From the Desk of Senator Petersen
Wow, what a turnout we had at last Saturday’s Legislative Forum at the Northwest Community Center! Thank you to everyone who joined us.
This week marked the second funnel deadline where bills that have passed one chamber must be voted out of committee in the other chamber to remain “alive” this year. There are a few exceptions to the funnel rule:
- Bills are funnel-proof in these committees: Appropriations, Ways & Means, and Government Oversight
- Leadership bills are funnel-proof.
- Amendments – sometimes a bill can survive in the form of an amendment that gets added onto another bill covering the same subject.
Watch for a list of several bills that survived and didn’t survive the funnel deadline next week.
SHOW ME THE MONEY: Budgeting Behind Closed Doors
The one thing lawmakers need to do before going home for the year is to pass a balanced budget. At this point, we have budget bills without budget numbers. It’s up to the majority to start filling in those blanks and engaging in a real conversation about the state’s priorities.
Republicans have control of the governor’s office and both chambers, but they can’t seem to agree with each other on basic budget numbers. Iowans need less culture-war bills and more focus on the budget.
The budget process is going to be complicated with all the chaos created under the 1,500+ pages of changes required under Gov. Reynolds’ new reorganization law developed by out-of-state consultants.
If you’ve followed the state budgeting process in the past, you’ll notice how different the process is under full Republican control of the Iowa Senate.
At the beginning of every General Assembly, House and Senate members are assigned to budget subcommittees. Those members hold public joint budget subcommittee meetings to learn about their specific budget, the departments and programs it covers, staffing, requests for funding, etc.
Since 2021, the Senate Republican leaders quit scheduling joint budget subcommittees with the House. Instead, most budget work, including setting the budget targets, is done behind closed doors by the majority party. As a result, members of the public and minority party get very little time to review the budget, ask questions, and learn from departments about specific line items and earmarks before the bill moves to the floor for a vote. House Republicans are still holding budget subcommittee meetings, but senators are not allowed to speak or ask questions at their meetings.
Next week, the Senate Appropriations Committee will review budget bills without any budget numbers or staffing numbers. The goal is to make sure the reorganization changes in state government are accounted for in the various budget bills and there aren’t any surprises thrown into the mix.
Quick Updates
- Free property tax appeal webinar. The Iowa Property Assessment Appeal Board (PAAB), will provide a free online presentation on April 12 explaining the state’s process for protesting a property tax assessment. Covered topics include property assessment basics; understanding assessment listings and valuation; requesting an informal assessment review from your county assessor; filing a protest with your local board of review; explaining the grounds for protesting assessments; and options for appealing a board’s decision. The webinar is scheduled for 12 p.m. on April 12. Register here.
- Finding Iowa’s Little Free Libraries. Little Free Libraries are a small container of free books that can be exchanged within a community. These community sharing libraries help motivate readers, young and old. There are Little Free Libraries across Iowa. Use this map to see if there’s a little free library in your neighborhood.
- Apply now to be a youth advocate. The Iowa Department of Human Rights is accepting applications now for the 2023-24 term of the Iowa Youth Congress and the State of Iowa Youth Advisory Council. Iowa Youth Congress participants learn about the legislative process, advocacy, and civic engagement, while building leadership and communication skills. The State of Iowa Youth Advisory Council is made up of 21 youth between the ages of 14-20 from across the state of Iowa who advocate for youth on important issues. Apply here for the Youth Congress and here for the Advisory Council. Applications must be submitted by May 31, 2023.
- Let’s expand coverage for new moms and babies. Oklahoma just became the 30th State to be approved by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for a 12-month expansion of postpartum Medicaid. Iowa has yet to apply for the extended coverage option, although all Senate Democrats joined together earlier this session to introduce SF 57, which would require the State to apply for the extended coverage. The 12-month postpartum extension will ensure new moms have access to critical maternal health care, and we will continue to push for legislative action.
- New nursing program at UNI. The University of Northern Iowa will start a new nursing program to address our ongoing shortage of critical healthcare workers. The new program is expected to be ready to enroll students in the fall of 2024. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of people employed as registered nurses is projected to grow 6% from 2021 to 2031, but the American Association of Colleges of Nursing reports that over 8,000 Midwest nursing program applicants have been denied admissions because of capacity issues.
- Iowa kids are not for sale. Last Saturday, Iowa parents and workers showed up to protest the Republican bill to roll back child labor laws. From Des Moines to Iowa City, Senate Democrats attended rallies across the state. Our children should not be working dangerous jobs to increase corporate profits.