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[Gov. Bruce Rauner] spent more than $30 million dollars bankrolling legislative races.
It’s part of his attempt to break the Democratic grip on the legislature — a grip that thus far has stifled Rauner’s agenda. That, in turn, has led to a partisan stalemate that’s left Illinois without a real budget, and with an all-too-real deficit.
Rauner has frequently put the onus on Democrats to break the stalemate, with comments like this one from last year: “If the Speaker and the General Assembly doesn’t want to take up reforms, doesn’t want to pass any real structural reforms, then they should go ahead and pass a tax hike,” he said. “They have a supermajority. They’re fully capable of increasing the taxes.”
Those days are over now, governor.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Nov 9, 16 @ 10:07 am
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I’d say that it’s time to start governing but that time was 2 years ago.
Comment by Gruntled University Employee Wednesday, Nov 9, 16 @ 10:12 am
Dems had a supermajority by definition only. Franks and Dunkin were never part of that in actuality. Now the onus to present and pass a tax hike will be squarely on the backs of Rauner and the puppets he controls. He will not be able to explain his failures by merely citing the supermajority Madigan has in the House.
Good luck with that 1.4%
Comment by Big Joe Wednesday, Nov 9, 16 @ 10:17 am
Rauner ran out of excuses once he revealed himself as having held political positions 180 from how he campaigned. You don’t have a mandate when you lied to win it. You can govern by publically denouncing your governing partners. You can’t claim to be an impotent governor, but expect to be a governor.
Rauner ran out of excuses the moment he ripped off his candidate mask in Decatur two weeks after his inauguration.
He broke himself back in January 2015.
Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Nov 9, 16 @ 10:17 am
Seriously? Madigan has been at the helm for 30 years and still has a majority in the Illinois House. Any obligation to govern on his part?
Comment by Ian Howell Wednesday, Nov 9, 16 @ 10:19 am
The days of kicking the pension can down the road are over. Higher property taxes, slashed/limited government services, and higher income taxes are pretty much a given at this point. Continuing not to have a budget really just delays and worsens the inevitable pinch that’s a-comin’.
Comment by Romeo Wednesday, Nov 9, 16 @ 10:22 am
–Those days are over now, governor.–
I doubt it. The super-majority was always fiction. It will be easy to make up another fictional excuse to continue gutting higher ed and reneging on contracts.
To me, the real question is whether GA Republicans , especially Downstate, will continue to march in lockstep on this path of social-Darwinistic destruction now that the election is over.
The only times Rauner has budged has been when enough of them have threatened to walk.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Nov 9, 16 @ 10:23 am
==Any obligation to govern on his part?==
There would be if he were the Governor but since he’s a Representative I guess he’ll just have to keep on Representing.
Comment by Gruntled University Employee Wednesday, Nov 9, 16 @ 10:25 am
LOL Just a “Representative”? He just happens to be the most powerful elected official in the state of Illinois and in the General Assembly.
Comment by Ian Howell Wednesday, Nov 9, 16 @ 10:27 am
@ Gruntled. Nice!
Comment by Scamp640 Wednesday, Nov 9, 16 @ 10:28 am
The dude better govern now. If he does’t that map of Illinois trending red will quickly revert to blue. If he governs it goes deeper red.
It’s just that simple.
Comment by Big Muddy Wednesday, Nov 9, 16 @ 10:29 am
Ian -
I think the story’s point is that Rauner now must accept atleast some responsibility.
More importantly, liberals can’t simply blame Madigan. It does take a lot of the pressure off of him to magically pass a tax hike by himself, believe it or not. A lot of pressure.
Comment by Juvenal Wednesday, Nov 9, 16 @ 10:31 am
This is the wake up call, not to Gov. Rauner…
… but to Leader Durkin.
Leader Durkin,
Your time, is now. You could be the most important legislative leader to any sitting governor in the history of this state, and can be the true guiding force to find common ground, to for be governing, to frame politics, to save Illinois.
Rauner may own the loss of the crutch, but Leader Durkin, you can claim the mantle of leadership that can make so much happen for all.
I hope.
OW
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Nov 9, 16 @ 10:34 am
The problem is that Rauner doesn’t really care if government functions.
Comment by Bull Moose Wednesday, Nov 9, 16 @ 10:34 am
Expect two more years of failure from Bruce Rauner and the politicians he controls.
Comment by Precinct Captain Wednesday, Nov 9, 16 @ 10:35 am
Several House Dems are in the cross hairs now. Both Madigan and Rauner will come at them, in distinct ways.
Yesterday settles nothing. The fight continues.
Comment by Deft Wing Wednesday, Nov 9, 16 @ 10:37 am
This frees Madigan to just say, “Governor, if you want a budget, propose a balanced one.” Rauner will have to do the painful cuts he doesn’t want to own or propose a tax increase to cover the budget. Madigan can still avoid those “reforms.” Indeed, Madigan can just say that they should just wait and see what President Trump’s plan is before they tinker with “reforms.”
Comment by A Jack Wednesday, Nov 9, 16 @ 10:38 am
OW
You can be owner and administrator at the same time or is that not possible? Too many that talk a lot but dont know anything on here.
Comment by Mal Wednesday, Nov 9, 16 @ 10:39 am
===Too many that talk a lot but dont know anything on here.===
- Mal -
You’re way too hard on yourself. After I get done giggling reading your comments I wonder who calibrates your word jumble and types the results. I don’t blame you.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Nov 9, 16 @ 10:42 am
Bull Moose is right. Rauner doesn’t care.
Comment by Galena Guy Wednesday, Nov 9, 16 @ 10:43 am
If both sides worked as hard to fix our mess as they do to blame each other we wouldn’t be having this conversation.
Comment by Sarcastic One Wednesday, Nov 9, 16 @ 10:47 am
If you like how Rauner has ruined Illinois, you’ll love what President Trump will do to the country.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Nov 9, 16 @ 11:09 am
OW @10:34am
Truer words have never been spoken….or, sadly I fear, ignored.
Comment by Gruntled University Employee Wednesday, Nov 9, 16 @ 11:09 am
- Gruntled University Employee -
Thanks.
If it’s read, ignored, or even acknowledged as you graciously did, it’s how I feel, and I’m cheering for a chance to see governance, and Leader Durkin has a great opportunity… right now.
Thanks for your kind words, I hope we all can see things move.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Nov 9, 16 @ 11:27 am
OW is correct, it is Durkin time. craft some creative things that can bridge the gap between the two warring leaders. But I disagree with “you bought it you own it.” he’s still not in charge of the majority. the dem side needs to get more creative. besides, I’m betting that for some of their candidates that unions backed heavily they had all sorts of other positions that when the union workers went to vote, they said the sign on my lawn is enough and voted for the Republican. witness the McAuliffe race.
Comment by Amalia Wednesday, Nov 9, 16 @ 11:28 am
- Amalia -
Thanks, and understand, I couldn’t be a bigger cheerleader for Leader Durkin if he accepted that role and acted as a partner with the governor, but as an honest broker to the process too.
I want Illinois to succeed, but not under the parameters that some need to suffer for that to be accomplished, and by suffer, I mean needlessly by a choice, not by the reality of policy.
This IS Leader Durkin’s time.
I’m ready to climb on board.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Nov 9, 16 @ 11:39 am
Dear Senator Durkin; please don’t try and govern by doing what all the rest of the cowards usually do. And that’s throw the heavy lifting on the backs of the working poor and middle classes.
Thanks,
BlueDogDem
Comment by blue dog dem Wednesday, Nov 9, 16 @ 11:50 am
–Dear Senator Durkin;–
Who?
Besides, I’m pretty sure Rauner is running the show on the GOP side.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Nov 9, 16 @ 12:08 pm
Oops. Leader…..
Comment by blue dog dem Wednesday, Nov 9, 16 @ 12:28 pm
Get something positive done or you’re gone in two years. Is is two years from now, yet??
Comment by A new day Wednesday, Nov 9, 16 @ 12:36 pm
Refresh my memory, how many millions did Rauner funnel through Leader Durkin’s campaign fund this election? I have heard Leader Durkin speak about finding compromises, ending the combativeness between the two parties, and, incidentally, the long memory of the administration. We’ll see if the money outweighs his stated wishes.
Comment by CCP Hostage Wednesday, Nov 9, 16 @ 12:43 pm
OW’s concept “Governors Own” has reached its ultimate expression.
Doesn’t matter what excuse or deflection they put out there, this concept will grow in the public mind.
Comment by walker Wednesday, Nov 9, 16 @ 12:47 pm
If the Trump/Rainer team can’t solve any of Illinois’ issues in the next two years, I expect there to be electoral consequences in ‘18
Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Wednesday, Nov 9, 16 @ 1:43 pm