CALL FOR IA. STATEHOUSE REPUBLICANS TO FIGHT LIKE A GIRL!!

Greetings House Speaker Kraig Paulsen, Appropriations Representative, Scott Raecker and Rep. Nick Wagner—

 The 448 word Gazette article pasted below reported your comments etc. regarding the omnibus budget passed in the House yesterday.  The Integrity Index Level of the budget is an outstanding 540, the highest such level we have found in the legislature in 10 years.   

 Unfortunately, either you did not cite its integrity, or the reporter failed to report it!!   We find you did not cite it!!

 Here are excerpts of quotes you folks made to pathetically describe the best budget created in the Iowa House—for at least 10 years:

 Wasn’t  ideal

We put some policy issues in to move things along

We need to talk about substantive issues

You don't like it? Tell me what you want me to change

It’s a 'framework' for budget negotiations.”

 GOOD GRIEF, GUYS!!  STAND UP AND FIGHT FOR YOUR BUDGET LIKE A PALIN GIRL!!

The Integrity Index Level of how you described the outstanding budget is 1, on a scale of 0 to 1,000 tops, where significant integrity starts at 300—and evil is 250 and below.   For comparison, Integrity Levels for House members is posted on website  http://iowalive.net/ :  INTEGRITY RANKING OF 100 IOWA HOUSE LEGISLATORS

Here are some key words to help you step up and adequately describe and fight for the budget you worked to craft.

Integrity Index Level for state senators is posted on website: http://iowalive.net/ :    INTEGRITY RANKING OF 50 IOWA SENATE LEGISLATORS

Sincerely,

Iowalive             A growing network of volunteer citizens and professionals for improving Iowa

PATHETIC REPORT OF BEST HOUSE BUDGET IN AT LEAST 10 YEARS

 6-9-11

 Party-line vote in House sends budget bill to Senate


By Mike Wiser

Gazette Des Moines Bureau

DES MOINES - Despite Democrats' protests, the Republican-led Iowa House passed the GOPsupported omnibus state budget bill Wednesday.

The measure includes property tax relief, zero allowable growth for schools, allowing local school boards to adopt student uniform policies, making state employees pay at least $100 toward their health insurance and other issues. Debate began shortly before 8:45 a.m. and concluded when House leadership called 'time certain,' imposing the 2 p.m. deadline it established Tuesday for debate on the bill.

Democrats cried foul, saying the Republicans were forcing a massive spending and policy bill onto Iowans with less debate than necessary.

'This is not openness, this is not transparency,' said House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, D-Des Moines. 'We've hit a new low in the Iowa House, and I don't say that lightly.' House Speaker Kraig Paulsen, R-Hiawatha, and appropriations Rep.

Scott Raecker, R-Urbandale, said combining budget and policy issues wasn't ideal, but it was necessary.

'We have the second week of June coming up, and to seek resolution for Iowans, the body felt it was important to put some policy in to move things along in the process. This is about the budget,' Raecker said.

'That's exactly right,' Paulsen said. 'The Democrats want to talk about the process . . . We need to talk about substantive issues, we need to get this resolved.' The Legislature is in its sixth week of overtime without a budget deal. If a budget agreement is not reached by the end of the fiscal year on June 30, the state could shut down all but its essential services.

House Republicans and the governor are largely in agreement on the bill that was approved 54-38 Wednesday on a party-line vote, with the Democrat-controlled Senate on the other side.

'As Governor Branstad and senators face a growing outcry against budget cuts on Iowa schools, job creation efforts and other state services, the House Republicans moved with Olympic speed today to cut off debate and pass an omnibus spending bill,' Sen. Bob Dvorsky, D-Coralville, chairman of the Senate appropriations committee, said in a statement Wednesday.

In closing remarks just before the vote, Rep. Nick Wagner, R-Marion, said the House version was a 'framework' for budget negotiations.

'All the talk about shutting down government is not coming from House Republicans or the governor,' Wagner said.

The majority of Wednesday's session was taken with debate over tax reform legislation that includes property tax reform.

Paulsen said he had a meeting with Senate Democrats scheduled for this morning.

'Now they've got it, let's make a decision. You don't like it? Tell me what you want me to change.

Give me a proposal,' Paulsen said. 'You know, they need to get to work.'

■ Comments: (515) 422-9061; michael.wiser@lee.net