The last bill passed in the House was SF 478, the standing appropriations bill which appropriated over $450 million dollars from various state budget funds.  The standings bill also served as a catch-all bill for a wide range of policies that did not survive the regular committee process.  Last-minute items included a 5% city franchise fee on utility bills, an interim study committee on puppy mills, and increased fees for out-of-state deer hunting licenses.

A lot of high-profile legislation failed in the final days.  No labor bills were brought forward and there was no change to federal deductibility.  I will continue to oppose forced unionization, mandated wage rates and any attempt to take away most Iowans’ largest tax deduction.  Majority leadership also blocked all attempts to allow the people of Iowa a vote on a constitutional amendment defining marriage as between one man and one woman.

Despite falling tax revenues, economic trouble and massive overspending in previous years, this budget will be the largest in our state’s history.  To facilitate this extra spending, the receipt of federal stimulus money was used to “backfill” many of our ongoing spending obligations.  While this avoids making some painful cuts this year, we are facing a much larger budget gap once the stimulus money runs out.  We will soon be looking out over the cliff of a budget disaster.

We must do a better job of prioritizing our spending.  I will continue to offer suggestions of how we can fully fund the most essential functions of government while protecting Iowa taxpayers.

It continues to be a great honor to serve.  Over the interim, I look forward to spending time in the community, listening to your thoughts and ideas on how government can better reflect the will of the people.