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* A meme emerged yesterday….

Gov. Pat Quinn, after weeks of warning about severe service cuts if there’s no tax hike, toned down his rhetoric Wednesday.

“I’m not going to be cutting the heart and soul out of Illinois human services. I never support that and never will. So we will not allow that to take place,” said Quinn, a day after he told 5,000 protesters at the Capitol that they could lose their jobs if no tax hike is approved.

And…

Meanwhile, Gov. Pat Quinn waffled on whether he will proceed with severe cuts to human service programs if lawmakers don’t approve an income tax hike before the start of the state’s new budget year July 1. […]

After meeting with the four legislative caucuses over the last two days, Quinn sent a series of mixed messages on his budget plans. He reiterated that he does not support a budget that includes huge spending shortfalls for social service programs, but he would not say whether he would make the spending cuts he’s threatened if lawmakers don’t approve a tax hike.

And…

After spending the past three weeks saying he would cut programs serving Illinois’ neediest citizens on July 1, Gov. Pat Quinn appeared to blink Wednesday.

Etc., etc.

* What’s going on? Well, Quinn is under enormous pressure to put off the doomsday cuts. The push-back from the social service groups has been absolutely fierce, and the media heat has been beyond intense. He’s finding out that even though he didn’t support the budget passed by the General Assembly, he’s the one taking the blame. All governors hate wearing the jacket, but that’s the way it works when you’re on top. And now the fiscal year deadline is approaching and he’s staring off into the abyss wondering what to do.

* And rather than help reach a satisfactory conclusion, the pension note plan appears to be taking the pressure off, particularly in the House…

A solution could come in the form of a House plan anchored by borrowing $2.2 billion to fund the state’s 2010 pension obligations. State Rep. Jack Franks, D-Marengo, said the plan would fund the budget to almost 93 percent of what Quinn wanted.

The governor’s office vehemently disagrees with that 93 percent number, by the way. But House Democrats see the pension note plan and other maneuvers as a get out of jail free card…

State Rep. Brandon Phelps, D-Harrisburg, said the plan, expected to generate about $2.2 billion, could help avoid the massive cuts Quinn has threatened.

“I don’t know if we need a tax increase right now,” said Phelps, who was among those voting against an income tax hike May 31.

That cash will take some pressure off the cuts, particularly the social service grants, and that, in turn, will lessen the urgency for a tax hike. They’ll still be billions in the hole - anywhere from $3.7 billion to about $6 billion, depending on whom you believe…

“If we get $2 billion to help close the deficit, that’s a good thing,” Quinn said after finishing a series of meetings with all four legislative caucuses. “We’re making progress, but we still have $7 billion to go.”

It’s less than $7 billion and Quinn knows it (subscribe to find out why). But it’s higher than some want to think.

* Quinn will be forced to make some very tough decisions about what he does next. He may agree to Republican demands for a month-to-month budget, or he could be pushed by the House Dems into backing off doing anything else. Or he could go other directions. I don’t think he really knows yet.

And if he doesn’t follow through and instead moves on to the next doomsday threats, nobody will take him seriously…

Governor Quinn says no matter the budget outcome.. there will be shared sacrifice. He talked about state employee layoffs, and asking government workers to take up to 12 furlough days in the coming year.

His indecisiveness will spawn a whole lot more biting commentary like this…

If Quinn were serious, he should have locked the Legislative leaders in a room and said they weren’t coming out until they had solved the problem.

Maybe the problem was never that serious.

Maybe it was all a political game.

Maybe things really are that bad and our lawmakers just don’t give a damn.

It doesn’t matter.

Every time I think the politicians of Illinois have reached a new low, they find a way to dig a little deeper.

Instead of going to work, they’ve gone home, leaving millions of poor, scared, helpless people behind.

And mocking like this…

Legislators met for two days this week to consider technical issues related to a public works program and to address the budget.

They didn’t complete either chore. The Senate did, however, pass a resolution reaffirming Illinois’ sister-state relationship with Taiwan.

* And, then, of course, there’s the ongoing fight over the capital bill…

Quinn said he will not sign the construction program without an operating budget in place. Democratic Sens. Martin Sandoval of Chicago and John Sullivan of Rushville said the capital plan and the operating budget have nothing to do with one another. In a Statehouse news conference, they joined organized labor groups to say Quinn has fallen through on his promise to immediately put people to work. “People are falling off the edge, losing their homes, having a very difficult time making ends meet, and he’s decided to hold the jobs bill as a political football until he gets his tax hike,” Sandoval said, citing the state’s 10.1 percent unemployment rate.

Testiness.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jun 25, 09 @ 4:53 am

Comments

As a human service contractor to the State, I’m tired of being used for political expedience. My staff and the people we serve are exhausted and terrified, some without services, others being turned out of their housing — and now surprise! It’s just been a big joke?

How dare you.

Comment by SouthernGirl Thursday, Jun 25, 09 @ 7:01 am
When my friends who don’t follow state government ask me my opinion of Quinn, my standard answer is that I think he is a poor leader, administrator, and politician, but at least he is honest. After watching his actions since he became governor, I think I may have to drop the honest part. That’s very disappointing. Are there any worthy politicians in this state? I can’t see myself voting for any incumbents at this point.

From a political standpoint, if Quinn doesn’t start making the threatened cuts when July 1st rolls around without a budget, he can pretty much forget about a tax increase. He will never convince the taxpayers to support them in a few months after failing to follow through on his threats this time. Of course, that presumes the legislators actually care what the people think.

Comment by Pelon Thursday, Jun 25, 09 @ 7:02 am
I like my “Ball of Confusion” choice better this morning.

Quinn has been having quite a spirited debate with himself lately. I can’t tell who’s winning, but Quinn seems to be losing.

Next he’ll buckle on the capital plan bill.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Jun 25, 09 @ 7:04 am
Quinn needs to pick a route, any route, and stick with it, This almost daily waffling is pathetic, Some leadership.

Comment by Hank Thursday, Jun 25, 09 @ 7:07 am
Quinn’s performance has been brutal so far. It all seems is if he’s been running around cluelessly screaming tax hikes and doomsday.

Comment by Waco Kid Thursday, Jun 25, 09 @ 7:24 am
HE needs to sign a capital spending bill before the construction season is all but over and our infrastructure falls further into decay. This will put people to work and reduce the ridiculous unemployment number in Illinois. I might be to late for many firms but some may be saved by this.

Comment by The CARDINAL Thursday, Jun 25, 09 @ 7:37 am
Quinn needs to take an unannounced trip to Argentina to relieve the stress and tension of dealing with the GA and to get his head together and decide what he wants to do. Right now he is probably wishing Rod was still governor. I know I am.

Comment by Bill Thursday, Jun 25, 09 @ 7:44 am
Quinn needs to take an unannounced trip to Argentina to relieve the stress and tension of dealing with the GA and to get his head together and decide what he wants to do.

While telling his staff he is hiking the I&M Canal Trail;-)

Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Thursday, Jun 25, 09 @ 7:48 am
The House Dems idea to spend at 92% of the FY09 budget does not mean (hopefully I am wrong) at 92% of appropriated lines….I am betting this includes raising human service funding from the “50%” to “70%.” Well if that is the case, for all of the legislators that think this gets them off the hook, they aren’t going to be happy. Social service providers will not relent and will continue hammering their district offices at every opportunity. The GA will get no cover if something like this goes through.

Comment by Josh Thursday, Jun 25, 09 @ 7:49 am
When will these guys ever stop digging the hole deeper? The state can’t continue to fund the pension contributions with IOUs. Quinn’s leadership has been a disappointment, and ironically, his devotion to human services providers is making the situation worse.

Comment by Louis Howe Thursday, Jun 25, 09 @ 7:52 am
== Social service providers will not relent and will continue hammering their district offices at every opportunity.==
It might be a little more effective if some of those doing the hammering actually lived in the district they were hammering in. Maybe they could try going into some more residential neighborhoods and scaring some more little kids. That will drum up support for their issues.

Comment by Bill Thursday, Jun 25, 09 @ 7:56 am
It sounds to me as if the social service providers and their clients are off the hook. From listening to the guv yesterday, it seems clear that he is not going to cut their allotments more than a token amount, if that. And the Repubs aren’t going to oppose him on that issue. Now, the providers need to keep quiet, instead of insisting on an income tax increase….why? And let’s face it, a lot of them need to direct their energies towards improving the the quality of their services instead of trying to hit up taxpayers for more, more, more.
They are starting to look as greedy as the pols.
And, by the way, maybe we could get a look at some of the salaries we are helping to pay for in the upper echelons of many (no, not all) of these nonprofits. Might surprise ya.

I would like to see our Pat direct at least a teensy bit of energy towards figuring out how to
reduce significantly his proposed tak hike on individuals….not just on corporations. No one idea will save billions, but a collection of 10-20 good ideas could save that amount. Flattening some of those multi-tiered and duplicative administrative hierarchies in state agencies like DHS and DCFS. Upfront witholding on independent contractors. Doing something about the billions in unpaid debt owed to the state. Moving people out of expensive office space and consolidating staff in fewer locations, even if the landlord is a big Dem contributor. This is the 21at century. Offices are becoming obsolete. In the same vein, cut or eliminate state employee travel. Use Skype. He should put his squads of budgeteers on this task, while they sit around waiting for the next budget to be finalized.

So far, the winners seem to be employee unions, who haven’t agreed to cut anything. Will they get out of this with 0 concessions. They probably have a good chance with the Pat who couldn’t even fire a few Blago hacks, like more than 4 or 5. On the other hand, marching in the streets probably isn’t an option. There is just not that much public support for folks who are getting two raises and a COLA between now and January.

Comment by Cassandra Thursday, Jun 25, 09 @ 8:26 am
Hey, let’s kick the pension problem down the road a bit and we can all go home. Is that their solution? Borrowing more money does not a revenue stream make. Quinn appears so out of his league it isn’t even quaint anymore. The “Peter Principle” in action. Is anyone keeping score on how many times he waffles?

Oh, lord - there isn’t a kitty large enough or cute enough to distract from this horrific mess.

Comment by dupage dan Thursday, Jun 25, 09 @ 8:31 am
A 70% budget is no solution for human service agencies. The House Dems heard “you’ve got an out” and fled the building. Most programs will never see 70% of their funding - it won’t be 70% across the board. And even if they got that much, it’s a large enough cut to seriously damage the safety net and kill already struggling agencies. Thanks but no thanks.

Comment by Jojo Thursday, Jun 25, 09 @ 9:00 am
If I were the governor, I would send the sheriff after those lawmakers, drag them back to Springfield and lock them in the statehouse until they come up with a budget that is good for the people of Illinois. They are completely ridiculous, unethical, egotistical and sleazy.

Comment by Ridiculous Thursday, Jun 25, 09 @ 9:08 am
Cassandra, They are moving staff from leased buildings into state owned buildings. Travel has been cut (or so we are told). It is none of our business what the salary is of an administrator for the Non for profit just as it is for us to know yours. The things you speak of are a drop in the bucket in savings.
While it looks good to the taxpayer, Furlough days and concessions by unions are basically used up by the Hogs (Elected officials, Legislators) flying around on the State Planes, or coming in getting perdiem at a cost of 20K per day.

It is time for leaders to stand up and lead, unfortunately we have a bunch of guys that don’t want to lead in fear that they will lose the next election. The Citizens of Illinois will be the ones to suffer, Not them.

Comment by He Makes Ryan Look Like a Saint Thursday, Jun 25, 09 @ 9:24 am
“It sounds to me as if the social service providers and their clients are off the hook. ”

Simply not true, the reduction in services, layoffs of state workers and even more layoffs of Private Agency workers would be very severe.

If you want to diminish the quality of work we provide continue with the cuts because it will still overload the system.

Comment by 815Sox Thursday, Jun 25, 09 @ 9:27 am
If we don’t address the structural issues now, are we going to see protests like yesterday’s on an annual basis?

Sort of how we have come to expect the CTA’s annual doomsday cry?

Comment by Leroy Thursday, Jun 25, 09 @ 9:28 am
I believe the Democratic party has once again shown the inability to lead and make tough decisions. I can’t completely fault the GOP because not making the deadline is the only way their votes count. But if I could be governor for a time I would most certainly go through with the proposed cuts so the GA can feel all the heat they so richly deserve and make a point of using that bully pulpit to let everyone know that I am still in Springfield…and you can not seperate capital spending from the budget…you have to use all the leverage you have to make these legislators accountable because God knows they won’t police themselves.

Comment by Double Thursday, Jun 25, 09 @ 9:32 am
Living on IOUs (or more accurately WOUs — “we owe us”) forever.

Comment by vole Thursday, Jun 25, 09 @ 9:45 am
===But if I could be governor for a time I would most certainly go through with the proposed cuts so the GA can feel all the heat they so richly deserve===

And if you were the guv you’d get the blame.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Jun 25, 09 @ 9:47 am
=And let’s face it, a lot of them need to direct their energies towards improving the the quality of their services instead of trying to hit up taxpayers for more, more, more.=

Cassandra,

Please enlighten us re the improvements that you think these social service providers should engage in - do you think that will resolve the budget gaps?

Comment by dupage dan Thursday, Jun 25, 09 @ 9:48 am
PQ thus far seems to have the political effectiveness of Blago, without the obvious lying, cheating, conniving, egomaniacal bluster.
Thus far, I say.

Comment by You Go Boy Thursday, Jun 25, 09 @ 9:55 am
Saint–

Actually, I think salary information for nonprofits is available. But my point is, in a supposed atmosphere of shared sacrifice, it looks as though the non profits are going to come out making minimal sacrifice. That’s fine, but why do they keep insisting on a middle class tax hike in the middle of a recession. Their approach seems to be, we’re getting our money anyway, now you taxpayers need to take it on the chin. Well, no.

Comment by Cassandra Thursday, Jun 25, 09 @ 9:59 am
Quinn knows that what he wants to spend is $7 billion more than what the legislature has authorized so far.

Quinn does not know for sure what revenues will be (no one does).

One of the problems is that revenues have been over-estimated for several years. Part of this has been unintentional due to the tightening of the economy.

It seems prudent to plan on a lower revenue number for FY10, which Quinn is doing.

Comment by Balance Thursday, Jun 25, 09 @ 10:08 am
Cassandra - What do you mean that union employees will get out of this without any scarifice???? You just talk to some of the people who were laid off last year and see if they agree with you! No scarifices???? Why do you think there has been no tax increase in this state since the 1970s? Because the idiots in the legislature keep stealing the money from the public employees pension funds: which, by the way, employees pay a percentage of their salaries into and the state is supposed to match. You are quite correct that I do NOT want to lose 12 days of pay, pay more in income tax, AND lose my pension funds! Oh yeah - tell me more about sacrifice. Its time for the taxpayers to sacrifice, too, not just the employees!!!!

Comment by lincolnlover Thursday, Jun 25, 09 @ 10:13 am
Cassandra –

Have you ever worked at or visited a non-profit? Workers there make sacrifices in terms of salary and workload daily.

Additionally, I think the concerns most people, including non-profit employees, have about the budget cuts have very little to do with their own jobs (which, if eliminated, will do more to hurt the economy than the tax increase) and more to do with the fact that we’re balancing the budget on the backs of the most vulnerable members of society.

Comment by MAC Thursday, Jun 25, 09 @ 10:15 am
Good lord, Cassandra. Catch up.

===
Moving people out of expensive office space and consolidating staff in fewer locations, even if the landlord is a big Dem contributor. This is the 21at century. Offices are becoming obsolete. In the same vein, cut or eliminate state employee travel. Use Skype.
====

All these things are being done — have *been* done — to many agencies in (particularly) expensive Chicago. Skype is being used — often — for instant audio and video communication between agencies and agency folks. Skype, WebEx, Connect — you name it — all of these things are actively, actively encouraged. Believe me, the people left in state government are pretty smart and savvy. They’ve gotten it long before you (or other folks) have realized it was even there to be gotten in the first place.

The issue that you’re missing — especially when it comes to moving agencies from place to place — is that the move itself costs a fortune. Even the smallest agencies have a good bit of internal IT gear — networking, systems, workstations, etc. etc. — that have to be moved either to the new location or to another state owned location. What sometimes happens is that the agency staff — especially IT staff — is so thin that consultants have to be brought in to help with certain aspects of the move. Even CMS doesn’t have the time — or peoplepower — to assist. (That’s the result of cutting so many state employees — you end up paying more for very specific, focused help that could — and should — be done by the state.) I’m not saying the consultants are brought in often, but sometimes they’re necessary — and it ain’t cheap.

So the emphasis on agencies “moving” is really, sorely misplaced. There’s no real savings here — only the illusion of savings — and the illusion of “doing something, darnit!”

*shrug*

Comment by Macbeth Thursday, Jun 25, 09 @ 10:24 am
Cassandra, how about taking a few hours next week and volunteering at one of those social service agencies?

You’re such a cloistered reactionary. Time for some actual life experiences, don’t you think?

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Jun 25, 09 @ 10:27 am
Bill, are you telling Governor Quinn to “take a hike?” -:)

That Kadner column was absolutely brutal. I have a hard time disagreeing with him. So I decided I can’t. My kudos to him.

Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Thursday, Jun 25, 09 @ 10:30 am
Ya know, Cassandra, I can’t begin to tell you the sacrifices my mother made as a social service employee over the many years out of her own time and pocket.

Phone calls in the middle of the night where she had to talk the client down from whatever was ‘haunting’ them at 3 am. The dinners taken out of our own oven cause her client was sick and she was damned if the clients kids was gonna go the evening without a meal in their tummy–it was suddenly carry out pizza night at our house. The times my closet was raided cause client so-n-so needed this or that a whole lot worse than I might. And on and on it went.

If we grumbled, then the grandkids grumbled and now the great grandkids grumbled we were whisked down by her to see and/or help and volunteer and shown just how lucky we had it over the many others for whatever reasons could not help themselves.

Comment by Princess Thursday, Jun 25, 09 @ 10:39 am
==shown just how lucky we had it over the many others for whatever reasons could not help themselves.==

This would be great therapy for the “Party of NO” who continually chant cut, cut, cut,…and then go home to their luxurious lifestyles without a thought of the less fortunate who will suffer as a result of those cuts. Are you listening Sen. Murphy? Don’t forget that poor people vote too!

Comment by Bill Thursday, Jun 25, 09 @ 10:56 am
Rich You are so right these are painful cuts I want to tear into my state senator -consevadem John Sullivan -dismal like the rest He wants a capitol bill full of crap like WIUs performing arts center WHat a waste Who will use it if teh kids have no scholerships? We are in a crisis here and nationally because the dems igore their liberal base and pay attention to conservadems Obama and Madigan seem obsessed with pleasing them as well as people who will NEVER vote for dems. Hellp dems Sean Hannity will never like you .
Realignment must be completed the GOP Mderates are gone like me we accept we are dems We are sick of the conservatives go join the rethugs so WE CAN GOVERN

Comment by western illinois Thursday, Jun 25, 09 @ 11:01 am
If anyone actually read what I wrote, you would see that I am not objecting to the social service agencies getting their money, or nearly all of it. I’m objecting to their continued demands for a higher income tax on the middle class despite having met the objective of their protest campaign. Perhaps they think the governor will renege but I really don’t think so based on his statements yesterday and I don’t think the Repubs will either.

As to volunteering…I believe the numerous nonprofits to whom my husband I and donate substantial sums each year (after carefully reviewing their annual reports, of course) would rather have my considerable donations than a few hours of my time. Believe me, I can attest to the fact that some are much better run than others.

My friends in state government continue to travel regularly and when I asked recently about layoffs, they laughed.

Comment by Cassandra Thursday, Jun 25, 09 @ 11:01 am
I feel bad for Gov. Quinn. But, I really feel bad for Gov. Patterson, apart from the NY GA being in shambles, on the senate side.

His party has totally abandoned him. Not only does he not have a mandate, he has no Party. And, he has to live and try to be governor for the next year. he is a terrible position.

I think some democrat legislators in Illinois have lost confidence in Quinn’s ability to lead, as per their recent statements. but, unlike New York, they’re not ready to totally abandon him.

I wish govs quinn and paterson well because obviously its not easy being them right now. i hope gov. quinn can appreciate why blago acted the way he did at times. i’m not saying that blago was a saint because he wasn’t, but until your in his shoes you really don’t know how tough he had it too.

Comment by Will County Woman Thursday, Jun 25, 09 @ 11:14 am
Cassandra:

Your friends in state government “laughed” when you asked about layoffs?

Given this economy, this climate, I find it hard to believe anyone really “laughing” or having a giggle over layoffs.

This isnt just Illinois, and it isnt just government, its both the private and public sectors, its non-profits, its states across the nation, its the financial sector and the industrial sector.

I am not saying that your friends didnt have a big ol’ hoot at the spectre of layoffs, but wow, at a time when the national unemployment numbers are nearing 25 year highs and the State is having an obvious budget crunch, I do not think that your friends typify the average person’s reaction to the possibility of layoffs… at least in my dealings with people from all backgrounds and levels of experience, from new college grads on their first job hunt, to contractors, to state employees, to 25 year corporate guys suddenly downsized… hasnt been *quite* the level of mirth about the unemployment numbers or the very scary possibility of same that your friends seem to be having.

Comment by Mike Ins Thursday, Jun 25, 09 @ 11:25 am
–”I believe the numerous nonprofits to whom my husband I and donate substantial sums each year (after carefully reviewing their annual reports, of course) would rather have my considerable donations than a few hours of my time.”–

Glad to hear it Cassandra, but it does not have to be a choice, money or a few hours, it can be both and would be time well spent.

Comment by Princess Thursday, Jun 25, 09 @ 11:26 am
“I’m objecting to their continued demands for a higher income tax on the middle class despite having met the objective of their protest campaign. ”

1. The objective has not been meet. Nothing is concreate, and even with this pension promisary note massive cuts will still be made.

2. The call of the protests has been “Just Fix It” not “Raise the taxes”. We just want the situation solved. We do not care how it is done.

I can put you into contact with people if you want to volunteer. We could really use the help.

Comment by 815Sox Thursday, Jun 25, 09 @ 11:28 am
Cassandra, the time is not necessarily to benefit the not-for-profit, although it would.

My suggestion for your donation of time is intended to benefit you.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Jun 25, 09 @ 11:28 am
I look at Quinn’s apparent blink as a temporary respite/postponement of inevitable doomsday cuts. I still see no signs of a genuine interim or permnanent fiscal solution.

But Dan Hynes was right!Maybe it’s time to start from scratch and see what can be done negotiated during a “cooling-off” period.

Comment by Captain America Thursday, Jun 25, 09 @ 12:17 pm
===
My friends in state government continue to travel regularly and when I asked recently about layoffs, they laughed.
====

No Illinois state employee is going to laugh when layoffs are mentioned. Everybody knows it’s anything goes when the GA is in session — everybody from the agency head to the lowliest intern. AFSCME is powerful, sure — but layoffs are always a realistic possibility, despite AFSCME’s loudest (or best) efforts.

And because of that no state employee — absolutely no one — is brazen enough to not only think their job is 100% safe and assume that they’re immune from any potential fallout from the current chaos in Springfield.

Try again. Or, better yet, talk to real state employees.

Comment by Macbeth Thursday, Jun 25, 09 @ 12:24 pm
I am reminded of that great line from JibJab, “He has more waffles than a house of pancakes.”

Comment by Downstate weed chewing hick Thursday, Jun 25, 09 @ 12:44 pm
==And let’s face it, a lot of them need to direct their energies towards improving the the quality of their services instead of trying to hit up taxpayers for more, more, more.
They are starting to look as greedy as the pols.==

What world are you living in? I served in the military and was promoted to sergeant in the nearly half the time most soldiers are, then I graduated Cum Laude after going to school full time and working nearly fulltime, and now I’ve been in the social services for nearly 4 years, but I still make less money than the average 22 year old makes straight out of college. I can’t even afford to consider buying a condo on my budget. But I love what I do and wouldn’t want to do anything else. I wake up every morning with a clear purpose. It’s been very good to me. And if only you knew the good I’ve done for others you’d be as concerned as the rest of us. Most non-profits are operating on budgets so low already that any cuts no matter how small can have serious impacts. And, I’m not asking for more, I’m asking for at least enough to continue doing what I’m already doing. I don’t care how they do it, but it just needs to happen. And given our economy, it’s pretty clear this is a very real threat.

Comment by These are my thoughts Thursday, Jun 25, 09 @ 12:45 pm
Cassandra - You must be talking to legislative aides because they are the only ones who aren’t going to get laid off. Try talking to some of the rank and file: you won’t here any laughter. As far as travel goes, at our agency, there hasn’t been a travel budget for 5 years. When I have to go anywhere, I drive my own vehicle and I am not reimbursed. I think it is time you said “Thank you” to the employees of this state. They have kept you from having a tax increase for many years. Now its time to pay the piper!

Comment by lincolnlover Thursday, Jun 25, 09 @ 1:03 pm
Maybe we should stop the rallys for human services and debating “tax increase vs. no tax increase” because this is getting us no where. Maybe every citizen in Illinois needs to take a stand and tell their state senator and rep. “We are not going to vote for you again.” Stop the politics, stop taking off for fund raisers or Turkey while the state is crumbling, stop trying to position yourself for your next campaign - because we the citizens of Illinois will never elect you again. Do the job that you are paid to do and then go home. Face it folks, we can’t do any worse with the next group that goes to Springfield (oops Chicago) than what we’ve got now.

Comment by Had enough Thursday, Jun 25, 09 @ 1:10 pm
It looks like all the fatties marching did their job. Quinn says he is going to cut then he isnt going to cut. He is clueless maybe Mike Madigans spokesman could tell him what to do now because he is sure out of his depth. quinn is good at going to funerals not much else. At least Blago made the news fun to watch with crazy qoutes or hiding behind cripples Quinn is boring and incompetent.

Comment by fed up Thursday, Jun 25, 09 @ 1:23 pm
lincolnlover - Thursday, Jun 25, 09 @ 1:03 pm:

“You must be talking to legislative aides because they are the only ones who aren’t going to get laid off. Try talking to some of the rank and file: you won’t here any laughter.”
I am curious: has there been any talk at all of “shared sacrifice” within the legislative staff? How about universities or the judiciary? All of those are state employees…

Comment by Anon Thursday, Jun 25, 09 @ 1:23 pm
I am disturbed that those of us working for not for profit social service agencies were mobilized by Gov Quinn because we were told our jobs were at stake. Now he seems to agree with the Republicans and some Democrats that the agencies can spend money as they always have and the budget that passed the GA will not be consdiered a full year budget.

I will go to no more rallys, I will write no more letters to members of the GA. I am done with Governor Quinn’s games of using people in need of pbulic assisstance as props for the tax increase. Am I glad I will likely have a job and be able to continue to provide services to the community, without question. But we did not have to go through all of this drama to get to this point, which is actually right where we started. For all of our phone calls, marching around, as far as I can tell we did not change one vote.

Comment by Bill Thursday, Jun 25, 09 @ 1:31 pm
Bill, I don’t know about the other agencies, but I know at mine we are required to take vacation time for any rallies.

Comment by These are my thoughts Thursday, Jun 25, 09 @ 1:37 pm
I have spoken to several other people in the social service field today who are under the impression that there will be NO cuts made to social services now. From what I could tell, there will still be cuts, just not as deep?

Bill, I agree with you. I’m tired of being a pawn year after year in their pol games. It isn’t fair to me to make me wonder where I will be tomorrow and it isn’t fair to my clients that already have mental illnesses without all of this stress.

Comment by Confused Thursday, Jun 25, 09 @ 1:43 pm
–Had Enough–

Not to be argumentative, but isn’t “Do the job that you are paid to do” just what they all maintain they’ve done when they go home?

Imagine a few pieces . . .

*Sen. Murphy oversaw the prosecution and impeachment of Blago, opposed higher taxes, and refused to support more Blagojevich budget shenanigans;

*Rep. Bost fought against Blagojevich corruption and Quinn taxes but still voted to help create jobs and protect sportsmen;

*Rep. Phelps opposed higher taxes but voted for working people by supporting a capital bill;

*Rep. Acevedo voted to restore confidence in government, create jobs and protect the vulnerable;

*Sen. Brady bucked tax and spend Democrats, voted to put Blago where he belongs, but still helped get funding for I-55 improvements in and around Bloomington;

*Jack Franks took on Blagojevich, fought against higher taxes, and ushered in real ethics reform;

*Sen. Hendon took the hard votes to get the state budget in line but still managed to provide essential services to those who need them most;

You can toss a name in one of these (either party) and it won’t make much difference because as most of us know it’s all in how you see it and how the legislator’s hometown constituency is led to see it come November.

Sorry, “throw the bums out” is a fruitless rant. There ain’t no bums. Or haven’t you learned that yet?

Comment by Narcoleptic Thursday, Jun 25, 09 @ 2:04 pm
“Has there been any talk of ’shared sacrifice’ within the legislative staff?”

At least among the legislative support agencies (LIS, LRB, COGFA, JCAR, etc.) there sure was. We heard that our budgets were in line to be slashed by as much as 25 percent.

Comment by Secret Square Thursday, Jun 25, 09 @ 2:17 pm
There’s plenty of money in the capital bill to fix the budget, rather than waste it on 20th century infrastructure investments that created our current economic and environmental messes.

We need to fix our problems using 21st telecommuting technology, which means a one time investment in fiber optic broadband links, gradually connecting every home and lasting over 100 years for far less cost than our roads, which just keep us addicted to imported oil and put us further in debt.

Isn’t the definition of insanity to keep doing the same thing and expect different results? Are we insane?

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jun 25, 09 @ 2:29 pm
And I sure as heck am not laughing at the possibility of being laid off, or giving up a big chunk of my pay.

I got laid off once, from a private sector job, with only 2 hours notice and no chance to say goodbye to people I’d known longer than I’d known my husband and child. It took me several years to get back the financial ground I lost. Whoever Cassandra’s been talking to, it sure ain’t me.

Comment by Secret Square Thursday, Jun 25, 09 @ 2:37 pm
Anon 2:29: That broadband line sure would be nice to haul my 120,000 bushels of grain to the elevator. I’m all in favor of rural broadband (would save me from paying Verizon for its pokey wireless internet) but our rail, road and air networks are infinitely vital to our way of life. Make these forms of transport more green - don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater.

Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Thursday, Jun 25, 09 @ 2:58 pm
Okay, I might be twisting things as there is so much out there, but I would have sworn I either read or heard Quinn say that the pension notes would help with some of the cuts to social services–take it up to 70% of last years funding.

But that would still mean cuts just not as drastic and with thoughts of a tax increase on the horizon perhaps thoughts that by the time it’s all said and done full or near full funding over the year? Am I making this up? I know I’m getting confused and frustrated with all the ideas floating around.

Comment by Princess Thursday, Jun 25, 09 @ 3:07 pm
They weren’t laughing because they think layoffs are funny. They were laughing because they go through this every year and then nothing happens.
People who have worked for the state for a while have a pretty good sense of when to get worried.
They aren’t.

Now, before I get misunderstood, let me point out that if Quinn can bring in a budget that does not require layoffs or furloughs, I am fine by that. Sin taxes, accounting maneuvers, pension obligation notes, other borrowing, closing corporate loophoes, whatever. I’m objecting to a regressive income tax increase in the middle of a recession–not how he gets there.

Comment by Cassandra Thursday, Jun 25, 09 @ 3:29 pm
Cassandra,

I am sorry but you are WAY out of touch with state workers. The people I know that have been there for 25 years are scared to death. They are not laughing about this at all. THere is not a lot of jobs around Springfield if people lose their jobs.

This is no B.S, it is serious and EVERY state worker knows it. What they are most angry about is they are being used as pawns in this whole budget fiasco. The Legisltors the could give a rats behind about them.

Comment by He Makes Ryan Look Like a Saint Thursday, Jun 25, 09 @ 3:40 pm
The two times, Cassandra, a governor warned he would lay people off, they did just that. Ryan tossed out large numbers of us and Rod tossed out HPA people for months.

When a governor tells us he’s gonna have to pitch some of us out we don’t take him lightly as neither of the last two governors were joking.

To serve your giggling friends right, I’d say I hope whoever they are are the first of the bunch to go, but hey, that would be mean of me.

Comment by Princess Thursday, Jun 25, 09 @ 3:43 pm
I’ve had enough of Cassandra’s inane musings to last a lifetime…I guess she knows it all because you just can’t educate her on any issue she blogs about…

Comment by Anonymous45 Thursday, Jun 25, 09 @ 4:10 pm
AA has just figured it out-Cassandra is Filan.

How have we missed it all this time.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Thursday, Jun 25, 09 @ 5:22 pm
I don’t know who Cassandra is talking to, but every state employee I talk to is worried about layoffs.
Cassandra, take Rich’s advice & spend some time at a non-profit like a lot of state employees do on their own free time.

Comment by jimbo Thursday, Jun 25, 09 @ 5:37 pm