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Your Capitol Voice: Budget a big priority, but 4 others coming soon
Op-Ed · April 13, 2017


Almost 70 people attended my forum in West Branch last week.


Thanks to the West Branch Fire Department for the use of their facility. Two newspapers covered the event so you can read those articles in the paper.

I thoroughly enjoyed the over three hours I spent with my constituents. My rules at the forums are simple: everyone has a chance to ask a question, you may not belittle others’ questions, and you may not interrupt other people in the crowd who happen to disagree.

A few do not like these rules but I will always ensure that everyone has a chance to speak and share their opinion without shouts and attacks.

The House and Senate have come out with Joint Budget Targets for FY18. This is important as it helps the process move along more efficiently. I wrote earlier in the year that the Legislature voted to cut our own pay as a result of the de-appropriation bill. Our pay ends 10 days earlier this year on April 18, which is Day 100. This year’s budget spends LESS money than the State takes in. This budget takes a cautious approach to spending. It is imperative to me that we do not promise more than we can deliver.

After seeing the Revenue Estimating Conference wrong both times this year, it is a priority of mine to give more predictability to the state budget.

The agriculture economy continues to see little to no growth and as long as that remains the same, it is not prudent to expect an explosion of growth. I am optimistic that that day is coming, but I believe we are at least a year away from it.

As promised, this budget does not decrease the $40 million promised to public education. When the second R.E.C. estimate showed us even less revenue than we had predicted, we made a decision to tap into the reserve fund rather than try and cut services with only three months left in the fiscal year.

To balance the FY17 budget, $131 million was borrowed from our cash reserves account. It is important those funds are paid back for future unforeseen emergencies so this FY18 budget makes an initial $20 million payment back to the Cash Reserves fund. In the next two weeks the Chairs of the Budget Subcommittees will be working to fund the State’s priorities. If you have a spending priority you would like me to pursue, and you have not contacted me yet, please email me this week and I will make the pitch for you to the Budget Chair.

The following four specific items will be a priority in the waning days of this session. I have listed some of these in previous columns but I think they are worth repeating. Keep in mind that K-12 education is one of the very few areas of the budget that actually received an increase.

1. Community Colleges – I was a harsh critic of the governor’s decision to further cut community colleges in his de-appropriation. I hear from businesses all across the district that skilled worker shortage is a growing problem. Community Colleges are THE hub that guides students into fulfilling careers. Their funding is a top priority for me.

2. State Troopers – The State Patrol is approaching a crisis. Retirements are easily out-pacing new recruits and our trooper levels in Iowa are at historic lows. There are some counties in Iowa where a single Trooper is over a hundred miles away for hours at a time. Giving them more dollars to hire more officers is critical.

3. Domestic Violence Funding – The best Domestic Violence outreach center rests in our district. There is a proposed cut to them that would be devastating to their budgets as it would also trigger triple the cuts in federal funds. The Shelter serves countless individuals in horrible situations. It is important their funds remain whole.

4. Funding for the Arts – One-third of my district is in Johnson County and the University is the largest employer in the district. Earlier this year there were cuts to the Arts in the de-appropriations bill. I voted against that cut. I have had countless people show me the real merit in the State’s involvement in promoting the arts. It is not only a large economic driver in Iowa but it is also a key retention piece when we talk about keeping our young people and families in Iowa.

Capitol visitors: Dawn Smith, Durant; Monica Madura, Katie Millard, Iowa City



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