Latest Post | Last 10 Posts | Archives
Previous Post: Question of the day
Next Post: Caption contest!
Posted in:
* From Madigan…
House Speaker Michael J. Madigan issued the following statement Wednesday:
“As he has done throughout his administration, Governor Rauner chooses to blame others for the challenges facing our state on his watch instead of being the leader he was elected to be. If the governor were as serious about addressing property taxes as he is about scoring cheap political points, he would have come to the table and worked with Democrats to support any of the multiple bills we have advanced to provide property tax relief for middle class families.
“For the good of our state, maybe it’s better the governor continue sitting on the sidelines and pretend he is ‘not in charge.’ That way, serious leaders can continue working to move our state forward, while the governor can continue to ignore his utterly dismal record without accomplishments, and avoid the real discussion about the damage he has inflicted on our state. While he remains on the sidelines, those of us in the Legislature will continue working together in a bipartisan way to ensure our state moves forward.”
I’ll post most other responses on our live coverage post.
*** UPDATE *** Comptroller Mendoza…
We just heard Governor Rauner’s re-election speech. Now he has 14 days to deliver a balanced budget that doesn’t involve pixie dust and magic beans.
I don’t know about ‘turning yesterday into tomorrow,’ but Governor Rauner turned the $5 billion backlog of bills he inherited into a $16.7 billion backlog. He deficit-spent more than any other governor in the history of Illinois - $5 billion a year.
You heard all the applause for his empty promise to propose a balanced budget. The Governor has had three chances to propose a balanced budget. All the objective fact-checkers, Politifact, the Better Government Association, all agree his budgets have been billions of dollars out of balance and his claims to the contrary flat-out lies.
I welcome his call for bipartisan governing. The good news is we do have bi-partisanship. Republican and Democratic legislators came together last year to override the governor’s vetoes on the budget and my Debt Transparency Act. Just before Governor Rauner entered the chamber to deliver his State of the State address, Legislators of both parties came together to override the Governor’s veto of education funding.
Our Debt Transparency Report we released last week showed he ran up $1 billion dollars in late payment interest penalties over the last 2 ½ years. That’s money that will never be spent on educating our children; rebuilding our state; or fixing the pipes at the Quincy Veterans Home where 13 people have died from Legionnaire’s Disease on his watch.
We need to see a balanced budget from him. We need for him to answer these five questions:1) How are you going to cover the cost of the $1 billion in late interest penalties you racked up by not paying the state’s bills on time?
2) What is your plan to pay down the State’s $8.37 billion bill backlog?
3) How will you account for the $2.3 billion in unappropriated spending by your agencies last year?
4) How will you account for the $1.7 billion in unrealized revenues and savings from failed initiatives like the sale of the Thompson Center and the Tier III retirement plan?
5) Can you, for the first time, introduce a balanced gimmick-free budget that doesn’t call for pixie dust and magic beans?
Mendoza’s Republican opponent Darlene Senger…
“I applaud the Governor’s call for common-sense, bipartisan solutions that can deliver real property tax relief for Illinois families starting with reforming the broken and corrupt property tax assessment system. For too long, this system has benefited the insiders and connected while punishing hard-working families who only lack clout.
“The time is now for those, like Speaker Madigan and Comptroller Mendoza, who continue to defend and benefit from this broken system to either support reform — or get out of the way.”
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jan 31, 18 @ 12:53 pm
Sorry, comments are closed at this time.
Previous Post: Question of the day
Next Post: Caption contest!
WordPress Mobile Edition available at alexking.org.
powered by WordPress.
Madigan can be quite eloquent when he wants.
Comment by Cheryl44 Wednesday, Jan 31, 18 @ 12:57 pm
Thank you sir. May I have another.
Comment by Huh? Wednesday, Jan 31, 18 @ 12:58 pm
Pritzker, Kennedy, Biss etc… take note. This is an excellent response. Short, to the point, and shows what the person is going to do next. Also, no bullet-points.
Comment by Fixer Wednesday, Jan 31, 18 @ 1:00 pm
drops the mic
Comment by doofusguy Wednesday, Jan 31, 18 @ 1:01 pm
Back, back, back, hey, hey Madigan hits a grand slam with that one. Although, in fairness, Rauner did give him a lob ball by making the comment in the first place.
Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Jan 31, 18 @ 1:02 pm
Rauner never has explained how his multiple actions to worsen state finances is complementary to support of lower property taxes.
Impairing the states ability to support various functions seems to put more onto the local level - thus upward pressure on local sales and property taxes. What am I missing here???
Comment by Question Wednesday, Jan 31, 18 @ 1:04 pm
===“For the good of our state, maybe it’s better the governor continue sitting on the sidelines and pretend he is ‘not in charge.’ That way, serious leaders can continue working to move our state forward, while the governor can continue to ignore his utterly dismal record without accomplishments, and avoid the real discussion about the damage he has inflicted on our state. While he remains on the sidelines, those of us in the Legislature will continue working together in a bipartisan way to ensure our state moves forward.”===
Here is what Rauner will face this legislative session… and Madigan calls it where Rauner himself and his (Rauner’s) words fail Rauner himself.
Pure genius response.
No more is or was needed.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jan 31, 18 @ 1:05 pm
The Speaker fights back. We haven’t heard from the Speaker much lately. My opinion is when he is quiet he is looking for an edge. I think he found it. This should be a real interesting session.
Comment by Retired Educator Wednesday, Jan 31, 18 @ 1:05 pm
- “Rauner did give him a lob ball by making the comment in the first place.”
That’s because Rauner is out of his league and completely overmatched.
Comment by Chicago 20 Wednesday, Jan 31, 18 @ 1:05 pm
Why isn’t anyone including newspapers exposing Rauner on property taxes? Ives pointed out that Rauner took republican votes off a property tax relief bill because he wanted this to be still a issue for his reelection. So you have a Governor where his reelection is more important than you being relieved of high property taxes. We need news reporters to do there job and expose this. Jb should expose this.
Comment by Real Wednesday, Jan 31, 18 @ 1:06 pm
You have to read between the lines a little, but I think Madigan’s statement left open the door to working constructively with Rauner.
“For the good of our state,…the governor…can continue working to move our state forward,…and avoid the…damage.”
See? That’s positive. That is something to build on.
Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Jan 31, 18 @ 1:07 pm
And the great wizard of the 13th ward will continue to create problems that he will then — for a fee of course — “fix.”
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jan 31, 18 @ 1:10 pm
Rauner hath awaken the sleeping giant…
Comment by Answer Wednesday, Jan 31, 18 @ 1:10 pm
=And the great wizard of the 13th ward will continue to create problems that he will then — for a fee of course — “fix.”=
How are local property taxation policies set at the state legislature?
Bueller?
Anyone?
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jan 31, 18 @ 1:12 pm
I agree, excellent, accurate and concise response.
When you have someone like Rauner, who is arguably the worst governor per capita (for his three years) in state history, and caused the most per capita damage, Madigan should speak out and go on the attack more.
Comment by Grandson of Man Wednesday, Jan 31, 18 @ 1:18 pm
to create problems that he will then — for a fee of course — “fix.”=
How are local property taxation policies set at the state legislature?
Bueller?
Anyone?
Ummm…let’s start with 35 ILCS 200
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jan 31, 18 @ 1:18 pm
“”Ives pointed out that Rauner took republican votes off a property tax relief bill because he wanted this to be still a issue for his reelection.”"
Real. I have heard this from other Republican and Democratic House members. And on workers’ comp as well.
No matter what he said publicly, Rauner simply would not take a “win”, unless it included the bulk of his overall agenda.
If you agree with the stated goals of Rauner’s Turnaround Agenda, then his implementation strategy has been tragic.
Comment by walker Wednesday, Jan 31, 18 @ 1:23 pm
To the Update-the Comptroller’s piece was a tad long, but totally on point. She continues to impress.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Wednesday, Jan 31, 18 @ 1:26 pm
==Madigan should speak out and go on the attack more==
I’ve got to disagree with this. For all of his eloquence in press releases, that just isn’t who Mike Madigan is. Remember when he was doing those weekly press conferences a couple of years back? They were ….. not great.
Madigan is too old and has been around too long to move into 21st century politics. Better he keep Steve Brown to do that type of stuff for him, and stick to the 80’s-era stuff he knows like phone banks of people cold calling likely voters and sending out mountains of direct mail pieces. Or better yet, retire and hand the operation over to a younger generation that isn’t averse to things like rapid response, Twitter, Facebook pages, etc.
Comment by Lester Holt’s Mustache Wednesday, Jan 31, 18 @ 1:31 pm
Is Madigan defining Gubernatorial leadership as coming to Madigan’s table and signing on to bills Madigan and Democrats decide to advance?
Isn’t that what Rauner was trying to say when he uttered his infamous I am not in charge line?
Comment by Louis G Atsaves Wednesday, Jan 31, 18 @ 1:31 pm
Clearly we should all believe Madigan more than Rauner when it comes to the very complicated issue of property taxes since Madigan has such a wealth of experience on the issue.
Comment by Just Me Wednesday, Jan 31, 18 @ 1:37 pm
Louis, you will find the answer to your question by talking with Republican legislators and leaders like Radogno, who worked on bi-partisan solutions.
Comment by walker Wednesday, Jan 31, 18 @ 1:39 pm
Mendoza’s response includes facts and raises specific questions.
Senger’s response . . . Is wingman quality?
Comment by Henry Francis Wednesday, Jan 31, 18 @ 1:39 pm
where is state of the state bingo?
Comment by where Wednesday, Jan 31, 18 @ 1:40 pm
One thing worth noting, Mendoza has much better writers working for her than Senger. Senger could have just said “ditto Governor” to have had the same impact.
Comment by TominChicago Wednesday, Jan 31, 18 @ 1:41 pm
===“I applaud the Governor’s call for common-sense, bipartisan solutions that can deliver real property tax relief for Illinois families starting with reforming the broken and corrupt property tax assessment system. For too long, this system has benefited the insiders and connected while punishing hard-working families who only lack clout.===
Does Senger know Rauner isn’t running for Cook County Assessor?
The word jumble hasn’t been the same since the Superstars left..
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jan 31, 18 @ 1:42 pm
SENGER—you are running for comptroller, not supervisor of assessments. But, as they say, if you are bought, stay bought.
Don’t count on a post election parachute
Comment by Langhorne Wednesday, Jan 31, 18 @ 1:48 pm
“The time is now for those, like Speaker Madigan and Comptroller Mendoza, who continue to defend and benefit from this broken system to either support reform — or get out of the way.”
Props to Darlene for making me laugh so hard I fell out of my chair. There was a reform bill… it was actually named after Comptroller Mendoza… and your lord and master vetoed it. That statement is just precious on more than one level (remember, your boss financially benefited greatly from the broken pension system). Thank you, Dar.
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Wednesday, Jan 31, 18 @ 1:51 pm
No one complaining that Madigan’s House has yet to pass a true balanced budget for close to two decades?
How many billions (that could go for services for the taxpayers) are being spent on interest payments on the pension debt?
How many times did Mendoza vote not to fully fund pension requirements while in the House? Was she for transparency back then or was the job just a stepping stone to bigger and better things?
Yes Rauner blew it just as much as the Legislature has been blowing it for decades in policy and financial management. Of course they weren’t alone as past Governors from both parties get the blame as well.
Comment by Stand Tall Wednesday, Jan 31, 18 @ 2:03 pm
===No one complaining that Madigan’s House has yet to pass a true balanced budget for close to two decades?===
Go see Charlie Wheeler, then get back to us.
===- charlie wheeler - Wednesday, Jan 17, 18 @ 7:07 pm
Points of Information re balanced budgets
“When was the last time Illinois actually had a balanced budget?”
Illinois last ended its fiscal year with a general funds budgetary surplus (GF available balance > lapse period spending) in FY2001, when the AB was greater than LPS by some $300 million.
As measured by declining budgetary deficits, Illinois last had a balanced budget (current year spending less than current year revenues) in FY2015, when the deficit declined by slightly more than $1 billion.
If unfunded pension liabilities are included, Illinois likely has never had a balanced budget since the state assumed responsibility for certain public employees’ retirement benefits a century ago. Nor is the state likely to have a balanced budget under this concept for the foreseeable future, as the unfunded liabilities totaled roughly $129 billion as of 6/30/17, roughly three-and-a-half times the estimated general funds revenues for FY 2018.
Sources: Illinois Comptroller Reports, Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability.
Charlie Wheeler===
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jan 31, 18 @ 2:07 pm
–I don’t know about ‘turning yesterday into tomorrow,’ but Governor Rauner turned the $5 billion backlog of bills he inherited into a $16.7 billion backlog. He deficit-spent more than any other governor in the history of Illinois - $5 billion a year.–
On purpose, too. It was called “leverage.”
Despite what Junior Wingman-wannabe Senger says, best not to “get out of the way” of that kind of “reform.”
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Jan 31, 18 @ 2:09 pm
Senger should also sit on the sidelines with that response.
Comment by JGG Wednesday, Jan 31, 18 @ 2:10 pm
==I applaud the Governor’s call==
To her credit, Darlene points out the governor’s one (and only) strength…talk. Lots and lots of talk.
Comment by Jocko Wednesday, Jan 31, 18 @ 2:22 pm
== Impairing the states ability to support various functions seems to put more onto the local level - thus upward pressure on local sales and property taxes. What am I missing here??? ==
Rauner is trying to create taxpayer unrest so he ride to the rescue with his union busting right to work “solutions”. That’s why he keeps pointing out how bad the property tax is.
Comment by RNUG Wednesday, Jan 31, 18 @ 2:41 pm
== How are local property taxation policies set at the state legislature? ==
Indirectly, by underfunding schools and imposing unfunded mandates.
Comment by RNUG Wednesday, Jan 31, 18 @ 2:45 pm
Can’t say the Speaker AKA “Mr Bipartisanship” and” I am not a change person” does not have chutzpah
“For the good of our state, maybe it’s better the governor continue sitting on the sidelines and pretend he is ‘not in charge.’ That way, serious leaders can continue working to move our state forward, while the governor can continue to ignore his utterly dismal record without accomplishments, and avoid the real discussion about the damage he has inflicted on our state. While he remains on the sidelines, those of us in the Legislature will continue working together in a bipartisan way to ensure our state moves forward.”
Zero acknowledgment of his own dismal record and approval ratings that are lower than the Governor.
Comment by Lucky Pierre Wednesday, Jan 31, 18 @ 2:50 pm
No wonder the Speaker admits the pensions are unsustainable but he will not advance any solutions because he cares more about powerful government unions than middle class Illinois families.
Comment by Lucky Pierre Wednesday, Jan 31, 18 @ 2:58 pm
Madigan’s approval ratings: 26.2%. On the Capitol Fax commentary: 80%.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jan 31, 18 @ 5:21 pm
==objective fact-checkers==
No such thing, and Mendoza should demand better from her writers.
Comment by Chris Widger Wednesday, Jan 31, 18 @ 5:44 pm
===Mendoza should demand better from her writers.===
Abdon, arguably, is one of the best under the Dome.
“And you can print that”
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jan 31, 18 @ 5:46 pm
I’m thinking the GA should help the governor figure out what’s going on with those Medicaid contracts he signed, that ballooned from and estimated $40B to $63B in a week.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Jan 31, 18 @ 5:47 pm
Actually, the Governor has a large store of magic beans. He keeps them on the back porch at the Mansion.
Comment by Keyrock Wednesday, Jan 31, 18 @ 8:34 pm
===…and approval ratings that are lower than the Governor.===
Good thing the Speaker is the running against the Governor, lol
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jan 31, 18 @ 8:54 pm
Madigan benches the govenor
Comment by Rabid Thursday, Feb 1, 18 @ 5:26 am