James Van Fossen - Iowa State House Representative

The Week In Review

February 16, 2001 E-mail: jvanfos@legis.state.ia.us	Session Week 6 Fax: 319-355-9954
Governor Vilsack Receives an “F” for Fiscal Management On Monday, February 12, the Wall Street Journal published an article by the Cato Institute (www.cato.org) entitled “Do Tax Cuts Work? Just Look At The States.” The article contained letter grades rating governors on their ability to cut taxes and hold down spending growth. Described as “fiscally reckless,” Governor Vilsack was only one of three governors to receive an “F” letter grade. In its biennial Fiscal report card of the governors, the Cato Institute ranked Vilsack as 48^th out of 50 governors, concerning his ability to promote tax cuts and limit spending. The only governors rated lower were California Governor Gray Davis and Oregon Governor John Kizhaber. According to the Wall Street Journal, the ten states that cut taxes the most enjoyed 27% more income growth than the ten states that raised taxes the most. Vilsack also vetoed a middle class tax cut in 1999 that would have increased the personal exemption, the dependent credit, and pension exemption. It is apparent that the state should embark on further tax cuts if we are to pull out of the recent economic slump and increase income. Even Minnesota’s Governor and XFL Announcer, Jesse Ventura, understands this and received a “B” grade for cutting taxes and spending. The Governor’s “F” grade is evidence that he has inherited a good situation and has had a Republican Legislature to keep him in check. This past year he proposed violating the 99% Expenditure Limitation and raiding the ‘Rainy Day’ funds. Both measures were rejected by the Legislature. This year, he wants to make the state more dependent on gambling by shifting $70 million from the RIIF into the general fund. The Governor is beginning a public relations campaign to force us to shift the funds, but the legislature must once again keep him in check to prevent a return to fiscal recklessness.	Governor Vetoes ‘Right to Work’ Measure This past Wednesday, February 14, Governor Vilsack vetoed the ‘Right to Work’ measure that was recently passed by both the House and Senate. The measure, had it been passed into law, would have restored information on Iowa’s stance on the ‘Right to Work’ issue to the Department of Economic Development’s website and other informational materials. Iowa is one of 21 states that maintain the ‘Right to Work’ law. ‘Right to Work’ measures protect workers, and provide that no employee in the state of Iowa will be deprived of the right to work at his or her chosen occupation and employer because of a membership, non-membership, affiliation with, or refusal to join any labor organization. Last year, Governor Vilsack removed all of the phrases containing the ‘Right to Work’ slogan from the Department of Economic Development website and promotional materials. However, due to past reports, it appears that the ‘Right to Work’ label that Iowa has carried is one of the State’s best marketing tools in attracting businesses and jobs to Iowa. Governor Vilsack’s decision to veto the ‘right to work’ measure was obviously not a rational decision. Rep. Van Fossen To Make Appearance On Iowa Press Now in its 30^th season Iowa Press, on Iowa Public Television explores the issues and events affecting the lives of Iowans: interviewing the newsmakers, and elected officials behind the stories. Representative Jamie Van Fossen, Chair-House Ways and Means Committee, and Senator Larry McKibben, Chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, will be together on Iowa Press Sunday, February 25 at noon and 7:00 PM to discuss state tax policy. Iowa Press can be seen on KIIN Channel 12 in the Quad Cities. Ways & Means Update Bills Passed Out of the Ways and Means Committee This Week: No bills passed out of Committee this week.
Week in Review Archives 2001 02-09-01 02-02-01 01-26-01 01-19-01 01-12-01 2000 04-28-00 04-21-00 04-14-00 04-07-00 03-31-00 03-24-00 03-17-00 03-10-00 03-03-00 02-25-00