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Your Capitol Voice: School funding question in hands of 10-member group
by Bobby Kaufmann, State Representative · Op-Ed · April 09, 2015


This week I want to give you an update on numerous issues that have come across my desk, but first and foremost I want to discuss the Education Conference Committee that is setting State Supplemental Aid.
I have received many emails asking me to support more funding. I supported more funding for our schools this session in several votes. At this point, the funding is out of my hands as the decision lies in a Conference Committee – 10 members, both Democrat and Republican, from both the House and the Senate. These 10 members are supposed to find middle ground and forge a solution. I am very frustrated with the delay.

First I want to walk you through the numbers.

We have approximately $181 million in new dollars. This is supposed to be split between school funding, mental health, law enforcement, food for the hungry, community colleges etc. The 1.25 percent that House Republicans passed coupled with the teacher leadership money equals roughly $100 million of those new dollars. I have said all along that I do not think that 1.25 percent is adequate and the number needs to be higher.

Last week, the Republican members of the conference committee rejected a compromise of 2.625 percent. This number represents the halfway point between 1.25 percent (House Republicans) and 4 percent (Senate Democrats). I personally feel this was a fair compromise and should’ve been given thought instead of rejection. The argument against 2.625 percent is that it, coupled with the Teacher Leadership money, represented approximately $154 of the $181 million of new dollars. This would leave only $27 million for everyone else.

Both sides have valid points and concerns, so I think it is time to start thinking outside the box. I definitely think we need more than $27 million for mental health, law enforcement, and other important services. I also believe 1.25 percent for our schools is too little.

I have heard from a few people that we are “choosing businesses over kids” by backfilling cities for the commercial property tax relief from last year. I strongly disagree with that statement. I stand by my property tax cut for business owners along Main Street in Cedar, Muscatine, and Johnson counties. Commercial property tax rates were alarmingly high for our business owners and I am proud of my vote for some relief.

In fact, given the increased assessments around the state, I am in favor of more property tax relief or at least some limitations on growth.

Keeping our promises to cities, having more mental health funding, and doing better than 1.25 percent for our kids is entirely possible this session. I am involved in a bipartisan group of legislators to find areas of efficiency and waste within state government to be able to achieve these goals.

I will continue to fight hard for both taxpayers who want to see prudent spending as well as for funding for our kids. There is middle ground here … I can complain and toss partisan jabs or I can try to be part of a solution. I will be in the latter group.

On a separate note, the school start date issue has been resolved. At 1 pm this Friday, Governor Branstad will sign the Aug. 23rd school start date bill. Many of us wanted purely local control but the Governor stood firm on Sept. 1. I think Aug. 23 is a fair compromise and I am happy to see this issue resolved.

I would like your opinion on the texting-while-driving bill. Senate File 391 would intend to make it a primary offense to “text” while driving. Making it a primary offense allows a peace officer to stop or detain a person solely for the use of such electronic devices. Current law states that an officer has to have a different reason to pull you over.

The current $30 fine would remain the same. However, if the violation causes a serious injury a court could impose an additional $500 or suspend the person’s license for not more than 90 days. I would be very interested in hearing your opinions back home.

Next week I will provide an update on mental health issues at the state level. There has been a significant amount of work and attention on this issue. We can finally start seeing some progress now that we know what our final budget number is.

I appreciate all of your input and don’t hesitate to contact me.

This has been by far the busiest of my three sessions so I will continue to do my best to strike a balance between effectively representing you/making progress on issues as well as keeping in regular touch back home.

Capitol visitors: Tim Malott, Tipton.



You may contact Rep. Kaufmann at bobby.kaufmann@legis.iowa.gov, 515-281-3221 or 1527 330th St. Wilton, IA, 52778