A Few Thoughts on the Session
As I sit here reflecting on my first session in the Iowa House, both accomplishments and failures come to mind. At the beginning of the session both parties stood up and made grand statements as to how we were going to rebuild Iowa from the natural disasters, balance the budget and help put 80,000 Iowans back to work.
We got off to a great start passing legislation that was designed to help Iowans quickly get back into their homes and begin the rebuilding process. Before the session started, I toured many of the areas that were damaged from the floods and tornadoes of 2008. It was very evident that the people in these areas needed help and I am honored to have served on the Rebuild Iowa Committee and be part of this recovery process.
The tone of the House chamber changed rather quickly after the passage of the recovery bills. Agendas became evident and staunch differences began to emerge. The first major battle of the year was on prevailing wage. The State was on the verge of passing law that would dictate the pay scale for public projects. This would increase the cost of the State doing business at a time when we already have record high spending and declining revenue. It was clear that we would see property taxes increase to cover this expense. After debating on a Friday it was time to vote and the Majority could only muster 50 votes. They decided to keep the voting machine open until Monday or until one of there members changed their mind. After taking shifts sitting in the chambers, Monday rolled around, the voting machine was closed and the bill was defeated.
The target was then set on revamping Iowa’s tax law and taking away federal deductibility, which was popularly referred to as a tax on a tax. This battle took center stage when the Democrat leadership decided to have a public hearing because of the outcry from our constituents. Over 600 individuals filled the gallery to witness the testimony of concerned citizens. It was clear people did not to lose their federal deductibility and their passion was evident as they cheered and clapped the ones that spoke out against this bill and hissed and booed at the few who spoke in favor of it. After about 45 minutes of this, the Speaker of the House, Pat Murphy walked into the Chamber and asked the troopers to remove the citizens from the House they paid for with their tax dollars. The majority party continued to push for the bill, but once again they could not muster more then 50 votes and the bill was never debated.
Another issue that got Iowans’ attention was the Supreme Court ruling in favor of same sex marriage, which set the stage for a battle that continues. The people have overwhelming made it clear that they want to vote on a constitutional amendment to define marriage. While people and parties fall on both sides of this issue, I find it unbelievable that the leadership of the Majority party would not allow this to be debated on the House floor.
Regarding the Governor’s bonding program, Iowans spoke loud and clear that they were opposed to this. Seventy-one percent of Iowans do not agree with borrowing from our children’s future to pay for our mismanagement today, but it was pushed forward and passed. We will be paying $1.6 billion over 20 years for $765 million of spending now.
Looking over this pass session, I was encouraged by the amount of public involvement with visits, emails and phone calls. I believe that you can make a difference if you just get involved. A little over a year ago I was one of the people calling on my elected officials and voicing my concerns. Now, I did not defeat federal deductibility and prevailing wage single handily, but if I did not run the vote outcome in our legislature could have been different. Please get hooked up and help make a difference.
Sincerely,
Representative Kent Sorenson
(515) 250-7555
The People Are Speaking
House Republicans Offer $200 Million in Savings
Through Tuesday, April 14, House Republicans had offered over $200 million in general fund savings as a result of a line-by-line review of the budget. Virtually all of these amendments were rejected by majority Democrats. Had Democrats accepted a little more than one-half of the savings, their proposed budget would be in balance instead of being at least $105 million over.
Here is the breakdown of the amendments offered and the savings created, per budget subcommittee:
- Administration and Regulation — $100.1 million
- Economic Development — $14.7 million
- Agriculture and Natural Resources — $17.5 million
- Health and Human Services — $20.3 million
- Education (Department of & Higher Ed) – $52.9 million
- Justice System (Corrections and DPS) — $27.1 million
- Total General Fund Savings through April 14 – $232.6 million
With the Standings and Justice System budget bills yet to be debated, the Republican amendments will exceed $300 million in savings by the time session adjourns.
In addition, Minority Leader Paulsen and Representative Raecker this week criticized the Democrats for playing lip service on the issue of budget transparency.
On Thursday, April 9, the House and Senate Appropriations Committees approved four one-paragraph shell bills: Standings, Rebuild Iowa Infrastructure Fund, Federal Stimulus and Bonding. These four bills stand to spend over $4.2 billion in taxpayer money. By skipping the budget subcommittee process as well as the full Appropriations Committee process, the Democrats have locked Iowans out of the debate on these very important budget issues.
By refusing to show Iowans how they are going to spend $4.2 billion, or how they are going to fund the budget bills that have already been approved, they are purposely and systematically keeping Iowans from knowing the true picture.
As the budget process moves forward, House Republicans will continue to go through the budget on a line-by-line basis to find ways to make state government leaner and more efficient. House Republicans will also continue the fight for truth and transparency in the budget process.
Iowa Tuition Grants
The majority party voted in support of cutting 4.2 million dollars from the Iowa Tuition Grant program which focuses on aiding students in private colleges such as Simpson. That is a cut of more than $300.00 per student. I did not support making this cut. This is a program I view favorably because students that participate tend to remain in Iowa and reinvest their lives here.
HF 815, another bill, that benefits our college students, will require the boards of directors of the community colleges and the state board of regents to enter into a collective statewide articulation agreement to provide for the seamless transfer of academic credits from a completed associate of arts or associates of science degree program offered by a community college to a baccalaureate degree program offered by a regents university. In other words, when a student takes a class at a community college, those classes will be guaranteed to transfer to a state college or university. Community colleges and universities have been working on articulation agreements for years and this bill will help finalize that process.
Federal Deductibility and Marriage Amendment
Over the past two weeks, we have seen numerous demonstrations on both the federal deductibility and the marriage amendment issues. I have received several hundred emails and phone calls on these two issues alone. Thank you for communicating your thoughts to me.
I don’t believe that we will see federal deductibility debated on the House floor this year, but this issue is far from over. I encourage you to stay diligent and informed. This could very well be debated next year. I have made it clear that I believe a tax on a tax is not good for the people of Iowa.
Following the Supreme Court’s ruling, my opinion on marriage has not changed. I continue to believe that marriage should be defined as one man and one woman.
There have been attempts made to bring House Joint Resolution 6 to the House floor for debate. Passage of HJR 6 would be the first step allowing the people of Iowa to vote on this issue. The majority party has blocked every attempt made. We will continue to work for passage of a marriage amendment.
There have been numerous emails and phone calls attacking and threatening people on both sides of this issue. This is not productive for either side of the issue. Please be courteous as you contact your legislators regarding this subject.
Continue to stay involved and do not hesitate to contact me regarding issues that are important to you.