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Your Capitol Voice: Education funding reaches floor early in 2016
by Bobby Kaufmann, State Representative · Op-Ed · January 28, 2016
As we begin the third week of session, committee work and floor debate is picking up significantly.
This week alone I have eight committee meetings, three subcommittees, a Government Oversight meeting, and seven different groups of constituents from back home visiting the Capitol.
If you haven’t been to the Capitol please consider coming! I will do everything in my power to make time to visit with you, take a picture, attend a committee meeting with me, or watch floor debate. Here is a list of issues I expect us to discuss this week:
Education – I expect education funding to be the first bill out of the House. We are scheduled to debate this issue Monday night. One thing worth noting is that in addition to education funding being resolved early this year, I am hearing a growing amount of voices discussing other education policy priorities. I am glad that education as a whole is being discussed as opposed to just funding. The issues that are being discussed include: schools transportation costs, extending the penny for school infrastructure and property tax relief, testing (see below), 3rd grade retention, and per pupil inequity in many school districts. If education is a priority for you, please send me an email with your advice and thoughts. Education will continue to be my top priority.
Education Testing – The Department of Education attempted to switch what you know as the Iowa Test of Basic Skills to another method of testing known as “Smarter Balanced.” I strongly disagreed with this decision. I think it is clear in the Iowa code that testing changes need to go through the legislature. I would take it a step further and say that major testing changes should go through the legislature so we can gather the input of constituents. I would like to defer to local control as much as possible. Thankfully, the House and Senate Rules committee voted 10-0 to not allow this change to be made this year. The ball is now in our court. I have heard from many teachers that switching to Smarter Balanced is not something that they advise. I am hearing concerns about the quality of the test as a whole, costs, and the fact that it is not Iowa-based. Please weigh in.
Taxes and Depreciation – Another issue I have been getting a lot of calls and emails about is the state coupling with federal tax code. The state yearly “couples” with the federal government to allow farmers, small businesses, and anyone with capital investments to deduct depreciation from their taxes. This is a critical tool for business owners and farmers and I am strongly pushing to get this done as soon as possible. To not do so is unacceptable and incredibly unfair to those who have made investments based off something that is common sense and routine.
Appropriations Review – We have one exciting change in the appropriation process. Many budget items that have not historically been vetted are now going through a thorough review process. Rep. Pat Grassley is the new Appropriations Chair and he has decided to review what is known as the “Standings Appropriations” bill. Unlike other line items in the budget there is a series of state appropriations that are established either in the Iowa Code or Iowa Constitution. Many of the items in the “Standings Bill” continue to be funded every year without serious legislative review. I applaud this new approach; there is nothing wrong with Government justifying its expenses and looking for ways to reform and make government more efficient.
Caucuses – This will be my last column before the February 1st caucuses. No matter what political party you are affiliated with or what candidate you support, I want to encourage everyone to caucus. If you are an independent or not registered, you can register at the caucus itself. If you need to know where your caucus site is, Republican or Democrat, I will be a resource to anyone who needs information.
Capitol visitors: Ron and Sam Hansen, Dick Frick, Richard Stoltenberg Durant; Bruce Barnhart, Wayne Frauenholtz, Leif McGowan, Steve Colcord, Bruce Jeffries, Mike Pershin, John Phillips West Branch; Ken Roccholz, Walcott.
Listening Post Schedule, Jan. 30: 8 a.m. Bennett American Legion; 10:30 a.m. Clarence City Council chambers; 1 p.m. Lowden City Council chambers
You may contact Rep. Kaufmann at bobby.kaufmann@legis.iowa.gov, 515-281-3221 or 1527 330th St. Wilton, IA, 52778
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