Rozenboom Report (4/4/2014)
Ken Rozenboom (R) at his desk in the Iowa Senate Chambers.
by Ken Rozenboom
We have just completed the twelfth week of the legislative session. It’s disappointing to me that we seem to have gotten off track with finishing up the work we have to do. Our colleagues in the Senate majority appear to be far more interested in scoring political points in an election year than they are in wrapping up the session. We all want answers to the termination contracts of state employees, but we can do that without the daily theatrics we witness on the floor of the Senate.
I hope we can finish up in Des Moines by mid to late April. We have worked our way through about thirty bills on the Senate floor the last two weeks. Despite House Republicans and Senate Democrats offering joint budget targets several weeks ago, Senate Democrats began offering amendments this week to individual budget bills that demonstrate their penchant for increasing spending when they have the opportunity. Do you think it is wise to spend $50,000 on office furniture and computers for three people? I imagine an overwhelming majority of people would answer no. This week, 24 Senate Republicans offered a resounding no when voting for an amendment allocating $50,000 for office furnishings for the Public Information Board in the Admin and Reg budget.
Wednesday was a special day in the Iowa Senate. It was a privilege for me to join the Senate body in congratulating my Senate Republican colleague Senator Nancy Boettger. She was honored as the recipient of the 2014 Herbert Hoover Uncommon Public Service Award.
I have great respect for the dedication, vision and service Senator Boettger has offered our great state for the past 20 years. I was disappointed to learn last summer she would not be seeking re-election this year. She is a wonderful individual who works tirelessly for her district and all Iowans.
Senator Boettger is very deserving of this prestigious award, presented by the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library Association. The Uncommon Public Service distinction is awarded annually to an Iowa state senator and an Iowa House member who exemplifies President Herbert Hoover’s humanitarian efforts and commitment to uncommon service.
She was nominated for the award by officials at Iowa Western Community College. I believe those nominating Senator Boettger truly understand her desire to make Iowa a better place to live, learn and raise a family for future generations. I think this quote from the IWCC officials truly depicts the passion Senator Boettger brought for two decades to the Iowa Senate.
“She will be remembered by her peers on both sides of the aisle as honorable, hard-working, generous, and a sincere public servant who valued her role and displayed compassion in her day-to-day efforts to make Iowa the best place to live and raise a family. In future years, many will remember Senator Boettger served the public in a manner representing Herbert Hoover’s words, ‘Let us remember that the great human advances have not been brought about by distinctly mediocre men and women. They were brought about by distinctly uncommon people with vital sparks of leadership.'”
The last legislative forum on my calendar this year is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Saturday morning, April 5, at the Bridgeview Center in Ottumwa. Please feel free to join us.
