Progress being made to resolve human services budget differences

DES MOINES – Legislative efforts to bridge the gap on funding for the state's fiscal 2012 health and human services programs is evidence the split-control Legislature can find compromise on issues that divide Democrats and Republicans, legislators said Tuesday.

“This is an area where true bipartisan progress has been made,” said Sen. Jack Hatch, D-Des Moines, in opening a budget hearing called by majority Senate Democrats. While some differences remained with the House GOP majority in the health and human services budget area, Hatch said he hoped the middle ground that has been struck in several key areas would show the way to an overall budget compromise that currently is holding up adjournment of the 2011 legislative session.

For his part, Rep. David Heaton, R-Mount Pleasant, who with Hatch co-leads the House-Senate health and human service budget subcommittee, credited the willingness of legislative Republicans and Gov. Terry Branstad with agreeing to increase fiscal 2012 general fund spending by $101 million in the omnibus budget bill slated for House debate today with making it possible for $34.5 million more to be used in closing the gap with Senate Democrats.

Heaton said Republicans committed additional funds to Medicaid programs, in-home services for seniors, children's health programs, the state public health agency's “e-health” initiative, child-care assistance, and efforts to reduce the waiting list for county-based mental health services that moved them closer to the Senate spending target.

Hatch said he was hopeful negotiations might move the two sides closer to the additional investment of $20 million that Senate Democrats would like to see in this budget area, especially continuing health-care cost containment efforts, funding women's health programs, and maintaining $5 million for tobacco prevention and cessation programs that House Republicans want to scrap completely.

Sen. David Johnson, R-Ocheyedan, said Republicans are committed to a “mission” of reduce the size and cost of government and easing tax burdens by not spending more money than the state takes in.

“Just because we have a savings account, we shouldn't spend it,” Johnson said, but Democrats said the GOP spending cap of $5.99 billion for fiscal 2011 is well below the state's statutory spending limit and lawmakers can afford to use a share of the projected $1 billion surplus to boost spending for education, human services and other priority areas.

Hatch opened Tuesday's hearing by criticizing Branstad for “ridiculing” Democrats' budget hearings while embarking on a 43-city tour to tout the GOP budget compromise.

“Governor, you are wrong,” Hatch said. “The more the public knows about the differences between us, the more pressure there will be to compromise.”

Comments: (515) 243-7220; rod.boshart@sourcemedia.net