State of the State Leaves us in a State

Governor Culver gave his annual State of the State address today, primarily focusing on disaster relief in Iowa. He even showed a dynomite video to illistrate the disaster hardships Iowans have faced. This professional piece of videography leaves us scratching our heads as to how it was paid for. Hopefully some secret donor was nice enough to cough up the cash, but that's doubtful. So as some Iowans will never live in their houses again or see their businesses rebuilt, they can rest assured that a fancy video documenting their hardships was made for posterity. Money well-spent, no doubt.......

Culver also placed a lot of blame. He blamed the feds for getting us into this economic mess and in the next breath advocated for teamwork and consensus from both parties in 2009. Legislators remain in the dark and have yet to see his budget and details of the Rebuild Iowa plan that he wants so desperately to pass as soon as possible. We'll see how that goes.

One thing we can agree on with the governor is using the state’s rainy day funds to the tune of 43 million dollars in flood and disaster recovery. This should have happened sooner. In fact, we think he should have called a special session this summer to nip the problem in the bud instead of waiting till the ice and snow are hard on the ground.

Here are some pictures from yesterday's swearing in ceremony.

Legislative Lingo for the First Day of Session

Thanks to Todd Dorman for this great primer on legislative lingo

Dorman: A primer on legislative lingo you'll hear this year
By Todd Dorman The Gazette
In four days, the Iowa Legislature returns to the Statehouse. I'm too excited to sleep. And in order to understand the Legislature's customs and rituals, it helps to speak fluent lawmaker. So I've compiled this short glossary of legis-speak, freshly updated for 2009. I've come across many new additions to the language listening to leaders and lawmakers in recent days.

Bipartisan — A thoughtful invitation to the minority party to join the majority in a politically suicidal act. Example: "We hope our dear friends across the aisle will join us in a bipartisan effort to pass a whopping tax hike."

Challenging — We have no flippin' idea how to solve all these problems. Synonym: "Screwed."

Daunting — Seriously, we have no idea. 50-50 chance — It would take a miracle for that to happen.

Infrastructure — A long, impressive-sounding word, usually paired with words like "crumbling," and used to answer a wide array of tough questions. How do we improve the economy? "Infrastructure." Why do we need to raise taxes? "Infrastructure." How do we attract new business? "Infrastructure." Why did you forget our anniversary? "Infrastructure."

Innovation — New 2009 definition: The act of coming up with crazy moneymaking schemes at the end of a session when lawmakers realize they can't balance the budget with conventional tricks and dodges. Example: "Let's lease the lottery and put keno in bars and sell naming rights to state agencies, like the 'Department of Agriculture, Presented by Monsanto' and the 'Outback Statehouse.'" Now that's innovation.

Job creation — New 2009 definition: Raising the gas tax. Example: "It's not a tax increase, it's job creation."

Lack of consensus — An excuse for shelving something a lawmaker really didn't want to do in the first place. Example: "I share your deep concerns about this issue, but doggone it, there's just a lack of consensus."

Long term — A period that begins after a politician leaves office. See also Short term — The time between now and the next election.

Middle class — Everyone in Iowa, with the exception of the truly needy and the obscenely wealthy.

Move quickly — Legislative action will probably occur in your lifetime. See also "glacial" and "molasses."

Eternally optimistic — Things don't look so good. Synonym: "Denial."

Quite frankly — A phrase often used by a lawmaker who is trying very hard to avoid being frank. Example: "Quite frankly, I'm eternally optimistic."

Rainy day fund — A magic $620 million fund that can cover more than $1 gazillion in promises.

Revenue enhancements — Tax increases. Example: "Hey, let's pick up people by the ankles and shake some revenue enhancements out of their pockets."

Washington — A mysterious city to the east that can be blamed for all problems.
We'll take a look at that — A phrase used to describe something dead.

Some Things Don't Change

Labor unions are, once again, trying to put the squeeze on taxpayers:
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20090109/NEWS10/901090353

Democrat Agenda Will Hit Iowa Where it Hurts

Today legislative leaders from the Democrat party announced their priorities for the 83rd General Assembly which convenes next week. At the top of their list is raising the compulsory drop-out age to 18 and raising the gas tax.

The Democrat’s agenda items are misguided. Iowa is facing an economic recession of major proportions and lawmakers need to focus on finding ways to help Iowans keep and find jobs, make it easier for small businesses to stay in business and find ways for Iowans to keep more of their hard-earned money. Raising taxes in tough economic times is a swift kick by the Democrat politicians in Des Moines to the pocketbooks of Iowans.

GOP legislators are challenging their counterparts to scrutinize every state dollar spent this coming fiscal year. These tough times call for fiscal responsibility. Democrats are in denial when it comes to budgetary matters by stating there is no deficit. There is, after all, a $600 million budget shortfall and money does not grow on trees. Where did all the money go? Well, to fund pet projects such as restoring a pipe organ in Clermont and to build a train depot in Dubuque where there is no train service.

The state has an obligation to maintain vitally important programs. Legislators have a responsibility to spend taxpayer money wisely. They cannot simply hand over money to be spent on programs without asking some tough questions. State organizations need to be forthcoming in how they spend the dollars they are allotted.

After two years and thousands of dollars, the Property Tax Interim Study Committee held their final meeting today and made their recommendations on easing the property tax burden for Iowans. Some of the committee’s suggestions include establishing a Commission on Smart Growth, raising hotel and motel taxes, raising franchise fees and establishing entertainment taxes. All the suggestions will burden Iowa families with more taxes.
Senate Republicans have been working hard to sound the alarm on out of control state spending and plan on working diligently this year by being a spending watchdog for the state and an advocate against higher taxes.

Iowa GOP Gets Serious About Spending

Iowa GOP leaders are stepping up and calling for serious examination of state spending. The legislative session starts next week and we'll soon know if the Democratic Majority is listening or turning a blind eye to the out of control spending problem in Iowa.

To read more, follow the links:
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20090106/NEWS10/901060352/1007/NEWS05

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20090106/NEWS10/901060351/1007/NEWS05