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Rauner disses “part-time” legislators

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Illinois

* Bernie followed up on a comment made by Gov. Bruce Rauner earlier this week…

[Rauner] told reporters in Springfield Monday that he wants Comptroller Susana Mendoza to “make sure that legislators, who are not workin’ every day — part-time job — and not balancing a budget, which is a constitutional requirement of all of us together, they shouldn’t be put as a priority.” […]

Given that the governor is pushing legislation sponsored by Rep. Avery Bourne, R-Raymond, for continuing state worker pay, I asked Bourne and other lawmakers about the “part-time” thing. […]

“It’s my full-time position,” she said. “You can work as much as you want in any job, and so you could work 60, 80, 100 hours a week if you wanted to. Most of my time is spent in my office (and) in the community.” […]

“I know that as a state rep you’re always sort of on call for matters that are important to your constituents — nighttime meetings, breakfast meetings, all during the day session,” [Rep. Sara Jimenez] said.

“I don’t want to get into an argument about that with the governor,” she added. “But I do know that me, as well as all of my colleagues that I talk to, are very busy with constituent work and session work. … And especially being a state rep in the capital city where there are lots of challenges at the moment, I spend a lot of my time when we’re not in session visiting places out in the community. … There are always requests for us to attend to things and visit places, and there aren’t enough hours in the day.”

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Mar 23, 17 @ 11:32 am

Comments

This from the “no-time governing” guy

Comment by very old soil Thursday, Mar 23, 17 @ 11:35 am
I am shocked, shocked that a governor with people skills this strong hasn’t been able to pass a budget in three years.

Comment by The Captain Thursday, Mar 23, 17 @ 11:36 am
Create a biennial budget and meet every other year like Texas and Ohio and whatnot.

Half the stuff these legislators do are useless anyway

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Mar 23, 17 @ 11:37 am
Anyone asked to see BigBrain time sheets? Don’t see anything near full time from him. BTW, Ya can’t count the times wasted in the SUV goin’ 110 MPH

Comment by Annonin' Thursday, Mar 23, 17 @ 11:37 am
===“I don’t want to get into an argument about that with the governor,” she (Rep. Jimenez) added.===

I know you don’t, Rep. Jimenez. That would mean you have your own thoughts and actually are thoughtful to anyone but Gov. Rauner and what Gov. Rauner requires you to do.

Please don’t confuse yourself as an independent Republican House member.

You’re a Raunerite, Rep. Jimenez, and disagreeing with Rauner will lead to $&@#% problems.

“I don’t want to get into an argument about that with the governor,” she added”

Pathetic.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Mar 23, 17 @ 11:37 am
When Bruce Rauner announced he wasn’t going to take a pay check, little did we know that it meant he wasn’t going to do any work at governor.

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Thursday, Mar 23, 17 @ 11:39 am
Touche, TC. lol

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Mar 23, 17 @ 11:40 am
Making friends is not this Governor’s strength.

Rauner vs. M. Madigan; L. Madigan; R. Emanuel; F. S. Mendoza; F. Claypool; K. Lewis; C. Radogno; AFSCME; and now rank & file legislators.

#Winnin’

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Mar 23, 17 @ 11:41 am
Oswego Willy- No different then the Minions that will not stand up to Madigan and continue to elect this failure as their Speaker. You know the guy that hasn’t passed a truly balanced budget in the last two decades.

Comment by Arock Thursday, Mar 23, 17 @ 11:41 am
I dont know about being a multi-million dollar roll-over artist, but then maybe being a loud mouth bitter Kevorkian crone motivates people and builds strong positive relationships.

Governing, I guess, means insulting everyone working in government.

After two years, and with his wealth, you’d think he could buy a clue.

Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Mar 23, 17 @ 11:42 am
I do wonder what our governor does with his time. Given the accomplishments (or lack thereof), I’ve surmised that even I could’ve served in his spot.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Mar 23, 17 @ 11:44 am
hi pot, meet kettle

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Mar 23, 17 @ 11:44 am
Republicans in the General Assembly are so cowered by Rauner and his money they’re afraid to defend themselves when he unfairly kicks them in the teeth.

“Thank you sir, may I have another?”

Comment by Roman Thursday, Mar 23, 17 @ 11:45 am
So… a retired hobbyist who gets free housing and an armed escort to any point in Illinois he wishes to visit, is dissing the “part-timers” next door? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tW4jnycsJY

Comment by Anon221 Thursday, Mar 23, 17 @ 11:45 am
“If we all just explain to the billionaire that we work twice as much as we’re paid to work, we’ll prove our virtue and he’ll be nicer to us.”

No wonder Avery Bourne doesn’t support labor.

Comment by crazybleedingheart Thursday, Mar 23, 17 @ 11:52 am
“You can work as much as you want in any job,” says the Rep. who doesn’t understand how countless jobs work.

Comment by AlfondoGonz Thursday, Mar 23, 17 @ 11:54 am
Rauner’s money works for him so he doesn’t have to.

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Thursday, Mar 23, 17 @ 11:58 am
===No different then the Minions that will not stand up to Madigan and continue to elect this failure as their Speaker.===

You may need a civics lesson.

The Speaker, any speaker, is chosen among the members in the House.

A governor isn’t a member of the House, so Rauner is usurping legislative independence by owning the Raunerite Caucuses, and those like Rep. Jimenez and Rep. Bourne.

I guess you’re not a big fan of separation of powers - Arock -, or…

Think on that, get back to all of us

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Mar 23, 17 @ 12:02 pm
Staffers who work for legislators commonly refer to Rauner as “Satan”. I was just told that by one the other day and she works for a GOP member. He is a rascal.

Comment by The Dude Abides Thursday, Mar 23, 17 @ 12:06 pm
The Guv denigrates state employees, state legislators and state judges. Quite the inspirational leader of our government.

He obviously likes his fellow millionaire buddies like Jim Schultz better. He got Schultz out of his state job and set him up in Inetrsect where he just returned from a free trip to the south of France.

Comment by Henry Francis Thursday, Mar 23, 17 @ 12:08 pm
Always easy to diss on Rauner but just one time before they become totally disgraced, I hope Reps Bourne and Jimenez show some personal pride and stop being so bought and paid for. Sickening.

Comment by don the legend Thursday, Mar 23, 17 @ 12:19 pm
I guess he could have them fitted with ankle bracelets that go off when they are not at the Capitol. No, I’m not serious.

Comment by illinoised Thursday, Mar 23, 17 @ 12:30 pm
For most of the Senators and Representatives from Chicago and Cook County, Rauner’s criticisms are on target. Many hold second jobs, including many who are “double dippers” on other government payrolls. My former State Senator managed to serve in Springfield while maintaining a law practice.

There are many working families that would like to have the principal breadwinner in the household earning a salary comparable to members of the Illinois General Assembly.

I will grant you that there are some members who work as full-time legislators and do not have second jobs, but I doubt that they are in the majority.

Comment by W Flag Thursday, Mar 23, 17 @ 12:34 pm
I think Governor”Hyman Roth” Rauner should stick with; “I’m a retired investor, living on a pension….”

Comment by Gordon Willis Thursday, Mar 23, 17 @ 12:39 pm
===For most of the Senators and Representatives from Chicago and Cook County, Rauner’s criticisms are on target. Many hold second jobs, including many who are “double dippers” on other government payrolls.===

“Most” - more than half.

“Many”…

Please cite these “most” and “many”

Thanks.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Mar 23, 17 @ 12:43 pm
Does Rauner actually believe when legislators aren’t in the Capitol building sitting in their chairs, then they aren’t really working? June - January is a long lunch recess?

a part time legislator doesn’t equate to a person who puts in 15-20 hours per week at donut shop.

Comment by baloneymous Thursday, Mar 23, 17 @ 12:50 pm
There you go GOP members, that’s what your leader thinks of you: you’re a bunch of part time hacks who don’t deserve a paycheck. Bet it feels great to get up every morning and fight for him.

I don’t imagine following Mike Madigan into battle is a lot of fun, but at least he doesn’t publicly dump all over his foot soldiers.

Comment by Telly Thursday, Mar 23, 17 @ 12:51 pm
Serious question for Republican GA members: Is Rauner’s money REALLY worth your dignity? At what point does the trade-off become too much? Does that point exist?

Comment by Cubs in '16 Thursday, Mar 23, 17 @ 1:06 pm
@Oswego Willy:

Oy vey! Are you serious?

Does Don Harmon practice law? Maybe you missed the recent newspaper articles. Does Michael Madigan appeal property tax assessments? Does John D’Amico work for the Chicago Water Department?

Try Google someday. It is the same advice that you have given to others.

Comment by W Flag Thursday, Mar 23, 17 @ 1:14 pm
- W Flag -

===Oy vey! Are you serious===

Yep. “Most” and “Many.

===Try Google someday. It is the same advice that you have given to others.===

Reading is fundamental.

You said “Most” and Many”… ok, show your work.

Naming 2… that’s not “most” or “many”

You want the fact, I called you.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Mar 23, 17 @ 1:19 pm
“There you go GOP members, that’s what your leader thinks of you:” Heck, he campaigned on it, he said 1/3 of the Legislature was “corrupt.” That didn’t exclude Republicans.

Comment by Skeptic Thursday, Mar 23, 17 @ 1:35 pm
Simply buffoonery.

Comment by blue dog dem Thursday, Mar 23, 17 @ 1:52 pm
== “Thank you, sir. May I have another?” ==

I believe we have a slogan for the House and Senate GOP caucuses.

Comment by Tommy Thursday, Mar 23, 17 @ 2:09 pm
Rauner has such contempt for just about everybody. At some point his money won’t be worth staying loyal to the gov. In fact, association with such an unpopular gov. Will not go over well. It’s just going to take one or two bold gop’ers to start the mutiny against rauner.

Comment by il annoyed Thursday, Mar 23, 17 @ 2:55 pm
I actually named three, but counting may not be your strong suit.

You can add John Cullerton and Ira Silverstein to the list of legislators with outside law practices.

Do your own homework:

http://www.bettergov.org/news/lawmaker-conflict-illinois-stuck-in-the-middle

Comment by W Flag Thursday, Mar 23, 17 @ 4:23 pm
Raunerbot legislators have had their political hides threatened, and have been made to heel. Now your Great Leader says you’re slackers, unworthy of being paid for what you do in a timely manner, lumped right in with the Speaker’s bunch.

By now, you should have seen the ‘berating & demeaning’ part coming.

Comment by Stumpy's bunker Thursday, Mar 23, 17 @ 4:40 pm
- W Flag -

“Madigan” doesn’t “count”, that’s the given that starts the discussion.

Funny, you failed to mention any Republicans. Why was that?

===Do your own homework===

You made the claim of “most” and “many”

Yet your link doesn’t provide “most” or many”, where is the “most” and many”?

You want that fact, find it. It appears you didn’t do your homework, and I called you on it.

Hmm.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Mar 23, 17 @ 4:42 pm
@Oswego Willy:

Doh!

Dan Burke - Deputy City Clerk

Cynthia Soto - Supervisor Cook County State’s Attorney

Michael Zalewski - Attorney in private practice

BTW, my comment referenced Chicago and Cook County, so the number of Republican legislators to choose was somewhat limited.

There is no further need to feed a troll like you.

Comment by W Flag Thursday, Mar 23, 17 @ 5:03 pm
- W Flag -

Two things.

You said, “most” and “many”. Blaming me for your words? lol.

Also,

Leader Durkin?

Yeah, ok, “you know”…

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Mar 23, 17 @ 5:05 pm
Why did the govenor buy six new part time workers that he didn’t need?

Comment by Rabid Thursday, Mar 23, 17 @ 6:43 pm
- W Flag -

Quick clarification, was hoping you’d return…

Rep. Burke… is he still deputy city clerk? Or… not?

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Mar 23, 17 @ 8:09 pm