Recap of Week 1
Greetings from the State Capitol! I have been spending the first week of legislative session getting back into the swing of things. During the week a joint session with the State Senate was held to hear Governor Terry Branstad’s condition of the State, as well as Iowa Supreme Court Chief Justice Cady’s condition of the Judiciary.
On Tuesday, the Governor released his budget which appropriates funds for Lake Delhi. This is an important step in the process of rebuilding the dam.
I attended meetings of the Agriculture Committee, in which I serve as vice chair, the Environmental Protection Committee, State Government Committee and Ways and Means Committee. I encourage everyone to visit the Iowa Legislature website and provide input on how you think the state government can improve. You can find the link to input your ideas at the bottom of the Iowa Legislature website: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/index.aspx. As a member of the State Government Committee we appreciate any input you may have to improve state government.
Jobs
House Republicans believe the best way to put Iowans back to work is to advance policies that create an environment that gets government out of the way and encourages employers to create jobs right here in Iowa.
In everything we do, we will pursue policies that provide the certainty that job-creators require and the opportunity for careers that Iowans deserve.
If you’re looking for another stimulus bill or I-JOBS plan that plunges our state into debt and grows government, look elsewhere.
Certainty, Savings, and Accountability
Iowa’s employers must have a commitment from their government to keep spending under control so they can plan for the future and know for certain that a tax increase for them is not on the horizon to pay for big, bloated government.
Controlling government budgets by spending less than the government receives demonstrates a commitment to commonsense budgeting and economic health that Iowa employers deserve. The threat fluctuating of budgets and higher taxes needs to be removed.
Iowans deserve to keep more of their hard-earned money and it is our duty to cut out waste in government spending so our state government can be more efficient and effective.
House Republicans will continue to hold themselves accountable by keeping their commitment to give taxpayers a seat at the table and to not spend more than we take in.
Property Taxes
House Republicans will work to deliver significant relief and genuine reform to all classes of property taxpayers.
Property tax rates have increased by as much as 74% over the last ten years and will go up even more if we do nothing. Our uncompetitive property tax system is a burden on job-creation and family budgets.
As a member of the Ways and Means Committee, we have begun subcommittee hearings on House Study Bill 500, which is the House version of the property tax reform bill. We are committed to passing relief and reform that benefits everyone and avoids pitting one group against another.
This Saturday I will be attending a forum at Hopkinton Community Center at 8:30 am. The event is open to the public. Please come and share any comments or concerns you have about any issues affecting the state.
If you have any questions, comments or concerns about these topics or any others please feel free to contact me by e-mail at lee.hein@legis.state.ia.us or by phone at (515) 281-7330.
Sincerely,
Lee Hein
Lee Hein 