Legislature cuts own budget by 10.2 percent

DES MOINES – The Legislative Council voted Wednesday to reduce legislative branch spending by about $4 million in fiscal 2010 by freezing pay for its employees, reducing travel and  trimming 10 days from next year's session.

House Speaker Pat Murphy, D-Dubuque, said the action represented a nearly 10.2 percent reduction for the House, Senate and legislative-branch agencies and support staff during the 12-month period that begins July 1.

“Just as families are forced to tighten their belts, state government and the Legislature are no different,” Murphy said. “We will do our part by cutting over 10% from the Legislature's budget next year.”

Wednesday's action came amid uncertainty whether state government will end the current fiscal year June 30 with a positive balance as higher-than-expected tax refunds and continued economic recession erode state revenue collections.

While lawmakers left a $44.6 million ending balance for the current budget year and Gov. Chet Culver has authority to transfer up to $50 million from the cash reserve to over an imbalance, Sen. Jerry Behn, R-Boone, said he believes lawmakers should reconvene in special session to readjust its budget numbers.

“I think we ought to come back and talk about it and see exactly what's going on,” Behn said. “This is kind of scary. We are digging ourselves in a huge hole for next year and if we don't cut any spending now …we're going to be really tight next year.”

Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal, D-Council Bluffs, said state leaders will monitor the situation closely until the fiscal 2009 books are officially closed in September and will be ready to respond if need be similar to the way lawmakers have decided to cut back their spending for fiscal 2010.

Murphy said the 10.16 percent cut approved Wednesday will include savings by freezing pay for all legislative employees, reducing travel budgets, and cutting back next year's legislative session by 10 days. The election-year session was slated to run 100 days.

The council also voted Wednesday to approve nine interim studies – including a state government reorganization commission -- between now and next January and to reauthorize William Angrick III as the state's citizen aide/ombudsman for four more years.

“We know we are faced with another difficult budget next year so we've approved a State Government Reorganization Commission to improve efficiency, eliminate duplication, reduce costs and modernize how government works,” said House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, D-Des Moines.  “We look forward to working with Gov. Culver and the executive branch to find ideas that will not only save money for taxpayers, but also improve service to Iowans.”

In addition to the State Government Reorganization Commission, the Legislative Council approved interim study committees on the following topics: the care of animals in commercial enterprises and so-called “puppy mills,” criminal code reorganization, health care coverage, job training, the state's school finance formula, government oversight, , and prescription medication usage.