Under the Golden Dome, Too

By: 
Linda Upmeyer

Budget decisions keep Iowa’s financial health in check
 
As local swimming pools, lakes and rivers begin to fill up across the state, it’s hard to believe we are already in the latter part of June!
     Town festivals celebrating our communities’ rich and unique heritages are well underway. County fairs have kicked off across the state showcasing our youngest residents’ commitment to the backbone of our economy – Iowa agriculture. It’s certainly hard to think of a better place to be than Iowa in the summertime.
     I’ve enjoyed visiting with many of you at various community gatherings recently and have appreciated hearing your feedback about this legislative session. For those of you who are reading editorials about a disappointing session, I think we should take a look at how the session lined up with Iowans’ priorities. As I travel the state, the feedback I consistently receive is Iowans expect a sound economy, quality education and strong communities to live and work in. I believe our work in the Statehouse this session reflected these priorities.
     We accomplished many good things for our state this year, least of which was passing a responsible and sustainable state budget. Without a doubt, since taking control of the House, we have fundamentally changed the culture of budgeting in state government. Prior to gaining the Majority in the House, it was not unusual for the state to spend more than it took in, in addition to spending one-time funds on ongoing expenses. As we have for the past four years, this legislative session we stood firm by our budgeting principles, which resulted in an agreement that ensures the state will continue to live within its means.
     This was not without pushback. As has been the case every legislative session since gaining control in the House, the delay in adjournment was caused by calls for greater spending than the taxpayers of Iowa could afford. Every year we are asked to spend more than the state collects and every year we hold the line, while ensuring the priorities of Iowans are met.
     In addition to maintaining a fiscally-sound budget, other policies were passed that will benefit Iowa families for generations to come. We once again showed our commitment to protecting property rights by strengthening the state’s eminent domain law.
     Because a quality education is so critical to our state’s future, during this tight budget year we invested an additional $100 million in Iowa’s K-12 schools. This was a commitment of over half of the new, ongoing revenue. Additionally, we dedicated another $56 million in one-time funds to go toward improving instructional support in our K-12 classrooms.
     Make no mistake, with our ever-increasing Medicaid obligations, competition for dollars between education, Medicaid and Iowans’ other priorities will continue to cause difficult decisions into the future. While at times I was disappointed with the rhetoric and tactics used surrounding the education funding debate this year, in the end I am proud of the commitment we made to our students and schools.
     Legislation was also passed to help fight human trafficking in Iowa. Many people believe this atrocity is not occurring here, but unfortunately that isn’t so. In order to ensure our public safety officials are well-equipped to combat this growing crime, we provided increased funding for law enforcement training. We also provided additional dollars to raise awareness surrounding the issue and to help educate professionals who may encounter human trafficking victims through their jobs, such as social service providers, county attorneys and other public servants.
     During the final days of session, we were able to pass the most substantial pro-life language our state has seen in over a decade. The legislation will provide a mother the opportunity to view an ultrasound of her baby prior to getting an abortion. It also ensures women receive information on alternative options to this procedure. By codifying this practice, I have no doubt lives will be saved in Iowa.
     I look forward to continuing to visit with you this summer at upcoming events, parades and local coffee shops. If you would like to touch base in the meantime, you can reach me at linda.upmeyer@legis.iowa.gov or (515) 281-4618.

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