We can’t build a solid future by borrowing

Not only have Iowans witnessed hefty increases in state spending, the unemployment rate and property taxes during the last few years, but we have seen an alarming spike in public debt.

As it stands today, Iowa now has the most debt in the state’s 164 year history. A recent tally shows that Iowa has nearly $1.1 billion in public debt associated with our prisons, Vision Iowa spending, school infrastructure, and Governor Culver’s failed I-JOBS program. Prior to Governor Culver being elected and Democrats taking control of the Legislature in 2006, Iowa had close to $200 million of debt in those areas. In just a few short years, the debt amount has quintupled.

Unfortunately, that is only just a fraction of Iowa’s debt. Iowa’s true total debt for all of state government and its agencies, cities, schools, AEAs, regent universities and community colleges is over $11.6 billion as of June 30, 2009 according to a report issued late last year by the State Treasurer. Compared to the year before, that level of debt is an increase of 6.33 percent. With the level of spending happening in Iowa this year, that number is likely to only get bigger.

Debt at all levels of government is growing out of control. The debt crisis in Greece and Europe as a whole has threatened their entire currency and the consequences are beginning to ripple through our stock market and the worldwide economy. Our federal deficit is now well beyond $12 trillion and getting worse by the day.

The simple truth is that government is spending too much of your money.

The long-term solution is two-fold. First, we need to stop spending at such an alarming rate. We need to better prioritize our spending. Secondly, we must grow our economy so we can create more jobs. With the highest unemployment in over two decades, it’s safe to say Governor Culver and legislative Democrats have proven that you cannot tax, borrow or spend your way to prosperity.
Governor Culver’s $1.7 billion I-JOBS program is a prime example. When he announced the idea, he promised it would create 30,000 jobs. In the time since, over 30,000 Iowans have actually lost their jobs. We must move away from the mindset of allowing government to pick winners and losers.

Instead, we must unleash the entrepreneurial spirit and ingenuity of the private sector. We know small business, the engine of economic growth in this state, is responsible for two out of every three new jobs created. We should not be adding additional barriers, such as Culver’s massive property tax increases, that make it more difficult for jobs to be created. We must grow this economy and send a clear message that Iowa is a destination for all those who wish to find success and fulfill their economic dreams.

We must never lose focus on the future and remember that while we aim to help the Iowans of today, we are also building a state so that all of our children, grandchildren and the future generations of Iowans can find a job, build a business and raise their families here.

Future generations of Iowans deserve more than spiraling debt and unsustainable spending year after year. It is simply unfair to them. They deserve a state where opportunity is provided and success is rewarded. Each generation is trusted with the goal of renewing the promise of a more hopeful and optimistic future. Our children and grandchildren are counting on us to make good on our word.

Let’s Put Kids Ahead Of Special Interest

The end of the school year is upon us. Schools are busy finalizing their budgets and preparing for next year. Since Governor Culver and legislative Democrats underfunded K-12 education by $162 million dollars while still spending the second most amount of money in Iowa history, schools are making deep cuts and property taxes are going up. Culver’s property tax increases are collectively estimated to be near $182 million but could be as high as a half billion dollars.

Through all of this, many teachers and staff members have been let go to ensure districts are operating with a balanced budget. When these layoffs are made, districts are forced to make decisions based on seniority – not necessarily on whether they are retaining the best teachers for the students in their districts.

This must change.

A recent Register Editorial in the Des Moines Sunday Register <http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20100509/OPINION03/5090317/1110/Keep-best-teachers-not-necessarily-veterans> does a good job highlighting the need to change the way we evaluate and promote teachers. “Seniority tends to be a big factor in who stays – it’s written into school district contracts – which can have devastating consequences for students,” wrote the Des Moines Sunday Register. “Putting the best teacher possible in every classroom should be everyone’s top priority. It’s mind-boggling that it isn’t,” they concluded.

I could not agree more.

Year after year, Republicans have authored broad and sweeping education reforms in the Iowa Legislature to reform education. If enacted, our “pay for performance” law would be one of the boldest reform plans anywhere in the nation. “Pay for performance” legislation was passed by the Legislature in 2006 but Governor Vilsack caved in to the demands of the deep pocketed union bosses who prefer the stagnant status quo. This, like many similar proposals to enhance student achievement and renew the legacy of Iowa’s proud heritage in education, has been defeated year after year by the party currently in power.

Case in point, when Iowa applied for President Obama’s Race to the Top grant program, our state’s application was denied. Governor Culver and legislative Democrats, like Vilsack, caved to the demands of powerful special interests and well-funded union bosses by voting down Republican efforts to revitalize our education system and make Iowa more competitive.

Today, 20 to 25 percent of our students are one year or more below grade level. This drastic change in direction is one of the leading reasons why our eighth graders in 1993 were first in mathematics but have now fallen to 28th. Though we have spent billions of dollars, student achievement has stagnated and in many instances declined. The 2008 Iowa Condition of Education Report shows student proficiency has decreased over the past year in fourth grade reading, fourth grade math, eleventh grade reading and eleventh grade math.

We need more accountability. Everyone must be accountable for the success of our students. Though these children may be students today, we will be relying on them to be the leaders of tomorrow. Students, parents, schools, colleges of education and policymakers all need to be held accountable.

We need to pay our good teachers well and weed out those who are not meeting the necessary standards. There are excellent teachers with all levels of experience and they must be rewarded and those who do not excel need to move on. We must be clear, basing personnel decisions solely on seniority must end.

As it stands now, the rest of the world is leaving America behind and the rest of America is starting to leave Iowa behind. Simply throwing more money at the problem without real reform has not and will continue not to work.

We need dramatic reform and we need it now. If we fail to act, we are leaving our children, grandchildren and future generations of Iowans without the necessary skills they need to be productive members of society.

It’s time to put our students first by preparing them to be productive citizens who possess the necessary skills and knowledge to compete with any one else in the world. Our kids deserve the very best.

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  Thursday, April 29, 2010
Contact:  Rep. Kent Sorenson (515) 250-7555

Sorenson Highlights Immigration Legislation

(INDIANOLA) – Today Rep. Kent Sorenson (R-Indianola) highlighted the work he did during the 2010 Legislative session on the issue of illegal immigration.

Among other bills, Sorenson crafted HF 2345 which is the Iowa version of the Oklahoma immigration law.  Under this legislation, the Attorney General would be required to establish a Memorandum of Understanding with the Federal Government to insure that unauthorized aliens discovered by Iowa law enforcement officials are quickly and safely transferred into federal custody.  It also requires public employers to use e-verify to verify the lawful presence of new employees.

HF 2263 was another piece of Sorenson legislation which was proposed this year.  Under this bill, the Department of Human Services would be required to verify the social security numbers of those who applied for their services.

“Recent legislation passed by the state of Arizona highlights the need for reform in the state of Iowa,” said Sorenson.  “It’s time to get tough on illegal immigration and these two pieces of legislation would have been a step in the right direction.”

Democrats killed both pieces of legislation during the subcommittee process.

“I will continue to work to create positive solutions the illegal immigration problem facing the state of Iowa,” said Sorenson.

###

How to Save $100 Million

February 6, 2010

We are four weeks into this legislative session. The majority of our time has been spent dealing with the budget crisis that has been created by irresponsible spending and bad budget decisions. During Gov. Culver’s term, the gap between state spending and revenue has skyrocketed. In FY2009, the spending gap was $400 million, which increased to $800 million in FY2010. Fiscal Services is now estimating a $1.1 billion spending gap for FY2011.

One of the ways that the majority party has chosen to deal with this gap is to sponsor HF2001, which allows Iowa school districts to shift up to $380 million in employee benefit costs from the general fund to property taxes. If passed, HF2001 could result in up to $380 million in additional property taxes for Iowans – so much for “not raising your taxes.” (Governor Culver’s words)

Another way that the majority party plans to deal with the budget mess is to create yet another new operating structure of state government. Democratic leaders of the State Government Reorganization committee claim that there are “scores of millions of dollars to be saved.”  However, last week we learned that the current recommended changes yield $1.7 million in FY2010, $28.9 million in the second year and $66.7 million in FY2012, which is far short of the earlier prediction of $200 million in savings from the chairs of the State Government Reorganization Committee, or the Governor’s prediction of $341 million.

If you were to go into a DHS Office, you would see signs declaring that social security numbers are not verified. Every year the people of Iowa spend millions of taxpayer dollars on services that are used by illegal immigrants. I have drafted a bill that requires the DHS to validate the social security number of all applicants before services are granted. The department would need to incorporate the verification requirement into all application processes in the most cost-effective manner. This action would save our state close to $100 million dollars per year.

As I write this newsletter, I am struck by the enormity of the job that lies ahead, particularly with Governor Culver and the Democratic party in control of the legislature.  I would ask that all of you stay informed and involved in the business of your government and make your voice heard.

Representative Kent Sorenson

Kent.sorenson@legis.state.ia.us

515-962-2192

Spending & Government Reorganization

January 29, 2010

Iowa’s $1.1 Billion Spending Gap

Governor Culver has increased Iowa’s annual budget by $1 billion during the first three years of his term, and now we are going into fiscal year 2011 with a $1.1 billion spending gap. This is not a coincidence; it is gross mismanagement of our tax dollars. How much is a billion dollars, you say? Here’s how I picture it: You would have to spend $38,052 every single hour of the three years Culver’s been Governor to spend an extra billion dollars. That’s over $913,000 in additional spending every single day!

Government Reorganization Savings Inflated in Governor’s Budget:

Governor Culver included $341 million in Government Reorganization Savings for the FY2011 Budget. However, the Fiscal Impact Statement released on January 20 by the Legislative Services Division predicts only $29 million in savings for FY2011. This overinflated tally includes a shift of $50 million in State Patrol Costs to the Road Fund. Folks, shifting expenditures from one fund to another is not a savings to the taxpayers of Iowa.

I am all for shrinking Government if that is what we are truly doing, but I am not going to allow someone to use smoke and mirrors tactics to shift things around and call it something it is not. As I watch this unfold I am going to be honest to my constituents. Last year we offered over $300 million in cost saving ideas in amendments during floor debates and not one was accepted. Instead, the majority party choose to keep buying bug shields, leather seats, and Bose stereos for state cars, rather than being thrifty with Iowans tax dollars.

House Republicans are working to find real solutions to our state budget crisis, and I look forward to receiving your input as we continue this complicated process.

Respectfully,

Representative Kent Sorenson
515-962-2192
kent@kentsorenson.com

Beginning Of The 2010 Session