Democrats Propose Fiscally Responsible Budget

Democratic legislators released their $6.1 billion state budget last week. It is a 3.7% increase from last year's budget, but $300 million less than Gov. Culver's proposed budget.

However, the thing that sticks out is the fiscal responsibility of Democrats at the State House. The budget increases the state reserve fund in case of an economic downturn.

The spending plan includes a $615 million reserve fund to tide the state over if there is an economic downturn that slows tax collections.

"This is the greatest savings account in the history of the state," said Senate Majority Leader Michael Gronstal, D-Council Bluffs.

Last year's budget also included money to put in the state's reserve fund.