Capitol Update
April 27, 2023 | Week 16
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Wrapping Up the Session
This Friday, April 28th, was slated to be the last day of the 2023 Legislative Session for the Iowa House and Senate. While we won't finish by that deadline, we are getting close to the end of session and tying up loose ends.
Most members have not been at the Capitol this week and last, as we have not met for caucuses or debate at all. The only committees meeting are those that deal with the budget, so there is not necessarily a need for other members to be present.
The budget committees and subcommittees are in the process of final decision making between the House and the Senate regarding each line item in the budget and as a whole. Once those bills are passed through, they will come to the full House for caucus and debate.
As of now, it looks like next week (the week of May 1st) will be the last. When we have finished passing the budget, we will adjourn sine die (meaning "without another day"). This signals the official end of the legislative session as there will not be an official "reconvening" time until the 2024 session begins.
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Grandparents Day at Oskaloosa Christian School | |
Even though my grandchildren are not old enough for school yet, I sure enjoyed dropping in on the 150 grandparents visiting Oskaloosa Christian Grade School this week!! So many familiar faces, both young and old! To all the teachers in Iowa... the role you serve is highly honorable yet full of challenges that you face with such determined resolve. May the Lord bless you and have favor upon you! | |
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The House passed HF 565- the "Carbon Pipeline Bill" on March 22.
This bill proposes that carbon pipeline companies must obtain a 90% voluntary easement from landowners on their route before they could use eminent domain, as well as establishing a study committee on the issue. You can read more about this bill on my website.
Presently, the Senate has taken no action on this bill. It was assigned a subcommittee (the first step to moving a bill through the committee process) but was never given a meeting. I encourage those who value property rights to contact your Senator as well as the Senate leadership!
For those in my district, your Senator is Adrian Dickey. Find his contact information at this link.
Senate Leadership (click on names to view contact information)
Sample letter to legislators and tips for contacting.
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What happens in the interim? | |
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The "interim" for legislators is the time between sessions, essentially May through December. While some folks think that we only work 4 months of the year, there is actually much to be done during the interim time!
Most legislators have another job or business outside of the legislature. I have found this to be a really neat aspect, as everyone has a different perspective and area of expertise to lend to discussions and issues. Personally, I plan to spend time during the interim door-knocking, studying the Iowa Code, researching and preparing for next year's bills, traveling for trainings and of course some R & R, family time, and a half-marathon in June!
I am also looking forward to visiting all of the courthouses in my district and learning more about what each position does. I recently visited the Keokuk County Courthouse and had a wonderful time meeting everyone and hearing about all they do for the county. I am excited to visit all the schools in my district as well, (all eleven of them) either before they let out for the summer or when they are back in the fall. I enjoy meeting the students and faculty and learning about how their school runs and what issues are important to them.
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Pictured Above: the Keokuk County Courthouse in Sigourney. | |
Volunteer Iowa Hall of Fame Inductee | |
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Paula Falconer of Oskaloosa was inducted to the Volunteer Hall of Fame this week at the Capitol. Congratulations, Paula!
Here is a summary of her work from the Volunteer Iowa website:
As an AmeriCorps service member in 2021, Paula established a partnership between The Eddyville Summer Lunch Program and local engineers from Cargill. In June of 2021, the program provided 8,344 meals for families during a food insecure time. This spurred larger discussions among the community’s helping services organizations to think about future collaboration through Paula’s AmeriCorps Program, United Way, and others.
Throughout her AmeriCorps service, Paula built a passion for volunteer recruitment and ways to improve it. Wanting to ensure future members felt empowered in recruiting efforts, she developed a training on “How to Become a Volunteer Superstar: Simple Steps to help you recruit Volunteers for your many projects,” which she shares with new cohorts of AmeriCorps members. Outside of her AmeriCorps service, Paula put her recruitment skills to work in getting a group of family and friends to sew nearly 1,000 bags for the Ottumwa Food Bank as a way to help the bank distribute fresh produce to Iowans in need during the pandemic.
Today, Paula is the Community Relations Coordinator for Mahaska Health where she inspires others to “get things done” for their community. She continues to serve on the Board of Directors for Mahaska Chamber & Development Group seeking to promote, improve, and enhance the business environment and quality of life in the Mahaska Community. She has further demonstrated her commitment to coordinating a direct response for families by starting a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping families.
Paula’s impact and passion for connection is best described by her nominator, Erika Abusharkh: “Paula has committed herself to find a way to bridge gaps that exist in her community, as well as gaps that exist between people. She connects people with purpose and ensures businesses and organizations know that they are an integral part of partnering to make sure supports and resources are accessible to those who need it most. She does not wait for someone else to solve a problem – she draws on her community to rally together to find solutions.”
The Oskaloosa Herald featured Paula’s AmeriCorps service a few times while she was a member. As Paula said at the time, “I want for people to know that we have a lot of resources that are in our community. We just need to look, ask questions, and talk to each other so that we can let others know what is out there.” Paula is the embodiment of a true community connector.
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Bill for Increased Penalties for Human Trafficking Advances | |
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HF630, a bill that would increase the penalties for human trafficking in Iowa, passed the Senate this week. Having already passed the House, it is now headed to the Governor's desk to be signed!
The bill increases penalties for human trafficking in Iowa, including sex and labor trafficking, by changing penalties for the those offenses to a higher, more serious "class" of felony. It also increases the penalty for most cases of trafficking of a minor to a class A felony, and details that, "A person’s ignorance of the age of the victim or a belief that the victim was older is not a defense to a violation..." The bill also states that anyone sentenced under this law cannot be eligible for deferred judgement or a deferred or suspended sentence.
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Work space for legislators and staff | |
Another interesting tidbit about the legislature is that most Representatives don't have a separate office of their own: our desk are our offices! The same goes for clerks in the House. Their desks are basically wooden filing cabinets with a little pull-out shelf. There are a few other places throughout the Capitol to store belongings like coats or lunch boxes, but we mostly work right where the action happens: the House floor. | |
DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion)- why does it matter? | |
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House Republicans are working to reign in the misleading DEI bureaucracies found at our three state funded regency universities and instead, focus on the emphasis for academic excellence.
"DEI" refers to "Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion" programs that are currently run at our state universities. The universities spend a collective $2 million (approx.) on staff for these DEI positions every year. The claim is that the individuals in these positions are vital parts of campus staff, who make sure that everyone on campus is included, etc.
However, a quick look around any of the universities' Departments of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion websites will show you just how much money and time has been poured into these efforts that often become divisive and focused on silencing voices of those with more conservative views. While their messaging and narratives seem wholesome and helpful, it is vital to look and think a bit deeper. If these folks are responsible for things like the "campus climate," how much power do they really have to influence the proceedings of the university, as well as the thoughts and beliefs of young people?
Here is an excerpt, directly from the University of Iowa DEI website:
"Equity refers to fair and just practices and policies that ensure all campus community members can thrive. Equity is different than equality in that equality implies treating everyone as if their experiences are exactly the same. Being equitable means acknowledging and addressing structural inequalities — historic and current — that advantage some and disadvantage others. Equal treatment results in equity only if everyone starts with equal access to opportunities. Inclusion refers to a campus community where all members are and feel respected, have a sense of belonging, and are able to participate and achieve to their potential. While diversity is essential, it is not sufficient. An institution can be both diverse and non-inclusive at the same time, thus a sustained practice of creating inclusive environments is necessary for success."
Additionally, this is a direct quote from a UI faculty member:
“I will say that the most important thing though really is recruitment and retention of faculty, staff, and students of color, to make sure that we don’t have a tokenism situation,” Glass said. “I don’t want to have one representative faculty of color. I want to have a community of people of color.”
There's nothing wrong with having a department or a community of people of color, as mentioned in the above quote. However, the problem occurs when the focus is on what people look like or what group they're a part of, instead of their abilities and striving for excellence.
While the proposed budget changes only address DEI positions on the collegiate level, this is a pervasive issue in public elementary, middle, and high schools as well. This initial change is a step toward reigning in the DEI ideology as a whole. The goal of reducing or completely defunding DEI is not to "silence" the voices of those with differing viewpoints, but rather to start returning the focus of education to learning, excellence, and growth - not divisive policies and hoops to jump through."
It's clear to see that offices like these are just a symptom of the larger problem of the Leftist ideology that permeates educational institutions, corporations, and our government.
University of Iowa DEI Website
Iowa State University DEI Website
University of Northern Iowa DEI Website
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Hello everyone! Tressa, Rep. Hayes' clerk, here. She asked if I would share a bit about my experience as a clerk this year with our readers.
For those who don't know me, my name is Tressa (Vos) Teel and I am the face behind many of the publications you see coming from our office. I collaborate with Helena to put together the newsletter each week, as well as the press releases that we send to newspapers in District 88. I also handle mailings, email management, social media, Helena's website, and more! My favorite part of the session has definitely been giving tours of the Capitol building and taking groups up to the top of the Capitol dome.
I have really enjoyed meeting all the different constituents who have come to visit, and giving presentations on how the Legislature works and how to use the bill tracking tools and website. Of course, I have to play "Dutch Bingo" when someone from the Osky area visits because, chances are, they know my parents or grandparents! I grew up in Pella but now reside in Grimes with my husband.
I met Rep. Hayes when she was my science teacher in a homeschool co-op in Pella several years ago. We reconnected at the Capitol last year when she was filing her papers to run for office, and I happened to be there for a different event. We ran in to each other and I said, "if you win, I want to be your clerk!" And now here we are, wrapping up the session. Time has flown!
It's been a privilege to be part of what I view to be a front-line fight for truth in our state's legislature. I am thankful to God for the opportunity to use the gifts He has given me to serve His people and kingdom in the political space.
Lastly, here's a picture of my desk - a whole 14 inches across! It has been a fun and unique opportunity to work right there in the room where so many decisions are made that affect so many different issues and people.
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