The Dickey Dispatch – February 18th, 2022

by Senator Adrian Dickey

Week six is funnel week and is the first legislative deadline of the session. It certainly is one of the busiest weeks of the year. With the exception of bills in Appropriations, Ways and Means, and Government Oversight committees, the rest of the Senate bills need to be out of their assigned committees in order for them to be debated by the full Senate and considered in the House of Representatives. This self-imposed deadline narrows the focus to the most important legislation of the year. I am happy that several of my bills have made it through this deadline and remain alive for the rest of the session.

During the week, I met with several local groups that were visiting the Capitol. We are blessed to have several very active Young Republicans chapters throughout the state, and on Tuesday they gathered in Des Moines. It was great to visit with them and to once again see how energized they are. They have such desire to spread the word on what makes the Republican Party in Iowa so great! Later in the week, Judy Davidson and Jenna Burgin from the Coalition for Family and Children’s Services stopped by to discuss the great things they are doing for many of children in our district that are facing substantial challenges and difficult times in their lives. I was also able to jump out of a meeting to visit with the Davis County Home School Assistance Group as they toured the Capitol. Please do not forget, the Capitol is your building. If you ever stop by to tour the beauty of it, please let me know so I can try to set a time to visit with you.

One of the committee bills that made it through this week was Senate Study Bill 3146. This bill is aimed at fairness in school sports and requires only female students, based on their sex, may participate in any team, sport, or athletic event designated as being for females. This bill is not attacking anyone or their identity. It simply observes the biological differences between males and females and ensures all athletes have an equal opportunity to accomplish their athletic goals.

Another bill that was debated this week was determining additional funds for K-12 education in Iowa would be provided for the next school year. We do this early on in the session so schools can set their budgets for the next year. What is also important is ensuring we designate a sustainable and responsible amount we know we can deliver. The dollars allocated in this bill, House File 2316, are additional funds to the billions we already spend in K-12 education every year. All education funding in Iowa takes over half of the state budget at $3.5 billion. House File 2316 dedicates nearly $160 million in additional spending for K-12 schools for the next fiscal year.

Since Republicans have been in control, K-12 schools in Iowa have received an additional $400 million. With the passage of this legislation, Iowa will be spending $7,413 per student. That amount does not include the local and federal dollars that are also allocated to K-12 education. Senate Republicans have a long record of responsible budgeting and delivering on the promises we have made. This bill continues that promise.

Education receives the majority of the increase in funding this year and a majority of the state budget. K-12 education will receive nearly $160 million more in funding, ensuring reliable, sustainable increases for public schools. This budget outline also includes $71 million for mental health funding and the complete elimination of the property tax levy for mental health.

Keeping spending under control makes sure the largest income tax cut in Iowa history is sustainable. The Senate tax cut plan implements a flat 3.6 percent tax rate and will save Iowa taxpayers an average of nearly $1600/ year when fully implemented. It eliminates taxes on pensions, reforms the corporate tax rate to make it flatter and fairer, and provides retirement relief for Iowa farmers.

This plan with greatly improve Iowa’s income tax rate from the eighth highest rate to the fourth lowest in the country. It puts the state on the path to eliminate the income tax and eases the burden of government on hard-working Iowans. As chairman of the Senate Labor and Business Relations committee, I firmly believe that a lower tax rate will make Iowa more competitive in the global economy and will help attract employees from other states to join us Iowans in all that we have to offer.

The reckless policies in Washington, D.C. have created the worst inflation crisis in four decades. Senate Republicans will control our state spending to provide some relief to the inflation problems that our country is experiencing. We will continue to provide predictable and reliable increases to state government. The focus of the Iowa Senate is on cutting taxes to ensure families keep more of what they earn and ease the inflation burden caused by spendthrift D.C. Democrats.

Thank you for your support!