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* My Crain’s Chicago Business column…
It’s a new year and a new decade, so here are my New Year’s resolution suggestions for our state’s leaders.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker: Please, no more pension gimmicks that you’ll only end up distancing yourself from. Last year, you proposed skimping on the state’s pension contributions, only to drop the idea when unexpected revenues appeared in the spring. Yes, pension payments eat up a huge portion of the state’s budget, but if, as you often say, pensions are a promise, then you have to put state money where your mouth is to make sure pensioners are paid.
You ended the 2019 spring legislative session by passing several strong bipartisan bills, including a massive transportation and infrastructure program. Keep that up. This state regularly elects Democrats from the Chicago area, but there are plenty of suburban and downstate Republicans here, too, and you’re governor of all the people. Yes, elections have consequences and even with all the bills you passed last year you still have a few unfulfilled progressive campaign promises, but at least listen to input from all who are willing to come to the table.
House Speaker Michael Madigan: You got out of the new governor’s way and actually helped him at times last year. You did the same with Rod Blagojevich in 2003, but you picked a huge fight with him in 2004 that produced a long and nasty overtime session. Don’t do that again. The feds are actively snooping around you and your organization. What you need now are friends, not enemies. Make peace, stay low and forget about patronage requests for a while. Legislation, not transactions.
Read the rest before commenting, please. Thanks.
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Jan 6, 20 @ 9:08 am
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Good read this morning, spot on w/ MJM. He usually understands the environment around him so I hope he follows similar advice as above.
Comment by Alfred Monday, Jan 6, 20 @ 9:27 am
Mike Madigan get out of a Governor’s way?
LOL
Comment by Lucky Pierre Monday, Jan 6, 20 @ 10:27 am
The trouble between Madigan and Blagojevich actually began in 2003, when lawmakers over-rode a Blagojevich budget veto and then he accused them of spending like drunken sailors. Comparing Madigan to a drunk was never going to go over well or simply be forgotten, and as far as I know, neither Blagojevich nor anyone close to him ever apologized.
Comment by Thomas Paine Monday, Jan 6, 20 @ 10:36 am
Imagine the horror of accusing Democratic legislators of irresponsible spending, not paying the pensions and the increasing the debt.
I don’t recall the Democrats apologizing to Illinois residents
Comment by Lucky Pierre Monday, Jan 6, 20 @ 12:27 pm
== Drea has inherited a successful organization, but times are changing on him. Stay fully aware at all times.==
No kidding. With a hostile NLRB it’s a jungle out there.
Comment by Da Big Bad Wolf Monday, Jan 6, 20 @ 1:57 pm
Lucky Pierre -
The last pre-Edgar Pension Ramp to fully fund pensions was the FY 1986 budget, passed by Phil Rock and Mike Madigan. James R. Thompson vetoed the retirement contribution to 60% of payout. Where were you when this happened?
Comment by Anyone Remember Monday, Jan 6, 20 @ 2:50 pm
==I don’t recall the Democrats apologizing to Illinois residents==
I don’t recall Bruce Rauner apologizing for his fiasco of a term.
None of them apologize. Grow up.
Comment by Demoralized Monday, Jan 6, 20 @ 4:17 pm