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Your Capitol Voice: Allowable growth: 4 or 6 percent?
by Bobby Kaufmann, State Representative · Op-Ed · April 24, 2014
This week there was significant progress on a number of fronts. I will provide you with an update of each.
Easter has come and gone with no adjournment but the end is near. April 22nd marks the 100th day of the session so any day I am in Des Moines after that will come out of my pocket not yours.
The Transportation and Judicial Branch budgets are on their way to the Governor. The Infrastructure budget (casino taxes used for building projects) and Justice Systems budget (prisons) are in Conference Committee to work out differences between the two chambers. The Administration, Agriculture, Economic Development, Health and Human Services, and Education budgets are all moving smoothly through the process.
We will do Debt Reduction this week and that leaves the huge “catch-all” budget bill called Standings left to do. There is no reason we can’t be done in a matter of days…we shall see.
Education: Last Tuesday night we debated the Education Appropriations bill. I have heard clearly from you that you want to see Allowable Growth set for 2016 before the session ends. I have always contended that the compromise to this impasse is to set Allowable Growth for 2016 then change the law so that it is set the first 30 days of each session.
Four Republicans, including myself, voted with Democrats for 6 percent Allowable Growth to be set for 2016.
I still feel uncomfortable committing that much of our state budget without knowing our revenues, but all of the schools in my district have unanimously asked me to support setting the 2016 figure, as well as hundreds of citizens. I decided to break with my party and vote yes.
I was hoping that by actually setting this figure we would force the conversation for 2016 and eventually through negotiation end at 4 percent. Additionally we can include a change in the law to set the figure at the beginning of each session when state revenues are better known.
The amendment actually won 50-48 with my support, but it had to reach 51 votes to be placed on the bill. I intend to make another run at setting Allowable Growth before session is over.
Bottom line, is that my constituents come before party…everyone says this, but last week my actions proved my words and I will do so again.
The biggest piece of the Education budget is the first of three total installments for the Teacher Leadership Compensation (TLC) system that was part of 2013’s education reform initiative. $50 million was appropriated to the first round of grantees, with $50 million to follow each of the next two years.
In addition to this education reform funding, the bill also provides K-12 funding for pilots for English Language Learning initiatives, Iowa Learning Online courses available for districts to use, funding for administrator mentoring and coaching which is necessary for the success of the TLC system, and funding for AEAs to support the TLC system.
And finally, it provided another important part of the early literacy initiative in 2012’s education reform bill by providing $1.9 million requested to provide districts with an early warning literacy assessment necessary to identify students struggling with literacy before grade 4.
Eminent Domain: I have written many times about my attempts to curb egregious abuse of our property rights. I have passed this language numerous times and failed to get a hearing in the Senate.
In my latest attempt, we put the language in the Ag/DNR budget. The Senate has stripped it out so that budget now goes to a conference committee. I have been appointed to that committee so be rest assured that I will fight hard for it.
I have also heard from many of you regarding funding to Iowa State for research and water quality measurements in the Nutrient Reduction strategy. This conference committee sets that dollar figure as well.
Community Colleges: There is a major battle going on right now regarding workforce training.
The debate is whether the community colleges should control this or whether we should consolidate the power into the Economic Development Authority in Des Moines.
I think consolidating local control in Des Moines is an atrocious idea and I will fight hard to keep the authority with our community colleges with the appropriate accountability measures.
You may contact Rep. Kaufmann at Bobby.Kaufmann@legis.iowa.gov, 515-281-3221 or 1527 330th St. Wilton, IA, 52778
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