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Your Capitol Voice: Expect heated debate on complex issues
by Jeff Kaufmann, State Representative · Op-Ed · January 16, 2008
I am writing my first column of the year on the eve of the opening of the new legislative session.
Tomorrow I will be on the road to Des Moines at 6 a.m. and by the time you read this column, we will be off and running. There is always a degree of both excitement and trepidation before a new session. Besides all of the specific issues that inevitably emerge, there is always heated debate on complex issues involving education, health care, economic development, energy, and infrastructure funding.
Every legislator enters the Capitol with a set of priorities. As a member of the minority party, I now have to be much more creative in order to deal with my concerns and issues.
A few personal philosophies will guide my actions and the tone of this weekly column. I believe that no one political party or politician has all the answers and I will not “cast stones” at the other party. I will work with my Democratic colleagues when I can, and I will also “dig in my heels” when we are going in a direction that I do not believe is good for Iowa. Quite often political battles do not break down by party but sometimes rural and urban or even the political extremes versus the middle. Regardless of the issue, speaking for small town/rural Iowa is the overriding reason why you send me to Des Moines.
Hopefully my priorities reflect your priorities. Since the end of the session last May, I have attended over 180 meetings, events, forums, community gatherings, and ceremonies. I keep this aggressive schedule in order to gather ideas and truly understand your concerns and opinions. I will not make everyone happy, that is for sure, but do know that my sense of the District is based on hundreds and hundreds of hours of contact and conversation.
So what are my priorities?
1. Making health care more affordable and ensuring that no one is denied health insurance or denied the right to switch insurance coverage. This is the No. 1 topic that people talk to me about, especially small business owners. There is much work to be done here.
2. Fiscal responsibility. Last year government spending increased by 21 percent. That is obviously not sustainable or reasonable regardless of the spin. I will work against any budget that spends more than we have in revenue. For the past decade Des Moines has done a better job than Washington. We slipped last year.
3. Following through on promises to our students and educators and ensuring accountability and standards at every level, including our universities.
4. Continued economic development which includes a more competitive commercial property tax rate, a more reasonable regulatory environment, and business incentives that are distributed more fairly to our small towns and rural areas. It is critical that we preserve our status as a Right to Work state. Attempts last year to weaken our Right to Work law were ill-advised in my opinion. As Iowans we should have the right to join a union but we should also have the right to not be a part of one. It should be an individual choice.
5. A forward-looking renewable energy policy with a goal of energy independence.
6. Ensure strong property rights protection and strengthen the law that was passed in 2006. Unfortunately developers and governments have found ways around our law. Currently there are thousands of Iowans at risk of losing their land, homes and businesses in the name of economic development and oftentimes greed.
7. Ensuring that sales tax revenue spent by our rural and small town citizens in the larger urban areas are shared back with us for education and property tax relief. This initiative, also known as statewide SILO, will be a topic this year.
8. Fund our veterans’ benefits at a rate that is much higher. Iowa is among the worst in the nation in this category. This is not acceptable. Period. Also when the ACLU makes its inevitable attempt to overturn the protection of our flag, we must hold firm.
In the next two weeks, you will be provided the opportunity to fill out a survey on various state issues. Last time you provided me 300 completed surveys which were very helpful.
I am also planning at least 15 Listening Posts in every single community during the next three months.
I need to hear from you. Here is how to do that:
• Fill out my survey. Details next week.
• Attend a Listening Post. (See this column for upcoming dates.)
• E-mail me: jeff.kaufmann@legis.state.ia.us
• Write me: State Capitol, Des Moines, IA, 50319
• Call me: 515-281-3221
Thank you again for this opportunity to serve you.
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