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Legislator Listening Posts with Representative Art Staed 

Saturday, March 30th at
HyVee in the food service area.
at 9-10:00am
3235 Oakland Road NE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Saturday March 30th at
HyVee in the food service area
at 10:30-11:30am
5050 Edgewood Road NE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa

State Budget Moves

With approximately six weeks left in the legislative session, we are working in both the House and the Senate crafting the state budget. We’ve recently seen blueprints from each of the seven budget subcommittees that will make up the state’s total budget.

Right now, we’re working through differences in each these seven budget areas and have been moving them individually to the floor for debate and a vote. The House took action on three different budget bills this week: Education, Administration, and Transportation. While the Administration and the Transportation budgets were approved relatively quickly, there is still work to be done on the education budget before it becomes law. And we will need to setAllowable Growth for Iowa schools in a separate funding bill. The 4% Allowable Growth funding bill, sent to us from the Senate on time, is still “sitting” in the House Education Committee. The House minority leadership has refused to move the bill and bring it to the House floor for debate and a vote.

The Workforce

We have to do much more to build our skilled workforce because the future of Iowa’s economy depends on it. In just five years, 62% of the jobs in Iowa will require education after high school. Today, only 40% of Iowa adults, between 26 and 64, have an associate’s degree or higher and approximately 300,000 Iowans are without a high school degree. Whether community college, private college, one of our three state universities, or a skilled trade or apprenticeship program, we need Iowans to get training and education beyond high school. And these programs must also be affordable for all families. With strong revenues and a budget surplus this year, now is the time to build our skilled workforce by expanding training and educational opportunities for Iowans of all ages. I look forward to help bring passage to two additional bills addressing this issue:HF501 and SF291. With Kirkwood Community College serving the Cedar Rapids area, this legislation would directly provide stimulus to our local economy and many more opportunities for local workers and students.

3,700 new jobs were added in January as Iowa’s unemployment rate remains unchanged at 5%, which is well below the national average. Still, there are 82,100 unemployed Iowans who are currently receiving unemployment benefits, with 5% unemployment.

Taxes

Despite opposition from local officials across Iowa, House Republicans moved their commercial property tax plan out of committee this week. It rolls back commercial property tax rates from 100% of value to 80%, but doesn’t guarantee the property tax burden won’t simply be shifted to homeowners and farmers. Serious concerns were raised about the sustainability of the plan because it will cost the state budget the $829 million, annually. As our history would indicate, an annual “backfill” of $829 million from the Iowa Legislature is not sustainable and a “tax shift” would immediately, or eventually, place the burden on local communities with a severe impact on local safety and services.

Democrats have outlined a Main Street Tax Cut plan to reduce commercial property taxes by $250 million. It reduces property tax rates for 4 out of 5 Iowa businesses by about 40% to a rate near that of homeowners. The plan is fully paid for by the state so it will not shift the property tax burden to homeowners and farmers. And this approach would be sustainable.

The Senate approved an expansion of the Earned Income Tax Credit, putting about $50 million back into the pockets of hard-working Iowans. I expect the same bipartisan support of this bill when it comes over to the House for consideration and a vote.

The House passed an Alternative Flat Tax bill on a party-line vote. Democrats in the House, including this one, think the tax is both unfair and unsustainable. We need to build a strong middle class. This bill leaves the “middle class” out of reach for far too many Iowans while rewarding the richest with oversized tax breaks and new tax loopholes. The Republican plan gives the top 1% the same $88 million of the tax break shared by the lower 80%. That is 15,029 of the 1,462,549 tax returns. These are returns with adjusted gross income of more than $500,000.

2/3 – Number of Iowans who get nothing (972,190)

7% – Amount of relief targeted to Iowans below median household income of $49,545

$75.00 – Average Tax Break for Iowans making under $30,000

The few, mostly non-wage earners, in the upper income brackets are given an opportunity to avoid taxes by bouncing back and forth from year-to-year between paying traditional income tax and the flat tax while, at the same time, shuffling income between the tax years. This “gaming” will be legal “tax avoidance strategy” with the passage of this bill. It is estimated that the total cost of this bill will be $1.2 billion in lost tax revenue – revenue that will have to be made up in “shifted” taxes somewhere else or in huge cuts to the priorities that Iowans value, insuring that there will be little, if any, state funds to invest in our future or current services to Iowans. There goes fairness, fiscal responsibility and a “balanced budget”.

Other News

The Made in Iowa bill was approved by the Senate to give Iowa businesses first crack at state and local contracts.

A bill approved by the Senate will make sure kids entering kindergarten and the third grade get vision screenings.

Supporters of Iowa passenger rail hit the Capitol this week to encourage lawmakers and the Governor to take federal funds and connect Iowa City, then Des Moines and Omaha, to Chicago.

Thursday was “Homeless Awareness Day” at the Capitol and I had good conversations with this group from Cedar Rapids. We spoke about local shelters, Family Promise, rent assistance, mental health, employment and counseling services. We covered the gamut of systemic and personal issues that contribute to the problem of homelessness. Thank you for bringing more awareness to this perplexing problem:Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Investigator & Mediator, Stefanie Munsterman-Robinson; Exec. Dir. of Willis Dady Emergency Shelter, Tim Wilson; Deputy Director of Community Planning, Ann Hearn; Outcomes and Data Analyst at HACAP, David Hagen; HPRP Program Manager, Heather Harney; and Michael Range.

I met with Aaron Saylor, Joe Stutler, Brenda Kole and Heather Matson about “Prevention First”. Prevention First would like to see the Medicaid Family Planning Waiver program funded, as well as Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act. Yet another group supportive of health care for Iowans!

When Bob speaks, everybody listens! I visited with constituents Bob King and Rod Martens, both with United Auto Workers. They came to the Capitol to speak in support of Medicaid expansion. Hmmm, UAW is another group who understands how fiscally sound it is to provide this Federally-funded assistance to Iowans in need. Here with Representative Running-Marquar

At the IA Vocational Rehabilitation Services Legislative reception, I visited with CR Supervisor Ray Manning, and Matthew Coulter and Lee Ann Russo. Due to state funding cuts in 2010, Voc Rehab only receives 88% of the available Federal funds. With additional state matching funds, those with disabilities could receive more opportunities for jobs in our communities.

 

 

(Above three photos) At League of Women Voters Legislative Forum in CR last Saturday, I had the opportunity to visit with voters afterward. Cate Barker discussed the need for 4% allowable growth for schools. Back in the 1980s – when Iowa schools were #1 – the legislature funded 13% allowable growth. Today we are fighting for 4%. Hugs from Leta Wall and a reminder to take care of our Seniors! Delaine Petersen showed me the progress she’s made collecting petitions that ask the Governor to expand Medicaid in Iowa. I’m strongly supporting all three of these voters’ issues.

A very pleasant interlude in a busy schedule, was a brief visit from fellow educators Doug Gustafson and John Dawson (both teach at Kirkwood Community College). John’s daughter, Mattie, was on Spring break and came along to learn more about the legislative process. Always refreshing to see young people engaged in learning more about their community and the role of government.

 

Re-Rail Iowa presented displays and information in the Capitol Rotunda. We discussed opportunities to expand and upgrade freight and passenger rail in Iowa. By 2030, I-80 will see a projected 65% incease in traffic. Rail could go a long way to mitigate transportation problems and grow the economy. Shown here with Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers & Trainmen: Jeff Kurtz, Dan Sharp, Nathan Kurty, Daniel Christensen and Jeff Kurtz.

At the Epilepsy Foundation reception I met with several Iowans who live with this neurological condition. Because we have family, friends and former students who also have experienced seizures, I have a greater understanding of the need for statewide training of caregivers and professionals. Pictured here with Nate and Annette Burnham and Representative Kevin Koester.

Monday’s prayer was offered by Sister Joann Gehling of Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center in Hiawatha. Sister Gehling is shown here with Sister Helen Elsbernd and Representative Kirsten Running Marquardt. It’s always great to have Linn County visitors at the Capitol!

I received a container filled with water from the Central Iowa Water Assoc. Pictured here with Jim LaPlant and Kristie Wildung. Unfortunately, bad weather prevented Cedar Rapids from making an appearance at the Capitol. But I’m proud to report that CR earned the accolades of “Best Tasting Water in Iowa”!

At the Iowa Worker’s Compensation Advisory Council Breakfast, I spoke with Hedberg & Boulton attorney, Nate Boulton and AFL-CIO Secretary, Charlie Wishman. The Council, comprised of labor and business representatives, advises the Labor Commissioner regarding workers comp issues. Because they reach consensus before advising the Labor Commissioner, this works well to attain resolution to difficult work comp issues.

Cheryl Goodwin with Family Resources spoke to me about Iowa child welfare services providers. Due to drops in their reimbursement rates, Family Resources has recently closed 30 beds in treatment centers. Their services affect women, children and families who have experienced violence, abuse, neglect and mental health disorders. We need MORE access to care, not less.

 

Linn County Rural Electric Cooperatives had a terrific display in the Capitol Rotunda today. Kevin Stucker, Steve Carroll and Dan Burns wore buttons saying, “Ask Me” and that’s just what I did….I learned vastly more about Iowa electricity production and transmission and alternative energy sources: wind, solar and hydroelectric. I’m energized!

Visiting with Administrator Stephen Larson of the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division. We are looking at statistics for sales and consumption of alcoholic beverages. ABD regulates all entities that sell alcohol and tobacco in Iowa.

 

(Above two photos) There were a lot of red coats at the Capitol on Thursday as Iowa Firefighters prepare for a “Firehouse Cook-Off”. Legislators voted on the tastiest chili this afternoon. (Going to be hard to beat the chili served at the Democrats cook-off a few weeks ago) I learned more about EMTs and firefighters from Marv Trimble, VP of the IA Firefighters Association. Marv works at CR Station #8, which currently answers the largest number of emergency calls of any stations in Cedar Rapids. (Dave Corell, firefighter with CR Station #7, proudly holds the 2012 first place award for Outstanding Chili. We have some great chefs in our community!)

Read More from the Iowa House

To read the rest of the Statehouse News go to: http://iowahouse.org/StatehouseNews/3-22-13.html