House Republicans fight for universities, students

By Rep. Jeff Kaufmann

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I read with great interest the Jan. 21 guest column by Rep. Dave Jacoby, D-Coralville. While I have great respect for my fellow Johnson County representative, his column was filled with inaccuracies and outright misinformation.

First, he says there is no budget gap. This is only half true. For the fiscal 2011 (current) budget, there is no budget gap. However, because of the $735 million of one-time funds used to balance the budget and the underfunding of K-12 education by more than $160 million, the FY 2012 budget has a spending gap of more than $700 million.

The Taxpayers First Act did contain reductions to the Board of Regents' budget and a limitation on sabbaticals. These cuts were part of a package needed to deal with the mess that was created by the previous Legislature because of using one-time money. However, nowhere in the bill does it cut university salaries by 33 percent, reduce the work force by 25 percent or eliminate the retirement system. In addition, no one is suggesting the universities or the hospital be privatized.

It appears Jacoby and the Board of Regents are creating spin in order to scare the students and faculty of the university. This is unfortunate because I would like to work with both to make the university more efficient while protecting the interests of students and faculty.

This is why I proposed an amendment to limit the growth of tuition to the rate of the higher education price index. It passed the House unanimously and, if approved by the Senate, this will protect students and their parents from an ever-increasing bill.

House Republicans also will fight for the University of Iowa. The difference is that we will stand and fight with students, parents, patients and our front-line employees. You see, we aren't as concerned as some seem to be about another position in UI President Sally Mason's cabinet, a customer service trip to Disney World or presidential bonuses.

There is a real difference in priorities.

Jeff Kaufmann is a state legislator from Wilton who represents House District 79. Comments: jeff.kaufmann@legis.state.ia.us