Inefficient and Incompetent Legislature (Chicago, Springfield: real estate, 2014, apartments)

[Maintainschaos]

The most pressing issue facing the state and its budget yet again goes unresolved. This issue is far more important than anything passed this legislative session, yet the two chambers still couldn't move beyond their respective impasses. The House didn't even vote on the Senate's plan.

Lawmakers leave without pension reform - Springfield, IL - The State Journal-Register

In my opinion, lawmakers should be forced to continue to spend their time in Springfield without pay until they come to a consensus. Certainly they don't deserve to be paid if they call another special session...

[FlyBoyDC10AA]

Originally Posted by Maintainschaos

The most pressing issue facing the state and its budget yet again goes unresolved. This issue is far more important than anything passed this legislative session, yet the two chambers still couldn't move beyond their respective impasses. The House didn't even vote on the Senate's plan.

Lawmakers leave without pension reform - Springfield, IL - The State Journal-Register

In my opinion, lawmakers should be forced to continue to spend their time in Springfield without pay until they come to a consensus. Certainly they don't deserve to be paid if they call another special session...

We need to vote almost all of the people out of office, pat quinn needs to go and the Chicago mayor is going to only be a one term mayor. This state is going to go straight into the toilet. We are going to have the lowest credit rating of all the states and it is going to get to the point where people are going to leave the state in masses just to get away from all the crap that is going on down state. I was shocked they where able to pass a conceal and carry measure because they really haven't gotten anything done.

[linicx]

There is something that is worse for the moment. The legislature overturned Quinn's Veto that would have stopped ComEd from adding an additional raise of the utilities. ComED lined pockets and now y'all get to pay an additional $71M in addition to the $311M it was awarded just took a couple of day ago. All the utility companies are colluding to weaken state PUC/CUB and state Commerce Commissions from border to border.

I think our wonderful legislators and principle government employees in Springfield need to be gifted with boxes of road apples, cow patties, and used tea bags. I've had enough and I'm reasonably tolerant.

[Maintainschaos]

Originally Posted by linicx

There is something that is worse for the moment. The legislature overturned Quinn's Veto that would have stopped ComEd from adding an additional raise of the utilities. ComED lined pockets and now y'all get to pay an additional $71M in addition to the $311M it was awarded just took a couple of day ago. All the utility companies are colluding to weaken state PUC/CUB and state Commerce Commissions from border to border.

I think our wonderful legislators and principle government employees in Springfield need to be gifted with boxes of road apples, cow patties, and used tea bags. I've had enough and I'm reasonably tolerant.

I'm not sure the Smart Grid veto veto is worse. It certainly doesn't attract the kind of vitriolic editorials like pension reform. See just this morning's Trib:

Editorial: Madigan, Cullerton and the price of their petulance - chicagotribune.com

[Beachgoer44]

Originally Posted by FlyBoyDC10AA

We need to vote almost all of the people out of office, pat quinn needs to go and the Chicago mayor is going to only be a one term mayor. This state is going to go straight into the toilet. We are going to have the lowest credit rating of all the states and it is going to get to the point where people are going to leave the state in masses just to get away from all the crap that is going on down state. I was shocked they where able to pass a conceal and carry measure because they really haven't gotten anything done.

This state is already in the toilet!

[linicx]

It does me little good to complain because I cannot move. Sadly its the same thing in D.C.. Getting rid of the honest legislators, yes there are a few who try to represnet their constituents, is nota solution.

Being able to tell the sheep from the wolf in sheep's clothing is the trick.

If there is good news it is the legislators passed some new regs and stiff rules regarding fracking.

Originally Posted by Maintainschaos

I'm not sure the Smart Grid veto veto is worse. It certainly doesn't attract the kind of vitriolic editorials like pension reform. See just this morning's Trib:

Editorial: Madigan, Cullerton and the price of their petulance - chicagotribune.com

[linicx]

There are two places in California I really like. Palm Springs and the ocean in the winter. Good luck with your move. I probably should say that was tongue in cheek, or maybe foot in mouth. I enjoyed it when I visited my kids. We took the dogs out to the beach in the winter and and took pictures. If I could have a beach house and dogs I'd be very happy. The rent prices near the ocean are insane. But you can get a nice house, condo or apartment in Oceanside or Vista for under $2000. A one bedroom in Venice Beach is about the same. But if you get 40 miles from the beach, or up around Hayword the COL is less. Beverley Hills, Malibu, Carmel, and places like that the rent is probably 3x higher. If you are accustomed to paying $100 for a lobster dinner you will not be shocked. Winters are warm enough that you can usually heat with artificial logs in a wood burning fireplace. Most modern apartments have some type of fireplace. If you get closer to the mountains you'll see snow and you might even get some.

Real Estate taxes are worse than Chicago; so are the gasoline prices and cigarettes, but you also find a head shop (that was a trip). On the other hand if you rent a place with fruit trees you can pick your breakfast. You can get good buys at grocery stores like Albertson's, Von's, Smiths, and Ralph's (Kroger). It is not unusual to find lemons and limes 10/$1.00 and rice in barrels for $1 pound. Boney's has some good buys too. And you will find Trader Joe's, Costco, Apple, Walmart, Target, and other familiar stores. Freshly picked dates are yummy, and the avocado is inexpensive too; you can buy those by the bag. I love the 8 lane banks that stay open to 10pm most nights and are open 7 days except holidays. Fry's has come good buys on all things electronic.

I spent more time in SD county than I did in LA. Speaking of ... there is some type of metro between SD and LA. SD airport is smaller and has weird routes, but SW Airlines has good deals. It is not that hard to catch a flight to LV.. One other thing, there is some really good medical care in California.

Originally Posted by Meandering Musician

Well, I'm going to worse. Moving to California in 2 weeks.

[cubssoxfan]

All along I thought this was a game between Madigan and Cullerton. Let's appease the masses by trying REALLY hard to pass needed legislation, but let's not anger our constituents so we can hold onto power. Let's play this long enough to hold onto power during the Statewide election of 2014...........
OR, it's a lose lose situation and Cullerton and Madigan cannot agree on best choice:
1) pass Madigan's plan and keep swing voters, moderate voters and maybe gain some "RHINO's" BUT Union voters stay home or vote R
2) do nothing, keep Union voters happy but lose swing voters and moderates.
3) Pass Cullerton's plan and lose some Union voters and ?? with swing voters and Moderates vote R.
Hello!?!?! Will voters finally make changes in 2014?? Will Republicans finally learn to keep their traps shut regarding social issues?? Will D voters finally wake up and cross party lines to get office holders who will actually do something?!

It's a pathetic version of the movie "Groundhog Day" and i/we keep hoping they will FINALLY get the day RIGHT!

[Vlajos]

Cullerton's plan is a waste of paper and time. Pass Madigan's bill and be done with it. Unfortunatey, looks like we have to wait until 2014?!?!?!?!!?

Idiots.....

[k3worker]

Originally Posted by Meandering Musician

Well, I'm going to worse. Moving to California in 2 weeks.

You're actually improving your situation.

Illinois credit rating lowered after pension reform failure

California has actually made concrete strides toward improving its fiscal situation. Illinois? Nope. Only in Illinois can one party hold a supermajority in each house of the legislature AND the Governor's mansion and still manage to fail to pass something as pressing as pension reform.