Illinois governor cleans house after budget showdown

[blue-wave]

CHICAGO — Bruce Rauner, the most vulnerable governor in the nation, is cleaning house in a radical office shake-up that has members of his own party fearing the blue-state Republican is making a hard move to the right.

Since Monday morning, the first-term governor has fired his chief of staff, deputy chief of staff and his spokesperson, among other aides. In another sign of the turmoil gripping Springfield following a recent budget showdown, the GOP state House floor leader was demoted and state Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno, who helped lead a grand bargain attempt to resolve the two-year budget stalemate, resigned from office July 1.

The governor's dramatic staff changes come as Rauner faces a reelection battle for the ages in a solidly Democratic state. And they follow on the heels of a budget crisis brought on by a long-running political fight between Rauner and Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan. The governor suffered a stinging rebuke last week when legislators — including nearly a dozen Republicans — voted to override his veto of a Democratic budget and put a permanent income tax increase into law.


Full Article: http://www.politico.com/story/2017/07/12/bruce-rauner-fires-top-staffers-240460


It appears that someone is a wee bit pissed off he's not getting his way. Looks like a meltdown to me.

[MichMary]

1. Chicago has a real problem

I don't know what they are going to do to clean it up. Suggestions?

[blue-wave]

2. Well,

the governor refusing to pass a budget for all of 2 years didn't help matters. It made them worse. He is the chief executive of the state and the responsibility is HIS!!! Like it or not.

[lunasun]

3. Even some republicans turned against him in the budget mess . That's how it finally got passed

After 2 yrs . He would not negotiate. He would not compromise . He is not from a political background which was suppose to be a plus his puke voters claimed but instead he thought he could bully the state and keep running ads to persuade voters and everyone would fall in line not

He is so mad now he probably won't do much for anyone anywhere in the state
Maybe he will just buy more tv and radio ads to say he is mad
Hope he is out next term and he is wiping out all his little pit bull followers himself good

[murielm99]

4. It now appears that The Ruiner

may refuse to implement the budget. Our state treasurer is appealing to him to dial down the rhetoric.

If he refuses to spend the money or make use of the budget, I am not sure what our next step will be. Lisa Madigan may be able to sue him on behalf of agencies that need the funds. I spoke to candidate for governor Biss about this this afternoon at a candidate forum. I wondered if Rauner could be impeached. The candidate did not think so. I think I agree with him.

I hope our Democrats can come up with some way to get this fool off his ass. He lost. He needs to get over it.

[lunasun]

5. The biggest complaint I heard was he simply would not negotiate . That's not how it works

He never would come to the floor to move things along in any direction
Compromise is always needed in some form to get things done and keep everybody at least a little happy. He didn't want to play so then he didn't get much say now he wants to close it down
Think of all the suffering he has caused with Non payouts
So he wanted to be s Walker II
But not even
big expensive fail IMO
Maybe he will put on some plaid shirts and jeans for sympathy again

[raising2moredems]

7. Time to focus on the future..

Rauner is a one-termer. And like it or not, Pritzker is our best choice for the upcoming gov race. I don't know if he is the strategist for his campaign or he has hired a kick-ass strategist. Regardless, I like it his approach - out early information as to what he has done or has been involved with. A tactful few shots at Rauner and/or tRump/federal pukes. While I HATE all the money in politics, dems can't take the high road re: the almighty dollar.

Last but not least, Pritzer's ads (snail mail or TV) are far more refreshing than Rauner's duct tape and/or his attempts at being "homespun" average Joe.

[murielm99]

8. I think Pritzker will be the nominee.

I would prefer Kennedy, but I like Pritzker too.

My son is starting to get on my last nerve. He is a Democrat, but he lives in a wealthy suburb. He talks to repiggies all the time. They have him convinced that The Ruiner will be the governor, or another repiggie will step in and buy the election. I don't see it, not in this climate. He thinks I am wrong about everything because I talk mostly to Democrats at the local and state level. He thinks I am wrong because I did not think Blagojevich would be retried after his first trial failed.

I am so sick of republicans. I think most other Illinois residents feel the same way I do. I think we will gain the governor's office and a few other seats, too.

[GeoWilliam750]

6. Does anyone have any idea about how much money has been made by private equity firms

Who have been able to take positions in various Illinois state and municipal bonds?

Would seem like an easy thing to do...

Short whatever Illinois bonds one can when Rauner takes office, then buy them back much lower ahead of the veto over-ride.

Does anyone have access to Illinois bond data?