February 11, 2011 Senate Democrats seek to soften spending cuts By JENNIFER JACOBS jejacobs@dmreg.com

Democratic senators wielded sharp scissors on a wide-ranging bill dubbed the Taxpayers First Act, rejecting several big Republican proposals for spending cuts over the next five years. The Democrats' version would save Iowa's public preschool program, smoking cessation programs, matching money for a passenger rail project from Iowa City to the Quad Cities, family planning services and other spending. It would also continue state university sabbaticals, but with extra oversight, Democrats said Thursday. But the Democrats' plan would make several spending cuts - to state library acquisitions, the downtown Des Moines shuttle to the Iowa Capitol, office supplies, out-of-state travel for state workers and other areas. Big policy questions were taken out and will be split up for consideration by specific committees, said Sen. Jeff Danielson, D-Waterloo. That means the bill doesn't decide what to do about extra spending for mental health programs, a proposed "tax relief account" made up of surplus state revenue, changes to the Iowa Communications Network and other Republican-proposed changes. Estimates of how much money the Democratic version would save aren't ready yet, said Sen. Bob Dvorsky, D-Coralville. It will most likely be Monday before the nonpartisan Legislative Services Agency has those figures ready, he said. The version that House Republicans approved Jan. 19 would save $485 million over three years, according to estimates from Legislative Services Agency. Democrats argue those cuts would be at the expense of Iowa families. Sen. Steve Kettering, R-Lake View, said he's disappointed that Democrats took out so many pieces of the Taxpayers First Act. "It neuters a lot of the bill," Kettering said. He said he hopes Democrats keep their promise to deal with pieces separately, especially a proposal to spend an extra $41 million this budget year on mental health services. The bill, House File 45, took its first step in the Senate process Thursday with subcommittee approval. Additional Facts Democrats' proposalsHere are some proposals in the Democrats' version of House File 45: SABBATICALS: Only 3 percent of faculty members could take leaves of absence at a time until June 30, 2012. Oversight and reporting requirements would ensure professional development assignments have a net benefit. TAX RELIEF FUND: The Republicans' version would establish a tax relief account to which an expected $300 million of surplus revenue in the current year's budget would be directed. Democrats said this should be addressed separately later. LEGISLATOR HEALTH COVERAGE: State lawmakers' and legislative employees' health care benefits would be no more lucrative than what's offered to state employees. OFFICE SUPPLIES: Spending for office supplies, equipment purchases, printing and binding would be cut by 50 percent of the amount budgeted for the remainder of the fiscal year RECORDS STORAGE: State agencies with records stored in buildings on a 100-year flood plain would be required to relocate them within six months. The Republicans' version would make the same requirement. BENEFITS FOR IMMIGRANTS: Democrats put back in a Republican provision to deny state benefits to illegal immigrants, but instead of calling them "aliens," the Democrats call them "adults not lawfully present" in Iowa. VEHICLE FLEET: Democrats want to study a Republican proposal to sell the pool of state-owned passenger vehicles in Polk County and lease them instead through a private company. OFFICE SPACE: The state would have to find the most cost-effective office space for state workers, but not pay penalties for terminating a lease early. GENERATION IOWA: The state would get rid of the Generation Iowa Commission, which brainstorms ways to retain and gain young Iowans. LIBRARY ACQUISITIONS: Purchases for the state library would be reduced by 50 percent. AREA AGING AGENCIES: The Department on Aging would have to develop a plan to reduce Area Agencies on Aging. Unlike the GOP version, the Democrats' plan doesn't require a specific cut. WILDFLOWERS: State transportation workers would not plant wildflowers for aesthetic purposes but, unlike in the GOP version, could do so for erosion control or to reduce maintenance costs. SHUTTLE: Funding for the downtown shuttle to the Capitol would be cut $75,000, same as the Republican version. REBUILD IOWA OFFICE: This agency for aiding flood victims would be closed, and disaster-related duties would shift back to the Division of Homeland Security, same as in the GOP version. PRESCRIPTION DRUGS: A plan would be developed to consolidate pharmacy services for corrections, human services and state employees. BUDGET DATABASE: State management agency officials would be required to create a searchable database of state expenses by Jan. 1, 2013.