We had another week filled with floor debate.  Most bills were not controversial and created good policy; However, I noted a few that created a lot of debate.

Good Bills.

SF2331 – A bill allowing children on I-Hawk insurance to use local chiropractors.

SF 2007 – A bill supporting the preservation of the battleship USS Iowa

SF 2349 – A bill investigating autism insurance coverage

SF 2305 – a bill making improvements to the sex offender registry

SF 2351 – A bill that creates an enhanced penalty for domestic violence (strangulation)

Questionable Controversial bills

SF 2236 – requiring propane dealers to deliver fuel in the winter to someone who may not have enough money to pay upfront for the fuel.

SF 2321 – A bill prohibiting sending and receiving texts while driving

SF 2357 – Bill that takes guns from a person who allegedly commits domestic violence.

Bad Bill

SF 2323 – A bill creating gambling table games in casinos

SF 2316 – A bill requiring that no construction can occur in a 500 year flood plain.  So much for growth in several of our communities near the river.

This past summer governor Culver demanded, in an unprecedented move, that the Iowa Department of Revenue hold off on its tax collection efforts and have the state legislature go back and re-examine the tax fiasco it created that required flood victims and other taxpayers to pay increased state taxes because the Iowa Democrats refused to couple with the federal tax code last year.

The Department of Revenue has stated that those who took the tax deductions for flood related expenses must pay it back if legislative action is not taken.  This summer, the governor issued the following statement:

“the last thing our state tax laws should do is burden those who were victims of the last year’s historic floods and storms, and the issue of adopting federal law changes to Iowa should be addressed”  ……  “Therefore I am taking two steps.  First, I have directed the Department of Revenue to provide me with any and all options that may be implemented by executive action this calendar year.  Second, I will be speaking with legislative leaders, from both sides of the political aisle, to address this issue in 2010 the same bipartisanship approach that we gave to other disaster-related legislation.”

Well, we are 4-weeks away from the end of legislative session and this topic has not been brought up! So, do these disaster victims have to pay this money back? If no action is taken they will have to pay it back, AND, pay penalty and interest because the Democrats refused to be sympathetic to the flood victims.

This year it seems disaster victims will have two tax seasons.  April 15^th they will pay 2009 taxes and again this summer when they get an assessment notice that states that they owe for taxes, interest, and penalties for their 2008 taxes because their legislature decided not to act on their behalf!

Governor Culver had the right idea!!  However, it seems his party is not only letting him down but also letting down those who have been inflicted by this massive disaster.

The budget cuts are starting and the largest government agency looks like it will take the first hit.  The Department of Health and Human Services has been notified that their budget could be trimmed by as much as $173 million. 

DHS’s current budget is $1.13 billion; the 15% cut would bring the budget down to $954 million.  Agency director, Charlie Krogmeier, stated that the cut may require laying off 500 employees. The agency currently has about 5,700 employees.

The director also noted that all 99 counties have DHS workers and this could cause some regionalization of these county programs.  It could also involve closing some of the government wards and institutions around the state. Less staff may also create longer caseload waiting times for assistance with adoptions or to get approved for a specific program.

The largest agency expenditure is on Medicaid payments to low and moderate income Iowan’s.  Over 435,000 people are enrolled and are covered by Medicaid. 

As I read the data concerning this cut it struck me about why the legislature might cut this agency? I realized that there is a possibility that it could be back-filled with federal funds. I find it interesting that government always finds a way to keep its programs.  Taxpayers will continue to pay, if the State cannot find the means, the federal government will find a way to help out. 

I am learning that government has become a game.   A shuffling of money pots and programs.  We hear about the massive budget gap but it’s only a gap when you cannot find another fund or government agency to grab the money from.   It is impossible to get your hands around such massive bureaucracy.

A bill was up for debate today concerning texting while driving.  (SF231)  The bill prohibits a person from texting or reading a text while driving a vehicle.  It offers penalties for drivers who get caught or have an accident while texting.

First, I am a person that is against any law that takes away the right of a person.  I am passionate about 2^nd amendment rights and other personal rights.  At first blush this goes against a person’s personal right.  I can eat in the car while driving, I should be able to text?

The problem, we have had several deaths in Sioux county because of a driver texting.  In one instance it killed the other driver in the car it hit.  When others get hurt or killed because of someone not using common sense, it might be time to create policy.  It is noted that a driver texting typically takes their eyes off the road for an ave. of 4-seconds. 

It takes me about 4-hours via car to get back and forth from Des Moines each week.  In this time I probably send, on average, 20-30 text messages.  I also spend large amounts of time reading e-mails and other documents.  Now, I am on the Interstate and watch that no cars are around me.  However, I have had it numerous times that I get caught up in a text or e-mail and find myself in the middle of the road or hitting the rumble strips on the side.  Each time I tell myself, this isn’t good!

I believe, the only way for me, and others, to stop texting or become detached from our Crack berries, is to have a law that bans them while driving.  It is no longer about my personal rights; rather it’s about protecting other drivers from a person’s irresponsible action. These things have become an addiction.  It’s has become a danger for all drivers that are around someone who is occupied by texting! (I know, we will not all agree on this topic, so lets agree to disagree, I don’t need to read manifestos from those that disagree, I fully understand the other side)

I had the opportunity to be on Iowa Agenda yeserday. (2-17-10)  This is a TV show that runs across Iowa on Mediacom.  It was a good discussion with democrat Sen. Hogg from Cedar Rapids and myself concerning a myriad of subjects.

Over the last three days we passed over 60 bills in the Senate.  Most were non-controversial.  I have listed a few below that may affect you.

Good Bills That Past

SF 2150 – A bill requiring young drivers to have an intermediate license for one-year rather than 6-months.  (Want to get kids through a snow season) 

SF 2149 – A bill requiring criminal history and registry checks for employees of healthcare facilities.

HF 2075 – A bill requiring health benefit coverage for certain cancer clinical trials

SF 2086 – Regulating amateur mixed martial arts fighting.  In some places anyone in the stands can sign up to fight during that evening.  Alcohol plays a role in participation!

SF 2334 – A bill that will study a stroke triage system and registry.  Create a best practice for strokes.

SF 2248 – A bill relating to water discharge permits.  (NPDS permits) It strips EPC from its decision making and puts it under the purview of an administrative law judge.

SF 2273– A bill studying the ability for dealers to file titles rather than going to the Treasurer’s Office.

SF 2088 – A bill allowing non-public schools to use textbook money for laptops.

Poor Bill

SF 2193-A bill requiring employers to provide written information to employees about employment polices.  Creates more paperwork for small business.  My son helped vaccinate cattle on Monday; I doubt they gave him an employment policy handbook?  Every business will need to follow these rules.  So much for a good-faith had shake.  I wish these people could understand real living in NW Iowa.

Questionable

SF 2179 – A bill requiring all kids 17 and below must wear  seatbelts, if caught the driver gets a ticket.  I am all about buckling up but I have taken kids to ball games and it’s impossible to control 16-year olds that are not your children. (I understand both sides)

Yes, I keep writing about this to make it clear.

As the legislative Democrats create their budget for the 2011 fiscal year it seems as though they will continue the practice of the past three years.  SPEND! Programs will not be cut because that would hurt short term political gain.  Education gets hurt because of all the other supposed special programs need to be funded. Below is chart that shows legislative Democrat spending. (in millions)                                                                      

                               Actual               Actual        Appropriated

                               FY 2008          FY 2009          FY 2010

General Fund      $5,898.44        $5,959.02        $5,768.27

Rebuild IA           $5.00                $62.00               $45.00               

Stimulus Funds   $0.00                $150.00            $529.30

Senior Living       $75.33              $122.28             $49.61

Totals                  $5,898.77       $6,293.30     $6,392.18

Behind the numbers:

 General Fund – In FY 2008 and FY 2009, these numbers represent the actual total amount expended by State Government.  The number used for FY 2010 is the amount The Democratic-controlled Legislature appropriated last session, prior to the Governor’s 10 percent across-the-board reduction.

Rebuild Iowa Infrastructure Fund – In FY 2008, $5 million was used to fund the Community Attraction and Tourism Program (CAT).  In FY 2009, the number for CAT grew to $12 million and $50 million was appropriated for the Grow Iowa Values Fund.  In FY 2010, $45 million was used for the Grow Iowa Values Fund. 

Stimulus Funds - Funds received from the Federal Government under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. 

Senior Living Trust Fund – Funds are primarily used for Medicaid.

By complicating Iowa’s budget picture for years to come the Governor and legislative Democrats will continue to impede Iowa’s economic recovery.

Auditor Vaudt gave us an update on the budget this morning.  He is a Republican; however, it’s hard to be bias when you’re dealing with factual numbers.  The state is in real fiscal trouble.

He stated that we can throw out the governor’s budget as it doesn’t balance and allows for significant assumptions that do not exist.  Several of those items include:

-the government reorg was going to save $341 million and in its best effort it will be $160 million.

-It doesn’t include any money for collective bargaining this year (you know the unions will get something, this will be around $86-million)

-This year 7-furlough days were required for non-union vs 5-furlough days for union staff

-Selling personal unclaimed property, no state has ever done this and the legal hurdles will be extreme. However, it notes a $40 million savings.

-Cutting $52 million in tax credits. It doesn’t say which tax credits.

These challenges create a $395 million hole that needs to be filled by the legislature this session.  Just to put this in perspective, the FY11 budget is still spending $1.11 for every $1.00 the state receives in revenue. You cannot balance a budget using that math.  This number exacerbates itself as you look at 2012.  You can only use one time funding so long.  The majority just wants to defer the problem until after the election is over.  Someone will be cleaning up a huge mess! 

We did about 50 bills on the floor the last two days.  I will summarize them on Wednesday 2-17-10.

Another Rocky ride coming into the Capital today.  Interstate 29 and Hwy 20 by Sac City were blocked.  Cutting across county black-tops made for quite a white knuckle drive.  However, I am here and ready to serve!

For many years we have heard about the fair share bill. (HS-702) The idea is simple.  All government workers must pay dues to a union, whether they are part of the union or not.  

The Des Moines Register on Wed., Feb 10^th issue noted, this would create another $5.3 million in union revenue per year. Currently they collect $5.7 million in dues. This would nearly double their amount collected each year.  This money would go directly toward fighting bad legislation and keeping one party in power. 

Free market and choice is abolished through this legislation.  I have union and non-union friends.  They all agree, it should be a personal choice.  This is a clear infringement on rights! More in important it is discriminatory.

Now that funnel week is over, the concerns over bills like this begin!  It’s concerning, the word in the Capital is that a deal has already been reached by those who objected to another union bill last year.  I am pointing this out because this is how POOR policy gets created.  It’s about money and power!

Ready for a great week!

Today was the last day to get bills out of committee.  If a bill didn’t get through a committee the bill is technically dead.  So what survived?

Good bills:

-A bill allowing PPEL money to be used for computers and transportation equipment.  The bill helps a schools’ general fund by allowing them to take money from the PPEL levy and use it for these new items.

-A bill allowing for money to be set aside each year for Iowa disasters.  Last year we had to bond for the flood disaster.

-A bill that allows private schools to use textbook money for computers

-A bill giving grandparents rights to see their grandchildren

- A bill that creates good government reform (only if the bill is dramatically modified)

Bad bills

-A bill banning the feeding of wildlife, including fishing with live bait, feeding squirrels, bird feeders, mice traps that are baited with cheese.  (I think you get the point)

-A bill demanding all government workers to pay union dues

-A bill eliminating federal deductibility

-A bill giving all part-time people sick-pay

-A bill that would permit gaming tables and sports betting

I will stop, but I think you see the picture.  The governor and the majority stated that this session would be about job creation.  If you see the list above, that was just a cloak to mask the massive problem of the budget.

We are at a crossroad.  The majority needs money to fix the budget.  The options are the bills noted above.  I really struggle with the direction we are headed. It is not going to be good!

Both the House and the Senate attempted to give Iowans a chance to vote on how marriage should be defined yesterday.  The attempts in both chambers were blocked by the majority party.

The Senate republicans asked the democrats to sign a petition designed to move a resolution to the senate floor that could lead to a statewide vote on a marriage amendment at a future general election. All 18 republican Senators signed the petition.  Senate republican Dave Johnson took the petition to each democrat.  They all declined to sign it except for Sen. Hancock from Epworth.  To get a marriage amendment vote we needed a total of 26 senate signatures and we currently have 19.

The House did a similar procedure by suspending the rules and asking for a procedural vote to bring the marriage amendment to the floor.  This was also denied. The procedural vote was supported by all republicans and one democrat; Rep. Dolores Mertz of Ottosen.  It failed 45-54.

I believe this issue is bigger than any political organization or legislative body.  This issue should be taken to the people of Iowa who can make the final decision.  We should allow the political process to play out.  I will continue to work to bring this petition to the floor of the Senate.  Iowans deserve to have the right to vote on the issue.