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* Senate President John Cullerton emerged from the leaders’ meeting after about an hour to say they had some good discussions. He said the leaders didn’t talk about the supplement appropriation requested by the governor. He said there was no talk about a tax hike. “We did that last year,” Cullerton said.
He denied an earlier claim by Gov. Rauner that the Democrats were slow-walking the process and later said, “We have a much closer, smaller gap and there’s ways to fill it.” And when asked how receptive Gov. Rauner has been to listening to his and other leaders’ priorities, Cullerton replied, “Very receptive.”
* There’s still a budget gap to fill, he said, but he said he was hopeful that they could do some things that they’ve done in the past to close it, including interfund borrowing. Cullerton also said there was some “federal changes” that may allow Illinois to “bring in some more revenue,” but didn’t specify what those were. He was pressed a couple of times about coming up with a formal revenue estimate…
My point was to not get hung up on a specific number, because whatever that number is there’s a general idea about what it is and it’s not enough to pay for our other bills. So, that’s where we get into these other variables. You know, selling the Thompson Center could bring in 200 or 300, so there’s a number you’re never gonna tie down. But that’s another consideration of closing this gap. There’s a number of different things that we would consider to closing the gap and that’s what we’re going to ask our negotiators to do. […]
I wouldn’t get hung up on that. That gets into somewhat of a gotcha game and a political fight… That’s not what’s holding us up.
He kinda meandered, but I think what he meant was there could be ideas for bringing in more revenue (including sweeps, etc.), so locking everything down now with a formal estimate isn’t necessary and could be counter-productive.
* Then came Gov. Rauner…
Gov. Rauner on emerging from the leaders meeting "the process is moving very slowly i would like to see it move more expeditiously" since time running out on spring session (may end) …."there is a clear reluctance" to pin down speaker and sen pres on revenue number ….
— yvette shields (@Yvette_BB) May 8, 2018
Gov….no more taxes, the people are taxed out…. budget group meeting today and tonight "hope to get to an agreement" this month….leaders and gov will meet "every few days"
— yvette shields (@Yvette_BB) May 8, 2018
Question? what suggests that process going slow? Gov. says lack of agreement on revenue estimate…"we want to match spending and revenue"…..Question? what is the gap? Gov. says first have to agree to a revenue estimate to know the gap….
— yvette shields (@Yvette_BB) May 8, 2018
A tale of two meetings: Senate President Cullerton says there was good progress in the leaders meeting, Gov. Rauner says Dems slow walking.
— Monique Garcia (@moniquegarcia) May 8, 2018
The tale of two budget talks. Sen. President John Cullerton says they made progress with GOP & "generally agree" on revenue. @GovRauner says Cullerton, Madigan are "reluctant" to agree to specific revenue estimate. Gov said it's not "appropriate" to get into specifics. pic.twitter.com/6yTfdt78lo
— Mark Maxwell (@WCIA3Mark) May 8, 2018
* But Leader Brady was more optimistic…
Sen. minority leader Brady….there is a gap, but "today's meeting was very fruitful" ….Brady says COGFA estimate is what they are going with…..Durkin, our priority is to have a dollar certain what we can spend….
— yvette shields (@Yvette_BB) May 8, 2018
After more than three years, the governor has yet to successfully negotiate a full-year budget. Maybe listening to Leader Brady would be the smart move here.
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, May 8, 18 @ 12:54 pm
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Heckuva job, Brucie.
You’re only real requirement is to negotiate a yearly budget. Everything else is fun stuff.
But yo — Bruce? You ain’t done it yet.
Heckuva job. I mean, yeah, four more years with Mr. Businessman? I mean, why not? You’re so smart, Bruce.
Comment by Macbeth Tuesday, May 8, 18 @ 1:09 pm
1) I’d listen to Leader Brady, and work with Leader Durkin and get a first full fiscal year budget… one… out of four fiscal years…
2) If Rauner still hems and haws, get 71 and 36, save Illinois from Raunerism, let Rauner veto yet another budget, and let Rauner run as a governor with two seated GAs and zero signed budgets as a governor.
3) Rauner needs to be passive in his responses. Cullerton and Madigan can get something passed, let’s say, let Rauner veto, and have Rauner run all summer with a vetoed budget hanging out there. Not a great look.
That’s just about all the “reasonable” options out there.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, May 8, 18 @ 1:09 pm
I’m convinced that Bruce is Regina George from “Mean Girls”…whose only motivation is to stir up drama at Springfield High.
Comment by Jocko Tuesday, May 8, 18 @ 1:31 pm
I don’t think anyone will accuse the Gov of good faith intentions in budget negotiations. FY 18 supplemental needs to be resolved, plus all the “unappropriated” spending from prior years as well. Seems the Gov does not want to be constrained by budgets, appropriation authority, or anything else that will make it seem like he is playing the same “corrupt” game as everyone else. He will not be a party to this “charade” or “sham process”. I assume the Speaker will act accordingly.
Comment by ui9-pp Tuesday, May 8, 18 @ 1:34 pm
I think it’s fair to assume that for all his business success, Rauner truly doesn’t fundamentally understand the discussion happening in that room. Three years later, he has literally learned nothing about governing.
Comment by Signal and Noise Tuesday, May 8, 18 @ 1:39 pm
Couldn’t they use COGFA’s projection?
Comment by Smitty Irving Tuesday, May 8, 18 @ 1:46 pm
The Governor doesn’t care about state budgets. It’s not his thing. It is too boring for a superstar financial whiz such as himself.
He wants disruptive change.
And crisis.
Comment by Ok Tuesday, May 8, 18 @ 1:56 pm
–After more than three years, the governor has yet to successfully negotiate a full-year budget.–
I don’t think there’s any point in thinking that’s ever been an objective, given his actions.
He likes the gig, for some reason. And to hold onto it, he thinks he has to play the victim.
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, May 8, 18 @ 2:00 pm
In his past life as a bidnessman, the Guv typically had most of the leverage. As a vulture capitalist, he would be dealing with distressed or struggling companies and he would enjoy a financial advantage, or the advantage of time.
He has demonstrated rather consistently as Guv from the minority party that he has no clue how to get stuff done when he doesn’t have the huge leverage advantage.
I wouldn’t be surprised if he becomes the lamest duck we have seen in recent memory.
Comment by Henry Francis Tuesday, May 8, 18 @ 2:18 pm
How quickly GOP members go it alone and cut a deal with Dems will indicate their level of confidence in Rauner’s reelection chances. I think the rule is the captain goes down with the ship…but the crew can jump into lifeboats.
Comment by Veil of Ignorance Tuesday, May 8, 18 @ 2:29 pm
The Great .3% Revenue Gap is a ridiculously phony issue. It’s like saying do I have $100 or $99.70?
If it’s so important to Rauner, he can just say he’ll negotiate on the basis of the GOMB estimate — and no sweeps (that would be a first for him).
Then, move on.
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, May 8, 18 @ 2:38 pm
COGFA and Rauner estimates are within spitting distance.
So, adopt a spending plan, massage the gap, and call it a
Day
Comment by Langhorne Tuesday, May 8, 18 @ 2:39 pm
Past is prologue, there will be another unbalanced budget with zero reforms being voted on the last day of the session
Count on it
Comment by Lucky Pierre Tuesday, May 8, 18 @ 2:44 pm
From the post: “Brady says COGFA estimate is what they are going with”
Comment by SAP Tuesday, May 8, 18 @ 2:46 pm
===with zero reforms===
That part is right because the governor didn’t demand any this time.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, May 8, 18 @ 2:51 pm
Assuming the Durkin quote is accurate, it sounds he’s ready to start dividing up the pile into budget buckets. Could be a good sign that the four GA leaders are very close to being in agreement.
Comment by RNUG Tuesday, May 8, 18 @ 3:13 pm
I would love to see the four legislative leaders reach a bargain. Then all of the pressure is on Rauner.
If they are within .3% on the estimate then, because it is an estimate, they are on the same page. Rauner is the fly I. Tje ointment and not In the interest of the people either.
Comment by JS Mill Tuesday, May 8, 18 @ 4:06 pm
Governor Junk does not want a budget. And would not sign one with the pretend reforms that his bots claim are the issue.
Comment by MickJ Tuesday, May 8, 18 @ 4:23 pm
-I’m convinced Rauner is Regina George from Mean Girls-
Let’s just remember ol’ Regina went under a bus at the end of the movie.
Time to make a deal, Governor George.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Tuesday, May 8, 18 @ 5:33 pm