HOUSE TO HOUSE

By Polly Granzow

State Representative

 

Off and Running

 

This year’s legislative session gaveled in on Monday, January 14, 2008, at 10:00 a.m.  The first week is full of formalities and committee organization.  Then we begin the most critical issue every session, working out a responsible and sensible budget.  We will discuss bills later after they have been assigned to committees, subcommittees, and placed on the calendar.

 

State of the State Address

On Tuesday, Governor Culver stated three basic principles in his budget proposal.  They include limiting spending, living within our means, and protecting our state financial reserves.  I agree with these basic principles.  However, the summary of the Governor’s proposed budget issued by the Legislative Services Agency shows budget increases expenditures over $1.027 billion dollars in two years.  The summary also outlines that this year’s budget begins with a $350.4 million shortfall.  To cover the shortfall, the Governor has proposed several tax increases, such as increasing the bottle bill from five cents to ten cents, with the redemption centers receiving one cent (two cents total), and the state receiving one cent that goes into an environmental fund. 

 

The Legislative Services Agency is a non-partisan agency that is charged with providing factual financial data.  We use their information as a basis for our ultimate decisions.  According to their figures, it is apparent we cannot maintain the current and the addition spending that is proposed.  I respect this agency’s data and summary, and rely on them heavily.  There needs to be more fiscal constraint.

 

State of the Judiciary Address

On Wednesday, Chief Justice Marsha Ternus expressed her appreciation to the Legislature for actions taken last year and presented her requests for the upcoming year.  Her focus was on youth in the Juvenile Courts, foster homes, and the juvenile justice system.  She praised these systems for working to reform troubled youth to become productive citizens.  She requested additional funding to expand Mental Health treatment facilities as well as drug and alcohol abuse treatment centers.  By the time juveniles arrive in court, they already have problems.  The courts need the tools to refer them to providers who can help them be accountable for their actions and become fruitful citizens.  As Chief Justice Ternus stated, “Childhood is brief and so is the window of opportunity to help them.  Build schools, not prisons”.  Her passion to help youth filled the Chambers.

 

Question of the week:  Should the bottle deposit increase to 10 cents and the consumer receive 8 cents upon return (including water and juice bottles)?

Other options may include a) abolish the bottle bill, b) no change, c) increase 1 cent only to the redemption centers, d) add juice and water bottles at 1 cent, e) other.

 

There were many visitors this first week representing FADSS (MICA), Veterans, Bikers, Marriage amendment:  Ruth Krueger, Polly Pleas, Angie Araiza, David Melde, John and Bonnie Whalen, Danielle and Felix Knutson, Ken Nason, and Brian Juel.  Please feel free to visit any time.

 

As always, you can contact me at polly.granzow@legis.state.ia.us or at 641-858-5210 on weekends.