Discuss, solve budget impasse

To the editor:

It's time to end the state budget impasse. There is enough bargaining space between the House and Senate positions to craft a bipartisan deal.

Our projected revenue for FY16 is $7.175 billion and $420 million is the projected FY15 ending balance. House Republicans will not appropriate more than we take in ($7.175 billion) and will not spend the ending balance on ongoing expenses. These are red lines.

Adherence to these principles returned Iowa to fiscal responsibility and led to annual surpluses, less debt, and recognition of Iowa as the second best-run state in the U.S.

Some advocate for spending the ending balance on ongoing expenses. This is unwise as it resets the budget baseline to an unsustainable level. It's like taking money out of savings to make a down-payment on an expensive car whose payments you can't afford. When we did this routinely in the past, it led to a $700 million deficit, $800 million in new debt, and a $500 million increase in property taxes. We don't want to go back to those days.

Anyone paying attention to the current debate can see that the area for negotiation is the ending balance. So long as any expenditure of the ending balance is responsible and not for ongoing expenses, it's open for discussion. Let's have the discussion and solve this impasse. A budget that spends less than we take in and doesn't jeopardize our financial future is within reach. Iowans expect and deserve nothing less.

Rep. Ken Rizer

Iowa House District 68