Posted: July 1, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Contact: Josie Klingaman (515) 419-1038
Paulsen Issues Statement on New Revenue Numbers
(DES MOINES)—House Republican Leader Kraig Paulsen (R-Hiawatha) released a statement today regarding the nonpartisan Fiscal Services Agency’s monthly review of the state’s revenue:
“Democrats passed the largest amount of spending in the state’s history, so we shouldn’t be surprised that we’re in this budget mess. House Republican efforts to save over $300 million in cost savings and spark job growth were thwarted by legislative Democrats. The bottom line remains the same: Gov. Culver spent too much and cut too little. House Republicans will continue to look for ways to rebuild Iowa’s economy through hard-working Iowans not big government.”
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To see the full document from the non-partisan Legislative Services Agency click here
http://www.legis.state.ia.us/lsadocs/MonMemo/2009/MMJWR003.PDF
Posted:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Contact: Josie Klingaman (515) 419-1038
Paulsen Reacts to State Employee Raises
(DES MOINES)—Today House Republican Leader Kraig Paulsen (R-Hiawatha) reacted to news that, despite taking a pay ”freeze,” some state employees will actually see up to a 9 percent increase in salary and benefits.
In addition to the merit and step raises that state employees will see this new fiscal year, they will also receive an increase in deferred compensation benefits as well as insurance premiums. These benefits add up to an $886,000 and $474,000 increase respectively.
“At a time when the government’s current budget is out of balance and next year’s budget is facing a billion dollar hole, it’s irresponsible to be handing out salary increases and benefits,” said Paulsen. “While private sector employees are dealing with layoffs, furloughs, and higher health insurance premiums, state government is actually doing the opposite. Only in government does a pay freeze cost the taxpayers over $120 million.”
Today marks the first day of the 2010 fiscal year.
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Posted: June 16, 2009
On Monday, Rep. Jeff Kaufmann (Wilton), Jodi Tymeson (Winterset) and Annette Sweeney (Alden) met with landowners from Clarke County who have been fighting to save their land from a group trying to take advantage of a loophole in the state’s eminent domain law.
You can read more about the roundtable here http://coveringiowapolitics.com/?p=2097
Pictured here are the Republican Reps with local landowners.
Posted: May 28, 2009
(DES MOINES)—House Republican Leader Kraig Paulsen (R-Hiawatha) today issued the following statement in response to Governor Culver’s recent vetoes and budget bill signings:
“After all the talk of budget cuts and not raising taxes, it’s very regrettable the governor failed to use his veto pen to protect Iowans’ pocketbooks. This governor just finished signing significant overspending and what amounts to the largest general fund spending in the history of Iowa. Furthermore, it raises multiple fees and will definitely result in Iowans paying more in property taxes. During these tough economic times we should be looking for ways to help Iowans keep more of their money.”
Fact Check:
- SF 478, the Standings Appropriations bill, included a provision to allow a city to assess a franchise fee based upon a percentage of gross revenues generated from sales of the franchisee within the city not to exceed 5%. Franchise fees collected shall be credited to the franchise fee account within the city’s general fund.
- SF 465 increased the filing fee in the each county recorders’ office by $2 per document in order to redact a social security number and credit card number off land records.
- SF 218 Allowable Growth for FY11. The property tax increase will be $58 million
- SF 81 created $30 million in new property taxing authority for Iowa schools.
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