House Republicans released their budget for the 2013 year and it hits the state's job creation efforts and education especially hard. Here's the response from House Democratic Leader Kevin McCarthy: The Republican budget will pull the plug on our job creation efforts next year. House Democrats are committed to strengthening our economy and growing the middle [...]
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 [...]
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, [...]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XscmLeK1mts[/youtube] The 2010 legislative session opened on Monday, January 11th at the State Capitol. House leaders said the session will focus on help for middle class families and small businesses. Priorities include balancing the budget without raising taxes, creating good-paying jobs, strengthening Iowa schools, and making government more accountable and transparent. The House has two new members this [...]
In light of declining state revenues due to the national economic recession, Governor Culver took swift action last week to cut state spending and keep the state budget balanced. The Governor ordered a 10% across-the-board cut, which is estimated to reduce the state’s general fund budget by $565 million. The reduction came after the non-partisan Revenue [...]
The Iowa Supreme Court announced their budget saving plan for Fiscal Year 2010 (which begins on July 1). Since the national recession has weakened state revenues over the last 12 months, the courts are reducing expenses by $5.4 million next year. Earlier this month, legislators outlined their plan to reduce the Legislature’s budget by 10% next [...]
The Iowa House of Representatives today approved the first of seven budget bills that contained cost saving ideas from Iowans and reduced state spending by 12% while protecting critical services for abused and neglected children. “The budget we approved today is fiscally responsible and will help keep the state budget in balance,” said State Representative Bruce [...]