Huckabee Releases Statement About Sorenson’s Bid In Iowa

August 17, 2010

Little Rock, AR – Governor Mike Huckabee issued the following statement about Kent Sorenson:

“Huck PAC and I are proud to endorse Kent Sorenson for Iowa State Senate District 37. Kent was first elected to the Iowa House in 2008, winning a race that many thought was unwinnable. Kent isn’t afraid of fight, especially when you have something worth fighting for.

Kent shares our values, is unequivocally pro-life and supports the traditional definition of marriage – as being between one man and one woman. Kent is an avid outdoorsman and will continue working hard to keep and preserve your 2nd Amendment rights.

Please join me in supporting Kent Sorenson for Iowa State Senate District 37.”

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.