Capitol Digest 3-8-2010

A roundup of legislative and Statehouse items of interest for Monday, March 8:

EDUCATION BUDGET: A House-Senate budget subcommittee on Monday approved an $844 million education appropriation measure that would fund regent universities, community colleges, the state Department of Education and other state programs in fiscal 2011. Rep. Cindy Winckler, D-Davenport, said it essentially was a “state quo budget” for state dollars but represented a drop in federal stimulus help compared to the current year. The budget bill included language indicating that $309 million in increased funding for K-12 teacher salaries were exempt from the 10 percent across-the-board cut that Gov. Chet Culver ordered this fiscal year. It also included a provision that requires the state Board of Educational Examiners to continue to inform teachers who may bring a complaint against them – nullifying a board rule that would have withheld that information until probably cause was established. Republican members of the subcommittee voted against the measure at Monday's subcommittee meeting.

SIOUX CITY SWEEP: Five current incumbents from Sioux City have indicated the 2010 legislative session will be their last. Sen. Steve Warnstadt, D-Sioux City, announced Monday he would retire this year from his Senate District 1 seat after his 16

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year at the state Capitol – two terms in the Senate and four terms in the House. He joins Sen. Ron Wieck, R-Sioux City, who announced this will be his last year in the Senate, and three House members who won't be back – Reps. Christopher Rants, Roger Wendt and Wesley Whitead – all of Sioux City.

CULVER TO SIGN BILLS: Gov. Chet Culver is slated to sign two major pieces of legislation this week. Culver is slated to sign the so-called “puppy mills” bill today at a Des Mones area animal shelter. House File 2280 would allow state inspectors to respond to specific complaints against federally licensed facilities and check to see if animals are suffering or facing adverse health effects. The bill also sets out new fees to fund the state inspection activities. On Wednesday, Culver is slated to sign a major state government reorganization bill that is estimated to save up to $126 million via new efficiencies and streamlining.

FUNDING PRIORITIES: A coalition of labor, human service and other interest groups is calling on lawmakers to reform state tax credits to help avoid cuts to programs that help vulnerable Iowans. The Coalition for a Better Iowa expressed concerns over proposed cuts in the budget and staffing at the Iowa Department of Human Services. They say it could lead to delayed services through Medicaid and food assistance for Iowans already facing hardships. The coalition is urging the Legislature to close tax loopholes and adopt $52.5 million in tax credit cuts to help shore up funding for human service programs and other priorities. Kelli Soyer, executive director of Iowa chapter of the National Association of Social Workers, cited an increase last year in child abuse cases, and said the state is looking to cut services to victims of child abuse and neglect. “Iowa's children should not have to wait for services to assure they are safe,” Soyer said. Midge Slater of the Iowa Alliance for Retired Americans said the state's public service investments have not kept pace with economic growth and citizens' needs.       “The current budget challenges compounded by recession and shortsighted budget choices in the pas  leave many Iowans struggling and looking for help from their state leaders,” Slater said.

WALK THE LINE: The head of the Iowa Public Employees Retirement Systems (IPERS) said a proposed rule dealing with same-sex marriages in Iowa is needed to comply with federal Internal Revenue System regulations, which do not recognize marriages of people of the same gender. IPERS chief executive officer Donna Mueller said she has to “walk a fine line” to comply with various state and federal tax requirements given the two different marriage laws – be they statutory or case laws. Mueller said her interest is to minimize the potential legal liability to the IPERS trust fund. Sen. Merlin Bartz, R-Grafton, who requested a special review by the Legislature's Administrative Rules Review Committee, said he was not convinced the rule change was needed that would write the same-sex marriage language established by the April 2009 Iowa Supreme Court ruling into the state's administrative code. He said he expected to challenge the proposed rule when it comes back before the committee on April 13 – saying it might be the first time lawmakers have an opportunity to vote on anything marriage-related this year since majority Democrats have stifled debate.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “They're not selling Coca Cola, they're selling Everclear and as a licensed retail of liquor they've agreed to act in a certain way. We make them comply with a lot of rules and this is one of them.” Sen. Matt McCoy, D-Des Moines, in advocating for legislation making bar and tavern owners responsible for reporting illegal drug dealing, prostitution, brawls or other law-breaking activities that might occur on parking lots or other areas adjacent to their licensed premises under their jurisdiction.