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* UPDATED x1 - Brown responds * Rauner says Madigan “hinted” about working on budget with Rauner’s reforms

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* Earlier today, Speaker Madigan issued a press release (click here) saying he’d met with the governor today and urged him “to turn his focus to the budget.”

The governor had a different viewpoint of what went on…

The Rauner Administration has released the following statement regarding the Governor’s meeting with Speaker Michael Madigan. The following is attributable to spokesperson Eleni Demertzis:

“For the first time in more than two years, Speaker Madigan today hinted that he may be willing to enact a truly balanced budget with changes that will help create jobs, properly fund our schools and lower property taxes. It’s too soon to tell if the Speaker will ultimately agree to follow through, but the governor remains optimistic that all sides can work together to enact a balanced budget with changes that fix our broken system and restore balanced budgets for the long-term through strong economic growth. ”

There have been some whispers about this possibility of late, but it couldn’t be confirmed. We’ll see.

*** UPDATE *** Madigan’s spokesman Steve Brown disputed the notion that the House hadn’t been interested in passing a balanced budget, pointing to the cooperation with the governor on the FY 15 budget fix.

He also noted that the House has already passed a property tax freeze bill and “we’ve talked about things that create jobs,” including moving ahead with one bill today to make workers’ comp more affordable.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Apr 27, 17 @ 3:28 pm

Comments

I could have written and/or predicted this response. They each want to paint the other as the reluctant party. Maturity is in short supply.

Comment by Dome Gnome Thursday, Apr 27, 17 @ 3:39 pm
Once again we have Madigan’s motive for the meeting along with Rauner’s post meeting spin and typically they don’t align. Just don’t see anything meaningful coming from this meeting.

Comment by J IL Thursday, Apr 27, 17 @ 3:39 pm
Sounds like they still need to come to an agreement on the shape of the table.

Comment by SAP Thursday, Apr 27, 17 @ 3:43 pm
Why all the games, Gentleman?

Neither of you, or your causes, gain from all this destructive brinkmanship.

Cut a deal, not a perfect deal for your side, and move on to a new day, new issues, new ways to improve Illinois.

My goodness, please.

Comment by cdog Thursday, Apr 27, 17 @ 3:45 pm
Boy, that’s not the type of response you release at all if you actually want to get a deal done.

Comment by ILPundit Thursday, Apr 27, 17 @ 3:46 pm
–Rauner says Madigan “hinted” about working on budget with Rauner’s reforms–

Oops, meant to say, “Madigan ‘hinted’ about what Rauner could do with his budget reforms.” /s

Comment by PDJT Thursday, Apr 27, 17 @ 3:52 pm
“Neither of you, or your causes, gain from all this destructive brinkmanship.”

Au contraire.

“In Illinois there’s been a long-time history of what I would call social service, social justice, a bigger role for government in the safety net than in many other states. I think we can drive a wedge issue in the Democratic Party on that topic”
— Bruce Rauner, September 18, 2012.

Destructive brinkmanship is and always has been perfectly consistent with Bruce Rauner’s cause.

– MrJM

Comment by @misterjayem Thursday, Apr 27, 17 @ 3:59 pm
Ok Dems when will you learn the game has changed, the governor has no shame so he will spin everything you do and say to fit his blame madigan message.

It’s time youtell us everything you are doing and stop assuming we all know. That is the only way to stop his spin game
Brown’s response only need to say once again good faith negotiations were damaged by the governor spinning the talks so he can blame the speaker later. The speaker did not agree to any of the governor’s middle class destroying agenda. We will. It let Illinois become South Wisconsin.

Comment by Man this guy has no shame Thursday, Apr 27, 17 @ 4:03 pm
you say tomato i say tamoto i think.

Comment by red rider Thursday, Apr 27, 17 @ 4:07 pm
Agree with IlPundit. Where there seems to be something resembling a possibility of an opening for progress, Rauner acknowledges that possibility with a reply that could slam it shut - and perhaps that is its purpose.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Apr 27, 17 @ 4:08 pm
So Rauner wants people to think Madigan is going to cave and sell them out?

Comment by Anon Thursday, Apr 27, 17 @ 4:09 pm
Well the press release from the Administration sure doesn’t evoke optimism on my part. They are so arrogant they probably think that Bruce can be reelected without a full budget being passed. The way they will spin any budget agreement if one occurs is that the Democrats were desperate for an agreement and gave them everything they wanted.

Comment by The Dude Abides Thursday, Apr 27, 17 @ 4:11 pm
Rauner always has to control the narrative. Always. No wonder people say he’s a nightmare to work for.

Comment by Cubs in '16 Thursday, Apr 27, 17 @ 4:13 pm
Rauner Always Has To Spin? Tired Of This Failure..

Comment by Shake Thursday, Apr 27, 17 @ 4:18 pm
“Rauner’s the name, Prevarications the game”. “And destroying”.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Apr 27, 17 @ 4:24 pm
Meh, pay no attention to the words.

If you hit the google or the archives here, Rauner has been saying for two years “great progress” is being made on a budget agreement.

In truth, great progress has been made for two years on squeeze the beast.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Apr 27, 17 @ 5:35 pm
“… Speaker Madigan today hinted that he may be willing to enact a truly balanced budget … ”

the General Assembly advances budgets to the governor’s desk. The gov then enacts or vetoes.

Is Rauner surrendering all responsibilities to Speaker Madigan? That would be quite a turnaround.

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Thursday, Apr 27, 17 @ 7:05 pm
I’m constantly amazed at the rigidity of the tactics. Never lose an opportunity to insult both your negotiating partners and the intelligence of the voters.

Comment by peon Thursday, Apr 27, 17 @ 7:49 pm
Illinois hasn’t had a budget in decades. What’s the rush now?

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Apr 27, 17 @ 7:50 pm
I don’t really like either one of these guys but there has to be some change/reforms in the way Illinois does things. So I think there is room to make enough meaningful moves to get this thing fixed and still not sale the farm. I do dislike Madigan more as I think he has had too much power for too long and he is the principal player that has had the most responsibility in Illinois demise.

Comment by Arock Thursday, Apr 27, 17 @ 8:09 pm
Why is it always” a budget with” like your ordering a cheese steak?

Comment by Rabid Friday, Apr 28, 17 @ 8:04 am
Again Rauner and his press office just buried a budget compromise.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Apr 28, 17 @ 8:46 am