Greetings from Under the Golden Dome This week we have debated a number of bills working our way up to Appropriations. In a little different form this week I would like to relay a message I gave on the Senate floor for National Ag Day honoring a great Iowan, who I believe has not been […]
by Rep. Guy Vander Linden House File 604, the FY14/15 Education Appropriations Bill, appropriates $894.9 million in FY14 and $816.4 million in FY15 (85% of FY14) in General Fund dollars for the Department for the Blind, the College Student Aid Commission, the Department of Education, Community Colleges, Vocational Rehabilitation, Iowa Public Television, and the Board […]
(DES MOINES) – Wednesday, Rep. Guy Vander Linden (R-Oskaloosa) supported House File 478, a bill that leaves more money in Iowans’ pocketbooks and reduces Iowans’ income taxes. The bill gives Iowans a choice when paying their income taxes, either the current system or a 4.5 percent flat tax with zero deductions or credits. No one […]
Greetings from Under the Golden Dome This week saw floor action on numerous bills in the Senate. These bills all pretty much enjoyed bipartisan consensus and moved through rather quickly. The more contentious bills are still waiting for Senator Tom Courtney (D-Burlington) to return from surgery to provide the 26th vote for the majority. A […]
Government is properly committed to assuring that all children receive a minimum education. It currently does so by setting up and running schools, assigning students to a school district, and funding education for those who attend the government schools. Students either go to their designated schools or else they do not benefit from the government […]
This was funnel week. No floor action took place in the Senate. The flurry of action was at the sub-committee and committee levels. Legislators and staff were working hard to funnel-proof legislation to make it eligible for floor debate, thus avoiding the label, “It’s Dead.” In order to be considered funnel-proof a bill must survive […]
Des Moines, Iowa – It’s been a week now since Senator Ken Rozenboom gave his point of priviledge speech on the Senate floor. As his fellow Republican Senator Brad Zaun said, “you could have heard a pin drop” during his speech. Rozenboom said that several events happened in the week leading up to his speech, […]
By all accounts this legislative session, at least on the Senate side, is notable for having a very limited number of bills up for consideration. From my perspective that’s good for two reasons. First, for those of us that are first year legislators, a lighter load gives us a little time to learn the process […]
Allowable Growth for Fiscal Year 2015 Continuing to put the cart before the horse Two weeks ago the Senate voted to set the Fiscal Year 2014 Allowable Growth rate at 4%. We spoke out about the disservice that setting the rate without education reform provides students. The money we give schools is useless without the […]
Iowa’s Secretary of State’s proposal to require voter identification, HSB 23, is making its way through State Government Committee with the hopes of requiring proof of identification and proof of residence in order to register to vote or to vote. Guaranteeing Iowa’s elections are fair and accurate is important. The governor’s education reform bill passed […]
