Sheets Snapshot 6-22-2015
Rep. Larry Sheets (R) (photo by Don Hubbard)
Representatives and Senators have been working without pay since the end of April, so this battle has been arduous. We have done the job of making the tough decisions on what is necessary and what is only wanted. This process has driven the fight into conference committees to reach some kind of agreement. With this, came a compromise in education. In addition to the 1.25% Supplemental State Aid, an additional $53.6 Million of so-called “one time money” has been approved for our school districts in proportion to their enrollment. This is about a 2.6% total increase.
Further, two interesting Bills were recently signed by Governor Branstad:
* Safe at Home – HF585 establishes an address confidentiality program for victims of domestic abuse, domestic abuse assault, sexual abuse, stalking or for a person in fear of the person’s safety or another person’s safety.
* Rural Improvement Zones (RIZ) – HF615 relates to the establishment, operation, and dissolution of rural improvement zones. I have been involved in this Bill for three years. It Sunsets RIZs, gives county supervisors latitude in reviewing petitions, shares the tax revenue with the county after significant growth has occurred, and uses the most recent certified federal census to determine RIZ applicability.
There were more than a dozen Budget Bills that had to go to conference. These essentially keep the engine of government fueled for another year. It is difficult to express the stress that comes with these votes because amendments are often attached that wouldn’t stand on their own. I am convinced that it is more important not to pass a bad Bill than to pass a good one. Unfortunately in the past, taxpayers began to fund Planned Parenthood. Now, it seems that the only way that changes is if conservatives have both the House and Senate majority. It is disturbing to know that our laws do not protect and defend innocent and unborn children, but for me to have to pay people that profit from abortions is even more repugnant. I, along with 3 other legislators voted against the Health and Human Services budget for this reason alone.
I am glad to see this session end and plan this to be the last Snapshot. I appreciate your editor making this space available to let you know what’s happening in Des Moines. This year my youngest son is pushing me to go fishing…
Contact info: larry.sheets@legis.iowa.gov or 641-895-6153.
