Update: House File 376 (the bonding bill debated Friday evening into Saturday morning) passed the House at about 1:50 AM. – Ed.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The Iowa House is currently debating the bonding measure and making my head spin! $750 million has turned into $650 million, and then other additional principle expenses, plus the interest costs put the cost for Iowans at over $1.4 billion (yes, with a “b”) (some put it at $1.2 billion). $70 million per year for the next 20 years.Listening to the floor debate, it sounds like the bill sponsors can’t really answer any questions very effectively, and are just throwing money at, what? As we discussed earlier, we just don’t need this money, these spending plans that aren’t really plans at all, just a lot of ideas to pick from right now.
Just reported that Republicans all signed and filed a letter of dissent for violating the Iowa State Constitution. From what I’ve heard listening to this, the Democrats have come up with some approach that perhaps keeps them technically in line with the letter of the Constitution, but not the spirit.
Another bill Iowans are not going to like: Earlier today, Senate File 483 was passed by the House. The bill extends the timeframe allowed by the state to pay refunds back on income tax refunds by a month. That is stealing from Iowans… actually a type of tax increase.  If you have big refunds coming, it’s probably time to change your W4 to reduce the amount of the refund.
As I post this, it is 12:45 AM and debate continues. Democrats are probably relieved that they could put this off until Friday evening and Saturday morning. They’ve succeeded in delaying long enough that many Iowans just aren’t bothering to pay attention so they might be able to get away with what they want. Thank goodness House Republicans are continuing to put up a fight.
Iowans will remember today regardless. April 25 should become a new war cry against an arrogant government intent upon imposing its will upon the people of Iowa… indeed, this is a trend that did not start in Iowa, but clearly will be felt intensely here. “Our Liberties We Prize and Our Rights We Will Maintain”. That’s our state motto. We should not roll over and allow the government to get away with putting us so deeply in debt against our will, both constitutionally and through voicing openly our opinion.
I don’t have any idea how this is going to work. Evidently, Chuck is way ahead of me.
I’m not saying I lack the technical savey to engage in this event… I just need some clarification on how to properly engage in this. I have twitter. I actually use it to follow a number of twitter sources, and I provide updates occasionally as well with the tool. I even have tweetdeck running on my computer at home. And I think I’ve done the “@” function at least once (to send a direct message to someone).
At any rate, the event is being provided by impromptu studio and the #dmtweetup group. The video below (which will only be live during the event) will probably provide instructions. If I have a chance to update this post to explain, I will.
Every time Democrats tell us they are going to debate House File 807/Senate File 468, which repeals Iowa’s Income Tax deduction on Federal Income Tax (also referred to as putting a “Tax on a Tax”), the public shows up to convey their opposition and watch the proceedings, only to have them postpone the debate to another day.
Why?
Why, when Grand-stall and Smurphy tell us that they have the votes to pass the legislation, do they delay getting the work done?
Possible answers:
They don’t have the votes.
They are afraid that the presence of actual voters might cause some Democrats to think twice about how they will vote.
They are afraid that the presence of actual voters might cause Governor Culver to think twice about whether he will sign the bill.
They are afraid they might be forced to say something that is blatantly stupid or a lie in order to make their case stronger. Like the bill is revenue neutral (lie) or that lower income Iowans will benefit (lie) or that only rich people will be negatively impacted (stupid).
Or they are just plain afraid of a headline that might read “Iowa Democrats Lead Government Rebellion Against Taxpayers”. I kind of like that one… I hope I don’t get to use.
I suspect we will see a quiet attempt to slip this bill through once they think no one is looking. We must, all Iowan taxpayers, keep our eyes and ears open in the coming days to ensure we are there when the votes are cast… the politicians must not be allowed to sneak this through without public scrutiny.
Don’t let them raise your taxes.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
I really don’t get this one when I look at face value. Who benefits? What is the problem that this solves? Don’t be fooled, it’s not about making life better for those with lower incomes… it’s about increasing revenue. Even with a “revenue neutral” model for 2010 and 2011, there is a dramatic increase in revenue in 2012 and later.
And if this does pass, two things need to happen:
Get Democrats out of office.
Make Republicans PROMISE to fix it when they have control.
If we don’t hold Republicans’ feet to the fire, it will be too easy even for them to accept the inflated revenue and spend it on something. This is not intended as a criticism of Republicans (I count myself in their number), but of human nature.
No matter who is in office, you have to hold them accountable.
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.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Don’t forget the Tea Party on Wednesday… 11:00 at the West Lawn of the Iowa State Capitol.  Let your voice be heard!!!
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”)
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 millionTAX 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.
Be prepared to have fun – it is going to be a hoot!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
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!
Update: House File 376 (the bonding bill debated Friday evening into Saturday morning) passed the House at about 1:50 AM. – Ed.
