Senate Journal: Page 2: Monday, January 8, 1996

         We know what Iowans want.  They deserve our best cooperative
    efforts to provide sensible solutions to the pressing problems of job
    creation, rural development, housing, crime, and good schools for our
    children.

         I challenge each of us to approach the 1996 session with a new
    attitude of cooperation.  Let us use good old fashioned Iowa common
    sense to solve our problems.  The people of Iowa will truly benefit if
    we do.

         I wish all of you the best this session.  My door is always open.

         Thank you.



                         REMARKS BY THE MAJORITY LEADER

         Senator Horn addressed the Senate as follows:

         Mr. President, Senators, staff, and guests:

         Good morning, and welcome back to you all.  Its a pleasure to be
    back, and an honor to again serve as your majority leader this year.

         We had a good year in 95.  We succeeded in formulating a balanced
    state budget, building a healthy budget balance AND providing
    significant property tax relief while making some positive movement on
    key priorities like education and crime.

         Despite our differences with the House,  I am optimistic we can
    also make progress this year. Todays reality is that members of the
    House are beginning to see that the common-sense Senate priorities, like
    property tax relief, have the support of most Iowans.

         Heres some examples of what I believe are the common sense values
    Iowans expect us to maintain this year.

         Maintaining a balanced state budget with a healthy surplus should
    again be the Senates top priority in 1996.    Since 1992 weve eliminated
    a $400 million sta debt and now have a $430 million surplus.  Again this
    year, we cannot and will not spend more than we have--for any reason.
    We must be particularly cautious now due to uncertainty about proposed
    federal funding cutbacks, estimated at a cost to Iowa of $50-250
    million.

         Last year, the Senate was the first to heed Iowans pleas to
    decrease property taxes.   After reviewing our state finances, and
    holding down other spending, weput together a multi-year property tax
    relief program that will return over $500 million to Iowans.  While weve
    made a good start, we should again make property tax relief a 1996
    priority.

         Repeal of M & E, a deduction of health insurance premiums for the
    self-employed, and increased family credits were enacted in 95.  We
    should give serious consideration to other tax-cutting proposals in 96.

Iowa General Assembly

Index: Senate Journal (76th General Assembly: Session 2)

© 1996 Cornell College and League of Women Voters of Iowa

Comments? sjourn@legis.iowa.gov.

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