March 8, 2007
This week in the House is called “funnel week”. All bills in the House must be passed out of the committee they are assigned to by Friday or they are considered “dead” for the year. There are exceptions to the rule - Ways and Means and Appropriation bills are not bound by this rule. During funnel week, the pace is frenetic as House members craft the legislation they will consider for the rest of this session. After this week, the legislative agenda for the session is a lot clearer to see.
The temperament of the legislation we are considering is different this year. For the first time in 42 years, the House, Senate, and the Governor’s office are controlled by the Democrats. There seems to be little room for compromise. In the past when neither party had complete control of the political process, if you wanted a specific bill to become law you had to be willing to compromise as it worked its way through the process. That’s the way it has been for some of the time I have served as your Representative. Unfortunately, it is not the case this year.
The current situation reminds of a youth walking a train rail – trying to keep his balance on a thin line. That is what being a legislator these past 7 years in the House has been like, always seeking to find balanced legislation but always moving our State forward with the underlining goal of making our State a better place to live, work, and raise a family.
Since Iowa is equally divided as to political parties and culturally split between urban and rural, I have always appreciated the need for compromise. Legislation has historically been about reaching consensus
Times have changed. Legislation seems to be more one- sided and the minority has little input compared to the past. Proposals this year are proposing great change, and many times, the changes being proposed are going way beyond where the public is.
We have a budget proposal that is 10.5% higher than the budget we passed for FY 2007. While state revenues have been growing fairly well, they are only running at 6 percent growth. I don’t think the proposed budgets will be sustainable in 2 years without increasing the sales or income tax.
As I have written in a previous column, some members are pushing an idea they call “fair share” that will change our Right to Work law that has served us well for 60 years. Nobody talked with the voters about that last fall. I have received e-mails from frustrated voters who complain that they voted without knowing the Democrats would support this.
Legislation that would allow the cloning of human life and then the destruction of it to extract embryonic stem cells narrowly passed both houses, and it was signed by the Governor.
Increasing Iowa’s cigarette tax by $1 represents the largest tax increase in 20 years. Proponents are claiming that the new revenues will all be used for healthcare, but the reality is that it would shift money so general fund dollars could be used elsewhere in the budget.
Other controversial proposals still being considered are:
1) Changing the state’s energy efficiency program which would raise consumer’s electric rates by at least $4 million.
2) Raising the compulsory age for k-12 education from 16 to 18 years. For those who defy the law and are truant, what will we do with them? Can our juvenile justice system handle the estimated 500 violators?
3) Mandating registration of all childcare providers. Of the 14,000 childcare providers who receive state child care assistance, 7000 are unregistered. If all registered it would cost the state an additional $4.5 million. For 8 years, we have used a number of carrots to get providers to register, and we still have thousands not signing up. If we require registration and providers quit rather than letting a state inspector in their home, where will the children go for childcare?
4) Enacting new regulations in Workman’s Compensation are being proposed that will put our economic development efforts at risk. Apportionment language on successive injuries, increased payments for scheduled injuries, and the elimination of employer-directed medical care are just some of the changes being proposed.
5) There are many proposals in Judiciary Committee that would make Iowa a more litigious state.
6) The State Government Committee is passing out a bill that would allow “same day” voter registration. They are also considering a proposal eliminating the English Official Language law.
These are just a few of the changes being proposed.
In the debate on cloning, one legislator stated that our job is to change the culture. I ask you “Should laws be used to change the culture of our State or should laws be passed that reflect the values and culture of our State”?
It seems to me what is best, is to “walk that train-rail” without falling one way or the other. Balance should be our priority.
Visitors to the Capitol
Jeff Brower, Jerry Husband, Leah Driscoll, John Custer, Scott Shifflett, and Lynn Fisher with South English Modern Co-op. Ivan & Darlene Reihmann, Jean Hemphill, Janet Lammey of the Iowa County Task Force, & Steven Swender of Ladora. Sandy Miller (advisor), Heidi Welsh, Sara Meade, Allison Iburg, Hannah Brown, Allison Huedepohl, Lana Miller, Whitney Bullock, from FCCLA (Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America) of Williamsburg
Question of the Week…
One of the proposals coming out of the State Government Committee is a bill allowing same day voting registration. Opponents charge it opens the door to voter fraud. Supporters argue that it makes voting more accessible to the public. Do you support same day voter register laws?
I would appreciate your input. My phone number at the Capitol is 515-281-3221, or e-mail me at betty.deboef@legis.state.ia.us. I would welcome visitors at the Capitol, too!