Good afternoon! I just received this press release from the Governoršs Office announcing the date of the Special Session, with some info about budget agreement. Lyle ------ Forwarded Message > From: Governor Tom Vilsack <[log in to unmask]> > Date: Fri, 17 May 2002 13:57:43 -0500 > Subject: FW: Governor sets date for special session, budget agreement reached > with Legislative Republicans 5.17.02 > >> For immediate release For more information >> Friday, May 17, 2002 Joe Shannahan, 515-281-0173 >> >> Governor sets date for special session, budget agreement reached with >> Legislative Republicans >> >> DES MOINES - Governor Tom Vilsack today set May 28 as the date lawmakers will >> return to Des Moines to meet in special session to address the $219 million >> budget shortfall for the current fiscal year. Vilsack has been meeting with >> Republican legislative leaders to hammer out an agreement on using resources >> available from other state funds to balance the state's current budget and >> protect education from further cuts. >> >> "Iowa has the resources to get us through these difficult economic times >> without jeopardizing the progress we've made in education through smaller >> class sizes and providing health care for children," Vilsack said. "While >> this is far from a perfect solution, we will continue to protect the >> priorities of education and health care from further budget cuts." >> >> Vilsack and lawmakers agreed to balance the state's current budget by using >> $105 million from the economic emergency fund, $84 million from the cash >> reserve fund, and $30 from other funds that have unobligated and unspent >> balances. Iowa will still have reserves amounting to four percent of the >> annual budget. >> >> The debate over next year's budget between lawmakers and Vilsack continues. >> Vilsack continues to insist that Republicans use a portion of the road fund >> to protect important education, health care, and public safety programs from >> further cuts. The Governor reiterated his proposal will not delay a single >> mile of road construction because he has recommended using a separate fund >> for capital projects so road construction activities will continue without >> delay. >> >> Vilsack urged Republican lawmakers to make public their new proposal for >> funding next year's state budget including their list of cuts and eliminated >> services. Iowans have the right to know, review, and provide a response to >> Republican lawmakers' proposed cuts and eliminated services before the >> legislature takes action on May 28. >> >> "Why are legislative Republicans continuing to protect a special interest >> group like road builders by leaving the road fund untouched, when every other >> fund and every other service has been impacted? By rejecting the use of a >> small portion of the state's road fund, they are making road builders a >> protected species and making child protection workers and state troopers an >> endangered species." >> >> Vilsack reiterated the importance of having the special session in May to >> address the current budget situation. "Without legislative action, Iowans >> who are expecting an income tax refund from the state will be forced to wait >> a couple of weeks longer," Vilsack said. "By taking action to address the >> budget shortfall by the end of May, the tax refunds Iowans are expecting will >> not be delayed. We have an obligation to return this money to Iowans in a >> timely manner." >> >> Other reasons Vilsack cited for holding the special session this month >> include ensuring Iowa's schools receive the money from the state they are >> expecting and entitled. Unless the budget is modified by June 1, school >> districts in Iowa will have their state aid delayed. Vilsack also noted that >> delaying action on the budget could jeopardize the state's credit rating. A >> lower credit rating for the state would cost the state millions of dollars in >> interest whenever the state borrows money for construction and other >> projects. >> >> #### ------ End of Forwarded Message