Iowa House Republicans http://www.iowahouserepublicans.com Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:54:12 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 IowaHouseRepublicanshttp://feedburner.google.com Where Does a Dollar of Tuition Go? http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/IowaHouseRepublicans/~3/r-9vji8KjN8/where-does-a-dollar-of-tuition-go http://www.iowahouserepublicans.com/where-does-a-dollar-of-tuition-go#comments Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:50:23 +0000 JillJ http://www.iowahouserepublicans.com/?p=11710 If you’ve ever wondered how the breakdown of a tuition dollar looks, the following chart gives a good representation of that. While not specific to tuition dollars, as they are co-mingled with state general university fund revenues, the chart shows what percentage of a dollar goes towards what expenditure by category at the universities.


Appropriations to the Regents have been a roller-coaster ride over the past 10 years. For FY12 they saw a decrease of $20 million from $542 million to $522 million. The Governor has recommended increasing that by $20 million, back to $542. The Regents have requested a $40 million increase. Here is a complete picture of the last 5 years with a snapshot of 10 years and 20 years ago.

FY93
508,918,122

FY03
588,881,227

FY08
662,938,101

FY09
677,339,929

FY10
562,988,400

FY11
542,035,205

FY12
522,035,206

Tuition and fees at the University of Iowa for 2011/12 is $7,765.
Tuition and fees at Iowa State University for 2011/12 is $7,486.
Tuition and fees at the University of Northern Iowa for 2011/12 is $7,350.

]]> http://www.iowahouserepublicans.com/where-does-a-dollar-of-tuition-go/feed 0 http://www.iowahouserepublicans.com/where-does-a-dollar-of-tuition-go A Look Inside the State House with Representative Rogers http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/IowaHouseRepublicans/~3/m3kSp0PtdVk/a-look-inside-the-state-house-with-representative-rogers http://www.iowahouserepublicans.com/a-look-inside-the-state-house-with-representative-rogers#comments Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:43:19 +0000 JillJ http://www.iowahouserepublicans.com/?p=11706 Representative Rogers released his first video of the session!

Click on the the link for a look into a week with Rep. Rogers.

]]> http://www.iowahouserepublicans.com/a-look-inside-the-state-house-with-representative-rogers/feed 0 http://www.iowahouserepublicans.com/a-look-inside-the-state-house-with-representative-rogers A Conservative Budget http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/IowaHouseRepublicans/~3/LR_7pihZphs/a-conservative-budget http://www.iowahouserepublicans.com/a-conservative-budget#comments Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:22:54 +0000 JillJ http://www.iowahouserepublicans.com/?p=11698
This week, House Republicans released our Fiscal Year 2013 budget targets. Fiscal Year 2013 actually begins on July 1, 2012. We will craft a budget with job creators in mind and our conservative approach will create stability and certainty for all Iowans.

Our Budget Continues Our Commonsense Budget Approach
As I stated last week, there are three key budgeting principles that House Republicans will adhere to.

We will align ongoing spending with ongoing revenue. Iowans cannot afford a government that spends more money than it takes in. Anything less jeopardizes Iowa’s long-term economic health.

We will end the practice of using one-time money for ongoing expenses. This is not how
Iowans balance their own checkbooks at home and it’s not how House Republicans will balance the government checkbook.

We will not intentionally underfund entitlement programs. Promises made should be promises kept and House Republicans can best protect education and Medicaid by getting the budget under control.

As economic uncertainty continues throughout the country, it is imperative that we take a conservative approach to the budget in order to give stability to Iowa’s job creators. Controlling government spending by spending less than the government takes in demonstrates a commitment to commonsense budgeting and economic health that employers deserve. The best way to help Iowa’s employers is to keep control of government spending.

Our Plan Reflects Iowans’ Priorities
Our budget shows our commitment to listening to Iowans and digging deep into the budgets, with a line by line review of state spending. We will craft another government efficiency bill in order to cut out waste and find efficiencies.

With a modest and conservative one percent growth, House Republicans propose spending just 97 cents of each ongoing dollar of revenue. By comparison, the Republican budget spends $313 million less than Fiscal Year 2011, the Gov. Culver’s last budget. This is an efficient budget that funds Iowans’ priorities.

House Republicans’ budget will fund Iowans’ priorities including: education, public safety, health care, fully-funding property tax credits and preserving any ending balance by transferring it to the Taxpayers Trust Fund.

Taxpayers can no longer afford to carry the full burden for every state employee’s health insurance. Asking all employees, including state legislators, to contribute a reasonable $200 monthly payment towards their own health care is the right thing to do. More than 80 percent of state employees contribute nothing towards their health care. As we operate under the threat of the federal government eliminating money sent to Iowa, we should be prepared for the worst.

Setting our budget targets is the first step in the budgeting process. We will continue to work through the details, take our plan to Iowans and continue going line by line to save taxpayers money. The budget subcommittees will continue their work in each area, crafting a budget that funds Iowans’ priorities and creating an efficient and effective budget.

You can view the budget targets and the proposed balance sheet on my website at www.kraigpauslen.com

As we continue through this process, if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at kraig.paulsen@legis.state.ia.us or (515) 281-3521.

]]> http://www.iowahouserepublicans.com/a-conservative-budget/feed 0 http://www.iowahouserepublicans.com/a-conservative-budget Legislative Republicans Release Budget Targets http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/IowaHouseRepublicans/~3/a6M_glJQoIM/legislative-republicans-release-budget-targets http://www.iowahouserepublicans.com/legislative-republicans-release-budget-targets#comments Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:24:06 +0000 JillJ http://www.iowahouserepublicans.com/?p=11689 House GF Balance Sheet
FY 2013 House Targets

Today House and Senate Republicans joined together to release their budget targets. The Republican plan, crafted with job creators in mind, is a conservative approach that will create stability and certainty for all Iowans.

The Republican budget returns to the commonsense budgeting principles of aligning ongoing spending with ongoing revenue, ending the practice of using one-time money for ongoing expenses, and not intentionally underfunding entitlement programs.

“As economic uncertainty continues throughout the country, it is imperative that we take a conservative approach to the budget to give stability for Iowa’s job creators,” said House Speaker Kraig Paulsen (R-Hiawatha). “The best way to help Iowa’s employers is to keep control of government spending. “

Highlights of the Republican plan include:

–Continued effort of listening to Iowans and digging deep into the budgets, with a line by line review to cut out waste and find efficiencies. Republicans will craft another government efficiency bill, saving an estimated $20 million.

–A modest and conservative one percent growth. The Republican plan spends just 97 percent of ongoing revenue. By comparison, the Republican budget spends $313 million less than Fiscal Year 2011, the Democrats’ last budget. This is an efficient budget that funds Iowans’ priorities.

–Republicans’ budget funds Iowans’ priorities including: education, public safety, health care, fully-funding property tax credits and preserving any ending balance in the Taxpayers Trust Fund.

–Taxpayers can no longer afford to carry the full burden for every state employee’s health insurance. Over 80 percent of state employees pay nothing for their health care. Asking all employees, including state legislators, to contribute at least $200 towards their own health care is the right thing to do.

“Iowans deserve a budget that is transparent and accountable and they do not want to see politicians utilizing budget gimmicks to mislead or deceive,” said Senate Republican Leader Jerry Behn (R-Boone). “Republicans pledge to be straightforward and honest because that is what the hardworking taxpayers of Iowa deserve.”

]]> http://www.iowahouserepublicans.com/legislative-republicans-release-budget-targets/feed 0 http://www.iowahouserepublicans.com/legislative-republicans-release-budget-targets Budget Targets http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/IowaHouseRepublicans/~3/Fmeb9CAKLy8/budget-targets http://www.iowahouserepublicans.com/budget-targets#comments Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:22:27 +0000 JillJ http://www.iowahouserepublicans.com/?p=11687 As House Republicans begin rolling out our budget targets, we will craft a budget with job creators in mind. Our conservative approach will create stability and certainty for all Iowans.

Our Budget Returns to Commonsense Budgeting Principles

We will align ongoing spending with ongoing revenue. Iowans cannot afford a government that spends more money than it takes in. Anything less jeopardizes Iowa’s long-term economic health.

We will end the practice of using one-time money for ongoing expenses. This is not how
Iowans balance their own checkbooks at home and it’s not how House Republicans will balance the government checkbook.

As economic uncertainty continues throughout the country, it is imperative that we take a conservative approach to the budget to give stability for Iowa’s job creators. Controlling government spending by spending less than the government takes in demonstrates a commitment to commonsense budgeting and economic health that employers deserve. The threat of higher taxes kills job creation.

Our Plan Reflects Iowans’ Priorities

  • The House Republican 2012 Budget Targets Reflect a Long-Term Approach: The private sector isn’t growing, family incomes aren’t growing…government shouldn’t be growing.
  • House Republicans have continued their efforts of listening to Iowans and digging deep into the budgets, with a line by line review to cut out waste and find efficiencies. With Iowans help, we will once again create a state budget that is efficient and effective.
  • The House Republicans will spend just 97 percent of ongoing revenue. By comparison, the Republican budget spends $313 million less than Fiscal Year 2011, the Democrats’ last budget. This is an efficient budget that funds Iowans’ priorities.
  • House Republican budget targets reflect a growth rate of just under 1%.
  • For the first time since FY 2000, property tax credits are fully funded.
  • House Republicans have included a provision requiring every state employee contribute at least $200 a month to their health insurance. Many contribute zero right now.
  • The ending balance of roughly $300 million is deposited in the Taxpayer Trust Fund.
  • Taxpayers can no longer afford to carry the full burden for every state employee’s health insurance. Asking all employees, including state legislators, to contribute at least $200 towards their own health care is the right thing to do
  • Now is not the time to increase spending. Any excess revenue is an overpayment by the taxpayers and should not be spent. As we operate under the threat of the federal government eliminating money sent to Iowa, we should be prepared for the worst.
  • The Senate Democrats’ have a history of increasing government spending and using budget tricks to spend more than the state has in ongoing revenue. These outdated practices mean we will back in a few years dealing with the same problems. House Republicans are committed to passing budgets that are fact-based and accountable to Iowans.
  • In fiscal year 2007, the last budget Republicans approved prior to regaining the majority in the Iowa House, was just $5.3 billion. Over the last 5 years state government grew too fast and spent too much. State government is still taking too much from Iowans and Iowa employers. Savings and efficiencies are necessary to provide the certainty needed for taxpayers to start investing and planning for the future instead of just treading water.

    • Jobs, Savings and Certainty

  • The best way to help Iowa’s employers to begin hiring people and investing in their businesses is to do two things: address property taxes and keep control of government spending.
  • Property tax reform provides savings for individuals and businesses and it provides certainty for those same people as the plan for their futures.
  • Controlling government spending by spending less than the government receives demonstrates a commitment to commonsense budgeting and economic health that employers deserve. The threat of higher taxes stops employers from hiring and investing.
  • Iowa families and Iowa employers are struggling with high property taxes and government that is demanding more and more. This burden is impeding job growth and hurting the economic health of our communities.
  • Our goal is to have a property tax system and state budget that contributes instead of takes away from economic, family and community health. Iowans deserve quality jobs that will develop into careers. They deserve the peace of mind to plan for their futures.

    • Property Tax Reform & Relief

  • Over the last ten years, school rates have increased 60 percent, county rates have increased 64 percent and city rates have gone up 74 percent. Over the same time period, Iowans’ personal income only grew by 46 percent. These kind of out-of-control tax hikes are not sustainable.
  • If we do nothing, the hardworking Iowa taxpayers are looking down the barrel of a $2.3 billion property tax increase over the next 10 years, with the majority of that falling to homeowners
  • Property tax reform affects Iowa’s economy and jobs. High property taxes keep businesses of all sizes from expanding, hiring or even settling on Iowa.
  • We must ensure that one group of taxpayers is not pitted against the other. ALL Iowans deserve to see relief in their tax bill. Additionally, we must not shift the burden to any class of property taxpayers to another.
  • The House GOP plan is the only plan that addresses all classes of property. Leaving out residential property taxpayers locks in a shift that results in a significant property tax increase for homeowners. The House GOP plan provides certainty to taxpayers and allows long term planning by employers.
  • The House GOP plan is the only plan that removes taxing authority. This has to happen in order to ensure real, genuine property tax relief. Otherwise, it is short term temporary patch and the Legislature will be back in the same place in a few years trying to address the same problem.
  • Democrats’ insistence on protecting local government revenues continues to be the major stumbling block in achieving any level of real, genuine property tax relief. In fact, the plan approved by the Senate Democrats last year leads to an increase in residential property taxes. We can do better than picking one set of winners in this effort.

    • Myth of the $1 Billion Surplus

    • The so-called “surplus” is actually:

    o $600 million in one-time cash reserve funds (needed to help the state cash flow)
    o $250 million in one-time ending balance from this year (FY 12)
    o $200 million in on-going revenue growth for next year (FY 13)

  • The state budget is really about $12 billion. $6 billion appropriated by the state and $6 billion received from the federal government.
  • State law requires that 10% of the budget be set aside in cash reserves and not spent on ongoing operations. This means the $600 million is off-limits for existing and new spending.
  • The Legislature can legally spend the $250 million in one-time ending balance money from this year. However, this is a reckless and short-sighted budgeting practice because it builds $250 million of spending the following year with no one-time money to pay for the new spending.
  • While the Legislature can spend up to 99% of the projected revenue, it is not required to spend at the level. The economy, federal debt, and anticipated federal cuts that will impact the $6 billion in federal funds receive by the state require commonsense and discipline.

    • Controlling Government Spending and Creating Jobs Go Hand in Hand

  • Controlling government spending by spending less than the government receives demonstrates a commitment to commonsense budgeting and economic health that employers deserve. The threat of higher taxes needs to be removed.
  • Our goal is to have a responsible state budget that contributes instead of takes away from economic, family and community health. Iowans deserve quality jobs that will develop into careers. They deserve the peace of mind to plan for their futures.
  • Iowa’s employers need a commitment from the Legislature to keep government from spending more than it takes in. Spending more than the state receives sets up individuals and employers for tax increases. They need the certainty that this will not happen.
  • The benefit of an efficient and responsible state budget is jobs, savings and certainty.
  • In fiscal year 2007, the last budget Republicans approved prior to regaining the majority in the Iowa House, was just $5.3 billion. State government is growing too fast and spending too much. State government is still taking too much from Iowans and Iowa employers. Savings and efficiencies are necessary to provide the certainty needed for taxpayers to start investing and planning for the future instead of just treading water.

    • DOT Savings

  • This is what every department and every agency should be submitting to Iowans, a plan to save money instead of plans to spend more their tax dollars.
  • House Republicans commend Gov. Branstad and officials at the Department of Transportation for reviewing their department to find efficiencies. For those areas that require the legislature to act, we will begin the review right away.
  • Iowans deserve an efficient and effective state government and House Republicans are going to continue to work hard to ensure taxpayer dollars dedicated to roads and bridges are being spent wisely.
    • ]]>     http://www.iowahouserepublicans.com/budget-targets/feed 0 http://www.iowahouserepublicans.com/budget-targets     House Republican Caucus Newsletter http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/IowaHouseRepublicans/~3/ynxhqm8TSrg/house-republican-caucus-newsletter-8 http://www.iowahouserepublicans.com/house-republican-caucus-newsletter-8#comments Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:06:56 +0000 JillJ http://www.iowahouserepublicans.com/?p=11684 A new February 2012 newsletter is available for viewing. Click the link below to see a PDF version:

    Caucus Newsletter 2-2-12

    In this edition:

    • House GOP Budget Targets
    • Where Does a Dollar of Tuition Go?
    • Iowa Unemployment Rate Drops
    ]]>     http://www.iowahouserepublicans.com/house-republican-caucus-newsletter-8/feed 0 http://www.iowahouserepublicans.com/house-republican-caucus-newsletter-8     Iowa Gold Star Military Museum-”Unconditional Loyalty” Exhibit http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/IowaHouseRepublicans/~3/5zNn89V6bqA/iowa-gold-star-military-museum-unconditional-loyalty-exhibit http://www.iowahouserepublicans.com/iowa-gold-star-military-museum-unconditional-loyalty-exhibit#comments Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:58:04 +0000 JillJ http://www.iowahouserepublicans.com/?p=11668 In celebration of February’s Black History Month, the Iowa Gold Star Military Museum will host a traveling exhibit from the African-American Museum of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, entitled “Unconditional Loyalty: The Military Service of African-Americans.”

    Iowa Gold Star Military Museum Unconditional Loyalty exhibit

    ]]>     http://www.iowahouserepublicans.com/iowa-gold-star-military-museum-unconditional-loyalty-exhibit/feed 0 http://www.iowahouserepublicans.com/iowa-gold-star-military-museum-unconditional-loyalty-exhibit     Gov. Branstad Signed National Guard Education Assistance Funding Appropriation http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/IowaHouseRepublicans/~3/LUWzmON-oWQ/gov-branstad-signed-national-guard-education-assistance-funding-appropriation http://www.iowahouserepublicans.com/gov-branstad-signed-national-guard-education-assistance-funding-appropriation#comments Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:58:52 +0000 JillJ http://www.iowahouserepublicans.com/?p=11660 SF 2007 signed into law

    ]]>     http://www.iowahouserepublicans.com/gov-branstad-signed-national-guard-education-assistance-funding-appropriation/feed 0 http://www.iowahouserepublicans.com/gov-branstad-signed-national-guard-education-assistance-funding-appropriation     Speaker Paulsen Issues Statement on Strawn Departure http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/IowaHouseRepublicans/~3/3FO5pxyiyh8/speaker-paulsen-issues-statement-on-strawn-departure http://www.iowahouserepublicans.com/speaker-paulsen-issues-statement-on-strawn-departure#comments Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:54:37 +0000 JillJ http://www.iowahouserepublicans.com/?p=11658 House Speaker Kraig Paulsen (R-Hiawatha) issued the following statement in regards to Republican Party of Iowa Chairman Matt Strawn’s departure:

    “I want to thank Chairman Strawn for his work on behalf of Iowa Republicans. His dedication to advancing conservative principles is to be commended.

    “Iowa Republicans are energized and committed to expanding our House Majority and electing conservatives who work to get the economy moving forward, put Iowans back to work and give taxpayers a seat at the table.”

    ]]>     http://www.iowahouserepublicans.com/speaker-paulsen-issues-statement-on-strawn-departure/feed 0 http://www.iowahouserepublicans.com/speaker-paulsen-issues-statement-on-strawn-departure     Strawn to Depart as Iowa GOP Chairman http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/IowaHouseRepublicans/~3/2IaWuP-tzVA/strawn-to-depart-as-iowa-gop-chairman http://www.iowahouserepublicans.com/strawn-to-depart-as-iowa-gop-chairman#comments Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:53:06 +0000 JillJ http://www.iowahouserepublicans.com/?p=11656 Republican Party of Iowa Chairman Matt Strawn today announced he will be stepping down as the state’s top Iowa GOP party official, effective Friday, February 10. Strawn has served as chairman of the Iowa GOP since January 2009. The Republican Party of Iowa State Central Committee will be charged with setting the date to elect Strawn’s successor.

    The prepared text of Strawn’s message to Iowa Republicans follows below:
    January 31, 2012
    Dear Iowa Republican:

    In December 2008, when I campaigned to serve as your Chairman, my top goal was to make the Iowa GOP a relevant force again in Iowa politics by ushering in an era where the Republican Party returned to winning elections without betraying our conservative principles.

    Over the past three plus years, we succeeded beyond our wildest dreams. We witnessed sweeping Republican electoral victories at all levels. We saw an explosion in new Republican voters with an unprecedented 34 consecutive months of Iowa GOP voter registration gains. We kept the Iowa Caucuses First-in-the-Nation. We broke fundraising records, hosted the largest Republican presidential caucus in history, and for the first-time ever, the Iowa GOP co-hosted three nationally televised presidential debates that were watched by millions. Most importantly, Iowa Republicans accomplished all this and more working together as a team.

    Simply put, your Iowa GOP is better off than it was four years ago thanks to outstanding team work. Your Iowa GOP is a relevant force again in Iowa politics. Your Iowa GOP is winning elections with leaders who are advancing our principled agenda. Your Iowa GOP is in a position to re-elect our members of Congress, win an Iowa Senate majority, and make Iowa’s six electoral votes the national battleground in the 2012 presidential campaign.

    While the election wins, fundraising successes and media appearances are the aspects of being Chairman that gain the most attention, the most rewarding aspect of my service was the opportunity to travel our state and get to know the people of Iowa. The strength of the rebuilt Iowa GOP rests in the hands of the thousands of committed volunteer activists who give their time, treasure and talents to make Iowa a better place by working to elect public servants who share our values and principles.

    The Iowa GOP designs its position of Chairman to be volunteer in nature. But over the past three years I have treated the privilege of serving as your Chairman as a full-time calling. There’s no question the job of rebuilding our party was a huge one, and one to which I committed every minute that was necessary to succeed.

    It is only because the Iowa GOP has returned as a strong and relevant voice in Iowa politics that I am now able to evaluate all the competing priorities in my personal, business and political life. The party is strong and has the resources in place for victory in November. Now is the time to transition to new leadership.

    Effective February 10, I will be ending my service as your Chairman. For this fifth generation Iowan and Benton County farm kid, serving as your Chairman has been an honor, a privilege and the opportunity of a lifetime.
    To victory,

    Matthew N. Strawn

    ]]>     http://www.iowahouserepublicans.com/strawn-to-depart-as-iowa-gop-chairman/feed 0 http://www.iowahouserepublicans.com/strawn-to-depart-as-iowa-gop-chairman