Republicans Offer Budget Reductions to the FY 2010 Budget

admin — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 17:05:54 +0000

Today House Republican Leader Kraig Paulsen released a comprehensive list of more than $215 million in budget-saving measures he will be presenting to Democrat legislative leaders.

“On the first day of the legislative session, I indicated that House Republicans would be diving into state budgets to find serious savings for the taxpayers of Iowa,” said Paulsen. “Today we are here to offer a list that goes to reducing the size and scope of state government, that brings more accountability to budgeting and reduces unnecessary spending.”

The following is the list House Republicans presented to Democrats:

Program Reduction Savings

Eliminate “phantom employees” – funded, unfilled FTE positions $25,000,000

Do “Principal Plan” – require Governor to negotiate a pay reduction for all employees – sliding scale of 2% cut for $40K to 10% cut for over $100K – then apply to all non-union, all branches (click here for breakdown of Principal Plan as applied) $72,500,000

Charge state employees a monthly fee for health insurance premiums – HAWK-I pays $10 per month, charge state employees $50 per month for health insurance $17,800,000

Sell the fleet, outsource vehicle leasing – one-time infusion due to sale, ongoing savings of $18 million minus the money for leasing vehicles $34,000,000

Reduce office supplies, service contracts, equipment purchases $10,000,000

Combine all state information technology systems including combining the 6 different email systems $20,000,000

Sell or lease the Iowa Communications Network $15,000,000

Reduce funding for Library acquisitions at Regents by 50% $13,500,000

No DNR land acquisition for FY 2010 $5,000,000

Freeze out of state travel (allow a waiver process via Executive Council for critical functions) $1,500,000

Eliminate “extras” on existing state vehicle purchases including bug shields, stereos, GPS systems and other add-ons $87,000

Archiving Iowa Governor’s Records — Reduce by 50% $39,000

Eliminate Washington, DC Internship (seek private funding) $90,000

Eliminate miscellaneous expenses for DOT garage in Rockwell City $78,000

Eliminate charter flights by members of the DOT commission $17,000

End printing of annual reports – require them to be emailed *

Suspend per diem for ex officio members on boards & commissions *

Require all employees to turn in receipts for meal expenses *

GRAND TOTAL OF BUDGET REDUCTIONS $214,611,000

* Exact dollar savings unknown at the present time

Click here to download a pdf of this information

Republicans To Hold Joint Press Conference Tuesday, January 13

admin — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 17:31:31 +0000

Senate Minority Leader Paul McKinley (R-Chariton) and House Republican Leader Kraig Paulsen (R-Hiawatha) will be holding a joint press conference on Tuesday, January 13, 2009 immediately following Governor Culver’s condition of the state address.

The two legislative leaders will be giving the Republican reaction to the governor’s address.

WHO: Senate Leader Paul McKinley, House Republican Leader Kraig Paulsen

WHAT: Joint Press Conference, condition of the state reaction

WHEN: Tuesday, January 13, 2009, Immediately following the governor’s address

WHERE: House Republican Leader’s office, State Capitol (room 121)

Iowa House Republicans » Press Conferences

Republicans Offer Budget Reductions to the FY 2010 Budget

Republicans To Hold Joint Press Conference Tuesday, January 13