Property Tax Reform’s Impact on School Funding The latest narrative being built is that the commercial property tax reform bill approved in 2013 is strangling school districts by reducing the amount of property tax revenue they receive. This argument is not supported by facts. According to the non-partisan LSA, the 2013 bill did several things: […]
(DES MOINES) – Thursday, Rep. Guy Vander Linden (R-Oskaloosa) voted to freeze tuition for in-state students at Iowa’s three Regents institutions. In 2013, the Iowa Board of Regents instituted the Transparent, Inclusive Efficient Review (TIER) program at Iowa State University, the University of Iowa and the University of Northern Iowa. This program was designed to […]
Time is short and many budget items must be settled soon. Education, Medicaid, economic development and public safety all have to receive funding. House Republicans are sticking to their principles and taking heat for it: * “we will spend less than the state collects; and, * we will not use one-time money to fund ongoing […]
Traditionally, voting on the department budget bills signals the end of the legislative session. Though the budget process lasts through much of the session, movement of these bills through committee is a sign the session is coming to a close. Budget bills have begun moving this week in the Senate appropriation committee. This is a […]
House Republican Budget Targets It is important to Iowans that we do not spend more than we have and live within our means. While standing by this principle for the last five legislative sessions, Republicans have found common ground with the Governor and Senate Democrats. We expect that to continue this year. Living within our […]
At this point of the legislative session the focus will shift from policy bills to appropriations bills. Budget targets for FY16 were established by Senate Democrats this past week, and House Republicans will probably unveil their budget targets this week. Our ongoing revenue for FY 2016 is $7.175 billion, and our ongoing spending for the […]
Iowa’s Expenditure Limitation Law Iowa’s expenditure limitation law was created in a time of budget turmoil. Throughout the 1980’s, Iowa faced a number of fiscal challenges that caused the state to be unable to meet the funding obligations made by the Legislature. These issues reached a head in 1992, when the Iowa Supreme Court ruled […]
Join us at the Mahaska County Republicans Spring Banquet FEATURING Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal With Nationally Syndicated Conservative Radio Show Host Steve Deace. State Representative Guy Vander Linden, State Senator Ken Rozenboom with More Speakers to be Announced! Friday, April 24th at 6:00 pm Bradbury Hall Nelson Pioneer Farm $25 per ticket Catered Meal INCLUDED […]
This week I will deviate from my normal newsletter to address an issue that has been divisive for many years, and that is the issue of abortion. This is an important issue to Iowans, and I recognize the passion on both sides. But the legislature does have to wrestle with this difficult matter at times. […]
How Much New Money Does Iowa Have to Spend in FY 2016? When the Revenue Estimating Conference (REC) met in March, most Iowans learned that the committee had lowered the revenue estimate for the next budget year. The REC also issued a revised estimate for the current budget year, and some people are using those […]
