To subscribe to Capitol Fax, click here. *** UPDATED x4 - Pawar, Biss, Kennedy, Pritzker respond *** Rauner says again that he hasn’t been happier in 20 years Sunday, Jun 25, 2017 * Sneed asked Gov. Rauner what he does to handle stress… “Well, I take long walks with our dog and ride my motorcycle,” Rauner said. “I head out alone and explore roads or find a little park to sit and think. Or a brew pub to strike up conversations. “It’s really wonderful when people describing themselves as Democrats tell me to stay the course. That I’m doing the right thing,” he said. “That energizes me and I know it sounds strange, but my wife tells me she hasn’t seen me this happy in 20 years. I feel totally honored and humbled to get the opportunity to improve the future of 13 million people.” He’s said this several times before, of course. But even now? After two and a half years without a budget? During the lead-up to junk bond status, the loss of college accreditations and the other massive crises that are only going to become worse? He’s still the happiest he’s been in 20 years? * Bernie… “Glad he’s happy. But he shouldn’t be,” Senate President John Cullerton, D-Chicago, said when asked about Rauner’s comments. “This is really an embarrassment,” Cullerton said. “We owe $15 billion. We’ve been downgraded. People are not being paid. People are not being served. There’s people who aren’t getting breast cancer screenings because of this. … It’s just sad. It’s totally avoidable. That’s why I’ve been working with Republicans this session in a bipartisan fashion, and I give credit to those Republicans who did all the work with us and just weren’t allowed to vote.” Cullerton blames the lack of GOP votes on bills agreed to by Senate Democrats and Republicans on the governor. Rauner has expressed concerns about the legislation, but has denied peeling off GOP support. “It’s disastrous, and totally avoidable,” Cullerton said of the effects of the impasse. …Adding… Video of Cullerton’s remarks… *** UPDATE 1 *** From the Pritzker campaign… “The fact that Bruce Rauner can talk about his own happiness as our economy spirals down the drain and Illinois stumbles towards junk status is appalling,” said JB Pritzker. “Rauner’s comments are an absurd insult to the millions of families struggling under his failed leadership. This is confirmation of what we’ve known all along: Bruce Rauner manufactured this crisis to force his agenda on our state and he does not care how many Illinoisans pay the price.” *** UPDATE 2 *** From the Chris Kennedy campaign… Sounds like what’s making most people in Illinois miserable is making Bruce Rauner happy. During his two years as Governor, over a million people have been pushed out of social services that provide basic human rights like food and health care. Our state universities are on the brink of losing accreditation and job growth is below the national average. People are voting with their feet and leaving Illinois in record numbers. The voters are ready for radical change in Illinois, starting with a new governor and state leadership that will put Illinois back to work. *** UPDATE 3 *** Sen. Daniel Biss… I’ve been trying to figure out how Bruce Rauner can sleep at night but now we know: hurting people across Illinois apparently makes him happy. *** UPDATE 4 *** Pawar campaign… That Bruce Rauner has never been happier as public schools, universities, and social services across State of Illinois are collapsing is embarrassing. This is what happens when we elect out of touch business men to government who make their fortune destroying companies and gutting jobs for personal profit. We can - and must - do better than another four years of Bruce Rauner. - Posted by Rich Miller

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