Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar

AP: Quinn’s guilt trip too little, too late

Posted in:

Illinois

* 2:23 pm - The leaders meeting started at about 2 o’clock. We’re hoping for audio from IIS sometime this afternoon.

Whilst we wait, let’s take a look at a newly moved AP story, which underscores my point earlier today that Quinn just doesn’t have enough credibility to make budget-cutting threats on his own. He needs some outside assistance, and fast…

[Gov. Quinn is] making the rounds of social service agencies to guilt lawmakers into doing what he wants. […]

But skeptics say Quinn’s guilt trip is too little, too late and it’s a tactic former Gov. Rod Blagojevich overused.

Still others argue the debate over a tax increase can’t truly get off the ground in tough economic times until officials cut waste and improve government efficiency.

The AP has apparently abandoned the “straight news” concept.

* 2:58 pm - The entire AP story is now posted and it truly is a farce. Here’s a hint: Rep. Jack Franks will never vote for a tax hike. No how, no way. So, quoting him talking about how more cuts are needed before he can vote for a tax hike means absolutely nothing….

“I have to look my constituents in the eye and say, ‘You know what, I’ve done everything possible and there’s no other way.’ Right now I can’t even come close to saying that,” said Rep. Jack Franks, a Democrat from Marengo.

* 5:18 pm - The leaders meeting ended a few minutes ago, so maybe we’ll know a little something soon.

* 5:46 pm - Audio from IIS is up.

* Leader Cross ..

“I think July 1st is a very aggressive date to get things done.”

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Jun 9, 09 @ 2:24 pm

Comments

AP says, “…until officials cut waste and improve government efficiency.”

Cut what waste and improve efficiency how?

So far no one’s actually explained how to cut and improve our way through billions and billions of dollars.

(Not to say there isn’t waste, there is, but multiple billions worth…?)

Comment by Rob_N Tuesday, Jun 9, 09 @ 2:32 pm
“The AP has apparently abandoned the ’straight news’ concept.”

You’re just figuring that out now??

Sorry, Rich. Delete that if you want or must - but I just couldn’t help myself.

Comment by grand old partisan Tuesday, Jun 9, 09 @ 2:35 pm
Unfortunately, the AP has been criicized for these antics on their part for a number of years at the national level, beginning about the time that Rupert Murdoch became a member of the AP Board of Directors (which was the journalistic equivilent of hiring Dracula to guard a blood bank).

Comment by fedup dem Tuesday, Jun 9, 09 @ 2:39 pm
==But skeptics say Quinn’s guilt trip is too little, too late and it’s a tactic former Gov. Rod Blagojevich overused.==

As long as he doesn’t start handing out million-dollar grants on spur of the moment . . .

Comment by Anon Tuesday, Jun 9, 09 @ 2:46 pm
After meeting for several hours the “leaders” emerged and had the following comments:

Cullerton:The climate is so much better now. Everyone is talking now and getting along. Do you wanna see my Barack imitation?

Cross:Before we raise taxes we need to reform state government, eliminate state pensions and medicaid, and make every Congressional and state senate district have a republican majority.

Radogno: Read my lips, no new taxes. (Unless we get that $500 million for the Lemont social athletic club.)

Quinn:If we don’t raise taxes none of you will live to see tommorrow.

Madigan: Sorry, I’m late. Did I miss anything?

Comment by Bill Tuesday, Jun 9, 09 @ 2:48 pm
Rich,

I liked your suggestion eariler to get Jim Edgar involved. I don’t know if he would want to lend his name to this windmill tilting that Quinn is engaged in but I would hope that he would attempt to assist Quinn by helping frame the issues in ways that we citizens can better understand what we face.

Comment by dupage dan Tuesday, Jun 9, 09 @ 2:49 pm
I think the AP has it wrong when they ask state government to cut waste. The charge should be to reduce the scope of, and eligibility for, many programs first. Then ask for more taxes. Reducing the size and scope of programs is not necessarily eliminating waste; just making government programs smaller. Provide the services that government can afford to fund.

Comment by One of the 35 Tuesday, Jun 9, 09 @ 2:54 pm
One, I think the entire AP story is a farce, frankly.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jun 9, 09 @ 2:55 pm
If he signs the 50% solution budget, it’s no longer a guilt trip, it’s reality. The un-Blagojevich thing to do is to sign the budget they sent him, and give ‘em doomsday and see how they like it. No special sessions; let them stew in their own juices. Every letter sent out from John Q. School Superintendent that outlines the layoffs and programmatic cutbacks that will have to be made will end with the obligatory “oh by the way, dear parent, if you don’t like any of this, call your legislator.” One way or another, we’ve got to find a way to make the average voter understand how bad the situation really is, and just talking about doomsday won’t accomplish a thing. I say give it to ‘em.

Comment by The Unlicensed Hand Surgeon Tuesday, Jun 9, 09 @ 3:02 pm
Much, not all, of the waste and inefficency in state government is due to red tape such as required by the Illinois Purchasing Code, and the fact that union contracts ensure that seniority, not competence, defines which state employees survive layoffs. These are deeply embedded institutional factors that can not be easily addressed as part of the appropriations process. Until they are, cutting waste and inefficency and cutting the budget are not necessarily the same thing. You just end up with a smaller, but still wasteful and inefficent, state government.

Comment by Sir Reel Tuesday, Jun 9, 09 @ 3:04 pm
Rich, it’s not just a farce, it’s cribbed from the blog. You should grumble about fair use.

Seriously, I’ve not understood why the social service providers didn’t perform any real grassroots organizing. Sure the social service lobbyists worked, but where was the outrage from service recipients and their families. The teachers were so organized that both sides of the aisle headed for the trees on pensions. Now that we’re ten days late and $7 billion short the effort begins. Still, this effort is by the Governor. Where are protests from service recipients?

Comment by Big West Tuesday, Jun 9, 09 @ 3:08 pm
I believe most of the pols know what needs to be done - a combination of painful actions. Therein lies the problem. A very few have the talent to explain effectively the who/what/why, but the vast majority lack the guts (or smarts) to act on what is the right thing to do. Re-election, my friends, re-election rules!!! What a group of mini-Blago’s.

Comment by You Go Boy Tuesday, Jun 9, 09 @ 3:08 pm
Rupert Murdoch became a member of the AP Board of Directors (which was the journalistic equivilent of hiring Dracula to guard a blood bank).
——————-
AP has been declining in quality for years. You might be able to blame plenty on Murdoch (trashing of Sun-Times etc.), but the AP’s fall can’t be put on him. Actually, I hate when people from the right or left set yup boogeymen, and then blame them for any of the world’s problems.

Comment by Niles Township Tuesday, Jun 9, 09 @ 3:14 pm
More Farce: Quoting Dale Righter?

Dale Righter voted AGAINST the revenues for a Capital Bill. Is he suggesting that if Quinn adopts a different tactic, he’ll change his tune?

Here’s a tactic: Close Eastern Illinois University. Located so close to U of I, its redundant in the region, and ISU offers a better teacher training program.

Let’s just shut ‘er down and auction ‘er off!

That’ll get Dale Righter’s attention.

P.S. Dale Righter may think Pat Quinn is bluffing, but I guarantee you Mike Madigan isn’t.

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Tuesday, Jun 9, 09 @ 3:15 pm
BW,

I think the providers/recipients may think a knight in shining armor will come from Washington and solve all their problems.

Seriously, it is baffling that we don’t have the typical line-up of providers and their consumers on the 6 O’Clock news with the list of the horrors that are to come. I do believe that no one thinks this doomsday budget will come to pass.

Comment by dupage dan Tuesday, Jun 9, 09 @ 3:17 pm
Leave Edgar out of this - he is not the one with the magic key, besides the perennial cry out for him to “save us, save us” is simply idiotic. Likewise, Thompson is too enamoured with himself to be much more than a showboat. For REAL results we need George Ryan let out on a temporary Work Release to negotiate the necessary concurrence among the “players” to resolve, at least in the near term, this issue. We could give him double time credit off his sentence. A win win win for all. But please, abandon your expectations for a resolution from Quinn or Edgar!

Comment by A Citizen Tuesday, Jun 9, 09 @ 3:18 pm
The AP and legislators can continue to think that Quinn is bluffing, but from the people I talk to within the administration they are assuredly not.

I hate to say it, but it is going to take some actual closings and layoffs to get the legislators attention. Go ahead and do it. Too bad it is going to take people suffering to enact needed revenue enhancements.

Comment by Waxum Tuesday, Jun 9, 09 @ 3:22 pm
The time for begging and guilt tripping was before Quinn needed 3/5th. Now this tactic is just hopeless. Any legislature a guilt trip might work on would already is in the tax increase camp.

His only plausible recourse is to cut his losses by going for a small temporary increase and making substantial painful cuts.

It is possible that he is making grandstand statements for political reasons knowing full well cuts are coming and trying to dodge the blame.

Comment by Phineas J. Whoopee Tuesday, Jun 9, 09 @ 3:22 pm
Perhaps it’s time to consider the idea that the state constitution, by so restricting the actions that can be taken, is the biggest hindrance to balancing the budget.

Comment by Rambler Tuesday, Jun 9, 09 @ 3:22 pm
YDD no one thinks that an inanimate object doing nothing is bluffing. For example, the rocks in my front yard aren’t bluffing either.

Comment by Scooby Tuesday, Jun 9, 09 @ 3:22 pm
A Citizen,

I may have sounded too starry eyed with my comment about Edgar. I thought he might be a person people could see as a clean, steady guy. I certainly didn’t think he could be a leader in the GA/Gov quagmire especially considering his unwillingness to mix it up with the GA during his own stint. I guess I am still looking for an as yet unknown “leader” who can galvanize the people/process. No one is emerging so it’s gonna be a hard slog.

Comment by dupage dan Tuesday, Jun 9, 09 @ 3:24 pm
==== The time for begging and guilt tripping was before Quinn needed 3/5th. Now this tactic is just hopeless. ===

Let us not forget, they can make the effective date for a supplemental approp and taxes far enough away that they do not need a super majority.

Comment by Ghost Tuesday, Jun 9, 09 @ 3:26 pm
===they can make the effective date for a supplemental approp and taxes far enough away that they do not need a super majority. ===

Yeah. June 1, 2010. One month of new income tax receipts. Not enough.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jun 9, 09 @ 3:29 pm
===Perhaps it’s time to consider the idea that the state constitution, by so restricting the actions that can be taken, is the biggest hindrance to balancing the budget. ===

The time for thinking that was last year. You’re too late.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jun 9, 09 @ 3:31 pm
I didnt say it was a wise plan but there has not been much of wisdom apparent in the current process.

Comment by Ghost Tuesday, Jun 9, 09 @ 3:31 pm
the issue, as Art Turner stated it, is the lack of political courage. Everyone has an eye on redistricting, when everyone will have 10-15% new faces as voters. No one wants to go into that election labeled as a big spender and tax increaser.

Hey, gang, what happened prior to June 1st is history. We have today’s reality to face, and there won’t be a community based system of services left after July 1st, the way we are going. Providers are often paid 60-70% now - drop that in half, and out go the lights.

Is increasing revenues a political issue? Absolutely! Are most non-profits organized and chartered as 501c(3)s and therefore prohibited from becoming involved in political matters? Absolutely.

Persons run for public office to manage that level of government, and make the tought choices when necessary. Grow up, everyone, and do what has to be done. Enough excuses already. Call it “the Quinn solution to the Blago created crisis” if you have to, but do the responsible thing.

Comment by Capitol View Tuesday, Jun 9, 09 @ 3:33 pm
=Rich, it’s not just a farce, it’s cribbed from the blog. You should grumble about fair use.

Seriously, I’ve not understood why the social service providers didn’t perform any real grassroots organizing. Sure the social service lobbyists worked, but where was the outrage from service recipients and their families. The teachers were so organized that both sides of the aisle headed for the trees on pensions. Now that we’re ten days late and $7 billion short the effort begins. Still, this effort is by the Governor. Where are protests from service recipients?=

Actually Big West, many groups have been organized and out there for months, and have enhanced those efforts in recent weeks. It doesn’t help when legislators choose to IGNORE the problems, or when print media chooses to IGNORE the problem because they are focused like a laser beam on ethics, rather than choosing to cover other issues.

Comment by Josh Tuesday, Jun 9, 09 @ 3:35 pm
- dupage dan -
“No one is emerging so it’s gonna be a hard slog. ”
dd, I reread my comment and perhaps I too was a bit harsh - but it is out of an immense sense of frustration and, like you, seeing no sign of any leadership of either persuasion on the horizon. Hence my Geo. Ryan reference - obvious impossibility of that idea, he did have the ability to provide more effective leadership with results than we’ve seen since he left.

Comment by A Citizen Tuesday, Jun 9, 09 @ 3:37 pm
Forget about finding a leader. What’s needed is finding somebody with credibility who can help the governor say that this problem is infinitely worse than the reporters are telling the public.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jun 9, 09 @ 3:39 pm
== the issue, as Art Turner stated it, is the lack of political courage. ==

I agree, Capitol View.

Currently, the Republicans have framed the debate as “either you’re for cutting waste, or you’re for raising taxes.”

If I were Quinn and the Democrats, I’d reframe it as:

“Either you’re for closing corporate tax loopholes, or you’re for closing down rape crisis centers.”

We’ve got $1.7 Billion in corporate tax expenditures in the budget. Set those on the negotiating table, and Republicans will RACE to Springfield to raise the personal income tax rate.

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Tuesday, Jun 9, 09 @ 3:40 pm
==The time for thinking that was last year. You’re too late. ==

Can you imagine this group trying to plan for a con-con at the same time they try and do their actual job?

Comment by Vote Quimby! Tuesday, Jun 9, 09 @ 3:41 pm
Since the Dem leaders are mostly for those loopholes as well, I doubt you’d see a race to Spfld.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jun 9, 09 @ 3:42 pm
As for the social service groups organizing it seems they did a bit of that at the Thompson Center protest last week. Several of them were there with matching shirts, also Acorn, SEIU and other groups that drive conservatives wild were in the house (or just outside of it)…

Comment by OneMan Tuesday, Jun 9, 09 @ 3:43 pm
=== What’s needed is finding somebody with credibility who can help the governor say that this problem is infinitely worse than the reporters are telling the public. ===

I think its too late for that, Rich.

Is the Chicago Tribune editorial board going to admit they were wrong?

I don’t think the public’s going to believe these cuts are real until Quinn mails out 10,000 pink slips to state employees and service providers around the state mail out 90,000 more.

Doing what Quinn did today — delaying the announcement of closings while budget negotiations continue — makes it appear as if Quinn is bluffing and this IS just a negotiating tactic.

Heck, if I were Quinn, I’d announce that given how the budget talks are going, I’m planning on signing the state budget as is over the weekend, so that service providers throughout the state can give their 90,000 employees at least two weeks notice that they’ll no longer have a job on July 1.

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Tuesday, Jun 9, 09 @ 3:47 pm
==at least two weeks notice that they’ll no longer have a job on July 1==
I’m already assuming my job is cut…

Comment by Vote Quimby! Tuesday, Jun 9, 09 @ 3:51 pm
To “A Citizen” - I take exception to your comment about Big Jim. You said: “…Thompson is too enamoured with himself…”. I say “He’s too enamoured OF himself”. You English majors tell me, am I wrong? But Citizen you are absolutely correcto about “Big Jim”…big ego, big wallet, big ethics lapses….

Comment by You Go Boy Tuesday, Jun 9, 09 @ 3:51 pm
== Since the Dem leaders are mostly for those loopholes as well, I doubt you’d see a race to Spfld. ==

There’s no question that Democratic leaders have supported those loopholes in the past, but:

1) Quinn can call a special session requesting an up-or-down vote;

1) Sunsetting them all as of Dec. 31st with the promise of holding hearings this fall on the subject of which, if any, should be reinstated would — how should I say? — play to the advantage of the majority political party.

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Tuesday, Jun 9, 09 @ 3:52 pm
- You Go Boy -
I defer to your correction - you are right . . . Big Jim isn’t really. Just puffed up bigger than life!

Comment by A Citizen Tuesday, Jun 9, 09 @ 3:59 pm
If I were a legislature, I would be sick of people telling me I don’t have courage if I don’t raise taxes on our dwindling workforce in a near depression. I would counter with, maybe I’m just not an idiot.

Guilt, insults, holier than thou attitudes and telling them to grow up will not work. They were elected to represent their districts foremost and that is what they should do. I think their are things that could work, however, I don’t see anybody doing them.

Comment by Phineas J. Whoopee Tuesday, Jun 9, 09 @ 4:07 pm
Quinn needs to make tha doomsday cuts, and very clearly brand them as the General Assembly’s cuts.

Quinn asked for a budget with about $7 billion more in revenue than the legislature gave him.

Any cuts he makes is simply implementing the budget they provided him against his wishes. He needs to say this plainly and repeatedly, while also expressing hope that they eventually have a change of heart, and approve the new revenue he fought for.

Legislators are operating under the bizzare assumption that by lump summing the money in the budget, they somehow will avoid having to answer for the resultant program cuts. This is crazy thinking — not least because it requires the average voter to understand the difference between lump-sum and line-item budgeting.

The sooner cuts begin to be implemented, the sooner the legislators, and their leaders, will face reality.

Comment by ILPundit Tuesday, Jun 9, 09 @ 4:09 pm
Would Big Jim have that sort of power with the people anymore?

I think the only guy with Illinois ties who would be able to pull it off at this point would be the President and that isn’t going to happen.

At this point I think Quinn needs to start shutting stuff down and letting people go. I think it is the only way to get folks attention, hate to say it but I can’t think of a different approach.

Comment by OneMan Tuesday, Jun 9, 09 @ 4:09 pm
One of the 35 - Tuesday, Jun 9, 09 @ 2:54 pm:

I think the AP has it wrong when they ask state government to cut waste. The charge should be to reduce the scope of, and eligibility for, many programs first. Then ask for more taxes. Reducing the size and scope of programs is not necessarily eliminating waste; just making government programs smaller. Provide the services that government can afford to fund.

Iagree wholeheartedly with this sentiment. During the past years State government has expanded eligibilty and benefits with no new revenue to finance them. Let’s roll back unaffordable programs, deal realistically with pension reform (a two tiered system and fair increases in teacher and state employee contributions to health care) and then a reasonable income tax increase. Just get it done.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jun 9, 09 @ 4:10 pm
=== Just get it done.===

If it was that easy, it would already be done. And now it’s 71 and 36.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jun 9, 09 @ 4:14 pm
While the five leaders waste the month of June, the legislative leaders do have a plan. It is to do nothing more, and force Quinn to take the 50% budget on his desk.
This plan will allow each legislator to blame Quinn for each cut that happens. The legislator will then rail against Quinn saying how terrible this cut is and deflect blame.
Quinn needs to state the date for the ivevitable special session while these June meetings go on. Otherwise, Madigan and Cullerton will make him look like a sap once again!

Comment by Tom Joad Tuesday, Jun 9, 09 @ 4:15 pm
==Actually Big West, many groups have been organized and out there for months, and have enhanced those efforts in recent weeks. It doesn’t help when legislators choose to IGNORE the problems, or when print media chooses to IGNORE the problem because they are focused like a laser beam on ethics, rather than choosing to cover other issues. ==
Here, here. Social service agencies and unions have been down in Springfield and in District Offices fighting to keep funding for social services.
Meanwhile, the media is completely enamored of things like clout in university admissions and so-called ethics reform, the passage of which was a foregone conclusion.
One reason this story has not made it as big as ethics, etc is that it’s awkward from a messaging standpoint to say “Tax me more, now!” So instead, the message has to be “Save our vital services.”
The problem with that is that no one has any idea what this state will actually look like come July 1 when these things get slashed. It is too overwhelming to wrap your mind around. The public doesn’t understand the significance of the cuts.
Social service providers don’t have the resources to launch effective statewide education campaigns on what service cuts actually mean for real people, and regardless the timing makes that out of the question. With the media refusing to accurately portray the reality of this crisis to the public, it’s easier for lawmakers to dig in their heels and vote no than it would be for them to defend negative mail pieces touting their tax and spending spree in the next cycle.

Comment by Who Else Goes Down Tuesday, Jun 9, 09 @ 4:16 pm
==Seriously, I’ve not understood why the social service providers didn’t perform any real grassroots organizing.==

They did… there were several lobby days with hundreds of people. Just because the media didn’t cover it doesn’t mean that they didn’t do anything.

== The teachers were so organized that both sides of the aisle headed for the trees on pensions. Now that we’re ten days late and $7 billion short the effort begins. ==

Again… they were there. But there is a big difference between the teachers and social service providers/clients. Teachers have two things that the social service folks don’t really have: money and power. You saw very few teachers down in Springfield, and they really had one big lobby day. But the teachers have enough power to influence the legislature. It also helps that the teachers get much more public support than social services. Everyone has had and is impacted by teachers. Not everyone has a direct connection to social services.

== Still, this effort is by the Governor. Where are protests from service recipients? ==

Again… they are protesting. They are doing what they can to get media. They can’t force a reporter to write about them. They can’t force a new channel to show up, and actually show, a protest.

== I do believe that no one thinks this doomsday budget will come to pass. ==

Wrong. The social service folks very much think that this could come to pass, and already preparing for it.

Comment by dave Tuesday, Jun 9, 09 @ 4:21 pm
This is a long meeting. Maybe something is getting done. Probably not.

Comment by Tiny Tim Tuesday, Jun 9, 09 @ 4:25 pm
=== there were several lobby days with hundreds of people. Just because the media didn’t cover it doesn’t mean that they didn’t do anything.===

Lobby days are a dime a dozen, which is why they aren’t covered. Grassroots organizing is not busing a bunch of people to Spfld for a lobby day. But SEIU Healthcare did do quite a bit of grassroots work, and I wrote about it. At least I think I did. lol

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jun 9, 09 @ 4:27 pm
==Seriously, I’ve not understood why the social service providers didn’t perform any real grassroots organizing.==

1) They thought cuts we’re inconceivable;
2) Many of them are still deluded into believing it ain’t gonna happen;
3) They lack experience;
4) They think politics is a dirty word;
5) They don’t understand the rules of the game: Play or Get Played;
6) They’ve packed their boards with too many corporations and billionaire Republicans, so they’re hamstrung in supporting an income tax increase.

I think that just about sums it up.

Comment by Insight Tuesday, Jun 9, 09 @ 4:29 pm
=== Probably not.===

Always bet on nothing. That way, you only lose once.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jun 9, 09 @ 4:29 pm
== 6) They’ve packed their boards with too many corporations and billionaire Republicans, so they’re hamstrung in supporting an income tax increase.==

This is actually one of the big problems. Many of the social service agencies and advocacy orgs were really hesitant to support tax increases early, because they couldn’t get buy-in from their boards.

Comment by dave Tuesday, Jun 9, 09 @ 4:33 pm
My parents and theirs and all of their age groups experienced the Great Depression, and it scarred them all essentially for life. The shear desperation of those totally wiped out and broke with no where to turn was devastating to all impacted both directly and indirectly. Perhaps it has become time for a reawakening of what that reality can be and how hopeless the results can make the people feel. With inaction, that IS what lies ahead - and sooner than many believe.

Comment by A Citizen Tuesday, Jun 9, 09 @ 4:37 pm
Who wants to bet that when they come out they will report it was a very good meeting, repeat their talking points, and blast before taking any tough questions?

Comment by Bill Tuesday, Jun 9, 09 @ 4:42 pm
Rich
“I think July 1st is a very aggressive date to get things done.”
And of which year was he referencing? They are behaving like clones of the Pillsbury Dough Boy. Nothing of substance should not be the order of the day, but it certainly appears so!

Comment by A Citizen Tuesday, Jun 9, 09 @ 6:03 pm
Well, I think Radogno had a point. Why were all the cuts proposed by Quinn targeted at (she says) 10% of the budget–including, I assume, most grants to social service agencies.

For someone who claims to be an advocate for the poor, that seems like a pretty cynical exercise on Quinn’s part.

Comment by Cassandra Tuesday, Jun 9, 09 @ 6:30 pm
Did Madigan not speak at press conference?

Also, Wasn’t it the house that waited to fund human and education services until there wasn’t any money left?

Comment by Cory Tuesday, Jun 9, 09 @ 6:37 pm
Sent from the governor on January 29th…

Dear State Employees,

I want to express my sincere thanks and appreciation for your exceptional work during this difficult time. The everyday workers of state government deserve a salute - because you are the true embodiment of public service.

As your governor, I pledge an open and fair state government worthy of being called the Land of Lincoln . I vow to restore your faith in government and will work tirelessly everyday to make you proud to be a citizen and employee of this great state.

In the coming days, we will face some tough choices. I am confident that by working together we will meet these challenges to emerge a much stronger and vibrant state.

I believe our state’s best days are ahead. I welcome your help and support as we work together in behalf of the people of Illinois .

Regards,

Pat Quinn
Governor

…in retrospect, this kinda makes me laugh (fecisiously), when at the time i welcomed these remarks.

Comment by KC ufo Tuesday, Jun 9, 09 @ 6:53 pm
Legislative leaders want to cut, cut, cut everything — except THEIR pork projects.

Comment by reformer Tuesday, Jun 9, 09 @ 6:59 pm
The Governor and the four legislative leaders have solidified public opinion on one issue: nobody expects them to be able to do anything.

Great job, folks!! Keep up the good work and the clown parade becomes a real train wreck.

As Casey Stengel once said: “Can’t anybody play this here game?”

Comment by DuPage Dave Tuesday, Jun 9, 09 @ 7:00 pm
Here are two facts of life: 1) Quinn hasn’t/won’t and maybe incapable due to the incompetence of his Gov Office staff be able to make the operational changes/cuts necessary to pass a 50% tax increase 2) $11 billion in cuts is beyond the pain threshold that voters will accept…..The question then becomes…When will republicans believe that supporting a tax increase is in their best interests? I am betting that the date is sometime in mid-July when state payrolls must be funded.

Comment by Louis Howe Tuesday, Jun 9, 09 @ 7:01 pm
So, Rich, WHAT did MJM have to say after the meeting??? It is way past the time when his “inscrutable” act plays well in Peoria. Or did he even attend? Supposedly he is the “key” to any progress? He is proving to be a severe detriment to a concurrence outcome - he has earned the obstructionist jacket. This train wreck will fall squarely on his doorstep - he actively obstructs while the others seem to just yawn and roll over. This state government is truely frozen and inoperative.

Comment by A Citizen Tuesday, Jun 9, 09 @ 7:35 pm
From what I’ve seen, he didn’t say much of anything.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jun 9, 09 @ 7:36 pm
MJM did not say much but he did answer a few questionsm kinda sorta in part 2

Comment by Princess Tuesday, Jun 9, 09 @ 7:42 pm
When people miss one paycheck the GA will rush back to Springfield and try to make things right. We may have a bunch of new members before long…and that would be good!

Comment by illinois Democrat Tuesday, Jun 9, 09 @ 7:43 pm
Princess - “kinda sorta in Part 2″ is rather pathetic - don’t you think? I expect - no actually I demand - more from our “public servants”. They must be put in their place, and soon. The arrogance is beyond wearing thin!

Comment by A Citizen Tuesday, Jun 9, 09 @ 7:54 pm
I don’t know , A Citizen, the audio was rather ackward in my opinion. I listened to part 1 and Cross was rattling (and rattling and rattling) away then suddenly silently poofed. Then part 2 started like in mid sentence back on Quinn. Did something get left off? Just me? Not sure.

Bout all I heard Madigan say was he was for pension and medicaid reform even if there is was no tax increase.

It was the first time I heard Quinn bring up furlough days for workers publically in a long time. If I recall right next Tuesday is some negs. with union on those.

Comment by Princess Tuesday, Jun 9, 09 @ 8:14 pm
- Princess -
Thanks for the elaboration - still, though, their actions are so disappointing. And the rhetoric is beyond insufficient. I am becoming convinced we will be experiencing a state government meltdown. No matter what any of them does now results in any mantel of good government. I’m afraid we are afflicted with a small group of very small people in positions they obviously can not fulfill. It is truly sad and depressing!

Comment by A Citizen Tuesday, Jun 9, 09 @ 8:26 pm
Media is not covering tax increase from 3% to 4.5% (a 50%increase) isn’t the same as losing 50% of the funding for human services. Billions in services lost because IL doesn’t get it’s fair share of federal money is the problem. IL always at the bottom of fed funds. We need reform and services. Not unemployment and a smaller safety net.

Comment by Scared for future Tuesday, Jun 9, 09 @ 8:49 pm
Quinn should have thought this out. Everyone knows that a whole bunch of stuff was added onto the budget the last 6 years…whether because of Citizen Blag’s megolomaia or due to Emil’s demands. Most of this crap should never have been passed, but Blag and Emil held up the state at gunpoint to get it in.

Quinn is treating all of this….ALL OF THIS… as necessary, humane expenditures. He lost total credibility when he refused to eliminate Blag’s ’seniors ride free’ program. Even though most of that expendiure was dumped on local transit agencies and not on the State, it was the perfect example of an unnecessary program that no one asked for, was done for spite, and was ripe for cutting. When Quinn refused to do it, people logically came to the conclusion that he lacked judgment, and thus they have disregarded his subsequent pleas, despite the tears running down his face.

Whatever you think of MJM, he’s a pragmatist. We should actually be glad that he’s going to get his way, considering the alternatives.

Comment by Bobs yer Tuesday, Jun 9, 09 @ 9:08 pm
Should Quinn no longer be governor for whatever reason, who is next in line of succession?

Comment by A Citizen Tuesday, Jun 9, 09 @ 9:17 pm
Pension reform. Pension reform. How about a writ of mandamus compelling the Gov and GA to make the prescribed payments as previously determined. That would be true pension reform. Instead we ingage in this reform charade. With apologies to Pastor Martin Niemoeller - First they came for the new hires and I did not speak out ……

Comment by Pete Granata Tuesday, Jun 9, 09 @ 9:22 pm
A tax increase could happen with a simple majority vote in January. Key word “calendar year.” Senate Rule 7-19
Effective Date.
(a) A bill passed after May 31 of a calendar year shall not
become effective prior to June 1 of the next calendar year
unless an earlier effective date is specified in the bill and
it is approved by a three-fifths vote of the members elected.
(b) If a majority of those elected, but fewer than
three-fifths of the members elected, vote affirmatively for a
bill on Third Reading after May 31, where the bill specifies an
effective date earlier than the following June 1, the bill
shall not be declared passed, and the principal sponsor shall
have the right to have the bill automatically reconsidered and
returned to the order of Second Reading for an amendment to
remove the earlier effective date. The amendment, if offered
and approved by the Rules Committee on Assignments, shall be
reproduced and placed on the desks of the members before the
bill is taken up again on the order of Third Reading.

Comment by One of Three Puppets Tuesday, Jun 9, 09 @ 9:24 pm
For someone who claims to be an advocate for the poor, that seems like a pretty cynical exercise on Quinn’s part.

Cassandra… the legislature fully funded everything else. In the current budget that has been passed (and now held), only GRF grant programs (most social services) have been slashed.

Quinn doesn’t much of a choice right now, unless he would veto everything. But if Cullerton holds the legislation until the last minute, a Quinn veto would mean that there is no budget on 7/1, and in turn departments couldn’t, in theory, spend any money until they had appropriation authority.

Comment by dave Tuesday, Jun 9, 09 @ 9:25 pm
Rich, you should’ve titled this, “way too much (taxes), and NEVER the right time!”lol

Seriously, have you seen ANY polling on public opinion regarding tax increases and’or reduction in spending?

My guess is that the heavy negatives against he tax increase would hamstring the Cross and Radogno when they decide to give in and agree to new taxes, so the GOP won’t commission it.

The Dems already know the public’s against it, so why waste money publicising public support against what they plan to do.

The news media are probably broke, so they can’t afford it.

Have you seen ANY poll out there on this, or are the polls taken secret and confidential?

Comment by PalosParkBob Tuesday, Jun 9, 09 @ 9:25 pm
A tax increase could happen with a simple majority vote in January.

Sure… but it would have to be twice as big to adequately address the state’s issues.

Comment by dave Tuesday, Jun 9, 09 @ 9:30 pm
Dave, just wanted to explain the process so that people understand when a 3/5th vote is required vs a simple majority.

Comment by One of Three Puppets Tuesday, Jun 9, 09 @ 9:38 pm
Dave, just wanted to explain the process so that people understand when a 3/5th vote is required vs a simple majority.

Understand… I just want to keep reminding people (not you specifically) that waiting until January isn’t necessarily the answer.

Comment by dave Tuesday, Jun 9, 09 @ 9:58 pm
I get tired of hearing the same old thing from Tom Cross. He is a horrid leader and apparently has no interest in participating in any type of governing. Not that I believe any of the other leaders have an interest either, but Tom Cross just spouts off nonsense all of the time. He comes across as sort of a “take my ball and go home” if I don’t get my way kind of a person. For the Republicans to be totally ruling out tax increases is also ludicrous. I agree more cuts could and can be made (if the leaders themselves would grow a backbone and allow the crappy programs that should be cut to be cut). But you don’t eliminate a $12 billion budget hole with cuts - that’s more than 1/3 of the GRF budget. I also find it silly when Radogno and Cross talk about not having to fix the “budget issue” all in one year. Last time I checked the state constitution had something to say about that. These people - all of the leaders - need to get off of their duffs and do something. I would hope that voters would hold them accountable but the people who vote in Illinois are idiots - they re-elected Blagojevich even knowing he was a fraud and a crook.

Comment by RJW Tuesday, Jun 9, 09 @ 11:44 pm