State Employee Pay
Employees of the State of Iowa: layoffs, reducing projections
Iowa Legislature not touch the health benefits for state workers the 2010 session, but lawmakers say they intend to reduce spending in all departments.
"I think everyone will see a court. Everybody, "said Sen. Mike Gronstal, a senior Democrat in the legislature controlled by Democrats.
"I think we'll see layoffs, said. "I think we'll see … early retirement, then I think you will see fewer staff. We will try to do it by attrition.
Because if the government should be just beyond the dismissal of this year, Senator Paul McKinley, the Republican leader in the Iowa Senate, said: "Yes. I see the state government more like a madman, "the company said.The legislation of the session that begins Jan. 11 is likely to be reorganization of state government, four leaders Democrats, said Des Moines Register editors and reporters on Tuesday.
Two Republican leaders said they would continue the reorganization, too.
"We expect to put a billion dollars," said Gronstal. "We believe that tens or tens of millions that are possible, and not" This is the solution the problem of large state, but is part of the solution. "
Dip tax revenues led to a reduction in this budget year, the reduction of general fund expenditures 5770000000-5230000000 dollars.
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• The leaders of the Iowa Democratic editorial Register Board Meeting
• Iowa GOP leaders meet with the Register's editorial board
Leading Democrats have said will likely have to cut another 10 percent of next year's budget, from the bottom, figure $ 5,230,000,000.
Even priorities as health, education and employment are not saved, but that lawmakers will do everything possible to minimize these cuts, Gronstal said.
500 million dollars to cut, but where?
Democratic and Republican legislative leaders agreed to a reduction in spending will dominate the Legislature 2010 session, but often disagree about where to cut.
Lawmakers have approximately $ 140 million in funding from government stimulus to help balance the federal budget next year and is likely to withdraw money from cash reserves, perhaps $ 250,000,000 or less, Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, House, D-Des Moines, said.
After that, you still have to reduce spending "$ 500 million to more or less," said McCarthy.
The Democratic and Republican leaders have shared their ideas on Tuesday with the Des Moines Register editors and reporters about how to use scissors
Government Reorganization
In the next two weeks, Democrats will recommend changes in state government, including the ideas of technology said. Not all savings will be the first year.
Republican leaders said they have suggested $ 300 million in savings and continue to offer more.
health benefits for employees
Rep. Kraig Paulsen, the Republican leader in the House and Minority Leader of the Senate Paul McKinley said the legislature must address the high costs of health benefits, at least for state employees not covered by a collective bargaining agreement.
Iowa is a of the six states offer the option of a free health insurance for state government employees and their families. Wages and benefits cost of $ 1.7 billion, about 30 percent of the expenditure of state general fund.
"There is no reason why he could not enter and address to the right of the box," said Paulsen. "I do not think we can go back and undo a contract, but until one day, was signed, we have the authority to deal with different issues."
The Democratic leaders responded that the executive is in charge of negotiating contracts, not legislators.
Democrats, among them House Speaker Pat Murphy and Senate President Jack Kibbie said a reduction in health benefits would be a mistake.
"I have been perplexed by the idea that basic health care quality is a kind of gratification, "said McCarthy." The pencil dust along the scheme things about our budget, and is one of the last places we'd look. "
Sen. Majority Leader Mike Gronstal, D-Council Bluffs, said that if an employer to its values, it pays for medical needs. "I do not like the idea that the private sector is increasingly flee their employees and say we to leave him to fend for yourself. "
Medicaid reimbursement
Doctors, pharmacists and others who provide health care to residents Iowa Medicaid, the federal / state program for low income and disabled people will probably see a reduction in their payments. "It's likely push suppliers, "said Gronstal.
Renewable Energy
The two Republican leaders that the state must cut all 25 million U.S. dollars Fund spent through food each year for research and development of renewable energy, a key initiative campaign for Governor Chet Culver a Democrat.
"I have no difficulty in removing it," said Paulsen.
Democrats say Republicans dismissed The Fund has not received food for growth in the renewable fuels industry in Iowa
Academic Advising
Democrats said were not willing to say Tuesday what they will with the support of public schools and called allowable growth, which defines the purchasing power of school districts.
Two percent growth in the 2011 qualifying year will cost $ 540 million in state aid.
Republicans say that without the money, districts will be forced to raise property taxes to meet their budgetary needs.
School districts have already signed contracts and "can not get rid a public school teacher from Iowa to the inability to pay, "said Paulsen.
Democrats said that districts can use the reserve funds and cut spending. "In many cases, they will be able to absorb," said McCarthy.
In 2011, tax relief to property sales tax statewide penny to be launched in schools, Murphy said.
Many managers
Paulsen commended the trade union idea Danny Homan to reduce number of managers within state government.
Democrats said they did not elaborate, but said that the intention to reduce the number of managers.
Tax Credits
Republicans and Democrats have agreed that tax credits should be reviewed.
"I have no doubt there are some who have limited value, "said Paulsen.
Democrats said they are reviewing all tax credits. "If we are to cut education in this state, nothing should be exempt from what we see, "said Murphy.
State-paid lobbyists
Republicans favor reducing the number of State Government who are designated as lobbyists. "The number of lobbyists paid by the State permanently This roundabout is offensive," said Paulsen.
Paulsen has been particularly critical of the Board of Governors of Iowa, using three lobbyists. "Have you ever seen one without the other two?" said.
State Democrats defended lobbyists, saying lawmakers should use their experience to develop good legislation and policies.
health care for children
The two Republican leaders would change the eligibility for HAWK-I program or the state health insurance for federal government children from families with modest incomes.
They believe the state should subsidize care for families who can pay for your account. For example, a family of five people earning $ 75,000 a year can qualify for health care for their children, they said.
Democrats ridiculed the idea. "They want to balance the budget on the backs of poor children, "said McCarthy.
Same-sex marriage
Legislators should begin the process allow Iowans to vote on marriage between same sex, said McKinley. "We will continue to promote, yes," he said.
Democrats blocked the subject of debate in the Senate, Gronstal said. Procedural motions are likely to arise in the House, but Murphy said he expected to fail.
Fusion departments
Republicans want to merge the Governor's Office of Drug Control, which leases its offices and has eight full-time employees in the Department Public Safety. This idea came from the recommendation of the Department and would save approximately $ 187,000 per year. There are good the merger of Iowa Law Enforcement Academy in the department, which save approximately $ 146,000.
Democrats have said they will consider these ideas.
the most efficient technology
Republicans called for the merger of the systems information technology, consolidation of e-mail systems, outsourcing data storage, using free software and staff to eliminate the costs associated with maintaining the equipment necessary for data storage. This would save about $ 60 million, they said.
Democrats have said they are considering similar ideas.
State Art
Republicans also want to suspend the law that requires that half of one percent of a state construction project is dedicated public art.
"We are building a large amount of new state buildings this time" Gronstal said.
Government Publications
Agencies must reduce the number of electronic journals and newsletters, Republicans said. "We do not need the Security Council of the Governor told me to hold belt, "Mr. Paulsen said.
Democrats have said they will review the proposal.
Democrats and Republicans also differed on unrelated charges.
Game
McCarthy said a proposal to extend the game, such as allowing video gambling machines in bars tends to increase every three years. For four years since the last time. "We're due," he said. Gronstal said: "Do not bet on him. "
Companies and unions
Republicans called for "a reasonable regulatory environment and an atmosphere that encourages entrepreneurship.
Repeal of the law of the right to work or pass a law requiring government projects to pay wages existing activities would be silent, they said.
Murphy's response: "If we have the votes of bills for labor, we take them back."
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