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Today’s must-listen audio: Rauner goes off on Madigan, Cullerton

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* Here’s a roundup of stories about yesterday’s epic Bruce Rauner press conference…

* Rauner: Madigan manipulating university leaders in funding crisis: Rauner charged the president of beleaguered Chicago State and those of Northeastern Illinois and Eastern Illinois universities are playing puppet to Madigan. “Folks at Northeastern said they had been instructed never to step out and support any legislation that hadn’t been proposed by Madigan, not to support any other solutions to a problem unless the Speaker blessed it,” Rauner said.

* Universities And Their Funding Caught In Rauner, Madigan Vitriol: “You know what the Speaker has told them? I haven’t verified this directly, but I have good sources. What Speaker Madigan has gone to each of the universities and said: “If you step out and support anything that the governor’s proposin’, I will cut you out of the final budget solution.’” “Governor sounding a little more irrational than usual today,” said Madigan’s spokesman, Steve Brown, in response. “The only one who has cut higher ed, or threatened cuts to higher ed, is himself.”

* Rauner Accuses Madigan Of Blocking Higher Education Spending Bill: “Speaker Madigan and his folks in the legislature are trying to create a crisis and create headlines around the crisis to impact the primary voting that’s going on right now,” Rauner said. “Political games are being put ahead of students’ lives and we’ve got to stop this.” A spokesman for Speaker Madigan said the bill is being studied but it doesn’t guarantee money to the schools and it eliminates $180 million in school construction money. He said the governor has been trying to cut money for higher education for a year-and-a-half.

* Rauner tries to pin blame on Madigan for university funding crisis: Rauner said Madigan is holding up a compromise to score points ahead of the March 15 legislative primaries. The powerful speaker is running “a dictatorship of one individual who cares about politics over people,” said the governor, who called Madigan’s veto override attempt “a sham vote.”

* Gov. Bruce Rauner is accusing House Speaker Michael Madigan of prolonging Illinois’ higher education funding crisis for political gain: “Political games are being put ahead of student lives and we’ve got to stop this,” the Republican said, adding that Madigan is trying to “spin” the issue ahead of the March 15 primary. The comments prompted some laughter and a sharp response from Madigan spokesman Steve Brown, who noted Rauner last year proposed cutting the higher education budget by 30 percent then vetoed a budget bill to fund colleges and universities. More recently Rauner vetoed a measure to fund grants to help students pay tuition, saying it would “explode the state budget.” Representatives from two of the three universities that Rauner claimed had been threatened also denied that Madigan or his office had done so. “Sounds like the governor’s getting a little wobbly on us,” Brown said. “He’s under a lot of pressure because he’s wrecking higher education.”

* Rauner tweaks Cullerton with ‘Madigan’s shadow’ quip: “You know what President Cullerton said to me in private?” Rauner said, as he was making his case that Madigan is the cause of Springfield’s problems. “He said, ‘Bruce, I lived in Mike Madigan’s shadow for 37 years. I’m not gonna step out now.’ Can you believe that? Can you believe that? You wonder why Illinois is in such deep yogurt, ladies and gentlemen. We’ve got a dictatorship of one individual who cares about politics over people.” Cullerton said he was “not going to dignify that with a comment.” “Could we please get back to governing?” Cullerton’s statement said. Rauner has alternately wooed and tweaked Cullerton since taking office in January 2015, but the governor’s disdain for Madigan has been consistent.

* Gov. Rauner blames Speaker Madigan for blocking education funding: In a statement, President Cullerton’s office did not deny the governor’s recollection of the conversation.

* But you really should listen to the whole thing to get the full flavor. First, his opening remarks, when he makes his initial allegations about Madigan and reveals contents of an alleged private conversation with Senate President John Cullerton [fixed link]…

Click to listen

* And the Q&A…

Click to listen

How this gets us to a deal is beyond me, but whatever. They’re the big brains.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 9:14 am

Comments

Just an utter load of…baloney.

Comment by bwana63 Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 9:16 am
=== They’re the big brains. ===

You forgot to put the snark sign after that last comment.

Comment by Norseman Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 9:18 am
How Trumpesque

Comment by Gruntled University Employee Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 9:19 am
Me thinks someone misses the campaign trail.

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 9:21 am
it gets us to a deal by showing madigan and the dems that rauner ain’t gonna break, that is how. yes there are collateral damages, but that is what happens when you go to war. This short term damage pales in comparison to what the dems have quietly done to our state for decades - decades. Getting a “deal” is not what Rauner supporters are after. “Deals” are what got Illinois screwed up in the first place.

Comment by allknowingmasterofracoondom Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 9:26 am
I am rapidly running out of sighs.

Comment by Rod sez I'm pork Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 9:27 am
“I haven’t verified this directly, but I have good sources.”

Are these the same sources who are telling 1.4% that his TA is what the State needs in order to grow the economy?

Or is it the same source that said he made election night telephone calls?

Either way, sounds like a lot of hot air to me.

Comment by Huh? Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 9:28 am
How can any person, with a mind to governing, think any of this “baloney” is remotely helpful to anyone, including themselves?

This “spy” thing, is that paranoia? Are these spies using “codes”?

Rauner knows the Allies broke the Enigma coding machine, right?

Are these spies meeting in the underground tunnel between the Capitol and Stratton, with passwords like “I like lemons in my beer” and the response is “but oranges bring out the flavor”?

Rauner, instead of email he doesn’t use, Rauner is using a flashlight out windows in counter-spy espionage?

Are comments here the signal? “If you read in comments ‘hummingbird’ we need to meet?

Spies? “If you see a man in a bow tie in the House Galley with a yellow carnation, The Higher Ed “Double ‘O’s” need to see the Speaker…”

Spies. Sounds… fun I guess.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 9:29 am
This sounds like a schoolyard rant by the kid who always gets his way but is thwarted.

To my knowledge the Governor’s minions in the GA haven’t proposed any solution to this higher ed mess until now and even know their solution is changing a Democratic bill. Such leadership. Such mastery.

Comment by Sir Reel Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 9:31 am
So the Governor wants to end cronyism by giving the the Mayor the unilateral power to negotiate brick and mortar contracts, the teacher CBA, and everything else outside of collective bargaining?

Sounds great to me /s

Comment by GetOverIt Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 9:31 am
Continuing yesterday’s discussion, Rauner and Trump are both salesmen. They both believe in winning the news cycle, changing the story if the media has focused (or might focus) on their shortcomings, macho blustering, and being totally unconstrained by old school concepts like “facts” and “arithmetic.”

Comment by Keyrock Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 9:32 am
From the Q&A portion-

Rauner: “I’m not a politician, I’m a public servant.”

Then SERVE. Rauner continues to play at government as his retirement hobby. There are no consequences for him in this position he has purchased. If he wishes to truly SERVE, then he could stand to learn a few ways to do so.

https://www.greenleaf.org/what-is-servant-leadership/

Comment by Anon221 Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 9:32 am
Pot, meet kettle. All this from a man who’s holding up the budget for his Turnaround Agenda, holding up contracts because he hates unions?

Comment by Thoughts Matter Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 9:34 am
could it be the stag beer speaks to him.

Comment by jw Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 9:37 am
This seems to be (like Trump’s campaign) a lot of theater and no substance. When will he get down to work? What purpose does any of this serve? To anyone?

Comment by AnonymousOne Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 9:37 am
Cancel the State Fairs, loses millions of dollars every year.

Comment by realworld Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 9:39 am
The Governor’s budget crisis combined with his anti-Illinois negative comments are hurting this state far more than 1.4%

Comment by siriusly Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 9:39 am
How many of these spy positions are available? Can I apply online? Is a pension available?

Comment by Enemy of the State Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 9:40 am
If I could describe that press conference in one word, that word would be “Amazeballs”

Comment by ILPundit Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 9:40 am
“How this gets us to a deal is beyond me, but whatever. They’re the big brains.”

What should we think when someone says he wants one thing, but then consistently & repeatedly behaves as if he wants something all-together different?

Our parents taught us that “actions speak louder than words” for a reason.

– MrJM

Comment by @MisterJayEm Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 9:40 am
To clarify, I’m not saying Rich is perfidious. I’m saying all these politician are.

Comment by Honeybear Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 9:41 am
Ah, but the strawberries, that’s, that’s where I had them, . . .

Comment by Bigtwich Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 9:45 am
Whew, almost took my mind off his intentional and wholesale destruction of social services and higher education. Much more important to focus on who said what and different personalities. //snark and applause.

Comment by Earnest Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 9:45 am
It’s sickening to see anyone criticize the sainted Mike Madigan.

Comment by jim Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 9:46 am
My, lots of revisionism being practiced this week.

Comment by GA Watcher Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 9:47 am
Steve Brown nailed it, “Governor sounding a little more irrational than usual today.” “Sounds like the governor’s getting a little wobbly on us.” “He’s under a lot of pressure because he’s wrecking higher education.”

Good stuff and uses “the mirror” to reflect the hypocrisy of Rauner’s words.

Rauner’s comments about “spies,” “shadows,” etc., reveal what words he uses in is own tactical plans. I cannot imagine spending my hours on this beautiful planet, cleaning up behind this guy.

Politics and compromise are good, but don’t give this guy anything to work with before March 15. He has not earned any good will as such would imply.

Maybe RAUNER will catch on soon that this un-conservative, CONfidence-messaging, arsonistic, way of pretending to govern, is UN-AMERICAN.

Comment by cdog Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 9:49 am
It is time to go after Rauner supporters. How in the world can they support a governor who says something so thoroughly bizarre? Rauner supporters are supporting a governor who believes in conspiracies spun out of rumors and bongs.

Rauner supporters have to realize that while they may have hoped for some political successes with the Governor, after over a year - there aren’t any! At what point will they realize that they’ve been sold a load of baloney from a baloney salesman?

Rauner is governor. It is the state’s highest office. It is a powerful one. The idea that he cannot govern because of a speaker of the house is false. The idea that he cannot negotiate on a budget because of a speaker of the house is false. The idea that he is hamstrung by a speaker of the house is false. Governors are not prevented from exercising their powers because of a single man in an legislative chamber! Governors are not powerless because of a single man in an legislative chamber!

Rauner’s endless list of excuses has become a complete joke. Now he is just accusing people of conspiracies and nonsense. Rauner has turned rancid in his vitriol. He has failed and wants to blame others.

The problem is - Rauner never tried to be a governor. He never tried to compromise. He never tried to get the doable stuff done. He has nothing to show for almost one third of his term in office. He has accomplished nearly nothing.

If he just pushed Illinois forward an inch - that would be an improvement. If he just sat down with the majority party and spoke respectfully - that would be an improvement. If he just spared Illinois government of the past eight months - that would have been an improvement. With every improvement, regardless of how small, he could have built upon them and done more.

Rauner is the worst governor in our history. All that power and nothing to show for it except whining, conspiracies and embarrassment. Hey, Rauner supporters - how could you stick with this failure?

There is a primary soon. Use your vote and send this guy a message to get off his duff and do his job! Vote for those who do - not for those who just rant against those who do.

Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 9:50 am
Good to hear the press getting a bit more pointed in their questioning. I’d still love to hear a reporter ask him directly and in public whether it is fair that his income bracket is taxed at 1/2 to 1/3 the rate of middle and lower-income taxpayers. Depending on the specifics, addressing that would bring revenue equivalent to an immediate 25% jump in the IL economy. The TA agenda will never match that.

Or what about this governor? (from a letter in response to the Pantograph editorial) “And Illinois does not have a spending problem. It is in the bottom five of the 50 states in total state expenditures per capita. It is in the bottom five of the 50 states in state employees per capita.” And I would add, it is in the top 5 most regressive tax systems of the 50 states. Coincidence? Hardly.

Comment by X-prof Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 9:50 am
Rich, why presume Rauner wants closer to a deal? He doesn’t. He is OK with higher ed in this state being ruined. He just wants everyone to blame Democrats for it and not him.

Comment by hisgirlfriday Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 9:51 am
Classic brown: irrational…wobbly

Meanwhile, it shouldnt, but it amazes me that rauner has no clue whatsoever how utterly incredible this statement is:
“Political games are being put ahead of (students’) lives and we’ve got to stop this.”

That sentence completely sums up rauners entire governship thus far. It is the sum total of what he has done since even before day 1. The landscape is full of serious collateral damage

He gets outflanked by madigan, and he is sputtering. Welcome to the bigs, superstars.

Comment by Langhorne Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 9:52 am
When Rauner is done as governor, I think we should have him hold seminars on how to win friends and influence enemies (snark intended).

Comment by illlinifan Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 9:53 am
So we can now start calling him Governor Trump? The Bruce?

Comment by 11Th Hour Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 9:55 am
Can we all agree that Rauner lied yesterday?

Comment by cdog Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 9:59 am
@Vanilla Man - great rant, you forgot the tag line of Paid for by the Democratic blah blah blah…….

Comment by allknowingmasterofracoondom Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 10:00 am
The most honest and truthful answer to “helping” Rauner is Autonomous Caucuses.

Rauner knew that independent GOP Caucuses to him would never be for this type of governing.

Sure a handful are gleeful, but those concerned at the governing, I have to believe Rauner is holding them hostage, and we can’t liberate them until Rauner sees the voters have had “enough”

That $20 million is/was for complete usurping, so Rauner can lament, and the silence by the GOP GA will be deafening.

Does anyone think GOP GA members like being teamed up with Ken Dunkin? That’s not rhetorical, comical, or even remedial. Dunkin is the residue of not having Caucus Independence.

I’m still rooting for autonomous GOP GA Caucuses. I’m rooting in any way I can. Only by the GOP GA claiming their place can we all get past this.

Durkin, Radogno… you know the Sandacks and Ken Dunkins are wrong. My hope is if Raunerites face defeat, you both can rise up and teach Rauner to govern, and I’ll be back, where I’ve always been, frankly, on the side of you both, trying to make Illinois better.

With respect to the GOP Leaders,

OW

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 10:01 am
=== Rauner is Captain Queeg ===

In all fairness to Queeg, he was at one time a competent officer who was stricken by a mental illness. Rauner has never shown any competency at governing and has bought his way to relevancy.

Comment by Norseman Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 10:02 am
–“You know what President Cullerton said to me in private?” Rauner said, as he was making his case that Madigan is the cause of Springfield’s problems. “He said, ‘Bruce, I lived in Mike Madigan’s shadow for 37 years. I’m not gonna step out now.’ Can you believe that? Can you believe that?”

No, I don’t believe any of it.

I also don’t believe the alleged conversations with the university officials ever took place. They’ve all denied it.

I do believe the General Assembly passed a higher ed approp. last May, the governor vetoed it and since then has made no effort at all to fund higher education.

The governor claimed the higher ed and other approps. would lead to a $4 billion deficit.

But the governor’s actions have led to a $6.2 billion deficit even though higher ed and social services are receiving no funding whatsoever.

I believe a $6.2 billion deficit with no funding for higher ed or social services is worse than a $4 billion deficit that funds them.

I believe this is all part of the governor’s Darwinesque “squeeze the beast” plan to put some social service providers and university programs out of business.

But he doesn’t have the guts to be upfront and honest about it and take the heat for it, so he makes up imaginary conversations and stories about “spies” as a distraction. He plays the victim of his own actions.

Can you believe that?

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 10:03 am
As someone who loves “The Caine Mutiny” and has used it often where I thought it made a good snark or point…

- Norseman -, well said bud.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 10:04 am
== “You know what President Cullerton said to me in private?” … “He said, ‘Bruce, I lived in Mike Madigan’s shadow for 37 years. I’m not gonna step out now.’ Can you believe that? Can you believe that?” ==

Well, no, Bruce — I can’t. This is coming from the guy who claimed he’d spoken with House Speaker Madigan and Senate President Cullerton on the night he won the General Election — but then it turned out he didn’t. I cannot imagine the president of the senate imparting ANYTHING to him in secret these days.

Comment by Curmudgeon Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 10:04 am
Vanilla is right, through the first year of his tenure he is the worst Governor we’ve ever had. Lots of bluster and vitriol but not one significant accomplishment. He meets Einstein’s definition of insanity, his MO is continuing to attack Democratic leaders in the press and expecting different results. He accuses the Democrats of doing the exact thing he is doing himself, which is creating a crisis. Practically everyone who ever posts on this board knew a year ago that as long as the Democrats enjoy a majority similar to what they have now that they will never go along with disabling Unions and ending Prevailing wage. The Governor still hasn’t figured that out.

Comment by The Dude Abides Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 10:09 am
The governor does realize that he had an opportunity to talk about higher education in his budget address, where he mentioned it ZERO times.

Comment by xxtofer Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 10:09 am
@Vanilla Man - great rant, you forgot the tag line of Paid for by the Democratic blah blah blah…….

You defend this guy. You tell us that a governor is supposed to behave like this. You tell us that Jim Edgar is wrong about him. You tell us that we are better off now than we were before he was sworn in. You tell us that people aren’t hurting, that bills are being paid, that having the 5% income tax decimated our state so badly that now that it has been lifted, we’re experiencing a boom. You tell us something, other than we are all victims of a man who has been in office 35 years, even though our problems aren’t 35 years old.

I’m tired of waiting for this governor to govern. I’m tired of watching an extremely rich man tell us how powerless he is and how he can’t do anything about it. I’m tired of listening to him as he sits on a pile of wealth few will ever experience, and finger point at the unionized social worker earning less than $30,000 as the cause of our problems.

I never thought we could get a governor worst than Blagojevich - but we have one right now.

I’m holding a governor accountable. You ought to do the same.

Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 10:11 am
VMan, your logic is spot on. The governor’s actions don’t make any sense if you believe his rhetoric is sincere.

I don’t believe his rhetoric is sincere. I think it’s meant to obfuscate the real plan, which is proceeding accordingly. Higher ed and social services are meant to be tuned up.

After eight months, that’s the only thing that makes sense.

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 10:14 am
Dropi G, you’re losing this argument.

Comment by Ryan Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 10:17 am
Gosh this is just awful to listen to.

Comment by Niblets Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 10:19 am
The speaker has hijacked the crisis with a crisis?

Comment by Rabid Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 10:19 am
Words of Commendation

Rich - your topical mash-up style and brilliant efforts, with links, are greatly respected and appreciated. This style of investigative journalism is quick, current, and performs a public service that is priceless. You da Man!

Wordslinger - your succinct writing style that weaves the relevant and undeniable truths of the day, is an asset to the reader and the citizenry of Illinois.

Many other mentions would be appropriate but just felt the need to recognize this.

Comment by cdog Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 10:19 am
Sheebus…Is the governor losing his mind?

Comment by jerry 101 Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 10:21 am
Rauner’s pattern of holding silly press conferences to deflect blame and attack Madigan out of sheer frustration continues, though this time he is sounding particularly whiny and desperate. And he’s obviously using his bully pulpit to its fullest during the campaign season. Kudos to the university leaders for not allowing themselves to be used and exploited.

Gov’s schedule says he’s visiting two more small town schools to discuss education funding. It’s the TA tour all over again.

Comment by Politix Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 10:21 am
Rauner’s Lament (Jim Steinman):

Some days it don’t come easy
Some days it don’t come hard
Some days it don’t come at all, and these are the days that never end
Some nights you’re breathing fire
Some nights you’re carved in ice
Some nights you’re like nothing I’ve ever seen before or will again

Maybe I’m crazy, but it’s crazy and it’s true
I know you can save me, no-one else can save me now but you

Comment by RNUG Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 10:27 am
The “spies” comment is so ironic given that he is the one who prohibited his directors from meeting with lobbyists and they planted a Rauner loyalist into each department to “spy” on the department staff who survived the political layoffs.

Comment by siriusly Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 10:28 am
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 9:50 am:

+10 … You took the words right out of my mouth …

Comment by RNUG Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 10:29 am
So when Rauner said he would take the arrows, what he meant was he would take them, twist and warp them, and then try to find a way to make them stick to Madigan no matter how much bending of the truth was required.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 10:31 am
I listened to the press conference audio.
Gov. Rauner has attempted to execute a transactional leadership style since his arrival. That worked for him in his previous venues, that’s his comfort zone
Transactional is NOT going to work in state government however. The more Collaborative/Transformational style is what works best in democracy. I dont know if Rauner can change styles. I know he cant succeed unless he does change styles. But ego and control needs might be too strong pushing him into transactional. He will certaintly fail in transactional mode. Already evident. The blame is looking at him in his mirror. He does gave a crisis that he himself has created by failing to transistion to another style of leadership.

Comment by Team Warwick Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 10:33 am
What about the $60,000.00 a year Union Babysitters in the prisons downstate? The $50,000.00 Union Bologna Sandwich Makers working in the prisons?

Should we be spending on average $18,000.00 a person a year to babysit pot smokers? Is that a prudent use of tax dollars?

Why doesnt Bruce attack these Unions?

Why is he so obsessed with teachers?

Comment by Jack Stephens Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 10:36 am
Vman and Wordslinger: thank you for the thoughtful tag-team. Together you’ve analyzed the situation well.

I’d just like to add that I don’t believe that Rauner was ever sincere about new revenues. He’s amply demonstrating that his word is not to be trusted and he makes up stories to serve his purpose at the moment (there’s a name for that kind of behavior). It was just part of a ploy to try to get the TA passed. He’s a radical, anti-government libertarian that believes a utopia will be created if taxes are low and government is small. Same as his chief backer Griffin.

Comment by Moe Berg Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 10:38 am
VMan, your logic is spot on. - wordslinger

I’m framing that!

Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 10:40 am
We are supposed to believe rauner has proposed a “bipartisan” solution to higher ed–bec durkin is the sponsor? Seriously? No dem would vote for a durkin bill even if it cured cancer and balanced the budget. Republicans look at it, as flawed as it is, and must wonder why it isnt sponsored at least by a raunerite/republican. They also want no part of a durkin
bill. Great strategy, superstars, pass the bong.

Comment by Langhorne Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 10:45 am
Rauner slams Madigan for playing politics just after his guy Dunkin proposed a last minute amendment during the anti-strike union bill, which looked like a ruse to give him cover for being a Raunerite and voting against the bill.

Rauner’s millions are pointed at the heads of Republican legislators to make sure they don’t vote their beliefs and for their union constituents.

That ain’t politics?

Worse than the hypocrisy is the lack of leadership. The childish blaming has to stop.

Even worse is what one or more commenter said/implied, that all of this is by design, calculated and with an end game to shrink government on the backs of the most vulnerable.

Comment by Grandson of Man Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 10:45 am
Universities have become the kids in a nasty divorce case where each parent is trying to get the children to say who they love more. The end result is no one wins.

Comment by AnotherSadStateWorker Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 10:48 am
Jack Stephens. Do you truly believe that people are put into state penitentiaries simply for smoking pot?

The reality is that many if not most inmates have committed worse crimes than what shows as their conviction. Plea bargaining drives down the formal charges.

Comment by Last Bull Moose Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 10:53 am
Just the fact that Rauner believes Madigan “controls the media” shows how delusional he is.
Jack Stephens maybe we wouldn’t have to pay for “pot smoker babysitters” if the Gov would be willing to expand the medical marijuana uses, and small amounts got decriminalized. And why exactly is it that you think the majority of prisoners are in for pot smoking? If that is true, we have a much bigger problem with our system than how much we pay guards. Guards who btw cannot leave during their shift and put themselves in harms way every day.

White collar workers are always quick to say blue collar workers make too much, yet, the white collar workers wouldn’t make it through an 8 hour blue collar shift.

Comment by burbanite Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 10:55 am
-Jack Stephens-

It’s far worse than an obsession with teachers. He’s content to see social service organizations closed. Even if that means their wards are likely to find their way into one of those jail cells.

Comment by illini97 Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 10:57 am
@Jack Stephens… how much would it take for you to walk willingly into a prison and deal with them on a very personal level. These are people who throw feces into your face. These are people who might make a knife from anything imaginable. The “union” bologna sandwich maker is putting his/her life on the line so you have security in your daily life.

What price do you think the free market would place on a job where aids infected prisoners can throw their poo in your face? $60k sounds like a bargain.

Comment by Dilemma Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 10:57 am
Desperation, why don’t you come to your senses?
You’ve been not mending fences for so long now
Oh, you’re a hard one
We all know your reasons
For things that aren’t pleasin’ you
They will hurt you anytime now

Comment by illinoised Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 10:58 am
OW, not to be disrespectful, but at what point do you hold Durkin and Rodagno equally responsible for what Rauner is doing to the state?

Comment by CharlieKratos Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 11:06 am
- CharlieKratos -

No worries. Good question, easy answer…

When Rauner doesn’t have to use $20 million as absolute leverage against Durkin and Radogo… when Rauner gives monies greater to Durkin and Radogno then given to Proft and Company… when Sandack isn’t the only Owl hooting when no one is asking to hear… when “Yellow” and NVs are no longer in need of enforcing with rhetoric that both know isn’t helping…

Then they can wear an equal share of the jacket.

Right now, they are as conplict as hostages are when instructed by their captors to do something or face a different wrath beyond their kids of freedom.

With respect.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 11:12 am
— “I haven’t verified this directly, but I have good sources—
The best thing you can say for a public figure who says that is…Reckless. But irrational and wobbly don’t sound wrong, either.

Comment by Independent retired lawyer, journalist Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 11:14 am
Maine is also facing a standoff between a legislature trying to keep government operating and a governor who is behaving irrationally. In their situation, bipartisan support has emerged. Perhaps Durkin and Radogno need to read this Governing Magazine article:

=== Divided government is always challenging, but what is happening in Maine right now goes far beyond any conventional notion of divided government or partisan competition. It is an exercise in extreme political hostility, in which even the most routine give-and-take between the executive and the legislative branches has disappeared. Faced with an obstinate chief executive, legislators are essentially trying to run the state on their own. The only positive by-product of this has been a tenuous coalition of Democratic and Republican legislators willing to work together to prevent the situation from deteriorating even further. “In terms of creating law, we’ve done that in the absence of a governor,” says Mark Eves, the Democratic speaker of the House. “It’s too bad, but it doesn’t stop us from working together.” ===

http://www.governing.com/topics/politics/gov-maine-legislature-lepage.html

Comment by Dance Band on the Titanic Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 11:18 am
“You know what the Speaker has told them? I haven’t verified this directly, but I have good sources.”
The Gov has a history of taking liberties, of stretching the truth. We have no reason to trust him in this instance now.

Comment by Union Man Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 11:21 am
He’s playing the same game with Human Services. Politics before People seems to be his M.O.

Comment by me Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 11:29 am
Hope Rauner looks under his bed at night, there might be monsters there…

Comment by Jimmy H Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 11:34 am
Yesterday, a post comparing raunner & trump [An emerging meme?]. Dialog went far & wide.

Here’s a today’s take from ‘raunner goes off’.

# Both of these guys do not know how to actually deal with people. They’re only use to commanding people.

# Both of these guys way over-react to perceived slights and criticisms. Their reactions are always dis-proportionate to the slight.

# Both of these guys spew whatever comes into their tiny little brains, regardless of the consequences.

# Both of these guys can not take responsibility. It is ALWAYS somebody else’s fault.

# One guy wants his finger on the nukes button so he can destroy everything; other guy wants to destroy everything IL to get his way.

Different? Nah. Way TOO similar. And totally un-qualified for public service. Including dog catcher.

Comment by sal-says Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 11:35 am
Rauner trusts “good sources” who tell him things he has not directly “verified.” That would explain much of what he has said in the last 18 months.

Comment by walker Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 11:36 am
How long do you think Bruce Rauner would tolerate a senior member of any of his companies, going on a conference call with investors and blather on about how they are powerless as CEO to enact any because the cleaning staff are overpaid at minimum wage?

Do your job Gov. Just because you bought it, doesn’t mean you can destroy it for sport.

Comment by How Ironic Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 11:41 am
V-Man 10:11. “I’m tired of waiting for this governor to govern. I’m tired of watching an extremely rich man tell us how powerless he is and how he can’t do anything about it. I’m tired of listening to him as he sits on a pile of wealth few will ever experience…”

I stand right beside you!

Comment by Union Man Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 11:43 am
I’ll be interested to hear, first, Cullerton’s reaction to Rauner repeating something he told him “in private,” and second, whether Rauner quoted Cullerton accurately.

It’s already been proven, definitively, that the Governor reimagines things people told him.

Comment by Streator Curmudgeon Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 11:50 am
Last bull, dilemma, & burbanite:

Your issue is with Bruce and his obsession with teachers. Call him and ask him why he is too chicken to take on Prison Unions!.

You cant email him, he doesnt have email account. There is a Gov Rauner page on Facebook, maybe you can message him there.

Comment by Jack Stephens Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 11:57 am
It has been said here repeatedly that Madigan has people on public payrolls in agencies and institutions all over the state that are loyal to him. When Rauner mentioned the spies he was just repeating what has been said here.

Comment by Don Draper Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 12:11 pm
===When Rauner mentioned the spies he was just repeating what has been said here.===

LOL, no he wasn’t…

===“You know what the Speaker has told them? I haven’t verified this directly, but I have good sources…===

He never listed Capitol Fax as the source. K? K.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 12:18 pm
Streator C. - the Cullerton response was already reported yesterday - essentially, “won’t dignify it with a comment, can we please get back to governing”.

Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 12:21 pm
Not sure where you got the idea that I have an issue with Rauner and his obsession with teachers. My issue is Rauner and his obsession with Unions. You have the issue with the Prison Unions not me. I am with Dilemma, I wouldn’t do that job for 60k, its a bargain.

Comment by burbanite Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 12:26 pm
@burbanite:

He has an obsession with Teachers Unions (specifically Chicago).

He could care less about the others or he would come out and say so himself. So, again, call him or message him on his Facebook page and ask him yourself. He does not have email.

Couldnt a child throw his “aids infected” poo at a teacher who makes 30k a year (roughly a starting salary)?

Comment by Jack Stephens Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 12:45 pm
-who believes in conspiracies spun out of rumors and bongs.-

I’m totally going to give you pushback on the bongs part. Although I have not engaged the herb since college, I can tell you bong inspired thoughts would be a lot better than the “fever-dream” conspiracies that Rauner has. Fever-dream, there that’s a better description.

Comment by Honeybear Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 12:58 pm
Jack Stephens:

Just stop already. Your obsession with “overpaid” correctional officers is just bizarre.

Also, you assertions that he doesn’t care about any other unions besides teachers unions is just laughable. Call AFSCME. Then get back to us.

Comment by Demoralized Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 1:03 pm
==He could care less about the others ==

Call AFSCME. They would probably disagree with you.

Comment by Demoralized Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 1:12 pm
–He has an obsession with Teachers Unions (specifically Chicago).

He could care less about the others or he would come out and say so himself.–

I think Gov. Rauner has demonstrated quite clearly that he cares very much about taking the wrecking ball to public universities and community colleges and social service providers.

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 1:16 pm
Some great comments so far to this post. At the risk of repeating two points made here many times before - GOVERNORS OWN and HE DOES NOT CARE.

Everything else is secondary, but the impact is the same, and it does not change the serious matter being discussed.

Comment by illini Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 1:16 pm
Jack, try the google

http://northernpublicradio.org/post/rauner-vs-afscme-escalates-governor-asks-impasse

Comment by burbanite Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 1:42 pm
“Have mouth, will prattle”

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 1:45 pm
Rauner said he talked to WIU and thay had agreed to come to a press conference to support his legislation. Do we know whether that is true?

Comment by skeptical Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 2:04 pm
====Vanilla Man - great rant, you forgot the tag line of Paid for by the Democratic blah blah blah…….

Yes, Vanilla Man has long been known as a Democratic schill.

Comment by ArchPundit Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 2:20 pm
I’m totally going to give you pushback on the bongs part. Although I have not engaged the herb since college, I can tell you bong inspired thoughts would be a lot better than the “fever-dream” conspiracies that Rauner has. Fever-dream, there that’s a better description.

Go to the Netherlands and buy the strong stuff. Then I’ll bring a blanket for you to hold onto and keep telling you to drink the Heineken and to stop shouting.

Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 2:24 pm
skeptical- I have a feeling the WIU agreement was all in Rauner’s imagination, too:

“An official from Western Illinois University says it doesn’t want to get caught in the middle of a ‘he said, ‘he said’ situation,” as the budget situation is “beyond dire” and WIU’s priority is its students.”

http://northernpublicradio.org/post/universities-and-their-funding-caught-rauner-madigan-vitriol

Comment by Anon221 Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 2:50 pm
VanillaMan - I did not know you were a Democratic Schill. Loved your retort.

Comment by illini Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 2:57 pm
The guv apparently thinks this is a clever “divide & conquer” maneuver…plant suspicion, watch it fester, then capitalize on it.

However, this is not a 6th-grade playground. What he has accomplished is to underscore that any conversation with him is not only in vain, but beyond that, very possibly against self-interest.

Comment by Stumpy's bunker Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 3:11 pm
“deep yogurt”?
I like yogurt.

Seriously though,this is just bizarre.
Does he really think this is going to help the process?
He is either lying through his teeth or literally has an alternate reality going on.

Comment by btowntruth Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 3:14 pm
==How this gets us to a deal is beyond me, but whatever==

+1

Seems Rauner’s motivation for publicly humiliating Cullerton is to inspire Cullerton
to break with Madigan and help whisk the Turnaround Agenda to glorious fruition.

Let me know how that all works out.

Comment by Stumpy's bunker Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 3:31 pm
Did Rauner really make reference to a dictatorship???

This from a guy who is busy transforming our GOP legislators into obedient, constituent-ignoring camp capos!

Comment by Stumpy's bunker Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 4:03 pm
Yesterday, a post comparing raunner & trump [An emerging meme?]. Dialog went far & wide.

Forgot to mention:

Both trump and raunner act like 7 year old kids whenever anyone criticizes them or doesn’t immediately agree with them.

Adults? Not even close. Kids. Both.

Comment by sal-says Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 4:38 pm
Rauner’s “sources” –I know a guy, who knows a guy, who’s brother in law says he herd it in the mens room

Comment by Bob Blade Tuesday, Mar 1, 16 @ 6:39 pm