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

December Revenue Estimating Committee Meets
Budget predictions for 2009 and 2010 fall short

The Revenue Estimating Conference (REC), comprised of the Governor or their designee, the Director of the Legislative Fiscal Bureau, and a public member selected based upon their expertise, met this week.

The REC is estimating that State revenues will experience negative growth over the next two fiscal years, meaning the State will have less money to spend than in Fiscal Year 2008 as the REC decreased their earlier estimates for both FY 2009 and FY 2010.

Here are the numbers from the REC meeting:
FY 2009
-The estimate for FY 2009 is nearly $100 million less than the REC’s estimate in October.
-Total net receipts plus transfers for FY 2009, (money available to spend) is estimated to be $6,052.0 million.
-This equals a negative growth of $32.5 million as compared to FY 2008 actual receipts.
-If you plug the new estimate into a balance sheet; the State budget has a hole of $130 million for FY 2009, which is the budget year we are currently in.
-The Governor has proposed a total of $77 million worth of budget “savings”; He needs to look a little deeper because he is $53 million short of what is needed to balance the FY 2009 budget.

FY 2010
-The estimate for FY 2010 is nearly $133 million less than the REC’s estimate in October.
-Total net receipts plus transfers for FY 2010, (money available to spend) is estimated to be $6,025.8 million.
-This equals a negative growth of $26 million as compared to the REC estimate for FY 2009 actual receipts.
-If you plug the new estimate into a balance sheet and include the anticipated built-ins; the State budget has a hole of $690 million for FY 2010.

Responsible budgeting must be incorporated into every state-sponsored program when it comes to spending your money. The Democratic Majority cannot continue to dole out money for unsuccessful programs and projects that never come to fruition.

Senate Republicans will continue to fight for Iowa taxpayers by opposing the further raiding of the Senior Living Trust Fund, protecting the integrity of our savings accounts and voting against tax increases.