Senate Journal: Page 30: Tuesday, January 11, 2000

  We need more Iowans.  We need younger Iowans.  We need better-paid Iowans.

  For the past six months, the Lt. Governor and I have challenged our staff
  and the
  departments of state government to focus on these goals and to develop
  programs and
  budget priorities aimed at achieving these goals.  We've also encouraged the
  participation of all Iowans, through the 2010 Strategic Planning Council
  efforts and
  two weeks of public hearings on the budget, held at locations around the
  state.
  Through this inclusive process, we developed the agenda we outline for you
  today-an
  agenda that seizes our moment to lead-an Iowa quality of life agenda that
  builds and
  improves upon our already good quality of life.  We will be better educated
  and
  healthier.  We will enjoy cleaner air and water and the benefits of richer
  soil.  We will
  experience value-added economic opportunity and feel more secure in our
  homes,
  schools and communities, and we will be served by a responsible, accountable
  government.

  The budget presented to the general assembly funds these priorities while
  recognizing the need to limit general fund spending this year.  We take
  seriously our
  collective duty to be fiscally responsible.  When revenues in the current
  year didn't
  increase as expected, we called for budget cuts and spending reductions.  As
  part of our
  budget, we have already presented to you a deappropriations bill.  We ask
  you for
  quick and speedy action on the bill.  I have appreciated the cooperation
  exhibited by
  leaders of both chambers and both parties as cuts and reductions were
  identified for
  consideration.  Let us continue that work together.  Working together, I
  know of no
  reason why, that bill could not be signed one week from today.

  Ordinarily, a budget-cutting year would be a very bad time to present an
  aggressive
  list of new ideas.  I can already hear the objections.  But our
  administration has a
  different approach.  This year, we are going back to the basics-the three
  Rs.

  The three Rs I am talking about are not reading, writing, and arithmetic.

  Our three Rs are reduce, reallocate, and redouble.  State agencies have
  identified
  $30 million in reductions they are ready to make.  They also will reallocate
  current
  dollars to fund priorities by undertaking hard-nosed evaluations of how
  funds can be
  better spent.  As for redoubling, state agencies are working smarter than
  ever to find
  other sources of money for our priorities-from federal funds, to private
  foundation
  funds.

  The budget we are presenting assumes a general fund revenue growth rate of
  4.2%
  and a general fund expenditure rate of 2.8%.  Our budget is balanced, is
  fiscally
  responsible, and calls for no new taxes.

  Last year, working together, we made a down payment on better educational
  opportunities for Iowa's students with the class size reduction, reading
  initiative, by
  increasing allowable growth, and by fully funding the community college
  formula for
  the first time in recent memory.  We must continue investing in our children
  and their
  future.  We fund an additional $10 million this year for the class size
  reduction and
  reading initiative.  We propose fixing the allowable growth rate at 4% for
  fiscal year
  2002 and fund an additional $8.9 million in new resources for the community
  colleges.
  But, that is just a beginning-we pledge to do more.

© 2000 Cornell College and League of Women Voters of Iowa

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