Beginning the Budget Process
January 13, 2012 by Chris
Filed under Newsletters
With the ceremonial speeches and formalities out of the way, it is time for the legislature to get down to work. We were able to get the budgeting process started right away this year, with Governor Branstad delivering his proposed budget in the first week, something very rarely seen at the Capitol.
Governor Branstad’s proposed budget meets my top criteria in that it complies with Iowa’s expenditure limitation. Unlike prior budgets that spent far more than the state collects in revenue, this budget does not contain the budget gimmicks we have seen in the past.
The increases that are included in the Governor’s proposed budget are focused on what I consider to be essential functions of government. The FY2013 budget contains additional money for Medicaid, education, mental health services, and prisons. As we move through the budget process, I will be looking for ways to cover these essential services in a fiscally responsible manner.
You have my ongoing promise that I will not support any spending beyond what the state collects in revenue. We will fully fund the priority obligations of government while we seek cost savings to make state government smaller and smarter.
All of our work this year must be considered through the lens of what is good for Iowa’s economic recovery and our future growth. It is my belief that the best way to put Iowans back to work is to advance policies that create an environment that gets government out of the way and encourages employers to create jobs right here in Iowa.
I will be advocating for legislation that provides the certainty that job-creators require and the opportunity for careers that Iowans deserve. What I will not support is more government “stimulus”, or another I-JOBS plan that grows government and borrows even more from our children.
Iowa’s employers must have a commitment from their government to keep spending under control so they can plan for the future and know for certain that a tax increase for them is not on the horizon to pay for bigger, more bloated government.
