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EIU trustee appalled by tax hike is running for House

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* From the Illinois Policy Institute’s news service…

A number of Republican Illinois state representatives have announced that they won’t run for re-election in 2018 after bucking governor and party to support a tax increase. The people aiming to replace them say that’s why they’re running. […]

Eastern Illinois University trustee Dan Caulkins, R-Decatur, is one of several considering a run for Rep. Bill Mitchell’s, R-Forsyth, seat after he said he wouldn’t run for re-election. Caulkins was appalled by the GOP votes in favor of a tax increase without anything in return.

“We got nothing out of it,” he said. “The people of Illinois got nothing but higher income taxes.”

EIU almost died due to lack of a budget and he’s complaining about the tax hike.

That’s quite something.

It appears that Caulkins’ initial appointment to the EIU board was confirmed back in February. However, his reappointment was recently assigned to the Senate Executive Appointments Committee.

Perhaps the the committee can ask Mr. Caulkins about this matter?

* Also, from the press release announcing his appointment in 2015…

Currently, Caulkins is the Vice President and COO of Patterson House, Inc. The company operates homes for adults with developmental disabilities.

…Adding… Hmm…

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 11:40 am

Comments

Sounds like the poster boy for an IPI-style ILGOP.

Represent an area by killing its economic engine for the sake of ideological purity.

While making a living in the very service sector he wants to destroy.

What a great human being.

Comment by Blue Bayou Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 11:43 am
“I did enjoyed EIU being put to the brink… ‘but the tax hike’… ”

Yeah.

Rauner vetoed funding, again, for EIU.

The Democrats with Rep. Mitchell, other GOP members… saved EIU…

Dan Caulkins is now, arguably, the most ignorant to self awareness candidate I’ve come across in a long time.

A pathetic person lacking an understanding to his own perficament for EIU.

“Got nothing”?

It kept EIU…open.

“Rauner vetoed that”

Keep up, Dan Caulkins.

Thank YOU, Rep. Mitchell.

I won’t forget. Promise.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 11:48 am
That’s what you get for running up a bunch of bills that you never intended to pay.

Comment by Me Again Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 11:48 am
“We got nothing out of it” - other than a budget you dope.

Comment by We'll See Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 11:50 am
Way to support your alma mater…

“Daniel Caulkins, who was appointed to the EIU Board of Trustees in November 2015, earned his bachelor’s degree in business from Eastern in 1973.”

https://tinyurl.com/yc7djj54

Comment by Anon221 Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 11:53 am
Just what Illinois needs: Another gabby dorm-room purist who thinks he’s entitled to others actually doing the necessary heavy-lifting.

Wouldn’t want to get messy or rip a hangnail.

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 11:53 am
Just what we need another candidate who is uninformed and talks sideways

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 11:55 am
This will be fun to watch. I suppose though most of the district wants smaller gvt and lower taxes. Let it begin with EIU.

Comment by Give Me A Break Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 11:55 am
https://www.sucss.illinois.gov/Boards/mbInfo.aspx?osm=c9&CommMemberID=24 AND operates homes for adults with developmental disabilities? Really?

Comment by NoGifts Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 11:56 am
I know its shocking to the tax and spend sensibilities around here, but some people actually wanted a budget that was balanced with existing revenues. Barring that, some people were willing to accept a temporary increase if it came with long term reductions in spending and long term improvements to the business environment.

What we got was a tax increase with no meaningful changes to long term spending and no meaningful improvements to the economy that funds the Government to begin with.

This guy is on point and I would be happy to donate or volunteer for his campaign.

Comment by Political Animal Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 11:57 am
== “We got nothing out of it,” he said. “The people of Illinois got nothing but higher income taxes.” ==

Not a single union busted. That’s simply unacceptable to Mr. Caulkins and his bankrolling Governor.

Comment by thunderspirit Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 11:59 am
If he’s still COO at Patterson House, a wellness check on the residents in those group homes might be in order.

Comment by Markus Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 11:59 am
Looking at his last race for city council in Decatur he took donations from AFSCME, Firefighters, IBEW, Operating Engineers, Painters, Laborers, Plumbers and Pipefitters, Carpenters, and Roofers unions, as well as from Decatur Building and Construction Trades and Decatur Trades and Labor. How does that play in IPI World?

Comment by GV Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 11:59 am
- Political Animal -

Dan Caulkins is a trustee that is against thd tax increase, but can’t understand that Rauner vetoed all of EIU’s funding… and is “cool” with that.

That’s what you’d volunteer for, a person so unaware that the Illinois House needs that logic?

Oh boy, lol

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 12:01 pm
==Rauner vetoed all of EIU’s funding==

That’s a nonsense argument no matter how many times you repeat it.

Vetoing the budget does not mean you’re opposed to every line item in it. Support for any bill is contingent on the whole package, which is often more than a sum of the parts.

Or do you think every House Dem who voted against the school funding compromise is against all school funding? If the bill hadn’t passed, schools wouldn’t have been paid.

Comment by Political Animal Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 12:04 pm
-Political Animal- …but some people actually wanted a budget that was balanced with existing revenues.

Too bad Governor Junk never introduced such a budget. Right?

Comment by don the legend Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 12:05 pm
We first saw bite the hand that feeds you from guys like Rauner that made their money off pensions and want to to 22nd them. This is some new phenomenon..anyone explain this clearly irrational behaviour?

Comment by David Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 12:20 pm
Would fun watching him on a porch explaining why EIU should still be without a budget and laying off staff. Good luck with that.

Comment by Give Me A Break Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 12:21 pm
PA, your word salad neglects to mention the governor’s line-item and reduction veto powers.

It’s all about process….

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 12:22 pm
I cannot wait to see what junior Raunerite gets nod to replace my rep: Andersson

Comment by DuPage Saint Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 12:25 pm
Oh, - Political Animal -, LOL…

You can’t tout that “tax hike” veto and then say that vetoing the entire EIU budget is nonsense.

Good try, thou. Made me laugh.

“Rauner vetoed EIU funding”

That’s true. Thems the breaks.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 12:25 pm
Must have went to school at Rauner Prep

Comment by Precinct Captain Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 12:26 pm
Not only did the vote for the tax increase save EIU but I do believe they received a little extra, percentage wise than the other public universities, likely the extra push Reggie needed to switch over. And this guy is a trustee and did not know that!?!

Comment by Because I said so.... Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 12:27 pm
===Currently, Caulkins is the Vice President and COO of Patterson House, Inc. The company operates homes for adults with developmental disabilities.===

Wonder …if… that company was paid, and …when… by Comptroller Munger, and …how… much.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 12:27 pm
He’ll be a perfect fit for the district. Run as anti Chicago guy, yell and scream about any revenue increases and then act totally shocked and appalled when anything in your district is cut. Raunerism 101. Be the victim.

Comment by ToughGuy Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 12:28 pm
-Political Animal @11:57- …but some people actually wanted a budget that was balanced with existing revenues.

As I recall the Legislature asked every Agency Director where cuts could be made and not a single one offered any suggestions. It’s pretty hard to balance the budget on cuts alone when they won’t tell you where cuts can be made.

Comment by Past the Rule of 85 Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 12:31 pm
As an EIU Alum and current resident of the area around EIU . . . Mr. Caulkins, please DO NOT run for any kind of political office. What part of EIU absolutely needing that budget to pass, did you not understand?

Comment by East Central Illinois Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 12:34 pm
Cauklins’ company, like most comunity providers, has been getting paid because of Federal consent decrees, therefore they didn’t feel the pain of being one of Bruce’s hostages.

Comment by We'll See Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 12:36 pm
EIU has quite a champion in this guy. His business is 100 percent dependent on state and federal funds (the DD waiver program) but he’s posing as an anti government pro business guy. Geez Louise….

Comment by Joe Biden Was Here Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 12:39 pm
EIU alums and other persons interested in quality higher education - vote accordingly.

Comment by Norseman Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 12:45 pm
I wonder if Cauklins’ company and him support the ongoing effort to raise the state’s funding for direct support staff. If so, hypocrisy abounds.

Comment by We'll See Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 1:09 pm
===“We got nothing out of it,” he said. “The people of Illinois got nothing but higher income taxes.”===

Another fiscal liberal. Wants all the services but can’t stand the thought of paying for them.

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 1:10 pm
As a distinguished alum, make him grand marshal of the EIU homecoming parade. Give everyone a chance to give him a friendly wave.

Comment by Skeptical Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 1:13 pm
-Political Animal @11:57- …but some people actually wanted a budget that was balanced with existing revenues.

You do understand that such a budget would necessarily eliminate EIU and eliminate or make very dramatic cuts to the funding for Mr. Caulkin’s business. Although, I suppose if he starts making big bucks as a state rep, he won’t need that COO job anymore.

Caulkin is either oblivious to the reality of a cut budget or he is willing to grossly misrepresent his actual position in order to pander to a sector of the voting public. Perhaps if you volunteer for his campaign, you can find out and let us know.

Comment by Pot calling kettle Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 1:13 pm
==but some people actually wanted a budget that was balanced with existing revenues.==

When you start with that you can’t be taken seriously. A serious person would never say such a thing. It couldn’t be done. Period.

==This guy is on point==

He was on point to close his university? Heck of a trustee.

==Vetoing the budget does not mean you’re opposed to every line item in it.==

Then perhaps he should have used is line item veto power to get rid of what he didn’t want and appropriate what he did like.

Comment by Demoralized Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 1:15 pm
I would vote against his appointment. He clearly isn’t interested in maintaining EIU as a going concern or he wouldn’t have berated the tax increase. Why would you want a trustee who either doesn’t care about EIU or is completely blind to reality.

Comment by Demoralized Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 1:17 pm
===Eastern Illinois University trustee Dan Caulkins, R-Decatur, is one of several considering a run for Rep. Bill Mitchell’s, R-Forsyth, seat after he said he wouldn’t run for re-election. Caulkins was appalled by the GOP votes in favor of a tax increase without anything in return.

“We got nothing out of it,” he said. “The people of Illinois got nothing but higher income taxes.”===

What about not falling to junk bond status and the ability to pay some bills?

Comment by forwhatitsworth Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 1:21 pm
As bad as Texans Republicans can be, the Illinois ones are much worse.

Comment by Texian Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 1:23 pm
We must destroy our village in order to save it. - Rep. Caulkins

Comment by Undiscovered country Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 1:26 pm
==As bad as Texans Republicans can be, the Illinois ones are much worse.==

Because they voted for a tax increase so that we can pay our bills?

Comment by Demoralized Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 1:29 pm
The Texans are paying their bills. That’s one of the reasons I had to leave Illinois. The Illinois GOP has stopped Illinois from being able to pay theirs.

Comment by Texian Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 1:30 pm
Repubs. Dems. No difference when it comes to spending hypocrisy.

Comment by Blue dog dem Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 1:47 pm
I don’t vote for men with gray facial hair, especially mustaches.

Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 2:10 pm
VMan, I’ll keep that in mind. lol

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 2:12 pm
C’mon guys. Take it easy on him. He said him himself. “He was appalled”.

When you’re appalled, you have no choice. /s

Comment by A guy Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 2:41 pm
===VMan, I’ll keep that in mind. lol===

Time to buy stock in Grecian Formula?

Comment by A guy Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 2:42 pm
Gray beards are OK within reason, they might get my vote.
Gray goatees, no. Fifteen years out of style. No.
Gray mustaches - Dude, no. Please. It’s not 1980.

This guy? Geez. No way. That mustache looks like it came out of a Montgomery Ward junk mail flyer from 1978.

Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 2:42 pm
The Texans were very smart to put that ocean of oil under their state, and then tax all the other states to use it.

Comment by igotgotgotgotnotime Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 2:45 pm
I can’t even talk to a guy with a nasty old gray mustache without thinking, “Dude, you’re so totally out of it.”

You eat with that thing?

Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 2:46 pm
Could be worse VMan. Could be a handlebar mustache.

Comment by Demoralized Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 3:27 pm
He was the guy who tapped the woman’s shoulder and told her to put her book down which she was reading at the Trump rally in Springfield.

Comment by Decatur Girl Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 6:20 pm
Didn’t EIU get extra funding in the budget agreement for aging HVAC systems in 2 or 3 of their main buildings that were old as dirt? I would say that is something.

Comment by bigD Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 7:43 pm
As an EIU alum and voter in your potential district, I’m glad to be able to not vote for you.

Comment by OurMagician Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 8:29 pm
Interesting from May, 2010 as well. I can’t imagine things have changed much since then.

http://herald-review.com/news/local/private-vendors-local-businesses-suffer-as-illinois-fails-to-pay/article_8f20a5ab-2afd-5890-a686-34555ae7667d.html

Dan Caulkins, co-owner of Patterson House Inc., said the state owes more than $750,000 in Medicaid costs to the four group homes it operates for developmentally disabled adults in Central Illinois.

“The last month we were paid for was November,” he said.

Before the federal stimulus package helped the state catch up with some Medicaid payments, Caulkins said the state was as far as six months behind. Currently, it’s closer to two months behind, but he is concerned it’ll soon get worse.

“The stimulus money has forced the state to give some priority to its health care providers, which is greatly appreciated for now,” he said. “But that isn’t going to last. We’re going to find ourselves back in the cycle that we were in prior to this federal money.”

Comment by bamatthews Wednesday, Aug 30, 17 @ 9:55 am