Vander Linden Capitol Update – April 6, 2017
This week House Republicans presented budget projections that prioritize education and the necessary services provided by our government. We also took steps to make sure that legislators have to follow the same rules you do for your personal insurance.
This budget takes a responsible and thoughtful approach to spending in recognition that revenue may continue to come in less than anticipated.
This budget plan fully funds the additional $40 million promised to K-12 schools earlier this session. It’s clear that K-12 education will be receiving the largest funding increase in all areas of government. Most areas will see budget reductions.
This budget plan makes an initial down payment of $20 million to repay the Cash Reserve account. House Republicans will be looking for ways to increase the down payment this year and will pass a plan to fully repay the Cash Reserve by the end of this General Assembly.
House Republicans rejected over $1 billion in additional spending plans offered by Democrats over the last two years. Without that strong stand, key areas like local school budgets would be facing deep cuts. Iowans can count on House Republicans to fight against reckless government spending ideas.
Legislative Health Insurance
This week House Republicans sent a bill to the Governor that requires legislators to contribute more towards their health insurance premiums. This is something House Republicans have attempted to do for many years.
Prior to this week, House Republicans had voted 11 times since 2009 to require legislators to pay more for their health insurance. Each time the House passed this, Senate Majority Leader Gronstal and Senate Democrats chose to kill the bill.
The Legislature had always been following the law, contrary to a false report by the Des Moines Register.
The law required legislators to pay the same premium amount as a full-time, non-contract state employee. The Legislature fully complied with this requirement.
With the bill going to the Governor’s desk for his signature, legislators will soon be paying more towards of the cost of their health insurance that is more in line with everyday Iowans.
Thanks to this bill and collective bargaining reform, the health benefits of legislators and all state employees will now require the kind of contribution that the rest of Iowans have come to expect in the private sector.
