Poor Governor Pat Quinn.
He's running into brick walls as the legislative leaders from his own party (namely House Speaker Mike Madigan and Senate President John Cullerton), as he tries to plug a nine billion-plus budget hole.
So his new strategy is to reach out to rank and file lawmakers to do an end run around the leaders.
Today he made his pitch to more than two dozen suburban lawmakers.
But after three-plus hours, Gov. Quinn's meeting with suburbanite lawmakers was over and what was concretely resolved -BUPKISS.
In fact after the marathon meeting things didn't look too rosy. Republican State Sen./ gubernatorial hopeful Matt Murphy liked the concept of Quinn meeting with the rank and file, but added that he and fellow Republican lawmakers are no closer to voting for Quinn's tax hike
Even fellow Dems weren't giddy after the meeting with Quinn. State Rep. Jack Franks sympathizes with Quinn saying he was given a mess by disgraced former Governor Rod Blagojevich but adds Quinn has managed it poorly.
Instead of threatening social service cuts Franks says Quinn should cut $1.2 billion in pork from the capital bill and that order that fatcats who serve on state boards and commissions should not be paid.
For his part Quinn says he'll detail a $billion+ in budget cuts tomorrow.
How do you grade the governor's handling of the budget?
