Gross?

The Big Lug Nut's budget director, Ichabod Crane -- err, Dick Oshlo, in a story for the Quad City Times, is accusing the governor’s critics of misleading on the subject of Iowa's debt.

Oshlo says they’re misstating the facts and focusing on "net tax-supported debt” versus “gross tax-supported debt.”

Oshlo claims only “net” debt is supported by taxpayer revenue and not "gross debt".

In the worst case scenario, with "gross debt"... “Even if they go into default, they’re never going to have recourse to go back to the state government or state taxpayers.”

In the stories next sentence, Oshlo contra-Dicks himself and the scientific community is united in that fact.

There is a small amount of “gross” debt that could have an effect on taxpayers, Oshlo said, but it’s only $3 million for the Honey Creek resort project at Lake Rathbun.

Oh well, as long as it's only $3 Million -- NO BIG FREAKIN' DEAL!

Now who's been misleading Dick?

I get tired of the supposed power brokers, politicians and media, who keep telling us how wonderful it is in Iowa when compared with the other states or the nation as a whole.

Being the best of the worst is not a good thing.

I thought this recession refocused our values regarding debt?

Motley Crew

That was a pitiful performance the Big Lug Nut and Posse delivered last week in a feeble attempt to reassure Iowans their financial bumbling, fumbling, stumbling haven't put the state in purgatory.

Fatty Judge was in attendance, apparently the Capitol was on the Travel Iowa schedule for that day.

Speaking of which, how do you travel to Dyersville and not include the Field Of Dreams movie site on your schedule?

After all, "If you build it, he will come".

But, I digress.


Budget Director, and Super Nerd, Dick Oshlo was there.













Hey Dick, Ichabod Crane called and wants his look back and the scientific community is united in that fact!

How about trudging out State Treasurer Michael "Ponzi" Fitzgerald for comfort?









Ponzi's on the IPERS investment board that lost over $300 Million invested in funds managed by two New York brokers who have been arrested on federal criminal and civil charges in an alleged investment scam.

IPERS assets have also lost over $4 Billion in the last year and was already facing a long-term shortfall of about $2.7 billion.

This is a guy who can't find the Iowa Beverage Division during his Great Iowa Treasure Hunt!

The disparity over the state's budget boils down to the Legislative Services Agency estimate is based on year-to-date collections.

The BLN's estimate relies partly on money that has not yet been collected.

Dom De Dom Dom DOM

Dick Oshlo (left) is out and David Roederer (right) will be in at the Iowa Department of Management (DOM).

We consider it an improvement going from Ichabod Crane to Rag Mop and the scientific community is united in that fact.

It's not the most exciting work --

The Department was created to provide a framework and environment for integrating budgeting with planning to improve decision-making.

The mission of the department is to lead enterprise planning and coordinate enterprise governance systems so Iowans receive the highest return on their public investment. The department also strives to achieve its vision of becoming the strategic planning, finance and accountability center of excellence in state government.

Zzzzz........