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Rauner says he’s “keeping in close touch” on budget stuff from Europe

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Illinois

Gov. Bruce Rauner is some 4,600 miles from the state capital on a “jobs mission” to Germany and Poland, but in between meetings about economic growth and sips of Polish beer, the governor is keeping tabs on budget negotiations — and Democratic rival J.B. Pritzker.

Speaking to the Chicago Sun-Times via telephone from Stein, Germany, on Tuesday, Rauner said his budget director Hans Zigmund is in discussion with appointed budgeteers while he’s away. And the Republican governor said he’s getting updates about budgetary issues.

“I’m keeping in close touch on all of that and our administration on issues that have come along,” Rauner said. “And I’m very pleased to see that the Senate Republicans took a strong stand against this concept of putting in a graduated income tax, a vote against that to express solidarity. A graduated income tax will be a job killer for Illinois and it will be devastating to the middle class. So I plan to see that there’s more resistance to that. I am strongly against that.” […]

It was the governor’s first trip to Poland. His favorite drink there? Polish beer.

“I never had Polish beer before but it was outstanding,” Rauner said.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Apr 18, 18 @ 9:26 am

Comments

Was he laughing when he said this?

Comment by RNUG Wednesday, Apr 18, 18 @ 9:29 am
Rauner is strongly against a lot of things, like signing a budget since his inauguration.

What a huge tell… Rauner is only focused on stopping things…

“I’m strongly against… “

Governor, you need to be strongly for a budget, and strongly for showing Germany and Poland that he (Rauner) is a competent administrator, and a governor that can get things done, like a budget.

But… “I’m strongly against… “

Very telling.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 18, 18 @ 9:32 am
“You know what? Me ‘n’ my buddy, Mike, talk about the budget on our cell phones every day.”

Comment by Whatever Wednesday, Apr 18, 18 @ 9:34 am
–“I’m keeping in close touch on all of that and our administration on issues that have come along,” Rauner said.–

Really? So what’s the deal with that attempted months-long cover-up by DCFS of the re-abuse and opioid deaths spikes on your watch?

Coincidentally, your peeps finally gave up on their ludicrous excuses for stonewalling when you were safely airborne over the Atlantic.

Maybe you should give us your take on all that, since you’re in such close touch and all. Kind of a big issue, the spikes in abuse and opioid deaths of children under DCFS monitoring, don’t you think?

Just so you’re clear, you are in charge of DCFS.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Apr 18, 18 @ 9:41 am
RNUG for the win. That made me spew my coffee.

Comment by Retired Educator Wednesday, Apr 18, 18 @ 9:46 am
“A graduated income tax will be a job killer for Illinois”

As if Illinois is swimming in jobs already.

Rauner made $279 million in his first two years as governor. His income skyrocketed while we was trying to rip workers in many ways, not just in Illinois but across the whole country. Anyone of good conscience can see how wrong this is.

Comment by Grandson of Man Wednesday, Apr 18, 18 @ 9:54 am
I’m taking a different tack here - Rauner is from Chicago, but never had Polish beer?

Unbelievable.

Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Apr 18, 18 @ 9:57 am
I’m with VanillaMan on this one.

Some lifelong resident he’s been.

Comment by Juice Wednesday, Apr 18, 18 @ 10:00 am
-I’m taking a different tack here - Rauner is from Chicago, but never had Polish beer?

Unbelievable.-

Right? Zywiec is ubiquitous.

Comment by S.S. Anon Wednesday, Apr 18, 18 @ 10:01 am
If there’s anyone who knows how to kill jobs and devastate the middle class…it’s Bruce.

Comment by Jocko Wednesday, Apr 18, 18 @ 10:05 am
“Speaking to the Chicago Sun-Times via telephone”

Remember when newspapers would send reporters with on these economic missions?

Comment by Dee Lay Wednesday, Apr 18, 18 @ 10:11 am
He goes to Poland because of our state’s powerful Polish heritage and huge foreign presence here, and admits- in Poland - he never had Polish beer.

This guy is absolutely clueless. Old Man Daley might have slipped and told a Polack joke occassionally, but everyone knew he was about as Polish as any good Irishman could be and knew exactly how to reach out to ethnic voters.

Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Apr 18, 18 @ 10:16 am
===Remember when newspapers would send reporters with===

You can’t go unless you’re invited, or you want to try to keep up somehow on your own.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Apr 18, 18 @ 10:32 am
Wonder if Budget Director was telling GovJunk the truth?

Comment by Annonin' Wednesday, Apr 18, 18 @ 10:50 am
A graduated tax is a job killer? Rauner repeatedly airs a commercial stating that Wisconsin is creating many jobs at the expense of Illinois. Wisconsin has a graduated tax and Illinois doesn’t. Hmmm..
You would think that at some point Pritzger will call him out on this contradiction.

Comment by The Dude Abides Wednesday, Apr 18, 18 @ 10:51 am
Ok who wants to FOIA the phone records to catch another lie?

Comment by Really Wednesday, Apr 18, 18 @ 11:06 am
“Being Governor has really broadened my horizons. That strawberry shake at M Burger was awesome. Then when I had that glass of “chocolate” milk I thought it couldn’t get any better. But… beer… from Poland? Mind blown!!”

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Apr 18, 18 @ 11:12 am
Bruce knows exactly what he is doing:
He became governor to end unions ( Janus decision), he believes that decision will allow him to fire and rehire government employees at a lower pay-rate. That decision will allow him to cut government and contract state jobs as well - he believes this.

He wants to pass pension costs to local districts so he can tell the citizens to either fund the pensions or pay for schools to be open and services to continue at the current rate.

The argument against the a progressive state income tax is that it will kill the job creators!! But……

Remember the new corporate tax rate will create all kinds of jobs because the burdensome tax laws have been reduced and the highest federal tax rate was lowered for individuals.
Where are the new jobs??

But, if there is a progressive tax law in Illinois it will KILL, CRUSH, AND DESTROY the job creators and companies will flee Illinois the day after it is implemented.
Bruce and his friends believe they can tell the average citizen and they will believe this “baloney” . Are people in Illinois that dumb? I don’t think so, and I’m a republican.

Comment by Popeye Wednesday, Apr 18, 18 @ 11:17 am
==Wisconsin has a graduated tax==

So do Iowa, Missouri, and Kentucky…and California, Arizona, Arkansas, Georgia, Ohio, Minnesota…it’s a long list.

https://taxfoundation.org/state-individual-income-tax-rates-brackets-2017/

Comment by Pot calling kettle Wednesday, Apr 18, 18 @ 11:18 am
Zimne Pivo

Comment by DeseDemDose Wednesday, Apr 18, 18 @ 11:58 am
The gov is not spending enough time with his Polish American constituents. He could/should have tried Polish beer at one of the dozens of Polish festivals held throughout the state; or one of the many Polish Restaurants in the Chicago-land area. I recommend Warka Premium !

https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/2656/24179/

Comment by Texas Red Wednesday, Apr 18, 18 @ 12:15 pm
No one is talking about a graduated income tax for this budget. Pure blather and misdirection.

Comment by The Way I See It Wednesday, Apr 18, 18 @ 12:16 pm
Too bad Rauner is not strongly against running for another term. I know most of us are.

Comment by Generic Drone Wednesday, Apr 18, 18 @ 12:17 pm
Sit back relax and have a cold Polish beer and ask your guide to tell you about “Solidarity”

Comment by jimk849 Wednesday, Apr 18, 18 @ 12:19 pm