From Senator Amanda Ragan –
Iowa is considered the fifth best run state in the country, according to 24/7 Wall Street. Our strong agricultural economy, excellent credit rating and well-managed budget give Iowa its good financial health, standard of living and government services.
This year, legislators continued our push for a leaner, more transparent government that is responsive to Iowans’ needs by:
1. Balancing the state budget without raising taxes. Iowa has a budget surplus of about $721 million. We also have $649 million in our reserve funds. That is the largest amount in state history and the eighth best in the country, according to a national report by the Tax Foundation.
2. Cutting taxes to create jobs and spur economic growth. The tax reforms we approved this year include reducing commercial property taxes for all Iowa businesses, however the reforms help small businesses the most. We also voted to put some of our budget surplus back into the pockets of Iowa taxpayer and help low-income Iowans work their way out of poverty by boosting the state Earned Income Tax Credit.
3. Standing up for citizens’ right to know. Iowans now have a free, efficient method to ensure government officials comply with Iowa’s open meetings and records laws. The newly formed Iowa Public Information Board helps citizens with questions and concerns about their rights to information. In addition, we are developing an online database that will allow Iowans to search the state’s budget expenditures and tax revenue to see how their tax dollars are spent.
4. Improving customer service and saving money through efficiencies. New initiatives include anonline driver’s license renewal system and giving Iowans the option to show proof of insurance on their electronic driving record rather than carrying the documentation.
Strong argriculture economy funded by private citizens tax money ? FARM SUBSIDES !!!!!
She is just copying Branstads policy statements. When Culver was governor he almost bankrupted the state and she helped him do it. She is one of the spend sister and can’t wait to get her hands on any money available.
LVS, you are right, I bet she is on the phone right now talking to other libs about a way to spend the surplus.
Don’t be fooled this is a tax and spend liberal. Whats next is that we are going to start having state agencies after this surplus saying it has to happen before the children die or we need to spend to keep you safe.