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* We talked about a new ABC 7 story on NEIU’s problems a little earlier today. Here’s the end of the piece…
The governor’s office offered a written statement saying the governor is gravely concerned about the “severe financial challenges” that face students and higher education universities. The statement said the governor is working hard for a sustainable solution. It is the same written statement the governor’s office has released about higher education funding multiple times in the past.
* From April 18th…
“The Governor understands and is gravely concerned about the severe financial challenges facing our students, colleges and universities due to the General Assembly’s failure to pass a balanced budget,” Rauner spokeswoman Eleni Demertzis said in a statement. “This is why he is working every day to find consensus on a budget that is truly balanced, and ensure the state’s higher education system thrives in the long term.”
* April 24th…
Rauner spokesperson Catherine Kelly referred questions to Illinois Secretary of Education Beth Purvis.
“The Governor understands and is gravely concerned about the severe financial challenges facing our students, colleges and universities due to the General Assembly’s failure to pass a balanced budget,” Purvis said in an email response. “This crisis is why he is working every day to find consensus on a budget that is truly balanced, and ensure the state’s higher education system thrives in the long-term. Instead of pointing fingers, we would encourage Comptroller Mendoza to urge her former colleagues in the General Assembly to pass a balanced budget with changes to fix our broken system.”
* April 27th…
The Rauner administration responded to the rally with a statement from Secretary of Education Beth Purvis.
The Governor understands and is gravely concerned about the severe financial challenges facing our students, colleges and universities and that is why he is working every day to find consensus on a budget that is truly balanced.
* May 4th…
“Governor Rauner understands and is gravely concerned about the severe financial challenges facing our students, colleges and universities and that is why he is working every day to find consensus on a budget that is truly balanced, and ensure the state’s higher education system thrives in the long-term,” Illinois Secretary of Education Beth Purvis said in a statement, adding that Rauner won’t endorse a budget unless it addresses long-term pension reform.
* The Question: How about you give the governor’s office some new talking points without using the phrase “gravely concerned”? Have fun.
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 2:40 pm
Sorry, comments are closed at this time.
Previous Post: *** UPDATED x1 - Springfield budget director says it’s actually worse *** More on the House Dems’ property tax freeze
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The Governor is clueless and could care less about the severe financial challenges facing our students, colleges and universities.
There. Fixed it.
Comment by Chicago Cynic Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 2:45 pm
curiously indifferent
Comment by Jocko Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 2:45 pm
Find “gravely concerned”; replace with “happiest he has been in 20 years”…
Comment by Shark Sandwich Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 2:46 pm
“I’m speaking at African American churches every Sunday morning, and I judge myself by how many standing ovations I get.”
That is as true as this:
“Governor Rauner understands and is gravely concerned about the severe financial challenges facing our students, colleges and universities…”
The gospel according to Bruce.
Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 2:47 pm
The world needs ditch diggers too!
Comment by Henry Francis Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 2:48 pm
They could save a lot of time and ink if they printed a bunch of forms:
Governor Rauner understands and is gravely concerned about the severe financial challenges facing (BLANK) and that is why he is working every day to find consensus on a budget that is truly balanced, and ensure the state’s (BLANK) thrives in the long-term.”
Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 2:49 pm
From the Governor’s spokes person;
Governor Rauner doesn’t give a flying $*@# about higher education in Illinois. “We need ditch diggers too” said the Rauner. The Governor would have been transparent about his positions during the campaign but he most likely would not have gotten elected and therefore able to inflict draconian cuts to higher ed and human services. Rest assured though, Governor Rauner has the backs of the hard working millionaires and billionaires of our state.
Comment by Higher Ed Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 2:49 pm
“The governor doesn’t understand, and as long as his alma mater Dartmouth is fine, isn’t concerned either about the financial challenges facing Illinois students and schools. We hope that the General Assembly passes term limits, because that gets professors excited.”
Comment by Can Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 2:50 pm
Blissfully pleased
Endlessly gleeful
Warmly encouraged
Ridiculously tickled
Emotionally invested
Cautiously optimistic
Methodically purposed
Whimsically thoughtless
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 2:51 pm
Keep in mind, for it to sound like something Rauner to say (especially to say in front of an audience) it must have the phrase: “backbone of Illinois” in it.
Also, bonus points for: “my wife and I have given …”
Comment by Mr. K. Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 2:51 pm
Undertaking
Comment by Rabid Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 2:52 pm
I’ve never been happier than right now. I’m volunteerin’ for the greatest State in the world. Holdin’ fast to get my agenda passed is the thin’ to do. People are tellin’ me how proud they are about what I’m doin’. Shaken’ up Springfield, drivin’ out the corrupt politicians bent on keepin’ the status quo. I love ridin’ around on my Harley, talking to all kinds of folk. They all tell me what a great job I’m doin’.
The Speaker is goin’ to see the error if his ways pretty soon and will flop over like a wilted celery stick.
Comment by Huh? Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 2:52 pm
The Governors commitment to higher education is Gnostic and deeply personal.
Comment by Honeybear Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 2:54 pm
“I have come here to bury education, not to praise it.”
Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 2:54 pm
The Governor understands, but is hopelessly busy campaigning for the next election.
Comment by A Jack Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 2:54 pm
If these are added to the Rauner Word Jumble at a later time, can they give credit?
I’d hate to think all that software recalibration doesn’t also include a credit to the new word salads.
Thanks.
Curiously pleasant
Unmistakably proud
Oddly happy
Absurdly honored
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 2:54 pm
The Governor is clinking Champaign glasses with the first Lady and is tickled pink to see another bastion of collectivism fail.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 2:55 pm
At least his stable of superstar fillys are trained well
Comment by Rabid Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 2:56 pm
I believe abteuth response is better than fluff.
” the governor believes that freezing property taxes, term limits for the speaker, lower wages on public projects and lower worker safety laws are more important than your university or education “. Why not just go to Dartmouth”.
Comment by Really Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 2:56 pm
The governor is happier than he’s been in 20 years, except of course about this topic. On this topic the governor is concerned. Bigly. Now, who wants to take a picture with the governor and his motorcycle?
Comment by Harvest76 Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 2:58 pm
The Governor had never been happier to be in a position to help universities which have been negatively affected by Mike Madigan.
Comment by Quizzical Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 2:58 pm
The Governor remains gravely concerned however not concerned enough to actually do anything about it
Comment by DuPage Saint Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 2:58 pm
“The sun is neoliberalism, the magnifying glass is the budget impasse, Bruce is the ten year-old burning ants with said magnifying glass. I’ll let you guess who the ants are in this scenario.”
Comment by Cobra Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 3:00 pm
“Citizens should be gravely concerned that the governor is paying superstar money to sycophantic hacks who barely have the energy, talent or imagination to phone it in…”
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 3:02 pm
Lasting interment
Comment by Rabid Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 3:06 pm
Bruce can haz cheezburger
Comment by Buzz Fugazi Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 3:08 pm
HBO - “Dad’s Home State” - Season 3, Episode 38
Bruce takes to his motorcycle to contemplate things, looks back to find his security details’ motorcycles ran out of gas. Diana prepares a speech, looking at PowerPoint slides, pauses to talk about how happy Bruce has been since becoming governor. Diana’s State Employee looks for the quickest exits for Diana’s next 8 public appearances. Lance tweets pictures of butterflies landing on Marijuana plants to Rep. Lang, stuck on the House floor, “ck” gets out a white board and tries out numerous new “word combinations” that say absolutely nothing, but get her to giggle. Goldberg writes a letter to Leader Durkin. Comedy, 68 minutes.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 3:08 pm
Cemetery happy
Comment by Rabid Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 3:09 pm
Gravely - a popular commercial grade mower. That accurately describes the Rauner approach to higher education, he’s Gravely concerned that he can’t chop it down quickly enough.
Main Entry: mow
Part of Speech: verb
Definition: cut
Synonyms: clip, crop, scythe, shear, sickle, trim
Comment by AC Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 3:11 pm
The governor is gravely concerned his 10-15 closest billionaire friends might have to pay more.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 3:20 pm
One of Illinois’ corporate leaders needs more employees. Our program to disincentivize higher education will make McDonald’s a more attractive employment option. Jimmy John’s and other like employers will also see an uptick in their employment base.
Comment by Norseman Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 3:21 pm
===They could save a lot of time and ink if they printed a bunch of forms===
Or they could just assign numbers to standard responses. “I think we’ll go with ‘Number 5′ on that one, Amanda.”
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 3:24 pm
Concerned the newly-dug grave just ain’t big enough for all the universities.
Comment by Ed Higher Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 3:28 pm
Reporter 1: Who wants lunch?
Reporter 2: A #3, a #6, a #2, a #3… and a #9
Reporter 1: What menu are you ordering from?
Reporter 2: Oh sorry, I was reading a Rauner Administration email response and they’ve just gone to this coding system instead of actual words … Easier to cut and paste too.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 3:29 pm
Norseman: please note expanded use of electronic kiosks in McDonalds. They’re not looking to increase their head count.
Comment by Ed Higher Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 3:30 pm
GovernorJunk is gravely concerned the Koch brothers won’t bring out the good China when he comes to Palm springs for brunch and get his marching orders.
Comment by DeseDemDose Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 3:31 pm
Come on its all written by the same person that does all the correspondence, smartest person in the room
Comment by Rabid Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 3:33 pm
“The Governor is giddy about the severe financial challenges facing our students, colleges and universities because it creates opportunity to blame the General Assembly for failing to pass a balanced budget. This is why he is working every day to throw a wrench into any attempt at consensus on a budget that balances cuts with new taxes. If the state’s higher education system crashes, that’s a small price to pay for enacting the Turnaround Agenda.”
Comment by Babelfish Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 3:33 pm
concerned: posh term describing with much sarcasm that you couldn’t care less - Urban Dictionary
Seems to fit Rauner’s statements about hgher ed!
Comment by Joe M Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 3:37 pm
Somebody needs to add “gravely concerned” to the BS-Bingo cards.
Comment by Biscuit Head Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 3:43 pm
The governor’s office offered a written statement saying the governor is gravely concerned about the number of highly educated people already suffering “severe financial challenges” due to the cost of higher education. He feels there are already too many smart people out there that make him look dumb. The statement said the governor is working hard for a unsustainable solution in order to keep the uneducated voters on his side.
Comment by PlayK8 Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 3:52 pm
The Governor understands the that financial crisis he deliberately created is working as designed and causing great harm to Illinois students and higher education universities. The Governor is gravely concerned that he will not be able to successfully blame this problem on Madigan in 2018, but rest assured that Governor Rauner will do everything in his power to avoid taking responsibility for his failure to govern.
Comment by Mike Murray Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 3:52 pm
“The Governor wants you to know that although he promised to make education a priority, it was made without realizing that Michael J. Madigan would destroy our state to stay in political power, refusing every reform proposed while scooping up buckets in wealth from his tax schemes.Consequently our bright future has been interminably delayed due to Madigan’s demands for unquenchable greed and power.Governor Rauner has been reduced to being one of the Speaker’s powerless mushrooms, every hope dashed, every dream destroyed and utterly powerless in face of his massive power plays. The Governor hopes you will reelect him so that he could, perhaps, begin the job that Mr. Rauner never started!”
Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 3:57 pm
Wow, Vanilla Man, you must really believe poor Bruce is just a victim.
Comment by Jim Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 4:32 pm
The governor’s office is gravely concerned about the high degree of union activism and free thinking in public state universities and wishes to starve them of funding through the budget impasse so they can be privatized to better serve a streamlined corporate friendly workforce.
Comment by Thomas Griffin Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 4:43 pm
especially worried
tied up in knots
has his undies in a bunch
guts rumbling like a volcano
Comment by Arthur Andersen Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 4:43 pm
Rauner is Illinois’ biggest victim of gubernatorial expectations - since Illinois was created in 1818.
If Madigan would allow it, Bruce could have enacted his Turnaround Agenda and saved us all 1.5%, but since he’s been reduced to being a powerless Madigan adversay, poor Bruce has to run for reelection as a 2014 rerun!
Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 5:12 pm
Jim - 1.4% is a very active victim. He has said so.
Comment by Huh? Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 5:39 pm
Translation: gravely concerned equates to completely indifferent.
Comment by Wensicia Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 9:09 pm
The only thing Rauner is ‘Gravely concerned with’ is how much money he and his five rich friends can make after destroying the state.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jun 28, 17 @ 8:36 am