Latest Post | Last 10 Posts | Archives
Previous Post: Rauner says school funding deal “not fair” because of Chicago, pledges to “fix the problems” in another bill
Next Post: Caption contest!
Posted in:
* Press release…
Daniel Biss released the following statement in response to Governor Rauner’s inclusion of private school vouchers in the most recent school funding proposal.
“While I am encouraged that we are closer than ever to an agreement on public school funding, it is absurd that, in order to fund public schools, Governor Rauner and his allies are demanding a tax credit scheme that will just put more money in the pockets of millionaires and billionaires. The private school voucher program doesn’t help create a more equitable education system—it’s a false choice, and just the latest example of Rauner putting millionaires over the middle class.
“What we need is equitable school funding for all Illinois students, not more money in the pockets of people like Bruce Rauner and J.B. Pritzker.”
Not a bad political move by Biss because it forces Pritzker to make a choice between the teachers unions and supporting a funding reform bill.
*** UPDATE 1 *** From Galia Slayen at the Pritzker campaign…
JB and Daniel Biss are both in favor of funding our schools and are both against private school vouchers. It’s unfortunate that Daniel Biss is more focused on playing politics than standing up to Bruce Rauner and doing what’s right for Illinois kids.
I asked Slayen if the statement meant that Pritzker was opposed to the negotiated agreement, but haven’t heard back. I’ll let you know.
…Adding… The Pritzker people say they don’t want to comment on the bill itself until it’s finalized.
*** UPDATE 2 *** From the Chris Kennedy campaign…
Rich,
Here’s video of Chris speaking out against vouchers last week during his interview with Capitol Connection.
https://www.facebook.com/CapitolConnection/videos/698836610310607/
At the 2:05 mark, Mark Maxwell asked Chris to weigh in and Chris responds:
“If you read the state Constitution, it makes it very clear in plain language that we’re not allowed to use tax dollars to fund private education and Catholic education. Now, maybe Bruce Rauner can find a way through twists and turns to get around that provision in our state constitution, but once you start violating Constitutions, I don’t know where that game ends.”
Additionally: While it’s certainly a sign of progress that leadership has reached a school funding agreement, it’s concerning that it seems to maintain Governor Rauner’s $75 million school voucher program masked as a scholarship program. Our governor shouldn’t advocate for robbing the public education system to enrich private schools. Our governor should serve the needs of all students throughout the state. We need a leader who will overhaul the way we fund schools so that all students have access to a quality public education.
*** UPDATE 3 *** Ameya Pawar…
“Education funding should be distributed equitably to public schools across Illinois. It is dead wrong to give vouchers and tax credits to private or parochial schools. Using taxpayer money to fund private schools benefits the children of wealthy families at the expense of the rest of the state.”
* I’m hearing that the House Democratic teleconference meeting today was “brutal” on this topic. “Our caucus is going crazy over the quasi voucher [stuff],” said one House Democrat. “I don’t see a path to 71,” said another. “Longest caucus call ever,” said yet another who was on the call.
If Downstate Republicans allied with the IEA start to jump ship (especially now that the governor has given them political cover to do so by essentially saying the bill is another Chicago bailout attempt), then we’re in for some real turmoil.
The tax credit could get pulled out of the bill by the leaders or yet another side deal is cut against the governor’s wishes like what happened with the budget, or… Well, I’m not sure at this moment. Maybe Madigan can work some magic. But this is gonna be tough.
Ugh.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 1:38 pm
Sorry, comments are closed at this time.
Previous Post: Rauner says school funding deal “not fair” because of Chicago, pledges to “fix the problems” in another bill
Next Post: Caption contest!
WordPress Mobile Edition available at alexking.org.
powered by WordPress.
NO. No vouchers. No private school bailout. Takes money from public schools all across Illinois. Tax lawsuit if that happens.
Comment by Amalia Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 1:39 pm
You keep using that word, “vouchers.” I don’t think that word means what you think it means.
This isn’t a voucher bill. Period. Full stop.
Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 1:43 pm
Its called compromise folks. There are obviously details included in the final deal that both sides will not like. Pass and move on.
Comment by Passive Agressive Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 1:44 pm
We have to tease apart church from state. No vouchers, no matter how they’re renamed or disguised.
Comment by Dome Gnome Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 1:45 pm
===This isn’t a voucher bill. Period. Full stop.
And to preface this I support the deal as I understand it now, but tax credits in this form are worse than a voucher program and just bad public policy. We shouldn’t be diverting tax money for specific programs like this. Tax credits can be used in some econ development and especially housing, but using them in this fashion is bad public policy.
Now go pass the credits anyway.
Comment by ArchPundit Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 1:46 pm
The best possible news.
SB 1 was a bad bill, is a bad bill and will remain a bad bill.
Comment by winners and losers Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 1:49 pm
“Now go pass the credits anyway.”
Exactly.
Comment by George Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 1:49 pm
This is so classic Biss. Especially because he will end up voting for it.
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 1:50 pm
That structured roll call is going to be tough in the House; will need a lot more GOP votes than Rauner or Durkin will want to put on it.
Comment by RNUG Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 1:51 pm
If they can’t get votes on vouchers, get rid of them. If Rauner insists on them, let him find 71 and 36 votes in the GA. Rauner likes almost all of the bill. This shouldn’t be a hold-up.
Comment by Grandson of Man Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 1:52 pm
This may require a heavier lift by the minions than they wanted.
Comment by Norseman Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 1:52 pm
Pursuit of perfect killing off good….again.
Comment by Julian's Melange Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 1:54 pm
The far left will be against tax credit funding of private schools. The far right will be against any approach that provides substantial funding for CPS. The vast middle wants public school funding now and does not care one way or the other about $75 million for X.
Comment by PhD Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 1:55 pm
==in order to fund public schools, Governor Rauner and his allies are demanding a tax credit scheme that will just put more money in the pockets of millionaires and billionaires.==
He’s not wrong. If Rauner and GA republicans want to demand something in return for funding schools, why not hold out for tax credits for parents that pay both private school tuition and property taxes? Demanding legislation that solely benefits donors instead of parents just reinforces the narrative that republicans are only interested in looking out for the wealthy. This isn’t fighting for school choice, it’s fighting for tax write-offs for those who don’t really need it.
Comment by Lester Holt's Mustache Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 1:56 pm
This can’t be right. Deep thinkers at tronc tell us that Madigan is a dictator who commands all Democratic votes.
What RNUG said. Except now we don’t know if Rauner is on board. He sure gave cover for GOP votes to walk.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 1:56 pm
Compromise needed. Make it a deduction not a credit (worth far less to the wealthy), put income limitations on the scholarships. Done!
Comment by Jibba Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 1:57 pm
This bill becoming law solves a big political problem for Rauner. It would be a real mistake for the Dems in the legislature to pass it until Rauner publicly says he supports it and thinks it’s a very good bill. Perhaps even insist on a joint press conference with the four leaders.
Otherwise, he gets his political problem solved and runs around the state for the next 14 months trashing it as a Chicago bailout that he didn’t support. He can’t be allowed to have his cake and eat it, too.
Comment by Moe Berg Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 2:00 pm
Sorry, this time no exclamation marks. Compromise needed. Make into tax deduction because it benefits the donor less than credit. Put income limitations on scholarships.
Comment by Jibba Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 2:00 pm
==This isn’t a voucher bill. ==
It’s the camel’s nose under the tent.
Comment by TinyDancer(FKASue) Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 2:00 pm
Rich you should append the “not a voucher” piece you wrote a few days ago. A lot of media and lawmakers seem intent on using the word incorrectly.
Comment by Headdesk Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 2:02 pm
It’s going to be a lot harder to make a deal like this when Rauner is openly coming after the rest of the bill before the ink is dry. Good luck getting those House R’s on the bill! I think you’re going to need them.
Comment by Century Club Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 2:02 pm
The legislature isnt just Democrats and Republicans. The legislature is regionally diverse, ideologically diverse, and racially diverse. I want what you are smoking If you think the legislature can pass a school funding reform formula without something you consider to be “bad policy”.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 2:02 pm
Ugh. A $75 million statewide tax credit versus about $500 million in education/teacher pension funding for CTU coupled with the ability for Chicago to raise its property taxes for even more educational funding. Sounds like a good deal to me. Compromise is the name of the game.
Comment by Lamont Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 2:06 pm
Remove the $75 million for “vouchers” in exchange for a $75 million reduction in CPS funding.
Comment by City Zen Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 2:06 pm
I wish my fellow Democrats grousing about the lack of funding and the bad precedent/policy over a $75m/year tax credit had taken the same attitude towards the $1.6+billion pension can kick they passed a month ago.
Comment by LakeviewJ Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 2:10 pm
It’s time for parents across Illinois to start lining up child care.
Comment by Flynn's mom Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 2:12 pm
So that 90% thing was just a temporary talking point, then?
Comment by Responsa Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 2:15 pm
== It would be a real mistake for the Dems in the legislature to pass it ==
The D’s by themselves don’t have 3/5’s of the votes (71) even if every D was green … and they all won’t be. As I said above, there will have to he a substantial number of GOP votes on it … and Rauner and Durkin are going to have to do the arm twisting to get those GOP votes.
And if Rauner is already trashing the bill, that just makes the job of getting GOP House votes even harder. Have to hope he is serious about letting this bill go through and fixing it with a follow-up he doesn’t have the votes for … or the State is going to end up with no school funding.
Comment by RNUG Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 2:19 pm
==Remove the $75 million for “vouchers” in exchange for a $75 million reduction in CPS funding.==
Agreed. If the Governor was at all capable, a reduction in funding of CPS based on removing some percentage of the CPS block grant from the hold harmless provision would have be the entire AV. It could have been $50 million, $75 million, or even a $100 million and it would have received the votes.
Comment by PragmaticR Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 2:25 pm
Biss’s statement is spot on.
And how every Dem should talk about this bill even if they vote for it.
Make Republicans wear the jacket for the pointless wealthy tax break at the same time they lecture about no balanced budget.
Comment by hisgirlfriday Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 2:37 pm
Wealthy tax payers donate $100 million to qualifying scholarship funds.
The state gives these tax payers $75 million tax credit.
The federal government treats $100 million as charitable giving which can be deducted.
The saving is at the average marginal tax rate for this group of 35%
The tax payers collectively pay $35 million dollars less in federal taxes.
So, the wealthy tax payers donate $100 million and get back $75 million plus $35 million.
They actually make $10 million by donating.
Comment by PhD Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 2:44 pm
==or the State is going to end up with no school funding==
I often agree with RNUG, but Illinois will get funding for schools through a new approp bill.
Otherwise some schools would close sometime this school year, and no politician could long survive that.
Comment by winners and losers Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 2:48 pm
I am with CTU, NO VOUCHERS. Better yet, amend the bill and outlaw home schooling, charters, and private schools. Only the government and pass the trash certified school administrators are capable of educating children. If you don’t believe that DCFS should take your kids.
Comment by So to summarize... Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 2:50 pm
Looks like Rep. Skillicorn is off the bill.
https://twitter.com/allenskillicorn/status/901161254538149888
Via Twitter accuses Durkin of “total capitulation.”
Comment by Thomas Paine Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 2:50 pm
=They actually make $10 million by donating.=
Sounds like a good way to get people to donate. Gee, maybe that’s the idea for structuring it this way…
Comment by toaob Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 2:52 pm
If I’m a Dem, why note vote for this just to make Rauner veto it?
Comment by Precinct Captain Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 2:54 pm
=Sounds like a good way to get people to donate.=
Is it really a donation if donors receive more money than they contribute? Sounds more like a tax loophole for wealthy people.
Comment by PhD Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 2:57 pm
The so called tax credit deal is identical to what was done in GA where after litigation if was upheld as being constitutional notwithstanding the Church/ State argument
Comment by Sue Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 3:07 pm
vouchers, tax credits, any assistance to private schools. No. takes away money from public schools. state not church.
Comment by Amalia Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 3:14 pm
Is there anyone with influence who can suggest to the Pritzker comms people that they really do not benefit by responding to and insinuating themselves into everything said by another politician or political opponent?
Comment by Responsa Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 3:20 pm
It seems as though the “take the win” post wasn’t read on the teleconference call. Just when you think there is progress…
Comment by ste_with_av_en Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 3:23 pm
- Responsa -
Reading is fundamental…
Biss…
===“What we need is equitable school funding for all Illinois students, not more money in the pockets of people like Bruce Rauner and J.B. Pritzker.”===
Ms. Slayen…
===JB and Daniel Biss are both in favor of funding our schools and are both against private school vouchers. It’s unfortunate that Daniel Biss is more focused on playing politics than standing up to Bruce Rauner and doing what’s right for Illinois kids.===
Keep up.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 3:24 pm
RNUG: with respect, as I am very glad you are one of the regular posters here. I’m well aware, as probably are most people on this board, perhaps save for the governor and his staff, that the Dems cannot alone pass the bill. My point was that it would be a mistake for the Dem leadership to put votes on the bill and allow it to pass without demanding the governor’s endorsement of it.
I agree it is a crisis situation and utterly unacceptable to allow any schools to close. However, it’s time for the governor to shed his Carhartt and cowboy hat, or whatever the costume happens to be today, and don his big boy pants. He needs to be forced to accept the responsibility of his office, which does from time to time require selfless action for the greater good.
Political malpractice for the Dems to save him from himself and have their thanks be handing him the cudgel to beat them for the next 14 months. He has to own it, too. Eat those veggies, Brucie, before you can have dessert. He’s 60; well past time to stop behaving like a spoiled brat.
Comment by Moe Berg Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 3:24 pm
Also, - Responsa -
With respect,
===The Pritzker people say they don’t want to comment on the bill itself until it’s finalized.===
They wanted to wait. They couldn’t. Biss “called” them out
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 3:26 pm
=== It’s unfortunate that Daniel Biss is more focused on playing politics than standing up to Bruce Rauner and doing what’s right for Illinois kids.===
It would appear that Biss did stand up to both Rauner & Pritzker.
Comment by wndycty Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 3:26 pm
==The so called tax credit deal is identical to what was done in GA==
I agree. Same basic structure with similar outcome. Revenue is indirectly transferred from the state government and the federal government to fund scholarships for poor children to attend private schools. In the process the wealthy ‘donors’ collectively receive millions of dollars to implement the transfer.
Comment by PhD Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 3:27 pm
No public money for religious schools unless they forfeit their tax, ADA, and unemployment compensation exemptions.
Comment by IllinoisBoi Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 3:27 pm
==keep up==
Yeah. You’re right. Reading is fundamental. Biss dissed Pritzker in a place that stings. What did Pritzker gain from that return dump on Biss other than bringing even more attention to it? Especially when they then said they wouldn’t comment on the bill itself until it was finalized.
Comment by Responsa Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 3:33 pm
PhD -
True, except for the “poor children” part. In Wisconsin, 75% of scholarship applicants *were already in private school*. In Indiana, 50% of recipients had never attended a public school in their lives.
Not only do the wealthy get an unnecessary boondoggle, the money goes to subsidize the private education of kids who can already afford it.
Unless there’s hard income caps on who can receive, and we haven’t heard about that, it’s a joke.
Comment by PJ Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 3:35 pm
===What did Pritzker gain from that return dump on Biss other than bringing even more attention to it?===
1) It showed Biss’ Crew is ill-informed.
2) it clarified Pritzker’s position.
Why allow Pritzker the chance to do both?
The Biss statement really worked for Biss’ message in the overall and to the Bill, the last paragraph was a bridge too far and they got called on it.
Editing, editing, editing.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 3:38 pm
I don’t understand why the House Democrats just can’t take a win.
Comment by Sgt. Slaughter Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 3:39 pm
#NailedIt
https://capitolfax.com/2017/08/25/it-aint-over-til-its-over/#comment-12813839
Comment by Thomas Paine Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 3:39 pm
PhD’s calculations prompt thought
Comment by x ace Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 3:49 pm
==Unless there’s hard income caps on who can receive, and we haven’t heard about that, it’s a joke.==
Okay, it could be even worse than I thought.
Comment by PhD Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 3:51 pm
OW, I think this is nothing but good for Biss. He has to eclipse Kennedy as the alternative to Pritzker and he has to have a fired up progressive base. By engaging Pritzker, he helps do both. I’m sure he knew Pritzker couldn’t come out against the bill.
Comment by Century Club Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 3:52 pm
While enjoy watching the public school people loose their skin over this topic as much as the next guy, Call the question…let’s see where we stand.
Comment by Bobby Hill Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 3:54 pm
===He has to eclipse Kennedy as the alternative to Pritzker and he has to have a fired up progressive base. By engaging Pritzker, he helps do both.===
I hear ya. The intra-party politics to that make sense. I even get where Rich points out the good politics too.
As a response goes, it did allow Pritzker to pick a lane and still not respond until the bill is written and voted.
I really liked everything Biss’ said, for his campaign and the politics. That last paragraph coulda been better, or more pointedly subtle.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 3:58 pm
Silly me, I think I will wait and read the thing before reacting to it.
Comment by Ron Burgundy Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 4:03 pm
Could be wrong, but there doesn’t seem to be much talk in the parishes, coffee shops, etc. downstate about this bill, for or against. Does that give downstate reps room to bail on the tax credits in the face of IEA/IFT opposition or do they just let them go?
Comment by Arthur Andersen Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 4:16 pm
- Arthur Andersen -
Agreed. There’s no “talk in the parishes” because there’s little in the scholarship program to help families who are already sending their kids to Catholic schools. The proposal is mostly designed to give wealthy folks and companies a tax break. The folks in the parishes don’t have the disposable income to make the donations necessary to claim the tax breaks.
Comment by BC Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 4:24 pm
==Could be wrong, but there doesn’t seem to be much talk in the parishes, coffee shops, etc. downstate about this bill, for or against.==
Perhaps it’s simply because I’m in Manar country, but I see a lot of agitation about SB1 in general. Perhaps not so much the quasi-vouchers, but they only became “real” last night.
Comment by Arsenal Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 4:37 pm
= Maybe Madigan can work some magic. =
This is our only hope for a school funding bill that does not give away money to private schools.
Comment by Enviro Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 4:37 pm
I get that it is Biss’s only move, but how does Daniel honestly think this story ends?
He led pension theft efforts.
He touted his support for the Rauner/Stand for Children law.
He credentialed himself with his connection to the charter school movement.
Impossible to imagine he gets CTU endorsement over Pawar.
Comment by Juvenal Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 4:44 pm
Juvenal, I don’t know whether Biss thinks he has a shot at the CTU endorsement, but none of the Dem candidates have any real pro-teacher bona fides, and he’s the only one out there saying stop the deal because of the vouchers. He’s going to reap benefits whether it lands him the endorsement or not. And Pawar is going to have to prove he’s viable before he gets an endorsement like CTU.
Comment by Century Club Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 5:10 pm
I wash a tax accountant would weigh in. As I see it a tax credit reduces the amount of state tax. For someone who itemized, a $100 charitable contribution is offset by the $100 reduction in State tax. I don’t see how the donor gets a net benefit on Federal taxes.
Comment by Last Bull Moose Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 5:41 pm