March 29, 2007
With the change of power in the last election, I have found myself writing more negative newsletters this year because of my frustration with what is being pushed through in the House.
I am pleased to report one really great thing that is happening here is the House Secretaries have spear-headed an effort to make May baskets to send to our soldiers in Iraq & Afghanistan. They have put out the word to all legislators and encouraged us to donate batteries, magazines, toiletries, money, etc., and are asking for names and addresses of Iowans serving that would appreciate receiving a basket. They currently have 160 names to which they are planning on sending baskets. If you have a name to submit or would like to donate, send an e-mail to clerkmaybaskets@aol.com. The baskets will be sent on April 5.
One other great thing that happened this week is we ran House Resolution 31, co-sponsored by all 99 Representatives (one is serving in Iraq). This resolution honors Iowa County native Eugene Ely, who is titled the Father of Naval aviation. In November of 1910, he was the first person to launch an airplane off of a naval ship, and in January of 1911, he was the first to land a plane on a naval ship. Mr. Allen Haworth has worked tirelessly to get Mr. Ely honored with a commemorative postage stamp and by naming an aircraft carrier after him. I am pleased that we were able to help in this effort.
Early Childhood Education
On Wednesday evening, we spent 5 hours debating HF877, the early childhood education bill. Republicans support quality, affordable preschool. The plan Republicans passed out last year was to put $50 million into Empowerment Boards hands to provide financial assistance to low-income families, so their children could attend preschool and day care. This provided preschool access to 4600 additional children and provided additional assistance to children in the Head Start and Shared Visions programs. However, HF 877 addresses just one of many early childhood needs. Over time it appropriates over $100 million in taxpayer dollars per year. Parents will still pay the same amount as they have before and no additional children will be served.
Based on what they have heard, parents think they won’t have to pay for preschool anymore. While this bill promotes universal preschool it does not mean the preschool will be FREE, or even subsidized. It means every 4 year-old can get 10 hours of universal access to a four-year degreed teacher each week. However, PARENTS STILL PAY THE SAME. To assume providers will charge less because they are getting 10 hours of teaching paid by the state is false.
Private providers become endangered species
This bill gives private providers two options: To meet state standards dictated by the state education department and get a school district teacher for 10 hours of preschool instruction each week (if the public school agrees to grant it) or sit out and get nothing.
Rep. Rants in his final arguments warned: “private providers will be put out of business by this bill”.
Taxpayers also get to watch their school district count any K-12 dollars to start up a preschool. HF877 lets the district use property taxes, state school aid formula money, Allowable Growth, even federal School Nutrition funds to do this. Taxpayers suddenly are on the hook for increased property taxes. Because this level of spending, combined with all the other increased costs in education is not sustainable, my constituents will see increased taxes all around.
I believe this dramatic change in the early childhood proposal is wrong and I voted NO.
Please be sure to attend my final forum of the year on Saturday, April 7th at the Farm Bureau office in Williamsburg at 10:30 A. M.
Visitors to the Capitol
Allen & Betty Haworth of Williamsburg, Yusuf Umar, a Nigerian exchange student at English Valley High School, Austin Crawford, Jessica Elkins & Mary Krier with the Pekin High School JEL group.
Question of the Week…
License fees on pickup trucks has been at $65 for years, while other vehicles are much higher. One of the proposals being offered by the DOT to help improve our roads is to increase pickup fees. Do you believe it is time to do this?
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!