Caucus Newsletter 12 12 2013

Thursday, December 12, 2013 Appropriations www.IowaHouseRepublicans.com (Contact Brad Trow at 1-3471) November Revenu...

0 downloads 196 Views 1MB Size
Thursday, December 12, 2013

Appropriations

www.IowaHouseRepublicans.com (Contact Brad Trow at 1-3471)

November Revenue Remains Positive The state’s General Fund revenue numbers remained positive in November, as state revenue growth for Fiscal Year 2014 was 1.8 percent through the first five months of the fiscal year. How the positive numbers impacts future budgeting will be determined this week.

state’s balance sheet. In November 2012, the General Fund received $25 million in gaming tax revenue which now is being deposited in the Iowa Skilled Worker and Job Creation fund. Starting in January, all tobacco tax revenue will be deposited in the Health Care Trust Fund. Previously, half of the funds were Two areas that had drawn concern in the deposited in the General Fund. And, the early part of the fiscal year was lagging increase in the Earned Income Tax Credgrowth in personal income tax and sales/ it is in effect. use tax revenue. These two revenue streams had strong Novembers, as per- The other area holding back revenue is sonal income tax collections rose 11.3 the strong growth in the amount of tax percent when compared to November refunds. During FY 2013, tax refunds 2012. Sales and Use tax collections ran below the previous year’s level. But were up 6.2 percent as compared to last that is not the case in FY 2014. Novemyear. For the first five months of the fis- ber’s refunds were 79.2 percent higher cal year, both personal income tax and than last November. And through the sales and use tax have risen 4.5 percent first five months of FY 2014, refunds are over FY 13. Both categories are signifi- 14.8 percent higher. This equates to an cantly higher than the Revenue Estimat- increase of $48 million over last year’s ing Conference’s projections. amount through November. While those two major categories are climbing, revenue from corporate income tax is lagging behind last November’s torrid pace. Monthly revenue was down $3.3 million from the previous year and has grown by only 2 percent for FY 14. Last year’s strong numbers in the fall were primarily driven by the potential expiration of the Bush-era tax cuts. With Congress having settled that issue during the fiscal cliff negotiations, corporate tax revenue will likely come in at a steadier, but slower pace this year. With the three main revenue streams all running ahead of FY 2013, it would seem likely that General Fund revenue would be growing at a faster pace than the 1.8% rate it is through November. Two factors are holding that number back. Several revenue adjustments were enacted during the 2013 legislative session which are now beginning to affect the

These figures will likely play a major role in the Revenue Estimating Conference’s meeting on December 12. At that meeting, the official revenue estimate for FY 2015 will be set. While the numbers for personal income tax and sales/use tax are stronger today than they were at the October REC meeting, the drop in commodity prices and EPA’s decision to cut the renewable fuel standard serve as a yellow light on those expecting major revenue growth.

Inside this issue: Appropriations

1

Agriculture

2

Commerce

3

Economic Growth

3

Education

4

Environmental Protection

5

Human Resources

7

Labor

7

Natural Resources

7

Public Safety

8

State Government

8

Transportation

8

Veterans Affairs

9

Ways and Means

9

Page 2

House Republican Newsletter

Agriculture

(Contact Lew Olson at 1-3096)

EPA Retreats on the Federal Renewable Fuel Standard On November 29, 2013, the Environmental Protection Agency proposed rules to lower the renewable fuel standards that must be included in U.S. motorfuels was published in the Friday, November 29, 2013 Federal Register. As a result a 60-day period for public comment on this rule was initiated. The full notice rule can be accessed at-http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-1129/pdf/2013-28155.pdf and it includes direction where public comment can be entered into the record. Governor Branstad has provided testimony to the EPA, mostly criticizing the agency’s proposal to cut the amount of ethanol required to me mixed with fuel by 3-billion gallons. While the media and many critics have blamed this backtracking on opposition by oil companies concerned over losing market share to biofuels, in all likelihood the real culprits and instigators of this proposed action are radical environmentalist allies of President Obama. The environmentalist activists have grown disillusioned to expanded biofuel use because they are alarmed that expanded biofuel production in the last 5 years has resulted in gasoline prices settling to around the $3 a gallon mark, largely be-

cause the net effect that biofuel production has substantially increased U.S. capacity to produce more motor fuel that it uses and the country is now a significant net exporter of finished motor fuel. If motor fuel prices stay near $3 a gallon, this makes the proliferation of electric powered vehicles more unlikely as there are insufficient economic fuel savings to offset the $10-$20,000 of additional technology in those vehicles. Additionally, as evidenced by a seemingly slanted AP article in October, radical environmentalists are worried that the RFS may be increasing soil runoff and nutrient escape from conversion of fields previously growing closely seeded grain crops or forages to row crops such as corn and soybeans. A final factor not discussed in public much is that the promise and rate of development of advanced biofuels such as cellulosic or algae oil has been much slower than originally speculated. The EPA proposal reduces the advanced biofuel mandated from 2.75 BG to 2.2 BG, biomass-based diesel is held constant to 2013 amounts at 1.28 BG and set the cellulosic biofuel category at 17 million gallons. The 2007 RFS law placed a maximum of no more than 15-billion gallons of grain base ethanol and in 2013 14.4-billion gallons were targeted to be used. The EPA pro-

posal for the 2014 scale the amount of grain based ethanol back by 10% from 2013 level or 1.4-billion gallons less to 13.01billion gallons. Being charitable, it is likely that EPA began its revision of the 2014 RFS standard in mid-summer when 2013 corn harvest was threatened by an expansive drought of the Western corn belt, including Iowa, but better late summer and great early fall weather produced surprising good yields in much of the western corn belt such that a record corn harvest of just under 14-billion bushels. While corn prices soared in 2013 midsummer’s drought to $6 to $7 dollars a bushel, the onslaught of the actual crop harvest has pushed corn prices by late fall to below estimated cost of production for corn of $4.30 a bushel with private forecaster now warning corn prices could sag to $3.50 a bushel for 2014 crops and perhaps as low as $2.75 in 2015 if weather conditions are good and the federal commitment to biofuels is diminished or erodes even further. These predictions make it incredibly important that Iowa farmers and Iowa citizens to weigh on this matter and urge the EPA rethink its RFS reduction proposal.

IDALS Secretary Northey Budget Request Focuses on Water Quality On Tuesday, December 10, 2013, Iowa Agriculture Secretary Northey provided his FY 2015 budget request to the Governor in which he asked for $6.65 million for water quality initiative, and $1 million more for urban conservation as part of the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s (IDALS) fiscal 2015 budget request. IDALS received $2.4 million for the current fiscal year to support the initiative as well as $20 million in one-time appropriations to support conservation and water quality improvements in Iowa and was appropriated $4.4-million for the initiative for FY2015.

The Water Quality Initiative funding allows the Department to continue and expand its work to address the quality of streams and water resources in a scientific, reasonable and cost effective manner. Funds prioritize cost share programs in targeted watersheds and allow flexibility to incentivize statewide practice implementation. The urban conservation funding supports a robust effort to improve water quality through cost-sharing implementation of urban best practices and Low Impact Development (LID) strategies. The program enhances urban education and outreach efforts by funding two Urban Conservation Coordinators through a fifteen-percent administra-

tion fee.

“a robust effort to improve water quality”

Northey also requested $1.2 million to support the closure of eight additional agriculture drainage wells. Otherwise, IDALS requested a status quo budget that covers required increases in personnel and benefit costs for employees.

8 Watershed Demonstration Projects Selected by IDALS for Initial Water Quality Initiative Funding Projects will focus on adoption of practices outlined in the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy

On Friday, December 6, 2013, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship issued a press release in which

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey announced that eight watershed demonstration projects have been selected to

Page 3

House Republican Newsletter

(WRCC), which include the Floyd, Boone, South Skunk, Skunk, Middle Cedar, and receive $4.1 million in funding through the Turkey rivers. The demonstration waterIowa water quality initiative over the next sheds selected cover 605,774 acres. The three years. In addition to the state funds, projects will implement and demonstrate the eight projects will provide over $8 milthe effectiveness and adaptability of a host lion in matching funds to support water of conservation practices including, but not quality improvement efforts. limited to: cover crops, nutrient management, wetlands, terraces, bioreactors, buffThe eight projects are within the large prior- er strips, no-till, strip-till, nitrogen inhibitors, ity watersheds prioritized by the Iowa Waextended rotations, conservation cover, ter Resources Coordinating Council drainage water management and manure (Continued from page 2)

management. More than 30 partners from agriculture organizations, institutions of higher education, private industry, the local, state and federal government, and others, are working together on these projects with the Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD) serving as the project leaders. A short summary of each of the projects can be accessed at: http:// www.iowaagriculture.gov/press/2013press/ press12062013.asp.

Commerce

(Contact Dane Schumann at 1-3626)

Governor’s Council Releases Broadband Recommendations Governor Branstad’s STEM Advisory Council released its broadband committee findings last week on how to increase broadband connectivity throughout Iowa. The governor asked the STEM council in September to develop legislative recommendations that would encourage broadband expansion in unserved or underserved areas in particular.

courage broadband development. The proposal also includes the development of “ICN 2.0”, which will develop a model allowing private providers to access dormant ICN bandwidth. The ICN plan drew cautionary comments from Iowa Communications Alliance CEO and STEM board member Dave Duncan, whose group represents Iowa’s independent telephone companies.

The recommendations include tax incentives, low-interest loans and grants to en-

Duncan told the Des Moines Register that he worries private companies accessing

ICN bandwidth would create an unfair advantage over some independent broadband companies. The council’s recommendations can be found here.

“tax incentives, low-interest loans and grants”

Federal Report Provides Vague Data On Health Plan Enrollment, Shows Most Applicants Eligible For Medicaid The federal Department of Health and Human Services released a report Tuesday that details state-level enrollment in the Health Insurance Marketplace. The report highlights a number of data sets designed to reflect increase interest in the insurance marketplace but provides little guidance on actual enrollment figures and whether enrollees are securely placed into a health plan.

the data fail to show how many of the selectors have actually paid insurance premiums. The report also points to roughly 45 million phone calls and web visits to state and federal exchanges, but only 1,827,440 completed applications were submitted.

October. Iowa’s portion of Medicaideligible applicants is relatively high, which probably reflects the Department of Human Services’ efforts at moving IowaCare members into the Iowa Health and Wellness Plan.

Iowa had 25,007 people complete applications and apply for coverage. Of those people, only 757 selected a marketplace plan—though nearly 5,000 applicants are While the data show an enormous uptick in eligible to enroll. The report covers Octoindividuals who have selected health plans ber and November data, and just 136 Iothrough the federally facilitated exchange, wans signed up for private insurance in

Of the 3.7 million people applying for coverage across the country, nearly 365,000 of them selected—not necessarily enrolled or paid premiums to—a marketplace plan. More than 803,000 were determined eligible for some form of Medicaid. The report can be found here.

Economic Growth

(Contact Dane Schumann at 1-3626)

IEDA Spreading the Word About ESOPs The Iowa Economic Development Authority has started a series of educational sessions on employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs). Recent legislation created a 50 percent capital gains tax deduction for business owners who sell at least 30 percent of a company to employees through a qualified ESOP. The authority was also appropriated $500,000 to help companies pay for

a feasibility study that companies must undertake before executing the plans. The authority held the events alongside Bankers Trust, Prairie Capital Advisors, Principal Financial Group and Nyemaster Good law firm. Mason City and Fort Dodge will host sessions on December 12, while sessions in Council Bluffs and Sioux City

will follow. Businesses interested in attending a session can contact Jerry Ripperger at the Principal Financial Group at [email protected].

Page 4

House Republican Newsletter

Education

Contact Jason Chapman at 1-3015)

Iowa Student Application for State Board of Education Each year, the Governor appoints a student to serve as a non-voting member of the State Board of Education. This is an excellent opportunity for students interested in the development and implementation of education policy at the state level to witness it in action be an important part of the process. The State Board of Education is currently seeking applications for the student member position. The application deadline is January 31. The next one-year term runs from May 1, 2014, through April 30, 2015. The State Board of Education meets at least seven times during that term, with most meetings taking place in Des Moines.

Applicants must be full-time 10th or 11th grade students enrolled in a public high school. Eligible students also must have: A grade-point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or 3.75 on a 5.0 scale. Attended their present high school for at least the past two consecutive semesters (or equivalent thereof). Demonstrated participation in extracurricular and community activities, as well as an interest in serving on the State Board of Education.

 



Student applications must be approved by their school districts. The number of applicants from any one school district is limited

as follows. If district enrollment for grades 10 through 12 is: 

 

fewer than 400 students, there may be no more than one applicant from the district. from 400 to 1,199 students, there may be no more than two applicants from the district. is 1,200 students or more, there may be no more than three applicants from the district.

Application materials are available on the Iowa Department of Education’s website: https://www.educateiowa.gov/about-iowastate-boards-education#Student

Board of Regents Budget Proposal for FY15 The Board of Regents presented their budget proposal to the Governor in a public hearing earlier this week. They had first unveiled the proposal in September. Here is a breakdown of the request which falls in both the Education Appropriations and RIIF budget bill:



$515K School for the Deaf and Braille and Sight Saving School (4% increase) $278,400 Economic Development expenses (3.2% increase) $1.9 million Tuition Replacement increase (Bond payments) $12K Iowa Public Radio (3.2% increase)



UNI Entrepreneur Outreach $1,500,000

One note to attach to this request is the tuition freeze conditions. The Regents have labelled the freeze their “Student Af fordability” efforts. The latest Incremental funding increase of 4%, $19.6 million, to  support investment in Student Affordability Their total request is just over $44 million, efforts. According to their September which is comprised of incremental increasagenda materials, the tuition freeze is cones to all budget line items and then some  $19,518,000 Strategic Initiatives specific strategic initiative spending.  $10,000,000 – Making permanent last tingent upon the $19.6 million General Operations incremental funds for the three Here’s the breakdown: years’ one-time payment to UNI to universities. even out the funding disparity be$44.2 million comprised of: tween the UNI and the other universiMuch more information about each approties. priation item can be found by clicking here.  $24,695,139 Incremental Funds  $9,518,000 – strategic initiatives  $19.6 million General Operations (4% ■ Iowa Accelerating Knowledge increase) Economy $3,000,000 ■ $3.7 million UNI ■ Iowa Belin-Blank Academy ■ $8.8 million Iowa $500,000 ■ $6.95 million Iowa State ■ ISU Outreach and Innovation  $2.4 million Special Purpose line $3,018,000 items within each university (3.2% ■ UNI Bachelor of Applied Sciences $1,500,000 increase) 

K-12 Education Funding Outlook for FY15 The Iowa State Education Association has been in the news lately pushing talking points on education funding. The request they put forward, which is being echoed by school districts and school boards around the state, is that a significant increase in funding is essential over the next several years. It’s often pointed out that Iowa is below the national average for per-pupil

funding and that we have to get to the national average. Here are a few things to consider on that point. 

It’s disputable where Iowa actually is on the national charts for per-pupil funding in K-12. Depending on what

funding is included, lists can show Iowa anywhere from 37th to 24th. The US Department of Education’s National Center for Educational Statistics shows Iowa in 28th place, according to a report they put out this summer based on 2010 US Census Bureau (Continued on page 5)

Page 5

House Republican Newsletter

(Continued from page 4)

statistics. http://nces.ed.gov/ pubs2013/2013342.pdf 



But does higher per-pupil spending correlate with higher scores? A Casey Foundation analysis in 2009 found a moderately positive correlation between per-pupil spending and educa tional ranking. This means, statistically, that as states spend more, their education ranking tends to increase. But formulas for school funding vary by state vary so much, it’s difficult to prescribe any one reason for the correlation, if any, between per-pupil spending and educational attainment. Of the top 10 performing states, only 4 are in the highest funding list. Wyoming, on the other hand, has the highest per pupil funding in the nation, but they are towards the bottom in performance. http:// datacenter.kidscount.org/ On the other side of things, Iowa’s cost of living should likely be a part of the  discussion. If it costs less to live in Iowa, wouldn’t it make sense that our

funding would be comparatively lower? Data from the federal government shows that Iowa is nearly 10% below the national average cost of living, surpassed only by Indiana. That puts Iowa just about squarely at the bottom of the cost of living chart. http:// www.cityrating.com/cost-of-living What about public perception of spending on education? From a recent survey of Iowans, there is very low awareness about public spending on K-12 education. The question was asked two different ways. When asked directly if public school funding was “too low”, 45% of voters said yes. However, when the question included the dollar amount, only 34% percent of voters said it was “too low.” When given all information information, 66% of Iowans do not think our per-pupil funding is “too low.” http:// www.edchoice.org/CMSModules/ EdChoice/FileLibrary/1021/The-Iowa-K -12-and-School-Choice-Survey.pdf Finally, another report titled “NO RECOVERY HERE” found that most states’ funding for schools is less than

Environmental Protection

before the 2008 recession. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities’ report stated that at least 34 states are providing less funding per student for the 2013-14 school year than they did before the recession hit, with 13 of these states having cut per-student funding by more than 10 percent. At the opposite end of the spectrum, perpupil spending grew in 14 states, but only two states posted an increase of more than 10 percent. Those two states? North Dakota and Iowa. http:// www.cbpp.org/cms/index.cfm? fa=view&id=4011 The take away is that we spend just about in the middle of the pack per-pupil, for a cost of living that’s well below the national average; the large majority of Iowans think we spend enough per-pupil on education; and Iowa is second in the nation for postrecession education spending recovery. Here is the state cost per-pupil amounts over the last 4 years: FY12 (0% growth) - $5883 FY13 (2% growth) - $6001 FY14 (2% growth) - $6121 FY15 (4% growth) - $6366 (Contact Lew Olson at 1-3096)

Interim Committee on Rivers & Waterways Meets On Tuesday, December 10, 2013, the Legislative Interim Study Committee on Iowa Rivers and Waterways met in the state capitol and took voluminous amounts of information of how to restore or stabilize Iowa streams and rivers. Fourteen persons made presentations to the Interim Committee on the topic including employees from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS); interested private stakeholders such as the Iowa River Revival, and Iowa Soybean Growers Association; local government entities such as the Johnson County Conservation Boards and the Charles City Administrator; engaged private engineering consulting firms; and two private landowners who repaired stream segments going through their land at their own expense. While the presenters provided a great deal of information on how to restablize and restore degraded stream segments, sometimes disagreeing on best practices and subsequent benefits, most were reluctant to expound at length on the potential costs of the effort and quantifiable subsequent benefits.

Incidentally, but also reluctantly several presenters noted that the lowest cost for restoration efforts were $22-26 per lineal foot of treated stream (when they used their own equipment and labor) and in a presentation by a major national engineering/consulting firm ‘Inter-fluve’ it specified in the work it did a range of $50 to $500 per foot, not including land acquisition (typically in Interfluve projects land acquisition constitutes 2/3rds of the cost). Since Iowa has about 27,000 miles of perennial stream and about 71,000 miles including intermittent watercourses (presence of observable stream banks and bed and indication of at least seasonal water flow) depending upon how much of the streams are treated (cost of at least ~$120,000 per crowfly-mile to 20 -times that amount) the potential cost to fully treat all streams in Iowa could become Several of the presenters who did stream astronomical ($3.24-billion to $27-$71stabilization agreed with these essential billion with my best guestimate of $14practices, though several disagreed on billion plus or minus $6-billion and not inwhether the immediate riparian corridor cluding land acquisition or easement should be vegetated with deep-rooted prai- costs). At this point there is insufficient rie vegetation of woody plants and trees. data available to know what proportion of Iowa streams need the costly work to stabiJim Gillespie, Director of IDALS Soil Conservation Division provided 6 factors essential to stabilizing and starting the restoration of desirable stream and riparian functions which are: 1. Stop down-cutting of the stream bed; 2. Slope back vertical banks (at least 3-to -1, but preferably 5-to-1 or more); 3. Armor the toe of the stream (the outside of bend that is eroding and immediately above the deepest aspect of the stream [thalwig]); 4. Protect and build a functioning floodplain; 5. Remeander straightened streams; and 6. Vegetate floodplains/riparian corridors with deep rooted prairie or wood vegetation.

(Continued on page 6)

Page 6

House Republican Newsletter

$10,000 an acre and produce $600 to $1,000 of grain per acre each year. Conlize and restore riverine functions though sequently, land cost involved in stream it’s pretty clear by recent DNR water quality stabilization or restoration efforts in these use assessment that many streams are areas become extremely significant. While stressed and destabilized from optimal no discussion at the interim committee theoretical conditions. Will it be 2/3rd, 25% meeting involved potential regulatory taking or 10% of the hypothetical maximum exof land in riparian corridors (such as prohibpense? iting the growing of row crops) there are radical environmentalist who are espousing In regards to potential land acquisition/ this government action as evidence by nueasement cost a typical Iowa stream needs merous submission of this view to the state about an 80 to 200 foot wide corridor to website set up to collect public comment allow for sufficient functioning floodplain for this committee. Such government acand meander belt to stabilize a stream/ tion would be very costly to implement. watercourse. This assumption produces a ‘back-of-a-napkin’ estimate that about 12 to The presenters noted that many of the oth25-acres per section of land is needed to er states where substantial stream restorasustain a stable stream in a fully functiontion actions are occurring is funded by state ing riparian state. Again, data on the and federal funds to either restore endanamount of land surrounding streams in the gered species habitat (frequently under state that have sufficient watercourse corri- Court order to do so) or by national envidor does not exist to my knowledge. In the ronmental law offsets arising from transporEastern corners and side of the state tation and development efforts that typically where land immediately adjacent to many are impacting/degrading wetlands or watercourse is not amenable to crop prostreams in the transportation project area duction this is not likely to be a major con- or land that is being developed. But even cern, but in central and western areas of in these instances, the proportion of Iowa; land immediately above the bank can streams being remediated is low. In Iowa be some of the most productive soil, there is some potential that restored providing it doesn’t flood during the crop streams would produce some additional growing season. In such a circumstance, economic activity that could be tapped for much of that land might have a value of some remediation efforts, but in all likeli(Continued from page 5)

hood such effort would almost assuredly be principally bankrolled by state funding. At the close of the interim Committee a discussion developed between Senate members over how this state funding could be provided. Republican State Senator Johnson challenged State Senator Dotzler to bring out a 3/8ths of a penny sales tax increase to fund the state constitutional Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreational Trust fund and Senator Dotzler retorted that the state should instead refrain from paying back state taxpayers the average of $54 for over collection of taxes and use this unspent money for this purpose. Senator Dotzler also distributed a proposal authored by the Iowa Environmental Council that proposed a new appropriation of $300,000 per year to DNR to establish a river restoration team and other presenters suggested the creation of a new river restoration panel consisting of pertinent state agency personnel and interested stakeholder groups. The Interim Committee concluded its meeting by agreeing to briefly meet again in January during the session to make recommendation to the legislature on what to do and to give committee member an opportunity to digest and mull over the banquet of information it was given by the presenters.

DNR Noted Deadline Near for Counties to Sign Up for Animal Confinement Site Evaluations On Thursday, December 5, 2013, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) issued a press release in which it advised counties interested in evaluating proposed sites of animal confinements that need a construction permit must sign up by January 31, 2014. The board of supervisors in counties that would like to participate must adopt and file a construction evaluation resolution and submit it to the DNR between January 1 and 31. Confinements in counties that file the resolutions must meet higher standards than other permitted sites. They must earn points on the master matrix by choosing a site and using practices that reduce impacts on the environment and the community. Counties that participate in the master matrix process may send staff to accompany the DNR on site visits to proposed locations. The county board of supervisors may also appeal the DNR’s preliminary approval of a permit to the Environmental Protection Commission. Approximately 86 counties have filed resolutions each year

since the master matrix went into effect in 2003. Counties that have adopted a resolution should mail it to Jerah Sheets at the DNR, 502 E. Ninth St., Des Moines, IA 50319 or fax it to 515-281-8895. Sign-ups occur annually during the month of January for the upcoming February through January.

es about manure application on frozen ground are up this year, especially in northern Iowa. The DNR is reminding producers they must meet separation distances if they are unable to inject or incorporate the manure.

Construction permits for a few confinement producers require no surface application. Most confinement feeding operations that Producers who have that condition in their need to apply for a permit are subject to the permit should call the nearest DNR field matrix. For more information on which office at www.iowadnr.gov/InsideDNR/ operations are affected, check the DNR DNRStaffOffices/ website under animal feeding operations at EnvironmentalFieldOffices.aspx. www.iowadnr.gov/AFO/. Look under Confinements/ConstructionRequirements/ Permitted/MasterMatrix.aspx . Additional information for counties is available on the Iowa State Association of Counties website at www.iowacounties.org/ under master matrix – construction evaluation. In a related press release by DNR on the same day, the DNR regional office in the Northwest portion of the state located in Spencer noted that calls to DNR field offic-

Page 7

House Republican Newsletter

Human Resources

(Contact Carrie Malone at 5-2063)

Youth at Iowa Juvenile Home Will Be Relocated On December 9th, the state issued layoff notices to the 93 employees at the Iowa Juvenile Home. The Department of Human Services announced plans to find alternative placements for the 21 youth that are currently being served at the Iowa Juvenile Home. At full capacity, the Iowa Juvenile Home could serve 57 youth ages 12 to 18 by employing a staff of 114 using $10.5 million in state general funds per year. For months, the Iowa Juvenile home in Toledo has been in the news regarding questionable practices, such as keeping teenage girls in isolation cells for long periods of time. The state-run home has also come under fire for allegedly denying education to some of the teens at the facility. In response to allegations by Disability

Rights Iowa, Governor Branstad signed Executive Order 82 on September 19th that established a five person task force to make recommendations about the future of the Juvenile Home and to explore other options for care. In October, the five-member task force offered 10 proposed changes at the Toledo home that included making it a girls-only facility subject to third-party oversight with revamped cottages that address residents’ needs while closing current seclusion rooms that have drawn controversy. DHS Director Charles Palmer said that the decision was based on the recommendations from the task force. Palmer said that the task force noted that the mixed population made it difficult for the facility’s programs to

be licensed or accredited. According to a DHS news release, the department determined that other state facilities and community-based, private providers can suit the treatment needs for both CINA and delinquent girls. This will be done in settings which can receive federal funds to assist in providing services. Court approval must be obtained to move any child to a new level of care, and the majority of youth will be served within Iowa, according to the DHS statement. After getting approval from the court, many of the girls will be served in a high level of care at psychiatric medical institutes for children (PMIC). It is possible that a few out-of-state placements will be necessary.

Labor

(Contact Colin Tadlock at 1-3440)

A $15 Minimum Wage? Last week, employees from several fast food chains across the country staged walkouts and protests from their jobs. Their goal? $15 per hour wages, and the right to organize a union. The $15 goal, more than double the current minimum wage, would represent a 107% raise for many employees and would equate to about $31,000 per year. The protests, heavily backed and funded by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), took place in several cities nationwide, with walkouts occurring in about 100. Most reports have said the crowds maxed out at about 100 people in New York City, with several participants being activists and paid demonstrators. Small protests occurred in three Iowa cities; those being Cedar Rapids, Iowa City,

and Waterloo.

“107% raise for many employees”

For years, the SEIU has attempted to unionize the fast food industry, but because of constant employee turnover, this has been highly difficult for the union to achieve. The SEIU is the nation’s largest service industry union, representing over 2 million workers in the areas of healthcare, security and janitorial services. The protests come at a time where Democrats at the national level have been push-

ing for a federal minimum wage of $10.10 per hour, a 39% jump from the current $7.25. President Obama has also expressed his support for the idea. One of Iowa’s United States Senators, Tom Harkin, is one of the main backers of the $10.10 push. According to a recent Pew Research Center study, about 3.55 million workers (about 1% of the population) make the federal minimum wage or less. Those individuals making less than minimum wage consist of tipped employees, full-time students, and certain disabled workers. Of those 3.55 million workers, over half are between the ages of 16-24. Additionally, of those making the minimum wage or less, nearly 44% work in the food preparation and serving industry (fast food).

Natural Resources

(Contact Carrie Malone at 5-2063)

2014 Hunting and Fishing Licenses on sale December 15 Iowans can begin buying 2014 resident hunting, fishing, and other licenses on December 15. Options include the Outdoor Combo annual resident hunting/fishing/ habitat license for $47; the Angler’s Special

three year fishing license for $53; and the Hunter’s Special three year hunting license for $86. Iowa hunting and fishing license fees are

the same as 2013. The last increase for a hunting license was in 2002. The last increase for a fishing license was in 2003. 2013 licenses are valid through January 10, 2014.

Page 8

House Republican Newsletter

Public Safety

(Contact Amanda Freel at 1-5230)

The Dangers of Drugged Driving December is National Impaired Driving Prevention Month and the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement is asking Iowans to be aware of drugged drivers on the road this holiday season. Drugged driving is a serious problem all over the country, if you suspect a drugged or drunk driver call law enforcement immediately. Drugged driving is a deadly problem in America. In 2009, 3,952 fatally injured drivers tested positive for drugs. In 2007, one in eight drivers on weekend nights tested positive for illicit drugs. The drugs individuals test positive for vary, but the results are the same, impaired, inattentive drivers who lack reaction time, judgment, motor skills and memory. Use of illicit drugs while driv-

ing can lead to car accidents, criminal charges and even death.

sleep disorder drugs all come with warnings against using machinery for a specific time. Failure to follow the prescription diAccording to the Iowa Department of Public rection can have dangerous consequencsafety, after alcohol, THC (the active ingre- es. dient in marijuana), is the substance most commonly found in the blood of impaired Driving under the influence of alcohol, illedrivers, fatally injured drivers and motor gal drugs and prescription medication can vehicle crash victims. Even though Marijua- be deadly. The Department of Public Safena may be legal in some states, it remains ty reminds all Iowans to take steps to avoid an illegal, schedule I drug, in Iowa. Law driving under the influence: enforcement officials can and will file  Do not drive while under the influence charges against those who drive while on of drugs or alcohol marijuana.  Do not allow others to drive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol Prescription drugs are also a serious prob-  If you suspect an impaired river, conlem on the roads. Opioid pain relievers, tact law enforcement immediately anxiety medicine (benzodiazepines) and

State Government

(Contact Brittany Telk at 1-3452)

Unique Greene County Earlier this week, president of Wild Rose Entertainment development, Tim Timmons, and Grow Greene County Gaming Corporation, a nonprofit organization, came to an operating agreement in the hopes of gaining a gaming license for a new $40 million investment for a casino resort to feature restaurants, a conference center and a hotel in Greene County. Under Iowa law, casinos must contribute a minimum of three percent of adjusted gaming revenue

to nonprofit groups; however, under this agreement, there will be enough money to allow the nonprofit to give some money to surrounding counties, with a five percent contribution agreement, an unheard of model for this venture. As the casino is similar to the Emmetsburg facility, that model was used and in calculating the proposed five percent contribution to roughly $1.5 million. They are hop-

Transportation

ing that this increase in contribution will garner increased support from surrounding counties in an effort to obtain a license from the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission. The operating agreement is just one of the components necessary to obtain a gaming license, and the IRGC has set January 6, 2014 as the deadline for Greene County to submit its completed application. (Contact Brittany Telk at 1-3452)

DOT Commission Approves Controversial New Rule The DOT Commission met earlier this week, and among other actions, approved an administrative rule which allows for stricter standards on implementing speed and red-light cameras on all interstate highways. The rule states that the DOT will have to approve all such cameras as they have ultimate jurisdiction, even though local governments control and orchestrate the install. Under this new rule, cities will have to perform an engineering analysis and develop a list of possible alternative solutions to present to the DOT before a camera could be used. Additionally, exist-

ing camera systems will be evaluated and are subject to removal. Finally, locations with cameras will be reviewed annually. Before the rule is completely implemented, however, it must go through legislative review and could go into effect as early as February 2014.

enforcement officers involved in making traffic stops and assigning tickets. Additionally, controversy comes from the rationale behind these cameras; with local law enforcement claiming these are for safety purposes and the other side maintaining that these cameras are merely for generating revenue. These new rules are meant to address these disagreements.

These cameras are known as traffic enforcement cameras which record traffic violations through video and violators reAfter an hour of discussion on topics such ceive tickets their tickets at a later date. as the intrusive nature of the cameras, their Such cameras have been highly controver- cost, safety benefits and alternatives to sial due to the fact that there are no law (Continued on page 9)

Page 9

House Republican Newsletter

(Continued from page 8)

camera use, the rules was unanimously passed. Those highly opposed to the rule, thus in favor of traffic cameras, conceded to the idea that this new DOT approval process is the same for any other procedure such as widening a lane or installing a new stoplight, for example.

While this discussion is the most controversial, the rest of the DOT Commission’s actions may be reviewed here: http:// www.news.iowadot.gov/ newsandinfo/2013/12/actions-taken-byiowa-transportation-commission-dec10.html.

“new DOT approval process is the same for any other procedure”

Veterans Affairs

(Contact Kristi Kielhorn at 2-5290)

New Programs Part of Home Base Iowa Initiative Recently Governor Branstad announced two new programs as part of the Home Base Iowa initiative: Home Base Iowa Businesses and Home Base Iowa Communities. Home Base Iowa, a project aimed at finding Iowa jobs for veterans from all over, was announced about a month ago in a press conference at Camp Dodge. Since the announcement, Governor Branstad and General Timothy Orr have had meetings with White House officials to discuss the program and explore potential collaborations. The new projects of Home Base Iowa Businesses and Home Base

Iowa Communities are intended to showcase what the state has to offer. Each project has several requirements for the desig-  nation. Home Base Iowa Business:  Company must pledge to hire a specific number of veterans  Must also post their jobs on the Home Base Iowa website  Must become members of the existing Skilled Iowa program

 

ed area must be Home Base Iowa Businesses Community must provide a unique welcome and incentive package to attract veterans to their community Must provide a plan to prominently display their designation Must get a resolution of support from the local governing body.

A website for Home Base Iowa is currently under construction at http:// www.homebaseiowa.org/.

Home Base Communities:  10% of the businesses in the designat-

Ways & Means

(Contact Kristi Kielhorn at 2-5290)

Supreme Court Leaves E-Fairness to the States Last week the United States Supreme Court declined to get involved in state efforts to force online retailers like Amazon to collect sales tax from customers in places where the companies do not have a traditional physical presence.

purchases by its residents despite not having a physical presence in the state. Amazon currently collects sales tax in 16 states (Iowa is not one of them).

Residents in states with a sales tax are supposed to remit the tax on purchases Traditional bricks-and-mortar businesses they make from online retailers—but most claim online retailers have an unfair adeither do not know they have to, or just do vantage by not having to collect sales taxes not do it. The National Conference of State in some states. New York passed a law a Legislatures estimated in 2012 that states couple of years ago that required compalost $23 billion in uncollected taxes of all nies like Amazon to collect sales tax on types and that about half were from online

sales. The Court gave no explanation for turning down petitions from Amazon and Overstock to review the decision by the New York Supreme Court to uphold a state law requiring sales tax collections despite no Amazon offices or distribution centers being located in New York. The Court has consistently left the decision of sales tax collection up to the individual states or to Congress for a more nation-wide approach.