Iowa Senate Democrats

Fighting for a Better Deal for Iowans.

  • Governor Reynolds’ claim to balance budget ‘without cuts to education’ is astoundingly false

    Sept. 21, 2017

    Statement by Senator Herman Quirmbach of Ames, Ranking Member of the Senate Education Committee

    “Reynolds apparently wants to forget about the nearly 250,000 students who attend Iowa’s colleges and universities, but they really took it on the chin from her budget.  SF 130 resulted in $4.75 million being cut from the community colleges, $9.24 million cut from the University of Iowa, $8.99 million from Iowa State, and $2.52 million from UNI.  Private college students ducked any cut for FY2017, but they lost $2.8 million from their Iowa Tuition Grant scholarship fund for this school year.

    “As a direct result of Reynolds’ education cuts, Regents university students this fall got a ‘welcome back’ surprise of a steep tuition hike.  At ISU, the increase was two and a half times what students had initially been told.

    “Bad enough that Reynolds would levy a ‘tuition tax increase’ on students and their families, but then to fib about it and pretend it didn’t happen is just dishonest.  Iowans deserve better.”

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  • Quirmbach: GOP’s “tuition tax” will hurt students and weaken Iowa’s economy

    For Immediate Release: Sept. 7, 2017

    State Senator Herman Quirmbach of Ames, the Ranking Member of the Senate Education Committee, released a statement in response to today’s meeting of Tuition Task Force with the Iowa Board of Regents:

    “In a series of meetings, Iowans overwhelmingly urged the Board of Regents not to impose years of sharp tuition increases on Iowa students and their families.

    “Let’s be clear.  During the 2017 session, Republicans balanced the state budget by cutting university funding, forcing a tuition increase this year of more than twice what the Board of Regents had proposed.  Now, instead of ending huge giveaways to out-of-state corporations, Governor Reynolds and legislative Republicans hope a steep, multi-year ‘tuition tax’ on Iowa students will balance Iowa’s busted state budget.

    “However, making college much more costly for Iowa students will only make things worse.  Iowa is in a downward spiral.  Our state’s lack of skilled workers prevents strong economic growth.  The lack of economic growth creates a budget deficit.  Republicans cut education to balance the budget.  Those cuts worsen our skilled worker shortage.

    “The Republican plan to balance the budget through a ‘tuition tax’ on Iowa families will hurt Iowa’s economy and should be rejected.”

     

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  • Senator Taylor: ‘It’s time to really make Iowa schools the Legislature’s #1 priority

     

    School consolidation will increase without adequate funding

    Statement by Senator Rich Taylor of Mount Pleasant

    “Today, I filed legislation to increase basic aid to our public schools by 4 percent for the 2017-18 school year and by 4 percent for the 2018-19 school year.

    “Parents, students, administrators and educators tell me this is the minimum amount they need to keep providing quality education for our children and grandchildren.

    “The increases in education funding over the last six years has been the lowest in Iowa’s history.  That’s why more classrooms are overcrowded, there are fewer courses, and more students are stuck using outdated technology and textbooks.

    “If the Legislature approves anything less than 4 percent and 4 percent, more rural schools will be forced to close and consolidate. That would be devastating for the small towns in my district, and for hundreds of school districts in small towns across Iowa.”

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  • Sharp cuts by legislative Republicans threaten public safety, education and human services 

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    Legislative Democrats alarmed by potential impact of deep, mid-year budget cuts

    DES MOINES – Democratic leaders of the Iowa House and Senate raised concerns about the impact of deep, mid-year budget cuts proposed today by legislative Republicans.

    State Sen. Joe Bolkcom, ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, stated:

    “The deep, mid-year budget cuts endorsed today by Republican legislators are mean-spirited and will harm Iowa college students, working families and seniors. The last thing we should do is cut services that Iowans depend on, including higher education, job training, public safety and human services.

    “Second, this unnecessary budget mess could have been avoided if Governor Branstad, Lt. Governor Reynolds and legislative Republicans had focused more time and energy over the past six years on strengthening our schools,  building the skilled workforce that Iowa employers need and improving quality of life for all Iowans. We need to make the economy work for Iowa families, especially in our small towns and rural areas.

    “The Republican proposal unveiled today sends the wrong message about the future of our state. The budget slashing by Governor Branstad, Lt. Governor Reynolds and Republican legislators leaves the fastest growing part of the state budget off the table: excessive tax credits. It is time to drain the swamp.”

    State Rep. Chris Hall of Sioux City, ranking member of the House Appropriations Committee, stated:

    “The Iowa GOP has lost all credibility on budgeting. After giving away the state’s budget surplus, policies enacted by the Branstad-Reynolds Administration have slowed the state’s economy and left the budget in the red.

    “Republicans’ failed fiscal policies aren’t working for Iowa families or growing the state’s economy. Tax breaks for corporations now top $500 million annually. Iowa would not be making cuts if the GOP had used better judgment in managing the state budget. The unfortunate result is Iowa students and working families are being forced to pay for failed Republican policies again.”

    Mid-year Budget Cuts Spreadsheet