News from the Hill…
We have completed the second week of the extended session with some progress being made. There are eleven appropriation bills, two have been sent to the Governor for his consideration, eight are in conference committees, and one is still left to debate in the Iowa House.
This has been one of the most difficult sessions of the thirteen I have been in the Iowa House. There have been more points of personal privilege on the house floor this year than all the other years I have served combined. Many of these points of personal privilege have been with a sharp partisan tone. The partisan bickering during debate on the House Floor has become quite old as well. Some of the emails, letters, and phone calls that I have received, but certainly not all, have reflected some of this same partisan tone. I find this to be very disappointing and distracting from what really needs to be discussed. Our Government at all levels has grown to a size that is not easily sustainable. Too many just automatically think they should have more and to heck with everyone else. I have always run on the premise of being able to stand and make the tough decisions, even when they are no longer popular. But that sure can be a lonely place, until you find out that the silent majority is there with you.
The fiscal condition of our state is one of the best in the Country, and that is something we all should be proud of. But what I hear from too many is the following: “You guys should be spending your reserves.” It will never cease to amaze me of the lack of fiscal discipline and fiscal responsibility of too many in our society today. The idea of living for today no matter what it may cost somebody in the future has got to stop.
However, there is still much to look forward to, especially with the approach of High School and College Graduations. Young people will be embarking on a new chapter in their lives. With this threshold being crossed there can be new hope and new dreams to help make this world a better place. I am not sure they will be entering a world as good as the one I entered several years ago, but maybe that opinion is something shared by each generation for those who follow. I do know this, I am proud to be a Christian, American, Iowan, and Conservative. But I am most proud and humbled to be able to serve you in the Iowa House.
“There are two kinds of pride, both good and bad. ‘Good pride’ represents our dignity and self-respect. ‘Bad pride’ is the deadly sin of superiority that reeks of conceit and arrogance.” John C. Maxwell
For more information on these and other bills: www.legis.iowa.gov
Until next time,
Tom Sands
News from the Hill…
The Appropriations and Ways and Means Committees each met this week. The House Appropriations Committee received and passed some of the appropriations bills that have come over from the Senate. Budget bills are being debated and passed out of one chamber and then start the process over in the other Chamber. Even with the log jam of school funding not coming to an end, the rest of the appropriations bills are starting to move. There doesn’t appear to be many positive signs on the school funding discussion, other than a new dialogue has begun.
First Week of Over Time…
We have completed the first week of the session without the clerks, and no per diem. This, coupled with the fact of farmers wanting to get home to finish their spring work, will hopefully motivate people to get along and come to a sensible agreement on spending. There are many issues hanging in limbo waiting to see if they may get their day of debate. Every time you think a particular bill is dead for the year, something will breathe new life into it, and off we go. This can make some people very happy, and others are scrambling to stop it in its tracks.
Avian Bird Flu…
There seems to be new breaks with the Avian Bird Flu each day or so. So far most of the known cases are in Northwest Iowa. While this is devastating to the individual producers, it is unknown how much of a fiscal impact this will have on the State Revenues. However, with more and more cases of the flu being found, the chance of a significant impact increases. The repopulation of birds is faster than it is for cattle or hogs, but it will still take time. So the prices paid for those commodities by consumers will go up while the income from the producers will turn into losses. So there will be a negative impact on the state, the amount is still unknown.
“Life is 10% what happens to us and 90% how we react to it.” – Dennis P. Kimbro
For more information on these and other bills: www.legis.iowa.gov
Until next time,
Tom Sands
In 1962, JFK gave a speech to the nation challenging them to make a “great national effort.” He held the La Sierra High School Physical Education Class up as the model for the nation to follow. 4,000 high schools followed this program. This is the only known digitized copy of his speech. The footage shows one high school PE class. Remember, this is a normal PE class at the high school. This was PE 50 years ago in America!
