DES MOINES – Leaders of the Iowa Senate today released a state budget outline which would expand Iowa’s middle class while maintaining fiscal responsibility.
The Senate Democratic plan calls for $7.341 billion in general fund spending, an amount identical to the total general fund spending proposed by Governor Branstad. It is 97 percent of available revenues, as determined by the nonpartisan Revenue Estimating Conference in December 2014.
Iowa law allows the Legislature to spend up to 99 percent of available revenues. The proposals by the Senate and Governor Branstad are both $149.1 million below the state’s 99 percent expenditure limitation.
“It’s time to break the budget gridlock. Iowans want Republican and Democratic legislators to focus on expanding Iowa’s middle class,” said Senator Bob Dvorsky of Coralville, chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee. “Our balanced budget is sustainable and spends less than the state takes in.”
The Senate Democratic plan calls for a compromise 2.625 percent increase in state support for Iowa’s local schools. It also calls for a tuition freeze at our state universities for the third consecutive year and fully funding property tax credits and the commercial property tax cut that especially helps Iowa’s small businesses. The plans also funds an early retirement incentive plan for eligible state employees that is projected to save the state $16.1 million in the next fiscal year.
“Our number one goal is making Iowa’s middle class larger and more secure,” Dvorsky said. “We will make strategic investments that will help Iowa workers gain new skills, improve our local schools, and grow Main Street businesses.”
| (Millions) | |
| Iowa’s 99% Expenditure Limitation: | $7,490.01 |
| Total Appropriations Proposed by Governor and Senate: | $7,341.00 |
| Amount Senate and Governor are below the expenditure limit: | $149.10 |
| Total Appropriations as a percent of state revenues | 97.0% |
“The plans also funds an early retirement incentive plan for eligible state employees that is projected to save the state $16.1 million in the next fiscal year.”
Think how much more money the state could be saving if some of the public union members paid more than $20.00 a month towards their health insurance.
Their number one goal is to buy more votes using our taxes to do it. I have heard this all before. They will spend, spend, spend even if there is no money to pay for it.
She has plenty of money to buy the votes, how many countries have donated to her?
“Our number one goal is making Iowa’s middle class larger and more secure,” Huh?
Looks to me like they want to make the education class larger and more secure.
Look at Mason City schools. Any bets on whether the teachers AND administrators get raises this year?