Sheets Snapshot 1-23-2016

Dear friends in District 80. Hope you are staying warm as we begin our 2016 Legislative session. During our first week, we had 2 Joint Sessions; the first with Governor Branstad and the second with Chief Justice Mark Cady.

The Governor related that the State of Iowa has moved up in ranking to the 3rd best managed state in the Union. He also noted that State funding for K-12 education is up 35% since 2010 (6.2% annually), while that Iowa family income has grown 18.3% (3.4% annually) over the same time. This means the education budget is growing annually at a rate 2.8`% faster than the family taxpayers’ budget.

For the second year in a row, education funding will be the first Bill passed by the House. Representatives are moving forward on more funding for schools by $81M. When state aid is coupled with the $53M for Teacher Leadership and Compensation (TLC), Iowa will be spending 84% of new available revenue for FY17 on K-12 education. This leaves only 16% for everything else that our state government has to do.

4 years ago we had a surplus of approximately $1 billion. Each year the bipartisan Revenue Estimating Committee predicts the ongoing revenue to be received for the coming year. Budgets are based on this predicted income. Each year, for the last 4 years, the actual revenues have been woefully less than predicted because of the declining agriculture prices and overall economy. So each year, we have been draining our surplus, and this year I believe it will be exhausted.

This year the Governor is proposing to divert funds from the SAVE (Secure an Advanced Vision for Education) fund to water quality improvements. SAVE funds come from a 1% sales tax and was originally voted on by the people for the purpose of educational capital expenses. I don’t think it should be diverted without an approving vote by the people.

Jan 22 was the last day for Representatives to submit individual Bills. So last week was a rush of effort getting sponsors for these Bills. My legislative efforts will always be to protect your wallets, preserve your rights, insure your privacy, support small school districts, and promote economic growth in District 80.

Thank you for this opportunity to serve you.

Upcoming forums:

* Feb 6: League of Women Voters @9:30am at Bridge View in Ottumwa

* Feb 13 : “Osky Eggs & Issues” @ 8:30am at Smokey Row in Oskaloosa.

Please contact me with any questions or concerns at larry.sheets@legis.iowa.gov or 641-895-6153.