Category Archives: Uncategorized

Capitol Update 11/25/12

As Fiscal Cliff Approaches, Possible Tax Increases in 2013 The current Congress, which some have graded as the least effective in recent history, returns to session mid-November before breaking again on November 17.  They will take another week off for Thanksgiving and hope to adjourn by mid-December.  Many will be watching the progress they canContinue reading “Capitol Update 11/25/12”

Capitol Update August 23, 2012

Iowa Public Information Board Up and Running  The newly created Iowa Public Information Board had its initial meetings recently. The board was created by Senate File 430 and has nine members appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate. The board is currently operating under transitional provisions. The board will begin its case workContinue reading “Capitol Update August 23, 2012”

Capitol Update for June 9th, 2012

Education Reform  A bill bringing some minor education reform finally made it through the legislature the last day of session.  The bill, nearly a year in the making, began as a conversation last summer when the Governor convened an Education Summit bringing together Iowa’s education community and education experts from around the country and culminatedContinue reading “Capitol Update for June 9th, 2012”

Capital Update 2012 End of Session

Lake Delhi Funding As you have probability heard by now both the House and Senate have approved the funding for Lake Delhi.  The state will fund $2.5 million in FY13 and FY14 for a total of $5 million. Some of the key considerations for the Iowa House was the impact on the Maquoketa Valley SchoolContinue reading “Capital Update 2012 End of Session”

Capital Update for April 28, 2012

House Passes Mental Health Redesign Bill On Tuesday, the House of Representatives gave bipartisan support to legislation redesigning the way state and local governments provide mental health services to Iowans.  The vote was the culmination of two years of work by legislators, state and county officials, service providers, and consumers to improve Iowa’s mental healthContinue reading “Capital Update for April 28, 2012”

Capitol Update for April 19th, 2012

Recap of Week 15 Tuesday was the 100th day of the Legislative Session. Today is the last day the clerks and pages will be with us in the House. We’ve been working hard to wrap everything up and hope to adjourn sometime next week. Tentative Deal on Total State Spending Reached Late last week aContinue reading “Capitol Update for April 19th, 2012”

Capitol Update for April 12, 2012

Recap of Week 14 On Tuesday, the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association visited the Capitol. I always enjoy meeting with the Cattlemen as they are important to Iowa’s Agriculture community. Beef production is an important part of Iowa’s economy and the Cattlemen work hard to promote the quality of beef coming from the state. This week IContinue reading “Capitol Update for April 12, 2012”

Capitol Update for April 5th, 2012

Update for Week 13 Debate over traffic cameras was interrupted on Tuesday when Representative Abdul-Samad opened a letter containing a white, powdery substance. The substance was determined to be non-hazardous after several hours of being on lockdown. The haz-mat crew came into the Chamber as part of the investigation, just two desks away from me.Continue reading “Capitol Update for April 5th, 2012”