Rauner’s Year-End Accomplishments List Includes Vetoed Bills, Things That Did Not Happen, And Alternative Facts
Today, Governor Bruce Rauner’s campaign released a list of 10 “accomplishments” in 2017 that really underscore how little Rauner has done for Illinois families. Rauner’s list includes a couple whoppers, some stretches, and a few things that simply didn’t happen:
- Rauner’s list includes passage of the Clean Energy Jobs Act…which was signed in 2016 and not 2017.
- Rauner’s campaign lists “Amazon” as an accomplishment. By that logic, 238 states and locales that applied for HQ2 consideration can claim that accomplishment.
- Rauner continues take credit for education reform, despite the fact Rauner vetoed and campaigned against the reforms for months.
- Rauner lists his veto of the state’s budget as an accomplishment. Yes, he wanted to keep the budget impasse going despite the debt and strain it put on the state.
- Rauner claims he “worked to run an ethical government.” This year, Rauner hired a lobbyist as his Chief of Staff, saw his General Counsel mysteriously resign after penning a memo on separating politics from governing, and has had ethics complaints filed against two staff members.
Rauner’s list ignores the damage he did to the state’s services during an opioid epidemic, praises the release of a plan with no funding source, and brags about taking overseas trips where he bad-mouthed the state. It would not be a surprise to find “made a list” as the 11th accomplishment.
“Bruce Rauner is patting himself on the back for another failed year in office,” said DGA Illinois Communications Director Sam Salustro. “Illinois is still falling behind but Rauner seems oblivious to his administration’s failures. Debt went up, jobs and people were still lost, and Rauner spent the year dodging the tough fights on behalf of Illinois families. Rauner should be honest with Illinois voters and list the 10 ways he’s failed the state.”