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* AP…
Gov. Bruce Rauner said Tuesday that Senate Democrats must make “real spending cuts” in their proposed budget compromise, just hours before his agency directors refused to offer suggestions for reductions when asked by Senate committees. […]
“From what I’ve been told, based on what’s in the package so far, they don’t make any real spending cuts,” Rauner said. “So the budget’s not balanced. That’s one challenge. I’ve said please try to get that done - that’s pretty critical.” […]
But some of Rauner’s Cabinet members would not cooperate later Tuesday when Democratic-controlled Senate committees asked for suggested spending reductions. The committees invited the heads of various agencies administering education, human services, juvenile justice, public health and more to say what programs and services they’re ready to cut if the Republican governor won’t support the grand bargain.
“Our hands are tied. We do not know where to go,” Sen. Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant of Shorewood, the Education Committee chairwoman, told State School Superintendent Tony Smith.
Smith pledged cooperation but declined to answer specific questions on the orders of James Meeks, the chairman of the State Board of Education.
* Public Radio…
At one of several similar hearings, state Senator Patricia Van Pelt of Chicago grilled Public Health director Nirav Shah. She asked if he could suggest cuts to help make up the shortfall, but Shah declined.
VAN PELT: “So are you saying you can’t cut? I’m asking you for one cut. Can you give me one cut?”
SHAH: “I’m not prepared to discuss any. It is worth noting that our proposed budget, as it stands, does contain several budgetary reductions.”
Shah went on to outline about $3.8 million dollars in cuts, a tiny fraction of the deficit. Rauner says he could support the grand bargain if it was a “good deal for taxpayers.” But Democrats say they’ve already negotiated away as much as they can.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Mar 8, 17 @ 8:55 am
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If there was any doubt that Rauner is sabotaging the grand bargain, this should lay it to rest.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Mar 8, 17 @ 9:00 am
“Director, what programs and services are you ready to cut if Bruce Rauner won’t support the grand bargain?”
“I stand ready to cut waste, fraud and abuse from other agencies, Senator.”
– MrJM
Comment by @MisterJayEm Wednesday, Mar 8, 17 @ 9:03 am
Here’s the reality Bruce Rauner, the Rauner Crew, and Rauberotes need to fully grasp, as EVERY governor has had to grasp since the history of Illinois…
Governors own budgets.
Governors own the cuts, the funding, the way to pay for things, even the positive press for programs governors want funded.
To even THINK the legislative is responsible, wholly, for cuts when Article VIII, Section 2, (a) and the mere governing reality dictates a governor is responsible for the agencies and programs, agendas and priorities with a functioning state, is pathetic to Rauner, Rauner’s Crew, the “owned” Raunerites in the General Assembly… and sadly the IPI/Proft media owned by Rauner himself.
Enough is enough.
Good on the Senate.
The Rauner Tax and the Rauner cuts are coming. Rauner will sign cuts, cuts devastating to Illinois, and Rauner will sign, arguably, the largest single permanent tax increase in Illinois history too.
The Dems gave you two years plus, Governor.
Do. Your. Job.
OW
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Mar 8, 17 @ 9:04 am
Finally, the Dems are learning how to play the blame game, aka, “Rauner and his puppet directors are so poorly informed that can’t even identify cuts in their own agencies.” Follow that up with “We’d love to debate the merits of the proposed cuts. We’re not experts on the individual agencies and nobody in the Rauner administration seems to know what could be cut”.
Could be a powerful message. I think by trying to not own the cuts, Rauner have have painted himself in a corner. Time will tell if the Dems can take advantage of this mis-step.
Comment by RNUG Wednesday, Mar 8, 17 @ 9:04 am
From the SJ-R article: “Dimas said he thought the panel had invited him to discuss the agency’s proposed budget. ‘We did not come prepared to discuss budget cuts,’ said Dimas, who added that he would be able to say more when asked to testify to an appropriations committee.”
All.Rightee.Then. Call the agency heads to the appropriate appropriation committees. Will they show up and testify then, or send in surrogates who won’t have the answers once again. I think we’ve seen this playbook before. The Dems need to keep the pressure on and the “plays” by Rauner and his agency heads front and center in the media.
Comment by Anon221 Wednesday, Mar 8, 17 @ 9:12 am
Would somebody please try to explain what the Governor means by “a good deal for taxpayers” and how the Governor proposes to measure this? No kidding, what does he mean? Without some measuring stick, doesn’t this just leave the SDems in a position of bargaining against themselves?
Comment by The Real Just Me Wednesday, Mar 8, 17 @ 9:12 am
I am wondering whether this aggressive tactic by the Senate Democrats, combined with Mendoza’s court victory and Madigan’s filing with the IL Supreme Court might finally be the convergence of a number of tactics and factors that could force the governor into actually making a deal. I am certainly pleased to see the way that everything is being pushed right now.
Comment by Archiesmom Wednesday, Mar 8, 17 @ 9:16 am
The Real Just Me- First you need to get Rauner to define “taxpayer”. His demographics probably don’t include 99% of Illinois.
Comment by Anon221 Wednesday, Mar 8, 17 @ 9:21 am
As a follow-up to my earlier comment – I get the sense that the governor’s back is getting pushed against the wall. A whole lot depends on how he reacts to it. It could force him into making a deal, or it could be enough to make him completely intransigent. I have no gut feeling for which way it will go. My fingers are crossed.
Comment by Archiesmom Wednesday, Mar 8, 17 @ 9:24 am
Rauner: I want cuts or no budget!
Dems: What do you want cut?
Rauner: I dunno, you tell me! (Governin’ is hard)
Comment by Ratso Rizzo Wednesday, Mar 8, 17 @ 9:28 am
It doesn’t surprise me the Agency Directors cannot offer up any cuts as most are currently operating on bare bones budgets and on life support due to attrition and retirements. But this just reflects the disconnect between Rauner and his Agency heads, which also doesn’t surprise me.
Comment by XDNR Wednesday, Mar 8, 17 @ 9:28 am
Rauner had his chance to propose cuts last month. He fell billions short of a balanced budget.
Comment by words Wednesday, Mar 8, 17 @ 9:29 am
There are no more easy cuts to make. If there were they would have been cut years ago. If you were to make major cuts portions of Illinois population would feel the pain
Comment by Rogue Roni Wednesday, Mar 8, 17 @ 9:46 am
==Without some measuring stick, doesn’t this just leave the SDems in a position of bargaining against themselves?==
Yes.
Everything Rauner’s done shows that his only real problem with Mike Madigan is jealousy. He wants the same organization and power, just with Rauner at the top instead.
Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Mar 8, 17 @ 9:48 am
Rauner’s vague and ever-shifting requirements for a budget rather give the game away. He doesn’t want a budget.
Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Mar 8, 17 @ 9:49 am
Smith pledged cooperation but declined to answer specific questions on the orders of James Meeks, the chairman of the State Board of Education.
Is this not all the Democrats need to show Rauners plan? Who told Meeks to tell Smith I can’t answer? Hmm.. THE GOV maybe? This is folly. This has become a game to the billionaire is all I can assume. I am afraid there is a “Trading Places” style bet made between Bruce and another Billionaire… ” I bet you $1 I can tank a state.”
Someone prove me wrong with facts. I dare you.This Governor has done nothing.
Comment by Echo The Bunnyman Wednesday, Mar 8, 17 @ 9:51 am
So the Governor has directed his cabinet members not to cooperate with Democrats in identifying budget cuts in their Agencies. This Administration does not want to accept any responsibility. The Governor wants the Democrats to own the budget cuts. The Governor needs a budget to win a 2nd term but he doesn’t want to own any of the budget cuts needed to get that balanced budget passed.
Comment by The Dude Abides Wednesday, Mar 8, 17 @ 9:54 am
I dont see a light at the end of the tunnel here. It looks like this will be resolved after the 2018 election.
Comment by Foster brooks Wednesday, Mar 8, 17 @ 10:11 am
Agency directors have always been directed to stay within the framework of the governor’s budget. However, prior to Rauner the proposed budget wasn’t a fantasy.
Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Mar 8, 17 @ 10:12 am
I’m surprised the agency heads don’t submit line item budgets with “magic” titles to cover the shortfall. It’s apparently good enough for the boss…
Comment by Jocko Wednesday, Mar 8, 17 @ 10:20 am
The problem is that Rauner will not negoatiate a budget unless he gets his non budget items and MJM will not negotiate a budget if it involves nonn budget TA items. This thing has to be solved by the Gov. setting down with the leaders and hammering out a framework of cuts and revenue. Rauner needs to do a budget and save his TA items for the 2018 election.
Comment by facts are stubborn things Wednesday, Mar 8, 17 @ 10:28 am
I think people are starting to understand why MJM has taken the positions he has. Negotiate a budget with cuts and revenue and drop your non budget items. 2018 should based in part on the TA non budget items but for now it should be all about the budget.
Comment by facts are stubborn things Wednesday, Mar 8, 17 @ 10:30 am
In the event that a Democrat beats Rauner in 2018, would that Democrat want to then have to preside over those big cuts and tax increases. After a bitter campaign, that might have to be done without Republican votes. Sure, they can claim it was all the Republicans’ fault. But it’s the new governor who would own the change in folks’ paychecks and also own whatever the cuts are. You can only blame the previous incumbent for so long.
It’s not just Rauner who might benefit from a little more compromising.
Comment by Cassandra Wednesday, Mar 8, 17 @ 10:35 am
Rauner can’t figure out how to deal with his political equals. He can’t convince anyone to follow him.
But he sure knows how to threaten state employees. He knows how to force state providers into bankruptcy. He knows how to walk away from compromises. He knows how to blow up bridges. He knows how to starve the neediest. He tells everyone he victimizes that they are the problem.
But he can’t use his governor’s powers to lead.
Rauner is an impotent blow-hard who strikes out when he’s at bat. But he doesn’t have a problem threatening the bat boy.
Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Mar 8, 17 @ 10:41 am
Politically, questions not answered in a GA committee hearing have no legs.
Comment by walker Wednesday, Mar 8, 17 @ 11:06 am
==would that Democrat want to then have to preside over those big cuts and tax increases==
It doesn’t matter what they *want* to do, it’s required to keep the state functioning.
Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Mar 8, 17 @ 11:28 am
Well played by the Senate Dems. Rauner has been losing the messaging game for a solid week now. First time that’s happened.
Comment by Roman Wednesday, Mar 8, 17 @ 11:48 am
So Rauner wants a budget but doesn’t want any responsibility for any of the bad stuff in it. Rauner wants more revenue for a budget but doesn’t want any responsibility for raising revenue. Rauner wants cuts in his awesome budget but doesn’t want anything to do with actually making the cuts, even going so far as to tell his appointed agency heads to not help in identifying such cuts to again not have any responsibility for bad stuff.
I’m no billionaire so maybe I’m just not smart. But this governor and his superstars don’t want to govern or simply have no idea how.
Comment by SouthernDawg1 Wednesday, Mar 8, 17 @ 12:16 pm