Political Football

After 172 days we finally adjourned! Iowa chose to have both parties in control last November and I believe they made the right choice. I know that the far left and far right extremes, do not agree, but a government of the extremes is not Main Street Iowa. Property tax reform and relief remain a major priority next session.

In the Senate a few extreme-left Senators essentially stopped serious discussion of property tax initiatives. We did what we promised in the House but can’t compel another chamber to act. Even when Governor Branstad amended his property tax bill so that cities were held harmless and he guaranteed no impact on residential rates, the Senate refused to consider it and began their class warfare rhetoric.

I am supportive of a special session at our own expense to follow through with our campaign promises. There is no reasonable excuse for the lack of a bill this session. It was often a “bumpy road,” between the chambers, but it was not always a harmonious relationship within the Republican and Democratic parties either. Not all fights happen between the parties, but because of election-year type rhetoric, the only struggles you hear about are the fights between the two parties. Our major success was the budget.

When we began session, the state was spending $1.18 for every dollar collected in revenue. Today we are spending $.97 of every dollar. Last year 650 million of federal one-time money was used in our budget. We ended that practice. This is not sustainable. We had to exercise strong fiscal discipline in order to not spend more than we took in, but we are now on the right track. Our emergency funds are full and now many of our trust funds are being refilled after years of misuse. Next year, the road should be easier.

When the Senate finally agreed to a sustainable number for total spending, we came together quickly with a budget that was truly bipartisan. When you hear partisan critics cherry-pick isolated amendment votes to attack, remember that in the end the budget was bipartisan which is what Iowans should expect. Here is my annual session summary list:

Well Done Iowa Legislature!

1. A truly sustainable budget that does not spend more than we take in, including an end to the use of one-time money for ongoing expenses.

2. Truly balancing the budget instead of rhetoric based on accounting gimmicks and delayed payments.

3. More than $200 million NEW dollars for K-12 education to avoid yet more property tax increases.

4. Standardize drunken driving law to include .08 limits for boaters.

5. State employees placed on leave after an accusation of a crime, must pay back the money if convicted of that crime.

6. Exempt active-duty veterans from paying income tax on their pay.

7. Creation of a Taxpayer Trust Fund to collect up to 60 million in good economic years.

8. Begin a process to eliminate or change unnecessary regulation and barriers to job growth.

You Fell Short Iowa Legislature!

1. No meaningful property tax reform or relief. This is not acceptable.

2. Iowa has one of the highest commercial property tax rates in the nation. This is an impediment to business growth.

3. The Senate killed a “Home Rule” bill for local school districts to be innovative and creative.

4. The Senate killed a nearly unanimous bill in the House that would cap tuition increases at our Regents institutions and force more efficiencies in administration.

5. Continued discussion of impeachment of the remaining Supreme Court Justices should end. It is ill-founded and bad policy.

6. No private investment in our state preschool program is a continued mistake.

7. Partisan attacks from the extremes have been the strongest in my years in the Legislature.

8. An enforcement mechanism in Iowa’s open meetings/records laws is needed.

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