Sheets Snapshot 2-8-2014

Rep. Larry Sheets (R) (photo by Don Hubbard)

Rep. Larry Sheets (R) (photo by Don Hubbard)

Dear friends in District 80, the last two weeks at the Peoples’ House has been very hectic. Bills and subcommittees have been assigned & attended. We’ve had numerous presentations from: citizens and lobbyists, the Economic Development Authority, the DNR, the University of Northern Iowa , the Air Quality Bureau, and Iowa National Guard. Also, Patrick Antonen, Centerville Administrator and Mike Craver, City Attorney presented to the Economic Growth Committee their successes ridding Centerville of dangerous and dilapidated buildings. Great Work!

There was limited voting activity on the floor, but that activity was intense. We debated the percentage increase the state would provide for Education. Since this accounts for roughly half the State’s budget, it is a high priority. In the last two years, an increase of 4% was provided. This year is different – with the price of corn decreasing about 40% of what it was, our tax revenues have dropped accordingly. Therefore the budget is tight for all areas of government. We can’t have a high increase in education without hurting other vital areas, like Health and Human Services, Transportation, etc. That would be like “Robbing Peter to pay Paul”.

Our state makes those tough decisions and doesn’t borrow or print money like our federal government does. Thomas Jefferson said, “A government big enough to give you everything you want, is big enough to take away everything you have.” Some of us don’t have a kneejerk reaction to raise taxes. I adhere to the following principles:

* Spend less than the state collects;

* Do not use one-time money to fund on-going needs;

* Do not balance the budget by intentionally underfunding programs; and

* Return unused tax dollars to Iowa’s taxpayers.

Please contact me with any questions or concerns at larry.sheets@legis.iowa.gov or 641-895-6153.

Upcoming forums:

* February 14th : “Osky Eggs & Issues” @ 8:30am at Smokey Row in Oskaloosa.

Posted by on Feb 8 2015. Filed under Local News, Politics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.

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