There was further evidence last week that middle-class Iowa families and employers are continuing to feel the pinch of the deepening national recession.The state's Revenue Estimating Conference (REC) met and lowered Iowa's revenue forecast for the current fiscal year and next fiscal year. This ...
This week we have moved more legislation than the whole session so far. Most are still non-controversial bills that clean up existing code or allow for the normal functions of State Government.Great news, we just passed out of the State Senate, SF 440, which relates to prescription drug ...
On Friday, March 20 at 10 a.m., the Revenue Estimating Conference (REC) will meet to review and revise the general fund revenue estimates for FY 2009 and FY 2010. According to two members of the REC, the estimates for both fiscal years are expected to decrease. The Code states that if the REC ...
We continue to adjust state spending and boost job-creation efforts in response to the deepening national recession.Although economic conditions have nosedived in recent months, I am more committed than ever to balancing the state budget without raising taxes and to increasing investment to ...
I had a frantic parent contact me, telling me that her school will no longer allow pop to be sold at their sports' concession stands. She wanted to know what stupid law we passed was responsible for this change? (Paraphrasing her comment)Wellthe new law is the Healthy Kids Act. The Department ...
The Iowa Legislature wants more jobs, but they dislike employers!We could argue forever which came first, the chicken or the egg. But that's not the case when it comes to creating jobs. We need a willing employer prior to any job creation.Every legislator steps to the microphone exclaiming Iowa ...
The overriding issue of the 2009 session is responding to the deepening national recession and its impact on middle-class Iowa families.More Iowa families are losing jobs they depend on. Iowa small businesses are seeing sales drop. And homeowners are facing foreclosure.Our job in the ...
Alliantplant lossAs the temperature warms up outside, things are heating up inside the Capitol as well. Bills flying in and out of sub-committees and full committees all trying to find a spot on the floor of their respective chambers for debate.I was dismayed late yesterday to hear of Alliant ...
OkI know you're thinking this is going to be an article about requiring both legal or illegal immigrants to speak English. No, this is about attorneys or legislators and their inability to say what they really mean! I spend every day reading newly proposed legislation, and every day I have to ...
I'm working to make affordable health care available to all Iowans. As we make progress, we help middle-class Iowa families and strengthen our state's economy. At the same time, we solve health care problems that have troubled Iowans for years.How bad is the health care crisis? A new poll by ...