Chicago - A message from the station manager

The [Wednesday] Papers

By Steve Rhodes

“GOP gubernatorial nominee Bruce Rauner yesterday declined to offer Crain’s editorial board many new details on how he’d get Illinois back on track, giving himself wiggle room on just about every major financial challenge he would face as governor,” Crain’s reports.
In case anyone hasn’t noticed by now, Rauner is running a personality-based campaign based on one notion: I’ll shake up Springfield because I’m one special guy.
How?
Just elect me and you’ll see.


But why should we trust you?
Because I’m not a politician, I’m just a rich guy who hates government unions.
That’s the sum total to this effort.
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“In an afternoon interview with Crain’s editorial board, the Chicago private-equity mogul time after time repeated the mantra that he wants to lay out only general outlines of how he would proceed if elected, leaving specifics to negotiations with what is likely to remain a Democratic-dominated Legislature,” Greg Hinz writes.
So he’ll be a deal-maker. With the very people he says have failed Illinois. How will that shake up Springfield?
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“Mr. Rauner described Illinois as overtaxed and overregulated, with a particularly hostile attitude in government toward business.”
Every rich guy’s lament – in a state with a flat income tax that doles out corporate tax subsidies like they were Chicago parking tickets. At least you can see where his priorities lie.
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“Mr. Rauner also left plenty of bargaining room when asked about his signature proposal to ban any property tax increase that had not been authorized by voters in a referendum.
“Asked specifically if he was advocating a freeze on the property tax rate or gross levy – over time, the difference could be dramatic – he replied, ‘It could be either or both.'”
And will wind up being neither. But it makes for good ad copy.
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“Mr. Rauner said his experience as the former head of Chicago’s convention and tourism bureau proves he can work in a bipartisan manner with others.”
Thank God he ended those bitter ideological battles in the tourism sector!
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“Already he is ‘well on the way’ to being on ‘a first-name basis’ with most members of the Legislature, he said.”
I doubt it.
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“But in answer to a question about reform of environmental and other regulations that he said are costing the state jobs, Mr. Rauner said he’s prepared to enact ‘as much as I can’ by administrative fiat.
“The Rauner campaign has assembled a team that is examining exactly what is possible, he said. ‘They’re doing a lot of research.’
“Asked how much he could do on his own without lawmakers, Mr. Rauner replied, ‘Our detailed research is not done, but it is a fair bit.'”
I’m skeptical that’s so, but here’s another question, then: Are you gonna tell voters before the election what you intend to decree all by yourself?
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“The candidate also would not commit himself on two south suburban projects pushed by Mr. Quinn, the proposed Illiana Expressway and a third regional airport at Peotone. Both matters are being reviewed by his staff, he said.”
Just by coincidence, those reviews won’t be done until after the election.
Earlier & Oftener
First, if you need to refresh your memory about the Kathleen Myalls mystery, read the item “Early, Often, Early, Often” from The [Tuesday] Papers.
Good. Now here’s an update: She’s lying.
According to MyVoteWisconsin, which is run by the state’s Government Accountability Board, Myalls voted in Wisconsin via an absentee ballot in the 2008 and 2012 presidential elections. In the 2012 Scott Walker recall, she voted in person at the Fontana (Wisconsin) Village Hall.
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P.S.: Her voter registration in Wisconsin is now canceled.
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Fantasy Fix: Kiddie QBs
And their Cousins.
Freaks, Geeks, Misfits & Losers
Dimebag Darrell, The ‘Mats, Guyvillelandia, Murder Metal, New GWAR Star and more. In Local Music Notebook.
The Cub Factor: Tommy Boy
It’s so close to being done – just like the Cubs rebuilding!
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BeachBook
* Frank Luntz Is Working With The Bears.
Chase that story!
* Best Practices For Editors-In-Chief To Avoid NSA Spying.
Who’d have thought we’d need a headline like that?
* Spin Meter: Those Changing Health Law Numbers.
What if we extended perjury laws to everyone in government?
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TweetWood


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The Beachwood Tip Line: Trust us.

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Posted on September 23, 2014