Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Culver Fails to Understand Iowa’s Budget Again

Governor Culver today claimed that he balanced the states budget without using any of the one time bailout money received from the federal government. This statement is completely and totally false as illustrated by the nonpartisan Legislative Services Agency below. Either Governor Culver does not know or he is intentionally misleading the people of Iowa, either way it is unacceptable.

Last year over $616 million in one time federal bailout money was used by Governor Culver to balance Iowa’s budget.

State School Aid – HF 820 provided $40.0 million for FY 2009 and $202.5 million for FY 2010 to be used to fulfill funding for a portion of State school aid.

Instructional Support State Aid – HF 820 provided $13.1 million in lieu of State aid for the Instructional Support Program in FY 2010. SF 478 (FY 2010 Standing Appropriation Bill) eliminated State funding for the Program for FY 2010.

Regents Universities – HF 820 provided an FY 2010 appropriation of $80.3 million in ARRA Education Stabilization funds to the Department of Management for distribution to the Regents universities. Senate File 470 (FY 2010 Education Appropriations Bill) made total reductions of $80.3 million compared to estimated net FY 2009 to the Regents budget units under the control of the Education Appropriations Subcommittee.

Community Colleges – HF 820 provided an FY 2010 appropriation of $23.1 million in ARRA education stabilization funds and $2.5 million in ARRA government stabilization funds to the Department of Management for distribution to the community colleges. Senate File 470 made total reductions of $22.2 million compared to estimated net FY 2009 for general aid to community colleges.

Medicaid – HF 811 provided $110.0 million for FY 2009 and $144.9 million for FY 2010 to be used to supplement the Medicaid Program.