By Eric Stock
SPRINGFIELD – The Rauner administration got a legal victory late last week when an appeals court ruled the comptroller’s office can continue to pay state workers even without a budget, but Gov. Bruce Rauner won’t say whether that might take some of the pressure off getting a deal done.
“It’s important government continues to function,” Rauner said.
PODCAST: Listen to Scott and Colleen’s interview with Rauner on WJBC.
Rauner told WJBC’s Scott Laughlin he can’t support the ‘sham’ one-month budget lawmakers approved last week. He said House Speaker Mike Madigan is trying to force the governor to back a tax increase. Rauner says if Madigan wants a tax increase, he has the backing of enough legislators to do it without him.
Rauner said it’s Madigan’s turn to give a little.
“He’s had no compromise at all. All he’s done is pass an unbalanced, unconstitutional budget,” Rauner said. “That’s no way to run a state government.”
Rauner said the money he has given state lawmakers is not at attempt to buy votes.
A recent report said Rauner gave about $400,000 to Republican legislators in May. Rauner said he’s backing the GOP lawmakers, but not for any particular issue. He said Madigan, on the other hand, has been using campaign gifts to exert power over Democratic lawmakers for the 35 years since he became House Speaker.
“I just became governor six months ago and I am supporting members of my caucus and members of my party,” Rauner said. “It has no ties to any particular vote. I will support them every six months as long as I am governor. That’s my job and I will always do that.
About one third of those GOP lawmakers said they haven’t taken the money the governor offered.
Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].
