‘Budget’ Archives
Author: deanfiihr Published: June 6th, 2011
House Democrats called for a public hearing today to give Iowans time to read the 600 page Republican budget bill.
“This bill is the largest in Iowa history, spending over $25 billion, and Iowans deserve time to review it and give us input,” said State Representative Tyler Olson, Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee. “Spending $25 billion of Iowa taxpayer money with no time for public input is irresponsible and Iowans deserve better.”
After announcing plans just a few days ago to approve one giant budget bill without any input from Democrats, House Republicans want to pass the bill on Tuesday before Iowans have a chance to weigh in.
“Republicans haven’t even revealed their latest plan to give big tax breaks to corporations paid for by higher property taxes on homeowners,” added Olson. “Iowans should at least get to see all the facts before a vote on any spending plan and Democrats won’t settle for a budget that penalizes the middle class and starves our schools.”
Category 2011 Session Information, Budget, Featured, Recent News |
Author: deanfiihr Published: June 3rd, 2011
The Iowa Senate Democrats announced today they will host a week-long series of “Open Budget Hearings” next week at the Iowa Statehouse. Informed Iowans are schedule to speak on the impact of the significant points of disagreement between Senate Democratic proposals and those of Governor Branstad and House Republicans.
The Open Budget Hearings will begin with education issues on Monday, June 6, at 10 AM in Room 116 of the Iowa Statehouse. It will be chaired by Senator Brian Schoenjahn of Arlington, the chair of the Senate Education Budget Subcommittee. Live video will be available during the hearing here.
The rest of the schedule for the hearing is as follows:
Health and Human Services Budget Listen and Learn – Tuesday, June 7th at 9AM in room 116 of the Capitol
Economic Growth Budget Listen and Learn – Wednesday, June 8th, time and room TBA
Administration and Regulation Budget Listen and Learn – Thursday, June 9 at 10AM in room 22 of the Capitol
Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget Listen and Learn - Friday, June 10th, time and room TBA
To find out more information on the hearings go to: http://www.senate.iowa.gov/democrats/openbudget.
Tags: Balanced Budget, Budget, Democratic Senate, Iowa Budget, Iowa Senate, open government
Category Budget, Featured, Recent News |
Author: deanfiihr Published: April 21st, 2011
Iowa Governor Terry Branstad item vetoed key priorities of Democrats today that would help Iowa’s 64,000 small businesses and 240,000 working families. Those ideas were included in Senate File 209 and were approved by both the House and Senate on unanimous votes. The top Democrat on the House Appropriations, Rep. Tyler Olson, release the following statement after the veto:
“The bipartisan compromise passed unanimously by the House and Senate earlier this week will help small businesses and 240,000 working families. Unfortunately, Governor Branstad’s reckless action today unravels the compromise. His insistence on rewarding special interests and big corporations at the expense of small businesses and middle class families is bad for Iowa and a serious blow to bipartisanship.”
Category 2011 Session Information, Budget, Featured, Recent News |
Author: deanfiihr Published: April 6th, 2011
After educators from around Iowa warned legislators of the dire consequences of inaction and zero growth for schools on Monday, House Republicans ignored their local educators and refused to stop schools from handing out pink slips to teachers today.
“With schools planning to hand out pink slips to over 1,500 teachers, it’s outrageous that House Republicans are doing nothing to stop teacher layoffs at schools across Iowa,” said Rep. Sharon Steckman, D-Mason City. “With a $1 billion state surplus and improving economy, the state can provide modest growth for our schools next year and prevent teacher layoffs.”
Rep. Steckman called for an immediate debate and vote of House File 185, which provides a 2% allowable growth for Iowa schools. It has already been approved by the Senate but it was voted down on a party line vote in the Iowa House today.
“Iowa students and teachers deserve better,” concluded Steckman. “We can balance the state budget without leaving our kids behind.”
Tags: Allowable Growth, Education, Pink Slips, Teachers
Category Budget, Education, Featured, Recent News |
Author: deanfiihr Published: March 28th, 2011
The Revenue Estimating Conference (REC) held their quarterly meeting on Friday and increased their revenue estimate for FY 2011 from 3.1% to 3.9% . The increase in the revenue estimate represents a $48.6 million increase in revenues from their previous estimate. Two of the three REC members were very bullish on the strength of Iowa’s economy, citing employment growth estimates at 1.4% for the current year and 1.7% for the next year. Iowa’s strong farm economy and agricultural manufacturing has help Iowa’s economy speed its way to recovery, which hit its recessional bottom during this time last year.
STATEMENT FROM REP. TYLER OLSON, RANKING MEMBER OF APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE, ON STATE BUDGET ESTIMATES
“With more Iowans working and a growing state surplus this year, Iowa’s economy is clearly gaining steam. The new budget projections prove we can balance the state budget without taking a step backward on job creation or developing a highly-skilled workforce. There is no reason to kick 20,000 kids out of preschool or leave school funding at zero for the next two years with a $1 billion surplus. Democrats will fight to keep the state budget balanced without giving up on Iowa’s middle class.”
The Revenue Estimating Conference (REC) is a statutory three person committee to estimate state revenues. Holly Lyons, is the Legislative Service Agency representative, David Roderer is the Governor’s appointee, and David Underwood, an economist from Mason City, is the third member.
Tags: Budget, Iowa Budget, state budget
Category 2011 Session Information, Budget, Featured, Recent News |
