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Rauner to restore “Good Friday Massacre” cuts

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* I told subscribers about the anticipated FY 15 revenue spike this morning and about these possible restorations…


Aides for Rauner say he will restore $26 million in grant cuts he made on Good Friday after better than expected tax revenues.

— Monique Garcia (@moniquegarcia) April 30, 2015

While it's estimated an extra $300 million to $500 million will come in, no other cuts will be restored due to $6 billion backlog.

— Monique Garcia (@moniquegarcia) April 30, 2015

But administration says the wiggle room means no further cuts in FY15 either, which they have long said was a possibility.

— Monique Garcia (@moniquegarcia) April 30, 2015

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Apr 30, 15 @ 12:10 pm

Comments

  1. Had they waited a month, they wouldn’t have made so many people sick with worry, kept friendships made during the campaign, demonstrated empathy towards those in need, demonstrated leadership and prevented a mountain of bad publicity.

    Its disappointing to see that the new administration is only as sharp as the last three.

    Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Apr 30, 15 @ 12:17 pm

  2. Dear Rauner Crew,

    Holding your powder for 3 weeks, after all the posturing, and putting Rauner in a position to be seen as a Dealmaker unable to keep his word, you are now going to publicly restore the Rauner Cuts made, not in the open, but in the dark holiday weekend.

    The irony isn’t lost on me;

    Cuts made in hopes no one notices…

    Reinstatement made for all to hear.

    Not the best way to be seen as a trusting partner.

    Learn, and do better, for all our sakes.

    OW

    Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Apr 30, 15 @ 12:18 pm

  3. He’ll never restore the trust factor.

    Comment by Wensicia Thursday, Apr 30, 15 @ 12:21 pm

  4. What a gigantic [pick a word] up by Rauner. Doesn’t even get to come in and save the day. Amateur hour in Springfield.

    Comment by From the 'Dale to HP Thursday, Apr 30, 15 @ 12:25 pm

  5. ==- Wensicia - Thursday, Apr 30, 15 @ 12:21 pm:==

    This is the most important point. He engaged in this whole exercise gaining nothing but burned bridges.

    Comment by Precinct Captain Thursday, Apr 30, 15 @ 12:26 pm

  6. “We will release two of the hostages…”

    – MrJM

    Comment by MrJM Thursday, Apr 30, 15 @ 12:29 pm

  7. Not sure of that. He did position himself and make clear that he would make such cuts, if necessary. There’s definitely something to say for that at the bargaining table.

    Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Apr 30, 15 @ 12:31 pm

  8. Underwhelming. Guv gets negative kudos for finally doing the right thing (that he already should have restored; and never should have cut in the first place). Another bad day.

    Comment by TrueSilk Thursday, Apr 30, 15 @ 12:31 pm

  9. Whoever told this administration to do this, needs to be publically fired.

    Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Apr 30, 15 @ 12:32 pm

  10. Our Savior!

    Comment by RayRay Thursday, Apr 30, 15 @ 12:34 pm

  11. After a bean ball, in-field error, wild pitch, and sacrifice fly, Madigan leads 1-0 without a single hit.

    Comment by Juvenal Thursday, Apr 30, 15 @ 12:35 pm

  12. ===Not sure of that. He did position himself and make clear that he would make such cuts, if necessary. There’s definitely something to say for that at the bargaining table.===

    What,

    …that when the Speaker thinks he stuck a deal, watch out, Rauner will go back on it?

    …that those who Rauner relies on to be the 23 Democrats to vote for his solutions should think twice before being “green” on the board?

    …that Rauner is willing to burn bridges in short-sided decisions that might, later, seem frivolous in the realities of governing?

    …that Rauner himself, so bold, so strong, so committed, does thd “tough” things in hopes no one notices?

    The Rauner Cuts, the… “Good Friday Massacre” cost more than $26 million in cuts, that are being restored, publicly. They came at the cost of governing trust, the first time Rauner held out his hand for a deal.

    Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Apr 30, 15 @ 12:37 pm

  13. How many layoffs/closings already happened as a result of these cuts?

    Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Apr 30, 15 @ 12:40 pm

  14. Willy -

    He didn’t have to wait three weeks.

    He could have just read his own Dept. of Revenue’s tax forecast, which in February anticipated $500 million in revenue over what the legislature had projected when making the budget.

    http://www.revenue.state.il.us/AboutIdor/TaxResearch/FY2015-8February-QuarterlyRevenueReport.pdf

    Comment by Juvenal Thursday, Apr 30, 15 @ 12:41 pm

  15. Look Captain Ahab!
    We forgot to look over our shoulder!
    Land HO!

    Too bad about all those people we threw overboard, eh?

    Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Apr 30, 15 @ 12:43 pm

  16. How many people were told that there would be no more provided services?
    And how many people were let go by the Providers who received those cuts?
    How many contracts will require new addendums?
    Talk about egg on your face.

    Comment by Rufus Thursday, Apr 30, 15 @ 12:44 pm

  17. i was taught to ride a two wheeler in an almost empty lot. One tree. One tree. And I hit it. Team Rauner seems to have a knack for such precision as well.

    Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Apr 30, 15 @ 12:44 pm

  18. - Juvenal -,

    Which makes the Rauner Cuts, the “Good Friday Massacre” for $26 million not a discussion of costs or “Math” (hey @statehousechick!)…

    …but a narrative, a narrative of Rauner making policy decisions, like all governors do, did, and will do, based on what you fund, and what you choose to cut.

    Reinstating the cuts may speak more to Rauner seeing trust and optics differently, but the narrative and policy choices will remain the same(?)

    Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Apr 30, 15 @ 12:45 pm

  19. I think it was smart to announce these cuts early in order to prepare everyone for the massive cuts coming in the FY2016 budget.

    Comment by econ prof Thursday, Apr 30, 15 @ 12:46 pm

  20. Bruce: “That ain’t land! It’s a blooming WHITE WHALE! MOBY DICK! YOU HEARIN’ ME? I’m comin’ after yeh! You destroyer of businesses and bankrupter from the bowels of HELL!”

    First Mate: “No Captain Rauner. It’s land! It ain’t the Union Whale! We can save the children you made walk the plank!”

    Rauner: “It’s a Madigan plot! There’s a Whale in these waters and its corrupting our ship of state! I smell it!”

    First Mate: “No Captain Rauner! That’s Indiana after they shut down all those Rest Areas in order to balance their budget! The sour and foul wind! It blows from the East!”

    Rauner: “Desist? Not until I have killed the Union Whale will I ever desist! Send more children and elderly overboard! We must lighten our fiscal load or there will be no Turnaround!”

    First Mate: “Is that you parrot?”

    Rauner: “No! Its my new owl, Ronnie!”

    Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Apr 30, 15 @ 12:55 pm

  21. Stumble.

    Comment by illinoised Thursday, Apr 30, 15 @ 12:55 pm

  22. Now I’m confused. Were the things he cut examples of the much-touted waste, fraud and abuse or not? If Yes, why is he restoring them? If No, why did he cut them rather than the w. f. & a that we hear so much about? (snark)

    Comment by UIC Guy Thursday, Apr 30, 15 @ 12:56 pm

  23. Rauner is a very black and white thinker. If there is not enough revenues, he will make the cuts now, not wait to see if more money becomes available. I don’t think he cares if he is seen as being heartless. To him, it makes sense. And if additional money does become available, great. Believe it or not, outside the “bubble” his actions are not interpreted the same way they are here.

    Comment by anonymous plus one Thursday, Apr 30, 15 @ 12:57 pm

  24. Yes, econ prof: undermining faith in your mathematical skills, reading comprehension, and trustworthiness is how I like to kick off budget negotiations too.

    Comment by Juvenal Thursday, Apr 30, 15 @ 1:00 pm

  25. VanillaMan - that’s about how I see it, excellent post!

    Comment by AC Thursday, Apr 30, 15 @ 1:01 pm

  26. “If there is not enough revenues, he will make the cuts now”

    There was enough revenue, it was appropriated in the FY15 deal.

    “Believe it or not, outside the “bubble” his actions are not interpreted the same way they are here.”

    40% approval rating (at the high end), multiple public demonstrations opposed, a “Turnaround Agenda” road show that’s already run aground, and even Republican legislators taking whacks at the cuts. It’s not a matter of a bubble, they were unpopular.

    Comment by Arsenal Thursday, Apr 30, 15 @ 1:05 pm

  27. Rauner claims an increase in tax receipts enabled him to do restore the cuts…ok…

    Comment by foster brooks Thursday, Apr 30, 15 @ 1:06 pm

  28. This possibility was raised during the questioning of Tim Nuding on April 21 by Rep Greg Harris. According to my notes Rep Harris asked Nuding specifically about the possibility of a revenue increase due to collections and Nuding gave an evasive answer. The same day the Senate in a panic begins to push through SB 274.

    So it turns out that if the House leadership had given away $26 million more in sweeps with SB 274 as amended the Rauner administration would have applied the money where they chose to apparently. Senator Kotowski who drafted that bill should be ashamed at his lack of due diligence in relation to these revenue funds.

    Comment by Rod Thursday, Apr 30, 15 @ 1:11 pm

  29. What m’lord taketh away quietly, he restoreth loudly. All hail Bruce and the blessings he bestows upon us all.

    Comment by AC Thursday, Apr 30, 15 @ 1:14 pm

  30. And the really good news- that leaves $274-$474 million Rauner can pass out to the next eBay or Sears who wants their palms greased, too!

    /snark

    Comment by Roadiepig Thursday, Apr 30, 15 @ 1:17 pm

  31. Maybe Raunerhood can release a novel based on his latest decisions “Profiles in ineptitude and lack of courage”

    Comment by How Ironic Thursday, Apr 30, 15 @ 1:17 pm

  32. ==- Rod - Thursday, Apr 30, 15 @ 1:11 pm:==

    You yourself wrote that Rauner’s budget director was “evasive” on increased revenue collections, but lets blame Senator Kotowski. You should pick up your head before it spins down the street.

    Comment by Precinct Captain Thursday, Apr 30, 15 @ 1:24 pm

  33. Better late restoration than stubbornly sticking it out.

    Comment by Langhorne Thursday, Apr 30, 15 @ 1:27 pm

  34. Just another corrupt deal between a politician and special interests /snark. Seriously, I wonder how much damaged been caused to the autism service providers because of this stunt. Will they be on the chopping block in FY16 too? We struggled for years to get services covered by insurance. The one good piece of legislation from the Blago years forced many (not all) insurance companies to pay for autism related therapies. Even with that many families had to rely on therapies and programs that were part of the Good Friday Massacre. Shame to you Gov. Ruiner.

    Comment by Johnnie F. Thursday, Apr 30, 15 @ 1:31 pm

  35. Precinct Captain Senator Kotowski blinked and the House leadership did not. That is the bottom line, its pretty obvious Greg Harris had some preliminary revenue data based on his line of questioning. So the information was out there on April 21 among the Democrats.

    Comment by Rod Thursday, Apr 30, 15 @ 1:43 pm

  36. First Mate: “Captain Rauner - sir. We are picking up the orphans, widows and indigent you called “wasteful barnacles”, you threw overboard in order to save our ship of state.”

    Rauner: “Is that the Union Whale I hear?”

    First Mate: “No Captain, the frightened kids are wet and crying.”

    Rauner: “So - I save them, did I? I said it couldn’t be done, but then I picked myself right up and PROVED myself wrong, eh Ronnie?”

    Ronnie: “Aye-aye Cap’n! You proved to everyone you are a man unblemished by bias and thought!”

    Rauner: “That smell. Smells like VICTORY!”

    First Mate: “Senator McCarter says we can harpoon the HMS Madigan right in their poop deck if we find their buried Corruption Treasure!”

    Rauner: “Aye, Senator McCarter - a man, like me, who can smell a poop deck hundreds of miles from here! Indiana?”

    Ronnie: “Smells like a balanced Hoosier budget to me, Cap’n! Just make sure everyone goes potty before we get to Terra Haute!”

    Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Apr 30, 15 @ 1:46 pm

  37. I am certain that the public universities, which appeared to take the biggest cuts of all, will have their funding restored also.

    Oh, I forgot, public universities are not part of state government.

    Comment by Federalist Thursday, Apr 30, 15 @ 1:50 pm

  38. === While it’s estimated an extra $300 million to $500 million will come in, no other cuts will be restored due to $6 billion backlog. ===

    I am pretty sure that the Medicaid providers would rather we rescind the cuts and continue to delay our payments to them.

    Call it “a hunch,” Oswego Willy.

    Comment by Juvenal Thursday, Apr 30, 15 @ 1:54 pm

  39. - Juvenal -,

    Rauner “choices”

    Rauner is choosing. Rauner may be choosing leverage to squeeze(?), but one thing is certain, Rauner has the ability, and it’s Rauner choosing.

    Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Apr 30, 15 @ 1:57 pm

  40. You mean it isn’t “math” or a “consequence”?

    Comment by Juvenal Thursday, Apr 30, 15 @ 2:06 pm

  41. Good to see the blunder was reversed
    Next time they may want to ask if poundin’ some group will help the TurnAroundAgenda
    Speakin’ of poundin’ BVR got tabled at the IML board meetin’

    Comment by Anonin' Thursday, Apr 30, 15 @ 2:09 pm

  42. I am not @statehousechick.

    If you are a governor of a state and claim to be a bully, how can you claim your choices are not your own?

    Maybe it’s that new “passive-aggressive bullying” style of governing?

    Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Apr 30, 15 @ 2:13 pm

  43. Saw this one coming the day he announced it. No doubt he’ll expect public adulation for his benevolence. That Rauner sure is a heckuva checkers player.

    Comment by downstate Thursday, Apr 30, 15 @ 2:17 pm

  44. Well im surprised he didn’t say, well lets lower the income take even more!
    He needs to never forget this. Make it a daily part of his daily reminders. No applause for this, but deepening disgust.

    Comment by BlameBruceRauner Thursday, Apr 30, 15 @ 3:09 pm

  45. This was predicted, and it came to pass. Does Rauner have an overarching plan, and is this part of it? If so, whoa. If not, whoa. So, he’s got “whoa” covered.

    Comment by dupage dan Thursday, Apr 30, 15 @ 3:30 pm

  46. Now what happens to the little not-for-profits that laid off staff and shut down programs after Good Friday? Do they start back up for the last two months of FY15? How do they budget for FY16? If anything, it’s more disgusting now that Rauner’s said “ha ha, just kidding” to the sick and disabled.

    Comment by olddog Thursday, Apr 30, 15 @ 4:00 pm

  47. Somewhere the spirit of Machiavelli shakes his head.

    Comment by Jake From Elwood Thursday, Apr 30, 15 @ 4:02 pm

  48. Amateur night at the old ballpark!

    Comment by BlameBruceRauner Thursday, Apr 30, 15 @ 4:08 pm

  49. This is where it helps to have some experienced Springfield hands in the room and calling the shots.

    If, as Rod suggests, Nuding was evasive when asked about the possibility of additional revenue just eight days ago, that is a serious problem.

    1) He should be reading the revenue reports,
    2) He should have been honest about the projected revenue.

    One of those two things didn’t happen.

    Comment by Juvenal Thursday, Apr 30, 15 @ 4:20 pm

  50. - Juvenal -,

    You are falling for the @statehousechick Rauner apologist thoughts.

    The $26 million is a statement of policy, not a “consequence” of “Math”.

    Rauner cared less about revenue coming in, Rauner was using, like all governors before and after him, the Rauner cuts as a policy statement.

    The cynic in me would say it was leverage to hold hostage his Agenda, but…

    They’re restored because of trust and optics issues, under the guise of “found money” in new revenues.

    Nothing. More.

    Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Apr 30, 15 @ 4:37 pm

  51. Maybe Rauner is just smarter than the rest of us and maybe this is just a small part of a grand strategy that one day we lesser humans will come to realize the sheer brilliance of.

    Maybe
    Maybe

    Comment by Buster Thursday, Apr 30, 15 @ 6:06 pm

  52. So these past 3 weeks there has been a lot of worry and anxiety on these families of special needs kids. Was it worth it?

    Comment by The Dude Abides Thursday, Apr 30, 15 @ 6:31 pm

  53. Willy:

    I seriously doubt that the Tribune editorial board was in on this.

    I think they were probably duped right along with everyone else, including the advocates for people with disabilities.

    You know, people like Don Moss.

    Question is: how will the press react when they learn that the Rauner administration has known since February about this budgetary windfall, including the Tribune editorial board?

    Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?

    Comment by Juvenal Thursday, Apr 30, 15 @ 7:17 pm

  54. - Juvenal -,

    The Trib Editorial Board and @statehousechick especially weren’t duped.

    She’s the same Dope telling Dave McKinney how he was wronged while touting Rauner and she and her board endorsed Rauner.

    The Trib is in on the gag.

    How do I know?

    ===Question is: how will the press react when they learn that the Rauner administration has known since February about this budgetary windfall, including the Tribune editorial board?===

    Read the Dopey article @statehousechick had, denying these are the Rauner Cuts directly, and further, like Rauner, saying these are “consequences”, but she absolves Rauner, like shills do.

    Nope, there is a narrative to all this. It goes back to the Primary and even before.

    Use the search key here, it’s documebted really well.

    Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Apr 30, 15 @ 7:43 pm

  55. I thank God for answering our prayer. at least his Ego is not so big that he can’t see the forest for the trees, And he did listen and changed his mind.
    I call it divine intervention.

    Comment by bird Thursday, Apr 30, 15 @ 10:05 pm

  56. - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Apr 30, 15 @ 7:43 pm

    Exactly!

    Comment by Wensicia Friday, May 1, 15 @ 7:42 am

  57. He’s been sleeping on the couch for the last three weeks.

    Comment by Anonymous Friday, May 1, 15 @ 9:17 am

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