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Mendoza “offshoring” bill clears Senate

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Illinois

* AP…

Illinois lawmakers have sent Gov. Bruce Rauner legislation requiring him and his successors to use governor’s office funds to pay people who work for them.

The Senate vote 46-7 Thursday to eliminate what’s called “off-shoring” of salaries . For decades, governors of both parties have made their payrolls look leaner by paying some employees who work for them out of other agencies’ budgets.

The legislation was produced by Democratic state Comptroller Susana Mendoza.

Voting “No” today were Republican Senators Althoff, Leader Brady, Oberweis, Rose, Syverson, Tracy and Weaver.

The bill unanimously passed the House.

* Press release…

Bruce Rauner can make a lasting, positive mark on Illinois government by outlawing the practice of concealing governor’s office salaries within state agency budgets, a practice known as “offshoring,” State Senator Andy Manar said today.

The Illinois Senate today approved the Truth in Hiring Act with bipartisan support. The accountability and transparency measure, sponsored by Manar in the Senate, will be sent to the governor’s desk.

“Offshoring didn’t start under this governor’s watch, but certainly he can be the governor who puts a stop to it,” Manar said.

The Truth in Hiring Act simply says that every employee who works in the governor’s office will be paid from the governor’s payroll. Their salaries will be counted in the governor’s budget and will not be pulled from agencies that are supposed to protect children and the elderly or put state troopers out patrolling highways.

Nearly 60 percent of employees working for Rauner’s office currently are paid by state agencies with funds intended for priorities such as economic development, public safety and child protection.

Offshoring has been utilized by Illinois governors, Democratic and Republican, for years to make it appear their office budgets are smaller than they actually are. Examples include paying an education advisor to the governor $250,000 from the Department of Human Services budget or a deputy chief of staff to the governor $140,000 from the Illinois State Police budget.

The measure was an initiative of Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza. It was approved with no opposition in the House.

“Signing the Truth in Hiring Act shouldn’t require much soul-searching by Gov. Rauner when it lands on his desk,” Manar said. “I urge him to enact it and join lawmakers of both parties and the comptroller in claiming a victory for Illinois taxpayers.”

Everybody’s done it. Mendoza and Manar both voted for budgets that funded it. Signing this bill into law won’t change a whole lot, but the time has finally come to end it.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, May 3, 18 @ 2:12 pm

Comments

The Governor won’t like it, but he will sign it. The veto proof votes will insure his agreement.

Comment by Retired Educator Thursday, May 3, 18 @ 2:14 pm
Madigan kills another bill in order to maintain the status quo. Oh, wait…

Comment by Skeptic Thursday, May 3, 18 @ 2:24 pm
Nope. If we fight for overall Separation of Powers, which the Legislature always emphasizes on it own behalf, then we should allow the Executive a little flexibility on how it uses its overall budget. It’s not like this has been a secret in Springfield.

Purity should not be one directional.

Comment by walker Thursday, May 3, 18 @ 2:26 pm
It’s a bill ripe to the times.

The veto-proof numbers should make it easier for Rauner to sign, but it doesn’t sweeten a bitter pill.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, May 3, 18 @ 2:28 pm
I agree with the bill but those who voted for it need to remember their vote when they are flooding the gov’s office with resumes and asking the gov to take care of hiring their guys.

Comment by Give Me A Break Thursday, May 3, 18 @ 2:40 pm
The comptroller creating a financial crises for the executive branch

Comment by Rabid Thursday, May 3, 18 @ 2:59 pm
=== The bill unanimously passed the House. ===

GOP reps sending another message to Rauner about his transgressions?

Comment by Norseman Thursday, May 3, 18 @ 3:38 pm
=== The comptroller creating a financial crises for the executive branch ===

No. Comptroller creating a political problem for the governor by allowing taxpayers to see who actually works in his/her office.

Comment by Norseman Thursday, May 3, 18 @ 3:43 pm
Why vote no…especially when your incumbent Governor doesn’t stand much of a chance winning in November?

Comment by Jocko Thursday, May 3, 18 @ 4:02 pm
==“Signing the Truth in Hiring Act shouldn’t require much soul-searching by Gov. Rauner when it lands on his desk,” Manar said. “I urge him to enact it and join lawmakers of both parties and the comptroller in claiming a victory for Illinois taxpayers.” ==

Rich, I’ll bet you a dollar Rauner vetoes this bill.

Comment by Mama Thursday, May 3, 18 @ 4:33 pm
== I agree with the bill but those who voted for it need to remember their vote when they are flooding the gov’s office with resumes and asking the gov to take care of hiring their guys. ==

And when the requested budget for the Governor’s Office doubles or triples next year …

Comment by RNUG Thursday, May 3, 18 @ 4:37 pm
Credit Mendoza with actually implementing some reform instead of just talking. Not as big as last year’s, but a good change to put in place.

Comment by Pot calling kettle Thursday, May 3, 18 @ 6:25 pm
What I wonder about is how this Governor’s Office funds computers, phones, travel, pens and pencils, etc. for a staff of over 100 on a budget that looks to be sized for about 50. I know how it was done back in the day, which is not optimal.

Perhaps this will be the next bill..if so, don’t forget those revolving funds, Madame Comptroller.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Thursday, May 3, 18 @ 9:35 pm
I support the legislation.

I also wonder if the Democrats will be as happy with some of these positive reforms when they get someone in the office. One part of me wonders if many (who are pushing the legislation) on the Democrat side are actually hoping the Governor vetoes it so that it can be a campaign issue against Republicans this fall without the possibility of Democrats actually having to abide by it next term.

Comment by logic not emotion Friday, May 4, 18 @ 9:57 am