With the 2010 legislative session in Des Moines well underway, State Senator Mary Jo Wilhelm and State Representative Brian Quirk held an open legislative forum on Saturday, Feb. 6 at the Cresco Public Library. During the forum, community members were invited to initiate discussion about the many dilemmas that are currently affecting Iowans. “We are always very pleased to hear your questions and concerns that we can take back to Des Moines with us,” said Senator Wilhelm at the start of the meeting.
Representative Quirk began by talking about certain issues that Iowa is facing right now, including fiscal issues due to the 10 percent across-the-board budget cuts that he says the governor of Iowa had no choice but to make. “One of the other big issues we’re contending with is government reorganization,” he said, adding that the government is also looking at base load energy, nuclear energy, wind energy and methane.
In addition, Quirk says a bill pertaining to headlights was recently passed. “If your windshield wipers have to be on, your headlights have to be on, too,” he said. “There is also a texting ban that I suspect will pass, as well.”
During the first week of the legislative session in our state capital, Wilhelm says the Iowa House passed legislation with a purpose of providing up to $175 million in funding for K-12 education through a program called “Race to the Top.” The program is aimed at improving educational achievement for students.
The second week was about government reorganization. “We looked at everything from overlapping services to how we can reduce costs,” said Wilhelm. “We’re looking at bulk purchasing and finding the best bang for your buck—whatever we can do for cost savings. We’re trying to make some good compromises while keeping the same service.”
State government is also looking at saving money through offering state employees an early retirement package, according to Wilhelm. If half of the 2,200 eligible workers choose to retire, $60 million would be saved in one year. Legislators are also looking to save even more money by wrapping up the session within 80 calendar days. Not since 1972 has a legislative session run for fewer days than that—when the 64th General Assembly came in at 75 days. “This is only my second year, but [the legislative session] is even more intense than my first year because of the 80 days we’re shooting for,” said Wilhelm. “We’re on track for being done [within the 80 days], but I don’t know if we’ll make it or not.”
In attendance at the forum were OneIowa supporters, wearing blue to symbolize solidarity in the belief for marriage equality; the organization is Iowa’s largest gay rights group. During the forum, a community member asked whether the issue of same-sex marriage was being brought up during the session. Quirk answered: “People have contacted me saying that there shouldn’t be a ban on same-sex marriage. As far as legislators are concerned, it won’t be brought up.”
Quirk explained that most Iowa legislators seem to feel that the focus of this legislative session needs to be aimed at budget and economic matters. “There will not be enough support by Rule 60 to pull the bill out of committee and debate it,” he said. “I do appreciate the many folks here who have made comments about it. I’ll cut to the chase, [legislators] are against gay marriage.”
Nonetheless, according to a news release issued by OneIowa, supporters of civil marriage equality plan to gather at the Capitol on Wednesday, Feb. 10 to speak to legislators and demonstrate statewide support for equality. The release states: “The day will kick off with a supporter rally and training at the Capitol Room located at 315 E. 5th St., Des Moines, Iowa. Remarks will be delivered by Former Lieutenant Governor Sally Pederson, Kate and Trish Varnum and OneIowa Executive Director Carolyn Jenison. Following the morning event, supporters will gather at the Capitol to share stories with Iowa legislators to demonstrate the importance of civil marriage equality to Iowa families.”
Also up for discussion during the forum was the issue of puppy mills, where legislators will likely debate whether dog breeders should pay higher licensing fees as a means to hinder animal abuse. “Hopefully the numbers they are kicking around won’t be a detriment to the breeders,” said Wilhelm, adding that the issue will probably be up for debate in Des Moines this week. “With economic times the way they are, they’re not selling a lot of dogs. We just have to be careful of those numbers.”
Another hot topic included the debate over fuel. “I believe in getting away from foreign oil, first and foremost, and ethanol has helped us do that, but we need to re-examine that—I think we need to refine ethanol a bit,” said Wilhelm, adding that people often tell her they see better mileage with regular gasoline. “I want to clarify that I’m not against ethanol, but it needs to be looked at and tweaked. I wish I was a scientist and could do that.”
Due to the across-the-board budget cut ordered by Governor Chet Culver, Iowa schools are hurting, which was another topic for discussion near the close of the forum on Saturday. Wilhelm says she would like to see superintendents, principals and school boards come together as a region, which could potentially help to bring reduced spending decision making to another level. “It’s nice to have locally controlled decision-making,” she said. “I would wish, again, that the school districts would come together [to discuss solutions].”
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With the 2010 legislative session in Des Moines well underway, State Senator Mary Jo Wilhelm and State Representative Brian Quirk held an open legislative forum on Saturday, Feb. 6 at the Cresco Public Library. During the forum, community members were invited to initiate discussion about the many dilemmas that are currently affecting Iowans. “We are always very pleased to hear your questions and concerns that we can take back to Des Moines with us,” said Senator Wilhelm at the start of the meeting.
Representative Quirk began by talking about certain issues that Iowa is facing right now, including fiscal issues due to the 10 percent across-the-board budget cuts that he says the governor of Iowa had no choice but to make. “One of the other big issues we’re contending with is government reorganization,” he said, adding that the government is also looking at base load energy, nuclear energy, wind energy and methane.
In addition, Quirk says a bill pertaining to headlights was recently passed. “If your windshield wipers have to be on, your headlights have to be on, too,” he said. “There is also a texting ban that I suspect will pass, as well.”
During the first week of the legislative session in our state capital, Wilhelm says the Iowa House passed legislation with a purpose of providing up to $175 million in funding for K-12 education through a program called “Race to the Top.” The program is aimed at improving educational achievement for students.
The second week was about government reorganization. “We looked at everything from overlapping services to how we can reduce costs,” said Wilhelm. “We’re looking at bulk purchasing and finding the best bang for your buck—whatever we can do for cost savings. We’re trying to make some good compromises while keeping the same service.”
State government is also looking at saving money through offering state employees an early retirement package, according to Wilhelm. If half of the 2,200 eligible workers choose to retire, $60 million would be saved in one year. Legislators are also looking to save even more money by wrapping up the session within 80 calendar days. Not since 1972 has a legislative session run for fewer days than that—when the 64th General Assembly came in at 75 days. “This is only my second year, but [the legislative session] is even more intense than my first year because of the 80 days we’re shooting for,” said Wilhelm. “We’re on track for being done [within the 80 days], but I don’t know if we’ll make it or not.”
In attendance at the forum were OneIowa supporters, wearing blue to symbolize solidarity in the belief for marriage equality; the organization is Iowa’s largest gay rights group. During the forum, a community member asked whether the issue of same-sex marriage was being brought up during the session. Quirk answered: “People have contacted me saying that there shouldn’t be a ban on same-sex marriage. As far as legislators are concerned, it won’t be brought up.”
Quirk explained that most Iowa legislators seem to feel that the focus of this legislative session needs to be aimed at budget and economic matters. “There will not be enough support by Rule 60 to pull the bill out of committee and debate it,” he said. “I do appreciate the many folks here who have made comments about it. I’ll cut to the chase, [legislators] are against gay marriage.”
Nonetheless, according to a news release issued by OneIowa, supporters of civil marriage equality plan to gather at the Capitol on Wednesday, Feb. 10 to speak to legislators and demonstrate statewide support for equality. The release states: “The day will kick off with a supporter rally and training at the Capitol Room located at 315 E. 5th St., Des Moines, Iowa. Remarks will be delivered by Former Lieutenant Governor Sally Pederson, Kate and Trish Varnum and OneIowa Executive Director Carolyn Jenison. Following the morning event, supporters will gather at the Capitol to share stories with Iowa legislators to demonstrate the importance of civil marriage equality to Iowa families.”
Also up for discussion during the forum was the issue of puppy mills, where legislators will likely debate whether dog breeders should pay higher licensing fees as a means to hinder animal abuse. “Hopefully the numbers they are kicking around won’t be a detriment to the breeders,” said Wilhelm, adding that the issue will probably be up for debate in Des Moines this week. “With economic times the way they are, they’re not selling a lot of dogs. We just have to be careful of those numbers.”
Another hot topic included the debate over fuel. “I believe in getting away from foreign oil, first and foremost, and ethanol has helped us do that, but we need to re-examine that—I think we need to refine ethanol a bit,” said Wilhelm, adding that people often tell her they see better mileage with regular gasoline. “I want to clarify that I’m not against ethanol, but it needs to be looked at and tweaked. I wish I was a scientist and could do that.”
Due to the across-the-board budget cut ordered by Governor Chet Culver, Iowa schools are hurting, which was another topic for discussion near the close of the forum on Saturday. Wilhelm says she would like to see superintendents, principals and school boards come together as a region, which could potentially help to bring reduced spending decision making to another level. “It’s nice to have locally controlled decision-making,” she said. “I would wish, again, that the school districts would come together [to discuss solutions].”
