by Art Smith | Apr 15, 2009
Today’s Tea Party was a great event and very successful! There were between 2,000 and 3,000 people there, great speakers, great weather. The crowd was very enthusiastic.
The good news is that, if the other events across the country were like Des Moines, we are definitely beginning something that can make a difference.
I appreciated the fact that the organizers were intent on ensuring the event was non-partisan. Even when Republican lawmakers came out to the event, they were asked to step aside… they were not allowed to be the center of attention.
I got a bunch of crowd, sign and speaker photos. I’m trying out Flickr. I haven’t had time to make it all perfect, but want to see how well this is received. Let me know.
One big highlight was a large sign in the back that read “Declaration Of Independence” for people to sign to show their support. By the end of the event, it was covered with signatures. I thought that was really cool.
It will be interesting to see how the Main Stream Media reports this tomorrow.
The entire set can be found at Flickr at this link.
by Art Smith | Apr 14, 2009
Iowa House Republicans Continue With Budget Savings
House Republicans offered another $52.9 million in cost-saving measures to the education budget bill brought up in the House today.
“From day one, House Republicans promised to dive into budgets and find savings. Today we delivered on that promise for Iowans,†said House Republican Leader Kraig Paulsen (R-Hiawatha). “Instead of funding more bureaucracy, Republicans believe we need to fund students and classrooms.â€
To date, House Republicans have offered more than $200 million in cost-saving measures to budget bills. Of these, House Democrats have accepted less than $2 million.
Below is a list of amendments, a brief description and the amount of savings that were offered by House Republicans to Senate File 470, the education budget bill.
H-1553 by Raecker – Regents Library Acquisitions  Page 12, line 17: For one year the Regents universities are required to spend 50% less on library acquisitions. Savings: $12 million
H-1546 by VanEngelenhoven - Executive Council approves out-of-state travel. Savings: $1 million
H-1547 by May – 20% reduction in printing, binding; 50% reduction in advertising. Savings: $3.5 million
H-1552 by Dolecheck – Eliminates all funded, unfilled FTE positions that have been open for 6 months. Savings: $700,000
H-1554 by Raecker – 50% reduction for all office supplies, service contracts, equipment purchases. Savings: $23 million
H-1555 by Tymeson – Prohibits expenditures for cell phones and PDAs for state employees. Savings: $500,000
H-1556 by Rants – Fleet purchases deferred. Savings: $11 million
H-1557 by Koester  – State employees must provide meal receipts instead of claiming maximum. Agency may require electronic submission of receipts. Savings: $500,000
H-1566 by Tymeson – Identical to Wendt amendment which strikes repeal of MHEC. Savings: $450,000
H-1572 by Kaufmann and Struyk –Limit on Regents Sabbaticals. Savings: $250,000
It amazes me that House Democrats are so obstinate and out of control that they would intentionally work at weaseling their way to spending as much as they possibly can. The good news is, the public should be able to see plainly just how greedy and careless these folks are spending the public’s money… this should be MORE than adequate reason to plan on a major voter revolt in 2010. I’d prefer to see the foolishness end now, but it seems more likely that Democrats would prefer to thoroughly thumb their nose in the face of Iowans instead of doing what is right and what they KNOW Iowans want.
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Don’t forget the Tea Party on Wednesday… 11:00 at the West Lawn of the Iowa State Capitol.  Let your voice be heard!!!
by Art Smith | Apr 13, 2009
So, the leadership of the Iowa General Assembly are again hoping to end the session this week. From their standpoint, I think they hope to finish up the budget, pass the repeal of Federal Deductibility, and avoid any more discussion about a Marriage Amendment to the Iowa Constitution.
It might be a bit of a challenge.
The next three days, various groups will be descending on the Iowa Statehouse, and you can join them.
Monday, 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM: Protest of the Supreme Court Decision regarding Gay Marriage:
West side of the Iowa Capitol Building, Des Moines
Please dress warm. In case of rain, go inside the Capitol.
Participating Organizations:
- Everyday America
- Iowa Christian Alliance – Norm Pawlewski
- Concerned Women of America – Tamara Scott
- Iowa Eagle Forum
- Iowa Family Policy Center
- Network of Iowa Christian Home Educators
- and many more to be announced Monday.
Tuesday, 10:00 AM: Protest of the planned Repeal of Federal Deductibility (“Tax on a Tax”)
From Iowans for Tax Releif:
We need you to come to the Iowa Capitol on Tuesday, April 14, 2009 at 10:00am to make your voice heard. The Legislature will be in session all day and we need taxpayers to show up and say “No Tax on a Tax”.
If you still have your red shirt and “No Tax on a Tax” buttons, please bring them along and wear them proudly.
The bill to repeal federal deductibility and forces you to pay a tax on a tax, has a new amendment. House Democrat leaders filed the amendment on Wednesday in effort to improve House File 807, but is still bad for taxpayers.
Governor Culver called the plan a $54 million tax cut. His description is clearly imaginative. The numbers provided by the Iowa Department of Revenue tell a different story.
The truth is:
2009Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $20.198 million tax cut
2010Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $34.898 million tax cut
2011Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $154.148 million tax INCREASE
2012Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $157.104 million tax INCREASE
2013Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $149.01 million tax INCREASE
NET RESULTÂ Â $405.166 million TAX INCREASE for Iowans over the next five years.
This new plan and the majority party’s explanation is similar to the story of a schoolyard bully. What Iowa kid would be happy with the following occurring?
The bully tells a kid, “look I’m not going to steal your lunch money on Monday. In fact, I’m going to give you a $20 bill. On Tuesday, I’m going to give you $34. See how nice I am, I just gave you $54.”
The bully continues, “but, you better have $154 for me Wednesday, and every day from then on.”
Ed Failor, Jr., President of Iowans for Tax Relief commented, “Iowa taxpayers are tired of being bullied into paying more and more taxes. The net result of this bill over the next five years is more than a $400 million tax increase on Iowans. How on earth is that a tax cut?”
To make matters worse, in 2011 just over 149,000 Iowa taxpayers who earn $40,000 per year, or less, will see an increase in their Iowa income tax burden. Is that really the Democrat definition of a middle class tax cut?” Failor concluded.
We can win this fight, but we need your help.
So we need action from you, your family, your neighbors, and friends. If you can not join us at the Capitol, then please continue your phone calls, faxes, and emails.
Please contact Governor Culver at his office:
Please contact your Legislators at the Capitol:
Thank you for all of your support and we look forward to seeing you on Tuesday, April 14, 2009 at 10:00am!
Wednesday, 11:00 to 2:00 PM: Des Moines Tea Party at Iowa State Capitol West Lawn to Protest State and Federal Spending and Taxation
From the Des Moines Tea Party web site:
- Bring folding chair if you need seating
- Wear comfortable clothes
- Bring your own signs (no sticks or poles)
- Bring your camera!
- Parking (see info in sidebar at right)
- Be prepared to have fun – it is going to be a hoot!
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With all of this distraction, it will be a wonder if the Legislature gets anything done.  Personally, I hope they do get done… at least save us SOME money!