To me one of the most interesting things about serving in the Iowa Legislature is being part of such a dynamic and changing process. While some traditions and personnel of the Legislature remain relatively stable, the occurrence of an election every two years guarantees changes in the makeup of the 100 representatives and 50 senators. The backgrounds of those elected, the political party in power, and the general political climate guarantees an ever-changing dynamic.
In the eight years I have served in the Iowa Legislature, these statements have never been truer than after the outcome of the 2006 elections. The Democrat party was victorious in capturing a majority in the Iowa House and Senate, as well as the governor’s office. The Republicans had held the majority in the Iowa House for the past fourteen years. The face of the Iowa House has also changed in that eight of our members are under the age of thirty. The Iowa House now has three African-Americans, one Indian-American, and a higher than normal percentage of women representatives.
I have found that in general most people do not understand the role of the majority and the minority parties in the legislative process. The role of the majority party is to control the agenda with the ability to decide which legislation is considered. The role of the minority party is to control the time, or attempt to perfect, stall or stop the progress of undesirable legislation. This is not to say both parties do not work together to advance some legislation where there is agreement it should advance. However, the basic differences found in the parties’ platforms do cause a clash when the party in power tries to advance legislation with which the other party strongly disagrees philosophically.
The first week of the 2007 legislative session has included the normal pomp and circumstance, as well as a final speech by outgoing Governor Tom Vilsack. Newly elected Chet Culver will present his legislative agenda and budget priorities in a speech to legislators on January 30.
I have assumed a new role as I decided not to seek a leadership position in the Republican caucus. I was appointed as the ranking member of the State Government committee. The ranking member is the minority party’s chair of a committee. The State Government committee is the committee that undeniably addresses the largest number of bills. State government committee bills primarily deal with election and campaign laws, licensing, pension issues, as well as gambling. I look forward to my new duties in this role. In addition, I will serve on the Education and Judiciary policy making committees, as well as the Education Appropriations Subcommittee.
Both parties campaigned on some of the same priorities that will hopefully see action this session. These include measures to control health care costs for small businesses in Iowa, addressing teacher salaries, and finding ways to reduce commercial property taxes. Other issues I expect to be advanced are raising the minimum wage, raising the cigarette tax, raising the gas tax, making the local option tax for school infrastructure a state-wide tax, and changing Iowa’s Right to Work law, which, if changed, would force employees to join a union, even against the will of the worker.
I am honored to have the opportunity to continue to serve as your state representative. My goal is to listen and respond in a timely manner to any constituent who contacts me. It is also my intention to be honest with you as to my position on issues before the Iowa Legislature. Please contact me in the following ways:
E-mail: carmine.boal@legis.state.ia.us
Home Address: 3301 SW Timber Green Road, Ankeny
Home Phone: 964-3335