Lawmakers from the Fort Dodge area who must help to fix a nearly $1 billion state budget deficit differ over just how such a huge gap between revenues and spending came about.

According to Republicans like state Rep. Gary Worthan, of Storm Lake, too much spending over the last three years caused the problem.

Democrats like state Sen. Daryl Beall, of Fort Dodge, disagree, saying that tax receipts haven't met projections.

Lawmakers from both parties offered their thoughts on the state's fiscal woes Saturday morning during the first Eggs and Issues forum to be held in advance of a legislative session. About 25 people attended the question and answer event at Iowa Central Community College, which was sponsored by the college and the Fort Dodge Area Chamber of Commerce.

State Senate President Jack Kibbie, D-Emmetsburg; and state Rep. David Tjepkes, R-Gowrie; joined Worthan and Beall.

Although they did not agree on the causes of the budget mess, the legislators were united in their desire to protect the jobs of state troopers and corrections officers.

''The Department of Corrections and the Department of Public Safety are the last areas where we need the potential of layoffs,'' Tjepkes said.

Worthan launched the budget discussion early in the forum by criticizing what he considered too much spending.

''Gary, I think it's probably less a matter of over-spending than it is under revenue,'' Beall replied.

Kibbie said the state's receipts from corporate income taxes are down 24 percent, while inheritance tax revenues are down 9 percent. He also said that personal income tax revenue has dropped 3.7 percent and sales tax revenues are down 3.1 percent.

The lawmakers agreed that more budget cuts are coming. None of them offered any recommendations for trimming spending. however.

Tjepkes said the state government ought to address the recession by implementing ''a tax structure that encourages the creation of jobs.''

Same sex marriage

Beall said he doesn't believe a proposed constitutional amendment to ban same sex marriage will be debated by the Legislature this year.

Such an amendment would have to be approved during two consecutive sessions of the Legislature and then be submitted to the state's voters, who would have the ultimate say on whether the proposal is added to the constitution.

An amendment to ban same sex marriage attracted interest after the Iowa Supreme Court declared such unions to be legal in April.

''The only way we can solve this loggerhead between the court and the Legislature is to take it to the people,'' Worthan said. ''The people are the final arbiter.''

''I don't know exactly what the pulse of the people is,'' he added.

Beall said he took a survey of his constituents in Calhoun, Greene and Webster counties and found that education, affordable health care, job creation and public safety were their top four priorities. He said banning same sex marriage ranked No. 13 or No. 14 on the list of priorities.

Kibbie said he would vote to place an amendment before the people during a referendum.

''If it comes up in my presence and the roll call is called for Jack Kibbie's vote it will be in favor of letting you vote,'' he said.

Other issues

The ongoing effort in Congress to pass health care reform was mentioned a few times by people who asked questions at the forum. The lawmakers all said they have no influence on that process.

''You know about as much about that federal bill as we do,'' Kibbie said.

Beall said he would continue to push for an increase in the state's gasoline tax to ensure there is enough money to build and maintain roads.

Worthan said he doesn't think that levy will be on the legislature's 2010 agenda.

While the Iowa Board of Pharmacy Examiners has held hearings on the possibility of legalizing marijuana for medical use, Kibbie said he doubts the state law banning that substance will be changed.

Contact Bill Shea at (515) 573-2141 or bshea@messengernews.net