News from the State House

by Patti Ruff, State Representative

We hit the ground running in a big way at the Capitol this week. On Monday we held a public hearing concerning K-12 school funding levels. The hearing ran for two hours in the Supreme Court Chamber Room, which was overflowing with waiting school administrators, teachers, board members, and parents to speak on how 1.25% was not enough funding. We heard excellent three-minute statements on the negative impacts of what this low funding would mean for our schools and our kids.
Tuesday afternoon we debated the bill dealing with school funding. As ranking member of the House Education Committee, I presented an amendment that asked for 6% supplemental state aid, the level that all of the different school groups and associations were requesting. This amendment did not pass and the bill moved to the senate along party lines. It is important to note that we will now see what the senate will establish as their suggested level of funding, and hopefully reach a negotiated level that will be beneficial to our districts.
In an effort to encourage more families and individuals to start saving for college, state officials are reminding Iowans to sign up for College Savings Iowa.
Often called a 529 Plan, Iowans can start savings with a minimum investment of $25. These accounts are tax-deferred (at both the state and federal levels), and participants are able to deduct up to $3,163 per account per year on their adjusted gross income at the state level.
Iowa’s unemployment rate fell to 4.1% in December, down from 4.3% in November. This is the third straight month that the unemployment rate has fallen, and is the lowest rate since June 2008. Iowa’s unemployment rate is the 10th lowest in the nation.
The weather has been quiet for January which has allowed folks from home to come down to Des Moines.  On Monday Joleen and Jim Jansen, Larry Stone, and Rod Marlatt were here in support of Iowa Water and Land Legacy.
Tuesday I had breakfast with Norm and Jeremy from the Postville YMCA. The Postville Y serves around 1,200 people with 504 of those being kids. They have 87 volunteers who work 1,741 hours at the facility resulting in over $35,000 in savings. This is a fantastic facility that serves the needs of those in Northeast Iowa.
On Wednesday, Rod and Malory Marlatt along with Jarred Nielsen were here with the Scenic By-Ways group in the rotunda. They were here the night before for the Travel Iowa reception, but unfortunately debate ran until 9 p.m. and I didn’t make it out to the event.
Thursday, I had the pleasure of seeing familiar faces from Luana and Guttenberg. Tricia Schneider, Luana, is a pharmacy student at the University of Iowa. Every year they bring a delegation to lobby us on important issues dealing with our pharmacies across the state. It was great to get a chance to catch up with her and talk about the happenings of back home.  Kennedy Corbin, Guttenberg, is a woman whom I met last year when she visited the capitol with Clayton-Ridge students. This year she came with a group of NIACC students lobbying us on the importance of our community colleges.
I will be holding a forum in New Albin at the community center this Saturday, February 7 at 10 a.m. I hope to see many of you there!