Politics
Statement from Speaker of the House RE: Today's Special Session
December 17 2009 17:23
“Nearly 12 months into the worst budget deficit and economic crisis this State has ever faced, not a single Democrat has voted to reduce government spending by even one dollar. The Democrats have yet to produce a detailed budget proposal, and have decided to use procedural tactics to block these necessary cuts from coming to the Floor, cuts that even they acknowledged are necessary.
The Democrats partisan gamesmanship will result in the wasting of thousands of taxpayer dollars. We ask our Democratic members to stop the stall tactics and get into the game.”
The Democrats partisan gamesmanship will result in the wasting of thousands of taxpayer dollars. We ask our Democratic members to stop the stall tactics and get into the game.”
Democrats Harm Education Once Again
May 13 2009 16:33
Democrats have voted once again to harm education by voting “no” on two bills that will allow school districts to utilize excess school cash balances.
With this legislation, school districts will be allowed to spend dollars they are otherwise not legally allowed to spend on school operations during one of the most severe deficits in the state’s history.
HB2028 and HB2029 avoid sweeping these excess cash balances into the General Fund to be used for state general operating purposes.
These bills also avoid additional cuts to K-12 spending in FY09.
So instead of harming education, it helps education by allowing districts to use their funds the districts currently have no legal authority to utilize.
Not only does it protect school funding but it also helps the State solve our deficit in 2010 so budget cuts will not have to be any deeper towards Education.
In an effort to score political points, Democrats have chosen to continue their false narrative of Republicans balancing the state budget on the backs of children and teachers.
This is simply untrue.
These bills attempt to address the larger than anticipated FY09 deficit that has grown to $650M since February 2009.
“Every month, revenues decline further. It’s just in the last few days we’ve discovered a decline in revenue from April of $200 million dollars. It is irresponsible if we do not act quickly and decisively to fix this problem. There has been much talk about the budget process. I’ve received bills from the minority leadership that still does not solve the $650 million dollar deficit problem,” Speaker Kirk Adams said.
With this legislation, school districts will be allowed to spend dollars they are otherwise not legally allowed to spend on school operations during one of the most severe deficits in the state’s history.
HB2028 and HB2029 avoid sweeping these excess cash balances into the General Fund to be used for state general operating purposes.
These bills also avoid additional cuts to K-12 spending in FY09.
So instead of harming education, it helps education by allowing districts to use their funds the districts currently have no legal authority to utilize.
Not only does it protect school funding but it also helps the State solve our deficit in 2010 so budget cuts will not have to be any deeper towards Education.
In an effort to score political points, Democrats have chosen to continue their false narrative of Republicans balancing the state budget on the backs of children and teachers.
This is simply untrue.
These bills attempt to address the larger than anticipated FY09 deficit that has grown to $650M since February 2009.
“Every month, revenues decline further. It’s just in the last few days we’ve discovered a decline in revenue from April of $200 million dollars. It is irresponsible if we do not act quickly and decisively to fix this problem. There has been much talk about the budget process. I’ve received bills from the minority leadership that still does not solve the $650 million dollar deficit problem,” Speaker Kirk Adams said.
Exploring the Great Indoors
May 13 2009 08:38
Yesterday, House Democrats voted against continuing funding for state parks. HB2088, proposed by Rep. Warde Nichols, would have transferred $20 million from the Land Conservation Fund to offset cuts earlier in the year and prevent the reduction of services or closure of state parks.
The Land Conservation Fund was approved by voters in 1998 to help prevent urban sprawl. Since the economic downturn has essentially frozen construction, the $70 million in the Land Conservation Fund currently has no use.
A three-quarters vote was needed to pass the measure and keep parks open, however only two rural Democrats joined the Republicans to support the measure. Unfortunately, this kind of partisan approach to common-sense measures has been the norm for House Democrats all session.
So this summer, leave the sleeping bags in storage and thank your nearest Democrat for voting to cancel your family’s summer camping trip.
The Land Conservation Fund was approved by voters in 1998 to help prevent urban sprawl. Since the economic downturn has essentially frozen construction, the $70 million in the Land Conservation Fund currently has no use.
A three-quarters vote was needed to pass the measure and keep parks open, however only two rural Democrats joined the Republicans to support the measure. Unfortunately, this kind of partisan approach to common-sense measures has been the norm for House Democrats all session.
So this summer, leave the sleeping bags in storage and thank your nearest Democrat for voting to cancel your family’s summer camping trip.