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Kaufmann: Rooting out waste with zero-based budgets
by Bobby Kaufmann, State Representative · Op-Ed · March 19, 2015


With the first funnel come and gone we now turn our attention to the second funnel week.


This means a bill that has passed the Senate has to be out of a House committee and vice-versa by the first week of April. In addition to the second funnel, we are anxiously waiting for this Friday. The Revenue Estimating Committee (REC) will announce the estimated tax revenue for the state in the next budget year. We will then be able to work on the state budget with more confidence in the revenue available.

I sound like a broken record but I want to make it clear to everyone that I will never vote for a budget that spends more than the state takes in. The following bill in relation to budgeting passed the House last week:

Zero-Based Budgeting – This bill limits the growth of government spending by requiring executive and judicial agencies to use zero as their baseline when determining budgets, and to justify and prioritize current and future spending. I strongly believe that if you can’t justify an expenditure of tax dollars, you shouldn’t spend it. If you truly do need an expenditure, you should easily be able to justify it. I have no intention of cutting programs we need, but rather rooting out waste and duplication.

In the interest of full transparency, I would also like to see state receipts scanned and itemized on a Web site available to the public. No government entity should be afraid to have “light shined” on their spending. My Government Oversight investigation into the Ft. Madison prison debacle has really shown me the need for transparency when it comes to how your tax dollars are being spent.

EMS – A “shell bill,” meaning a work in progress, passed a Senate committee last week. Our intent is to create incentives for EMS volunteers and firefighters to be a part of local programs and squads. One key component will be a retirement fund that would involve a state contribution each year. There will also be an option for an employer and employee match. It is important to me we make the volunteer world for EMS/firefighters one that rewards the hard-working people that dedicate their time to make our world safer. Communities are losing their services. The time to act is now.

Seniors – We are making another run this year at finding dollars for our senior dining centers, food banks, and Meals-On-Wheels programs. A bi-partisan group of us are making efforts on two fronts. First off, when the budget comes out, we are going to lobby hard to get an additional $2 million into the funds that are distributed to the counties for senior dining and Meals on Wheels. This will make up for some of the federal cuts. Secondly I have signed onto a bill that would put a check-off on your tax returns and allow people to contribute to a fund that would cover the needs of hungry seniors.

Mental Health – As we continue to find ways to help combat mental health issues in our state we have passed a bill that is a very good first step. I still continue to have major concerns about the closing of two of the state facilities without a viable alternative. I am “all ears” as to what the alternatives might be, but until there is a proven place for these folks to go, I cannot support their closure.

This weekend I also learned that Iowa is one of the few states that does not cover autism under most health insurance plans via Medicaid. In addition, the 2000 plus waiting list for children to obtain services is simply unacceptable. I will work with the HHS Chair to address this issue.

The bill we passed last week requires DHS to develop and implement an inpatient psychiatric bed tracking system. For years Iowa hospitals and law enforcement have been struggling to determine where beds are located for mental health patients across the state. This means patients in crisis have to wait hours or longer in emergency rooms before a bed is found. Even then the long drive does not guarantee that bed will be open when they arrive. This forces family members to drive across the state only to be told they have to take the person with a crisis to go home. This bill should fix that and provide consistency.

Capitol visitors: Dawn Smith, Durant; Noah Coppess, Stanwood; Carl Kohrt, Clarence; Patti Edge, West Branch; Kirk Trede, Davenport; Mike Carberry, Rod Sullivan, Pat Harney, John Etheridge, Johnson County; Cheryl Carlson, Marilyn Wedel, Mary Frieden, Diane Farrar, Muscatine.

March 21 Listening Post Schedule: 10 a.m. Cedar Manor Community Room, Tipton; 1 p.m. Scott Township, Terry and Karla Anderson home, 5176 American Legion Road, Iowa City.



You may contact Rep. Kaufmann at bobby.kaufmann@legis.iowa.gov, 515-281-3221 or 1527 330th St. Wilton, IA, 52778