Warning to Legislators

A survey released last week found that 75% of Iowa’s local school leaders will again be forced to raise class sizes, cut teachers, and reduce opportunities for students – if Republican lawmakers follow through with plans for a 2% or lower increase in basic school funding for next year.

In addition to raising class size, school leaders said underfunding schools again would force them to delay purchases for books and classroom materials (65%); delay new technology (24%); and cut back on literacy programs (27%).

70% …

Statehouse News

Saturday Forum

The first League of Women Voters public forum for the 2017 legislative session is this Saturday, January 21, at Mercy Medical Center, 701 10th Street SE, Cedar Rapids, from 10:30-11:45 A.M. in the Hallagan Education room.  Please come and join us!

2017 Legislative Survey Results: Education and Working Families Top Priority

The legislative survey that was initiated last week and included in my newsletter revealed that education and working Iowa families are top priorities.  The survey was conducted to gather feedback on constituent priorities for …

2017 Session Begins, Eduation, Jobs & Working Families Top Priorities

The 2017 Legislative Session opened Monday with lawmakers pledging to work together and focus on policies that will help Iowa working families and grow our economy – while keeping the state budget balanced.

Priorities voiced by lawmakers include making K-12 schools the top priority in Iowa again; revitalizing rural Iowa; expanding job training opportunities; raising the minimum wage; improving water quality; expanding early childhood education; and encouraging additional production and use of renewable energy resources.

2017 Legislative Survey

In …

Medicaid Managed Care Begins Today- Real Lives Affected

After months of delays and confusion, the transition to Medicaid privatization starts today, Friday, April 1st and health care for 560,000 Iowans will change.  There are many signs that it’s going to be a rough and difficult transition. Just this week, we heard of a family in Northeast Iowa that had chemotherapy treatment delayed at the Mayo Clinic because of confusion about coverage brought about in the Governor’s rushed plan to privatize Medicaid.

The same day we learned about …

Regional Public Forum on Iowa’s Energy Plan

A public forum will provide information on a statewide Energy Plan and get feedback from Iowans. Working groups have been formed around four areas to provide input, review data and help shape the goals and strategies of the plan for:
•    Economic Development & Energy Careers
•    Iowa’s Energy Resources
•    Transportation & Infrastructure
•    Energy Efficiency & Conservation

Our region’s forum will include an informational presentation with project team members available for one-on-one and group discussions. It will be Wednesday, April 13, 6:00 …

Statehouse News

The League of Women Voters forum is this Saturday, March 19, at Mercy Medical Center, 701 10th Street SE, Cedar Rapids, from 10:30-11:45 A.M. in the Hallagan Education room.  This is an excellent opportunity for you to ask questions of Linn County Legislators on issues important to you.  Hope to see you Saturday!

Schools Wait While Tax Cuts Sail Ahead

While public schools have been waiting for 399 days on State Supplemental Aid funding, the Republican-controlled House passed yet another tax cut this week – reducing …

Parents for Great Iowa Schools

A group of parents concerned about the future of public schools in Iowa have launched a new organization to connect parents across the state.

The group, Parents for Great Iowa Schools, was formed to make sure every child in Iowa gets a world-class public education that will prepare them for 21st-century challenges and generate the skilled workforce Iowa needs.

Iowans are encouraged to visit the group’s website at www.parentsforgreatiowaschools.com to sign a petition to urge Iowa lawmakers to invest in public schools again. …

School Leaders Send Warning to Iowa Lawmakers

A new survey released this week found 90% of Iowa’s local school leaders will be forced to raise class sizes next year if public school funding falls short again.

Superintendents, principals and other school officials completed the survey in recent weeks to help us better understand the looming consequences of shortchanging our public schools, and to determine the impact of the Governor’s veto last summer of bipartisan school funding.
In addition to packing more students into already crowded classrooms, school leaders …

Capitol Comments

The session wrapped up last Friday, stretching five weeks beyond our targeted close. Some of the same disagreements that impeded compromise this session aren’t likely to disappear before we return in January of 2016.  The battles over PK-12 education funding, Medicaid and mental health services funding remain unresolved and will be hot topics afresh in the next session.

During the session, I visited schools; received dozens of emails from constituents; and listened to local school leaders, teachers and parents who all expressed, over and over, …

Statehouse News

Disagreements over public education funding are preventing the Legislature from finalizing a state budget and adjourning for the year.
Iowa’s families count on Iowa’s great local public schools to give our children and grandchildren the knowledge and skills to be successful in our competitive world, and to provide opportunities for Iowa students to realize their dreams of creating a better life for themselves and others.

High-quality education has made Iowa and its workers among the nation’s most productive, which in turn attracts additional high-skilled, high-wage jobs …