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* Gov. Bruce Rauner met with the four legislative leaders yesterday. Not much was disclosed. SJ-R…
“There were no specifics today,” said House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago. “Everybody was very forthcoming in terms of exchanging information. We all agreed to work together to solve the problems.”
“I just think we have to wait and see what the governor wants to do,” said Senate President John Cullerton, D-Chicago. “He did not give me any specifics about his budget, but the most important thing we do down here is pass a budget.”
House Republican Leader Jim Durkin of Western Springs said it was the first time in the 1½ years he’s been the House GOP leader that he’s had a meeting with a governor and other leaders. […]
Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno of Lemont said the discussion included some “big, general areas like school funding, but no particular ideas.”
* Even so, at least one direct message was sent by Senate President John Cullerton. Sun-Times…
Cullerton told reporters he urged the governor to do everything possible to get Republicans to pass a state budget.
He said he hopes Rauner persuades his party to participate in the budget process, something Republicans haven’t done in the six years he’s spent as Senate president.
“He’s got to tell his members, if he wants to blame it on the past Democrats that were in charge, that’s fine with me,” Cullerton said. “Whatever it takes for him to get his members to participate in the budget process, let him do it.”
* Heh…
“First off we have someone that was actually capable of running a meeting and moving the discourse forward in a productive manner,” [Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno] said.
* And…
While House Speaker Michael Madigan declared he was prepared to cooperate with Rauner, questions still remain about whether the two will be able to find common ground after Rauner labeled Madigan and Cullerton “corrupt.”
“It will be difficult if somebody wants to make it difficult, but that’s not going to be me. I plan to commit to the people of the state of Illinois, and to Gov. Rauner, to work cooperatively to solve the problems of the state,” Madigan said.
Asked if there were any apologies made during the closed-door meeting about the campaign mudslinging, Madigan said “none were offered.”
“I didn’t think that I was required to offer any,” Madigan said, laughing.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jan 14, 15 @ 9:24 am
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Cullerton: I expect …at least …half.,,of the “green lights” to be GOP votes on the Budget. That’s on you, Governor, no matter…how…you need to get them.
MJM: There will be no apologies. Not from him, not from me. He wanted us, he got us. It’s up to the Governor to show he’s an honest partner. I’ve shown I can be that partner. I’ve shown I can cut a governor out, even ignore a governor. How this governor intitiates, I wil respond. It’s on him how I will be.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jan 14, 15 @ 9:30 am
The sentiment might be encouraging, if one were to know how Madigan defines cooperate!
Comment by BMAN Wednesday, Jan 14, 15 @ 9:30 am
“I didn’t think that I was required to offer any,” Madigan said, laughing.
At least, he did not allude to “indiscretions” during this campaign. Lol.
Comment by Under Further Review Wednesday, Jan 14, 15 @ 9:38 am
@Durkin
Wow, only a year and a half…?! Perhaps that is more a reflection of your leadership than that of the former governor. Being in a veto-proofed minority and all, besides the ILGOP GA having nothing to say except, “Well, we’re out of power. We can’t do anything.” You reveled in being powerless. You got paid and didn’t have to do anything. Now, welcome to the table. Your lame excuses are no good anymore.
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Wednesday, Jan 14, 15 @ 9:40 am
Testing the waters and it sounds like they might be a bit icy.
It’s January in Illinois. Let’s see what a few months brings.
Comment by Aldyth Wednesday, Jan 14, 15 @ 9:43 am
Tough votes coming for GOP legislators. That will be the big shake ‘em up.
Comment by Wordslinger Wednesday, Jan 14, 15 @ 9:45 am
===“He’s got to tell his members, if he wants to blame it on the past Democrats that were in charge, that’s fine with me,” Cullerton said. “Whatever it takes for him to get his members to participate in the budget process, let him do it.”===
This paragraph “sounds” like Cullerton talked about the ILGOP GA like they weren’t in the room!
“Tell them to participate”
“We’re right here!”
“I’m not talking to you, I’m talking to your boss…”
Yikes.
Autonomy of the ILGOP GA Caucuses is fading, fading…fading.
===He’s got to tell his member…===
The GOP Leaders are sitting, right there…
More was said right there, if you comprehend what the message is that is being sent. Wow.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jan 14, 15 @ 9:46 am
=Cullerton: I expect …at least …half.,,of the “green lights” to be GOP votes on the Budget. That’s on you, Governor, no matter…how…you need to get them.=
Wonder if the Governor expects the Democrats to be half the green lights, if the budget is lean and spending is low or cut.
Comment by Apocalypse Now Wednesday, Jan 14, 15 @ 9:47 am
What is that springing eternal over there…. Why is that hope?
On a small side note. No one seems overly upset with rauner undoing most of Quinns Midnight (day) appointments. That is a small bit of positive.
Comment by Ghost Wednesday, Jan 14, 15 @ 9:50 am
AN, Rauner will need plenty of Dem votes to pass anything. Unless you’ve got some new math or something.
Comment by Wordslinger Wednesday, Jan 14, 15 @ 9:51 am
====“I just think we have to wait and see what the governor wants to do.”====
So there still isn’t a plan?
Comment by From the 'Dale to HP Wednesday, Jan 14, 15 @ 9:52 am
Thinking about OW’s last post, this election could have done more to bring the ILGOP to heal than any other election. Especially if the governor leap frogs the ILGOP to work with MJM and Cullerton only to go back to HIS members to give them their marching orders. I think it becomes even more compelling when you add in the governor’s campaign/rewards/punishment war chest. I never really envisioned the ILGOP being cuckolded in such a way. Were they willing dupes? If this comes to pass, it is pure political genius.
Comment by JS Mill Wednesday, Jan 14, 15 @ 9:54 am
===Wonder if the Governor expects the Democrats to be half the green lights, if the budget is lean and spend===
That’s where that “partner” thingy comes into play.
See, campaigns, they’re hard, but governing is difficult.
Rauner wants to make it real difficult, require all 67 GOP GA legislators to vote for the budget, MJM & Cullerton fill the difference.
That’s 13 Dem House votes out of 71…
That’s 15 Dem Senate votes out of 39…
Dem targets get safer…or…
Be a “partner”, meet half way.
All up to Governor Rauner.
Ask; Thompson, Edgar, Ryan, Blago, Quinn…
It’s up to the Governor how much of a partner.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jan 14, 15 @ 9:54 am
The revenue shortfall will be huge, and we have gargantuan debt and unpaid bills. I support all of the leaders working together to tackle these problems. I hope that Rauner cools it with the campaign rhetoric and instead chooses a moderate approach.
Comment by Grandson of Man Wednesday, Jan 14, 15 @ 9:59 am
These are the tidbits they chose to feed the press. Surely much more was covered behind the closed door. Sorry BGA, but most of the best things are decided there, between contending parties.
Comment by walker Wednesday, Jan 14, 15 @ 10:01 am
My guess what Cullerton means by having the GOP “participate in the budget process” is to rubber stamp whatever his veto proof majority wants and take the heat for overspending and raising taxes so that it isn’t a campaign issue.
It would be responsible for leadership to broadly outline certain principles and goals that will be used in developing the budget, but that’s not likely to happen.
I’m thinking of things like, “limiting other spending so that fully funding the pension ramp obligations, and scheduling to making up for past deficiencies in contributions is accomplished”, “only funding capital projects to remedy infrastructure problems that directly impact safety and where repair action now can be shown to gain substantial savings over project deferral”, “commitment to adjust statutes, procedures, and executive orders for having the state pay no more than Illinois regional market rates for contractor labor”, “create no increase of eligibility for state benefits, nor expansion of current benefit programs”, “fund only those grants to outside organizations that are shown to be necessary to meet statutory requirements, and who provide those necessary services at rates below those that would be required to be performed by state personnel”, and, finally, “take all constitutional action possible to minimize state obligations for pension funding (read “spiking” relief or cost shift, as well as shifting above average pension basis salaries to the school and municipal organizations paying those salaries).
I’m sure there are many other principles by which the budget can be prepared, but having a check list of these goals, and denying spending for those requested appropriations that do not meet those goals, is a necessary step in the budgeting process.
Comment by Arizona Bob Wednesday, Jan 14, 15 @ 10:04 am
Yikes, I meant 10, not 15, votes out of 39.
Typo.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jan 14, 15 @ 10:05 am
–Cullerton told reporters he urged the governor to do everything possible to get Republicans to pass a state budget.–
1. Every Republican can vote for the budget and it doesn’t matter.
2. I understand why Cullerton has a chip on his shoulder because Republicans have been blowing a lot of hot air and have not done much substantive work for a long time. However, this is a two way street and Cullerton needs to genuinely be able to work with the other side instead of just blaming others. He needs to understand that he was also part of the problem.
Comment by Ahoy! Wednesday, Jan 14, 15 @ 10:06 am
===My guess what Cullerton means by having the GOP “participate in the budget process” is to rubber stamp whatever his veto proof majority wants and take the heat for overspending and raising taxes so that it isn’t a campaign issue.===
That might be the most ignorant comment you have made;
The Cullerton quote is speaking to voting for the Rauner budget and wants, not leaving it up to the Dems to carry water for the Republican governor to pass the governor’s budget.
You just can’t look past partisanship to see legislative realities.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jan 14, 15 @ 10:08 am
So much passive aggressive goodness here.
“No specifics today.”
“He’s got to tell his members, if he wants to blame it on the past Democrats that were in charge, that’s fine with me.”
“First time in the 1½ years he’s been the House GOP leader that he’s had a meeting with a governor and other leaders.”
I’m thinking family therapy might be in order.
Comment by VM Wednesday, Jan 14, 15 @ 10:16 am
bi·par·ti·san·ship n. A willingness to work with members of either party provided they do what you say.
– MrJM
Comment by MrJM (@MisterJayEm) Wednesday, Jan 14, 15 @ 10:24 am
I agree with you Arizona Bob. As long as, like Bruce said the other day…we all have to sacrifice equally. And since he has $50,000,000,000.00 more reasons to sacrifice, then it should be equal.
If you mean he gets to keep more of his $50,000,000,000.00 than others…than its not so equal.
Know what I mean?
Comment by Del Clinkton Wednesday, Jan 14, 15 @ 10:28 am
No Arizona Bob that’s not remotely what Cullerton’s meant by participation. Participation would include offering plans and positions, with numbers that add, rather than just complaining. It would include not voting as a block against a bill initially offered by a Republican member only because it now has gained Dem support as well. It would mean that when the Dems mostly agree on tough cost cuts, facility closing, or contracting reform, or benefit reductions, or even some pension adjustments, not to vote the opposite just not to share the political pain. Many individual GOP members act responsibly, only to watch their own caucus obstruct as a bloc. And that’s been partly on Durkin.
Comment by walker Wednesday, Jan 14, 15 @ 10:30 am
How much water can a superminority carry even if their bucket is full and overflowing?
Not enough.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Wednesday, Jan 14, 15 @ 10:30 am
Oswego Willy @ 9:30 - you are fluent in both Cullerton and Madigan, thanks for the translation!
Comment by Agricola Wednesday, Jan 14, 15 @ 10:35 am
@AZBob,
“My guess what Cullerton means by having the GOP “participate in the budget process” is to rubber stamp whatever his veto proof majority wants and take the heat for overspending and raising taxes so that it isn’t a campaign issue.”
If that were the case, I don’t think Cullterton would much care, much less need GOP votes.
No Bob, now it means the GOP is going to have to actually craft a budget, sponsor the budget, actually propose the budget, and vote FOR the budget.
Which hasn’t happened for a very long time. The past few years the only button on GOP desks was the “NO” button.
Those days are now past. Your guy is now in the Gov’s chair. His party gets to make the budget, and wear the jacket for whatever that budget contains.
Comment by How Ironic Wednesday, Jan 14, 15 @ 10:37 am
We need a bipartisan balance of political power in Illinois for a bipartisan solution to the problems we face. We don’t have that, so there won’t be.
Instead we’re going to see the Majority Party with the Veto-Proof Power, pretend that the new Governor matters.
Goliath is laughing at Bruce, who some thing could be David.
Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Jan 14, 15 @ 10:39 am
It’s nice that they’re having kumbaya sessions now, but we’ll see what happens when there are proposals on the table. Hopefully, these get togethers will engender trust and goodwill for future discussions. I have my doubts and wouldn’t put any money on it.
Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Jan 14, 15 @ 10:42 am
VMan, if you think Dems in the House and Senate could — or would want to — get together to craft a veto-proof budget, you’re more delusional than usual.
Comment by Wordslinger Wednesday, Jan 14, 15 @ 10:43 am
- VanillaMan -,
The politics of this is making the GOP own the process of budgeting and specifically cuts in services…not…
Forcing the Dems owning…anything.
If today was “Opposite Day” you would have the best opposite comment.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jan 14, 15 @ 10:47 am
=== it means the GOP is going to have to actually craft a budget, sponsor the budget, actually propose the budget, and vote FOR the budget. ===
Truer words were never spoken.
Comment by PublicServant Wednesday, Jan 14, 15 @ 10:56 am
It’s interesting how OW, How Ironic and others seem to put words into Cullerton’s mouth that he didn’t say, nor even infer.
Until the election of Rauner, what the GOP caucus wanted or said was irrelevant since they had no leverage in the negotiations.
If you all think that Cullerton and Madigan negotiate for giveaways to those too weak to stop them from getting EVERYTHING they want, perhaps you’re not as politically smart as you think. Dopes.
Cullerton and Madigan respect and respond only to financial and political power. Without that legislative and executive power, they won’t give you the time of day.
Do ANY of you think that Madigan and Cullerton will concede ANYTHING against the Dem agenda to the GOP with veto proof majorities? Why would they? It would certainly go against all history of these gentlemen.
For some inexplicable reason you all seem think that this is some “kumbaya” moment. I think that’s far too naïve of a position for any of you experienced posters to take.
I do agree, however, that the GOP in the GA shouldn’t just sit on their hands and vote “no”. They SHOULD identify budget priorities, identify spending that produces low value for high cost, make recommendations for cutting and consolidating programs, and take a serious look at Illinois K-12 and higher ed spending practices in order to better arrange for funding where needed, and changes in these practices and statutes where necessary to provide acceptable results for the lowest possible cost.
The problem is that this takes a lot more work than just voting “no”, and producing something like a “contract with Illinois” for addressing this fiscal mess for the greater good of the people of Illinois. Hard work hasn’t been the strong suit of this GOP since Pate Phillip and Lee Daniels left office.
Radogno and Durkin have to show they have vision and a plan before they’re taken seriously as leaders. I haven’t seen anything to date that infers they have this in them. Perhaps Rauner can fill the leadership void the GOP has had for the last decade or so. We’ll see.
Comment by Arizona Bob Wednesday, Jan 14, 15 @ 12:21 pm
Um, - Arizona Bob -…
===Cullerton told reporters he urged the governor to do everything possible to get Republicans to pass a state budget.
He said he hopes Rauner persuades his party to participate in the budget process, something Republicans haven’t done in the six years he’s spent as Senate president.
“He’s got to tell his members, if he wants to blame it on the past Democrats that were in charge, that’s fine with me,” Cullerton said. “Whatever it takes for him to get his members to participate in the budget process, let him do it.”===
What part of what I comprehended and expanded on do you…have issue with?
Same with my comprhension of MJM.
What do you take issue with?
===Cullerton and Madigan respect and respond only to financial and political power. Without that legislative and executive power, they won’t give you the time of day.
Do ANY of you think that Madigan and Cullerton will concede ANYTHING against the Dem agenda to the GOP with veto proof majorities? Why would they? It would certainly go against all history of these gentlemen.===
That’s why we wait and watch, like you clse with… lol
Thanks again or the K-12 education drivel, which has little or nothing to do with this Post.
Thanks.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jan 14, 15 @ 12:36 pm
“Depends on How Madigan defines “cooperate” Easy.
That means that, when May comes and it comes time to pass GOP Gov. Rauner’s budget, at least half to 3/4ths of the GOP members vote YES - or hit the green button as OW put it
above.
That is what cooperation means to Madigan and Cullerton
Comment by low level Wednesday, Jan 14, 15 @ 4:00 pm
ABob you are stunningly clueless about how the GA has worked and how it could work. Better to stick with things you know something about– which are substantial. First error is overrating Madigan’s and Cullerton’s power.
Others overrate Rauner’s.
Comment by walker Wednesday, Jan 14, 15 @ 4:22 pm
Put another way - Gov Rauner needs MJM and Cully a lot more than they need him.
GOP Gov will need to put pressure on GOP members to vote for his proposals. Only then will Dems put votes on it.
It’s as simple as that
Comment by low level Wednesday, Jan 14, 15 @ 4:55 pm
@AZ Bob,
Clearly Bob is playing T-Ball, while the rest of the class here is playing AAA.
Bob, now that the GOP is in the Gov mansion…the budget is now ‘theirs’. The GOP has to write the budget, sponsor the budget, and present it on the floor. And guess what else? They have to vote FOR it, and as an added bonus they now get to wear the jacket for it’s content.
Do you really not understand how the budget process works, or are you just joking around. I’m thinking the first point.
Comment by How Ironic Wednesday, Jan 14, 15 @ 6:42 pm
I’m thinking he might have spent too much time at tea party events in the sun.
Comment by low level Wednesday, Jan 14, 15 @ 7:31 pm
That or he does not realize that the state legislature is different from the Chicago city Council and that the governor is quite different than the mayor of Chicago.
many blagoofs never umderstood this either
Comment by low level Wednesday, Jan 14, 15 @ 7:35 pm