Bacon Beacon
STATE REPRESENTATIVE ROB BACON Forty-Eighth District Statehouse: (515) 281-3221 e-mail:
[email protected]
House of Representatives +
COMMITTEES
State of Iowa Eighty-Sixth General Assembly STATEHOUSE
Des Moines, Iowa 50319
Week Three
Human Resources, Vice Chair Natural Resources State Government Appropriations APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE Health and Human Services
State Unemployment Down to 4.1 Percent The unemployment rate in Iowa dropped from 4.3 percent in November to 4.1 percent in December according to the latest Iowa Workforce Development report. Total Iowa nonfarm employment added 2,100 jobs in December and now rests at 1,642,900 jobs. Iowa was one of 42 states that saw a decrease in its unemployment rate. In Iowa the labor force continues to expand, with 400 Iowans entering the job market in December. Between December of 2013 and December of 2014, 38,200 workers have joined the labor force. Additionally, the number of unemployed Iowans decreased by 2,500 in December. Since December of 2013, 38,100 Iowans have found employment. Manufacturing led the state in job gains, adding 1,600 jobs in December. Manufacturing was followed by Professional & Business services (+1,500 jobs) and Other services (+600 jobs) respectively. Additionally, the Trade, Transportation & Utilities industry shed 1,000 jobs in December, which constitutes as the largest decrease in all sectors of employment. Iowa has the 10th lowest unemployment rate in the country, and Iowa’s rate continues to remain lower than the national rate, which stood at 5.6 percent in December. Additionally, Iowa’s labor force continues to grow from month to month, a trend opposite of the national labor force. School Funding School Funding HF 80 continues the legislature’s trend of providing significant increases to the state’s K-12 system, bringing the 5 year total increase to over $570 million, a nearly 22% increase. According to the Department of Education’s Allocation Summary documents, Iowa will spend $10,231 per student in FY 15. That means in classroom of 20, Iowa spends just over $200,000.
If we adopted the 6% increase in supplemental state aid for education proposed in FY 16, the state would spend 104.4% of on-going revenue. If this would happen, $316.7 million would need to be cut to balance spending with on-going revenue. That’s like not funding both the University of Iowa and the University of Northern Iowa or shifting the cost of Iowa’s mental health system to property taxpayers. The result of increasing state spending to unsustainable levels and spending one-time money for ongoing expenses mixed with an economic collapse caused education funding in this state to take a $530 million loss in one single year (FY 2010). The state is still recovering from that loss. That recovery is only possible if we spend less than we collect. Natural Resources - Tips for Ice Fishing With unusually mild periods of weather this winter, ice fishing can put anglers in dangerous situations. Before going out on the ice, below are a few tips from the Iowa DNR about how you can stay safe. Check - Take the time to check the ice thickness and quality before you settle on a spot. Before going out, make sure you drill a hole in the ice from the shore. Four inches of clear ice or eight inches of black ice will hold an adult. Five to six inches is required to hold a snowmobile or groups of three or more. Hello, partner! - it is always a great idea to use the buddy system. Fish in groups when possible. If that is not possible, tell someone else where you will be and when you will get back. Get the gear - Safety equipment is an essential tool. The Iowa DNR recommends anglers take a five gallon bucket along with them. The bucket can be inverted and used as a flotation device. Include a personal flotation device in your gear. Rope is also helpful in emergency situations and can be used to pull someone to safety. In addition to safety equipment, an ice auger will help anglers drill through the ice to measure thickness. Measure the ice with a tape measure. Bundle up - Frostbite and hypothermia are possible in cold temperatures. If you feel burning, itching, or tingling on your skin it could be a sign on frostbite and you should get out of the elements. This week we welcomed Easter Seals of Iowa. Senator Gronstal and I were honored to visit with Tracy Keninger, Angie Huslebus and Sherri Nielsen.
I always welcome visitors and would enjoy having you visit me at the Iowa Capitol I can be reached at
[email protected]
