Variety of matters discussed at February 19 legislative forum


February 19 legislative forum held in Waukon ... Area legislative representatives Anne Osmundson of Iowa House of Representatives District 56, District 28 Senator Mike Klimesh, and Michael Bergan of Iowa House of Representatives District 55 (left to right near center top in above photo) were in attendance at a public forum with area residents Saturday, February 19 at the Allamakee County Farm Bureau building in Waukon. Among the items discussed at the forum were education funding, can redemption issues, ATV/UTV regulation, a full-time park ranger and other matters at Yellow River State Forest, the deer population and objectionable materials in schools. Standard photo by Joe Moses.

by Joe Moses

Iowa House of Representatives members Anne Osmundson of District 56 and Michael Bergan of District 55 and Iowa Senator from District 28 Mike Klimesh held a legislative town hall meeting in Waukon Saturday, February 19. The three legislators answered questions from the crowd of approximately 30 individuals in attendance at the Allamakee County Farm Bureau building.

Several hot-button issues were raised by those in attendance at the town hall meeting. Jerry Halverson of Waukon talked about challenges within the county relating to can redemption during the COVID-19 pandemic with fewer grocery and convenience stores accepting cans. Klimesh discussed two recent bills relating to can redemption and potential options to support existing redemption centers and retailers.

Karen Pratte of Waterville discussed concerns relating to the impact of Senate Study Bill 3080, an education-related bill which she indicated would divert funds from public schools to private schools and, as a result, public schools would be negatively impacted with services disappearing, programs being cut or property taxes being raised to make up the difference in funding. Pratte noted that this diversion of funding to the private sector was previously referred to as vouchers and more recently is being referred to as scholarships. She suggested that this funding change would negatively impact rural America and the quality of education offered by public schools.

Klimesh discussed the early stage of this proposed legislation which has not yet been prepped to come before the Senate floor, with Bergan providing some feedback relating to review of a similar bill by the House Education Committee and the matter not moving forward. Bergan added that the Speaker of the House has moved the bill to the Appropriations Committee, with Bergan being recently appointed to this committee. He discussed having reservations relating to public funds being used to set up education savings accounts (ESA) for private schools. Bergan further discussed the early stage of this bill with his expectation being to receive more details in the coming weeks and to have an opportunity to hear from Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds’ staff regarding their position on this bill.

Osmundson advised that she is not part of the House Education Committee but that initial information provided indicates that per pupil funding will not change, and left over funding would be available for rural schools with ESA or voucher students receiving less per student. Osmundson discussed the need for more information on this bill prior to providing a recommendation. Bergan advised that funding going to public schools comes with a high level of accountability from school boards and the State Board of Education.

John Ellingson of Waukon discussed the long-term impact of vouchers or government funding on private schools. Ellingson advised that private school tuition would likely increase to capture this additional funding, noting the short-term benefits with long-term consequences. Ellingson explained that as State leadership and political parties change, this funding may be taken away from private schools, which could lead many to close their doors permanently. Ellingson recommended that a tax voucher may be preferable and keep government out of funding private education.

Traci Byrnes, a former St. Patrick School teacher and current public school teacher, advised that a 75 percent tax credit is available to those contributing to the student tuition organization (STO), a tuition assistance program for low and lower middle income families with children attending an Iowa accredited non-public school of their choice. Byrnes questioned why the subject of vouchers continues to be raised each year with the STO helping to provide school choice.

Allamakee County Board of Supervisors Chairperson Larry Schellhammer questioned the panel of elected officials about the proposed statewide ATV/UTV legislation. Schellhammer noted that he would prefer to see this matter remain under local control. Schellhammer also discussed changes relating to ranger coverage in Yellow River State Forest, with the assumption that the County will be providing law enforcement for that area. Schellhammer discussed that other entities without their own law enforcement have contracts with the County to provide this service.

Scott Boylen of Waterville discussed his involvement with the Friends of Yellow River State Forest group. Boylen noted that a petition to keep the full-time ranger position in Yellow River State Forest was submitted to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) with over 2,000 signatures. He also discussed fundraising for projects within Yellow River State Forest with the DNR refusing these funds and projects without explanation.

The meeting also included discussion of the increasing deer population with Klimesh discussing a bill with incentives to attract hunters, including an increased number of out-of-state licenses. Other topics discussed at the meeting included Senate File 2198 relating to objectionable material in schools, among a variety of other matters prior to the hour-long town hall meeting coming to conclusion.