Capitol Digest 3-30-09

Here are some legislative items of interest for Monday, March 30:

IOWA'S FEDERAL SHARE: More than $5 billion in federal funds were spent in Iowa last fiscal year, an increase of 5 percent over fiscal 2007. That according to a report issued Monday by State Auditor David Vaudt. About $1.73 billion of the disbursements went for Medicaid, $385 million  for unemployment insurance benefits, $324 million for federal direct student loans, $299 million for highway planning and construction, $289 million for supplemental nutrition assistance, $115 million for special education, and $91 million for temporary assistance for need families. Those seven programs accounted for more than 64 percent of the 570 federal programs administered by the state of Iowa during the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2008.

SEX OFFENDER CHANGES: A co-leader of a legislative group looking at possible changes to the state's sex-offender law said the panel is considering a modification to Iowa's 2,000-foot law and establishing new “exclusion” zones to keep predators away from places where children congregate or play. Sen. Keith Kreiman, D-Bloomfield, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said the working group hopes to finalize its recommendations Tuesday and present them to legislative leaders. Kreiman said he was hopeful some action could come yet this session but added he was unsure if the chances were better than “50-50.” Some lawmakers, prosecutors and law enforcement officials have expressed interest in shifting the focus from restricting where sex offenders can reside to establishing “exclusion zones” where they could not be present without permission or loiter within 300 feet of a restricted area.

SPREADING THE WORD: Bills outlining the circumstances whereby manure could be spread on frozen and snow-covered ground are raising the hackles of environmental advocates concerned about water quality. A coalition of environmental groups and Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement brought its members to the Statehouse Monday to urge the defeat of the legislation. They say the bills are attempt to prevent the state Department of Natural Resources from developing rules restricting the spread of manure on frozen or snow-covered ground. Marian Kuper, a CCI member from Ackley, said some of Iowa's waterways that serve as major drinking water sources had record levels of ammonia last year. “We're here to tell them not to cave in to big-monied factory farm interests that profit by polluting,” Kuper said. Butch Newmeyer of Walker, who serves as a regional vice president of the Iowa Cattlemen's Association, said the proposed rules by the DNR appear to go too far. He would rather they are set by lawmakers.

SENATE CONFIRMATIONS: The Iowa Senate voted 49-0 to confirm 45 of Gov. Chet Culver's appointments to various state posts, boards and commissions. Among Monday's confirmations were Ray Walton as director of the state Department of Administrative Services, Bret Mills as Iowa Finance Authority executive director, and Christopher Godfrey as workers' compensation commissioner. Others to receive the two-thirds affirmative vote needed for approval were David Erickson and Johnie Hammond to the state Board of Corrections, Sally Stutsman to the Iowa Council on Human Services, Nancy Boyd to the Iowa Board of Parole, and William Bird and Richard Francisco to the Natural Resources Commission.

HATCH APOLOGY: Sen. Jack Hatch, D-Des Moines, issued a public apology on the Senate floor Monday for using a racially charged word during a discussion of health-care reform legislation with a fellow lawmaker last week. Hatch said he made a “despicable” comment that reflected poorly on all members of the General Assembly. Hatch said he was sorry for the unfortunate incident and asked fellow senators for their forgiveness.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “I had a very positive, productive meeting with Microsoft today about their plans for Iowa. In fact, I've been assured by Microsoft that it is not a question of ‘if' but of ‘when' they move forward with this project in Iowa.” -- Gov. Chet Culver after meeting Monday with officials of Microsoft Corp. in Redmond, Wash. The computer company announced last August that it had selected West Des Moines as the site for a propose data center. Microsoft officials later said the project may have to be delayed because of the national economic downturn.

Compiled by Des Moines Bureau staff