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* The AP has a story out entitled “With eye on 2018, Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner says ‘Don’t blame me’”…
With crises mounting around him, Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner’s strategy for fending off potential Democratic challengers and keeping his job in 2018 includes stressing the bright spots while blaming others for the things going horribly wrong.
As a Republican in a solidly Democratic state, the wealthy former private equity investor would have been one of the country’s most endangered GOP incumbents even under the best of circumstances. Adding to his task are a state budget impasse that has dragged on for most of his two years in office, decimating many social service agencies and creating billions more in debt, and a labor dispute that has Illinois’ largest public-employee union holding its first strike-authorization vote.
Rauner didn’t make more than a fleeting reference to the budget until the end of his annual State of the State address on Wednesday. Instead, he highlighted accomplishments such as ethics reforms, increased funding for schools and improved cybersecurity of state records and said he was “deeply optimistic” about Illinois’ future.
When he made it to the budget issue, he was quick to point the finger at his predecessors for creating a mess that includes $130 billion in unfunded pension liabilities and the worst credit rating of any state.
Yeah, and then things got worse on every fiscal front.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Jan 27, 17 @ 9:56 am
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Kapow, that’s a pretty terrible head and lede for the Guv.
Love it.
Comment by Arsenal Friday, Jan 27, 17 @ 9:58 am
Jesus couldn’t save this state. If Illinois was a private business it would be in Chapter 7.
It is likely the state income tax could be raised to 10% and the problems would persist.
Comment by Piece of Work Friday, Jan 27, 17 @ 10:02 am
Governors own.
Rauner has known thus since being a candidate with “Pat Quinn failed”
The Democratic candidate that can pull of Skyhook in reverse with Rauner’s dismal record in social services, higher education and increasing the state debt while not paying its bills…
Same as it ever was.
Good luck, Governor, “Pat Quinn failed” will come back to haunt(?)
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jan 27, 17 @ 10:05 am
Absolutely, unequivocally, 100% correct. Things got worse.
That’s his “record.”
Comment by Sir Reel Friday, Jan 27, 17 @ 10:07 am
“Solidly D”? Is the this reporter new to Illinois?
Comment by All Friday, Jan 27, 17 @ 10:10 am
From the article: “These problems aren’t new,” Rauner said. “They’ve been building up for many years as past governors and General Assemblies — from both political parties — kicked the can down the road to avoid making tough decisions.”
Sounds vaguely similar, without the vitriol behind it, to what a certain “Republican” stated on the “sold out” Mall last week. What Rauner doesn’t seem to understand is that all of the millions of dollars he’s poured into the campaigns of “Boss Madigan” and “You’re just a Minion of Madigan” have not only helped to further kick the can down the road, it’s almost smashed it to beyond recognition. It’s time to stop all this blaming, produce a budget on Feb 15th, and work the rest of the month to work out the appropriations, cuts, and tax increases.
Comment by Anon221 Friday, Jan 27, 17 @ 10:14 am
His only chance to make any case for “Don’t blame me” is to help gather enough republican votes for a budget compromise to pass the Senate, then wholeheartedly endorse that compromise, and finally hope that the compromise doesn’t pass the house.
Under that scenario, governors will still own, he’ll still have a challenging case to make, but that’s the only chance I see of making the case.
Comment by Robert the Bruce Friday, Jan 27, 17 @ 10:17 am
“Give me the cuts, be brave. I will take the arrows.”
-Bruce Rauner, 2015
“Don’t blame me. These problems aren’t new.”
-Bruce Rauner, 2017
Comment by Jocko Friday, Jan 27, 17 @ 10:59 am
=== It is likely the state income tax could be raised to 10% and the problems would persist. ===
When the income tax was 5%, the backlog of unpaid bills was more than cut in half, and the pension payments were made on time and in full. In other words, when revenue increased, funding issues were alleviated.
Comment by Anon Friday, Jan 27, 17 @ 11:10 am
==His only chance to make any case for “Don’t blame me” is to help gather enough republican votes for a budget compromise to pass the Senate, then wholeheartedly endorse that compromise, and finally hope that the compromise doesn’t pass the house.==
$100 million gives you a lot of options, but yes, I agree, his political life is a lot easier if the Senate deal passes.
Comment by Arsenal Friday, Jan 27, 17 @ 11:19 am
-piece of work-
Government is not a business. It does things that have no profit motive.
Comment by Publius Friday, Jan 27, 17 @ 2:35 pm
Gee Publius, thanks for that insight. I had no idea!!!
Comment by Piece of Work Friday, Jan 27, 17 @ 4:00 pm
Governor owned the Autism cuts and paid dearly for a small Appropriation miscue. Think how bad he’ll look if the State goes another year without a budget. Can only blame other people for so long before you look like a petulant child.
It’s not my fault mom.
Comment by DuPage Bard Friday, Jan 27, 17 @ 4:32 pm