Capitol Comments
Time for Action on School Funding
After an unnecessary delay last year, our first order of business this year should be to set the rate for school funding. Called allowable growth, the Legislature is mandated by code to set the rate 30 days after the Governor releases the budget. It gives schools about 18 months notice to know what state funds they will receive and begin to craft a budget.
Last session, the Legislature should have set the allowable growth rate for the school year that begins in August this year. The Senate, controlled by Democrats, passed a bill but Republicans in the House and Governor Branstad refused to bring it up.
The good news this week is that Senate Democrats took quick action and sent a bill over to the House. It sets allowable growth at 4% and provides extra state resources to school districts so they can hold the line on property taxes.
The bad news is the Governor has put up an unnecessary roadblock. In the opening week of session, he issued an ultimatum to the Legislature: no discussion of school funding or allowable growth until his education reform package is passed. His budget also assumes zero allowable growth for the next two years.
So what does this mean for our schools? We surveyed superintendents across Iowa last week and they delivered a strong message: lawmakers and the Governor must move quickly to avoid teacher layoffs, crowded classrooms and harm to student achievement. Here are just a few highlights:
- 87% said that aid to local schools must be set by March 1st or they will have to plan for zero growth because their budget must be certified by April
- 99% said education dollars would be used more effectively if the state returned to setting basic aid to education a year and a half in advance as required by law now
- If Republicans do nothing again this year or insist on zero growth: larger class sizes (72%); delays in upgrading materials (68%), layoffs of teachers (57%) and layoffs of classroom associates (51%)
It’s been a rough few years for schools with the economic recession that began in 2008 and historically low or no growth in state aid. We can’t ask schools to do more when they can’t keep up with the basics like rising health care, transportation, and energy costs.
We’re already a year behind and schools are waiting for us to do our job. We’ve already begun work on the Governor’s education reform plans but it may take months to reach consensus. There’s no need to use state aid for our schools as a bargaining chip for education reform. I will be urging my colleagues in the House to take action quickly and send the bill to the Governor. There’s no time to waste.
The complete results of the survey can be found at www.iowahouse.org.
I will be hosting a public forum on Education Reforms, with a review of the Governor’s proposal and the Education Committee’s work – with Q & A, at Kennedy High School Library, 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM, Friday, February 8th.
Medicaid in Iowa
Governor Branstad’s effort to block Medicaid expansion in Iowa is puzzling. On Tuesday, forty-eight groups were represented at the Capitol – all supporting the expansion of Medicaid here. This health insurance expansion would ensure that low-income workers and more than 17,000 of our elderly Iowans would have basic health care whether or not they have kids. This includes preventative care and life-saving treatments. Providing expanded Medicaid coverage could also significantly reduce health care costs for the state.
You can read more about the Governor’s disconnect on health policy here and here.
I will be doing all I can to reduce health care costs and ensure affordable, accessible and quality health coverage for all Iowans. This includes supporting Medicaid in Iowa.
Legislation to Keep Local Taxpayer Money in Iowa
This week I sponsored legislation to help Iowa manufacturers and small businesses hire new employees and grow their business by giving them first opportunity at state and local government contracts.
The Made in Iowa bill is a simple, common sense measure to give our local small businesses a boost. It will help communities, large and small, by keeping our taxpayer dollars in the state instead of going elsewhere.
Under current law, state and local governments must accept the lowest bid in any circumstance even if an Iowa business only bids $1 more than an out of state company. House File 93 simply allows an Iowa-based business to match the bid of an out-of-state company if it is within 5% or $10,000 (whichever is lower) of the lowest bid.
With Lifts Director, Tom Hardecopf, looking at pictures of aging buses in Linn County.
Jason McLaughlin, High School Principal at Central City, stopped by my desk. It’s always terrific to see educators from back home!
United Way showcased at the Capitol with CR administrators: Judy Stoffel, Laura Columbus and Kelli Holubeck.
United Way showcased at the Capitol with President Lois Buntz , Senator Robb Hogg. In addition to 2-1-1 and tax preperation assistance, we spoke briefly about United Way’s partnership with Kirkwood Community College on career programs.
Visiting with Jayde Henry about ensuring accessibility to fuel pumps.
Meeting with Scott Smith, Business Manager of Local Painters Union 447, discussing business & labor issues.
At the Travel Federation of Iowa Showcase, we stopped by the booth of the Cedar Rapids Convention & Visitors Bureau. Good discussion about generating tourism in the CR area! Pictured here with Jennifer Pickar, Mary Lee Malmberg and Senator Dan Zumbach.
Visiting with Four Oaks FaDDS representatives. FaDSS provides services that promote, empower, and nurture families towards self-sufficiency.
Read More from the Iowa House
To read the rest of the Statehouse News go to: http://iowahouse.org/
