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Your Capitol Voice: Eliminating political checkoffs, unfair insurance
by Bobby Kaufmann, State Representative · Op-Ed · February 09, 2017
This week I want to write about two issues that might fly under the radar, but I believe have significance to my constituents.
I want to end with a discussion about education funding. There are very large issues to tackle this session, but there will also be many bills that are more focused and less intense.
These “smaller” bills are typically bi-partisan and momentum builders as we work towards tackling and perfecting the larger, more complex, issues.
Autism Insurance — I have written in the past about the inequities when it comes to insurance coverage for families that have children with autism.
It is completely unacceptable to me that state employees’ children are covered under their state insurance, but non-state employees are not.
Legislators and government officials should not have any perks or laws that do not apply to the general public.
A deal has been struck between the autism advocacy groups and the insurance companies, and by the time you read this article, the bill should have passed the Commerce committee – a major milestone that had not yet been achieved in the House. I will work hard for its passage.
Political Check-offs — This bill is not an earth-changing bill.
It is, however, the first bill assigned to me in my new assignment in the Ways and Means committee.
I find this bill to be a small step in my desire to make government better, more efficient, and simpler.
Currently there is space on our one-page tax form for a check-off to donate to political parties.
Our tax page is so full and “busy” that the font makes it hard to read.
The bill I am running will remove the political check-off for both parties.
I do not believe it is the role of government to help raise funds for political parties.
Education Funding — An agreement has been reached with the House and Senate to provide an additional $40 million dollars for K-12 funding.
This amounts to a 1.1% increase.
Many of you, including myself, are unhappy with this number.
Many of the large schools in this state can get along fine with that number but because of our funding formula and decreasing enrollment, small schools in this district are not getting what they need.
The silver lining is that this bill is scheduled to be debated and signed into law within the first 30 days as the law requires.
I have been advocating for this compliance since I was first elected to the Legislature.
While the funding amount is low it should not go without notice that for the first time in years, schools will know exactly what number they will be getting at the right time.
In addition, remember, K-12 funding was one of the few areas that was held harmless from the de-appropriation cuts last week.
It is no secret that this year’s budget is tight.
My hope is that during this session we can make some changes so FY18 budgets have more flexibility.
One bill I have filed is an attempt to help our small schools. The bill contains a SAVE fund extension and flexibility package.
My bill will extend the SAVE penny 20 years which will help with infrastructure funds as well as bonding opportunities.
Additionally, it will outline flexibilities for schools that they currently do not have, such as using those funds for transportation and testing.
It may take the full two-year General Assembly, but this is a priority of mine.
Capitol visitors: Mike Carberry, Iowa City; Larry Kudej, Swisher; Mike Shuger, Wilton; Dawn Smith, Durant; Brittini Bixler, Payton Timmerman, Tipton; Durant/Wilton FCCLA, Wilton FFA, West Branch FFA, Tipton FFA.
Listening Posts-February 11: 8:30 a.m. Bennett American Legion; 10:30 a.m. Lowden City Hall; 1 p.m. Clarence 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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