84th Iowa Iowa General Assembly Second Session Begins

The 2012 Iowa Legislative Session began this morning with opening remarks by:

Senate Republican Leader Jerry Behn

Thank you Mr. President.
Colleagues, friends, family and all Iowans:

Winston Churchill once famously said, “Courage is the first of human qualities because it is the quality that guarantees all the others.”

As we meet again today to commence the people’s business, we must summon the courage to put aside our differences to work in a spirit of true bi-partisanship.

Without courage we cannot face the enormous challenges that exist and bring about the measurable results that Iowans expect and deserve.

The challenges that face our beloved state require bold thinking, fresh ideas and an ability to listen carefully.

We must listen not only to what our colleagues have to say - but most especially to those 60,000 bosses that are back home in each of our districts, counting on us always do what is right for their families, neighborhoods, communities and schools.

Before we take any action here under the golden dome, they want us to ask, “How will this provide fewer hassles, more choices, more money, more time and fewer worries for our constituents back home?”

As we start this new session, we still have over 100,000 Iowans out of work. We still have some of the highest property taxes in the nation. We have an education system that is still revered but is quickly losing its global competitiveness. We have a government that can and should always become more efficient and more effective.

In the last year, we made some good first steps but it is just that –first steps.

After years of overspending, we tightened the belt and started to get our budget back under control. We began a serious discussion about the burdensome government rules and regulations that are hampering job growth and we put in place the Iowa Partnership for Economic Progress, which will be another tool that can be used to bring more economic development to our neighborhoods and communities.

However, we are just getting started.

The best is yet to come.

As Senate Republicans, we intend to have a laser-like focus on job creation and career development this session and we hope our colleagues across the aisle will join with us to allow a rigorous debate on these issues.

Now is not the time to obstruct debate or say “No” to good ideas, just because they came from the other side of the aisle.

Now is the time to focus on several big areas of concentration: a balanced budget that spends less than we take in without raising taxes, broad based property tax relief and government rule and regulation reform.

First and foremost, we must continue our work to have a balanced budget again, one that does not spend more than we take in and does not raise taxes. Just as hardworking Iowa taxpayers tighten their belts, so too should government. We must continue to wean ourselves off the practice of using one-time dollars for ongoing expenses and continue to provide transparency and accountability.

The days of overspending and the resultant devastating across the board cuts are over. We must fund the core services of government, invest in the priorities Iowans care about and eliminate waste. Our budgeting decisions should not just be about this year – we must think about the next decade and the next generation.

The reason I ran for the Senate is because of my four children and is now my four grandchildren. I want them to be able to grow up in Iowa - in safe communities with good schools and as they get older - be able to find a good job and build a rewarding career right here if they so choose.

That is why we must give our job creators and entrepreneurs the tools necessary to succeed and make our state the most attractive and competitive not just in this country – but in the entire world.

Accomplishing that begins with broad based property tax relief. We cannot afford to have property tax rates that rival that of downtown New York City. A property tax system that simply shifts around the tax burden, picks winners and losers, relies on state revenue triggers and onerous handwritten applications will not work and is not acceptable.

Instead, Senate Republicans look forward to working closely with Governor Branstad, our colleagues in the House of Representatives and those Senate Democrats willing to be guided by something other than the party line in order to provide genuine and authentic property tax relief to hardworking Iowa taxpayers.

Along with property tax reform and responsible budgeting comes removing some of the barriers to growth by getting a handle on our increasingly burdensome government rules and regulations. Last session, Senate Republicans spearheaded an effort to go across the state to hear directly from Iowans about how government red tape is holding back their success.

We have put together a number of serious reforms that would make Iowa more competitive and give hardworking Iowans a greater seat at the table. We look forward to presenting these bold reforms and having a real and substantive debate on their merits.

However, this Senate will certainly be asked work on other important endeavors as well.

We must have the courage to tackle challenges that exist in education, health care, clean energy, agriculture and with our natural resources. We must do better in providing oversight, protecting life, promoting freedom, liberty and opportunity. We should give Iowans a vote on the basic definition of marriage and we must never stop trying to make our government more open and transparent.

We must also challenge ourselves to guarantee ample public safety and ensure that we have roads, bridges and infrastructure that are safe, reliable and capable of supporting the Iowa economy of the future.

Yet with all the challenges we face, I love this state. We are a state that has unquantifiable potential and so many wonderful assets.

All of us should be proud of what we have to offer.

We have Interstate highways that run coast to coast and border to border, barge traffic with locks and dams and a double track railroad across our state.

We have the finest natural resources, the most productive soils and ample water supplies.

We have great manufacturing, agriculture, agribusiness, insurance and banking sectors.

We have incredible institutions of higher learning – the University of Iowa produces some of the world’s best doctors and lawyers. Iowa State University provides some of the finest engineers and scientists and the University of Northern Iowa some of the best teachers and business leaders. We have great community colleges and private colleges that provide so much value, training and workforce development.

Yet, without question, the people of Iowa are truly this state’s greatest asset – their independence, self-reliance, honesty, resilience, work ethic, volunteerism and concern and care for others should serve as an inspiration to us every day we are here on their behalf.

We have incredible, hardworking people in all 947 communities doing extraordinary things to renew the promise that exists in all 99 counties.

These Iowans just want to make a good living and raise their families and they deserve a government that respects, appreciates and encourages them.

I can say with confidence that this Senate Republican caucus is very representative of the people of this state and we are ready and eager to work hard to make Iowa an even greater place to build a rewarding career and raise a healthy family.

I may be new to this position but I am not new to the Senate.

However, I can say with the utmost assurance that in my 15 years here, this is the most talented caucus I have ever been a part of and we have had some great ones.

It is an honor and privilege to represent my central Iowa constituents and to be a part of such an entrepreneurial caucus of individuals – many of whom are current or former employers with the expertise, knowledge and experience needed make Iowa the envy of the world.

Mr. President, as I close this morning, I want to welcome and congratulate our newest colleague, Senator Liz Mathis. I wish to welcome all the clerks, pages, door keepers and all the other staff who work so hard every day to keep us on track.

I hope that as we work in these weeks and months ahead, all 50 of us will have the courage each day to do what is right for those we were elected to serve.

Thank you very much, may God bless our great state and may God bless America.

Majority Leader Linda Upmeyer

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House, and to all who are listening and watching, welcome back to the Iowa House of Representatives.

It is an honor to be here today, in this beautiful chamber to do the work of the great people of Iowa. The excitement of the opening day of session never seems to fade, and this year is no exception… I am excited to be back. I know you share my anticipation of the session before us.
With such a short interim, many of you probably feel like you never left. Some of you are probably wondering whether you can plan a family vacation this June… Well I sure hope so!
But make no mistake; we remain resolved to complete the job that hardworking Iowans sent us here to do.

A year ago I stood here with a warning… a reminder that we pay attention to the wavering confidence the public has in their elected officials. Then and now, we should be mindful that we were not sent here to “bicker” with each other, or to simply kick the can down the road. We are not here to be at war with ourselves like they are in Washington. Iowans expect their representatives to listen and be accountable. When there is a problem, we address it. Iowans can be proud that we come together and deliver results.

The process may have taken longer last session, but it is results for which we will be judged, and when it comes to results, Iowans can be proud. We faced a billion dollar budget gap last year due to overspending and the use of one-time money for ongoing expenses, but we worked hard to pass a budget that puts us on a healthy path long-term. We eliminated budgeting gimmicks and passed a two year budget. Most importantly, we held ourselves accountable to Iowans by making good on our commitment to not spend more than we take in. It is important that we recognize this for what it is though, a good start. We can do better.

I want families throughout Iowa to know we understand that they have had to make tough decisions when it comes to their budgets and their priorities. I believe they expect us to do the same.

Last year we established the Taxpayers Trust Fund. Excess revenues will go into the fund to be returned to the rightful owners, the taxpayers, instead of being used to inflate spending and grow government. This will create stability by curtailing rollercoaster budgeting which results in record spending one year and across-the-board cuts the next. We will fight any effort to scoop this fund.
We made a commitment to the hardworking taxpayers of Iowa that they would have their voices heard and be a priority as we make policy decisions. The Taxpayers Trust Fund is a huge step in the right direction, but we must continue to hold ourselves accountable and strive to do more.

Iowans deserve an efficient and effective government. Priorities must be addressed and waste eliminated. This means a constant review of programs to determine whether they are serving Iowans well and making good use of their tax dollars.

With that in mind, this Legislature has recognized that we can no longer avoid addressing the major issues facing Iowa’s mental health and disability services system. During the interim, hundreds of Iowans were involved in an unprecedented effort to redesign our mental health system moving it into the 21st Century. We will adopt a new system that more fairly meets the needs of those served while protecting the property taxpayer.

There are real concerns over the effectiveness of the state’s abuse registries. These registries are important and must serve Iowans well. We will address this problem in a way that balances the due process rights of those accused with the need to protect our children and dependent adults.

Nearly 60 percent of the state budget goes to fund our education system. We have made a genuine commitment to education in this state. Despite this investment, students are not achieving the outcomes they both deserve and need to compete in a global market place. For too long the approach to addressing this has been limited to increasing financial resources.
Businesses large and small have warned us that in order for them to grow, they need a well-educated and highly-skilled workforce. Governor Branstad showed leadership by calling on all Iowans to engage in revitalizing education. This session we will take a comprehensive look at how we can be more effective in educating our children.

This body has talked about property tax reform for as long as I have been here. Meanwhile the hardworking taxpayers of Iowa have been hurting. Over the last ten years school rates have increased 60 percent... county rates 64 percent... and city rates are up 74 percent. Over that same time period, personal income only grew 46 percent.

The simple truth is, we cannot continue down this path. We must fight for all classes of property taxpayers and avoid the ugly politics of pitting one group against the other. Businesses large and small are hurting from paying the second highest commercial property tax rate in the nation. Homeowners face years of increases due to current law on the rollback and past budgeting practices.

We need to listen to Iowans and job-creators who are telling us that this burden is a dark cloud casting doubt on the competitiveness of Iowa. We need to make a commitment to provide substantive and significant property tax relief and reform in which everyone benefits. Iowans want action on this, and we should respect their plea by committing ourselves to a renewed effort.

I often hear how well Iowa is doing compared to some of the other states. Our budget is healthier than most. Our debt is lower than most. Our unemployment rate is lower than most. But is that good enough? Don’t Iowans expect more?

I believe in the endless pursuit of perfection. While we can never truly achieve perfection, if we strive for that goal, we will never fall in to the trap of settling for Iowa being merely “better than”. I believe in Iowa’s ability to not just be better than most. I believe that we can be the best.

Imagine an Iowa with the most robust job market in the nation. Imagine an Iowa with the healthiest and most stable budget in the nation. Imagine an Iowa with not just the best education system in the United States, but the best in the world. Imagine an Iowa that energizes innovation and investment with the most competitive tax and regulatory environment in the nation.

Imagine what these things would mean for the future of Iowa. An Iowa where job-creators want to invest and expand. Where our opportunities are only exceeded by our abilities.

This will not be easy and it will not happen overnight, but if we have the courage to provide leadership on these important issues, I believe we can renew that which makes Iowa such a special and blessed place.

With that in mind, let’s get back to work.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker of the House Kraig Paulsen

Welcome back to all for the second session of the Eighty-Fourth General Assembly. A warm welcome to family, friends and all Iowans who are with us here today.

One year ago many of you were brand new to the House, taking the oath of office for the first time; swearing to support the Constitution of the United States, the Constitution of the State of Iowa, and to faithfully discharge the duties of a representative. After serving in one of the longest sessions recorded in the history of the State of Iowa, each one of you have gained a great deal of valuable experience. It’s not just the amount of time you put in working toward solutions for Iowans, but also the relationships you built with Governor Branstad, the Senate, and each other that have contributed to this experience. And, after overcoming the various obstacles of last session to find common ground on many issues, I am confident that we will have a productive session that moves Iowa forward.

As we work our way through this session, it is important to maintain focus on why we are here, who we serve and who is in control. It is the 3 million people that make up the great state of Iowa that we work for. Their concerns deserve our respect and full attention and we must continue to incorporate their ideas and make it easier for them to participate in their government.

During the interim, we made decisions with these thoughts in mind. Today, I am pleased to officially introduce to you and more importantly – to the people of Iowa – the new Iowa House video streaming capability. Positioned throughout the chamber are video cameras. These cameras will, for the first time, provide Iowans the ability to access live video and audio of House floor debate and its proceedings through the internet. By implementing this system and providing more convenient access to the legislative process, we are increasing our accountability to Iowans by simply being more transparent and open.

Additionally, working with the Senate and the Legislative Services Agency, we have physically rearranged Capitol offices to create more space to conduct sub-committee and full committee meetings. For too long, important subcommittee meetings were held in over-crowded, noisy and generally inconvenient areas with limited space, making it difficult for members of the public to participate. Recognizing this problem we co-located offices and consolidated rarely used space to make more room for public meetings and public access. Beginning today Rooms 304, 304(1), and 308, all located upstairs behind the House chamber, are available for subcommittee meetings, full committee meetings and other public functions. It is my hope these changes will alleviate congestion in the building and create more opportunities for individuals to engage in the legislative process.

This session House Republicans will continue to advance policies to improve the economy and create an environment that encourages employers to keep and create jobs right here in Iowa. The top priority of this body should be to work together to ensure each Iowa family is better off this year than they were last year. By concentrating on three things every day – jobs, savings and certainty – we can achieve this goal.

Once again, we will attempt to overhaul Iowa’s property tax system, saving money for all Iowa property owners. Now is the time for real and substantial property tax reform. Over the last ten years, the amount of property taxes paid by Iowans has increased by 1.75 billion dollars. Local budgets have grown as much as 74 percent during this time. Iowa families and Iowa employers are struggling with this burden and furthermore, it is impeding job growth. It is time for the Governor, the House and Senate; Republicans and Democrats to work together to provide Iowans with meaningful property tax relief. This will not be easy, and will require sacrifice from everyone involved. We must break with the past and come up with bold solutions to this difficult issue. Local governments and the state must partner in this effort for it to be successful.

Last year, the House proved its sincerity in this regard by passing an increase in the state’s share of the school foundation formula. House Republicans also insisted that the state fully fund all property tax credits. Thereby removing this burden from local governments and property owners. Now, it is time now for local governments to bring solutions to the table as well. If we are not removing taxing authority we will never achieve true tax relief. Everyone agrees we must reduce the property tax burden on Iowa employers in order to help create jobs. Quality jobs that will develop into careers. My hope, my expectation is that by the end of this session, we will have done so.

The last point I’ll make regarding Iowans excessive property tax burden is this. Last year during property tax discussions many House members highlighted the concern of shifting taxes to Iowa’s homeowners. This was mentioned by both Republicans and Democrats and the concern is a real one. But remember this also, simply voting no and standing on the sideline will cause one of the largest shifts in this state’s history. The rollback has turned into the roll-up and the burden on homeowners is growing at a substantially faster rate than what their incomes are growing. We must address this. The bottom line is this: doing nothing is a huge tax increase on all Iowans.

We must also build upon the real progress we made last session on the budget and getting our fiscal house in order. Because of our good work, state government no longer spends more than it takes in. Instead of spending $1.18 for each on-going dollar, we now spend less than 97 cents for each on going dollar. On-going expenses are now balanced with on-going revenue and we have reduced wasteful government spending. Make no mistake though, this job is not done and there continues to be more wasteful spending to root out. Saving taxpayer dollars is the right and the responsible thing to do. Iowans deserve and expect a state government that uses their dollars wisely and in the most effective and efficient manner possible. There is still much work to do in this area.

Currently, the federal government provides Iowa with approximately $6 billion in aid each year. These resources are used for ongoing services many Iowans expect and rely upon. Because of the gridlock and uncertainty in Washington, DC, it is imperative we keep the state in a strong financial position because we do not know if all or any of that assistance will be there tomorrow.

This session, you will hear from those who want to grow government and spend more, you will hear that we have a “billion dollar surplus” at our disposal. This is not accurate. Currently, there is $600 million in one-time cash reserve funds, which by law we are required to maintain, if for no other reason so that the state can make payments such as school aid and Medicaid on time. There is also $250 million in a one-time ending balance left over from this current fiscal year. It is irresponsible and short-sighted to spend those one-time funds for ongoing services. Doing so would be to take a step backward and return to the bad budgeting practices of the past. House Republicans are committed to spending taxpayer dollars wisely and will continue working toward a responsible and efficient state government that does not spend more than we take in.

We will take additional steps to strengthen and provide certainty to Iowa’s employers. So those businesses, the true job creators, can hire Iowans for positions and careers designed for the long haul. We must make sure state government is not getting in the way of job growth. Whether they are burdensome regulations or any other reason.

Last year, we sent a number of bipartisan measures over to the Senate aimed at moving Iowa’s economy forward. In fact, 83 percent of the non-budget bills this chamber passed had bi-partisan support. Regrettably, few of these proposals received a fair hearing in the Senate. We hope Senators take a second look at the House Files pending in their chamber.

We must make progress towards resolving the issues that make our current mental health delivery system inefficient and less effective than Iowans deserve. This is a multi-year project, but I expect significant progress to be made here.

Governor Branstad has sent us a rather significant education reform package. I expect this body to give thoughtful consideration and move a proposal forward to the Senate. Iowa’s K-12 education system is another area where Iowans have grown less satisfied and they expect us to find opportunities for improvement. Our system is very expensive and holds very little accountability for any of the participants. Every Iowa family deserves the opportunity for their child to receive the very best education possible.

Obviously there will be many other issues of concern this General Assembly will tackle. I trust that we will continue to do a thoughtful review of proposals and quality subcommittee and committee work.

I hope you are as optimistic and enthusiastic about this session as I am. We have the ability to do very positive things for the people of Iowa. With a little patience and commonsense, I am confident we will work with one another to make Iowa a better place to live and do business. It is what Iowans sent us here to do; they expect it and deserve it.

Thank you and let’s get to work.

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