After staying away from a controversial Senate budget blueprint for the last month, Gov. Bruce Rauner on Wednesday is expected to nod toward the stalled framework as a potential way forward to break state government’s unprecedented stalemate.
The Republican governor offered a preview of his third budget speech, which he’ll give at noon at the Capitol, during an administration-controlled Facebook Live appearance Tuesday. Rauner said he plans to weigh in on the bipartisan measure that’s being crafted in the Senate to try to "get a final deal done."
The governor also blasted opposition to the effort as conservative groups normally aligned with Republicans and organized labor usually allied with Democrats work to kill the proposal, which calls for massive tax hikes, curbing employee pension benefits and putting in place some of the economic reforms Rauner has long called for but been unable to achieve.
"There are individuals and special interest groups on both ends of the political spectrum, both ends, who don’t want to see any compromise, who don’t want to see any grand bargain, who don’t want to see a budget deal, and they are sending attacks left and right," said Rauner, who has yet to pass a full-year budget since becoming governor. "But we have got to find compromise. We need to listen to each other, respect each other and come up with some solutions that give us a better future for the long term."
Rauner’s focus on the Senate plan underscores the likelihood that his own budget address is unlikely to offer much in the way of new ideas. He’s already said that his proposal will mirror the format that was shot down last year, in which he presented a plan that was at least $3.5 billion in the red and asked the Democratic-controlled General Assembly to work with him toward an agreement or to give him the power to make massive cuts on his own.
That approach is again garnering opposition from Democrats who contend the governor is shirking his constitutional duty to present a balanced budget. Rauner was quick to shrug off the criticism, saying Democrats repeatedly have passed out-of-whack spending plans that helped create the state’s money problems.
Rauner aims to add 200 more state troopers to combat Chicago expressway shootings Don Babwin
Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner’s office says he will announce on Wednesday in his budget speech a push to fund 200 more state police cadets to patrol Chicago-area expressways. In 2016, there were 51 shootings on those roadways, compared to 37 in 2015. State police have said that the gun violence in…
Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner’s office says he will announce on Wednesday in his budget speech a push to fund 200 more state police cadets to patrol Chicago-area expressways. In 2016, there were 51 shootings on those roadways, compared to 37 in 2015. State police have said that the gun violence in…
(Don Babwin)
Rauner and Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan largely have been cut out of the Senate talks, as lawmakers worry their feud would get in the way of serious negotiations. Both would have to sign off on any plan before it could become law, however, and Republicans who have long been out of power in the Capitol have been hesitant to vote on anything without the governor’s approval.
So far, the governor has resisted out of fear that he’ll appear as an obstructionist if he raises specific concerns. Rauner said he has since come around to the idea in the hope it can push efforts along.
"I don’t want to disrupt anything," Rauner said Tuesday. "I don’t want to create any barriers or barricades to getting things done, but hopefully, maybe, if I share some of my views and comments I can help with the process and together we can bring it in for a good place and get a final deal done for the future."
Rauner dodges on sanctuary state issue, Emanuel hosts Mexican mayors Kim Geiger and Bill Ruthhart
As some Illinois Democrats look to extend protections to immigrants in response to President Donald Trump, Gov. Bruce Rauner declined to take a position on the idea Friday.
Asked if he would support legislation to make it harder for federal authorities to access information about immigrants living…
As some Illinois Democrats look to extend protections to immigrants in response to President Donald Trump, Gov. Bruce Rauner declined to take a position on the idea Friday.
Asked if he would support legislation to make it harder for federal authorities to access information about immigrants living…
(Kim Geiger and Bill Ruthhart)
Democrats said it was disingenuous for Rauner to call for compromise now, saying he’s purposefully tried to wreak havoc on the state by demanding lawmakers first pass portions of his economic agenda before he’d agree to a budget.
"A lot of people have been hurt — college students, single moms, immigrants, those who have special needs, autism and mental illness — all because the governor has insisted stubbornly on things that have nothing whatsoever to do with the budget of the state of Illinois," said Rep. Lou Lang, D-Skokie.
But Republicans said it also is up to Democrats to keep an open mind, saying the opposition party has given Rauner’s ideas little chance to be truly debated through the legislative process.
"I think the need to meet halfway is critical in a divided government like we have," said Sen. Jason Barickman, R-Bloomington. "If (Democrats) are unwilling to meet the governor halfway, then they ought to take ownership themselves."
Meanwhile, Democrats and their union allies also used the eve of Rauner’s budget speech to bash the governor for his handling of his contract negotiations with state workers.
"This governor has been nothing but a disaster," said Rep. Mary Flowers, D-Chicago. "This governor made it plain and clear that he is here for his business community and his business friends. That’s not our goal. And if he wants a strike, a strike it will be."
The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 31 is in the midst of a strike authorization vote, asking its more than 30,000 state worker members if they are willing to go on strike to resist Rauner’s attempts to impose a new contract. Rauner’s contract would increase employees’ out-of-pocket health care costs and give the state greater freedom to privatize jobs currently performed by unionized workers. AFSCME contends that the contract would cost the average worker $10,000.
"That might not be much to someone who can spend $50 million and put it in their political PAC, or someone that makes over $184 million a year, but to these people and the people from our communities and the people of the state of Illinois, $10,000 is a lot of money, Gov. Rauner," said Sen. Omar Aquino, D-Chicago, referring to Rauner’s contribution late last year to his 2018 re-election campaign account.
Geiger reported from Chicago.
mcgarcia@chicagotribune.com
kgeiger@chicagotribune.com
hbemiller@chicagotribune.com
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