The national recession made the 2010 session one of tough decisions. We made deep cuts in order to keep to our commitments to educational opportunity, affordable health care, renewable energy, public safety and job creation. We tackled the first major reorganization of state government in 25 years. The changes we made will stretch today’s dollars and save hundreds of millions over the next five years.
Unlike many other states hit by the national recession, the Iowa Legislature balanced the state budget responsibly without raising taxes. We expanded efforts to rebuild and recover from the recession and historic natural disasters of 2008, to create jobs and improve Iowa’s business climate, and to encourage the production of Iowa-produced renewable fuels.
The Iowa Legislative Council today unanimously approved subpoena powers and additional meetings for the Legislature’s Government Oversight Committee’s ongoing investigation into the misuse of tax dollars by the Iowa Association of School Boards (IASB). A joint statement from the committee’s co-chairs is below the fold.
The Legislature’s Oversight Committee is stepping up its investigation into allegations that the Iowa Association of School Boards (IASB) misused taxpayer dollars. Republican and Democratic members of the Committee voted unanimously on March 24 to seek the authority to subpoena current and former IASB employees who aren’t cooperating with this investigation.
Read the full story >>On Wednesday, March 17, the Iowa Senate approved tax credit reform by a vote of 32 to 18.
“Senate File 2380 is the long overdue tax credit reform bill. It is a first step that cuts tax credit spending AND brings more accountability to every tax credit. That accountability will give future Legislatures the information they need to make smart decisions about all tax credit spending.”
The Cedar Rapids Gazette reports that Iowa’s state government has downsized alongside the private sector, with the number of state employees down more than 2 percent, or roughly 1,500 employees, since last year.
Insurance companies shouldn’t take advantage of Iowans, especially in these touch economic times. That’s why it was shocking to learn that Wellmark Blue Cross/Blue Shield is demanding an 18-percent insurance rate hike. Now, the Senate is working on an insurance company accountability plan and creating a new consumer guide on health insurance.
The Legislature’s #1 job this session is developing a fiscally responsible plan to help middle-class families, small businesses and other Iowans recover from the lingering national recession. Democrats are committed to balancing the budget without raising taxes, listening to the priorities of Iowans, and creating more accountability in state government.
Sen. Joe Bolkcom, chair of the Ways and Means Committee, will appear on tonight’s edition of the Iowa Journal to discuss the tax credit review his committee is conducting. While talking about tax policy can be a bit dry, Sen. Bolkcom tells us the program will do a good job of describing some of the issues we are trying to address. Air times and a link to watch online are below the fold.
As part of an ongoing effort to increase accountability and transparency in state government, the Iowa Department of Economic Development released its annual database where you can search for local job-creation efforts and economic development programs.
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