Hawkeye Review

Opening Remarks From Minority Leader Kraig Paulsen...

Today, House Minority Leader Kraig Paulsen delivered his opening remarks to the Iowa Legislature.  Although Kraig represents his house district from Linn County, a strong effort from all 99 Iowa counties and we might find ourselves calling him "Mr. Speaker" next year.  Kraig's leadership last year was key to preventing several major labor bills from being forced into law. 

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, ladies and gentlemen of the House, family and friends:

First I want to start by welcoming Representative Royd Chambers back to the House. Thank you for your service, Royd, we’re very happy to have you home.

Obviously we have a difficult year ahead of us. But rather than look at this as a problem I hope this body will choose to see opportunity. Opportunity for a stronger Iowa, opportunity to create an efficient and open state government. An opportunity to give the state back to the people.

Last year we heard a lot of blame being passed out. House Republicans don’t think this is helpful. Wasn’t it President Truman who said, “the buck stops here?” Instead of blaming our state’s troubles on someone else, House Republicans have taken action and are ready to take action again this year.

Make no mistake though, just like I said last year … if blame is continued to be misplaced, as Republicans believe it has in the past, I will continue to talk about the pork of the last three years – the 2,600 new state employees – the 17+% spending increases. Mr. Speaker, Republicans prefer to move on; I hope Democrats feel the same.

Last year in my opening day speech I called for increased truth and transparency in state government, vowed to stand up against tax increases, and pointed out the importance of reducing the cost of government. As we worked through the year, Republicans crafted legislation to do just that. While most of it was not supported at the time, these ideas are now being revered as a good plan.

Today, those three goals have not changed. House Republicans will continue our efforts in those areas and add a few more to the list.

During the interim we went back to our home districts, met with our constituents and developed several bold solutions for the state of Iowa. The only party to put forth an agenda, we focused on empowering families, reducing budgets, and strengthening education and healthcare, just to name a few. We will put our plan into action with legislation that will hopefully be given a better reception than our efforts last year.

We will also focus on creating an environment which is welcoming to employers and encourages them to invest in our workforce, passing an affordable and responsible budget and standing up to the creeping federal intrusion into the lives of Iowans.

When we convened last year, 80,000 Iowans were out of work. When we adjourned that number had jumped to over 100,000. Now it is somewhere around 115,000 Iowans out of work. House Republicans will offer concrete and realistic ideas to put Iowans back to work.

We’ve repeatedly been saying we must reduce spending and we must be fiscally conservative with Iowans’ tax dollars. While bloated budgets, increased spending and growing debt is now the norm—let me be very clear about where we stand—House Republicans will not support any budget that spends more money than it takes in. Balancing the budget is not good enough if it’s on the backs of the property taxpayer.

The taxpayer deserves a seat at the table and House Republicans will make sure that happens.

Republicans believe state government disregarded Iowans’ concerns last year. Pushing bills through at all hours of the night with little debate, removing citizens from the very building they pay for, budgets created behind closed doors, and we failed to permit them to have the final say on how marriage should be defined in Iowa.

Abraham Lincoln once said, “Public sentiment is everything. With public sentiment, nothing can fail; without it nothing can succeed.”

Mr. Speaker, it’s time to listen to the will of the people. House Republicans believe it’s time to return state government back to the hands of Iowans, allowing their voices to be heard…they deserve a seat at the table that they pay for.

Mr. Speaker, House Republicans stand ready to move Iowa forward. Mr. Speaker House Republicans are ready to go to work. Thank you.

"What's in a signature?"

Reprinted with permission by House Minority Leader Kraig Paulsen

Tuesday at Midnight was the close of the 2009 session. This is when the Governor had to decide what bills to sign or veto. You have likely already seen some of what was vetoed – especially if it was some piece in which you were interested. But as I told the press … what is more interesting is what he signed.

After all the talk of budget cuts and not raising taxes, the governor just signed what amounts to the most general fund spending in the history of Iowa. I find it truly remarkable that after all the talks of cuts more money was spent than ever before.

I think it was very regrettable that rather than use tough times to make tough decisions this General Assembly used it as an opportunity to grow government.

It is accurate to say Iowa cannot legally spend more than it takes in and House Republicans made sure that law was complied with. So where did this additional money come from? Answer: YOU, of course.

Much of it was "Federal Stimulus Dollars" – or tax payer dollars. Some of it was through increased taxes and fees – or tax payer dollars. And lastly, some of it was diversions allowed because of the Governor’s borrowing proposal, which of course will be repaid with - tax payer dollars.

I have told you this before, but at the risk of sounding redundant, this is not hollow criticism. In addition to not supporting this level of spending, House Republicans offered $337 million worth of what we still believe to be reasonable and responsible cuts in state government spending. Other than a few tokens – the majority party summarily rejected all of them.

The result? Next year your Legislature has to narrow a $1 billion gap between revenues and spending. That’s roughly an additional $333 for every man woman and child in Iowa.

Last week, the State Auditor also pointed out the frightening budget starring lawmakers in the face when we return next year. According to his numbers, this lack of spending restraint created a $1.062 billion spending gap in fiscal year 2011. Even if the remaining federal stimulus dollars are used to fill that gap, the state would need revenue to grow 15 percent to make up the difference. As a point of reference, the most recent revenue growth number the state has is negative 2.8 percent.

The budget woes created by Democrats were even highlighted in a recent article of the Des Moines Register where former state auditor, Richard Johnson said, "There’s only two options: One is to increase taxes, and the other is to reduce spending."

Republicans will not support increasing taxes. House Republicans contend that just as our families back home are tightening their belts and cutting back, so too should the state government. Over the interim we will continue talking to Iowans about their ideas for budget savings and we’ll be prepared to reach across party lines and work with Democrats to continue to offer reasonable cuts to big budgets.

To read the auditor’s findings, click here:

Also, you may view the auditor’s presentation here:

As always, I look forward to your responses. I don’t get to reply to all of them – but they are helpful.

Thanks

Note: If you would like to sign up to receive Kraig Paulsen's newsletters, you can visit his web page at http://kraigpaulsen.com and enter your personal information.

The Iowa Capital is Like "Hotel California!"

By contributing editor Representative Renee Schulte

Budgets came at us quickly with little time to read and digest. Policy is often included in budget bills. This year, several pieces of legislation that had "died" in committee were miraculously resurrected for the standings bill. Some of the risen dead included discussion on federal deductibility, mental health mandates, puppy mills, deer tags, franchise fees, workman's compensation and others. These ghosts of proposals past came to light just in time for weary eyed legislators to observe.

The majority party caucused for hours trying to find the right language for 51 votes. After the early death of prevailing wage, the majority needed to assure passage of their policy. The House would propose a plan, the Senate would disagree. Hours stretched into days, as we waited for the final version of each budget bill.

Remember the story from Capitol staff Trish about the "ghosts of the statehouse". Well the resurrection of bad policy in the wee morning hours is enough to make anyone believe they see goblins and ghosts. Lobbyists were in the rotunda fighting to protect their pet project or pork. Legislators were fighting: to get out of caucus, to protect your rights, to make a stand.

"Last thing I remember, I was running for the door. I had to find the passage back to the place I was before. 'Relax', said the night man, we are programmed to receive. You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave".*

Adjourned Sine Die 5:30 AM Sunday April 26, 2009

*From Hotel California by the Eagles

You can follow Representative Renee Schulte on Twitter here.

Closing Remarks: Minority Leader Paulsen

Republican Leader Kraig Paulsen’s Closing Remarks

(DES MOINES)— House Republican Leader Kraig Paulsen (R-Hiawatha) delivered closing remarks to the Iowa House of Representatives today. The following are his remarks, as prepared for delivery:

Thank you Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, ladies and gentleman of the House,

First I would like to thank my caucus. It is indeed a great honor to stand for you and represent you. We are 43 strong and we made a difference – be proud of your efforts and successes. Next year we will stand with 44 members as we welcome our friend Rep. Royd Chambers back from serving our country in the Middle East. We look forward to serving with him in this chamber again. Thank you to my leadership team: Rod, Jodi, Jeff, and Steve for your input and efforts. And a special thank you to the Republican Whip, Linda Upmeyer for your inexhaustible energy and focus.

I would also like to thank each of you who take the time away from your families and your lives at home to come to Des Moines and serve the people of the great state of Iowa. Our task is often difficult and grueling, so I think each one of you deserves thanks for giving so much of your time and energy.

The staff of this building who work hard to keep bills moving, get amendments drafted, and make sure things are up and running each day. Thank you. Specifically, I would like to thank my staff. Thank you Jeff, Josie, Noreen, Lew, Lon, Brad, Ann, Kelly, Jason, Matt and Tony. We like to say, and it continues to be true, that we have the most informed staff in the building.

Mr. Speaker – Mr. Majority Leader, I also want to thank you. Obviously we have some profound differences on policy, but that did not prevent us from working together when possible for the betterment of Iowans. You committed to me that House Republicans would have opportunities to engage and affect legislation and you followed through on that commitment. I thank you for that.

Most notably we began working this session effectively to respond to last year’s disaster through the newly formed Rebuild Iowa Committee – while we can debate whether we did enough in the right areas - Iowa will be better because we worked together.

No Doze and No Sense: The 83rd General Assembly...

By the time you rub your eyes, slide into your Sunday morning slippers and pick up the newspaper at your door, it will be too late...

In just a matter of hours, members of the 83rd General Assembly will have authorized the largest state budget in history and adding insult to injury is $765 Million in new bonding (borrowing) which swells to $1.6 Billion on the shoulders of our children over the next 20 years.

tac·tic  (tktk) n. An expedient for achieving a goal; a maneuver.

Speaking of tactics and maneuvers, how does transparent government ever function when lawmakers debate on a Friday night into the wee hours of Saturday morning? This was planned folks. Most lobbyists are home, your weekday news anchors typically have Friday nights and the weekends off. By the time this news becomes ink on paper, boxes will have been packed and our state senators and representatives will be safely home, sleeping in for sure.

Back in February, Senate Leader Mike Gronstal was called out on these late night sessions by the "Dean" David Yepsen on Iowa Press.  Here's an excerpt:

Yepsen:Will you move this in such a way, Senator, that people in Iowa have a chance to hear about this? One of the criticisms was made last time, you kind of did it slamma-jamma and in a big hurry and people didn't have a chance to have a debate.

So, will this be done over a period of several weeks in daylight hours so we all get a chance to see the bill?

Gronstal: I accept that criticism, David, I accept that and that's why I think the show right before session started I talked about these issues, I talked about them out loud, that's why Senator Courtney on Monday, probably mid-week next week will bring out a bill on giving workers a better voice in their medical care after they have been injured on the job. So, people didn't like that. We're fine. We're going to debate this and have that discussion. We're going to talk about what it means for the future of Iowa whether we want to have a low wage, low skill economy or whether we want to have unions that are a little bit stronger and that lead to better working conditions. Tomorrow is Saturday, everybody has their weekend thanks to organized labor.

I'm told legislators have already been notified to expect Sunday debate.  Again, back to the maneuvers and tactics we discussed at the beginning.  Lord forbid we would recess for the weekend and return to normal business hours Monday morning! Problem is, everyone is then paying attention and every reporter within 300 miles of Des Moines would likely arrive to cover this spending frenzy.

How to you dodge accountability?  Well, truth be told, you don't.  You delay it.  Accountability occurs next time our state's leaders are up for re-election. Remember this weekend. You have every right to be angry and insulted by these developments.

There will be a flurry of press releases Monday morning and then the "blame game" begins.

Democrats will blame Republicans for obstructing flood relief and Republicans will bring daylight to the massive and unconstitutional spending that occurred in the overnight hours this weekend.

Remember the term winners and losers from the Federal Deductibility Debate? 

Well the losers are Iowa taxpayers and the "Biggest Losers" are Iowa's children. 

We just gave the next generation a inheritance that will come back in future years to shame us for our failure to lead during tough times.

For the policy wonks reading today, here's the link to the Standings Bill.

House Republicans Protest Bonding Bill...

DISSENT FROM

Mr. Speaker:

Article III Section 10 of the Constitution of the State of Iowa provides:

Protest – record of vote – Every member of the general assembly shall have the liberty to dissent from, or protest against any act or resolution which he may think injurious to the public, or an individual, and have the reasons for his dissent entered on the journals; and the yeas and nays of the members of either house, on any question, shall, at the desire of any two members present, be entered on the journals.

I have here a written statement explaining one reason inter alia for our dissent on Senate File 376 to be placed into the journal as provided by Article III Section 10.

Article VII Section 2 of the Constitution of the State of Iowa, states "The state may contract debts to supply casual deficits or failures in revenues, or to meet expenses not otherwise provided for; but the aggregate amount of such debts, direct and contingent, whether contracted by virtue of one or more acts of the general assembly, or at different periods of time, shall never exceed the sum of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars; and the money arising from the creation of such debts, shall be applied to the purpose for which it was obtained, or to repay the debts so contracted, and to no other purpose whatever."

On 24 April 2009, the Iowa House passed Senate File 376, which issues bond debt of $475 million. This is clearly above the $250,000 threshold set by Article VII of the Constitution. Therefore, it is our belief that the bill is unconstitutional.

For this and other reasons we, the undersigned, object to Senate File 376 being before the body and voted against passage of the bill.

Representative Dwayne Alons

Representative Rich Anderson

Representative Clel Baudler

Representative Peter Cownie

Representative Dave Deyoe

Representative Cecil Dolecheck

Representative Jack Drake

Representative Greg Forristall

Representative Pat Grassley

Representative Chris Hagenow

Representative Dave Heaton

Representative Erik Helland

Representative Lance Horbach

Representative Dan Huseman

Representative Jeff Kaufmann

Representative Kevin Koester

Representative Steve Lukan

Representative Mike May

Representative Linda Miller

Representative Steve Olson

Representative Kraig Paulsen

Representative Dawn Pettengill

Representative Scott Raecker

Representative Christopher Rants

Representative Rod Roberts

Representative Tom Sands

Representative Renee Schulte

Representative Jason Schultz

Representative Chuck Soderberg

Representative Kent Sorenson

Representative Doug Struyk

Representative Annette Sweeney

Representative Dave Tjepkes

Representative Jodi Tymeson

Representative Linda Upmeyer

Representative Jim Van Englenhoven

Representative Nick Wagner

Representative Ralph Watts

Representative Matt Windschitl

Representative Gary Worthan

Burning the midnight oil...

 

"We cannot spend ourselves into prosperity." Live audio from the Iowa Legislature right now as legislators debate bonding for the state of Iowa.  Tempers are short, yawns are in season right now and flood rhetoric is now the topic of this late hour. (12:26 a.m. Saturday, April 25th)

Nick Wagner is now speaking from Linn County and asks Representative Cohoon to yield for questions and then why we have to bond and borrow when there are RIIF funds already appropriated for such measures. Unfortunately, these dollars have been used for other purposes and Cohoon tells Wagner that "If you've been around long enough like I have, you know things like this just happen."

Shifting money from RIIF to the general fund is often a practice to pay for expenses when money runs short.  We're paying $545 Million for this bill by borrowing and bonding.

"It's all about priorities," says Wagner. 

Republicans and Democrats are taking a stand this morning.  71% of Iowa is against Culver's bonding and I-Jobs proposal. "Iowans get it." 

 

 

 

Making legislative sausage in Des Moines tonight...

Here's how the 83rd General Assembly makes legislative sauage.  Click here for a link.

Plan B - "Because the unexpected happens"

This story cuts two ways today.

First, the image above is rather "sterile" and I won't use sensational pictures to make my point. I imagine that most of you have already seen them. I remember the first time my then teenage daughter found one on line and then came to me sobbing.  This is how murder is "framed" to a teenage girl on the MTV channel.  It's just a pill. .  Just like the aspirin you take when you have your cycle to help with cramps.  The problem is you can't take an aspirin to your school anymore. It's forbidden. However that same school nurse will gladly drive you to the local Planned Parenthood Clinic and help you take this pill and I add...without the consent of your parents, or the father for that matter. I would add these adds are "targeted" specifically to young teens purely for the purposes of creating a "market" and then...a profit for this drug. Tax dollars paid for this ad below, take a look.

Many of you have already heard that the FDA under the Obama administration is now going to allow Plan B to be dispensed to 17 year-old girls.

Second,it appears that Iowa's version of the 3 stooges, (Culver, Gronstal, Murphy) are about to invoke their own "Plan B" possibly as soon as today.  Let me be clear, this isn't about what's best for Iowa. It's about political survival now.  This session has denigrated to that point.  There's no hiding from it now.

It's not as easy as taking a "pill" but I predict the legislative process will be "aborted" today and tomorrow and in the aftermath of what's about to unfold, you may hear sensational stories about party line votes and a complete breakdown of sensible legislative priorities. 

Republicans have done a remarkable job this session offering alternate ideas and cost saving measures which have been universally rejected across the aisle. You couldn't have asked for more effective "loyal opposition" from the Republican caucus this year and I congratulate Kraig Paulsen and Paul McKinley for their unified leadership under these strange and unpredictable circumstances.

Once again we now see why elections matter and why Republicans are uniting across this state to take back our state government and restore some common sense to the process. Watch closely these next few days, there's no way the Democrats will be able to hide behind press releases and MSM coverage. I also doubt they'll be able to clean this mess up before the next election....yes, it's that bad.

 

Getting ready to get ready...

Actually, it's a song. Lately, I've been running this tune through my head as I marvel at the inefficiency of Senate leader Gronstal and Speaker Pat Murphy. In the future, with their leadership, why don't we just start the session in late March and give them about 3 weeks to make billions of dollars worth of decisions and then send them home?  

Now I'm all for making reasonable changes to health care reform and sex offender laws.  Why we're holding a public hearing in the 15th week of session is the part I just don't get.  Add to that the "super secret" legislative panel that worked to craft the sex offender bill and I start to ask myself, when will the good folks in Iowa say, "enough is enough" and retire our Democrat leaders from service?

The governor is not "speaking" to legislative leaders so I'm told.  This is the "hush-hush" inside scoop from Des Moines right now.  This reminds me of '"pouting children" and don't forget this legislative mess when campaign season finally arrives. They'll travel to and fro pontificating how great their leadership and vision is for the state of Iowa. Remember this week before you buy their bill of goods next time.

   Now let's talk about the real heroes in our state...

 

  We're laying one to rest today.

The service and sacrifice of Jason Pautsch will be honored this morning at 10 a.m. at Calvary Church of the Quad Cities, 4700 53rd Street, Moline. 

Governor Culver has ordered all American flags to be flown at half staff today from sunrise until sunset to honor Iowa's most precious sacrifice...our casualties of war. Along with Governor Culver, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn will also attend Jason's service this morning.

As I wrote several days ago, while we celebrated Easter with our families and loved ones, Jason's parents and family stood on a tarmac at Dover Air Force Base to watch their son return home from war covered with an American flag.

How do you console a father who only hours before his son's death, spoke with Jason on the phone and was brimming with pride knowing that his son, "got it" in life?

David Pautsch said his son Jason "Despised the cowardly attitude of a lot of the politicians that brought into question the value of what they were doing over there, he despised the idea that so many Americans were too gutless to stand up for what they believed."

Jason graduated a semester early from high school and skipped his senior prom to enlist and fight for his country. 

How do you console the mother who will never again softly kiss his cheek and have the opportunity to meet his future wife and hold her grandchildren?

If you want to honor Jason today and all those who've made the ultimate sacrifice for our country, then stand up for an issue and see it through. Don't give up...succeed.

Lastly, remember that your freedom is not "free!" It was purchased for you by heroes like Jason Pautsch who understood at such an early age in life that your freedom is indeed precious!