A policy study put out by the Public Interest Institute this month called “How to Return to Normalcy in America: Following the Examples of Warren G. Harding” takes a look at the election of and the economic policies implemented by President Harding.
One particular note of interest in the study is found on page 16:
Federal spending was cut from $6.3 billion on 1920 to $5 billion 1921 and $3.2 billion in 1922. Federal taxes fell from $6.6 billion in 1920 to $5.5 billion in 1921 and $4 billion in 1922.
These cuts in spending were in response to the depression of 1920-1921, virtually forgotten because of being overshadowed by the Great Depression of the 30s.
Thank you to all the men and women who serve and have served in this nation’s armed forces, fighting for the freedoms we enjoy every day. The sacrifice of those who have died to preserve this great nation will be in our thoughts and prayers today.
The Iowa Republican posted an article of an interview they did with House Republican Leader, Kraig Paulsen. Start reading the article below:
After being selected in late December to lead the Republican caucus in the Iowa House of Representatives, Rep. Kraig Paulsen is now focused on regaining control of the chamber with the 2010 elections. Paulsen sat down with the Iowa Republican recently to discuss his new role as minority leader, the legislative session that concluded at 6 a.m. on a Sunday morning, and what the future holds for House Republicans.
When lawmakers returned to Des Moines in January to start the new legislative session, Democrats were all aglow about newly-elected President Barak Obama, who won Iowa handedly, and they were also celebrating large majorities in the Iowa House and Senate. Iowa’s political pundits believed that there was nothing Republicans could do to slow down or stop Democrats from advancing their agenda.
The pundits were wrong because the Democrats’ agenda didn’t sail through the legislative process. House Democrats were unable to pass prevailing wage, choice of doctor, and the repeal of federal deductibility, despite Governor Chet Culver’s pledge to help find the needed votes to pass these pieces of legislation.
That’s not to say however, that House Democrats were unable to pass anything significant. Democrats passed a huge budget, along witha bill allowing the state to borrow $765 million, which taxpayers will be asked to pay back over the next 20 years. With only 44 Republican members in the Iowa House, Paulsen, with a lot of help from six moderate Democrats, was able to stop a large part of the Democrats’ agenda from becoming law.
The research staff put together a list of Funnel Week Survivors for the First Funnel of 2009. The First Funnel says that any House bills that are going to come out of House committees this session needed to do so by Friday. Not doing so essentially kills the bill.
View the linked document to see which bills survived the Funnel.
Putting Iowans back to work and kick starting the state’s economy should be the focus of the 2009 Legislature. Instead of working on proposals like Rep. Nick Wagner’s income tax cut (HF 604), the Legislature is spending time and energy on the following:
HF 422 – Idling Bill
Democrats want to approve vehicle emission standards similar to California. In California, it is illegal to idle your car for more than 5 minutes. Exceeding the 5 minute idling limit in California is a $300 fine.
Jobs created: 0 Ankles turned by Iowans sprinting in and out of their driveways and garages to move their cars before the 5 minutes limit is exceeded: Numerous.
HF 627 Leaf Burning Ban
Iowans evidently need to be protected from burning leaves. Despite the fact that cities already have the ability to ban leaf burning within city limits, Democrats feel strongly that burning leaves are such an imminent threat to Iowans, they must be banned.
Jobs created: 0 Leaves saved: Many
HF 588 Paint Tax
Iowans who purchase paint aren’t paying their fair share. Democrats have a bill that increases the state tax on paint, primer and specialty finish. Iowans who purchase stains, sealers and spray paints need not worry as the tax on these products will not go up.
Jobs created: 0 Confused home improvement shoppers: Loads
HF 296 Propane Tax
Iowans who use propane evidently are not paying their fair share so Democrats have targeted backyard grillers.
Increase in Iowa General Fund (State Budget) Expenditures over the last three years:
Per Second: $10.12
Per Minute: $607.18
Per Hour: $36,431
Per Day: $874,338
Per Week: $6,120,309
Total: $957.4 million
Methodology: The general fund budget increased by $957.4 million over three fiscal years (FY 2008 through FY 2010). This includes federal stimulus funds that were used to cover increases in general fund spending. This figure comes from the non-partisan Legislative Services Agency (LSA). This figure does not include $52.7 million of FY 2007 supplemental appropriations that were moved into FY 2008 in order to allow the Legislature to increase spending. ($6.297 billion in FY 2010 appropriations minus $5.340 billion in adjusted FY 2007 appropriations.)
A policy study put out by the Public Interest Institute this month called “How to Return to Normalcy in America: Following the Examples of Warren G. Harding” takes a look at the election of and the economic policies implemented by President Harding.
Miscellaneous | admin | October 21, 2009 | 
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