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Today’s quotable

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[Senate Appropriations Chair Elgie Sims] pushed back against the Republicans’ criticisms.

He said the budget “absolutely funds” Democrats’ priorities “because we are fighting for individuals who cannot fight for themselves.”

He said Democrats prioritized education funding, money for programs serving young people and people with autism rather than “big businesses that are more profitable than they ever have been.”

Sims said Republicans had ample chances to share their views at 30 budget hearings but chose not to fully take part in the budgeting process.

“The ability to be inclusive is a two-way street,” he said. “Don’t only come to the table and say ‘no.’ If you want to obstruct, we will govern without you.”

Thoughts?

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Jun 1, 21 @ 1:46 pm

Comments

It makes sense to govern without them so long as the GQP is the party of NO. When the minority wishes to participate, as Leader Durkin has done on occasion, then they will help to shape the final package.

Comment by anon2 Tuesday, Jun 1, 21 @ 1:50 pm
===“Don’t only come to the table and say ‘no.’ If you want to obstruct, we will govern without you.”===

73 and 41 makes it even easier to do so.

You can be political and be wonky by engaging in process, and be savvy in press pops to engage in wants… and be green on the votes for the wants too.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jun 1, 21 @ 1:53 pm
when NO is the only option, the IL-GOP is denying their supporters ANY AND ALL input in the process and we should care less if thats is what happens. The worse part of the hypocrisy? Many of these same IL_GOP reps/senators go back to their districts and boast about the projects and money coming in that none of them voted for. Change process where state money is reduced by 40% in any illinois state district if their state reps vote against it. Let HAVE REAL accountability

Comment by truthteller Tuesday, Jun 1, 21 @ 1:55 pm
Agree with the priorities. Big business has done quite well and got an extravagant government handout via the Trump tax cuts. We need to invest in struggling communities and education.

Comment by Grandson of Man Tuesday, Jun 1, 21 @ 2:08 pm
…. we will govern without you. Definitely sounds like ownership.

Comment by Blue Dog Tuesday, Jun 1, 21 @ 2:09 pm
No doubt there has been a lot of hard work done and a lot of good has resulted. However, it appears their priority is serving those who pay them the best. Wirtz LLC (Liquor Warehouser), the Casinos and the nice bidness folks in Reno and Henderson Nevada (suburb of Las Vegas) who help with our video gaming.

Further the lobsters for the nice New Jersey company which run our Lottery are doing a great job. We might even need the Auditor General review the contract as the administrative fees are just nuts.

Comment by Al Tuesday, Jun 1, 21 @ 2:14 pm
Was Simms interested in the Republicans opinions when new maps were drawn?

Comment by Just Me 2 Tuesday, Jun 1, 21 @ 2:14 pm
=== Was Simms interested in the Republicans opinions when new maps were drawn?===

Did the Raunerites have any maps to discuss.

The HRaunerites spent $500K, have no maps to show… less one from a toddler, and that’s not snark.

Participate, or hold a presser *with* your maps and input that is being ignored… don’t have Mark Maxwell produce a campaign ad and call it press coverage…

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jun 1, 21 @ 2:20 pm
Complete nonsense from Sen. Sims who I normally respect. The Democrats control the process and the outcome. Republicans can say things until they’re blue in the face and the Democrats will disregard it if it doesn’t align with their priorities. That’s how it works. But to somehow blame Republicans because the Democrats followed their own path is ludicrous. Please don’t take a page from the Governor, who blames Republicans for everything, including this gem: “The Republicans crossed their arms and didn’t provide a legislative map that they wanted.” Patently absurd, but one which many partisans will adopt as I can see on this blog.

Comment by Kind Critic Tuesday, Jun 1, 21 @ 2:26 pm
-“because we are fighting for individuals who cannot fight for themselves.”-

Everyone knows that the CTU speaks for the children via the state legislature.

Comment by Sausage King Tuesday, Jun 1, 21 @ 2:44 pm
“If you want to obstruct, we will govern without you.”
Every Democratic legislator - state and federal - should wear a button with that phrase on it.

Comment by filmmaker prof Tuesday, Jun 1, 21 @ 2:46 pm
When your party has the votes to pass anything you want, why would you reach out to the other party unless to pass tough legislation. People voted in Democrats to enact their agenda - why water that agenda down just because some people love clinging onto the myth that bipartisan legislation is better.

Comment by Chicagonk Tuesday, Jun 1, 21 @ 2:46 pm
Republican voters who elect representatives to actually engage with their counterparts to get things done, are apparently few and far between. Instead, we get the party go ‘NO’, well, always saying no and posturing. Gotta love ” Populism for Dummies.”, just sayin.

Comment by PublicServant Tuesday, Jun 1, 21 @ 2:46 pm
Sorry - I meant to say why would you reach out to the other party unless you wanted political cover to pass tough legislation.

Comment by Chicagonk Tuesday, Jun 1, 21 @ 2:47 pm
== Was Simms interested in the Republicans opinions when new maps were drawn? ==
When House Republicans understandably complained about so many of them being drawn into the same districts, the map was adjusted accordingly to reduce the instances. Of course they still complained.

Comment by anon2 Tuesday, Jun 1, 21 @ 3:41 pm
===when new maps were drawn?===

This has to do with the budget… how?

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jun 1, 21 @ 3:42 pm
=== But to somehow blame Republicans===

He didn’t blame Republicans. He described their behavior.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jun 1, 21 @ 4:29 pm
===“Don’t only come to the table and say ‘no.’ If you want to obstruct, we will govern without you.”===

Engage, be involved in talking policy, be willing to be green in bills, show proficiency in process and governing.

No blaming Republicans, showing Republicans what’s *expected* to be a partner.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jun 1, 21 @ 4:38 pm
=== “The Republicans crossed their arms and didn’t provide a legislative map that they wanted.”===

What is untrue about that?

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jun 1, 21 @ 4:39 pm
In his prior service as Senate Appropriations Director under President Emil Jones, I’d guess Sims was in the room and watched a number of GOP Senators bring their approps asks to President Jones as part of the budget negotiations. So Senator Sims knows of what he speaks when he talks of “the two-way street.” The street is for drivers, spectators sit in the stands.

Comment by Scott Cross for President Tuesday, Jun 1, 21 @ 5:37 pm