IOWA CHRISTIAN ALLIANCE
LEGISLATIVE REPORT
JANUARY 12, 2009
Norm Pawlewski – Lobbyist
The 83rd General Assembly of the Iowa Legislature convenes on Monday, January 12th. For Democrats, it promises to be a mixed bag of pluses and minuses. The pluses include total control of all three branches of state government. The executive, legislative and judicial branches are, without question, under complete control of the Democrat Party. They can and will do whatever they wish, or rather, whatever you will let them get away with. Only an informed and engaged electorate that holds them accountable for their actions can afford some degree of control. You are that electorate and we will try to help you stay informed and engaged. Help us to serve you better by communicating with us by phone, mail or through our web site, www.iowachristian.com. On our web site we will provide you with links to reliable and informative public and private web sites, in addition to our own reports of what you need to know about what’s going on at the Capitol. I, for one, promise you that what I report will be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.
The big, very big negative is that the Democrat leadership will have the responsibility of governance. At a time of reduced tax and fee income, theywill be totally responsible for the fiscal health of Iowa. In other words, they will have to show they can govern Iowa responsibly, without over-burdening taxpayers with confiscatory taxes and infringing on their God-given rights. Pre-session comments made by Senate and House leadership indicate they have not yet accepted the reality that they face an unprecedented budget crisis. They deny that they have committed to spend between $600 million to $800 million more than what is expected from taxes and fees. You need to stay informed about what may be coming your way in respect to new taxes and fees. The governor seems to accept the reality that spending cuts will be necessary. He has not indicated whether he favors increasing revenues. We will look carefully at every bill and evaluate its effect on you as a taxpayer. We are not only interested in the social issues of life and religious liberty; fiscal responsibility is also on our plate.
As for the Republicans, they face a session during which they will have little more than the duty to be the “loyal opposition.” They will have the responsibility to call attention to legislation that is not in the best interest of Iowa’s people. They will need to scrutinize, analyze and reveal the true effects of every piece of legislation. They, too, have a responsibility to govern with integrity.
All legislators will need prayer, much prayer. Keep in mind that the duty is ours, the results are God’s.
I, too, will need your prayers, as will every lobbyist who represents God’s people at the Capitol. We will need the patience available only through the Holy Spirit. Pray for us Phil. 4:6-7, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made know to God. And the peace of God which surpasses all comprehension shall guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
Pray also for opportunities to share our faith, not only with legislators, but other lobbyists and legislative staff as well.
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written. But the righteous man SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.” Romans 1:16,17.
Thank you for keeping us supported by your prayers to Him on our behalf.