Thursday, May 28, 2015
www.IowaHouseRepublicans.com
Inside this issue:
House Republican Talking Points 2015-16 House Republican Budget Principles House Republicans are committed to these principles to produce a balanced and sustainable state budget: 1. We will spend less than the state collects; 2. We will not use one-time money to fund on-going needs; 3. We will not balance the budget by intentionally underfunding programs; and 4. We will return unused tax dollars to Iowa’s taxpayers.
Senate Democrats. We expect that to continue this year. Living within our means is something the hardworking taxpayers of Iowa do every day. Government needs to do the same. As has been the case every legislative session since 2011, the holdup to adjournment is the spending appetite of Senate Democrats. Every year they push to spend more than the state collects and every year House Republicans hold the line while providing workable solutions to spend within our means.
The House Republican budget plan spends 99.9% ($7.168 billion) of onHouse Republican Budget Plan going revenue ($7.175 billion) ensuring that government does not spend more Senate Democrats have charged that than it has and lives within its means. House Republicans are more interested This is a 2.48% (173.8 million) increase in protected a balance sheet than proover FY 15. The Senate Democrat plan tecting Iowans in need of services. spends 102.5% (7.341 billion) of ongoing revenue. That is a 4.73% ($347 It is disappointing that Democrats contin- million) increase over FY 15. ue to misunderstand the Legislature’s responsibility to Iowans. This isn’t about According to the non-partisan LSA, actua balance sheet. It is about the money al state revenue growth is 2.6%, not 6%. earned by hardworking Iowans and what In actual dollars, growth is $180.9 million, we’ll do to protect the taxpayers and fam- not $408.1 million. According to LSA the ilies who go to work, play by the rules $408.1 million figure cited by Democrats and pay their taxes. Those Iowans exrepresents the growth between estimates pect to be treated with respect. That is not the growth between actual spending why House Republicans will stand up and the FY 2016 estimate. and protect their money every day. Every dollar the Legislature spends that it The House Republican General Fund doesn’t have puts the financial security of budget plan does not use the ending those taxpayers and families in jeopardy. balance, the Cash Reserve or the EcoResponsible budgeting ensures Iowa’s nomic Emergency Fund. According to must vulnerable citizens have resources the non-partisan Legislative Services they can depend on next year and the Agency in regards to the ending balance, year after. “It should be noted that these excess It is important to Iowans that the Legislature does not spend more than we have and live within our means. While standing by this principle for the last five legislative sessions, Republicans have found common ground with the Governor and
funds are considered one-time revenues that can carry-forward from one fiscal year to the next. The transfer amounts can be unpredictable from one year to the next… Reliance on these revenues for ongoing operational expenses of gov(Continued on page 2)
Appropriations
2
Agriculture
2
Economic Growth
3
Education
3
Environmental Protection
4
Judiciary
5
Labor
5
Natural Resources
6
Public Safety
6
Transportation
6
Veterans Affairs
7
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House Republican Newsletter (Continued from page 1)
ernment programs can result in budget shortfalls if an economic downturn causes a drop in annual tax revenue.” Iowans are sending $7.175 billion to state government coffers. That is a tremendous
amount of money. Spending more than they are sending to the state sets hardworking taxpayers up for either future budget cuts or a tax increase. Instead of that, the Legislature should simply live within its means.
such as paying off state debt, or making targeted investments in key infrastructure projects, or improving water quality – then using one-time resources like the ending balance may be appropriate. House Republicans voted to pay off state debt using ending balance dollars in 2013 and 2014.
If there are legitimate one-time expenses –
Appropriations
(Contact Brad Trow at 1-3471)
House Passes FY 2016 Standing Appropriations Bill Last Wednesday, the House took action on the last budget bill of the 2015 legislative session when it passed by the Standing Appropriations bill - Senate File 510.
The House version of Senate File 510 also contains a few policy provisions passed by the House during the 2015 session, but remain unresolved. Among these are:
This bill differs from other budget bills as it primarily adjusts various appropriations set in the Iowa Code instead of making appropriations. Among the appropriation changes included in the House version of the bill is a $1.5 million reduction in the Legislature’s budget. This decrease amounts to a 4 percent lowering of state spending on this branch of government. Among the ways that the Legislature would achieve these savings would be by not paying any association dues next year and not funding any out of state travel. Reductions in the state funding for Area Education Agencies would remain at the $15 million level that has been imposed over the past two years.
Changing Iowa’s laws governing firearms, including the provisions passed by the House in Senate File 427; Increasing the maximum amount deposited in the Taxpayer Trust Fund to $90 million; Revising Iowa’s alcohol testing law for employers (HF 308); Providing school districts with greater powers over the operation of their schools, also known as Home Rule; Allowing the two school districts operating school programs to continue providing this, allowing siblings of current students to enroll in the programs, and additional accountability provisions; Providing parents with additional infor-
Agriculture
mation on human growth and development programs and conferences that their students are participating in; Addressing identity theft concerns in regards to income tax refunds, unemployment compensation, and Medicaid (HSB 237); Implementing Eminent Domain reforms, passed by the House in Senate File 449; Creating the Chemical Production Tax Credit and other economic development changes (HF 656); and Requiring DNR to utilize a competitive bidding process for purchasing equipment for state parks.
Senate File 510 has now gone to a conference committee. Completion of this bill is likely to be one of the final actions of the 2015 legislative session.
(Contact Lew Olson at 1-3096)
Avian Influenza ‘Flocktastrophe’ Continues to Grow; 66 Flocks Now Affected IDALS Cancels Exhibitions of Birds for 2015 Due to Avian Influenza Outbreak On Wednesday May 27, 2015, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) issued its most recent press release concerning the ongoing avian influenza outbreak noting that 66 flocks and poultry operation have been at least preliminarily diagnosis as having avian influenza. 51 have now been confirmed. This press release was the latest of five press releases issued by IDALS on this issue during the last week which also included a press release that IDALS was canceling all avian/poultry exhibition for the rest of calendar year 2015. The May 27th press release also indicated that two new counties (Adair and Webster) now have avian influenza in flocks in those counties. With the new announcements, Iowa now has 66 cases of the disease in the state.
IDALS has quarantined the premises and once the presence of the disease is confirmed, all birds on the property will be humanely euthanized to prevent the spread of the disease. The latest premises now proscribed include--
“Iowa leads the nation in egg production”
On Friday, IDALS issued a press release that it had determine that a flock located in Pocahontas county was likely infectedPocahontas 3 – Turkey farm with an estimated 21,000 birds that has experienced increased mortality. A day earlier on Thursday, May 21, 2015 IDALS noted that a 17th Buena Vista County poultry farm had broken--
Buena Vista 17 – Commercial laying operAdair 1 – Commercial laying operation with ation with an estimated 22,000 birds has an estimated 975,000 birds that has experi- experienced increased mortality. enced increased mortality. Late Wednesday, May 20, 2015, IDALS reported that two additional turkey flocks Webster 1 – Commercial laying operation had been identified with the H2N5 avian with an estimated 160,000 birds that has influenza. Estimates on the number of experienced increased mortality. turkeys involved with these two flocks is still pending. (Continued on page 3)
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House Republican Newsletter
announced an order to cancel all live bird exhibitions at county fairs, the Iowa State Sac 6 – Turkey farm that has experienced Fair, and other gatherings of birds due to increased mortality. avian influenza. The Department’s order begins immediately, is effective through the Calhoun 1 – Turkey farm that has experiend of 2015, and also prohibits live birds enced increased mortality. from being sold at livestock auction marAll of the flocks identified in the last week kets, swap meets and exotic sales. are awaiting additional confirmatory testing The purpose of the IDALS’ directive is to that is pending from the APHIS National minimize the risk of potential further spread Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) in of the virus to other poultry. The Center Ames. for Disease Control (CDC) and Iowa Department of Public Health consider the risk In a related matter, on Thursday, May 21, to the public related to HPAI:H5N2 infec2015, IDALS issued a press release that tions to be very low. No human infections (Continued from page 2)
Economic Growth
of the virus have ever been detected and there is no food safety risk for consumers. The Iowa Turkey Federation and Iowa Poultry Association both recommended that bird exhibitions be cancelled this year due to avian influenza. Iowa leads the nation in egg production and is in the top ten in turkey production. More information about the avian influenza situation in Iowa can be found at www.iowaagriculture.gov/ avianinfluenza.asp.
(Contact Dane Schumann at 1-3626)
IEDA Makes Awards, Approves Des Moines Plan The Iowa Economic Development Authority board met last week and awarded special tax benefits and financial assistance to six companies that plan to expand and create jobs in Iowa. The six awards are as follows:
The board approved a $500,000 loan through the High-Quality Jobs Program for AML Riverside’s establishment of an animal health contract manufacturing facility in Fort Dodge. The project will create 30 jobs at wage of at least $16.45 per hour.
The board approved $200,000 in forgivable loans and tax benefits to Beck’s Superior Hybrids--the country’s largest family-owned company the produces, processes and sells seeds-for its planned sales office and distribution center in Colfax.
One of North America’s largest packaged food companies, ConAgra Foods, won about $4.5 million in incentives for its $50 million expansion in Waterloo. The facility is expected to
create 57 new jobs. Urbandale’s Bird Dog HR won $215,000 in direct assistance and tax benefits for its $1 million capital investment project that is set create 71 jobs with wages of $25.52 per hour. Three subsidiaries of France’s LeSaffre Group, a provider of yeast and other fermentation-related products, won $25,000 in direct incentives and tax credits to construct a new Cedar Rapids facility that will cost around $51 million. The expansion will create 30 jobs, eight of which are incented to pay at least $23.45 per hour.
project is supposed to create 1,110 jobs with 212 of those incented to pay the qualifying wage of $20.66 per hour. Starting wages for the 902 production jobs would be around $15 per hour.
“hotel-motel and sales tax revenues to be diverted”
The board also approved Des Moines’ $36.5 million application for the Iowa Convention and Entertainment Reinvestment District. The Iowa Reinvestment District Program is designed to assist communities in developing transformative projects that The board finally approved $13.2 million in tax incentives for Seaboard Tri- will improve the quality of life, create and umph Foods, a new entity that is plan- enhance unique opportunities and substantially benefit the community, region and ning to build a $264 million pork processing plant in Sioux City. The incen- state. The program provides for up to $100 million in new state hotel-motel and sales tive package includes $7.6 million in job-creation tax credits over ten years, tax revenues to be diverted from state coffers into approved districts. Districts cannot $2.3 million in investment tax credits exceed 25 acres in size, and must be in an and a $3.2 million sales and use tax refund on construction materials. The Urban Renewal Area.
Education
Contact Jason Chapman at 1-3015)
Parent Opt-Out for Assessments Movement Growing The national debate on the next generation of K-12 assessments is in continuous turmoil. The trend towards two different national tests (PARCC and Smarter Balanced) has changed significantly as states have left the cooperative consortia developing the tests, delayed implementation
and heard growing concerns. All of which leaves a very fractious picture. One of the more recent increases in activity is around parent choice for opting out of state-wide testing.
In response to the growing concerns, legislative proposals have been introduced this year in a handful of states:
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House Republican Newsletter
Iowa does not allow parents to opt out. Guidance on the Department of Education’s website says “The law requires that Indiana made a move to shorten the all Iowa students be assessed…it contains length of time required for its statewide The report points out that guidance as to no provision for parents to opt children out tests. whether opt-outs are allowed is often less of assessments…and local school districts Minnesota has seen a proposal to than clear, as departments of education are determine the consequences for withholdeliminate a number of its standardized ing children from testing.” tests after a Testing Reduction Adviso- often silent on the issue. Additionally, many states have no consequences in ry Group issued recommendations. This issue will likely continue to be a topic Ohio has formed an advisory commit- place for not participating in mandatory assessments, adding a further wrinkle to of conversation as Iowa’s 2013 Education tee of education experts to make recdefining what it Reform bill requires a new assessment be ommendations on state-required asmeans for states to truly prohibit opt-outs. in place for the 2016/17 school year. A sessments. Task Force was created by House File 215, Colorado is looking at language to its and was tasked with examining all availaNo Child Left Behind Act waiver to ble options and make recommendations. ensure that opt-outs don't count “Iowa does not allow The Task Force recommended in January against a school's 95 percent particithat the state adopt the Smarter Balanced pation threshold. parents to opt out” Assessment. How or when that will be In Illinois New opt-out legislation for implemented remains to be seen at this parents has been introduced in Illinois point. (HB 306) Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal issued an For the DE’s guidance on opting out, see: executive order in late January that Another wrinkle that states have to deal https://www.educateiowa.gov/resources/ would allow parents to opt out of aswith is how federals funds may be put into laws-and-regulations/legal-lessons/optingsessments, and is calling for a special jeopardy if less than 95 percent of students out-testing-november-2014-school-leadermeeting with the state’s school board take the statewide assessments, as reupdate to clarify the state’s opt-out policy. quired by No Child Left Behind. Federal Education Secretary Arne Duncan has said For the ECS report on state opt-out poliThe only clear thing is that there is no clear that if states fail to get districts to get cies, see: http://www.ecs.org/ policy standard, as states vary consistently enough students to take mandated tests, clearinghouse/01/17/68/11768.pdf across the board. An Education Commishis department is obligated to step in. sion of the States (ECS) report earlier this (Continued from page 3)
year states “Some state policies are clear on this issue, but many are still working through the process.”
Environmental Protection
(Contact Lew Olson at 1-3096)
EPA Issues Clean Water Rule Concerning Streams and Wetlands Critical to Public Health, Communities, and Economy On Wednesday, May 27, 2015, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a press release in which the federal agency announced that the EPA and the United States Army (Corps of Engineers) finalized the Clean Water Rule to clearly protect from pollution and degradation the streams and wetlands that form the foundation of the nation’s water resources. The press release purports that the final rules does not create any new permitting requirements and maintains all previous exemptions and exclusions. EPA claims that the rule ensures that waters protected under the Clean Water Act are more precisely defined and predictably determined, making permitting less costly, easier, and faster for businesses and industry and that the rule is grounded in law and the latest science, and is shaped by public input. The rule does not create any new permitting requirements for agriculture and maintains all previous exemptions and exclusions.
Justifying this rule change, the EPA notes that people need clean water for their health and about 117 million Americans – one in three people – get drinking water from streams that lacked clear protection before the Clean Water Rule. Instigation for this rule arose because protection for many of the nation’s streams and wetlands has been confusing, complex, and timeconsuming as the result of Supreme Court decisions in 2001 and 2006. EPA and the Army are taking this action which started over a year ago to provide clarity on protections under the Clean Water Act after receiving requests for over a decade from members of Congress, state and local officials, industry, agriculture, environmental groups, scientists, and the public for a rulemaking. That initial propose rulemaking was sharply criticized by a number of citizens, particularly in the agricultural community who disputed the EPA claim that the proposed rule did not extend regulatory
reach of water regulation beyond where it had been in prior decades and even exceeded what was specified by the federal clean water act. Specifically, the final new EPA Clean Water Rule as Described by the EPA: Clearly defines and protects tributaries that impact the health of downstream waters. The Clean Water Act protects navigable waterways and their tributaries.
The rule says that a tributary must show physical features of flowing water – a bed, bank, and ordinary high water mark – to warrant protection.
The rule provides protection for headwaters that have these features and science shows can have a significant connection to downstream waters. (Continued on page 5)
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House Republican Newsletter
ers about coverage of the Clean Water Act. Farms across America depend on clean and reliable water for livestock, crops, and irrigation. The final rule specifically recognizes the vital role that U.S. agriculture The rule does not change how those The rule protects waters that are next serves in providing food, fuel, and fiber at waters are treated and encourages the home and around the world. The rule does to rivers and lakes and their tributaries use of green infrastructure. because science shows that they imnot create any new permitting requirements pact downstream waters. for America’s farmers. Activities like plantReduces the use of case-specific analy- ing, harvesting, and moving livestock have The rule sets boundaries on covering long been exempt from Clean Water Act nearby waters for the first time that are sis of waters. regulation, and the Clean Water Rule prephysical and measurable. Previously, almost any water could be serves those exemptions. put through a lengthy case-specific analysis, even if it would not be subject The Clean Water Rule will be effective 60 Protects the nation’s regional water to the Clean Water Act. treasures. days after publication in the Federal Regis(Continued from page 4)
Maintains the status of waters within Provides certainty in how far safeguards Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems. extend to nearby waters.
The rule significantly limits the use of case-specific analysis by creating clarity and certainty on protected waters and limiting the number of similarly situated water features.
ter. More information: www.epa.gov/ cleanwaterrule and http://www.army.mil/ asacw . On Wednesday, Iowa U.S. Congressman Young commented on WHO’s radio noon agricultural show that Congres The rule protects prairie potholes, Carsional staff were reviewing this rule all 300olina and Delmarva bays, pocosins, The Clean Water Rule only protects the plus pages of it to determine if it complied western vernal pools in California, and types of waters that have historically been with the federal clean water act and recent Texas coastal prairie wetlands when covered under the Clean Water Act. It Congressional instruction to EPA on the they impact downstream waters. does not regulate most ditches and does matter and if it doesn’t there will be Connot regulate groundwater, shallow subsur- gressional efforts to restrict EPA expendiface flows, or tile drains. It does not make tures to implement those contested proviFocuses on streams, not ditches. changes to current policies on irrigation or sions of the new rule. Also of particular The rule limits protection to ditches water transfers or apply to erosion in a interest to Iowa’s agriculture sector is lanthat are constructed out of streams or field. The Clean Water Rule addresses the guage in the press release that explicitly function like streams and can carry pollution and destruction of waterways – states--“ It does not regulate most ditches pollution downstream. not land use or private property rights. The and does not regulate groundwater, shal So ditches that are not constructed in rule protects clean water necessary for low subsurface flows, or tile drains.” streams and that flow only when it farming, ranching, and forestry and prorains are not covered. vides greater clarity and certainty to farm
Science shows that specific water features can function like a system and impact the health of downstream waters.
Judiciary
(Contact Amanda Freel at 1-5230)
Sledding Ban Repealed in Dubuque Next winter, kids and adults in Dubuque will be allowed to enjoy sledding in city parks. The City Council has repealed an ordinance that banned sledding in some parks. This repeal came after the House Republicans worked to change the law to protect cities from frivolous lawsuits and liability.
House File 570, as signed by the Governor, protects municipalities from claims of negligent design or construction of a public facility for recreational activities. The bill also exempts municipalities from liability claims relating to acts or omissions by employees from a person engaged in recreational activities if the person knew or should have
Labor
known the risk created by the recreational activity. This law change will allow sledding and other activities on city property without the city risking frivolous law suits or putting the public in danger.
(Contact Colin Tadlock at 1-3440)
Iowa Unemployment Drops to 3.8% On Wednesday Iowa Workforce Development released their latest unemployment report which showed very positive news for the state. Iowa’s unemployment rate dropped from 4.0% in March to 3.8% in April. Iowa’s current unemployment rate is at its lowest point since March 2008, and is
the first time the state’s unemployment rate has been below 4% since April of 2008. Iowa was one of 23 states that saw a decrease in its unemployment rate in April. Overall there was a net loss of 1,700 jobs in nonfarm employment across the state.
The number of employed Iowans increased by 600 while the number of unemployed decreased by 2,500. The Iowa labor force shrunk by 1,900 workers in April, bringing the total labor force to 1,713,200. Overall however, the labor force has grown by (Continued on page 6)
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House Republican Newsletter (Continued from page 5)
15,100 Iowans compared to April of last year. Total employment now rests at 1,647,100 jobs and 23,700 Iowans have found employment since April of last year.
ture projects. Construction was followed by the national rate, which stood at 5.4% in the Other services sector (+1,600 jobs). April. Additionally, the Manufacturing industry shed 3,200 jobs in April, which constitutes as the largest decrease in all sectors of employment. “Construction led the
Construction led the state in job gains, add- Iowa is tied for the 7th lowest unemploying 2,400 jobs in April which IWD cited was ment rate in the country, and Iowa’s rate a result of hiring for highway and infrastruc- continues to remain significantly lower than
Natural Resources
state in job gains”
(Contact Carrie Malone at 5-2063)
Beware of Ticks this Summer Outdoor activity could lead to an increased risk of contact with ticks this summer. The Iowa Department of Public Health says that ticks are becoming more active this time of year. Ticks carry several diseases, including Lyme disease, that can be very serious.
year two cases have been reported. Dr. Patricia Quinlisk, the Department of Public Health medical director, says it is easy to prevent tick bites if you wear long sleeve shirts and pants. She also recommends using insect repellant that contains DEET.
According to the Department, there were 194 cases of Lyme disease in 2014. This
If you have been in an area where ticks might be prevalent, you should check your-
Public Safety
self. If you find a tick, remove it immediately. If you develop a bull’s-eye rash, seek medical attention. *Information for this article was obtained from Radio Iowa. You can see the article here. For more information about ticks and Lyme disease, click here.
(Contact Amanda Freel at 1-5230)
More Iowa Police Departments to have Body Cameras The Urbandale Police Department will soon have body cameras for their officers, thanks to a grant from the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Grand Lodge of Iowa. The grant allows for 24 cameras to be purchased. According to the Department, Urbandale officers will have their cameras turned on during all traffic stops and calls for service. Additionally, a camera can be turned on
under a supervisor’s or officer’s discretion. All information recorded will be uploaded wirelessly to a secure server at the Police Department. While body cameras are not required in Iowa, they do provide additional protection for officers and the public, in many cases. Urbandale will join other departments that have or plan to purchase body cameras, including the Polk County Sheriff’s Office,
Transportation
the Des Moines Police Department, Johnston Police Department and Clive Police Department.
“body cameras are not required in Iowa”
(Contact Brittany Telk at 1-3452)
Another Band-Aid: Federal Highway Trust Fund “Fix” Earlier this month, Congress passed another short-term fix for the Federal Highway Trust fund, which provides a 2-month extension to prevent the fund from completely running out; it was set to go dry May 31, 2015 (as in this Sunday). What this truly means: another General Fund transfer to cover transportation costs. There is currently enough money in the fund to last through July, but the extension was needed in order to fund different state projects, although some states have stopped billing due to the overall uncertainty of the fund. This extension is being viewed as a way to buy more time so Congress can come up
with an appropriate, long-term fix for this budget problem. A gas tax increase, while being the simplest fix, is still not the most popular solution, even though the bulk of funding comes from fuel tax revenue. And this tax has not been increased since 1993, with 18.4 cents coming from gasoline and 24.4 cents coming from diesel, both per gallon numbers. This is eerily similar to Iowa’s situation just a few months ago, before the Iowa Legislature voted to increase the gas tax. Additionally, the need to fix crumbing and structurally deficient bridges were also issues in Iowa.
It is estimated Congress needs to find $16 billion to fund highway accounts for FY 2016 and between $11 and $18 billion in future years. There is currently no plan that has been released, other than the need to find a plan. President Obama has previously proposed a $478 billion plan, increasing transportation funding by approximately one-third. The Congressional Budget Office Highway Trust Fund projections can be accessed here, while more graphical representations of the Fund can be accessed here.
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House Republican Newsletter
Veterans Affairs
(Contact Kristi Kious at 2-5290)
Iowa Ranks 13th Best State for Military Retirees to Call Home A new study by WalletHub finds that Iowa ranks 13th highest for military retirees when several factors are taken into consideration. The study looked at every state plus Washington D.C. and analyzed 20 factors relevant to military retirement. Among those factors included were job opportunities, VA health facilities, homelessness, and affordable housing.
Iowa ranked first in housing affordability and fifth in number of hospitals per 100,000 residents. Iowa ranked 26th in number of VA health facilities per veteran and 18th in percentage of population aged 40 and over. Not surprisingly—Wyoming, Montana, and
South Dakota fared best in the study. Washington D.C., Rhode Island, and Indiana came in the last three spots. The full study can be found at: http://wallethub.com/ edu/best-states-for-military-retirees/3915/.
