Words From Windschitl

Veteran Leave of Absence and Job Protection

This week the Iowa House took action to strengthen the law that allows deployed veterans to return to jobs with their employers that were left so the employee/veteran could serve on active duty. As a member of the Veterans Affairs Committee, I voted yes to send the bill to a full vote in the Iowa House.

HF 2001 clears up any confusion that may come if a member of the Iowa National Guard is called into state service.  Currently state service situations, like service in the Iowa National Guard, are not covered by Federal Law.  This bill aligns the rules regarding veterans’ reemployment upon their return from active duty service. 

The bill also matches up Iowa Law with Federal Law by adding language into code that states veterans who are returning from active duty shall be placed into a position of like seniority, status, and pay as the position they vacated.  Employers who violate this law will be prosecuted by the Iowa Attorney General or the County Attorney from the county in which the violation takes place.   Under current code, violation of this law is a simple misdemeanor; the bill does not change the punishment but it does add strength to the law by requiring the prosecution of offenders.

Finally, the bill clarifies situations where employees need to take a leave of absence for state and local government service positions.  For example, if a city firefighter works a 24-hour shift from noon one day to noon the next, they may have to take a leave of absence for two days.  The bill clarifies that it would be one day of leave.

As I finished writing this article, the Iowa House passed HF 2001 with a vote of 96-0.  It now moves to the Senate for consideration.

Protecting The Cash Reserves

Last week in Governor Culver’s Condition of the State speech, he outlined three budget principles that he would like the Legislature to keep in mind while laying out the FY 09 budget.

Those three principles are:

• limit new spending
• live within our means
• protect the cash reserves

In a bi-partisan nature, House Republicans are willing to support the three principles Governor Culver has outlined for the budget process.  However, a 10% spending increase again this year is not limiting or living within government’s means.  We must always remember that government has no money but the money it takes from its hard working taxpayers. 

Governor Culver’s third point, protecting the Cash Reserve Fund is also important.  Republicans believe that going into the cash reserves should be a last and final option to pay for spending.  These reserves are intended for emergency purposes, but unfortunately there is no definition for emergency purposes in Iowa Code.  Using the Cash Reserve Fund to side step a tax increase to pay for increased spending, is not an emergency.  Using this line of thinking will only hurt us when we have a real emergency.

I will continue to vote to protect your family budget before the government budget.  I believe it is irresponsible for the Legislature to raise your taxes to cover excessive spending increases. 

Other Issues

Over the interim, I was contacted by many of you regarding the TIME-21 study; this is the project to address the need of funding our road infrastructure needs.  As a member of the House Transportation Committee, this issue is being discussed in length in our committee meetings.  I will cover this issue in depth as developments occur and I can provide you with a more detailed report.

I will also bring you up to date on the School Infrastructure Local Option Sales Tax (SILO) bill which was filed this morning.  The bill proposes the removal of our local option sales tax and replaces it with a permanent statewide sales tax.  A similar bill was filed at the end of last session.  Unfortunately, the bill filed today still does not have a guarantee or provide constitutional protection that the money will return to our local communities.

I appreciate your input on the issues that are most important to you.  So please contact me with any questions or concerns.  My number at the Statehouse is 515-281-3221; home is 712-642-4334; e-mail is matt.windschitl@legis.state.ia.us.

“Republicans believe every day is the Fourth of July, but the Democrats believe every day is April 15.” 
Ronald Reagan

Matt Windschitl

Iowa State Representative

House District 56