Every Child Counts Newsletter
Legislative Update
January 30, 2009 |
|
|
| Resources |
| From the Foundations on Early Learning
Ten Simple Ways
The Ten Simple Ways To Encourage Learning brochure is available in both English and Spanish. The booklet is a free information guide to help support families and their children during the earliest years of learning. Printed copies can also be requested through the request form. The booklets are free; however, they ask that you cover the cost of shipping and handling of more than 26 booklets, $.35/ea. If the cost is prohibitive, please contact them. To learn more about the Foundation for Early Learning visit their website. ___________________
Legislative Term of the Week:
Chamber - The official meeting place of the Senate and House.
___________________
Quote of the Week:
"I am only one, but I am still one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something ."
| |
|
| Greetings! |
|
So much for the quietness of last week. The pace has picked up quite a bit at the Capitol. The Governor released his budget on Wednesday. The 2010 budget includes a 6.5% across the board cut to most programs. While more than 80% of state programs will be subject to the reduction, the Governor has identified the following key priorities, which will be exempted from its full effects:
- Corrections: appropriations for the Department of Corrections;
- Education: appropriations for teacher quality and pre-school education and a 2-percent allowable growth;
- Glenwood Resource Center: appropriations to meet requirements of the Department of Justice reviews;
- Homeland Security: appropriations for the State's FEMA match for federal disaster relief;
- Human Services: appropriations for Medicaid, Hawk-I, Child and Family Services;
- Public Safety: appropriations for the Department of Public Safety;
- Victims Compensation: appropriations for the Attorney General to help reimburse crime victims; and
- Workforce Development: appropriations for the Department of Workforce Development to help the unemployed.
Unfortunately, Empowerment took more than a 6.5% cut. You can find the budget for Empowerment on page 29 of the Legislative Services Agency's Analysis of the Governor's budget. The Governor stated he would protect the Four Year Old Preschool Program, unfortunately, he does not protect other early childhood programs that are just as important. The Governor's budget also cuts the Child Development Coordinating Council. This Council funds the Shared Visions Preschool Program that serves at risk children 3 - 5 in addition to Parent Support for families with children from birth to three. It is disappointing news for the children and families that rely on these programs!
One bright side - the child care assistance budget was only cut by 0.1%!
We are still going through the budget. I will send out more information regarding the budget next week. If you have any questions, please contact me.
Enjoy the Update ~
Sheila
|
Federal Update
|
Economic Stimulus
The House Approved the Economic Recovery Package. Now it moves onto the Senate.
On January 28th, the House approved its economic recovery package by a vote of 244 to 188, including signifcant investments in young children and their families. Some highlights of the House bill:
$2 billion for the Child Care and Development Block Grant to provide child care services to an additional 300,000 children in low-income families. In addition to funds states already must set aside for quality improvements, the Senate bill reserves an additional $255.2 million to improve quality of care, with $93.6 million of that amount designated for improving the quality of infant and toddler child care.
$2.1 billion for Head Start and Early Head Start to provide comprehensive services to more than 110,000 additional children. Of this amount, $1.1 billion has been specifically designated for the expansion of Early Head Start.
The Senate will vote soon on the package, but some Senators opposed to the plan could delay its passage. That delay might then force deals which would take out human needs funding. To see more areas the bills will address check out this document by the National Women's Law Center.
Check out this post in the Early Education Watch. Very good information on early childhood funding.
SCHIP:
The Senate voted Thursday night and passed their SCHIP reauthorization bill. The House passed their version a couple of weeks ago. The bill now returns to the House. My colleague, Carrie Fitzgerald, has been in DC and was able to attend the Senate debate. I know she has waited a long time for this moment as she has been a tireless advocate for children's health insurance! Congratulations, Carrie!! | |
|
|
Bills
|
|
 Early Childhood and School Readiness
HF 7- An Act establishing a parental involvement grant program and making an appropriation. Referred to Education. Subcommittee, Abdul-Samad, Bukta,and Sweeney. Subcommittee passed bill on 1/21. Referred to Approps
SF 8 - Act relating to transportation provided to children attending a preschool program administered by a community empowerment area. Referred to Education. Subcommittee, Appel, Feenstra, and Sodders.
SF 6 - This bill lowers the compulsory school attendance age from age six to age five. The bill makes a number of conforming changes, including the elimination of language establishing the conditions under which a child may be admitted to kindergarten and first grade in a public school. Introduced, referred to Education. Subcommittee, Heckroth, McKinley, and Sodders met on 1/20.
HF 100 Requires that a child who turned 5 after the September 15 deadline for starting kindergarten be enrolled if the child was enrolled in another state and the child's parent makes a request. Allows a child who turns 5 after the deadline to be enrolled if the child demonstrates sufficient ability on DOE evaluations. Referred to Education
NEW
HF 156 - An Act providing an appropriation for a pilot project to implement a child care center that operates twenty=four hours per day, seven days per week
Child Well-being and Development
HF 139 - (formerly HSB 6) - A study bill for requiring health insurance coverage for costs relating to mental health conditions, including alcohol or substance abuse treatment services, and creating a mental health insurance advisory committee. 1-14-09 Subcommittee assigned, Wessel-Kroeschell, Hunter, and Upmeyer. 1-15-09 Subcommittee reassigned, Wessel-Kroeschell, Hunter, and Schulte. H.J. 86. Subcommittee moved bill to full Committee. Companion Bill - SF 16 Subcommittee, Schmitz, Quirmbach, and Seymour
HF 56 - An Act relating to early childhood immunizations for influenza 2 containing mercury and making penalties applicable. Referred to Human Resources. Subcommittee, Wendt, Koester, and Steckman.
HF 63 - An Act relating to the dental screening program for children 2 enrolling in elementary or high school. Referred to Human Resources. Subcommittee, Mascher, Alons, and Hunter.
SSB 1091- Establishing a shaken baby syndrome prevention program in the department of public health. Referred to Human Resources. UPDATE - Passed out of subcommittee on 1/28. In full Committee on 2/2. HF 65 - Companion Bill
SF 48 - An Act relating to health care, health care providers, and health care coverage, providing for appropriations, providing penalties, and providing retroactive and other effective dates. Has many divisions - one of interest may be - IOWA CHOICE INSURANCE EXCHANGE. Division II of the bill contains new Code chapter 514M. The purpose of the chapter is to ensure that all children and all other Iowans in the state have affordable, quality health care coverage, and to decrease health care costs and health care
coverage costs. Referred to Human Resources. Subcommittee, Hatch, Bolkcom, and Seymour.
Family Economic Success
HSB 64 - An Act relating to disaster assistance by providing a jumpstart
housing assistance program, disaster aid individual assistance grants, and community disaster grants, making appropriations, and providing effective and retroactive applicability dates. UPDATE - Passed both Chambers. Governor Culver will sign the bill on Monday, February 2nd at the Capitol @ 11:30 a.m.
Other Bills of Interest
HF 14 - An Act repealing the Iowa English language reaffirmation Act. Referred to State Governnment. Subcommittee - Lensing, Isenhart and Rants
HF 10 - An Act relating to employees who are breast=feeding. Referred to Labor
NEW:
HF 110 - Makes it a simple misdemeanor with a $100 fine to leave a child unattended or not properly supervised in a car. Does not include a person outside the car who can see the child. Requires the DOT to use 50% of the fines and fees collected for a program to publicize the hazards. Referred to Judiciary |
|
| Legislative Community Forums |
|
Please take the time to attend a community forum in your area. Legislators hold these forums during the legislative session so they can hear from their constituents back home. They realize that it isn't always feasible to travel to the State Capitol to visit with them, so they want you to share your thoughts and views on issues during these forums. It is a great opportunity to get to know them and hear their views on issues, also.
Saturday, January 31st Senator Houser10:00 a.m. Clarinda Senator Johnson11:30 a.m. Maritime Museum Arnolds Park Johnson Co. Area Legislators9:30 - 11:30 Emma Harvat Hall Iowa City Scott Co. Area Legislators
10:00 Rogalski Center at St. Ambrose Davenport Senator Stewart9:00 a.m. Maquoketa City Hall Representative Tymeson9:00 a.m. Farmer's and Merchants State Bank Winterset Senator Ward9:00 - 11:00 a.m. 3 E Conference Center Windsor Heights Senator Wilhelm9:30 Magpie Pie Coffee Decorah Friday, February 6th
Senator Schmitz
Click here for all her times and locations |
 |
|
|
|
|
