Published: July 04, 2009 12:08 am      

Balancing state budget top priority for Legislature

Fiscal responsibility and balancing the state budget are top priorities for the Iowa Legislature. That’s why legislative leaders recently decided to cut more than 10 percent from the Legislature’s own budget.

Just as families are forced to tighten their belts, state government and the Legislature are no different. The savings include a pay freeze for all legislative employees, reducing travel budgets and shortening next year’s legislative session by 10 days.

In addition, a newly approved State Government Reorganization Commission will look for ways to improve efficiency, eliminate duplication, reduce costs and modernize how state government works. This is a great opportunity to save taxpayer money while improving services to Iowans.

During the 2009 session, we approved a fiscally responsible, balanced state budget that keeps our commitments to Iowans on health care, jobs and education. Our efforts to reduce costs, find efficiencies and support for middle-class families will continue throughout the interim. I look forward to seeing the commission’s recommendations for the 2010 legislative session.

Additional interim studies will examine the following topics: Criminal Code Reorganization, Health Care Coverage, Job Training, School Finance Formula, Government Oversight, Care of Animals in Commercial Enterprises, and Prescription Medication Usage.

To learn more about the specific duties of this year’s study committees, go to www.legis.state.ia.us/lsadocs/IntReport/2009/IPGPD002.PDF. To follow the ongoing work of the committees, check the “Interim Meeting Schedule” at www.legis.state.ia.us.

Speeding up recession recovery

During the deepening national recession, the Iowa Legislature has acted boldly to create jobs, rebuild communities impacted by last year’s disasters, invest in Iowa’s infrastructure and promote long-term economic growth.

The new $830 million IJOBS program continues these efforts by addressing five key priorities in Iowa: transportation projects, water infrastructure, broadband technology, housing and alternative energy infrastructure.

In addition, IJOBS funds will be able to match and draw down additional federal stimulus dollars.

It’s important to make sure these funds are used efficiently and effectively, put Iowans back to work, and ensure a safer, smarter, stronger Iowa as we recover from this national recession.

To that end, the IJOBS Board held its first meeting in June and has developed a timeline to award millions of dollars to projects that will spur job creation around the state. It is committed to taking quick action so that IJOBS funds can be put to work in Iowa communities as soon as possible.

Complete details and applications should be available by July 1, and the first round of applications is due Aug. 3. Learn more at www.ijobsiowa.gov.



Roger Stewart, a Democrat from Preston, is a member of the Iowa Senate representing District 13.