by Art Smith | Mar 25, 2009
If you’ve been listening to the conservative talk shows lately, you probably already know about these anti-tax events being held throughout the country. People are turning out in droves to show their support for lower taxes, better tax structure (like the Fair Tax), and support smarter, smaller, government and spending.
Here in Des Moines, there are two events that I’m aware of.
One is scheduled for April 11 at the Iowa State Capitol. I don’t know the time yet… I will update you when I do know. Chris Reed is reported to be the MC for this event.
The other is scheduled for April 15, also at the State Capitol, from 11 to 2. This group has a web site setup at www.desmoinesteaparty.blogspot.com.
If you are concerned about where taxation at all levels of government are heading, attend one of these events. I expect that both events will have great speakers present. And politicians actually pay attention when large numbers of people show up.
I’m sure we’ll have more information here as these dates get closer.
Update: change start time for April 15 event. – Ed
by Art Smith | Mar 15, 2009
Effective immediately, you can follow The Conservative Reader: Iowa on Twitter. Go to: http://twitter.com/TCR_Iowa, and click “Follow”. If you don’t have a Twitter account yet, you’ll need to open one first.
by Art Smith | Mar 13, 2009
Iowa House Republican Leader Kraig Paulson provided a report on the status of the first Funnel Week activities:
During each legislative session there is a point in time when we reach the ‘funnel weeks’. These are self imposed deadlines which state a bill must have made it out of committee or it cannot be considered for the rest of the year. The deadline does not apply to spending bills, tax bills, or certain leadership sponsored bills.
This week was the first funnel week at the Capitol and like every year, there are some survivors and some casualties.
First, some of the causalities or bills that didn’t make it:
- Tougher penalties on the delivery, possession, and manufacture of cocaine
- Increase penalties for employing illegal immigrants
- Allocate $15 million from the Iowa Values fund to Small Businesses for disaster recovery efforts.
- Create tax credits to benefit those in disaster areas
- Changes to Iowa Smoke Free Air Act
- Bills prohibiting cell phone use while driving
- Repeal of Iowa’s right-to-work law (once again this bill is dead, we’re hopeful no attempt will be made to amend it on to any other bills)
Now, the survivors:
- Prevailing Wage (price fixing for public projects)
- Employee choice of doctor (doctor shopping workers compensation bill)
- Public Employee (Chapter 20) contract negotiating technical changes — this bill is identical to the initial collective bargaining bill the Democrats tried to sneak through last year
- Private cause of action for consumer fraud
- Increasing Tax on Propane
One quick note, even though a particular idea may have “died in the funnel†it may still return in the form of an amendment. For the full list, visit the House Republicans’ website at http://iowahouserepublicans.com/funnel-week-survivors-first-funnel-2009.
It was a rather crazy week. It had some highs and some lows. The most significant positive was the fact that enough votes to pass the doctor shopping bill never surfaced. You may recall the Democrat majority had, with much fanfare, declared they were going to turn our current workers compensation balance on its ear by allowing employees to choose their own doctor for employment related injuries.
Recall also that currently Iowa’s workers compensation cost is 41st in the nation and yet we have the 3rd highest employee benefits. It’s a well balanced system and this proposal was projected to raise insurance by as much as 15%. But Iowans engaged and the bill did not even get called up for a vote.
My biggest disappointment is that we still have yet to do anything of consequence to help restore our economy. On Monday I did a Point of Personal Privilege on the House floor reminding the Speaker that Republicans believe the House priority should be bills tested with the following: Does the proposed legislation grow Iowa’s economy – Does it create more jobs – Does it encourage employers to invest in our workforce? If it passes the test we should press forward, if it does not, it should be set aside.
Regardless, 80,000 Iowans remain unemployed and we continue to debate things like changing the names of state government departments and creating a special tax on paint. This seems ridiculous to me.
I think it’s regrettable we have now finished week 9 and really have yet to do anything affirmative to restart Iowa’s economy. Nothing to help small business owners who are hanging on with all their might and nothing to help ease the tax burden on families across the state.
Republicans will not stop trying to reach across the aisle to get productive work done on behalf of Iowans. We’ll sit down with Democrats, when they let us, and craft solutions to the problems we’re facing.
We will work hard coming up with solutions that help restart Iowa’s economy and balance the budget without raising taxes on Iowans.
As always, if you have ideas and thoughts, please contact me [email protected] and visit our website to see constantly updated information (www.iowahouserepublicans.com).
by Art Smith | Mar 8, 2009
Two new Iowa web sites have popped up in the past few weeks.
One is The Iowa Republican. Craig Robinson founded this site as an alternative to the media content currently available that, especially in Central Iowa, maintains a particularly strong slant to the left. Craig managed to also snag Krusty Konservative, Battleground Iowa and Constitution Daily as resident commentary (replacing their former site locations). The site has a very professional look, contains valuable content and appears to be a great start to providing valuable and timely news and commentary relevant to those of us who espouse a Republican, and apparently conservative, perspective.
The other is The Bean Walker. Tim Albrecht publishes this site that looks a lot like the Drudge Report, only it’s focused on Iowa news. The site includes links to web sites for what I think are every known media outlet in the state, including Iowa-based blogs (including The Conservative Reader). Also a great approach, good content, and an independent reporting vessel iteself.
Both of these web sites are great additionals to the resources available to Iowans for news and commentary. Good luck to both as we all continue to grow the value of the Internet and bring valuable content to Iowans!
by Art Smith | Mar 8, 2009
This week’s newsletter from Peter Cownie provides some insight into some of his goals as a legislator. Helping keep young people in Iowa after they graduate from high school and/or college has been a challenge in recent decades. Reasons for the large numbers of youth leaving the state range from financial opportunity to entertainment to lifestyle. Ultimately, jobs are key, and attracting young people means attracting companies. Peter also looks at ways to promote staying in Iowa for college education.
The best question a citizen can ask a person seeking public office is: why are you doing this? Every candidate should have a passion for what he/she is trying to accomplish and remember that passion each time he/she makes a decision. I was asked this question more than any other during the campaign. My answer is simple: I want to see more young people in Iowa. I grew up in Iowa and I want to do something about the young people that have chosen not to stay here and those that might think to leave in the future.
I serve on the Economic Growth Committee and we recently heard a presentation from the Generation Iowa Commission. I asked the presenter what deters young people from staying in Iowa after college. The answer was one word: jobs. I could not agree more. Young people will go where the best jobs are located. The current economic times will only reinforce this reality. In every decision a legislator makes this session, he/she needs to keep in mind the 80,000 unemployed Iowans and how we can help put them back to work. We also need to bear in mind those young people who want jobs in Iowa.
The Iowa Legislature needs to remember the big picture. The big picture is that Iowa’s population is not growing quickly compared to other states. According to estimates from the Census Bureau for 2000-2008, Iowa ranks 42nd in population growth percentage. I have introduced a bill that will help retain and recruit young people to Iowa. This bill would allow college graduates who stay in Iowa to deduct the interest on student loan payments changing the limit from $2,500 to $5,000 annually. Students in Iowa graduate with the highest debt levels ($26,208 on average) in America. This bill would give direct help to college graduates who are just starting a job and could use the relief in their pocketbook. It is in the best interest of the Iowa Legislature to reach out to our young people and ease their burden. This bill will help keep our young people where we want them: Iowa.
This week’s newsletter also appeared in the West Des Moines section of the Des Moines Register, along with pieces from Pat Ward and Chris Hagenow. You may note that Pat hits hard on the Popular Vote bill, which we have opposed here as well.
Peter, Pat and Chris, along with Bob Brownell, also hosted a public forum in West Des Moines on February 28, which I attended. More on that later.
