The Bottom Line

by State Senator Mike Breitbach

This week involved floor debate on several Appropriation bills. There are 10 different budget areas. The Governor submits his budget at the beginning of the year and the House and Senate are in the process of passing their own versions of these bills. Once the bills are passed in each chamber they are messaged to the other chamber for consideration. When an agreement is reached between the two chambers they are sent to the Governor for his consideration.
I have voted ‘no’ on all of the appropriation bills so far except the Federal Block Grant Bill, which is basically a pass through of federal monies to federally-funded programs. I feel very strongly we should not spend more than we take in.
Our state constitution requires us not to spend more than 99 percent of revenues so you would think that would take care of my concerns. The spending limit amount is our ending cash balance. Then add to that balance the expected revenues and limit it to 99 percent of that number. If we followed this calculation in our personal lives it would mean you would be using your checking account as well as your savings account for ongoing expenses. Eventually your savings account would run out and you would find yourself in financial difficulties. We need to keep our state finances in order so we don’t have those financial difficulties moving forward.
   
My Senate email is michael.breitbach@legis.iowa.gov or you can call me at 563-920-7399.
Please listen to my interviews with Darin Svenson on KDEC radio (Decorah) at 7 a.m. every Thursday morning, or listen online at soundcloud.com/kdecnews.