Increase in Revenues Not a Green Light to Grow Government! -Good news arrived last week that came from the Revenue Estimating Conference to discuss the state’s financial situation. This is a good sign that the economy in Iowa is rebounding! I was encouraged by the announcement that revenue estimates were up to $6.87 billion for FY 2014; however, I continue to urge fiscal restraint on budgetary practices and caution against growing government by irresponsibly spending the excess revenue.

More

Healthy Iowa Plan - As we might have heard there is an ongoing debate about expanding Medicaid or renewing and expanding the Iowa Cares program which has now been renamed the Healthy Iowa Plan. The proposal expanding Medicaid in Iowa would add an additional 153,000 Iowans to the Medicaid rolls with the federal government paying 100 percent the first three years, then promising to pay 90 percent the following years. My largest concern is there is no guarantee that our government will follow through with their promise to pay. Assuming we someday send elected officials who decide to spend less than they take in, it is my belief this Medicaid expansion would fall on the taxpayers of Iowa.

More

State Employees Arbitration Decision Made We are so fortunate to have hard working Iowans working on our behalf. These are the people who teach our youth, work in prisons, work at Human Services, and snow plows our highways to name a few. Many put their lives on the line and for this I am very thankful. Last week after a months’-long negotiation, an arbiter decided on a two-year contract for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). AFSCME is Iowa’s largest union, representing 20,000 employees under this contract. Government workers will continue to receive free healthcare while the majority of hard-working Iowans pay for their medical coverage.

More

Improved Government Transparency Legislation was filed last week that took a step toward greater government accountability by making the lawmaking process more transparent to Iowans. The first bill requires a statement of Constitutional authority on all legislation filed by the General Assembly, while a complementary bill charges legislators with providing a statement of legislative intent in bills creating or expanding a program. Filing this legislation reminds all legislators of their duty to serve Iowans as the fiscal watchdog over the state budget and to reign in over-reaching government.

More