Comments on: Governor’s 2010 Budget Recommendation

By: Just Another Idea

Just Another Idea — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 14:26:28 +0000

Well, now the Fed’s have added more tax to cigarette’s. The smoker’s(by choice) of Iowa are being taxed to death. Well, drinker’s of alcohol (by choice) appear to be getting a great deal. They still buy the product with no added taxes, then can get free services for being a drunk, they drive drunk, and kill people and sometimes themselves. I say add a larger tax to the purchase of all alcoholic beverages, and use it to put back into our Schools and maybe roads. Tax at the time of purchase in stores, and tax what bars and restaurants purchase for their business. More money for our schools and maybe less drunks on the roads. And maybe less drinking overall. We have fewer smokers now, because of the taxes.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 07:42:51 +0000

state, county and city levels can create more income by not suspending the fines on court cases. sorry if you cant afford the fines, then dont do the crime! DUH!

By: Tom Connolly

Tom Connolly — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 14:38:22 +0000

Now that same-sex couples may apply for marriage licenses, and since there is no state residency requirement, many out of state same-sex couples will travel to Iowa to get married. I suggest we make the cost of the license higher for out-of-state residents. This would not be any different than the universities charging a higher tuition for out of state students. And if we wanted to increase the revenue even more, remove the ability to get the 3-day waiting period waived so that the couples would now need to stay for a few days and add to the revenues of hotels and restaurants.

By: Nancy

Nancy — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 23:17:59 +0000

Many people are on state aid like Medicaid. They receive monthly checks to support their family. Why do they receive a tax refund? That refund should be put back into the fund that supports them.

By: Joe Hynek

Joe Hynek — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 15:00:19 +0000

The State of Iowa could save up to $2.5 million dollars by requesting that Iowa Public Radio dismiss their FCC construction permit applications to build 5 new full power radio stations throughout Iowa. Ask yourself, do you already hear Iowa Public Radio? These new stations must be constructed and operating within 3 years of being awarded an FCC construction permit. The average cost of these stations is around $500,000 a piece and their proposed signals duplicate existing service provided by Iowa Public Radio. Currently, Iowa Public Radio has 29 full power stations, translators, and repeaters making it the largest radio broadcasting entity in Iowa. Iowa Public Radio has tied up all the bandwidth in the non-commercial space blocking development of community radio stations. For the 29 statewide stations Iowa Public Radio operates, they only create jobs in their main studios located in Ames, Cedar Falls, and Iowa City which are already huge sinks for the state money. The majority of programming played by Iowa Public Radio is purchased from out of state syndication. The Iowa Board of Regents governs Iowa Public Radio and last year alone received $2.5 million for their radio stations. The Board of Regents should dismiss these applications for more full power stations and free up Iowa’s airwaves, making it possible for local community groups to build radio stations that do not rely on state funding for their infrastructure and operation. This will help create local jobs, build stronger Iowan culture, and save the state money.

Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iowa_Public_Radio

By: Brian

Brian — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 19:12:02 +0000

Something occurred to me this morning – why do we print up 2 license plates per car?? Wouldn’t a rear plate with the stickers suffice? This would cut the cost of license plates in half.

By: DOT EMPLOYEE

DOT EMPLOYEE — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 22:14:30 +0000

THE DOT MANAGER THAT APPROVED THE COMPLETELY NEW,MEGA-BUCKS SALVAGE AUCTION BUILDING, WITHOUT LEGISLATIVE APPROVAL, SHOULD BE FIRED

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 14:46:42 +0000

There is no way that submitting ideas will help unless there is a way around our bullheaded and arrogant leadership at the organization level, particularly middle management level, and particularly within Regents organizations. Here’s an idea: require the leadership (all levels) of those organizations to actually CONSULT with the experts they have hired before imposing policy, expecially wasteful policy, on the entire staff. And, create an environment among the Regents where input is welcomed instead of an environment of fear. Local leadership is too busy nodding their heads to raise real questions that result in real improvement.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 22:45:05 +0000

Go to a four day week for all schools and state offices. Close business for the 5th day. This would be more convenient for people if offices were open 7-5:30 so they can do their business before and after work, and will save on expense for all state offices.

For those offices that have to be staffed 7 x 24, still allow the employees an option of 4 ten hour days. This will reduce gas consumption by 20% for everyone, but for those who commute, the gas saved will translate into less gas used.

Offer those offices who can incorporate it a work-from-home alternative. Even if 1-2 days per week this will cut expenses and in years where state employee raises are probably not going to happen, this is one way to reward staff at no cost to government.

By: Jessica

Jessica — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 21:03:07 +0000

Start a pool of volunteers armed with digital cameras to patrol handicapped parking and ticket violators. They can upload the ticket and photos showing the car’s license plate and the parking designation. The state can collect the revenue, and people will stop using parking spots not designated for them.