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* Check out the breathless headline…

How Bruce Rauner Decimated Agriculture in Illinois

Rauner Tried to Zero Out Ag Funding, Shut Down Illinois State Museum

Chicago, IL – Bruce Rauner is celebrating Illinois Agriculture Legislative Day today at the Illinois State Museum, but his failed record on supporting the agriculture industry begs serious questions:
Why did Rauner propose eliminating funding for agriculture education? In 2016, Rauner zeroed out funding for the second time.

Why did Rauner cut tens of millions of dollars for agriculture programs? In late 2017, Rauner cut $21 million from the Department of Agriculture in a budget legislators passed over his reckless vetoes.
Why did Rauner hold back on disbursing the soil and conservation funds approved by the legislature? Rauner only disbursed $5 million of the $13.5 million appropriated, a nearly 63% reduction.
Bonus: Why did Rauner close the Illinois State Museum for nine months? A few months into the budget crisis, Rauner closed the museum — which caused two thirds of management to leave — and suggested it charge admission to re-open.

“From gutting agriculture education to slashing funding for agriculture programs, Bruce Rauner has failed hardworking farmers and workers across Illinois,” said Pritzker campaign spokeswoman Jordan Abudayyeh. “Illinoisans deserve a governor who knows one in 17 Illinois jobs is in the agriculture industry and values the working families that drive our agricultural economy — and that’s JB Pritzker.”

Read JB’s plan to nurture our agriculture economy HERE.

* And that ten percent cut Rauner proposed is actually a continuation of the General Assembly’s ten percent cut that Rauner vetoed last year…

Budget Blues: How Rauner Failed Local Governments

Rauner’s Unbalanced Budget Cuts Funding, Increases Expenses in Communities Across Illinois

Chicago, IL – Bruce Rauner’s FY19 budget proposal attempts to “balance” the budget on the backs of working people. With the General Assembly holding budget hearings this week, the Pritzker campaign is highlighting the different communities that would be hurt by this failed governor’s unbalanced budget.

To balance the state’s budget, Bruce Rauner is reducing shared income tax revenue while offloading state expenses to local governments across the state. Rauner proposed a 10% cut to the Local Government Distribution Fund while forcing cities and towns to pay for road construction and school districts to pick up pension costs. Now, local governments will be left to either slash services or increase property taxes.

“Bruce Rauner’s unbalanced state budget is leaving gaping holes in local government budgets across the state,” said Pritzker campaign spokeswoman Jordan Abudayyeh. “Towns, cities and schools in communities across Illinois will suffer as Rauner tries to balance the budget at their expense and lets his fiscal mismanagement spiral.”

* And here’s the Rauner campaign with a Tuesday press release about something Pritzker said the previous Friday which also mentions Joe Berrios, who lost his primary race and is about to lose his party chairmanship job…

On Friday, JB Pritzker appeared on WJBC and criticized the property tax system as “regressive” and “not fair,” despite personally abusing the system to secure a $230,000 tax break. In doing so, Pritzker forced other residents who are unable to afford politically-connected lawyers to pay more in taxes to cover his reduction.

“Lowering the tax burden is the goal. By lowering the tax rate that they might pay on income taxes, and also, very important, lowering local property taxes, which are so regressive. The poorest neighborhoods and in middle class neighborhoods, people are paying higher rates of property taxes than people who live in wealthy neighborhoods, they’re paying lower rates. That’s just not fair.” - JB Pritzker on WJBC

Pritzker is hypocritically criticizing a system he took advantage of himself. This comes after months of Pritzker’s refusals to condemn Cook County Assessor Joe Berrios, the man implicated in multiple independent reviews as having directed a corrupt property tax system that benefitted political insiders like Pritzker and Mike Madigan.

It’s “just not fair” that taxpayers are paying the price for JB Pritzker to benefit from a corrupt system while refusing to criticize Joe Berrios.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Apr 11, 18 @ 9:32 am

Comments

Bruce Rauner failed.

24/7/365…

If you fund something at a level of zero… you want it gone.

That’s how funding works.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 11, 18 @ 9:38 am
Just adding to the long list of reasons for Rauner to go.

Comment by Last Bull Moose Wednesday, Apr 11, 18 @ 9:44 am
“Pritzker is hypocritically criticizing a system he took advantage of himself.”

Actually Pritzker wants to do something about it and pay more. Why won’t Bruce support raising taxes on people like himself and lessening the burden on the rest of us? He says a progressive income tax is a killer. Demented Bruce wants to freeze property taxes and reduce the state income tax, and push us back into massive and destructive financial crisis.

Comment by Grandson of Man Wednesday, Apr 11, 18 @ 9:46 am
Rauner thinks about nothing in the long term. He simply comes up with silly ideas, is told he is right by the BTIA, and goes with it. He nor his team have anything resembling a clue about how the economy, or government works. He has caused damage to the entire state. As OW says “He has Failed” Time for a new face in the Governor’s office.

Comment by Retired Educator Wednesday, Apr 11, 18 @ 9:47 am
===Pritzker wants to do something about it and pay more.===

I’m sure that’s exactly what he was thinking when he took advantage of it.

Comment by People Over Parties Wednesday, Apr 11, 18 @ 9:50 am
How can I take seriously people who misuse “beg the question”?

Comment by JoanP Wednesday, Apr 11, 18 @ 9:50 am
Rauner has long proclaimed that this or that industry/program/community/institution is the “backbone” or Illinois. However, he is less concerned about the intentional “osteoporosis” of those backbones. The latest example is the withholding of the SWCD monies. These agencies are crucial to farmers being able to enroll in certain Federal Farm Bill programs because they serve as Technical Service Providers (TSPs) to the federal NRCS and FSA programs, especially for conservation programming. Jen Walling had a good summary of the problem Rauner has intentionally created- https://tinyurl.com/y8vr7yru

Comment by Anon221 Wednesday, Apr 11, 18 @ 9:51 am
Four paragraphs and only one “Madigan?” Gotta be fake.

Comment by Skeptic Wednesday, Apr 11, 18 @ 9:53 am
===I’m sure that’s exactly what he was thinking when he took advantage of it.===

… and yet, the proposal is still out there as a Pritzker tax plan .

Hmm.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 11, 18 @ 9:54 am
Why did Rauner cut tens of millions of dollars for agriculture programs?

Because Ag requested to cut things not benefiting them, is my best guess.

In late 2017, Rauner cut $21 million from the Department of Agriculture.

Because they do every year. This is money that passes through the Ag budget to (mostly) U of I. Ag has always argued it should not be in their budget.

Why did Rauner hold back on disbursing the soil and conservation funds approved by the legislature? Rauner only disbursed $5 million of the $13.5 million appropriated, a nearly 63% reduction.

Once again, Ag repeatedly requests this. Too much is spent on admin costs and not things that are actually beneficial.

Ag has also expressed in the past that two fairs are silly so my question is why not cut that too? (both would be fine with me)

I have not checked for a few years but last I remember, the AG budget was just over $100M. Of that, $21M and $13.5M on these? How much more on the state fairs? These numbers (percentage of total pie) are outrageous and no wonder Ag feels like they have their hands tied from doing important, beneficial work. (my numbers may be wrong, but my point is valid)

Comment by I Miss Bentohs Wednesday, Apr 11, 18 @ 10:03 am
–Why did Rauner hold back on disbursing the soil and conservation funds approved by the legislature? Rauner only disbursed $5 million of the $13.5 million appropriated, a nearly 63% reduction.–

Gotta make sure there’s money to process the invoices for that IT pinstripe patronage army.

What’s “soil conservation,” anyway? Is the soil moving to Indiana? How could that be important in a state like Illinois? How does the soil benefit anyone? Just gets you dirty.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Apr 11, 18 @ 10:04 am
===…is my best guess.===

Guess… or do you know?

===…no wonder Ag feels like they have their hands tied from doing important, beneficial work. (my numbers may be wrong, but my point is valid)===

Is your point… “How can they do their work if they’re given too much money to do it?”

I’m sure it’s an oversight… any “guesses” on why ag education was zeroed out?

Maybe a “guess” that ag education is “worthless”?

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 11, 18 @ 10:09 am
Please give us evidence of JB attempting to pay more taxes

Has he repatriated his off shore money or reinstalled toilets or written a check for the 230k?

Lip service counts for nothing

Comment by Lucky Pierre Wednesday, Apr 11, 18 @ 10:12 am
With JB regularly dropping $7 million into his campaign, why doesn’t he just go pay the county for the amount the taxes would have been for an occupied property? If I were him, I’d say I complied with the law and followed my lawyers advice, but the county and school need the money more with Bruce Rauner’s mismanagement. Money is no object to him in this race, so he should pay up, and take the issue away from the GOP is best he can before November.

Comment by Head scratcher Wednesday, Apr 11, 18 @ 10:12 am
“Because Ag requested to cut things not benefiting them, is my best guess.”

“Once again, Ag repeatedly requests this. Too much is spent on admin costs and not things that are actually beneficial.”

Prove.It. Show us your evidence and not some trolling coffee shop talk.

Comment by Anon221 Wednesday, Apr 11, 18 @ 10:15 am
Rauner would cut the legs out from under the state of Illinois if he thought it would save him a nickle.

Comment by Generic Drone Wednesday, Apr 11, 18 @ 10:19 am
–With JB regularly dropping $7 million into his campaign, why doesn’t he just go pay the county for the amount the taxes would have been for an occupied property? If I were him, I’d say I complied with the law and followed my lawyers advice, but the county and school need the money more with Bruce Rauner’s mismanagement. –

Inexplicable. He should have done it months ago.

It wouldn’t have killed the issue, but it would have lessened the sting going forward.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Apr 11, 18 @ 10:21 am
OW, I apologize by my saying “my guess” but it would be arrogant to say I know for a fact. But, I know for a fact.

Other guy, do not call me a troll. That is very unkind.

Read the budget proposals from Ag for the last 10 years (admittedly I missed the last 3 but I’m sure it in there again). Or better yet, ask Ag if they agree with these cuts. The answers are easy and self-evident.

Now I do have my criticisms of things I have seen in Ag budgets. Most notably, they received a few million a year on Capital but spend it elsewhere. Thus you have the crumbling buildings and such. The amount of Capital not spent on Capital exceeded $44M in the ten year span of 2005 to 2014.

Comment by I Miss Bentohs Wednesday, Apr 11, 18 @ 10:39 am
And one more clarification, I am in agreement with things you are saying about Rauner. He has hurt Ag greatly due to his not passing a budget. However, I am just saying these points are not why as these are things Ag agrees with.

Comment by I Miss Bentohs Wednesday, Apr 11, 18 @ 10:42 am
===But, I know for a fact.===

Show your work, please.

Your assumption, “How can they do their work if they’re given too much money to do it?”… zeroing out ag education, explain that.

Thanks.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 11, 18 @ 10:42 am
- I Miss Bentohs -

While I understand your point to clarify abd your take to ag…

… the question remains.

“How can they do their work if they’re given too much money to do it?”

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 11, 18 @ 10:45 am
“However, I am just saying these points are not why as these are things Ag agrees with.”

Really….

From FarmWeek- Gov. Bruce Rauner and the Office of Management and Budget released $156 million in cuts to the Fiscal Year 2018 budget, including several agriculture programs.

Illinois Farm Bureau President Richard Guebert Jr., said, “We are disappointed by some of the reductions and will continue to advocate for efficient levels of funding for agricultural programs.”

https://tinyurl.com/y98akqk6

From NewsChannel 20 segment on ag ed-

Some lawmakers say cutting Ag education funding could deeply affect the future of our state.

“They’re the ones that are going to go to college and get a degree that will somehow help them in agriculture. They may come back to the family farm or they may go farm somewhere else, but the time to spark their interest is one they’re youth and without that program, there will be no spark of interest,” said Rep. Sue Scherer.

https://tinyurl.com/h5h992z

County Fair cuts-

Margaret Vaughn directs the Illinois Association of Agricultural Fairs. She said the governor’s decision sent the wrong message to the state’s rural communities.

“People forget up north that Illinois is primarily an agricultural state, and since the beginning of the last century the State of Illinois has recognized the importance of this, to keep these fairs going, ” Vaughn said.

https://tinyurl.com/y8f58mnz

So… whadda you got now that I’ve done your “homework”???

Comment by Anon221 Wednesday, Apr 11, 18 @ 11:02 am
I apologize for posting here. With my 30 plus years of Illinois Gov’t Budgeting and trying to save the state money, I just wanted to explain why this article was inaccurate in the facts I stated.

I will only come here and read and once again I apologize as I see I offended persons to the point of calling me names.

Comment by I Miss Bentohs Wednesday, Apr 11, 18 @ 11:05 am
- I Miss Bentohs -

With respect,

Where were you called a name?

I asked if you could show your work, and answer a question I had from your thoughts.

I’d like to learn what you know if I need to be coached up.

Thanks.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 11, 18 @ 11:08 am
I Miss Bentohs-

Outside of the numbers you restated, I did not see any facts, only opinions. Rauner’s cuts have not saved money, those cuts have ended up costing the state money more often than not with Federal dollars left in DC that have been or will be re-allocated to other states that have decided that agriculture in their states is worth investing in, not using as a tool to punish Madigan. The same has happened with Medicaid, and other programs where there are matching Federal funds. And the matches the State needs to provide is often much much less than what Rauner decided to hold hostage just to try and sway votes and public opinions.

Comment by Anon221 Wednesday, Apr 11, 18 @ 11:21 am
OW,

I know you’re a Republican–out of sheer curiosity, are you planning to vote for JB?

Comment by TKMH Wednesday, Apr 11, 18 @ 11:21 am
Hey Retired Educator - You used nor without neither.

Comment by tomhail Wednesday, Apr 11, 18 @ 11:21 am
===out of sheer curiosity, are you planning to vote for JB?===

I’m approaching the race as I did 4 years ago.

I left my ballot blank, as not voting for Rauner, as a consistent GOP vote in other races hurts Rauner… and Quinn, as a Democrat, needed to make his case to Dems, as Quinn, an incumbent, needs to make his own case for re-elect. Not voting for Quinn… that makes Quinn still in need to make a case as I sit out.

Today… I can’t see that strategy changing.

However, and I want to say this clearly and stress it’s really important to me…

…like Paul Simon, in this narrow, very narrow, comparison, I feel Pritzker, by miles, has the best interest of the state at heart more than Rauner has shown as a sitting governor, as I may not agree with Pritzker on more than 55% of his policy thoughts.

Also…

The very last thing any of Pritzker’s Crew wants is my endorsement, LOL

That I can guarantee too. I’m not a great “get”. Quite the opposite.

So, leaving it blank, as I did 4 years ago… “today”… is probably my choice… and that hurts Rauner.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 11, 18 @ 11:31 am
=Lip service counts for nothing=

As a Raunerite You are expert on this topic.

Comment by JS Mill Wednesday, Apr 11, 18 @ 11:52 am
OW, thank you for that very clear explanation of your thinking. 4 years ago, I voted for Quinn, because Rauner scared me. Not exactly sure what I will do when voting this time, but if it looks like Rauner might buy it again, I will vote for JB…

Comment by downstate commissioner Wednesday, Apr 11, 18 @ 11:58 am
- downstate commissioner -

Thank YOU.

Here’s how I approach it too, as others may or may not…

There is a reality to your own personal situation and political mores and beliefs. My own are just that.

I try to critique campaigns and candidates and electeds within a framing of good politics, good governing, and intersecting how each play into a better Illinois, no matter party or office, or position and politics, coming at it from those positions.

It’s gonna be a long year.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 11, 18 @ 12:06 pm
tomhail; Sorry about that, my field is History not English grammar. I stand corrected.

Comment by Retired Educator Wednesday, Apr 11, 18 @ 1:23 pm
==– Bruce Rauner is celebrating Illinois Agriculture Legislative Day today at the Illinois State Museum==

He wanted to do this earlier, but forgot that he closed the Museum, descimated the staff, locked its doors, threw out the kids, killed the children’s programs and camps, and so they needed a bit more time to reopen after his damage.

Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Apr 11, 18 @ 1:44 pm
Hey JB we hear everyday here that Governor Rauner did not sign the budget and intact vetoed it.

How is this Bruce Rauner’s unbalanced budget again?

Comment by Lucky Pierre Wednesday, Apr 11, 18 @ 2:52 pm
===How is this Bruce Rauner’s unbalanced budget again?===

“Thank goodness Rauner never signed a budget, because… “

Is that how it’s gonna go.

Rauner isn’t in charge?

Hmm.

lol

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 11, 18 @ 9:11 pm
I know I am a grumpy old man. But ya know what really hacks me. We spend close to $1 billion a year in grade/high school sports and fight to give the 4hers their paltry few million for fair prizes. Have I stated here that I would like to mimic Asia/european school models?

Comment by blue dog dem Wednesday, Apr 11, 18 @ 9:31 pm