Posted: June 28, 2010
(DES MOINES) – The non-partisan Legislative Services Agency (LSA) confirmed in a draft report that actions taken by Gov. Chet Culver and legislative Democrats raised property taxes on Iowans.
Last fall, House Republicans issued the first of many warnings that spending decisions made by Gov. Culver and legislative Democrats would result in property tax increases. Today the LSA confirmed those fears in a draft school aid analysis.
In the analysis, LSA highlights that schools maintain the authority to recoup cuts to state aid through property tax increases. According to LSA, school district general fund levies increased $133.3 million or 8.8 percent. School district cash reserve levies increased 54 percent or $104.2 million. LSA concludes, “cash reserves levies likely increased significantly due to State aid reductions for FY 2009 and FY2010 and anticipation of state aid shortfall for FY 2011.”
Iowans will see an increase in their taxes as early as this fall.
“Democrats spent too much, saved too little and increased property taxes. Now is not the time to be raising property taxes,” said House Republican Leader Kraig Paulsen. “This is another example of Gov. Culver and legislative Democrats making it harder to be an employer in Iowa and for a family to meet expenses. Balancing the budget on the back of the property taxpayer is not good enough and it’s lazy fiscal management.”
According to LSA, the finalized report will be available later this week.
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Click here to view the full report
Posted: June 24, 2010
(DES MOINES) – House Republican Leader Kraig Paulsen (R-Hiawatha) released the following statement in response to Gov. Terry Branstad’s announcement of lieutenant governor nominee, Sen. Kim Reynolds:
“I applaud Gov. Branstad for choosing Sen. Kim Reynolds as his lieutenant governor nominee. Sen. Reynolds is a strong voice for Iowa families and a conservative leader who will work hard to move our state forward.”
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Posted: June 7, 2010
Paulsen Statement on the Passing of Rep. Paul Bell
(DES MOINES) – House Republican Leader Kraig Paulsen (R-Hiawatha) released following statement on the passing of Democrat Rep. Paul Bell (D-Newton):
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to Rep. Bell’s family during this difficult time. Rep. Bell was a respected legislator who gave his time and energy serving others in the state legislature.”
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Posted: May 28, 2010
This holiday weekend, you and I will join other Americans in saluting the soldiers of our country and honoring their memory.
Initially, Memorial Day was enacted as a day to honor union soldiers following the Civil War. Now much more broadly celebrated, it is a day to honor those who have gone before us and in many cases also a day to pay homage to the living; the nearly 27 million veterans who are our family, our friends and our neighbors.
Memorial Day is more than picnics, reunions and leisure activities. It is a time to renew our patriotism and remind us that our nation was founded on the belief that this great republic and our common ideals are worth fighting for.
This is also a day to reassert our core values. Our liberties are worth fighting for. We will be free. We will be strong. We will still be the beacon to the world and the hope for those people whose freedoms are squelched.
This is the gift our soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines have left behind – the gift of peace and hope.
Thank you all for observing this day.
For information on Memorial Day events and parades in your county, contact your local county veterans service office, which can be found at https://va.iowa.gov/counties/index.html .
