DES MOINES – Senate Republican Leader Bill Dix (R-Shell Rock) tonight offered closing remarks on the first session of the 85^th Iowa General Assembly. His remarks are as follows and will be read into the official Senate Journal:

Thank you, Madame President.

As I said on the opening day of this session, I am proud and honored to stand here today and address my fellow legislators and Iowans.

I am particularly proud of the historic property tax reform we passed in this body today.  We made good on a promise that has been repeatedly made to Iowa taxpayers.

Over the coming years, the property taxes on all Iowans will be reduced by more than a half a billion dollars.  That money remaining in the pockets of Iowa small businesses and families will help create jobs and expand opportunities for people to decide how to invest and spend their hard earned dollars.  I assure you, they will make good decisions and our great state will flourish.

We also did the right thing by spending less money than we take in.  That is the only way to be responsible to the very taxpayers who pay the bills government incurs.  We must continue on this prudent path.  It is important for Iowa businesses and families to grow, not for government to grow beyond its means.

Is there more to do?  Yes.

I hope we can more aggressively pursue a future agenda of expanding the Taxpayer Trust Fund and return even more of the overpayment of taxes to the taxpayers instead of growing government.  Every dollar comes from and belongs to Iowa taxpayers, after all.  We owe them accountability and control of their incomes.

I trust our actions this year have been guided by what we believe is best for all Iowans.  I know we can do even better and have greater success in setting Iowa on a prosperous course.

To quote Margaret Thatcher:

“What is success?  I think it is a mixture of having a flair for the thing that you are doing; knowing that it is not enough, that you have got to have hard work and a certain sense of purpose.”

I suggest we know we have done well, but have not done enough.  Let’s return with a certain sense of purpose next year to do even more to free all Iowans to decide for themselves what to do with their hard earned dollars. Given that freedom, they will create jobs, improve the lives of their families, and make Iowa a truly great place to grow.

Let’s make it happen.