The top Republican in the Iowa legislature says it’s time for lawmakers to reign in the reach of state government and reject requests for ramping up state government spending. House Speaker Kraig Paulsen of Hiawatha expressed those sentiments during his speech on opening day of the 2015 legislative session.

What government does do should be done better, according to Paulsen.

Paulsen suggests legislators should consider setting a close-down date for any new program they establish, along with combing through existing state programs to see which can be eliminated.

Senate Democratic Leader Mike Gronstal used his speech on the opening day of the 2015 legislative session to chide Republicans over state spending on public education.