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Your Capitol Voice: Appears a consensus wants to decide education budget now
by Bobby Kaufmann, State Representative · Op-Ed · February 11, 2016
Another week is passed and another week has begun. I appreciate all of the feedback I am receiving. It is never far from my mind that all of you are my bosses.
Education: K-12 funding is in conference committee. This conference committee includes 10 members – three House Republicans, three Senate Democrats, two Senate Republicans, and two House Democrats. There seems to be a consensus to get this done as soon as possible. I don’t think a February decision on education spending is out of the question. We have a good and fair start.
Tax coupling – The tax coupling bill has passed the House in an overwhelming bipartisan vote. Small business owners and farmers are counting on this to get done as quickly as possible. It is my hope that the Senate picks this up and passes it in an expedient manner. To not couple with the feds would be a devastating blow to nearly every farmer and small business owner in my District. In the past, this has been a routine bill…it is disappointing that the other chamber is not acting on it yet.
Penny Sales Tax Changes:
1) In his Condition of the State address, Governor Branstad discussed an idea to extend the 1-cent tax sunset date. This extension allows school districts to bond against it for 20 years, potentially saving millions of dollars in property taxes for infrastructure projects. The Governor, though, diverts a portion of the growth to fund water quality programs. This plan will still guarantee the first $10 million of growth each year would be used for school districts first, while the remainder would go toward water quality. The bill will likely get read in next week. I have very deep concerns in diverting these dollars away from education. I believe there are many other ways to fund water quality initiatives.
2) The House Ways and Means committee is considering a bill which is intended to take SAVE (penny sales tax fund) back to its roots, when it started as the SILO tax. This bill caps the SAVE fund at the current per pupil level and requires the additional generated revenue be used for property tax relief. Additionally, projects over $1 million would require a vote of the people. The bill had a subcommittee early in the week with intention to continue meeting on future dates.
3) The Education committee is currently considering two bills that would keep the penny sales tax funding for education, but opens up the SAVE fund to address various inequities school districts face. These include transportation costs, spending authority, and districts with high property tax rates due to lower property value. This bill caps growth on the fund and diverts all the new growth to these inequities. Another version allows the growth to continue but adds these inequities as additional allowed expenses. Both of these bills have passed subcommittee and are expected to receive full committee discussion soon.
Autism Insurance - Currently coverage for autism is mandated under state insurance plans. I have had a number of constituents reach out to me about their significant concerns with a number of insurance plans not covering autism. It is crippling families who are affected by this issue. It is my firm belief that no family should have to choose between making their mortgage payment and getting their child with autism the proper care they need. Statistics show that in the five years since state employee health insurance included autism treatment, premiums have gone up $.29 per month per member. This is a small price to pay to help those in need.
RICL – An exciting development in regard to the Rock Island Clean Line is that The Government Oversight committee investigation is bearing fruit. This Wednesday I will receive a full report with recommendations from the panel. Wednesday I also assign the bill in Oversight that will put some significant restrictions and barriers for the Clean Line. Next week I will go through the bill in detail.
I will also give you an outline of the medical marijuana bill that will be discussed in the Commerce committee and appears to have some momentum.
Capitol visitors: Pat Hocking, Dave Prasil, Alan Mallie, Ann Cannon, Abbie Stensland, Eric Ries, Lisbon; Joe Burnett, Mike Shuger, Wilton; Laura Reed, Melissa Heggebo, Jerry Forrester, Iowa City.
Listening Post Schedule, 8:30 a.m. Feb. 13 at West Branch Library, then 10:30 a.m. Feb. 13 at Mechanicsville Library
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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