State Rep. Joshua Meggers (R-Grundy Center).

When Democrats Controlled the Budget

When Iowa House Democrats controlled the legislature from 2007-2010, fiscal responsibility took a back seat.

During those four legislative sessions, Democrats:

-Rapidly increased state spending

-Used one-time federal bailout money to mask revenue shortfalls

-Borrowed hundreds of millions for projects without sustainable funding

-Ultimately imposed across-the-board budget cuts that hit schools, health care, and public safety

A Record of Overspending

When House Democrats took control in January 2007, they immediately expanded government spending. By the end of the session, General Fund spending had increased 9.37% in the FY 2008 budget.

By the following year, the consequences were clear. State revenues were not keeping pace with spending, and Democrats’ budget exceeded what was allowed under Iowa law. Rather than rein in spending, the Democrat-controlled legislature chose to bypass the state’s expenditure limitation entirely.

The Recession Exposed the Problem

When the Great Recession hit, Iowa’s finances were already strained. By December 2008, revenues fell short of the spending plan:

-Governor Culver ordered a 1.5% across-the-board cut to all state spending

-In January 2009, lawmakers enacted an additional $30.3 million in cuts, including reductions to Medicaid and school aid

To paper over the damage, Democrats turned to one-time federal bailout funds, shifting ongoing costs–like Medicaid and education–onto temporary money.

Borrowing and Raiding State Funds

The most controversial move came with Governor Culver’s I-JOBS bonding program, which issued three rounds of bonds totaling $765 million for infrastructure projects. The long-term cost to taxpayers: $1.7 billion over 20 years.

As revenues continued to drop, Democrats:

-Transferred $45.3 million from the Economic Emergency Fund

-Implemented a 10% across-the-board budget cut in fall 2009, impacting schools and core services

-Used more one-time federal funds in 2010, spending $638 million on ongoing programs

-Drained the Senior Living Trust Fund and tapped the Cash Reserve Fund

By the end, over $817.9 million in General Fund spending had been shifted to non-General Fund sources, and property tax credits for Iowans were underfunded.

Iowans have seen this movie before: unchecked spending, reckless borrowing, and cuts to classrooms.

Iowa House Republicans Release Tough-on-Crime Legislative Package

This week, Iowa House Republicans unveiled a slate of tough-on-crime bills designed to ensure Iowa never becomes a haven for career criminals.

Career Criminals “Three-and-Done” Bill:

-Establishes a cumulative strike system

-Three strikes = mandatory minimum 20-year sentence without parole

-Applies to repeat felony offenders and serious aggravated misdemeanors

-Protects communities by removing habitual criminals from the streets

Pretrial Accountability & Bail Reform

Key reforms include:

-Inflation-adjusted statewide bail schedules

-Required justification when judges deviate from standard bail guidelines

-Limits “Promise to Appear” releases to nonviolent, nondrug misdemeanors

-Independent verification of residency, employment, and criminal history

These reforms close loopholes that allow repeat offenders back into communities too quickly.

Judicial Transparency Dashboard (HSB 631)

This legislation would give Iowans real data–not guesswork–when voting in judicial retention elections by publishing:

-Bail and sentencing deviations

-Overturned decisions due to legal errors

-Case processing efficiency

Transparency strengthens accountability while respecting judicial independence.

Iowa’s America 250 Scenic Byways Road Trip

To celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States, the Iowa Department of Transportation and Iowa’s Scenic Byways are launching a statewide educational series highlighting Iowa’s role in American history.

Upcoming Events:

-Feb. 28, 2026 – Montauk & Governor Larrabee, Clermont Opera House

-Mar. 22, 2026 – Fort Madison & the War of 1812, Fort Madison Riverfront Pavilion

Events run through June 2026 and are free and open to the public. Additional dates will be announced soon.

If you ever have any questions, feel free to email me at joshua.meggers@legis.iowa.gov or visit my Facebook page at Joshua Meggers for Iowa House. Feel free to come visit me within the Capitol at any time!

Joshua Meggers (R-Grundy Center) represents Iowa House District 54 which includes all of Grundy and Hardin counties and several rural townships on the far western edge of Black Hawk County.