As New Iowa Legislative Session Kicks Off, State Budget is in Much Better Shape

Last week, the 85th General Assembly gaveled in for the 2013 session. As I begin my third year in the Iowa Senate, the state of Iowa is in a much stronger position than just two short years ago.

When Governor Branstad was elected, the state had a projected budget shortfall of almost $900 million. Through tough budget decisions and holding the line on spending, we have dramatically turned around Iowa's fortunes. The state is projected to end the current fiscal year with an ending balance of over $600 million. In addition, unemployment in Iowa has dropped from 6.3 percent when Governor Branstad was elected to 4.9 percent today, the fourth lowest in the country. This is a dramatic turnaround in only two budget years!

This session, I was named the ranking member on the Appropriation Committee. This means I will be the Senate Republican's main voice on the budget. With the budget in much better shape, there are plenty of suggestions of how to spend the extra money. My priority is to send it back to you, the taxpayers. This is not a surplus for the government to spend as it wishes, it is an over collection of your hard earned money. I will do everything I can to see that it is returned to you.

It is also very important that we continue to use the sound budgeting practices that have led to this unprecedented ending balance. We must continue to spend less than we bring in, continue to not use one-time money for ongoing expenses, and continue to prepare for future economic uncertainty. Just because we have extra money in the budget does not mean we should grow government. I will fight every day to keep spending under control. Iowa is strong and well-positioned for growth because of these budgeting principles.

The Governor gave his Condition of the State Address on Tuesday. He laid out an agenda that focuses on property tax reduction and education reform. These have been major priorities the last two years, but we have not come to a consensus on either of these issues. We will have a lively discussion about both of these issues and I am hopeful that we can get good legislation passed on both accounts.

I am honored to represent you in the Iowa Senate. I am excited to get to work this session to continue to strengthen the state of Iowa and look forward to hearing from you throughout the session regarding issues important to you!