How the Kochs launched Joni Ernst - POLITICO

 

Joni Ernst was surprised to receive an invitation in the summer of 2013 that she later credited with starting her meteoric rise to the U.S. Senate.

Ernst was then a little-known Iowa state senator and lieutenant colonel in the National Guard who was considering a long-shot campaign for the GOP nomination for U.S. Senate. Polls showed more than 90 percent of her state’s voters had no opinion of her. At least a half-dozen other Republicans ― some with better funding and connections and stronger establishment support ― also were positioning themselves to run against the presumptive Democratic nominee, Rep. Bruce Braley.

But Ernst was being watched closely by allies of the billionaire brothers Charles and David Koch, who saw in her an advocate for their brand of free-market, libertarian-infused conservatism. Operatives affiliated with the Kochs’ political network invited Ernst to the network’s August 2013 gathering of wealthy conservative donors at a posh resort in Albuquerque’s Santa Ana Pueblo.

Ernst later told POLITICO she had no idea "how my name came through those channels." But her appearance at the event impressed donors and was followed by an infusion of support that helped Ernst win the GOP nomination and, eventually, a Senate seat. It also represented a new phase in the rapid expansion of the Koch-backed political network ― its willingness to become involved in primary fights among GOP candidates — potentially putting it on a collision course with the official Republican Party.

Until now, little has been known about the secretive role played by the Kochs' donors and operatives in boosting Ernst. The Koch network has focused primarily on policy fights, mostly leaving the spadework of recruiting and nurturing candidates to the party.

But the network's financial support for Ernst ― detailed here for the first time ― offers the first signs of a move into GOP primaries. The Kochs and their allies are investing in a pipeline to identify, cultivate and finance business-oriented candidates from the local school board all the way to the White House, and Koch operatives are already looking for opportunities to challenge GOP incumbents

deemed insufficiently hard-line in their opposition to government spending and corporate subsidies.
Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2015/11/the-kochs-vs-the-gop-215672#ixzz3rVxDsF3c

Koch Group Dumps Half Million Dollars into Florida Anti-Solar Amendment Campaign | Nick Surgey

Consumers for Smart Solar, the group promoting an anti-home-solar constitutional amendment in Florida, has collected half a million dollars from the 60 Plus Association, a group that has itself received at least $34 million since 2010 from organizations financially backed by the Koch brothers.

Unlike most states, Florida does not allow homeowners to enter into contracts for the no-upfront-cost installation of solar on their homes. In other states, this freedom has contributed to the dramatic 80 per cent increase in home solar installations across the US in 2014, and seen large financial investments from corporations like Google.

Rival constitutional amendments are being proposed for the Florida ballot in 2016.

One of these would allow homeowners increased rights to install solar energy; that one is backed by consumer and environmental organizations.

The other--confusingly named Consumers for Smart Solar since it is actually about limiting consumer access to solar--is backed by the Koch-funded groups and the electricity utilities, and it would amend the Florida constitution to protect the fossil fuel industry monopoly in the state.

The utilities have also provided significant funds to Consumers for Smart Solar, providing nearly $1.9 million since July from Duke Energy, Florida Power and Light Company, Gulf Power Company, Tampa Electric Company, and Powersouth Energy Cooperative.

The 60 Plus Association had already contributed $50,000 each month in July, August and September 2015, as has been previously reported on by the Center for Media and Democracy/PRWatch.

According to Florida campaign filings for October 2015, the group is doubling down on its anti-consumer investment, providing $350,000 in that month alone, according to legally mandated disclosures by Consumers for Smart Solar.

60 Plus has now given a half million dollars in just four months since July, with still thirteen more reporting months to go before the November 2016 election.

Koch Groups Have History Opposing Solar

In 2013, 60 Plus controversially ran TV ads in Arizona, opposing the development of home solar in that state by supporting increased costs for homeowners who can sell any excess solar energy they generate back to the grid. After initial denials lasting months, it was eventually revealed by a reporter from the Arizona Republic that Arizona Public Service, the state's largest utility, had helped underwrite the Koch-funded group to run the ads.

The Koch-funded American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) has also railed against consumers who install solar on their homes, calling them "free riders on the system," and promoting so-called "model" legislation aimed at increasing solar users costs (that legislation was voted on behind closed doors at an ALEC meeting where corporate lobbyists vote as equals with state legislators).

CMD launched ALECexposed.org in 2011, revealing the entire ALEC legislative agenda and has continued to report on the group since, launching the ALECClimateChangeDenial.org website in 2015 to expose the climate change denial promoted by the organization. In the past three years, more than 100 corporations have dumped ALEC, including Google whose leader cited ALEC's climate change denial as the reason for doing so. "I think the consensus within the company was that that was some sort of mistake, and so we're trying to not do that in the future," Chairman Eric Schmidt told National Public Radio.

Koch Group Dumps Half Million Dollars into Florida Anti-Solar Amendment Campaign | Nick Surgey

State Rep Manley Says Rauner No Hero on Child Care | WJOL-AM

 

When it comes to the brief legislative session in Springfield this week: many people are still asking: WHAT HAPPENED? One thing for sure, there no ‘permanent budget solution’ of any kind. But the most interesting part was the child care issue. Governor Rauner had stated he would undo the extra restrictions placed on eligibility for state child car this past July. But State Rep Natalie Manley says, a lot has happened since then that CANNOT JUST BE “UNDONE.”  This would include child care facilities closing, employees there losing jobs, and parents that were using these facilities having to quit their jobs.  Therefore, Manley says to the Governor: If you want to change your mind now don’t act like a hero.

Manley says what the house tried to do was not just send eligibility for state child care back near the percentage of the poverty level it used to be, but also have a provision that this cannot happen again, no matter who the governor is.

But what finally happened was District Five Rep Ken Dunkin out of Chicago refused to vote on the child care package, and it came up one vote short of passing. Manley says, Dunkin seems to be portraying himself as the guy who can “still get the much better, perfect deal.”  Manley says she’s very skeptical about that, and his motives.

Meanwhile, it now looks like no legislators back in Springfield until December; as we get closer and closer to entering 2016 with a full six months of no new budget.

State Rep Manley Says Rauner No Hero on Child Care | WJOL-AM

POLITICO Illinois Playbook: RAUNER’s winning compromise -- MADIGAN’s humbling defeat -- TRIBUNE buyouts - POLITICO

 

By Natasha Korecki (nkorecki@politico.com; @natashakorecki) with Jesse Rifkin (jrifkin@politico.com; @jesserifkin)

Good morning on this Friday the 13th. After a bumpy few days in state politics, it might be a good time to recap on the week’s events and reflect on political winners and losers. Let’s start with the governor.

Story Continued Below

WINNER -- Gov. Bruce Rauner peels off exactly what he needed; one Democrat, allowing him to topple Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s supermajority, in an embarrassment to the speaker. In reality, the governor made aggressive cuts to a child care assistance program that hurt the business community (his base), the working poor (remember his post-election motto to be “compassionate?”) and embarrassed his wife (have they met? she’s exec. director of an early childhood advocacy group).

-- Rauner’s “compromise” on restoring child care assistance was really capitulation after various constituencies howled. But by blocking the override attempt, he retained the ability to make everyone go through the same exercise in the future.

-- Rauner’s true triumph of the week was brokering a deal on unemployment insurance, a compromise that unions and businesses signed onto. Now to get that bill called …

-- Rauner also reversed his freeze on Illinois Film Tax Credits, which immediately enlivened that industry and changed course on tax credits (EDGE program) for Illinois businesses. The series of changes were designed to send the same signal -- the governor is moving, now it’s the Democrats’ turn.

Winner - Jim Durkin: Once again, the GOP House leader showed he holds strength over his Republican caucus, all of whom voted with him on key roll calls.

Loser - House Speaker Mike Madigan: Lost his iron-clad grip on his caucus in a defeating and highly publicized roll call vote.

Loser -- State Rep. Ken Dunkin who has alienated both his caucus and supporters who felt betrayed by his previous pledge. Dunkin and the governor’s office insistence that Dunkin played a key role in negotiations smacked of an overt political deal, given that Dunkin never disclosed negotiations to the group to whom he pledged loyalty.

Winners -- state Sen. Toi Hutchinson for engaging in negotiations to craft a child care compromise over drastic cuts that excluded 70,000 children from day care services over the last 4 ½ months. State Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth who in the House took the stage and captured the spotlight in a passioned floor argument over the issue.

TALK OPENLY ... BEHIND CLOSED DOORS -- “Business groups urge dumping public budget negotiation,” by the Associated Press: “Five leading Illinois business groups are urging Gov. Bruce Rauner and legislative leaders to skip the public budget negotiation they've scheduled for next week… In a letter released Thursday, the business leaders say a public meeting over the 18-week budget holdup would prevent ‘sincere and constructive’ conversation necessary for successful negotiation… Several good government groups last month offered to host a meeting of Republican Rauner and legislative chiefs to spur bargaining over an unsettled state spending plan that should have taken effect July 1.” http://bit.ly/1Qzb168

-- In this week’s presser, Madigan was asked whether a public leaders’ meeting would diminish the group’s ability to truly get word done. Madigan’s response: “The work is not being done behind closed doors.” That much is true.

MILLER’S TAKE -- “Biz leaders want private talks,” by Capitol Fax’s Rich Miller: “I’ve been hearing this week that some folks are talking behind the scenes of having the four leaders and the governor make some statements on November 18th, then convene a private meeting and talk to reporters afterward. So, this letter may be an attempt to give the leaders some political cover…” http://bit.ly/1ksOLz3

WORLD IS UPSIDE DOWN -- In one of the remaining curious episodes of the week, Rauner flip-flopped on a funding issue, taking a brick off of HB4305, giving the green light for the appropriations bill to fund lottery winnings, motor fuel tax projects and money to local governments. The piecemeal approach to the budget was something Madigan attempted to do in the past and Rauner railed against it.

-- In a rare unity vote, both Republicans and Democrats backed the bill. Rauner went from opposing the action, to supporting it plus he was asking for last-minute add-ons like releasing money for road salt. Perhaps the mean Illinois winter wasn’t on Rauner’s mind when he vetoed the appropriation bills sent to him in May. “It’s a learning curve the gentleman is going through,” said one Rauner critic.

-- For his part, Madigan didn’t allow for Rauner’s add-ons, saying they came too late -- a point the governor’s office vigorously rejects. Now the bill sits in the House with a procedural hold on it. Madigan used a new bill, rather than a vehicle that could have expedited it. That now means the Senate must meet on three separate days before the measure can go to Rauner’s desk. Right now, the number of days the Senate is scheduled to meet for the remainder of the year = zero.

EXELON FOR HIS EXCELLENCE -- A day after the Springfield drama was behind him, Exelon held a fundraiser for House Speaker Mike Madigan Wednesday night at the Union League Club in Chicago. About 100 guests turned out, including City Clerk and Illinois Comptroller candidate Susana Mendoza and state Rep. Christian Mitchell. Exelon CEO Chris Crane introduced Madigan, who spoke for a few minutes about the financial stalemate in Springfield. Of the state’s budget impasse, Madigan told the crowd there was “no end in sight.”

Welcome to the POLITICO Illinois Playbook. Tips? Events? Announcements? Contact nkorecki@politico.com or @natashakorecki

IMAGERY -- Gov. Bruce Rauner poses for a selfie with Mr. #budgetbeard himself, Peoria Journal-Star journalist Chris Kaergard. This is how long we’ve gone without a budget → http://bit.ly/1Qlkf6U

KEEP IT CLEAN, BRUCE -- “Clean energy advocates urge Rauner to go against coal,” by the Southern Illinoisan’s Kurt Erickson: “Supporters of wind and solar energy queued up outside Gov. Bruce Rauner's office Thursday to deliver more than 30,000 signatures in support of new federal energy rules… With the governor in charge of deciding how Illinois will comply with the Obama administration's clean energy program, the advocates said they are urging him to make renewable energy a priority over coal.” http://bit.ly/1WVlxo3

FOLLOW THE MONEY -- The Illinois Campaign for Political Reform’s weekly fundraising tracker shows more than $2 million contributions flowed to state committees over the last week. See who got the most money and the top funded committees statewide: http://bit.ly/1kt5lPg

DUNKIN’S VIEW OF THE WORLD -- “A vote for SB 570 would have destroyed child-care deal,” by Rep. Ken Dunkin for the State Journal-Register: “At my request, the Rauner administration entered into negotiations with legislators from the Illinois House and Senate to find a way to restore child care income-eligibility for 100,000 kids. And at my continued insistence, the governor agreed to reverse course. All he asked was that the General Assembly not take away the administrative flexibility needed to respond to emergencies in the child care program … You read that right. The governor agreed to let tens of thousands of families back into child care so long as the legislature didn’t pass a bill that took away executive authority to deal with emergencies. Talk about a no-brainer.” http://bit.ly/1SMzjZF

POLITICO Illinois Playbook: RAUNER’s winning compromise -- MADIGAN’s humbling defeat -- TRIBUNE buyouts - POLITICO

Gov. Rauner's Meeting With Leaders Won't Be Public | WSIU

 

By Illinois Public Radio • 13 hours ago

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• 

Governor Bruce Rauner is out with his plans for his meeting with the legislature's leaders on Wednesday.
Rauner's office sent his agenda Friday evening... and disclosed that he intends to hold it in his Springfield office.

Rauner proposes that he kick things off by making opening remarks. Then the House and Senate's leading Democrats and Republicans will each get ten minutes to speak.  Rauner's proposal includes suggestions for what they should talk about - for example, he wants Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan to talk about taxes ... and for Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno to talk about the state's jobs climate.

Rauner says he'll focus on term limits, redistricting and property taxes.

All of that will be in front of cameras, and live-streamed to media.

Rauner then wants the leaders to meet together in private.

He says after they can take questions from the media in front of his office.

The governor and legislative leaders have not met all together since the end of May.

Gov. Rauner's Meeting With Leaders Won't Be Public | WSIU

Plans for upscale Belvidere on Tap scrapped by Rockford bar owners - News - Rockford Register Star - Rockford, IL

 

Ben Stanley
Staff writer

Posted Nov. 11, 2015 at 2:15 PM
Updated Nov 11, 2015 at 8:47 PM

BELVIDERE — Plans for an upscale tap room on Belvidere’s east side have hit the skids.

The proposed bar, Belvidere on Tap, would have been the latest venture of bar owners Nick Fosberg and Derrick Kunz, who co-own Rural on Tap in Rockford’s eastside Rural Oaks neighborhood.

“It was going to cost more than we were able to raise capital for,” Kunz said.

Kunz and Fosberg submitted a proposal for Belvidere on Tap to the Belvidere-Boone County Planning Department in April. Plans included serving craft, imported and domestic beers, wine and mixed drinks along with 10 to 15 "high quality" food items. They also considered installing a small stage for karaoke and live shows.

The bar was to open this fall in the long-vacant portion of a strip mall on the southeast corner of Belvidere Road and Logan Avenue. A dental office, cell phone store and a gold trade-in establishment are the other tenants of the strip mall are.

At the time of the proposal, the idea of adding an upscale entertainment-based business in Belvidere was met with enthusiasm from Belvidere-Boone County Associate Planning Director Gina Delrose.

“The restaurant and bar will add a much-needed entertainment-focused business to the east side of town," Delrose wrote in an advisory report on May 4. "Currently, there are no sit-down food establishments in that vicinity."

Fosberg said the venture was too risky financially and instead, the pair are hoping to find a different space in Rockford. For example, Fosberg made an unsuccessful bid in August to operate a business at the former Kiwi Cafe at 211 Elm St., kitty-corner to the BMO Harris Bank Center.

“For the amount of money we were going to spend, it wasn't worth going out that far,” Fosberg said of Belvidere on Tap. “We're looking for something else in town we can buy, so we don't have to deal with landlords. We're hoping that within six months we can find something.”

Plans for upscale Belvidere on Tap scrapped by Rockford bar owners - News - Rockford Register Star - Rockford, IL