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SOTS or no SOTS?

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Illinois

Pritzker said he hasn’t decided if he will give separate State of the State and budget messages next year. He said he will give a speech at his inauguration, but beyond that “it depends on how much we need to convey during that one-month period.”

If he gives a State of the State address, people will bemoan the fact that he didn’t talk about the state’s budget problems. If he skips the State of the State, he loses out on some publicity. Some governors have combined the two, some have given both.

The budget address is scheduled for February 20th.

Thoughts?

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Dec 11, 18 @ 9:45 am

Comments

SOTS only. How could the Budget not be the primary focus of the SOTS? Give the essential facts and intentions to address the problems. Not a long bullwinder. Demonstrate in coming months rather than a gassy speech no one will remember anyway.

Comment by Matts Tuesday, Dec 11, 18 @ 9:53 am
Headline after every State of the State Address:

“Governor XXX outlines vision for future of Illinois, fails to identify how to pay for it.”

Comment by Ok Tuesday, Dec 11, 18 @ 9:55 am
I’d combine the two and put out the spin that I’m not interested in wasting time on scoring cheap press pops like some other governors, I’m interested in solving problems.

Comment by Roman Tuesday, Dec 11, 18 @ 9:56 am
Don’t over promise,
A state of the state
should include a lot of frontline stateworkers
who stood their posts
loyally
despite 4 years of abuse under Rauner.
Highlight the work of frontliners
Who held the ship of state together
Those who bailed ceaselessly
Those who braced the bulkheads
Those who fought the fires
Those who Stopped the leaks
So many state workers
Who have worked so hard.
Honor them.
Give frontline State workers the kudos
They deserve.

Comment by Honeybear Tuesday, Dec 11, 18 @ 9:58 am
Combine them, for sure, but I’d lean more towards State of the State to keep funding options open throughout the session. This would be his one year to get away with that…why lose it?

Comment by NIU Grad Tuesday, Dec 11, 18 @ 10:07 am
At least for this year, combine them. We can all pretty much figure what shape we are in, just do the speech that tells us how we are going to start getting out of this condition.

Comment by Give Me A Break Tuesday, Dec 11, 18 @ 10:12 am
I would do both. Use the SOTS to lay out all of the messes you just inherited. Set responsible expectations, but if you don’t expose the problem early and often you eventually own these problems and some of these departments are an absolute rebuilding project.

Comment by Kyle Hillman Tuesday, Dec 11, 18 @ 10:16 am
The SOTS is teed up right now for the Thompson Pivot…

You can write it hope, but a sobering hope, and with vision, while staring at reality.

I’d hope he would do it, but it might be a step too many… unless you use the Thompson Pivot.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Dec 11, 18 @ 10:20 am
Rich Miller voted for Rauner. Shame on him.

Comment by Mike Tuesday, Dec 11, 18 @ 10:22 am
Inauguration is already halfway through the month of January. There is absolutely no reason budget discussion can’t be folded into a SOTS address, but do give the SOTS address. It’s important.

Comment by NomChompsky Tuesday, Dec 11, 18 @ 10:28 am
One’s good enough for me. Take your time, get your sea legs, than roll out a budget in late February.

Those proposed budget books speak much more loudly as to priorities and goals than any speech.

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Dec 11, 18 @ 10:30 am
Do SOTS only. The average citizen doesn’t pay any attention to the SOTS, they see it as a PR event. Let everyone know that you realize we face a bad time and that you are working with all players on crafting a budget that starts the process of righting the ship. People will wait and think “yeah, let’s get the plans right.”

Comment by NeverPoliticallyCorrect Tuesday, Dec 11, 18 @ 10:38 am
Mike, you have no idea what you’re talking about. Go get some help.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Dec 11, 18 @ 10:51 am
we pick labeling the Inauguration Speech as a SOTS and then focus on budget and an action plan for getting a budget passed. We can all remember the GovJunk performances including the first ever laugh out loud with his min wage hike plan.

Comment by Annonin' Tuesday, Dec 11, 18 @ 10:52 am
I’d go with some informal state of the state events or communications to help frame the coming budget choices, maybe something with state employees and the hollowing out of the workforce, education funding, infrastructure needs, reality-based and not pie-in-the-sky.

Comment by Earnest Tuesday, Dec 11, 18 @ 11:15 am
Both. Take every advantage to message your philosophy and extend an olive branch to those with the votes you will need in the GA.

Comment by Mongo Tuesday, Dec 11, 18 @ 11:24 am
Do both. The more communication, the better. Why not seize the opportunity?

Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Tuesday, Dec 11, 18 @ 11:42 am
It’s like the 3 Envelope joke.

“Blame Your Predecessor.”

Comment by A 400lb. Guy on a bed Tuesday, Dec 11, 18 @ 12:22 pm
I’d do three speeches that provide a narrative arc:

Inauguration — Here’s who I am, and here’s my vision for Illinois

SOTS — Here’s where we are today, here’s what’s working, and here’s what needs work

Budget — Here’s what we’re going to do this year to get from where we are now to my vision for the future of Illinois

Comment by Soccermom Tuesday, Dec 11, 18 @ 12:46 pm
I would do just one. Budget and policy are often linked so you can outline your policy goals and the budget at the same time.

Comment by Demoralized Tuesday, Dec 11, 18 @ 1:18 pm
Do the State of the State at the same time he announces his Budget plans.

Comment by Mama Tuesday, Dec 11, 18 @ 7:22 pm