Please join us for what will sure to be an exciting event with Congressman Ron Paul of Texas who enjoys a national reputation as the premier advocate for liberty in politics today. Dr. Paul is the leading spokesman in Washington for limited constitutional government, low taxes, free markets, and a return to sound monetary policies based on commodity-backed currency.

This will be a great opportunity to come and support Kent for his Senate Bid!

The Event itself will be a free will offering.

Host Committee Spots Available (includes private meeting with Congressman Paul)

Please Contact
Susan Geddes
515-202-3733

Please RSVP to sgeddes0@aol.com (sgeddes zero)

Date:         Saturday November 14th 2009

Time:        9:30am – 10:30am

Place:        Des Moines Airport Holiday Inn – 6111 Fleur Dr, Des Moines, IA

Recall a fiscal year runs from July 1st through June 30th and we are currently in FY2010.

The previous REC estimate for FY 2010 was $5.843 billion, or negative 1.4 percent compared to actual adjusted FY 2009.   The new estimate is $5.438 billion, or negative 8.4 percent compared to FY 09.   This is $415 million lower than the estimate used to create the FY 2010 budget.

As a result the Governor ordered a 10% across the board cut.   This cut applies to all General Fund expenditures regardless of need or priority.  The cut the Governor made is somewhat larger than was necessary in order to hedge against a further reduction in December and possibly provide some backfill next January.

Most Iowans will see the impact of this cut in their property tax bill.   Among other things, an across the board cut reduces the state funding for the K-12 education foundation formula.    This is the amount the state provides school districts on a per pupil basis.   As across the board cut does not reduce the amount of money a school district can spend.

If the state does not provide its statutory share, school districts have three options:    cut spending, use reserves or raise property taxes.   My expectation is cash reserves will be the first response.   However, realize these cash reserves will almost certainly be refilled using the cash reserve tax levy against property.

As a result of the Governor’s actions, Iowans could see their property taxes increase as much as $250 million dollars.

Last spring when this budget was passed we could see all this coming and nothing the REC said or did was a surprise.  Even with this information the current year’s spending was the largest in the history of Iowa.   We did not have to be in this position.

Additionally, the REC initial estimate for FY 2011 is $5.412 billion, or negative 0.4 percent compared to the new estimate for FY 2010.   Because of the promises that have been made, next year is again going to be a very difficult year.

The state has a severe spending problem and it needs to stop.   Programs and expenditures need to be reviewed for need and benefit to Iowa.  Those that fail the test or are at the bottom of the list need to be eliminated – not reduced by10%.

You may recall that during the 2009 legislative session, House Republicans offered over $330 million in cost-saving measures.   Nearly all were rejected.   Also rejected was a searchable budget database that would allow Iowans to see how the state is spending taxpayer dollars.   Targeted and meaningful budget efficiencies are more responsible than resorting to haphazard across the board cuts.

We cannot continue down the path we are on we need bold leadership from our elected officials.   The Governor should of called a special session  so we could better evaluate the cuts.   Every program the State has is not of equal importance.   So we should of prioritized the cuts accordingly.   Rest assured that my colleagues and I will address this when given the opportunity.

August marks another month in a long list in which Iowa’s pool of unemployed individuals grew, despite claims from Governor Culver and legislative Democrats that summer construction projects, created by federal stimulus and “I-JOBS” dollars, would put people back to work.  In fact, Iowa’s unemployment rate increased during every month this summer.   On September 18, 2009, Iowa Workforce Development announced Iowa’s unemployment rate jumped to 6.8%, its highest level since July 1986.  The jobless rate in Iowa last month stood at 6.5% and this month last year it the rate was down more than 2 points at 4.2%.  Currently, over 114,000 Iowans are out of work, nearly 6,000 more than last month and 44,000 more than a year ago.  Iowa’s construction sector lost 900 jobs in August,  9,300 eliminated throughout the past year.  Iowa’s unemployment situation is a disturbing trend that has become the norm.     House Republicans remain committed to working with their colleagues to reform Iowa’s tax code to reduce the tax burden on individuals and businesses responsible for creating the jobs needed to reverse the current unemployment trend.

Sorensen said today, “It is an honor to serve the people of Iowa and I believe I can be a better represent the people of Senate District 37 than the current senator. In the past two years I have listened to voters and worked to provide solutions to problems in state government. The majority party did not like the budget saving solutions offered for taxpayers and today we are in a budget crunch after passing the largest budget in Iowa history. We must work to reduce the over taxation, over regulation, and protect the freedoms of the people before the wants of government.”

Kent Sorenson and his wife Shawnee reside in Indianola with their six children. Kent is a small business owner, soccer coach, and past volunteer firefighter. Small businesses create over 60% of all new jobs in Iowa. In order for these businesses to grow government must cut, not increase, taxes and regulations. Education is of tremendous importance for the Sorenson family, growing up with parents as employees in the Indianola Community School system, Kent understands the best education for students is achieved with parental involvement.

Paul McKinley, Senate Republican Leader, said, “We need leaders like Kent Sorenson because Iowa cannot afford to continue to pursue the same big government agenda and policies advocated by liberal senators like Staci Appel. This race will truly offer a sharp contrast between two different directions for Iowa: If you want more government, more debt and zero action on creating jobs for Iowans – you may want to stick with the status quo.”

Sorenson continued, “It is my job to listen to the voter’s concerns. If you have questions for me all of my contact information is on my website at www.kentsorenson.com. I am here to work for you.”

Rep. Jodi Tymeson was also in attendance at the press conference to endorse Sorenson’s bid for the Iowa Senate.

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Paid for by Sorenson for Statehouse