Rauner still doesn't get it...

[47of74]

He still isn't getting it...

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Gov. Bruce Rauner and the state’s comptroller highlighted Illinois’ worsening finances due to the budget deadlock Tuesday as the Republican governor unveiled a plan he said would save money by changing how goods and services are bought.

Rauner is urging lawmakers to pass legislation he said will reduce the time it takes to buy products by eliminating redundant steps in the procurement process. He estimates the state could save $514 million a year that can be used for colleges and human service programs.

“All of which I as governor would like to fund. We don’t have the money today, and we haven’t frankly had the money for a long time. We need reform to save taxpayer money,” he said.

Rauner’s announcement Tuesday came on a day when he and Leslie Munger, a Republican he appointed as comptroller following the death of predecessor Judy Baar Topinka, highlighted Illinois’ worsening financial shape as the state enters the eighth month without a budget. Munger says the state is on pace to finish the fiscal year $6.2 billion further in debt because of court-ordered spending, other required appropriations and a drop in the income tax rate.

When is this clown gonna figure out he can't tax cut his way out of this crisis?

[Gidney N Cloyd]

1. He's only in it to bust unions. Everything else is secondary.

[justhanginon]

2. He was scum before, during and after his run for governor.

This was a headline I cannot forget that appeared shortly after he took office.

"IL Governor Rauner Gets $750,000 Tax Break, Proposes Slashing Services to Middle Class and Poor."

"Illinois' new GOP Governor, Bruce Rauner, will personally receive a $750,000 per year tax cut as a result of his decision not to continue the state's temporary 1.25% income tax surcharge that expired last year."

He has made good on those proposals and the list is long and very sad for the people that actually care about others. I hate that the good people of Illinois have to share their precious air with this filth. He is destroying our state and we will be paying for this for many years to come in many ways.

[Peregrine Took]

3. Totally incredible the "grey beards" of illinois haven't spoken out about this guy.

Veteran politicians, university presidents, prominent citizens, etc - he is dragging the State down to economic disaster yet nothing is said. Is it his money that protects him?

[guillaumeb]

4. Former GOP Governor Jin Edgar has spoken out against Rauner,

but the Chicago Tribune, a far right paper, is clearly in the supply side economic camp. The only issue for the Tribune is that all taxes are bad. The Tribune is also a ferociously anti-union paper, so any battles involving union workers will please the Tribune Editorial Board.

[murielm99]

5. I don't think that is quite true.

The Tribune has said that Rauner has accomplished the impossible: He has made Blago look good.

I don't like the Trib, but that is amazing.

[guillaumeb]

6. The Tribune occasionally acknowledges in the business section

that GOP policies are not working, but their editorial board is still drinking the supply side kool aid.

The paper constantly talks of the tax burden in the state while never mentioning that the tax rate is among the lowest in the nation. A progressive tax system would have eliminated most of the deficit years ago.

[47of74]

7. The grey beard I knew from Illinois....

...thought much like the Gov does. As in I got mine song you kind of thinking.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

8. He is a true believer, just like his loathsome neigh-bot to the north.

Except, Walker is cagey, street smart, greedy. Rauner is all of those, PLUS he is super rich, and even more aggressive.

[Lizz612]

9. No end game?

Does he even have a plan for ending this stalemate? Or are we all just waiting for some unseeing eyes to blink?

Guh.