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Rauner: “I’ll never claim to be a perfect person”

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* This is either the closest thing we’ll ever see to a Bruce Rauner admission that he made a mistake or just a bit of gubernatorial misdirection…

Lawmakers are not expected to uphold the changes the governor made with his amendatory veto, but he is pushing for them to do just that, despite lingering uncertainties.

Rauner has been asked to explain why he didn’t discuss his proposed changes earlier. For weeks, he toured the state urging Democratic leaders to send him the education bill, so he could issue an amendatory veto. He didn’t specify what changes he wanted to make, but repeatedly blasted the existing bill as a “Chicago bailout.”

On Wednesday, reporters asked the governor whether it was a mistake to not have publicly discussed changes earlier — especially since an analysis by the Illinois State Board of Education is being re-tabulated based on a data error. State aid payments to school districts were to be sent out on Aug. 10 — but the state needs an “evidence-based” school funding formula approved before it can release those funds, per an agreement Democratic leaders inserted into a budget package.

“I’ll never claim to be a perfect person. Never have been, never will be. I don’t know anybody who is perfect,” Rauner said. “We can all try to do better. But let’s be clear. There is no legitimate reason for the General Assembly to have sat on that education bill for two months doing nothing. No excuse. From here we need to try to move quickly,” Rauner said, urging lawmakers to uphold his amendatory veto.

It’s difficult to disagree with the governor on the Senate’s decision to hold the bill for so long. But it’s also difficult to understand why he didn’t release his AV language weeks ago so that we’re not sitting around waiting for the Illinois State Board of Education to revamp its numbers after the Department of Revenue’s mistake.

* Meanwhile, the Ottawa Times editorial board takes up the issue of ISBE’s policy of allowing only the “sponsor” of a school funding reform bill to release the board’s numbers crunching…

When we called the state board’s PR person, she acknowledged an open records request would force the state board to release the documents, but that process can take five business days — a long time when financially struggling schools are set to open in a few days.

We wonder why the board must show such deference to politicians.
Here’s a better idea: Show deference to taxpayers — the folks who pay state board employees to do the analysis.

As soon as the board completes a study, it should post the results on its website. It can give a courtesy call to the governor to let him know it’s online. And he can view it there along with the rest of us.

When analyzing school funding bills, the state school board should see itself as a version of the Congressional Budget Office. In Washington, this agency scores legislation without any special courtesy for either Democrats or Republicans.

On the one hand, I agree. On the other hand, however, ISBE is often asked to score preliminary proposals. Those proposals are quite often revamped when ISBE’s results show problems.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Aug 10, 17 @ 9:28 am

Comments

==On the other hand, however, ISBE is often asked to score preliminary proposals. Those proposals are quite often revamped when ISBE’s results show problems.==

Seeing those iterations would be enlightening as well. It would help answer a lot of “Why didn’t they try…” type questions.

Comment by Pot calling kettle Thursday, Aug 10, 17 @ 9:33 am
He didn’t have the proposed changes weeks ago is what I am thinking. The Governor was fudging it all along that only CPS was going to take a hit. Then IPI people decided at the 11th hour they wanted to make an ideological attack on TIFs through the avenue of school funding and punishing school districts. By overloading the AV with their red meat buffet they completely mucked everything up.

Comment by Sonny Thursday, Aug 10, 17 @ 9:35 am
“Persistent rascal” is what he once claimed to be.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Aug 10, 17 @ 9:36 am
Um, queue the tape:

Asked by reporters how he would be able to put in place some cuts that have been discussed for years and discarded, Rauner replied, “I’ve been successful at everything I’ve ever done.”

- June 12, 2014
Chicago Tribune
By Monique Garcia, Rick Pearson and Michelle Manchir

@IllinoisWorking is going to have to update its Best Team in America ™ highlights.

Comment by Free Set of Steak Knives Thursday, Aug 10, 17 @ 9:37 am
===“I’ll never claim to be a perfect person. Never have been, never will be. I don’t know anybody who is perfect,” Rauner said. “We can all try to do better. …”===

“I’ve been successful at everything I’ve ever done.”

- Candidate Bruce Rauner

My “vote” is “candidate misdirection”

“Best Team in America” claims with a spokesperson thinking WWII Germany comparisons as “thoughtful”… and still having her in Comms… That statement above is misdirection, a phony “failing” to seem “human” while being the happiest he’s (Bruce Rauner) been in 20 years.

If anything? It’s covering for that “Best Team in America” and believing a simple majority will be needed to either accept or override.

“I’ll never claim to be a perfect person. Never have been, never will be. I don’t know anybody who is perfect,” Rauner said. “We can all try to do better. …”

The “Royal We” also is embarrassingly glaring… for a man claiming humility.

Right?

Exactly right.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Aug 10, 17 @ 9:37 am
Seeing earlier iterations shouldn’t be a problem, as long as it’s clear that they are early, non-finalized versions - don’t want to confuse people about what they are looking at. The only other potential problem would be if legislators were afraid to propose something for fear that it would show bad results in unexpected ways, i.e. stifle new ideas.

Comment by Perrid Thursday, Aug 10, 17 @ 9:38 am
Governors own. Diana Rauner is bad and should feel bad.

Comment by Oswego Silly Thursday, Aug 10, 17 @ 9:38 am
The fix for all these ISBE scoring issues is just to have them make available all of the data sets that go into the calculations (property tax rates, attendance per school, school district per state legislative district, etc.) There are enough do-gooder open data people now that if the necessary data was made available somebody would create the publicly available computer systems to allow parents and taxpayers to see the different options. The city of Chicago released their data on their snow plows and somebody built a website to show which street get plowed during a snowstorm, something kind of neat but of limited usefulness. Imagine what would happen if the underlying data for the very complicated school funding formula options were available?

Comment by The Captain Thursday, Aug 10, 17 @ 9:43 am
If the proposal is introduced, then the numbers should be available. If a legislator was looking for feedback on a draft prior to introduction, then ISBE not sharing makes sense, but a public proposal in the form of legislation should have the analysis shared publicly.

Comment by Montrose Thursday, Aug 10, 17 @ 9:44 am
A CEO that made a proposal without having any idea of the economic impact would be laughed out of any boardroom in America.

Perhaps that is why private equity dispenses with boards.

Comment by A Jack Thursday, Aug 10, 17 @ 9:44 am
How odd? Rauner has certainly presented himself as omniscient about all things running a business or what will attract business and that these translate directly into running a state.

Comment by Aldyth Thursday, Aug 10, 17 @ 9:44 am
I think Sonny has it right about BTIA going all dorm-room on the AV. Bonehead move, given the late date and lack of buy-in.

Rauner has obviously been confused when asked about the ramifications of his AV. He doesn’t have a clue as to what it does except stick it to CPS.

In addition, BTIA thought all they needed was a simple majority to get their way — and trotted the governor out to say that, making him look foolish.

They’re in way over their heads, and it shows, every day.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Aug 10, 17 @ 9:44 am
“Not a perfect person…”. Well THATs something that didn’t need clarification. Worse, it’s the cheapest self- defense any person can shroud themselves. Stating an obvious and using as false humility. He never fails to disappoint.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Aug 10, 17 @ 9:44 am
If you’re gonna troll, try to be witty, or smart, or comical.

Lots of trolling lately. Guess some have very little to say.

To the Post,

Process is where Rauner failed. Twice

Once in the Chamber hold on SB1 and not getting organized enough to anticipate that move by the Senate (agree with it or not, it was a process issue that Rauner’s Crew should of anticipated) and… the process of knowing the AV/Veto override rules, and along with that, having in place a response to counter once that move (AV/Veto) was completed.

The ball was dropped once, but with turnovers, it’s not the turnover that hurts in the end, it’s how others capitalize on the mistake.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Aug 10, 17 @ 9:45 am
Mr/Ms Perrid:
That is a beautiful thought to bad it never happens. Media, lobos, advocates, etc are taught to rush with details and pretend all is set in cement. There are bunches of time when a sponsor decide to toss their work in the drawer when the numbers don’t work.
What is scarier is that ISBE blames IDOR for data errors. Anyone close to the question of TIF EAV knows it is no easy task to suddenly count it in a statewide formula.
We don’t think any one ever even suggested GovJunk was perfect. He has shown little or no interest in details of his destructive work. This is the latest and most jarrin’ example. Nearly 3 yeears on the job and he still does not know how many votes are needed to enact a scheme.
BTW still waitin’ for IDOR to reveal the “mistake” Guessin’ the “mistake” was GovJunk learnin’ how many kids were bein’ S* with his new scheme.

Comment by Annonin' Thursday, Aug 10, 17 @ 9:46 am
Captain you mean a more transparent government? didnt somone promise that (before hiding his schedules)?

Comment by Ghost Thursday, Aug 10, 17 @ 9:53 am
Easy to say you’re not perfect when being “not perfect” means you have a lousy week of news and aren’t getting fired, or your child losing a special ed aide.

Comment by Will Caskey Thursday, Aug 10, 17 @ 9:53 am
Yea, that’s your story and you are sticking to it. I truely believe that you are in another universe then the current one and it’s called universe plutocrat surrounded by your administration “Team America” too. Next, you’ll be driving out in your “middle class” high mileage van claiming that you’re with the common man to….. right? When will the nightmare be over….

Comment by Hey Now Thursday, Aug 10, 17 @ 10:01 am
“I’ll never claim to be a perfect person” Is this is weak attempt at replacing his hubris with humility?

Comment by Flynn's mom Thursday, Aug 10, 17 @ 10:27 am
More games. Always game. No action. No fixing, let the chairs be mused and muddled all while the children scurry.

Games. Games. Games.

Comment by DespondentBlueDog Thursday, Aug 10, 17 @ 10:57 am
Well, I suspect most Illinois voters would prefer intelligence over perfection.

Rauner’s a guy that lacks both. It’s an issue.

Comment by Mr. K. Thursday, Aug 10, 17 @ 11:19 am
The hurdle has never been perfection. Minimal competence is all that is required for reelection. I am amazed how often this standard is not met.

Comment by PragmaticR Thursday, Aug 10, 17 @ 11:41 am
===”I never claimed to be a perfect person.”===

Wasn’t that the quote from the Captain of the Exxon Valdez?

Comment by Trapped in the 'burbs Thursday, Aug 10, 17 @ 12:06 pm
After introduction, SB1 was not longer a “proposal” or preliminary, so scoring should be immediate and public. After being released, the Gov’s AV was also no longer “preliminary” and should have been immediately scored and made public. If the Gov were still trying to structure his AV prior to issuing it, THAT would be preliminary. Geez.

Comment by Jibba Thursday, Aug 10, 17 @ 12:54 pm
== Minimal competence is all that is required for reelection. ==

As I told a manager one time, he was being paid to be right at least 51% of the time.

Comment by RNUG Thursday, Aug 10, 17 @ 1:43 pm
===There is no legitimate reason for the General Assembly to have sat on that education bill for two months doing nothing. No excuse. === And there is no excuse for Rauner not introducing his own legislation, and there is no excuse for Rauner not sharing his AV, and there is no excuse for many things that have happened in this administration…. but it all happened now move on for crying out loud and try something new…like governing!

Comment by justpeachy Thursday, Aug 10, 17 @ 2:54 pm
He may never have claimed to be a perfect person. But he certainly doles out punishment to a lot of people who are going to hurt a lot more than he ever will for his shortcomings.

Comment by Albany Park Patriot Thursday, Aug 10, 17 @ 4:21 pm
Rauner questions his abilities , it’s we’s fault, perfect

Comment by Rabid Thursday, Aug 10, 17 @ 5:04 pm
==I’ll never claim to be a perfect person. Never have been, never will be.==

Finally, a quantifiable and finite statement by our governor. First one since inauguration.

Comment by Wading in... Thursday, Aug 10, 17 @ 5:58 pm
Govenor claims to being imperfect, carries the day

Comment by Rabid Thursday, Aug 10, 17 @ 6:15 pm