Union protesters disrupt Rauner speech in southern Illinois

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Chicago Sun Times

BELLEVILLE, Ill. — A southern Illinois speech meant to build public support for Gov. Bruce Rauner’s legislative agenda amid a budget impasse with majority Democratic lawmakers instead turned into a test of the first-term Republican’s ability to stay on message, as he faced a flurry of taunts from union protesters.

Sign-carrying members of the International Brotherhood of Electric Workers Local 309 in Collinsville and the Caseyville-based Steamfitters Local 439 repeatedly interrupted Rauner’s nine-minute pitch at Eckert’s Country Store and Farm. The St. Clair County rally Monday afternoon followed a similar event earlier in the day in Marion.

The Illinois General Assembly is set to return to Springfield on Tuesday to continue their overtime effort to reach agreement on a budget for the fiscal year that begins next month. Rauner has said he won’t bargain on new revenue for the budget until lawmakers consider his proposed reforms.

“I’m insistent. I won’t talk about a tax hike unless we get the structural reform,” he said Monday.

FULL story at link.


Read more: http://chicago.suntimes.com/news/7/71/673822/union-protesters-disrupt-rauner-speech-southern-illinois

[daleanime]

1. And then the talk will consist of saying 'no'......

[cstanleytech]

2. Ha, thats a pretty safe bet. nt

[Thekaspervote]

3. Yep.. Ruiner is my name and ruining the middle class is my game

[murielm99]

4. I went to a Democratic dinner last week.

One of the speakers was talking about Ruiner and his so-called mandate.

Ruiner likes to brag that he has a mandate. He carried every county except Cook. What he does not say is that many of those counties were won by a few thousands of a point. It was a very close election.

My husband and I worked hard to GOTV. We knew Ruiner was buying the election with his early start and his heavy ad campaigning. We knew what he would do if elected.

The closeness of this election, and the devastating effect it may have on my state should be a lesson to everyone. Each vote is crucial. Make sure all the Democrats in your precinct get out there. There is no excuse for anyone staying home, in the primaries to come and in the next general. Ruiner is bad news for my state. Imagine how much worse it will be for the entire country if one of those clowns the republicans are running manages to beat our nominee.