A new January 2010 newsletter is available for viewing. Click the link below to see a PDF version.

Caucus Newsletter January 20, 2010

Included in this edition:

• The Spending Gap is $1.1 Billion
• House Democrats introduce property tax increases
• Tips for Taxpayers

On January 12, 2010, Governor Culver proclaimed that since his first day in office, he has balanced the budget every day without raising taxes. However, the facts state otherwise. Here is a list of taxes and fees signed by the Governor since taking office.

Taxes and Fees Memo

On December 17, the Governor issued Executive Order #20, which contained 39 proposals to reduce or eliminate spending. The Governor claims that the EO will save the taxpayers $140 million in FY 2011 and over $500 million from FY 2011 to FY 2015.

Some of the ideas were offered by Republicans last year but were voted down by Democrats. Those ideas included consolidation of information technology systems, reducing the fleet, limiting equipment purchases and service contracts. Some are not reductions in the budget but rather revenue increases, like the vague “improve the state’s debt collection” and “improve collection processes for unemployment taxes”. Other items are transfers of funds from one area of the budget to another – for instance, “Encourage larger state agencies to support budget, accounting and pre-audit services for smaller state agencies.”

Here are all 39 cost-saving or revenue-increasing ideas…

On opening day of the legislative session, both the Speaker and Majority Leader said spending in FY 2010 is $5.2 billion, or less than the budget approved in 2006. The Governor repeated the falsehood in his Condition of the State speech. However, this ignores almost $700 million of general fund spending that was pushed “off-budget” in order to balance the FY 2010 budget.

Here is the general fund spending from FY 2007 to FY 2010 (in millions):

Continue reading…

A new January 2010 newsletter is available for viewing. Click the link below to see a PDF version.

Caucus Newsletter January 13, 2010

Included in this edition:

• Fact Check on the Gov’s Budget Numbers
• Raise the Mental Health Levy?
• Tax Credit Review

House Republican Leader Kraig Paulsen (R-Hiawatha) commented on the governor’s condition of the state address today.

“The governor needs to be straight with Iowans, he has raised taxes to balance his budget and that is unacceptable. Balancing the budget is not good enough if it’s on the backs of the taxpayer.

“Among others, the governor has signed utility tax increases, raised taxes on Iowa employers, and a $250 million tax levied on property tax payers. The governor has repeatedly proposed and signed over a half a billion dollars in tax increases.

“Iowa families have been tightening their belts but, they can no longer be asked to carry the weight of this governor’s mistakes and mismanagement.”

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House Republican Leader Kraig Paulsen (R-Hiawatha) delivered opening remarks to the Iowa House of Representatives today. The following are his remarks, as prepared for delivery:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, ladies and gentlemen of the House, family and friends:

First I want to start by welcoming Representative Royd Chambers back to the House. Thank you for your service, Royd, we’re very happy to have you home.

Obviously we have a difficult year ahead of us. But rather than look at this as a problem I hope this body will choose to see opportunity. Opportunity for a stronger Iowa, opportunity to create an efficient and open state government. An opportunity to give the state back to the people.

Last year we heard a lot of blame being passed out. House Republicans don’t think this is helpful. Wasn’t it President Truman who said, “the buck stops here?” Instead of blaming our state’s troubles on someone else, House Republicans have taken action and are ready to take action again this year.

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