Letter to the Editor: State Representative Darrel Branhagen says Iowa Legislature did "good bipartisan work"

(The following Letter to the Editor has been sent by Decorah State Representative Darrel Branhagen):

"You all should be happy that the Iowa Legislature is – for the fifth year in a row – completing a budget where next year Iowa will spend no more than what we expect revenues to be next year, and without any tax increase for the general fund.  Much credit should be given to the good bipartisan work done by the Legislature as well as Governor Branstad.

I was surprised to see Mr. Edward's letter to the editor defending his position of spending more than the state takes in.  The hard fact is that a balanced budget is good for Iowa.  Just think, if you get a 2.5 percent raise, you don't expect to start spending 4 percent more for your family on everything you buy - no matter how much you want to.  Iowa state government should work the same way.  And, although Mr. Edwards tries to make this a partisan issue, the reality is that most Democrats and Republicans in the legislature are like myself committed not to overspend your money."