The Iowa Legislature

State of Iowa

Eighty-Second General Assembly

STATEHOUSE

Des Moines, Iowa 50319

For Immediate Release Contact: Kimberly Steenhoek

Tuesday, March 6, 2007 (515) 281-6571

Republican Senators Propose Legislation to Sunset Ongoing

Government Programs Every Five Years

DES MOINES – Fourteen Republican senators have introduced a proposal that would automatically sunset funding for ongoing government programs every five years.

“There is a tendency in government to continue funding programs that have long outlived their usefulness,” said Sen. Jeff Angelo (R-Creston), who is the bill’s main sponsor and ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. “A sunset puts more accountability into the process. It allows us to take a step back and re-evaluate where the money is going.”

Angelo’s legislation proposes an amendment to the State Constitution that would repeal any program that receives ongoing funding from the state every five years.

“Taxpayer dollars are important. We need to do everything we can to ensure they are being used as effectively as possible,” said Angelo.

In order for a constitutional amendment to go into effect, it must be approved by two consecutive General Assemblies and then ratified by the voters on a statewide ballot.

Republican senators who have also signed onto the bill include: Sens. Nancy Boettger (R-Harlan), Mark Zieman (R-Postville), David Hartsuch (R-Bettendorf), Pat Ward (R-West Des Moines), Ron Wieck (R-Sioux City), Brad Zaun (R-Urbandale), Paul McKinley (R-Chariton), Jim Seymour (R-Woodbine), Thurman Gaskill (R-Corwith), David Johnson (R-Ocheyden), John Putney (R-Gladbrook), Larry McKibben (R-Marshalltown) and Jim Hahn (R-Muscatine).

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