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* Jordan Abudayyeh asked House Speaker Michael Madigan about his spring session goals…
“My goal for the remainder of the session is to continue to do budget-making without references to changes in collective bargaining, workers’ compensation and prevailing wage. And my further goal is not to agree with the governor to use the government to bring down the wages and the standard of living of middle class families, to send injured workers to the emergency room or to welfare, or to continue to hurt the vulnerable in our society. Those are my goals.”
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 1:13 pm
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If only there was a viable gaming bill just so we could include “not even the fee for the gaming license, which I would appreciate if you would put up personally.”
Comment by The Captain Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 1:15 pm
C’mon man!
Comment by Saluki Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 1:18 pm
I’m glad Madigan is not giving an inch to the governor. What Rauner wants is bad for working people and will only make the state’s financial situation worse. Only wish there was 71 D’s and R’s to pass a budget without the governor. But Madigan is absolutely right for not giving in.
Comment by DHSJim Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 1:18 pm
Good for Madigan. If he gives in, it’ll be more of the same next year — or next month — or whenever.
Rauner’s inability to negotiate leaves no choice but to draw the line.
And, no, taking extreme demands off the table is not negotiating.
Comment by Formerly Known as Frenchie M Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 1:19 pm
Uh, oh!
Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 1:20 pm
Absolutely. Spot-On. Title.
Wow, that’s good.
To the Post,
===“My goal for the remainder of the session is to continue to do budget-making without references to changes in collective bargaining, workers’ compensation and prevailing wage. …”
“Questions?”
The Labor decimation is the line, Raunerites.
The “Line”. Now, even when a goof like myself can see that the Labor Line, that has existed since Rauner made it the want in Decatur, isn’t possible with the Speaker, and impossible in the 60/30 formula, hows about “another way”.
Sometimes it IS just that “simple” - 60 and 30 and understanding the Leader of the Majority in one chamber isn’t going to help in 60 for a policy “demand”… It’s “simple” to see, the offer… is nothing.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 1:21 pm
I would like to change my opinion on budget likelihood by the end of May from 1% chance to 0%.
Comment by Stones Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 1:21 pm
“And your little dog too!”
Comment by Ed Marshall Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 1:22 pm
This is bittersweet. On the one hand I’m glad that he’s not going to overtly screw labor. On the other hand I have learned that we just have to have a budget. Government must function.
Comment by Honeybear Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 1:23 pm
== Only wish there was 71 D’s and R’s to pass a budget without the governor. But Madigan is absolutely right for not giving in. ==
Wouldn’t matter. I don’t have the quote handy but some time back Rauner said something to the effect that he didn’t have to spend money even if it was appropriated. Assuming Rauner meant what he said ( not always a safe assumption), just passing a budget may not make that much of a difference.
Comment by RNUG Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 1:26 pm
No means no.
Comment by Chicago 20 Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 1:26 pm
I hear you Honeybear. But there’s just no negotiatin’ with this governor. This is why Madigan’s primary task needs to be getting R votes to brake ranks with gov to pass a budget without the Gov. There’s no other way. No use in saying one word to this governor.
Comment by DHSJim Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 1:28 pm
Good for him. Don’t negotiate with hostage-takers. Just because Quinn was a bad candidate doesn’t mean Rauner has a mandate to lower wages in order to keep the state off life support.
Comment by Man with a plan Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 1:28 pm
Those are pretty much my goals too.
Along with making Rauner a one-term Governor.
Comment by BluegrassBoy Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 1:29 pm
===On the one hand I’m glad that he’s not going to overtly (mess with) labor…===
- Honeybear -
Have you seen the “Godfather II”?
You’d ha era different “feeling” if you take the context of what Michael tells Senator Geary, and how the Casino deal… worked out.
As an aside, the 7-hour chronologically told work, melding I and II is required watching for Godfather aficionados.
Take it in 2 three plus hour sittings. It’s so good. The extras alone make the watch.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 1:29 pm
Does mean that the status quo is OK? No wonder this state is a national laughing stock.
Comment by Keyser Soze Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 1:30 pm
“You’d have a different feeling”
Apologies
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 1:30 pm
Madigan does not want an end to this, he thinks it’s his best chance to win in November. His members won’t have to take hard votes and he will try to blame the Governor for his own actions against the people of Illinois.
If he wants a balanced budget so bad why doesn’t he put 60 of his members on a bill to increase taxes and pass a balanced budget? Will he need more to override the veto? Maybe, but lets see if he can just get to 60.
Comment by Ahoy! Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 1:31 pm
===Does mean that the status quo is OK? No wonder this state is a national laughing stock.===
No. It means Labor is off the table.
You can read… right?
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 1:32 pm
RNUG-
Please explain. Wouldn’t purposeful holding back of government funds by one person be hurtful to the tax payers of Illinois? I’d think the courts would step in and mandate payments. Oh, nevermind…
Comment by Trolling Troll Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 1:32 pm
With all respect- you folks think Illinois can just continue to do what it has done before. Well when will any of you realize that math matters. The State has no money to pay for all of your programs and those of us who support the G are tired of being viewed as the deep pocket that Madigan believes he can stick his hands in our pockets. When the whole situation explodes we will be fine but you won’t be do you need to change your position that your answer is just to say no
Comment by Sue Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 1:33 pm
===If he wants a balanced budget so bad why doesn’t he put 60 of his members on a bill to increase taxes and pass a balanced budget? Will he need more to override the veto? Maybe, but lets see if he can just get to 60.===
#TaxHikeMike.
What else ya got?
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 1:34 pm
=With all respect- you folks think Illinois can just continue to do what it has done before. Well when will any of you realize that math matters. The State has no money to pay for all of your programs and those of us who support the G are tired of being viewed as the deep pocket that Madigan believes he can stick his hands in our pockets. When the whole situation explodes we will be fine but you won’t be do you need to change your position that your answer is just to say no=
Well said.
Comment by John Doe Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 1:35 pm
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-goldman-sachs-debt-idUSKCN0Y31Z0
Goldman is searching for other sources of profit as strict regulations have pressured in its once lucrative bond trading unit and volatility has essentially frozen the market for initial public offerings.
Comment by Beaner Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 1:35 pm
- Sue -
You said nothing to the Post or the Labor position, but you uses lots of words, and you said nothing with them.
Congratulations.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 1:35 pm
What are these extravagant programs ?
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 1:36 pm
- John Doe -
What was “well said”, use your words, please…
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 1:37 pm
Madigan’s tax and spending is not helping the middle class, but destroying it!
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 1:37 pm
The Speaker’s spin on what Rauner is advocating is outrageous. The Speaker never had any intention on compromising in good faith with the Governor because doing so would be admitting that his decades of control have been a failure.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 1:38 pm
I think we need to make major changes in Illinois to get us on the right track. I am not satisfied with the status quo in any way! Having said that, I am glad the speaker is taking this stance as what Rauner has to offer is not an improvement in my opinion.
Comment by Ole' Nelson Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 1:38 pm
Rauner’s demands do not add up to any savings for the budget.
Comment by Left of Central IL Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 1:41 pm
Well said, Annonymous 1:37. I never thought of it that way. You have swayed me with your well-researched, reasonable, not-at-all breathlessly heperbilic argument. Let’s give the hostage taker what he wants!
Comment by One hand //ing Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 1:42 pm
2018 cannot come soon enough.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 1:43 pm
Rauner’s offer: pass my agenda that mirrors ALEC’s agenda and THEN I’ll reward the democrats with the opportunity to take a toxic vote for tax hikes. You’re welcome!
Comment by out of touch Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 1:44 pm
Step one in solving a problem (our lagging economy and uncompetitive business environment) is to acknowledge the problem. We are not there yet. It is obvious he does not consider this a problem.
A lot of middle class families have seen there standard of living reduced through increased taxes sales and property taxes because of these failed policies.
I saw no reference to a balanced approach in these regurgitated talking points
Comment by Lucky Pierre Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 1:44 pm
Using ’status quo’ in the context of what Speaker Madigan is discussing about Labor and the decimation of Labor is not saying anything to the quote.
If you want to say “Union workers make to much money and they need to make less so I’m happy, and throw in that collective bargaining should be destroyed is A-Ok… please, just say that, don’t hide behind “you support the status quo” or try to couple Labor with other things the Speaker did not mention.
Thanks.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 1:45 pm
Whats so completely hypocritical about the R’s is their insistence they are the party of limited government. But now that the Federal and State governments are now suing each other over NC’s bathroom bill….if NC wins, then we have Big Government Regulation of the Bathroom. Yet the ACA is an abomination?
The R’s do not know what they are doing. That includes on the state level and in Illinois.
Comment by Stanley Motss Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 1:46 pm
Pass a decent budget in good faith.
Negotiate later on reforms in good faith.
“Crisis creates opportunity” benefits only Rauner and friends.
Everyone else suffers.
Comment by Austin Blvd Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 1:46 pm
What aggravates the heck outta old blue, is that fixing work comp actually helps labor.
Comment by blue dog dem Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 1:49 pm
== The R’s do not know what they are doing. That includes on the state level and in Illinois. ==
Especially in Illinois …
Comment by RNUG Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 1:50 pm
OW, with all the Godfather quotes here on this blog I really do need to watch them. I’ll see if amazon has the extended version. Thanks
Comment by Honeybear Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 1:51 pm
Wonder who the lucky chumps are gonna be who get the legal and issuance placement fees for the big Rauner GO Bond issue to pay off the backlog of bills? Any guesses?
Comment by Beaner Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 1:52 pm
Madigan is standing in solidarity with middle class families and not giving in to the hostage takers.
Thank you Mr. Speaker.
Comment by Enviro Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 1:53 pm
== What aggravates the heck outta old blue, is that fixing work comp actually helps labor. ==
Agree …
Comment by RNUG Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 1:54 pm
Actually I bet I can find it on youtube. Similar to when you guys told me to “leave the gun, take the cannoli”.
Comment by Honeybear Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 1:54 pm
== What aggravates the heck outta old blue, is that fixing work comp actually helps labor. ==
Could you explain? I’m not getting something that I probably should understand.
Comment by Honeybear Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 1:56 pm
A side has been clearly picked and stated without double-speaking? Simply amazing.
Comment by Tony Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 1:57 pm
-No. It means Labor is off the table.-
You mean off the menu. My favorite Lee Saunders quote is “If you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu”
Comment by Honeybear Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 1:58 pm
==The State has no money to pay for all of your programs and those of us who support the G are tired…==
And the State has no money because the Gov wanted to let the income tax rate fall from 5% to 3.75%. A manufactured crisis, in order for the Gov to try to force his anti-union agenda onto the state.
Comment by Joe M Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 1:58 pm
- Honeybear -
Godfather I and II, A Bronx Take, and Goodfellas
Start there. Watch with an “organizational” eye, how things work, and why decisions were made. Loyalty, reward and punishment, character, and the paralells of doing what’s right… in a weird way in context.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 1:58 pm
To John Doe, Sue and others, your argument that if you don’t go along with Rauner’s reform ideas means that you are for the status quo is illogical and quite ignorant. There are multiple ideas that can be implemented to improve the business climate and the economic well being of the state that have nothing to do with decimating unions and ending prevailing wage. Many good ideas have been discussed on this board in the past year. The Governor has not embraced any of them so far. He is an ideologue who has some ideas which are dangerous to the middle class and the economy of this state.
Rauner’s opening gambit in early 2015 to declare war on the Unions and Madigan will be looked back upon as a strategic blunder.
Comment by The Dude Abides Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 1:59 pm
===You mean off the menu===
See the Godfather II, first 20 minutes, then it’ll make sense.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 2:01 pm
Joe- the Dems and Quinn were the authors of the Sunset. Madigan was totally capable of extending the 5 percent rate in his own. He is responsible for 34 years of overspending and not matching the expenditures with revenue. Rauner may not be the most capable politician but he is in no way responsible for where we are today
Comment by Sue Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 2:04 pm
===Madigan was totally capable of extending the 5 percent rate in his own. He is responsible for 34 years of overspending and not matching the expenditures with revenue.===
Rauner wanted it to sunset, as Gov-Elect asked numerous times for it to subset.
You. Know. This.
Don’t play the “babe in the woods routine”…
Rookie mistake by Rauner, now Rauner owns the sunset, the Dems just… obliged.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 2:06 pm
So, we can go home now?
Comment by Commonsense in Illinois Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 2:07 pm
Mr Dude- please elaborate on what the Dems have proposed to make Zillinois a more business friendly destination. Only one thing will make Illinois a desired location. Reduce Stats spending- stabilize the pension mess and do something about the outrageous crime situation growing by the day in Rahms backyard. Trust me- prospective CEOs don’t like reading about our homicides- shootings and bankrupt school systems
Comment by Sue Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 2:08 pm
Um, - Sue -
Article VIII, Section 2, (a)…
Get back to us. Ugh.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 2:10 pm
Rauner will eventually have to come to the ground that MJM is standing on. The state must at some point have a budget, but it does not have to have a “turn around agenda”. Also, Rauner holds state wide office and not that of a district.
Comment by Facts are Stubborn Things Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 2:14 pm
So the line has been drawn in the sand. Will the persistent rascal double down, or will he try to govern?
Comment by Trolling Troll Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 2:17 pm
“- Stanley Motss - Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 1:46 pm:”
What you just said does not make any sence.
This has nothing to do with the NC bill and your logic is flawed.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 2:22 pm
Keep cheering for him and this disposition and you’ll definitely get exactly what he’s promising; nothing.
Comment by A guy Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 2:23 pm
–The State has no money to pay for all of your programs and those of us who support the G are tired of being viewed as the deep pocket that Madigan believes he can stick his hands in our pockets.–
–Joe- the Dems and Quinn were the authors of the Sunset. Madigan was totally capable of extending the 5 percent rate in his own.–
So Madigan is a bad guy because he wants to increase taxes, and it’s all his fault that taxes got cut.
Sue, that’s quite a debate you’re having with yourself. Let us know who wins.
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 2:24 pm
- A Guy -
So you want Labor decimated?
Yes or no. “Simple”
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 2:26 pm
Sue: According to you the state has no money to pay and the G is tired of being viewed as the deep pocket.
Can you answer for me why the G would issue contracts for work to be done if there is no money to pay for them?
Comment by Pawn Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 2:33 pm
===Yes or no. “Simple”===
If it were that simple, this might not take 15 months. There’s room in the middle. But first you need to recognize there is a middle. Hard to imagine when sides are polarized that anything in between doesn’t exist. But then, you ask the question and only offer a conditional answer option. I guess you want to “Be like Mike”.
Comment by A guy Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 2:35 pm
Raise my taxes. Please.
Comment by Saluki Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 2:38 pm
===With all respect- you folks think Illinois can just continue to do what it has done before. Well when will any of you realize that math matters. The State has no money to pay for all of your programs and those of us who support the G are tired of being viewed as the deep pocket that Madigan believes he can stick his hands in our pockets.===
Unfortunately, when people live in an organized society someone has to pay for the services that are provided for the people. What are your suggestions besides complaining?
Comment by forwhatitsworth Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 2:42 pm
May my taxes be raised and my services increased! Oh and a dash of COLA would be great to.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 2:44 pm
@a guy:
What is the middle ground you speak of?
Specifically…..
Comment by Stanley Motss Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 2:47 pm
If labor is decimated if he gives an inch on any of these them then labor is kind of in big trouble IMHO regardless…
Comment by OneMan Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 2:47 pm
===If it were that simple, this might not take 15 months. There’s room in the middle.===
Do you want Rauner’s take on Decimating Unions. Seriously, it IS that simple, do you support Rauner’s Decimation of Unions.
===But first you need to recognize there is a middle.===
No, actually, Madigan says no to decimating unions. Like Michael, the offer is nothing. Rauner can’t get 60 or 30 for it. That’s how government works.
===Hard to imagine when sides are polarized that anything in between doesn’t exist.===
Rauner Does not have 60 or 30 to destroy unions. What don’t you understand.
===But then, you ask the question and only offer a conditional answer option. I guess you want to “Be like Mike”.===
No, not having 60 and 30 is governing, not “Mike” stopping Rauner. Nothing to stop, Rauber has no votes for it.
So, you agree with Rauner and Decimating unions.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 2:48 pm
===If labor is decimated if he gives an inch on any of these them then labor is kind of in big trouble IMHO regardless…===
With respect, Rauner’s poison pills have always seem to include the decimation of Labor. If the only thing the governor wants IS the decimation of Labor at all costs, yeah, Labor should be worried.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 2:56 pm
Honey, here is my best go of it. One rotten apple spoils the whole lot. As well meaning as legit work comp is, it is, in my experience as a business owner and trade union member abused like no other. The system is so expensive that insurance will almost always settle even when all evidence supports embellishment. As an owner, I can’t even fight a claim if I want to. Noone is claiming that one should be denied legit causation, however, I can hire a 60 year old. Broken down like a mule from a life of hard work and one day on the job, I become responsible for knees,rotators, corpal tunnel etc.work comp,next to bad trade deals, is the biggest reason I never expanded by work force.
Comment by Blue dog dem Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 3:19 pm
== stabilize the pension mess ==
It’s been stabilized within the legal constraints; it’s called Tier 2. Now you have to come up with enough revenue to pay for the pensions and everything else.
Comment by RNUG Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 3:27 pm
Thanks Blue dog, I honestly don’t know the ins and outs of WC. I know my cousin, a restaurant owner in Effingham complains bitterly about it. Thanks for the explanation.
Comment by Honeybear Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 3:31 pm
The problem, with both work comp AND union protections, is rooting out the abusers without destroying systems that exist for legitimate reasons and mostly work as intended.
Comment by RNUG Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 4:03 pm
Both Rauner and Madigan want a tax increase, and in Illinois that means in the flat income tax. So both parties want to take billions out of middle class pockets over the coming decades. These billions will thus not be available for middle class families to save for college, save for their pension-free retirements, buy LTC insurance, or even pay off the mortgage before retirement-if indeed they can afford to retire.
Meanwhile, the rich will get richer and pay even lower taxes as a proportion of their overall income, which is rising rapidly.
Neither party is a friend of the middle class, despite the chummy rhetoric.
Comment by Cassandra Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 4:07 pm
== Neither party is a friend of the middle class, despite the chummy rhetoric. ==
Any increase to the flat income tax should include a sunset provision contingent on the passage of a progressive income tax vote.
Comment by RNUG Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 4:16 pm
In every election cycle during my lifetime (I’m a retiree) the concept of middle class tax relief has been touted. I have yet to see it happen. Middle class workers can never be given relief because we’re paying to support programs that help the lower class and we are the shock absorbers for the upper class so that they don’t have to pay their fair share. If anyone ever believes for one moment that any politician of any party worries about the tax burden of middle class workers, they are very naive in the workings of this society.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 4:19 pm
A break for the middle class taxpayers is not possible. We pay for the programs that help the lower class and we pay for what the upper class will not pay. How would anything get paid for without the middle class taxpayer? How to get the wealthy to pay their fair share is the real problem, rather than squabbling amongst ourselves–as middle class taxpayers tend to do.
Comment by AnonymousOne Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 4:22 pm
RNUG- no argument that pensions are numero uno based on S Ct right up there with bond payments. But the pensions will get paid NOT along with everything else BUT at the expense of everything else
Comment by Sue Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 4:24 pm
== But the pensions will get paid NOT along with everything else BUT at the expense of everything else ==
That is a political CHOICE … Illinois in total has sufficient wealth to pay both but lacks the modern revenue collection system to do so.
Comment by RNUG Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 4:30 pm
RNUG- based on all of your past posts I believe you are a very thoughtful guy- we usually disagree but we can agree that Pension debt now at 100 B plus and growing much faster then the State’s revenue growth trajectory even assuming a return to 5 will swallow more and more annual revenue. Be honest- we can not tax our way out of this which is why I am befuddled at retiree opposition to Rauner. I can understand employee opposition but Rauner is trying to protect retirees by freeing up money needed to pay the enormous and growing pension obligations
Comment by Sue Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 4:35 pm
==lacks the modern revenue collection==
The more animosity created among middle class workers, the less attention will be paid to revising our revenue collection system to capitalize on the great wealth our state holds. To pit private workers against public—to pit pension holders against those who lost theirs diverts attention away from that objective. Private OR public workers all work hard and pay significant amounts of tax to bolster both ends–lower and upper class. To join the other 40+ states who have a graduated tax system seems to be common sense, not to mention more fair–if there can be such a thing.
Comment by AnonymousOne Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 4:42 pm
Sue - You say Rauner is trying to protect retirees. Certainly you don’t mean to include government retirees drawing a government pension!
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 4:48 pm
The 100B pension debt is not going to inflate to infinity. It is a finite number, and every time a Tier 1 pensioner or their covered spouse dies, it is corralled a little bit more. As the Tier 2 employees infiltrate the system, it will start to tilt downward…IF the current elephant in the room is dealt with. We have had 4 years of dodginess instead of trying to creatively reamortize this FINITE expense.
Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 4:48 pm
-Rauner is trying to protect retirees by freeing up money needed to pay the enormous and growing pension obligations-
Nope he’ll give it to corporations in the new rumored EDGE rebates. No crony capitalism is going to be coming down the pike. Pensions Ha! Not a penny will go to those. He’s totally not freeing up money for pensions.
Comment by Honeybear Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 4:56 pm
-Sue-,
we are close to the top of the Edgar Ramp, from here on out it will be mostly level until close to the end where, I believe, another series of baloon payments lurk. Before the temp income tax was allowed to sunset, we WERE paying off both the bill backlog and the pension debt. Plus, in just a few years, some of the Blago pension bonds will be paid off and that money can go directly to paying down the pension debt. And Tier 2 is nibbling away also; we just have to stay the course.
It is clear the State CAN afford it … but the politicians want the blame for going to between 6% and 7% (because Rauner made the bill backlog and structural budget deficit worse and 5% ain’t going to do it unless other revenue sources like expanded sales tax are added) to be placed somewhere else.
And, again for the record, I followed Rauner’s campaign closely from the beginning. It was clear to me from day one that he was going to be worse than the typical politician. He spun stuff faster than some of the trolls here. Rauner is the only GOP Governor that I did NOT vote for since I was old enough to vote … and he will be the reason the only GOP candidate I intend to vote for is McCann.
Comment by RNUG Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 5:47 pm
How about some spending cuts?
Comment by Tone Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 5:59 pm
What would those cuts be? Where?
Comment by AnonymousOne Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 6:09 pm
RNUG, I don’t believe that the pensions can be funded without severe hardships to any budget. I believe most of the state’s pensions actuarial calcs are based on a 7% annual rate of return. Obviously the fixed income market can’t come close to that, and even the great RAUN Man couldn’t deliver that yoy.this creates a never ending guessing game for state budgets, because who can make up the difference on a four year bear market?
Comment by Blue dog dem Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 6:18 pm
RNUG- Edgar sold the ramp on the theory that state revenues would be significantly higher in the back years. Due to our extremely weak overall economy now 8 years following the 08 recession- Edgars hopes turned out to be inaccurate. No one who worked on the Ramp deal ever contemplated that the pension payments would approach 30 percent of State revenue. Unfortunately as the payments continue to grow the State economy is not keeping up. There is no way to pay the pension tab and maintain spending levels at the current rate. The math does not permit it whether you resume 5 or go to 6 or 7. The Dems will have a hard time selling 5
Comment by Sue Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 6:48 pm
Hey anon one. You want to know where to cut. Start with adopting the contract proposal presented by Rauner on the AFSCME negotiation
Comment by Sue Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 6:52 pm
I’d like to see proper fiscal management, but we AREN’T going to see it from Rauner; contrary to his verbiage, he doesn’t take the arrows.
Darn phone auto-correct …
Comment by RNUG Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 7:56 pm
I just watched Godfather II OW. I’ve got a new quote for you to say to me when I’m off. “That’s not the way we look at it Kay.” Ha!
Comment by Honeybear Thursday, May 12, 16 @ 11:39 pm
No compromise. No ideas. No reform. No change. No progress.
No, Mike Madigan likes things just the way they are on workers’ compensation and more.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Friday, May 13, 16 @ 1:34 am
Still waiting on a balanced budget from Rauner, @FKA. That would be the starting point for Rauner’s ideas on how he’d allocate the available revenues, and where “compromise/reform/change/progress” (30/60) could occur. Other than that, your weasel word salad is meaningless.
Comment by PublicServant Friday, May 13, 16 @ 5:55 am
Okay, all my good words about OW and Rich, I take them back. I hate you both for referencing Godfather. I had a terrible nights sleep and all I can think about is how the movie relates to the current situation. I’ve got a piece of paper in my pocket of questions, quotes, and epiphanies. Seriously I’ll never be the same. Dam you both. s/
It is too much of a favor to ask but, like Don Fanucci, (not that you are Don Fanucci Rich) maybe you’ll like my guts. Could we have a posting on how the current situation is or is not like the Godfather movies. We’ve riffed on it in the past. Given yesterday’s post title I think it would be a good Friday discussion.
Comment by Honeybear Friday, May 13, 16 @ 8:39 am
Wait until the Horse’s head gets delivered, Honeybear.
Comment by PublicServant Friday, May 13, 16 @ 8:47 am
I meant to say capital. not capitol
Comment by siriusly Friday, May 13, 16 @ 8:56 am
- Honeybear -
I wouldn’t say that to you…
Plus, Michael was still trying to keep Kay, a civilian, safe.
You are an engaged combatant that can handle yourself.
===Wait until the Horse’s head gets delivered, Honeybear.===
Well played…
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, May 13, 16 @ 9:14 am
Oh, so glad you saw my post. I’ve been dying to ask questions. Thank you so much for the suggestion of Godfather. Anyway, I see Labor as the character of Kay. She has sided with Michael had a fruitful relationship but has become disillusioned with him and finally openly rebels. He is courteous, allows her to visit, but ultimately doesn’t change and shuts the door on her. I know you see me as an engaged foot soldier but in context of the movie is Labor like Kay. Or do I just need to watch it fifteen times before I get it.
Other great lines
“I try to think as other people think”
“All that’s left is our friendship”
“I know how to return a favor”
and thanks for the vote of confidence that I can handle myself. I still feel like a novice, like the little kid who tags along with the gang until shoo’d off for business. Not that anyone has shoo’d me off from here. I just constantly feel like I have so much to learn.
Comment by Honeybear Friday, May 13, 16 @ 9:30 am
Right now?
Labor is Tessio, had Michael decided to accept the apology and doubled-down with Sally, and Tessio’s learned experience.
Tessio felt slighted. Tessio wanted his “own”… Tessio chose, it was the “smart move” (going after Quinn) but the smart move removed Tessio and left Tessio out when the move backfired.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, May 13, 16 @ 9:46 am