The chairman of the Iowa Republican Party says the G.O.P. intends to attack Iowa Democrats on fiscal issues in the fall election, charging Democrats in the legislature have spent so much that the state’s "rainy day" savings account can’t be used for flood relief.
Iowa GOP chairman Stewart Iverson says Democrats have overspent and the legislature have to dip into savings to meet day-to-day expenses. "The Democrats the last two years have spent at about between 18 and 19 percent (above previous years), with only 10 percent revenue growth (in state tax receipts)," Iverson says. "That extra six percent – where’s that going to come from? Out of the economic emergency fund because they have ongoing obligations…that are going to hit next year."
Iverson says that savings account — the "economic emergency fund" — should be available for emergencies, like Iowa’s flood-related expenses. "It is going to be a huge problem come next year and I will predict if the Democrats are in control — the first thing they are going to have to do is raise taxes because they can’t pay the bills," Iverson says.
Scott Brennan, the chairman of the Iowa Democratic Party, says Iverson’s charges are "absolutely" false. "A lot of the flood relief is actually federal dollars," Brennan says, "and that’s why we’re well-poised with Senator Harkin and our congressional delegation to acquire those funds to do a lot of flood relief efforts."
Brennan says Iverson is mischaracterizing the state’s fiscal situation. "It’s going to be a tough thing to come back from these floods, but I think we’ll do the work that needs to be done," Brennan says.
Brennan and Iverson made their comments this morning during taping of "Iowa Press" which airs tonight on Iowa Public Television.