Lawmakers have set up a potential showdown with Gov. Bruce Rauner over a proposal he's called a "direct frontal assault on the taxpayers of Illinois."
Suburban Democrats could be key to who wins.
If they don't all vote with the Democratic majority to override Rauner's veto of a plan that would outlaw a strike by the state's largest employee union for the next four years, the new Republican governor could have a hope for victory.
Democratic state Rep. Jack Franks of Marengo says he's still trying to decide which way he'll go. And he says he's not the only undecided person.
"I'm still weighing my options on it," Franks said. "I'm looking at the whole thing."
The whole thing is legislation that would outlaw a strike or lockout by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees union for the next four years and eventually send stalled talks to an arbitrator. Rauner and the union are deadlocked, having missed their deadline to come up with a new contract by a couple months now.
Both sides see the legislation as critically important and have fought hard for it.
The count
To override Rauner's veto, House Democrats would need each of the 71 members to both show up in Springfield next week and vote against Rauner, unless one or two union-friendly Republican lawmakers decide to break with the governor. That's why Franks and any other undecideds are so important to both sides.
Most other suburban Democrats voted for the plan its first time through, but Franks didn't vote either way. Still, he says, he's not the only Democrat out there who is open to convincing by either side.
Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan has told reporters there's enough support to override Rauner, and when asked if he'd call an override vote said: "Why wouldn't I?"
A vote could come as early as Wednesday.
No hints
Franks won't hint at which way he's leaning, giving some credence to both sides. For one, he agrees with Rauner that AFSCME has too much political power.
On the other hand, he says he doesn't believe an override would cost the state as much money as Rauner claims it will.
This issue is somewhat separate from the ongoing dispute between Republicans and Democrats on a state budget that is almost two months overdue but has been largely implemented anyway by court orders.
Stay tuned.
Suburban Democrats key in Rauner vs. unions battle - DailyHerald.com
No comments:
Post a Comment