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*** UPDATE *** The House Democrats just forwarded me their documentation. Click here.
* The chairman of the House Revenue & Finance Committee just accused the governor’s office of not telling the truth about internal office spending.
Gov. Rauner’s administration has claimed it’s spending $500,000 a year less than Gov. Quinn spent on staffing the governor’s office. Rep. John Bradley, however, said his research shows that Rauner is actually spending at least a million dollars more than Quinn.
Bradley said that number didn’t include “nine employees that appear on the telephone directory that we can’t determine where they’re being paid from.” He also said it didn’t take into account “contractual employees that have been hired at very substantial sums of money.”
* Rep. Bradley said he invited the governor to send a representative to today’s hearing, but nobody showed up today. When pressed, Bradley said he did not have documentation which he could immediately provide to the committee. He also didn’t have any witnesses to testify on the claims.
* From Lance Trover…
.@AmandaVinicky more phony, sham hearings from Speaker and politicians he controls.
— LTrover (@LTrover) June 23, 2015
Rather than focusing on reforming Illinois and breaking from status quo .@RepJohnBradley does bidding of Speaker and holds sham hearing.
— LTrover (@LTrover) June 23, 2015
* Trover also sent me a letter documenting the governor’s contention that his office spending is $500,000 below Quinn’s. Click here to read it.
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Jun 23, 15 @ 10:49 am
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Really starting to enjoy the rhetoric coming out of the Governors office… we are like a week away from someone calling Madigan the “Head White Walker” who “by simply gesturing his hands… can activate legislators, even those long out of office to return to Springfield, and vote how he demands”.
Comment by From the 'Dale to HP Tuesday, Jun 23, 15 @ 10:58 am
Detailed information was handed out to the media at the hearing. Governor Quinn’s administration moved employees off of IGA onto Governor’s staff payroll.
Comment by Just sayin' Tuesday, Jun 23, 15 @ 10:59 am
awwww, man! couldn’t they have sent Goldberg?? lol
Comment by kimaye Tuesday, Jun 23, 15 @ 11:01 am
Was the last paragraph really necessary?
Comment by NewWestSuburbanGOP'er Tuesday, Jun 23, 15 @ 11:03 am
Wait. Bradley didn’t have information for members of the Committee? Obvious attempt at a gotcha moment.
Comment by Miami Tuesday, Jun 23, 15 @ 11:03 am
So… unless I am missing something in there, the document that Rauner folks attached doesn’t address some of the Gov’s staff.
For example, Rauner’s list doesn’t include any information on Purvis, Goldberg, Mike Z, etc.
Until the Rauner folks want to put out a full and accurate comparison, their info is pretty meaningless, as it is only a partial comparison.
Comment by AlabamaShake Tuesday, Jun 23, 15 @ 11:04 am
nice letter-until the last paragraph- now the whole letter is something that we weat rubber boots arounb when dealing with bulls…
Comment by downstate commissioner Tuesday, Jun 23, 15 @ 11:07 am
We should have a jar to put quarters in every time somebody uses the word “sham.” You know, like a cussing jar? We should have the state’s financial mess cleared up in an afternoon.
Comment by Demoralized Tuesday, Jun 23, 15 @ 11:08 am
Mr. Goldberg’s note to Rep. Bradley is about the gutsiest letter I have ever seen anyone (in a position of authority) write to an elected official. Yikes.
Comment by Team Sleep Tuesday, Jun 23, 15 @ 11:08 am
I don’t care what side anyone thins us right, wrong, phony, sham, if there are heroes or goats…
This isn’t the best way for any side, both sides, to get to 71 and 36.
The animosity of both sides is getting to be comically tragic to the governing.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jun 23, 15 @ 11:09 am
35-28 = 13?
Comment by Person 8 Tuesday, Jun 23, 15 @ 11:09 am
If you know the names of these people you can find out where they are being paid from in about 5 minutes. It’s not that hard.
Comment by Demoralized Tuesday, Jun 23, 15 @ 11:12 am
Keep it classy, Mr. Goldberg.
Comment by How Ironic Tuesday, Jun 23, 15 @ 11:13 am
===gutsiest letter===
I’d probably choose a different adjective to describe it, but will also agree it takes some (slang synonym for guts) to put that in writing. It’s compounded by the likelihood that Goldberg may have been less than truthful in his testimony before Rep. Harris’ committee.
Regardless, this is a stupid thing to argue over, but it’s also why Governors past and present have used sleight of hand to obscure their office budgets. This is why, this political witch hunt is why governors hide this stuff.
Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Jun 23, 15 @ 11:14 am
As TeamBungle and the politicians they control will recall it was the bobblehead they sent to defend the ghost payroller who started down the path of usin’ the Blagoof defense —”Eveyone does it” — but they claimed they are less corrupt/more pure because they have fewer ghost payrollers. Thanks to the Comptroller we learn that they got more ghost payrollers. Yikes
Comment by Anonin' Tuesday, Jun 23, 15 @ 11:15 am
I’m not suprised to hear more phony, sham commentary from the governor and the staff he controls. Seriously, is this word soup See ‘n Say Rauner’s response to everything?
Comment by AC Tuesday, Jun 23, 15 @ 11:16 am
Don’t see Arduin or Purvis on the Rauner list. There goes the $500,000 savings right there.
Comment by Anon. Tuesday, Jun 23, 15 @ 11:18 am
The only reason this is remotely worth exploring is it once again shows Rauner has zero understanding how government works.
Comment by TurnaroundWhat Tuesday, Jun 23, 15 @ 11:19 am
Whether the allegations are true or not the lack of professionalism exhibited by Rauner’s staff is an embarassment to the state of Illinois.
Comment by Union Dues Tuesday, Jun 23, 15 @ 11:21 am
That last paragraph from goldberg is undignified and highly offensive. A normal governor would discipline such an employee, and require an apology. But we know he just mirrors rauners contemptuous attitude towards legislators and the process.
Comment by Langhorne Tuesday, Jun 23, 15 @ 11:23 am
Rauner thinks cutbacks are needed for almost everybody working for the state EXCEPT his own office.
Comment by DuPage Tuesday, Jun 23, 15 @ 11:24 am
Yeah, Goldberg and Co. are real tough guys, sendin letters and tweetin.
If they’re such a sham, show up and embarrass the Dems. Make your case, backed up with the facts.
In reality this administration are chickenstuffs, resorting to name calling from afar because it’s all a show.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jun 23, 15 @ 11:25 am
From the Democrats audit:
Rauner 35
Quinn 28
difference 13
huh?
Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Tuesday, Jun 23, 15 @ 11:25 am
I thought this was a governor willing to take arrows? What happened to that Governor? He used to own it and say, “yea, they’re expensive, but they’re superstars,” Well apparently his immunity to arrows is quickly fleeting and he’s resorted to the same old practice of previous Governors who falsely assert that they’re more efficient than their predecessor despite the fact that this stuff is all public.
Comment by Get a Job! Tuesday, Jun 23, 15 @ 11:25 am
Quinn’s most trusted advisor was himself, and growing up in government, he was more used to offering government wages. Therefore, it wouldn’t surprise me to learn that Rauner is spending more than Quinn.
Comment by Robert the Bruce Tuesday, Jun 23, 15 @ 11:28 am
= the gutsiest letter I have ever seen anyone=
Not really, he just hit the big talking points in the last paragraph.
There are no heroes emerging at this point.
Comment by JS Mill Tuesday, Jun 23, 15 @ 11:28 am
Good move if my governor can’t tell the truth in a hearing how do I know he’s telling the truth on television?
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jun 23, 15 @ 11:31 am
Don’t find any part of Goldberg’s letter especially gutsy or even unusual. It might be factually wrong or not, depending on whether we agree with his definition of “apple.”
Both sides wasting time.
Comment by walker Tuesday, Jun 23, 15 @ 11:31 am
Hey Louis, I have some math for you:
$125,232 x 4 = Over half a million Rauner is putting in your pocket during his term.
So by all means take those Dems to task for their math errors.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jun 23, 15 @ 11:41 am
Wonder why Team Bungle does not continue leading with the chin by insisting on credit for starting the ghost payroller defense
Comment by Anonin' Tuesday, Jun 23, 15 @ 11:42 am
What’s with the “sham?” Is that an East Coast thing? Can’t say I’d heard it in years past.
Comment by Wordslinger Tuesday, Jun 23, 15 @ 11:43 am
Theme Song for this over time session.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4XPKmc5f3E
Comment by John A Logan Tuesday, Jun 23, 15 @ 11:44 am
Ditto Langhorne. If an employee of mine said anything remotely resembling that to a stakeholder, I’d can him or her and then apologize to the person spoken to like that.
I am amazed by the lack of civility and respect shown by the Governor’s staff.
Comment by Mongo Tuesday, Jun 23, 15 @ 11:48 am
Shakin’ Up Springfield!
Comment by Precinct Captain Tuesday, Jun 23, 15 @ 11:51 am
===Is that an East Coast thing?===
Maybe Team Rauner has a lot of Woody Allen fans.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bphR-6Xi1_I
Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Jun 23, 15 @ 11:52 am
Someone remind me - was Trover this petty and unprofessional when working for Mark Kirk?
Comment by Archiesmom Tuesday, Jun 23, 15 @ 11:52 am
Quick question, did Rep Bradley vote in favor of the 2015 Budget that spent 12 months of money in the last 6 months of Quinn’s term? If so, can you say hypocrite…
Comment by Allen Skillicorn Tuesday, Jun 23, 15 @ 11:54 am
Both lists are wrong. There are gov’s office staff from Quinn who weren’t on that list, and same for Rauner. The claim of savings is probably inaccurate, but so is the $1 M more claim.
Looks like nobody in Raunerland is heading Jim Edgar’s advice to tone down name calling.
Goldberg should show some respect if he wants to earn any himself. I wonder where he thinks his career will go next with that attitude.
Comment by siriusly Tuesday, Jun 23, 15 @ 12:02 pm
===I wonder where he thinks his career will go next with that attitude.===
Well, we know he won’t be lobbying legislative Democrats.
lol
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jun 23, 15 @ 12:04 pm
===”So by all means take those Dems to task for their math errors.”===
I did. And that name isn’t on either list and part of any math games being played here. Your point?
Your serial obsession about it notwithstanding, of course.
Comment by Louis G Atsaves Tuesday, Jun 23, 15 @ 12:05 pm
==that appear on the telephone directory that we can’t determine where they’re being paid from==
Instead of figuring this out with the Governor’s office or OMB, let’s call the media and a committee hearing before we even have ==documentation== ready?
No ==sham== hearings here.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Tuesday, Jun 23, 15 @ 12:11 pm
FKA: nail on head
Comment by Miami Tuesday, Jun 23, 15 @ 12:35 pm
Not really relevant to today - but someone should pull the Edgar IGA list. I recall seeing it years ago and it was well over 100 IGAs alone.
Comment by Juan MacLean Tuesday, Jun 23, 15 @ 12:36 pm
Formerly Known As, don’t forget to send your money to Demoralized for the sham jar.
Comment by Norseman Tuesday, Jun 23, 15 @ 12:44 pm
The sandbox is too crowded these days; it’s time to reduce the number of legislators and save the tax payers a few bucks.
Comment by WhyMe Tuesday, Jun 23, 15 @ 12:50 pm
WhyMe, are you Pat Quinn?
lol
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jun 23, 15 @ 12:51 pm
- WhyMe -,
You sound like Pat Quinn…
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jun 23, 15 @ 12:52 pm
lol, sorry Rich…
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jun 23, 15 @ 12:54 pm
The Goldburg letter is smoke and mirrors. What is the answer to the question:
“What is the total payroll of your Administration from all sources?”
You will never get an honest answer. Just a sham answer.
Comment by Austin Blvd Tuesday, Jun 23, 15 @ 1:20 pm
I haven’t seen the word “phony” thrown around this much since I read “Catcher in the Rye” in high school American lit…
Comment by non sequitur Tuesday, Jun 23, 15 @ 1:26 pm
Rich and OW, my guess is PQ is kind of enjoying this.
Comment by Juice Tuesday, Jun 23, 15 @ 1:27 pm
I just don’t see the point in paying 177 legislators when 1 is calling all the shots. (I am not one of the 21,000 voters who anointed him King of Illinois.)
Comment by WhyMe Tuesday, Jun 23, 15 @ 1:36 pm
- WhyMe -,
You can’t be Quinn. While Quinn played the victim, he played the victim of his own devices. I don’t remember Pat Quinn using the tired John Kass adjectives in his own victimhood.
For that, your own degree of self pity is something to take pride in. Congratulations.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jun 23, 15 @ 1:42 pm
Norseman, There’s a bad apple in every bunch lol. My quarter is on the way to Demoralized.
Miami, grazie. Documentation? We don’t need no stinking documentation. The show must go on!
Comment by Formerly Known As... Tuesday, Jun 23, 15 @ 1:53 pm
==I just don’t see the point in paying 177 legislators when 1 is calling all the shots.==
You can thank Pat Quinn’s money-saving cutback for creating a House where one legislator can call all the shots.
Comment by Anon. Tuesday, Jun 23, 15 @ 2:00 pm
“Sham hearing” may have been clever the first time, but no more. How about some real examples of waste, fraud and corruption from camp Rauner? Perhaps starting with the First Lady’s $100,000 Chief of Staff. I’m sure there must be more than that.
Comment by anon Tuesday, Jun 23, 15 @ 2:17 pm
FYI - my use of gutsy was not necessarily a compliment…
Comment by Team Sleep Tuesday, Jun 23, 15 @ 2:23 pm
Shamwow!
Comment by jls Tuesday, Jun 23, 15 @ 3:28 pm
@whyme “I am not one of the 21,000 voters who anointed him King of Illinois.”
21,000 voters put him under the dome. A much smaller number (house democrats) keep him in the postion of “King of Illinois”.
Comment by Kevin Highland Tuesday, Jun 23, 15 @ 4:05 pm
The salaries of all Governors Office employees+the salaries from all the IGAs+any personnel contracts for Gov. Quinn as of June 30, 2014 and Gov. Rauner as of June 1, 2015. How difficult is it to do a complete, transparent apples-to-apples comparison? Thtas directed at both the House Democrats and the Governors Office. Anything less makes it seem they are trying to hide something. Only focusing on IGAs is only half the story.
Comment by MyTwoCents Tuesday, Jun 23, 15 @ 6:05 pm
Exactly, my two. All the rest is spin.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Tuesday, Jun 23, 15 @ 7:11 pm