Culver said he found out about the initial findings Sept. 15, while traveling in eastern Iowa with Tramontina.
“Culver pledges to work with film companies to sort out tax credits”
- Thomas Beaumont Des Moines Register 9/21/09
When information was first brought to my attention last week about Iowa’s film tax credit program, I was troubled.
“An outraged Culver: Iowans will not be taken for suckers”
- Jason Clayworth Des Moines Register 9/22/09
Tramontina submitted a request for proposals Aug. 10 to find an accounting firm to review operations and expenditures of the Iowa Film Office, which is part of economic development department.
He hired the Clifton Gunderson firm of West Des Moines on Aug. 19.
“Film tax errors seen as early as July”
- Lee Rood Des Moines Register 9/23/09
On Tuesday, Governor Chet Culver in Cedar Rapids said at least three times he learned of the tax credit fiasco either "last Tuesday" or "last week". When I asked him to clarify later on during his news conference, he said he had heard about possible problems before then and that's why he said he directed his legal counsel to push for the audit/review/investigation (whatever the proper term would be here) that now-former Iowa Dept of Economic Director Mike Tramontina discussed in a memo last Wednesday.
“Iowa Lawmaker Says Legislators Knew of Film Issues Early Summer”
- Dave Price “Price of Politics” 9/24/09
SEPT. 15: Gov. Chet Culver first hears of problems with the film tax credit, he says. He asks Tramontina for a summary by the end of the next day.
“Miller: Official's assertion on film credits 'mistaken'”
- Lee Rood Des Moines Register 9/25/09
Phil Roeder, spokesman for Culver, said Tramontina raised concerns about the purchase of the automobiles in August, but nobody brought up the depth of the program’s problems until September.
“Lawmaker said he had concerns about film tax credit program months ago”
- Charlotte Eby Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier 10/6/09
"It is critical that the Department of Economic Development immediately prevent additional spending for this program," Sen. Bill Dotzler, D-Waterloo, wrote to Mike Tramontina, the department's director, on Aug. 6. Dotzler send copies of his letter to the governor's office, state auditor and attorney general.
“Records show Culver's office was notified about film office trouble in August”
- Lee Rood Des Moines Register 11/7/2009
The question the Governor now needs to answer is what did he know and when did he know it? Governor Culver clearly stated that he did not learn of the problems at the Iowa Film Office until September 15th from former IDED Director Mike Tramontina. Yet both his spokesperson and the Governor himself stated that they knew of the irregularities in August. In fact the Governor went on to claim that he pushed for the audit put out for an RFP by Tramontina on the 10th of August. So Governor what did you know and when did you know it?
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Restoring the Fiscal Balance: Iowa Family Budget Initiatives
We have real solutions to help solve Iowa’s budget crisis and protect the very family budgets that will be at risk if bold action is not taken quickly.
Constitutional Limit on State Spending
We will propose and support an amendment to the Iowa Constitution to limit state spending to no more than 99% of state revenue. The current budget limitation law doesn’t work and, just last year, the legislature authorized nearly 70 loopholes in the current law to allow their outrageous spending increases.
Only an amendment to the Iowa Constitution is immune from legislative loopholes. Limiting spending to 99% of revenue ensures a balanced budget and the annual deposit of money into a rainy day fund. In the meantime, we pledge to pass NO budgets that exceed the 99% limit.
Iowa families must live within their means--Iowa state government should be no different.
Supermajority Vote to Approve New State Debt
This year the Governor signed and a majority of the legislature passed legislation that puts Iowa taxpayers on the hook for a $1.7 billion debt. The average Iowa family’s share of that debt is more than $2,000.
This debt was passed with support form only one party and was done despite statewide polling that showed 70% of Iowans opposed this additional debt. Iowans need greater protection from runaway state debt and these decisions should require more than a simple majority vote—especially when the repayment of the debt may extend for more than two decades and impact taxpayers too young to vote or not even yet born.
We propose requiring a 2/3 supermajority vote of both houses of the Legislature to authorize new state borrowing. Never again should one party have the sole authority to create these long-term debt burdens.
At the local level a 60% vote of the people is required to adopt new debt to ensure there is widespread community support for the projects to be funded. At the state level a 2/3 supermajority vote of the Legislature will help guarantee the same kind of broad support for similar state efforts.
We support pay-as-you-go budgets as the best method for funding state programs. However, if borrowing is occasionally necessary to meet critical needs, we want to ensure the support for that borrowing extends beyond the short term political objectives of any one party and meets the needs of a broad spectrum of Iowans. A 2/3 supermajority vote helps accomplish that goal.
Sunset Authorization of Every State Program
During these difficult economic times, every Iowa family has been forced to gather around their kitchen table and examine every aspect of their personal spending. They ask difficult questions and set new spending priorities to ensure their essential needs are met. Unfortunately, this same discussion rarely occurs within state government.
We propose a systematic process wherein EVERY program funded by state government will be sunset (de-authorized) by a date certain unless the Governor and Legislature reauthorize that program. This will force a thorough top-to-bottom review of every existing program funded by state government to determine whether the program is effectively and efficiently meeting the needs for which it was created, or if the need even continues to exist.
Those programs that are no longer relevant or functioning at a high level will be eliminated, reorganized, or the resources diverted to other priorities--just the way Iowa families eliminate spending that no longer meets their personal needs.
Incremental budgeting practices have led to a bloated and expensive state government that is both unsustainable and a drain on Iowa taxpayers. We will streamline state spending and state programs in a way that protects taxpayers from excessive state spending and ensures better delivery of state services to those in need.
Constitutional Limit on State Spending
We will propose and support an amendment to the Iowa Constitution to limit state spending to no more than 99% of state revenue. The current budget limitation law doesn’t work and, just last year, the legislature authorized nearly 70 loopholes in the current law to allow their outrageous spending increases.
Only an amendment to the Iowa Constitution is immune from legislative loopholes. Limiting spending to 99% of revenue ensures a balanced budget and the annual deposit of money into a rainy day fund. In the meantime, we pledge to pass NO budgets that exceed the 99% limit.
Iowa families must live within their means--Iowa state government should be no different.
Supermajority Vote to Approve New State Debt
This year the Governor signed and a majority of the legislature passed legislation that puts Iowa taxpayers on the hook for a $1.7 billion debt. The average Iowa family’s share of that debt is more than $2,000.
This debt was passed with support form only one party and was done despite statewide polling that showed 70% of Iowans opposed this additional debt. Iowans need greater protection from runaway state debt and these decisions should require more than a simple majority vote—especially when the repayment of the debt may extend for more than two decades and impact taxpayers too young to vote or not even yet born.
We propose requiring a 2/3 supermajority vote of both houses of the Legislature to authorize new state borrowing. Never again should one party have the sole authority to create these long-term debt burdens.
At the local level a 60% vote of the people is required to adopt new debt to ensure there is widespread community support for the projects to be funded. At the state level a 2/3 supermajority vote of the Legislature will help guarantee the same kind of broad support for similar state efforts.
We support pay-as-you-go budgets as the best method for funding state programs. However, if borrowing is occasionally necessary to meet critical needs, we want to ensure the support for that borrowing extends beyond the short term political objectives of any one party and meets the needs of a broad spectrum of Iowans. A 2/3 supermajority vote helps accomplish that goal.
Sunset Authorization of Every State Program
During these difficult economic times, every Iowa family has been forced to gather around their kitchen table and examine every aspect of their personal spending. They ask difficult questions and set new spending priorities to ensure their essential needs are met. Unfortunately, this same discussion rarely occurs within state government.
We propose a systematic process wherein EVERY program funded by state government will be sunset (de-authorized) by a date certain unless the Governor and Legislature reauthorize that program. This will force a thorough top-to-bottom review of every existing program funded by state government to determine whether the program is effectively and efficiently meeting the needs for which it was created, or if the need even continues to exist.
Those programs that are no longer relevant or functioning at a high level will be eliminated, reorganized, or the resources diverted to other priorities--just the way Iowa families eliminate spending that no longer meets their personal needs.
Incremental budgeting practices have led to a bloated and expensive state government that is both unsustainable and a drain on Iowa taxpayers. We will streamline state spending and state programs in a way that protects taxpayers from excessive state spending and ensures better delivery of state services to those in need.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
A History of Fiscal Mismanagement
In Their Own
Words …………….
… a deepening national recession dealt Iowa a serious financial blow that Culver said has left him with no choice but to make "significant cuts in government spending."
“Budget plan dismays some”
- Jennifer Jacobs and Jason Clayworth Des Moines Register 1/29/09
The new revenue estimates mean the cuts must go deeper. "This is the worst I've ever seen. This is the worst in my 27 years in the Legislature," Senate Majority Leader Michael Gronstal, D-Council Bluffs, said Friday during taping of Iowa Public Television's "Iowa Press."
“More cuts in state jobs, services seen”
- Jason Clayworth Des Moines Register 3/21/09
"If you look at how deep this recession was," Culver said, "I'm encouraged to see some of the trends showing improvement."
“Culver's advisers guardedly upbeat about economic turnaround”
- Jennifer Jacobs Des Moines Register 8/11/09
"In spite of the economic challenges brought on by the world-wide recession, and a projected shortfall for the fiscal year 2011 budget ….” Culver said in a statement.
“Culver dips $45 million from emergency reserves to balance budget”
- Jason Clayworth Des Moines Register 9/26/09
And Their Actions Led to ????????
Iowa legislators, intensely worried early this year about a looming recession and the economic toll of natural disasters, ended the 2009 session by approving the largest budget in the state's history - $6.3 billion.
“Federal stimulus plugs holes, but problems loom for future”
- Jason Clayworth Des Moines Register 4/27/09
That caps off a five-year spending uptick that, in total, increased by 25 percent from $5.02 billion in 2006.
“Federal stimulus plugs holes, but problems loom for future”
- Jason Clayworth Des Moines Register 4/27/09
The state's revenue would have to grow by almost 10 percent in the 2011 fiscal year for the state to avoid future gaps, the Legislative Services Agency estimated about a month ago.
“Federal stimulus plugs holes, but problems loom for future”
- Jason Clayworth Des Moines Register 4/27/09
That means the upcoming budget will be almost $6.3 billion, the largest in the state's history, according to the Legislative Services Agency.
“News Analysis: Session recaps often stretch facts”
- Jason Clayworth Des Moines Register 5/10/09
Iowa families cannot afford Governor Culver and Legislative Democrats Record of Fiscal Mismanagement!
Words …………….
… a deepening national recession dealt Iowa a serious financial blow that Culver said has left him with no choice but to make "significant cuts in government spending."
“Budget plan dismays some”
- Jennifer Jacobs and Jason Clayworth Des Moines Register 1/29/09
The new revenue estimates mean the cuts must go deeper. "This is the worst I've ever seen. This is the worst in my 27 years in the Legislature," Senate Majority Leader Michael Gronstal, D-Council Bluffs, said Friday during taping of Iowa Public Television's "Iowa Press."
“More cuts in state jobs, services seen”
- Jason Clayworth Des Moines Register 3/21/09
"If you look at how deep this recession was," Culver said, "I'm encouraged to see some of the trends showing improvement."
“Culver's advisers guardedly upbeat about economic turnaround”
- Jennifer Jacobs Des Moines Register 8/11/09
"In spite of the economic challenges brought on by the world-wide recession, and a projected shortfall for the fiscal year 2011 budget ….” Culver said in a statement.
“Culver dips $45 million from emergency reserves to balance budget”
- Jason Clayworth Des Moines Register 9/26/09
And Their Actions Led to ????????
Iowa legislators, intensely worried early this year about a looming recession and the economic toll of natural disasters, ended the 2009 session by approving the largest budget in the state's history - $6.3 billion.
“Federal stimulus plugs holes, but problems loom for future”
- Jason Clayworth Des Moines Register 4/27/09
That caps off a five-year spending uptick that, in total, increased by 25 percent from $5.02 billion in 2006.
“Federal stimulus plugs holes, but problems loom for future”
- Jason Clayworth Des Moines Register 4/27/09
The state's revenue would have to grow by almost 10 percent in the 2011 fiscal year for the state to avoid future gaps, the Legislative Services Agency estimated about a month ago.
“Federal stimulus plugs holes, but problems loom for future”
- Jason Clayworth Des Moines Register 4/27/09
That means the upcoming budget will be almost $6.3 billion, the largest in the state's history, according to the Legislative Services Agency.
“News Analysis: Session recaps often stretch facts”
- Jason Clayworth Des Moines Register 5/10/09
Iowa families cannot afford Governor Culver and Legislative Democrats Record of Fiscal Mismanagement!
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Lights. Camera. Action - but not too much action.
“If you build it, He will come.” The Iowa Legislature, in a bi-partisan fashion in 2007 and in 2009, passed film tax incentives to surpass what other states were offering to lure Hollywood into Iowa. Well, the film industry has arrived in Iowa - and it is big business for the state - bringing in film crews, movie stars and the best of Iowa jobs and opportunities. But wait…..like every good Hollywood movie, there is a plot twist ahead.
Dozens of film advocates and Iowans are now worried that a law change passed by Iowa Democrats capping the tax credits in the closing days of the 2009 session will effectively kill the tax breaks and this new Iowa industry.
Iowa Democrats are proud of their achievements and twittering away
on how their insight brought economic development to Iowa. Well, that is nothing more than “Hollywood hype.” Congrats, to the promotions department. But, all the airbrushing and press releases can’t hide the fact that the Democrat’s compulsive spending habits have led to the dismantling of this field of dreams. So, they built it, they came, but the Democrat’s cancelled the game.
All the movie magic in the world can't cover this one up. Democrats are, yet again, trying to have it both ways. They need the economic dollars to balance out their flawed budget but don't want to give too many breaks/incentives. This is one tale that won't end well as Iowa's Hollywood dreams are quickly fading to black.
Click here to watch a video on an awesome opportunity Iowa has with the film industry, but thanks to the Democrats' tax caps, this could be the last pirate ship that sets sail here.
Dozens of film advocates and Iowans are now worried that a law change passed by Iowa Democrats capping the tax credits in the closing days of the 2009 session will effectively kill the tax breaks and this new Iowa industry.
Iowa Democrats are proud of their achievements and twittering away
on how their insight brought economic development to Iowa. Well, that is nothing more than “Hollywood hype.” Congrats, to the promotions department. But, all the airbrushing and press releases can’t hide the fact that the Democrat’s compulsive spending habits have led to the dismantling of this field of dreams. So, they built it, they came, but the Democrat’s cancelled the game.All the movie magic in the world can't cover this one up. Democrats are, yet again, trying to have it both ways. They need the economic dollars to balance out their flawed budget but don't want to give too many breaks/incentives. This is one tale that won't end well as Iowa's Hollywood dreams are quickly fading to black.
Click here to watch a video on an awesome opportunity Iowa has with the film industry, but thanks to the Democrats' tax caps, this could be the last pirate ship that sets sail here.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Wasteful Spending to Find Wasteful Spending
The Culver administration continues down the path of fiscal irresponsibility as it was revealed today that they are definitely dumping a firm from Minnesota that they paid $6.35 million to help find ways to cut government spending in Iowa. They're opting to pay a new firm roughly $300,000 to do the same thing. What a bargain! I'm sure that is what Culver and his advisors are thinking. Too bad the state has already spent four years and millions paying the Minnesota firm to find all these ineffeciencies. So what happened to all the suggestions they made and why can't the state simply use their recommendations? The contract was initiated by the Vilsack administration and Culver thinks he can now do better. Obviously, they also didn't like the suggestions. Hopefully, this new firm will offer some suggestions that are liked by someone in the Governor's office so spending this wasteful spending to find more wasteful spending is caught and nipped in the bud. Wishful thinking, we know.....
Republicans have been making cost-saving, budget-cutting suggestions to the Democrats for months, but it's fallen on deaf ears. The House Republicans even established a web site gathering ideas from Iowans on how to cut costs. Those suggestions were free. Free is good.
Republicans have been making cost-saving, budget-cutting suggestions to the Democrats for months, but it's fallen on deaf ears. The House Republicans even established a web site gathering ideas from Iowans on how to cut costs. Those suggestions were free. Free is good.
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