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Your Capitol Voice: Controversial bills: Finding middle ground
by Bobby Kaufmann, State Representative · Op-Ed · March 26, 2015
We had another busy week at the Capitol with more to come, given the second funnel deadline looming.
Floor action continues with House debate and sending bills to the Senate. Senate bills are coming to the House where committee activity is at full speed. We certainly have some controversial bills to debate and determine if “middle ground” can be attained.
Some of the controversies are Democrat versus Republican, some are more rural versus urban, while others pit a particular interest against another (like eminent domain authority versus economic development). It is both challenging and exciting this time of the year. Please be patient with me regarding emails as I am heavily involved in at least 25 key issues right now. I figure that you send me to Des Moines to get involved in as much as I can possibly do.
Certainly high profile issues are discussed in detail in the media and in my columns, issues like the fuel tax, income tax, education funding, education policy, the Second Amendment, and collective bargaining. The one fact most Iowans do not realize is the bipartisan and cooperative nature of the Legislature on over 70% of the issues. The press often does not discuss these issues because many are not high profile or provocative. Controversy breeds interest, but the cooperative nature of the institution is also important to hold up as democracy in action.
Because we have split government in Iowa, EVERY single bill…let me repeat, EVERY single piece of legislation must have the majority of Republicans in the House and a majority of Democrats in the Senate vote for it. This ensures broad-based support. I know it is frustrating for political partisans. It is hard to attack a person’s legislative record since every new law had to have the support of both parties. I am proud of the work I do every single day with both conservative Republicans and liberal Democrats…a skill I must possess to properly represent a large part of my District.
Below is just a fraction of bills passed last week on the House floor. Notice two things: the wide variety of topics and the overwhelming majorities on several bills indicating consensus was reached.
HF 371 A bill for an act relating to allowable disclosures of radon testing results. (Passed 96-0).
HF 372 A bill for an act relating to court appointed special advocates and the confidentiality of information regarding a child receiving foster care. (Passed 96- 0).
SF 440 A bill for an act relating to interstate contracts for substance abuse and mental health care and treatment. (Passed 96-0).
HF 570 A bill for an act providing for an exemption from municipal tort liability for claims arising from recreational activities on municipality-controlled property. (Passed 96-0).
HF 578 A bill for an act relating to the observation of a department of natural resources investigation by a property owner or person in charge of the property. (Passed 95-0).
HF 549 A bill for an act relating to collective bargaining arbitration proceedings involving teachers employed by school districts and area education agencies and including applicability provisions. (Passed 56-41).
HJR 8 A Joint Resolution requesting the proposal of an amendment to the Constitution of the United States imposing fiscal restraints upon and limiting the power and jurisdiction of the federal government. (Passed 54-43).
HF 6 An Act to expand the criminal offense of and applicability of related penalties for sexual exploitation by a school employee to include all school district employees. (Passed 97-0).
HF 283 An Act relating to the time period over which payments are made under the all Iowa opportunity scholarship program. (Passed 97-0).
HF 346 An Act relating to at-risk, alternative and alternative school, and returning dropout and dropout prevention programs and funding. (Passed 97-0).
Capitol visitors: Mike Shuger, Jim Williams, Joe Hewitt, Al Kroeger, Wilton; Dennis Anderson, Moscow; Lance Kephart, Steve Ralfs, Durant; Dave and Joni Timmerman, Bennett; Jerry and Rita Sloan, Dave Mohr, Tipton; Kirk Trede, Deb Saul, Davenport; Mark Henning, Dennis Hill, Muscatine; Karen Woltman, Swisher.
Listening Post Schedule: March 28 8 a.m. at Iowa City Chamber Office, 9:30 a.m. at LWV Forum at Iowa City’s City Hall
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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