The People Are Speaking

House Republicans Offer $200 Million in Savings

Through Tuesday, April 14, House Republicans had offered over $200 million in general fund savings as a result of a line-by-line review of the budget. Virtually all of these amendments were rejected by majority Democrats. Had Democrats accepted a little more than one-half of the savings, their proposed budget would be in balance instead of being at least $105 million over.

Here is the breakdown of the amendments offered and the savings created, per budget subcommittee:

• Administration and Regulation — $100.1 million
• Economic Development — $14.7 million
• Agriculture and Natural Resources — $17.5 million
• Health and Human Services — $20.3 million
• Education (Department of & Higher Ed) – $52.9 million
• Justice System (Corrections and DPS) — $27.1 million
• Total General Fund Savings through April 14 – $232.6 million

With the Standings and Justice System budget bills yet to be debated, the Republican amendments will exceed $300 million in savings by the time session adjourns.

In addition, Minority Leader Paulsen and Representative Raecker this week criticized the Democrats for playing lip service on the issue of budget transparency.

On Thursday, April 9, the House and Senate Appropriations Committees approved four one-paragraph shell bills: Standings, Rebuild Iowa Infrastructure Fund, Federal Stimulus and Bonding. These four bills stand to spend over $4.2 billion in taxpayer money. By skipping the budget subcommittee process as well as the full Appropriations Committee process, the Democrats have locked Iowans out of the debate on these very important budget issues.

By refusing to show Iowans how they are going to spend $4.2 billion, or how they are going to fund the budget bills that have already been approved, they are purposely and systematically keeping Iowans from knowing the true picture.

As the budget process moves forward, House Republicans will continue to go through the budget on a line-by-line basis to find ways to make state government leaner and more efficient. House Republicans will also continue the fight for truth and transparency in the budget process.

Iowa Tuition Grants

The majority party voted in support of cutting 4.2 million dollars from the Iowa Tuition Grant program which focuses on aiding students in private colleges such as Simpson. That is a cut of more than $300.00 per student. I did not support making this cut. This is a program I view favorably because students that participate tend to remain in Iowa and reinvest their lives here.

HF 815, another bill, that benefits our college students, will require the boards of directors of the community colleges and the state board of regents to enter into a collective statewide articulation agreement to provide for the seamless transfer of academic credits from a completed associate of arts or associates of science degree program offered by a community college to a baccalaureate degree program offered by a regents university. In other words, when a student takes a class at a community college, those classes will be guaranteed to transfer to a state college or university. Community colleges and universities have been working on articulation agreements for years and this bill will help finalize that process.

Federal Deductibility and Marriage Amendment

Over the past two weeks, we have seen numerous demonstrations on both the federal deductibility and the marriage amendment issues. I have received several hundred emails and phone calls on these two issues alone. Thank you for communicating your thoughts to me.

I don’t believe that we will see federal deductibility debated on the House floor this year, but this issue is far from over. I encourage you to stay diligent and informed. This could very well be debated next year. I have made it clear that I believe a tax on a tax is not good for the people of Iowa.

Following the Supreme Court’s ruling, my opinion on marriage has not changed. I continue to believe that marriage should be defined as one man and one woman.

There have been attempts made to bring House Joint Resolution 6 to the House floor for debate. Passage of HJR 6 would be the first step allowing the people of Iowa to vote on this issue. The majority party has blocked every attempt made. We will continue to work for passage of a marriage amendment.

There have been numerous emails and phone calls attacking and threatening people on both sides of this issue. This is not productive for either side of the issue. Please be courteous as you contact your legislators regarding this subject.

Continue to stay involved and do not hesitate to contact me regarding issues that are important to you.