Legislature focuses on a fiscally responsible budget, key priorities

Everything the Legislature will do this session is shaped by the deep, lingering national recession. Middle-class Iowans, small businesses and other employers have been hit hard. The state of Iowa is feeling the pinch too.

That’s why Republicans and Democrats at the Iowa Capitol are continuing to closely examine all state spending and tighten the state’s budget belt.

This includes:

** Holding the line or cutting spending for most state programs and services.

** Not raising taxes on Iowans.

** Rethinking and reorganizing how state government works.

** Saving taxpayers $60 million a year by approving an early retirement program.

** Considering reforms to corporate tax incentives, including cutting spending on tax breaks and ensuring more accountability for taxpayers.

All of these elements and more were included in a budget proposal outlined January 27 by Governor Culver. His plan responds to the concerns of Iowans who want a responsible state budget that focuses limited resources on creating good-paying jobs, maintaining a strong education system and ensuring quality health care for more Iowans.

In the coming weeks, legislators will examine the details of the Governor’s plan. As we move ahead with developing our own plan, we want to hear your suggestions for how we can best balance the state budget, provide essential services to Iowans, and lay the foundation for a strong recovery from the national recession.