner would have a replacement bogeyman within minutes.===
One that has been Speaker for 28 of the last 30 years? Nobody knows who in the world Barbara Flynn Currie is, and no amount of messaging is going to change that.
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 11:21 am
===No budget, no problem… they just need to win… daily.===
They do win daily. And there is no sign of that stopping.
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 11:22 am
=Ducky Lamoore=
So you believe young voters will stay home because they don’t like Madigan. But the fact the governor has decimated higher education and social services are just going to slip their mind?
Also the point of Rauners bill sorry I mean Bourne is that the agency will have the funding not for state workers but in cases there is a strike for replacements as he has promised.
Comment by So tired of political hacks Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 11:24 am
Well, seems pretty clear that Rauner expects the impasse to continue into the next fiscal year. But at the same time he’s cautiously optimistic that a compromise is right around the corner.
Comment by GOP Extremist Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 11:25 am
He’s endorsing one legislative proposal over another on the taxpayers’ computer system. How is that not prohibited political speech?
Comment by Anon Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 11:25 am
Rauner backs Bourne bill to “ensure state employees get the same treatment as legislators.”
Legislators haven’t been paid since last June.
But he’s fightin’ fur us!
Comment by PDJT Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 11:26 am
“Rather than stop paying employees and shut down government immediately, Speaker Madigan’s bill would stop employee pay and shut down government on June 30th instead. Speaker Madigan will try to sell his June 30th government shut down proposal as a solution in case his daughter wins in court.”
Dear lord.
HB 1798 is an appropriations bill. All appropriations bills expire at the end of the last day of their given fiscal year, i.e., June 30, at which point the next batch of appropriations bills take effect. Of course, if Rauner ever tried drafting one or reading one, he might know that.
Thanks, Gov. Gaslight.
Comment by Nick Name Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 11:28 am
If the Attorney General prevails in court does that mean state tax refunds will be delayed due to no one processing them even though the state by law must fund them?
Comment by don the legend Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 11:28 am
==This is also about a long game Rauner himself talked about last night.==
Oh, I get the goal. I’m just not convinced he’s actually pulling it off.
Comment by Arsenal Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 11:28 am
Wrong to compare a video sent to State Employees about your court position and a letter sent home in the hands of children about a budget impasse. To make the inference is not balanced.
Comment by Mod Dem Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 11:29 am
Ducky, even if a person once said hi to Mike Madigan in the hall, Rauner would come up with an ad blasting that person.
Do you think the Kennedy attack ads tying him to Madigan would disappear if Madigan retired tomorrow? No, the ads would just be revised to saying Kennedy had ties to former Speaker Madigan.
Comment by A Jack Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 11:31 am
=Mod Dem=
You are correct, your boss lying to you about their actual intentions is far worse than having your child come home with a note explaining why you have to take the day off to watch them and miss work.
Comment by So tired of polical hacks Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 11:37 am
@So Tired
Yes. They are already looking elsewhere. And the ones that aren’t are being messaged to that this whole mess is caused by Mike Madigan.
@A Jack
No, but they would be less effective and make more people realize, “Hey, this governor stinks. He can’t get anything done no matter who he is working with.”
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 11:38 am
Dear Rep. Borne,
How do you reconcile your bill, and your other “bill” and pledge?
http://bit.ly/2lvxma3
“Thanks!”
ow
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 11:44 am
Raunder wants a shutdown. Has wanted it since before being Governor. He wants it badly.
But above that he wants to cast blame for a shutdown. It’s Lisa’s fault, it’s the Union’s fault, it’s Mike’s fault.
If he gets stuck with the blame he will back down. Always has. This is why all the email / video / press bloviating. He has to cast blame.
Blame is the game.
Comment by Anon Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 11:45 am
== Do you really want ALL of your personal information doled out to someone possibly hired off Craigslist or living in a 3rd world country? ==
No. I’ve already had an ex-renter at DOR mess with my State tax return. At least in that case, DOR could fix it and take action against the employee.
Comment by RNUG Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 11:46 am
=This is also about a long game Rauner himself talked about last night.==
In the long run, we’re all dead. And in the short run, some already are because of this planned travesty.
It’s going to take a decade just to repair the willful fiscal damage. The social service infrastructure, a lot of that won’t come back. The damage to the higher ed brand, who knows.
Then there’s this minor little conclusion the other day from S&P, which I believe was ignored by all Illinois media except Rich:
–We believe Illinois’ distressed fiscal condition and dysfunctional budget politics now threaten to erode the state’s long-term economic growth prospects.–
Is that the long game the governor is working at? If so, his actions make sense.
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 11:49 am
Oh… the lede to my video link is this…
“April 9, 2016 — State Rep. Avery Bourne is sponsoring legislation, in which lawmakers wouldn’t get paid if the state doesn’t pass a balanced budget.”
Hmm.
Oh, Rep. Bourne… lol
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 11:52 am
Rauner and JT are to state email as Trump is to Twitter.
Comment by Anon Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 12:20 pm
To the update: “That’s how compromise and the legislative process work.”
AFSCME, schooling the governor in basic civics. Next lesson: checks and balances and the separation of powers.
Comment by Nick Name Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 12:24 pm
1 - Stop telling us you don’t take a paycheck. People live paycheck to paycheck. You’re not morally superior to them.
2 - Instead of throwing down the gauntlet on this issue: Work. On. A. Budget.
Comment by Moist Von Lipwig Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 12:29 pm
If anything, the Governor is always good for a laugh.
Comment by Flynn's mom Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 12:48 pm
Here’s a thought. How about we veto this gov?
Comment by sal-says Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 12:52 pm
Hilarious they’ve picked up on the delayed payment thing. He can’t hire all billionaires and wives of millionaires to work at the prisons or to build the roads or to wipe butts at the Murray Center. Probably will also have a hard time finding middle class folks that are either a.) willing to work for free or b.)willing to work and wait 6 months (or more) for reimbursement. I mean, c’mon. Are you people on the 2nd floor capable of anything but incompetence? Your lack of taking the “whole picture” into account is making your white knight look like a straight up boob.
Comment by swIFT taylor Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 12:53 pm
“I don’t take a paycheck - never have, never will…”
Gee. Gov: Give me your after tax $137 million retiremment income & I’ll be gov for free. And, guaranteed, I will not do a worse job than you.
Also guess that you don’t take a salary because you do know what you’re worth as as gov. Zip.
/s? Probably not.
Comment by sal-says Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 12:59 pm
== “I don’t take a paycheck - never have, never will…” ==
The taxpayers are getting the governin’ they’re payin’ for!
Comment by RNUG Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 1:02 pm
Remember that kid who used to take his ball and go home when he didn’t get his way and you thought would never amount to anything. Who knew he could become governor?
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 1:11 pm
Hey Ducky,
Know who said the following?
“ Crisis creates leverage to change … and we’ve got to use that leverage of the crisis to force structural change.”
Comment by btowntruth from forgotonnia Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 2:06 pm
Not one dropped “g”. I guess he forgot his “down home” act when the camera was rolling.
Comment by Blago's Hare Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 2:18 pm
“- anonawho - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 10:45 am: ”
Bingo!
Comment by mama Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 2:36 pm
=- So tired of political hacks - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 11:24 am: “Also the point of Rauners bill sorry I mean Bourne is that the agency will have the funding not for state workers but in cases there is a strike for replacements as he has promised.”
Dear So tired of political hacks, I think you are onto something here. “Bourne is that the agency will have the funding not for state workers but in cases there is a strike for replacements..”
Comment by MAMA Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 3:02 pm
=- So tired of political hacks - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 11:24 am: “Also the point of Rauners bill sorry I mean Bourne is that the agency will have the funding not for state workers but in cases there is a strike for replacements as he has promised.”
Dear ‘So tired of political hacks’, I think you are onto something here. Bourne’s bill is that the agency will have the funding ‘not for state workers’, but in cases there is a strike for replacements..”
OW, what do you think? Is Bourne’s bill for replacing strikers?
Comment by MAMA Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 3:04 pm
===Is Bourne’s bill for replacing strikers===
If the state shuts down before a strike is initiated, it won’t matter.
Well have to see how the court rules first.
Can it be? Rauner needs a way now, or a ruling, to make sure any workers get paid…
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 3:12 pm
OW, I have a sick feeling a strike will happen before the shut down. If that is then case, then what?
Comment by mama Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 3:32 pm
=- RNUG - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 11:46 am: =
RNUNG, Is the employee at DOR contractual or a state employee?
Comment by Mama Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 3:35 pm
===a strike will happen before the shut down. If that is then case, then what?===
I’ll defer to the legal scholars here on dates, times, “windows”, and timelines.
It appears there will be some sort of “legal” guidance, be it no pay or a continuation. That seems to be a shot term happening too.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 3:38 pm
== I have a sick feeling a strike will happen before the shut down. If that is then case, then what? ==
Then everyone but Rauner loses, including the taxpayers of this state. I don’t think AFSCME will be able to sustain a strike effort long enough to win. I say this because AFSCME has never been through a strike, let alone one with this level of intensity.
I don’t know for a fact, but my gut is telling me it will be like the old coal miner’s wars in intensity but probably not the same level of lethality. Maybe more like some of the rough and tumble construction trade wars.
Comment by RNUG Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 3:42 pm
-Mama-, at the time they were a State employee.
Comment by RNUG Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 3:43 pm
Mama, I don’t see a strike happening first. No way. It WILL happen if during the shutdown Rauner tries to force workers to work without pay. That’s exactly what I think he’s going to do. Force us to work. Then fire people on a hit list put together by his anti Union LEAD unit. It will take a year for them to get their job back. We’ll know soon enough if I’m right. I’m sure I’m pretty high on the list I’m sure.
Comment by Honeybear Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 3:48 pm
Mama, Revenue Tax Specialists are state employees, never contractors. They are the only ones that can change information on returns.
Comment by Miss Blago Yet? Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 4:25 pm
Bourne’s Bill would mean they would finally have to pay me my back pay from 2011 wouldn’t it?
Comment by milkman Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 4:30 pm
Since the Gov. and I apparently are on a first name basis I wonder if he’d mind if I asked him for a loan to sustain me and my family when he forces a work stoppage.
Comment by Cubs in '16 Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 4:33 pm
It’d be hilarious if we get sent home Mar. 1 and there’s a blizzard that dumps like 30″ of snow on us a few days later. With no IDOT who will plow the roads?
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 4:52 pm
“I have a sick feeling a strike will happen before the shut down. If that is then case, then what?”
If AFSCME has any sense at all, it will wait and see how the AG’s case plays out. Playing that card too early could be fatal.
Comment by Nick Name Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 5:09 pm
I think Mike Madigan needs to work with John Cullerton and Governor Rauner and end the budget impass. He has been there for over 40 years and along with Republican and Democratic Governors created this mess.The solution is a tax increase, changing the cost structure of state government and doing the appropriate things such as right to work legislation to get Illinois economy growing faster.
Comment by Dandy Edward Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 5:32 pm
Is IDOT in the AFSCME union?
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 6:14 pm
Thanks OW, RNUNG and Honeybear. I appreciate you for weighing in on my questions.
Comment by Mama Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 6:20 pm
== Is IDOT in the AFSCME union? ==
Their drivers are Teamster. But if there’s a gov’t shutdown, that impacts everyone who works for the state. Not just AFSCME members
Comment by Cardsfan Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 6:43 pm
Stop paying state workers. They should not have been paid for a year. Here’s the reality. Our state is hurting. There are more people that don’t work for the state. When people can’t get their drivers license or business issues resolved because the state workers aren’t there. The can call madigan and the governors office… I bet they resolve it in a week. The only thing this lack of budget and paying workers is hurting us all.
Comment by Echo the Bunnyman Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 8:17 pm
Uhhh…didnt Rauner veto employee pay when he vetoed the budget…
Comment by Liberty Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 11:29 pm