INFORMATION:
What:    Fiscal Responsibility Forums
When:   Friday, July 23
Where:  Ottumwa:  City Hall 1st Floor meeting room 108  Time: 10 am
             Fairfield Public Library:  11:15 am
What's the fiscal state of our state?  Where can we trim the fat and where should we invest more?
I've asked State Treasurer Michael Fitzgerald to join me at Fiscal Responsibility Forums in Fairfield and Ottumwa for an open conversation about these issues, and you're invited!
I've worked to be your voice for fiscal responsibility and job creation at the Statehouse by fighting for a balanced budget that doesn't raise taxes on hard working families.  However, I also want Treasurer Fitzgerald to hear from you directly.

Here are some fiscal facts from the 2010 legislative session that I think you'll find interesting:

2010 IOWA FISCAL FACTS

• Iowa is one of only eight states to win top financial marks.  Only eight states have received the highest possible rating, AAA, from the top three financial ratings agencies.  Iowa's across-the-board AAA rating is a vote of confidence in Iowa's economic future.

• $257 million saved. Lawmakers shaved millions off the state budget by streamlining services, eliminating waste, and focusing tax credits on Main Street instead of Wall Street.  Those numbers represent one year of savings and will grow even larger over time.

• $300 million for job creation.  To create jobs and give an economic boost to struggling families and communities, the legislature invested in local roads, public buildings, flood recovery and prevention, and Iowa's renewable energy economy.  To strengthen small businesses, the legislature created a "Save Our Small Business Fund" to make growing a business easier and expanded efforts to help business owners add jobs.

• $500 million in cash reserves.  The fiscal year ended better than expected on June 30, with revenues exceeding expectations. The Department of Management estimates the state General Fund will have an ending balance of approximately $275 million for FY 2010 - $175 million more than originally projected. Those extra funds will go into our cash reserves, which will top $500 million next year.