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Your Capitol Voice: Reviewing guv’s pitch for 2017
by Bobby Kaufmann, State Representative · Op-Ed · January 19, 2017
The 2017 General Assembly is officially underway. My first column of the year will focus on how the year is looking from a 20,000 foot view rather than diving into specific issues.
In future columns I will continue to focus on a few key areas each week. For the first time since 1996 Republicans control all three branches of Iowa Government. We will lead and we will be bold, but that does not mean that I will change a single thing about the way I have operated over the last four years. As I have said time and time again, over 70 percent of the votes we take are bi-partisan and collaborative. Collaborative votes do not make the news. There will be areas of disagreement and we will proceed with governing but I will continue to reach out to anyone, in either party, who has an idea that is in the best interest of my constituents. I will continue to work with anyone whose goal is legislating with common-sense. Senator Dvorsky is still our Senator and I will continue to work with him to find areas of agreement and progress for our District.
I am very pleased with my committee assignments. My top priority was to be appointed as the Chair of the Government Oversight Committee. Speaker Upmeyer re-appointed me to the post and I hope to be able to continue to help constituents solve problems when there is a logjam in Government. Hopefully this session does not produce any big problems, BUT if another Fort Madison prison-type fiasco or Keokuk Boarding School scandal pops up – we will be ready.
My committee assignments also include:
• Ways and Means – Arguably, this is the most influential committee in the Iowa Legislature. Any legislation involving tax rates, cuts, increases, or fees have to go through this committee. A fair percentage of bills that pass a policy committee must pass the Ways and means Committee as well before they come to the floor for debate. I am excited for the opportunity to serve on this committee and will do everything I can to help fix the mental health funding inequity in our district.
• State Government – This is a new committee for me as well. Dozens of issues are discussed in State Government from personal privacy to election laws to gambling to licensing.
• Local Government – I was re-appointed to this committee. Local government deals with a lot of issues related to your city councils, school boards, and Boards of Supervisors.
• My fifth and final committee is the Environmental Protection Committee. I have never served on this committee before and am excited for the opportunities it presents.
Last week, Governor Branstad presented what will be his final State of the State Address. He was given a warm welcome from legislators from both parties. As in any speech I found areas of agreement and areas where I am not in agreement.
Agreement:
1. School funding set within the first 30 days and exempt from the budget cuts.
2. He is dedicated to a source for an aggressive water quality program; he has tasked the legislature with coming up with a good bill.
3. More workforce development to create a highly skilled labor pool to meet our demands as Iowa’s economy continues to grow and diversify.
Disagreement
1. The Governor’s budget has a cut to Public Safety which would directly affect the amount of Troopers on the road and their upcoming academy. Finding more funds for more troopers and ensuring the next academy happens is a top priority for me.
2. As promised, I intend to pass a robust property rights protection bill this session. While the Governor did not mention eminent domain in his speech, I am hopeful he will sign my bill once it is passed.
3. The Governor’s budget included a disproportionate cut to Iowa community colleges. This is not acceptable to me given their mission for workforce development and affordable education for all.
Capitol visitors: Roger and Sara Lande, Mark Henning, Muscatine; Bruce Barnhart, West Branch; Don Roth, Dave Mohr, Tipton; Dave Timmerman, Bennett; Lance Kephart, Durant; Al Kroeger, Jim Williams, Mike Shuger, Jill Urmie, Wilton.
Listening Posts: January 21 — 10 AM Tipton Farm Bureau, then 2 PM Palmer House Stables, Solon
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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