Wellmark to Be Only State Insurance Provider

Iowa's Executive Council (which consists of the Governor, Auditor, Secretary of Agriculture, Secretary of State, and Treasurer) and voted 3-2 to give monolithic insurance-provider Wellmark a monopoly for state government employees.

According to the Chicago Tribune, "Under the plan, employees beginning Jan. 1 won't be able to choose plans offered by United HealthCare, and will have to select those offered by Wellmark.

Supporters say the change will save the state as much of $9.5 million in 2009 and possibly that much in 2010.

Opponents say thousands of workers will be left with fewer options. They also cast doubt on the savings projections, saying Wellmark could increase rates in the last year of the two-year agreement."


The story below from Iowa Politics.

Wellmark will be state government's only health insurance provider come Jan. 1, following a 3-2 decision today by the Iowa Executive Council to eliminate United Healthcare and make Iowa the eighth state in the nation to only offer one health insurance provider to its employees. It would cost $75,000 for the state to put the issue out to bid, and that is not expected to happen now until January 2010.

"If it's working for the state, why bid it?," asked Ed Holland of the Department of Administrative Services, who argued that the move to Wellmark would save families about $100 a month and the state up to $9.5 million next year. "They basically have 92 percent of our business right now. I don't think they're going to change tactics by getting another 2,500 contracts."

Gov. Chet Culver pushed for the change over the past few weeks and called for a vote on the issue three times today. "Any opportunity we have in government to find cost savings, I think we need to find it," he said. "I think this is an opportunity to save the taxpayers a significant amount of money."

All four members aside from Culver -- Republican Ag Secretary Bill Northey, Democratic Secretary of State Michael Mauro, Democratic state Treasurer Michael Fitzgerald and Republican state Auditor David Vaudt -- made statements today against the proposal. They said they were nervous, uncomfortable and concerned about the decision, and described the process as "seriously flawed." However, despite their concerns, Vaudt and Fitzgerald switched their votes from last week and reluctantly joined Culver today in voting for the plan.

Ranking State Rep. Carmine Boal -R, Ankeny said, "If the state can lock in four years of health insurance increases at the 1.9 percent proposed by Wellmark for 2009, that's a great deal for the taxpayers and state employees. But if that rate only applies to 2009 and we eliminate competition, where is the incentive for Wellmark to keep the cost to the taxpayer down?"

A License to Pedal

Republican State Senator John Putney of Gladbrook has proposed a bill (SF 2006)requiring bicyclists to have a license to use state and county highways. In an attempt to find more funding for these roadways, Putney would require bicyclists to pay a $10 fee for a five year license for the privilege to bicycle on county and state highways. His proposal does not require a bicyclist to be tested for skill or their understanding of state laws, but would put fees into the highway use tax fund.

The license is not required for riding bikes in municipal roads or bike paths or for riding in parades or RAGBRAI.The license would include the licensee's name, date of birth, address, signature, date the license was issued, and license number.

The law calls for a fine of $10 if a rider is pulled over by the county or state police for riding without a bike license and can be revoked.

If the money were earmarked specifically for improving state roadways for bicyclists, it might be a positive move, however, it is not at all clear that is Putney's intent. However it could be potentially impossible to enforce particularly when state highways run through municipal areas. For instance Burlington St./Hwy 1 runs right through downtown Iowa City, I can't imagine that pulling over bicyclists will be high on either the county sheriff's or state patrol's radar.

For the record, Putney is not seeking re-election.

The Circus Is Coming: Who's Cleaning Up After the Elephant?

Hey kids out there in blogland, the GOP will conduct their straw poll in Ames on August 11th. To summarize the importance of the straw poll, if you don't make it there--you ain't going anywhere--at least not as a Republican. The straw poll is a place where about 26,000 Iowans act as an oversized focus group and the candidates are the product in question.

Said differently, the Ames straw poll is like a national car show--wow the crowd and you might have the next Ford Mustang or Dodge Viper. However, let the buyer beware, the Edsel was a big hit on the auto show circuit--and we know what happened to it.

Not archaic enough, this is the Roman Coliseum (Hilton-styled)--thumbs up and you are a somebody, thumbs down and you are a difficult trivia question.

So why am I bringing this up at this early date? It seems like the Iowa Caucuses in January 2008 are just too far away for some. And, if you (yes, you-- state party leaders) don't cull the herd, it makes it darn tough to decide who to cow to.

Perhaps the Dems could take a page out of the GOP playbook and pre-chew the candidates and make them that much more digestible (cud, if you will). After all, why should people actually have to educate themselves about candidate positions, that's for the party to do, isn't it?

Your average party faithful have so much more to do than think for themselves. Straw polls make it easy on those of us who are too busy to be at every candidate event. Here, if you have $35 to spend, you can simplify things for your fellow human being by acting as his/her proxy--that is commitment to service!

Besides, its a great opportunity for the party to raise money and for candidates to shill some t-shirts, bumper stickers, and other "personal-branding" geegaws.

So, act now! Time is a wastin'. If Scott Brennan could get those national Donkey curmudgeons to test market it, I'll bet we could even get the state casinos to take on the action. Since the GOP is doing it in Ames, how about at Carver Hawkeye or, better still, Kinnick Stadium?

What Wood Grant Do?: Arts Ailing In Iowa

From the Gazette

Iowa slipped one spot among state rankings in fiscal 2007 for investing in the arts, rating 45th among 50 state art agencies with per-capita investments of 41 cents compared to the national average of $1.07 per person, a state official said Monday.

Cyndi Pederson, director of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs, said Iowa continued to slip in data compiled by the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies -- a membership organization of the nation's state and jurisdictional arts agencies.

Hawaii ranked tops nationally with a $4.84 per-capita investment in the arts.

"It's frustrating to be near the bottom in national rankings," Pederson said. "We would like to support the arts in Iowa more broadly but we are limited by the amount of resources available to us." More

"Defense of Marriage Act" Constitutionality Tested in Iowa

In a potentially landmark case, the AP reports an attorney representing six gay and lesbian couples, including one from Iowa City, argued today that Iowa's law preserving marriage for only a man and a woman is unconstitutional.

Des Moines attorney Dennis Johnson told District Court Judge Robert Hanson that Iowa has a long history of aggressively protecting civil rights in cases of race and gender. He said the Defense of Marriage Act, which the Legislature passed in 1998, contradicts previous court rulings regarding civil rights and should be struck down.

``It's just amazing if you look at the history what our Supreme Court has done and we have very good law in Iowa for equal rights, so I do think that Iowa is actually a stronger state than many in that respect,'' Johnson said.

Johnson said the Defense of Marriage law is ``mean spirited'' and was designed only to prohibit gays from marrying. He said it violates the state constitution's equal protection and due-process clauses.

Lambda Legal, the New York-based gay rights organization that spearheaded a same-sex marriage drive across the country, filed the lawsuit on behalf of the gay and lesbian couples, including Dawn and Jen BarbouRoske of Iowa City, in Polk County District Court on Dec. 13, 2005.

The lawsuit contends that the gay couples were treated unfairly when Polk County Recorder Tim Brien improperly denied them marriage licenses. It argues that Iowa's marriage law is unconstitutional because it draws ``impermissible distinctions based on sex and sexual orientation.''

more from Radio Iowa

The World According to Joe

Iowa State Senator Joe Bolkcom sent this "short list" out in his weekly Networker

The Short List of 2007 Accomplishments

The Legislature’s final budget was balanced in compliance with Iowa’s 99 percent expenditure-limitation law, and the state’s Cash Reserve Fund was fully funded. Iowa’s rainy day funds will grow to $578 million, the largest amount ever in the state savings account.

We are putting the state’s financial house back in order, and we are repaying funds borrowed in previous years. For example, past legislatures had borrowed all but $17 million of the $300 million in the Senior Living Trust. Our budget repays half of that amount this year, and I will work to repay the rest in the coming year.

Increasing teacher pay to 25th in the nation. This amounts to an average increase of $5,000 per teacher over the next three years.

Boosting basic school funding, expanding the early childhood efforts, and making higher education more affordable.

Most significant new investment in higher education in a decade.

Began a four year plan that will expand voluntary access to high quality preschool to all Iowa families.

Passing a Senate resolution opposing the escalation of the Iraq war.

Passing the Safe Schools initiative.

Raising the state’s minimum wage.

Lifting restrictions on stem-cell research.

Increasing voter turnout by allowing voters to register at the polls on Election Day.

Requiring a voter verified paper trail for elections.

Cracking down on predatory car title lenders.

Discouraging smoking, especially by young Iowans, by raising the tobacco tax.

Expanding access to affordable health care for all Iowans.

Making Iowa a more attractive place for everyone by including sexual orientation in the state’s Civil Rights Code.

Creating the Iowa Power Fund to make Iowa less dependent on foreign oil, create good-paying jobs, and continue Iowa’s leadership in the renewable fuels.

Confronting global climate change with the establishment of a Climate Change Advisory Council that will help develop a state energy plan.

Expanding benefits and services to veterans and servicemembers.

Reforming tax policies to help working families by increasing the Earned Income Tax Credit.

It's a New Dawn: Pettengill Crosses Over

From the Gazette

State Rep. Dawn Pettengill, D-Mount Auburn, today announced she is switching political parties to join the Iowa House Republican minority caucus."I think it'll be a better fit here," Pettengill told a Statehouse news conference where she was joined by House GOP Leader Christopher Rants of Sioux City. "I'm very happy about it."

Pettengill, a second-term representative from Benton County, had been at odds with Democrats through much of the just-concluded 2007 session. Most notably, she was a ``no'' vote on Democratic priorities including union-backed fair share legislation, raising cigarette taxes and extending civil rights protections to gays and lesbians.

"There's a lot of issues that didn't match the conservative bent of Benton County," she said in officially crossing to the Republican side of the side. "They didn't send me here to be a rubber stamp for anyone."

Pettengill becomes the second member of the House GOP caucus to have switched party affiliations. Rep. Doug Struyk, R-Council Bluffs, switched from being a Democrat to becoming a Republican in March 2004.

Also see What Iowa Progress has to say. And Essential Estrogen

It makes one pause to wonder why Rep. Pettengill didn't declare herself an Independent?

Rod Sullivan's Take on the Legislative Session

From progressive Johnson County Supervisor Rod Sullivan who wrote in "Sullivan Salvos"--which are his views and do not represent the JC BOS:

"The Legislative session has come to an end. One can argue that it wasthe best session of my lifetime! Of course, this is the first time in my lifetime the Democratic Party has controlled all three branches of State government. The list of accomplishments from 2007 is really tremendous!
1. Passing Civil Rights protections for gays and lesbians.
2. Reforming election laws to allow Election Day Registration.
3. Raising the state's minimum wage.
4. Lifting restrictions on stem-cell research.
5. Expanding access to affordable health care for all Iowans.
6. Increasing teacher pay to at least 25th in the nation.
7. Boosting basic school funding, expanding the early childhood efforts, and making higher education more affordable.
8. Passing the Safe Schools initiative.
9. Cracking down on car-title loans and other predatory lenders.
10. Raising the tobacco tax and discouraging smoking.

These are great accomplishments, and Democrats deserve praise for this outstanding work! Democrats finally set the agenda, and get full credit forthe list above.

Yes, there are a few black eyes, and they are significant: the flag desecration legislation is an embarrassment, and labor issues were a major disappointment. I had hoped that the ill-conceived 2000-foot rule would be repealed. Mental Health parity is still very limited. Failing to takeCongrats and thanks to Johnson County House members Mary Mascher, Vicki Lensing, Dave Jacoby, and up Voter Owned Iowa Clean Elections (VOICE) was a missed opportunity. More should have been done on the environment. The session was very good, but it SHOULD be very good. We (the voters) gave the Legislature the makeup they wanted and needed. Luckily, we got several major issues out of the way in 2007. Hopefully we can make progress on the things left undone in 2008. It is very doubtful, though ­ we are now in an election year. And little happens in election years. Still, we had the best session Iowa has seen since 1965. The session will have long lasting positive effects. Ever since I first got involved in politics, people have spoken of Harold Hughes and 1965. I think 2007 may endup being viewed in the same light. So 2007 is historic! Ro Foege, and Senators Bob Dvorsky, Joe Bolkcom, and Becky Schmitz!"

Thanks Rod--and thank you for helping to get a county human rights ordinance passed under your watch!

Legislative Session Ends - How Did It Go?

For the record, state legislators don't get rich by being public servants. On the other hand, it's a certainly above the living wage.

For calendar years 2007 and 2008, unless modified, legislators are paid an annual salary as follows:
Members $25,000
President of the Senate $37,500
President Pro Tempore $27,000
Speaker $37,500
Speaker Pro Tempore $27,000
Senate Majority Leader $37,500
Senate Minority Leader $37,500
House Majority Leader $37,500
House Minority Leader $37,500

State Legislators receive a $118 a day stipend while the legislature is in session. After 110 days, the stipend ends. Saturday, the stipend ended and with it the budget work of the legislators. This is exclusive of travel expenses which ballpark between $11,000 to 13, 500 a year. Then there is $300 a month for for legislative district constituency postage, travel, telephone costs, and other expenses. Legislators may enroll in the state health and disability insurance programs at the same rate as a full-time state employee.

So here is my report card on these fine women and men who earn between $50,180 and $65,180 a year to serve us.

+++ Anti-gouging legislation around payday and car title loans. As more middle class people are experiencing the effects of mortgage lending practices that are less than exemplary, this legislation addresses unfair business practices aimed at the poor. 280% interest on a loan is unconscionable, it needed to be addressed and with the Dems in control, it was. Grade: A +

+++ The anti-discrimination bill and anti-bullying bill are great legislation and the legislature should be commended for putting aside partisanship to address inequities in our state. Iowa will become the 19th U.S. state to ban workplace discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and the 10th to ban discrimination on the basis of gender identity. It still comes down to the local level to enforce the law, but it is important that these tools are there. Grade: A

++ Same Day Voter Registration and verified voting bills- Anything that makes it possible for a person to vote is aces in my book. Evidence in other states that use it show that it does not increase voter fraud and actually gets more people to the polls. Good job legislators. In the final hours, the house also passed a verified voting bill that will help to make sure every vote is counted. Grade A

+ Increasing the state minimum wage is half a victory because future increases are not tied to cost of living factors--translated this could mean another 10 years before the minimum wage increases. A living wage should always be the goal because the end result is less dependence on our state tax base to take care of the basic needs of its citizens. Employers feel picked on when it pushed on them, but in the end everybody wins when people have more disposable income to spend. Grade: B

+ Raising teacher salaries was victory, but whether it will be enough to encourage more Iowans to become teachers to address the baby-boomer retirements that are just down the road remains to be seen. Teachers definitely deserve the increase and, again, these increases should be attached to cost of living factors. Grade: B

+ Keg Registration is a good tool to bring in accountability on those who purchase beer or underage persons. In Iowa City we have more than our share of house parties and given the incidence of rape and other assaults that occur, this may help. Grade: B

= + The cigarette tax increase may be a good tool, but I'm skeptical as to how the taxes will be used over time. South Dakota reports that at $1.53 per pack, cigarette sales are declining but revenue is increasing. It is logical to believe that the same will be true fro Iowa in the short-run. So-called "sin taxes" are low hanging fruit, but unless they address the "sins"--it is ill gotten gain to the state coffers. Grade: C +

= - Some in the progressive community may disagree with me on this point, but the $100 million fund to "grow our bio-economy, create new jobs and help make Iowa the renewable energy capital of the world" may be a boondoogle, particularly if it ends up mainly supporting the likes of ADM, Mid-American and Alliant Energy. The make up of the 18 member board (7 voting members appointed by the governor and 4 by the Iowa Utilities Board, with a separate seven-member board will monitor applications for funding projects under the plan, with Republican and Democratic lawmakers serving as non-voting members to provide oversight.) and will steer this ship and it will be very interesting to see who is named to the board--think Board of Regents and you can see how this could be a mess.

Had this legislation specifically promoted research and business start-ups in Iowa, it would be a very exciting prospect. Our state universities could benefit from this project, as could the state economy. According to Chet Culver's campaign promise "Iowa Power Fund will require that that the jobs created provide good wages and good benefits and that any company that misuses Iowa Power Funds or doesn’t provide the jobs promised will have to pay taxpayers back with penalties and interest." We'll see. Grade: C

- - Economic Development around removing the requirement that casinos be located on water. Casinos are BAD for any state's economy for two important reasons: 1) Regardless of the income the state derives from the casinos, localities ALWAYS suffer in the long run a) because the temptation to open more and more casinos reduces local impact b) the cost of human services to people with gambling and other addictions is VERY expensive. 2) Local development is hampered by citizens who use their disposable income to gamble as opposed to invest in their community, hence putting more control in the hands of the state for economic development dollars, hence politicizing who gets what and how. Grade: F


Legislation that didn't happen but should have:

* As expected VOICE was not passed in this session. This legislation should be a top priority for the next session, particularly as we move toward the 2008 elections. In short, Voter Owned Iowa Clean Elections will lessen the impact of special interest dollars and more importantly level the playing field so that more Iowans can be involved in state-level politics.

Many Democrats who now run all three legislative branches of the state government have supported this when they were the minority party, but a trifecta tends to lead to short term memory.

* Fair Share legislation. Probably one of the most divisive pieces of legislature, but needed, given the desire to quash union-representation. On the other hand, unions have got to earn their keep. In a "Right to Work" states, without Fair Share all workers to accrue the same benefits as their union counterparts without taking on the risk, which is part of what paying dues supports. No doubt this will come up again.

* Rental Deposit legislation. For low-income renters, the ability to recoup their deposits in a timely fashion can be the difference between having a place to live and being homeless, this legislation should come up in the next session.

* Funding housing trust funds through a portion real estate transaction fees. To establish a steady funding stream for local housing trust funds to finance low-income affordable rental and owner-occupied housing, this bill needs to be enacted soon. It makes sense to have affordable housing options that allow families to be stable (which translates to stabilityin the workforce, higher achievement for children in schools, and safer neighborhoods) and this a tool to accomplish the goal.

* Universal Health Care. This is a a piece of legislation that matters both to employers and the uninsured. It is also a big ticket item. Employers looking for places to locate look favorably on states with state-run programs, particularly those who are unionized. It is also true that as Iowa already has one of the oldest populations, it is important to bring and/or keep young Iowans in the state and great health care is important to that goal.

* Clean Water. the Iowa River is the 3rd most endangered waterway in North America. But polluted waterways hinder Iowa's agricultural future. No clean water, no agriculture.

The advocacy group, American River, released the report, which cited toxins, nitrates and untreated sewage as the reasons for the pollution which put the Iowa River on the list. It's the first time an Iowa river was included on the list.

Susan Heathcote, water program director for the Iowa Environmental Council, said about 98 miles of the Iowa River is impaired. "It's our namesake river," she said. "We're not necessarily saying it's the most polluted river in the state, but it's emblematic of so many of Iowa's rivers."

Gronstal Needs a Time Out

I found this photo of Senate "leader" Gronstal quite ironic, given his childish behavior the other day. One has to wonder how "positive" the "change" in the legislature is when bills like VOICE, anti-discrimination for gays in housing and employment, parity for mental health providers, preventing abusive mortgage lending practices, creating a state law to bar people convicted of domestic abuse from owning or possessing guns, and banning tobacco use on public school property wait for another turn in the barrel.

In fairness, the hike in the minimum wage occurred, anti-bullying legislation passed, and K-12 education is better funded. But with a "trifecta" in government, progressives should expect more.

The party could do with a more progressive leadership. Mike Gronstal is a relic of an earlier age. He is a cousin of Boss Tweed using his ability to raise millions of dollars as a bludgeon to keep the power in the hands of the few.

If Mike Gronstal has his way, Iowans will never see a publicly funded election and not because the other party has deeper pockets, but because its about power--who has got it and who doesn't. Democracy was intended to be participatory--Mike Gronstal is a gatekeeper and he doesn't want you in the game.

Update 4/23: For a different point of view, check this out. For the record, I don't blame the Democratic legislators as a group for the actions of some of its leaders, but I do take Mike Gronstal to task because he is acting in an undemocratic fashion. But the writer does make some fair points.

VOICE of Reason

Yes, this is about clean, publicly funded elections. So what you say?--If you are a college student who has watched your tuitions go up year after year, thank a lobbyist for the student loan providers. If you are struggling to pay for medicine, thank a lobbyist for the pharmaceutical industry. If you are outraged at how someone can so easily get a gun and go on a killing spree, thank a gun industry lobbyist. Chances are your representative has been thanked by a lobbying group with a contribution to their campaign war chest.

Does this mean your representative is in the pocket of these groups? I'm not the one who can answer that for you. Ask your representatives.

Clean election legislation does two very important things: 1) It takes influence away from the few and puts it back where it belongs, with "we, the people". 2) It encourages good people with good ideas to step into the political ring--money is the single largest obstacle for most people to enter politics.

From the folks at the Public Campaign Action:

Voter Owned Iowa is holding a rally tomorrow, Wednesday, at 12 p.m. at the Capitol in support of the Voter Owned Iowa Clean Elections (VOICE) Act that would bring full public financing to Iowa's legislative races. After the rally, we'll be lobbying individual members of the General Assembly on the VOICE Act.

Sign up here to join us at the rally!

The VOICE Act (introduced in both legislative chambers as House File 805 and Senate File 553) would allow candidates in Iowa to seek office without having to appeal to wealthy special interests for campaign contributions. Once elected, the legislators who ran using the VOICE system would be accountable only to the voters who elected them, not well-heeled contributors who would have otherwise funded their campaigns.

Another Senseless Tragedy

If reports are accurate, the tragic deaths of 33 people and 15 injured on the Virginia Tech campus may have been averted if Virginia employed more stringent gun laws. Virginia, which received a C- rating from the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence, does not employ the following restrictions:


May Attorney General regulate guns? No

Virgina: State law does not clearly authorize the Attorney General to independently regulate firearms or establish gun safety standards as part of the Attorney General's responsibility to protect consumers.

ASSAULT WEAPONS
Are there limitations on assault weapons and magazines? No

No state restriction on the sale or possession of military-style semiautomatic assault weapons like the AK47 and Uzi. Assault weapons are as easy to buy as hunting rifles. No restriction on the sale or possession of rapid-fire ammunition magazines that can fire up to 100 bullets without reloading. Federal law does prevent the sale of some assault weapons and rapid-fire magazines manufactured after 1994, but the federal law will sunset in 2004 unless Congress and President Bush renew it.

CCW LIMITS
May police limit carrying concealed handguns? No

State law forces police chiefs and state sheriffs to give concealed carry permits (CCW) to anyone who can buy a handgun, allowing them to carry loaded, concealed handguns in public (known as "shall issue"). Police may not even require safety training in the legal or safe use of weapons for CCW applicants. State law allows residents of some other states to carry concealed weapons in this state without informing local police.

GUN SHOW CHECKS
Are background checks required at gun shows? No

No state requirement that a Brady criminal background check be done on people buying guns at gun shows if they are sold by "private" individuals or gun "collectors." Gun shows can operate on a "no questions asked, cash-and-carry" basis, making it easy for criminals and even juveniles to buy as many guns as they want at gun shows, including assault weapons. No records are required to be kept on gun show sales by private individuals or gun collectors, making it almost impossible for police to trace such weapons if they are used in a crime.

LICENSE OR PERMIT TO PURCHASE
Is a license/permit required to buy handguns? No

No state requirement that handgun buyers obtain a handgun license or undergo any type of safety training prior to buying a handgun.

LOCAL GUN LAWS - PREEMPTION
May cities enact laws stronger than the state's? No

State law forbids local city or county governments from enacting any local gun laws, even though the state has failed to pass responsible state-wide laws. This preemption of local government authority makes it impossible for cities to enact sensible gun laws to make their citizens safer. Local laws enacted prior to 1987 were allowed to remain in force.

REGISTRATION
Are all guns registered with law enforcement? No

No state requirement that gun owners register their firearms. Police do not know how many guns are in the state or where they are. The lack of registration data makes it more difficult for police to trace guns used in crime, identify illegal gun traffickers or hold gun owners accountable for their weapons. There is no state system to automatically identify and disarm felons and other prohibited people who bought guns legally in the past, but later committed a crime or otherwise became ineligible to keep possession of their firearms.

SAFETY TRAINING
Is safety training required for handgun buyers? No

No state requirement that handgun buyers receive any safety training at all. No requirement that handgun buyers demonstrate any familiarity with gun laws or knowledge about safe handling/safe storage of handguns.

SECONDARY SALES
Are background checks required on 'private' gun sales? No

No state requirement that criminal background checks be done on people buying firearms at gun shows, swap meets or through newspaper or internet advertisements. Criminal background checks are only required if the buyer goes to a federally-licensed gun store - all other sales are not subject to the background check.

WAITING PERIOD
Is there a waiting period on gun sales? No

No state requirement that there be a waiting period for gun sales beyond the "instant check" in federal law. Police are not given any additional time to run a criminal background check to make sure the gun buyer is not prohibited from acquiring firearms. There is no "cooling off" period to help prevent crimes of passion.

For the record, the Brady Center rates Iowa a C+

Follow UP: Get Off The Bench

I received this in my e-mail. See the entry from my blog from yesterday for more.

Everyone,

The Civil Rights Bill Needs Saving! Legislation which passed the senate, passed a house panel, and has the governor's endorsement is going to die if you don't act. It is a few votes shy in the house. The window is closing for this crucial civil rights measure. This will insure that everyone in the state is protected from discrimination based upon sexual orientation and gender identity.

If you are like me than political activism can make you nervous. I love sitting on the sidelines but we can't afford to do that now. I implore you to join me in getting off the bench and send some easy emails. Many of us are lucky to be in Iowa City due to its accepting nature. Let's show gratitude for the strides that have been made in this town by helping others in the state. If this passes it will be an amazing step for Civil Rights. Think of the message it would send to kids growing up in small towns that are struggling with who they are. Think of those who live in fear of discrimination. This legislation shows value to everyone and it will die if we don't step up to the plate. We can do it!!

Contact these key policy makers or others that you know (especially if you have connections in other counties). A simple email or phone call can go a long way. Tell them you want this measure passed. Share stories and get others involved. For more information on this contact: janellerettig@aol.com

Representative Pat Murphy (Photo: Upper left)

Speaker of the House

563-582-5922

Pat.murphy@legis.state.ia.us

Representative Kevin McCarthy (Photo: Upper right)

Majority Leader

515-953-5221

kevin.mccarthy@legis.state.ia.us

A House Divided Can Not Vote

According a reliable source in the Iowa City GLBT community who met with Iowa state representative, Mary Mascher, over the weekend, the bill to give gays the same rights as the rest of us in the workplace is being stalled in the house by the party that is in power in all three branches to supposedly focus on wrapping up the budget. The source claims that the GLBT community has "counted the votes" and has the numbers they need to pass the bill and curiously, it is on hold.

Remember this is legislation that the Governor Chet Culver supports and that sailed through the senate. Culver met privately with House Democrats Thursday afternoon to try to convince more of them to back it, too. "Nothing's easy around this place. It takes a lot of hard work and heavy lifting to get important public policy measures all the way through the process and this is one I fully support and I expect we will have some success with but it sounds like it will take a little more work," Culver says.

Can the gay community believe Democrat majority leader Kevin McCarthy who says he doesn't have 51 Democrats willing to vote for the legislation, and Republicans who support it aren't willing to vote for it unless Democrats put up those 51 "yes" votes first. Or is it something else. Is Speaker Pat Murphy caving to folks back home or is the push for the Governor's 25 million incubation of the Power Fund more important than the equal protections of all Iowans ?

Or is it that the representatives are unwilling to the people's work off the clock? There is no statutory end for the session, but daily expense payments to lawmakers end on April 27th.

Remember when being a public servant used to mean something?

Chet Does the Right Thing for Civil Liberties

Gov. Chet Culver delivered to legislative leaders on Wednesday his first veto, rejecting a bill that would have eliminated the right of Iowans convicted of simple misdemeanors to a specific appeal process.Culver, a Democrat, wrote a lengthy detailed veto message to Senate President Jack Kibbie, a fellow Democrat.

''I have not taken this step - the first veto of my first term as governor of this great state - lightly,'' he wrote.

He said the bill, if signed into law, would erode and diminish a cherished legal right: ''the right to challenge the legal basis for incarcerating citizens.''

He said Senate File 139 would have removed the ability for anyone convicted of a simple misdemeanor to later challenge the conviction using postconviction relief, which was written into law in 1970. More

The ACLU-IA supported this veto.

VOICE Your Concerns About Clean Elections and CAFOs

From once and, I hope, future gubernatorial candidate Ed Fallon

Dear Friends,

Lynn and I have spoken and written about VOICE (campaign finance reform) and CAFO (confined animal feeding operation) legislation extensively over the past three months. The response from you and many other concerned Iowans has been tremendous, and both HF 805 (VOICE) and HF 873 (CAFO restrictions) remain live rounds.But a few powerful leaders in the House and Senate continue to resist the will of the majority. We need, once again, to let all state representatives know how important it is to pass these bills. It’s not enough for lawmakers to say they will vote “yes” if the bills come up for debate. We need each and every representative who believes in these reforms to actively work for their passage, both in committee and on the floor.

With the legislative session in its last month, action is needed. Call, e-mail, write or visit with your state representative after the Easter break. Ask them to do everything in their power to assure that these two bills become law. Your response to our previous requests has helped ignite a grassroots lobbying effort that has continued to move these bills forward. It’s time for the final push, and I know we can count on you to be part of it.

Visit http://www.legis.state.ia.us/aspx/Legislators/LegislatorInfo.aspx for information on how to contact your state representative.If you have specific questions on either bill, please call or write us at either (515) 201-9405 or http://commcenter.mchsi.com/wmc/v/wm/461D0FFF000E036D00005A42219792474103010CD2079C080C03BF0E9901070B9DCC0A089B?cmd=ComposeTo&adr=imforiowa%40gmail%2Ecom&sid=c0. Thank you, and let’s work for victory this month on reforms that are long overdue.

Ed Fallon

Nolte Contendere

Over at the Deeth blog, I was sad to learn that Mark Nolte is not going to run in the fightin' 89th in 2008. I fully appreciate Mark putting his family first and party, well-- not first.

Funnel Vision - VOICE is "Still Alive"

The good, the bad, and the ugly of the Iowa legislative session

From the D.M. Register

BILLS THAT FAILED TO MAKE THE CUT:
- Requiring children younger than 18 to be buckled up in the back seat of cars
- Banning minors from getting a body piercing
- Tripling jury service fees
- Raising the compulsory school attendance age limit from 16 to 18
- Preventing abusive mortgage lending practices
- Limiting competition in the sale of gasoline to prevent price undercutting
- Creating a state law to bar people convicted of domestic abuse from owning or possessing guns
- Banning tobacco use on public school property


BILLS IN LIMBO:
- Making it a crime for adults to use Web cameras to expose themselves to children
- Putting more distance between hog confinements and homes, water supplies and tourism areas
- Requiring insurers to include coverage for a wider array of mental illnesses
- Barring sex offenders from being on school property or entering child care facilities


BILLS THAT JUST MADE IT THROUGH:
- Clarifying state law prohibiting desecration of the American flag
- Banning hunting of live animals with an Internet hookup
- Providing more state guidance on science-based sex education in schools
- Extending state civil rights protections to gays, lesbians
- Requiring lead tests for children before they enter elementary school
- Repealing a state requirement that casinos be built over water
- Ending repeat referendums for casinos
- Allowing telephone companies that want to provide TV service to apply for a statewide cable franchise
- Assessing greenhouse gas emissions in granting permits for proposed power plants
- Creating a commission to develop a plan for extending health care coverage to uninsured Iowans
- Requiring Iowa courts to honor and enforce civil rulings of the Meskwaki tribal court
- Allowing grandparents and great-grandparents to petition the court for visitation in cases of divorce or foster care


OTHER BILLS THAT ARE STILL ALIVE:
- Limiting contributions to state inaugural celebrations
- Providing public financing to candidates who choose to be part of a new system
- Adopting a stricter blood alcohol level for drunken boating
- Allowing fees to be collected from nonunion workers for services provided by unions
- Allowing cities, counties to ban smoking in public places
- Barring Iowans from buying or possessing bears and other wild animals
- Creating a statewide preschool program
- Establishing a fund to develop Iowa's renewable energy industry
- Providing more money for teacher salaries, with the goal of reaching the national average
- Requiring a training program in racism and diversity for leaders of state agencies

Nicotine Hissy Fit? A Real Cold Turkey

Two charged with threatening Iowa House speaker
The Gazette

DUBUQUE - Two men have been charged with making a threatening phone call to Iowa House speaker Pat Murphy related to the recent increase in the state's cigarette tax, officials said today. Joshua Lamey, 20, of Dubuque, and Christopher Aschtgen, 20, of Cascade, are charged with first-degree aiding and abetting harassment.

Update:
"Natalie Murphy told Dubuque police the unidentified caller became upset when he learned her father was not available, then started to "share his displeasure" about a proposed $1-per-pack increase for cigarettes in the state's tobacco tax, which has since become law"

"The caller insisted on Rep. Murphy calling him back, then angrily stated to Natalie Murphy, 'You tell him he better call me back or I'm going to rape his daughter!'" the affidavit stated."

Think Global, Act Iowa

From Mark Kresowik, former "boy wonder" UI student body president and, currently, manly man fighting the good fight to address global warming in an aggressive manner.

Urgent call to action on global warming:

While neighboring states are REDUCING carbon dioxide emissions, the lack of such plans in Iowa promises that three new coal-fired power plants will INCREASE our emissions from the electric sector by more than 35% in the next 5 years and displace investments in energy efficiency and community wind development that improve Iowa's rural economy. Time is running out to do something about the problem.

HOUSE SPEAKER MURPHY (515) 281-5566 and our legislators (www.legis.state.ia.us) need to hear how you feel about global warming and that the Iowa House should support:
a) Senate File 485, to allow the Department of Natural Resources to consider the impact of greenhouse gases in new electric generation permitting decisions.

b) Senate File 494, to establish a Climate Change Commission to plan for carbon dioxide reductions.

c) House File 498 and Senate File 500, to establish the Governor's Power Fund (ask them to include language about greenhouse gases, and requiring merchant power plants to meet the same efficiency and renewable standards that rate-regulated utilities must meet).