Every Child Counts Newsletter
Legislative Update
January 2011
Greetings!

Hope all of you had a happy new year!  It is time once again to turn our focus to the legislative session.  The first session of the 84th Iowa General Assembly will convene Monday, January 10th and is scheduled to end on April 29th.

House Republicans unveiled their first bill earlier this week and they refer to it as the Taxpayers First Act.  You can view the text of the bill here and the Republican Staff analysis here. You can read the Iowa House Democrats reaction to the bill here. 


Some areas of interest from bill:


  • Elimination of the Statewide Voluntary Preschool Program (also calls for expansion of preschool tuition assistance program through Early Childhood Iowa - no details on amount or guidelines)
     
  • Eliminates Power Fund, after current liabilities are funded
  • Eliminate Office of Energy Independence, Ag & DNR budget sub decides responsibilities
  • Eliminates core curriculum, Education Committee sets new standards as of July 1, 2011
  • Cancels all Regents university sabbaticals for 18 months
  • Eliminates Just Eliminate Lies, Quitline Iowa and other smoking cessation efforts
  • Eliminates the state family planning waiver
Clearly we are concerned about the elimination of the Statewide Preschool Program and are awaiting details on how they plan to ensure access.   We look forward to working with Legislators and the new Governor on this issue and other important issues!


On another note, I encourage you to find us on Facebook and "like" us (click on Facebook icon below).  I will be able to provide day to day (hour to hour) updates on what is happening in the Legislature on the Every Child Counts Facebook page.  I will provide weekly updates or more, if needed, through the ECC newsletter.



 Find us on Facebook

 

I look forward to working with all of you as we keep children a priority this legislative session!


Best ~
 

Sheila



2011 Gubernatorial Appointments and Staff
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Department of Veterans Affairs - Retired Brig. Gen. Jodi Tymeson

Iowa Department of Economic Development - Debi Durham


Iowa Department of Management - David Roederer


Iowa Department of Revenue - Courtney Kay-Decker


Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals - Rod Roberts


Iowa Workforce Development - Teresa Wahlert


Iowa Department of Human Services - Chuck Palmer


Iowa Department of Public Health - Dr. Mariannette Miller-Meeks


Iowa Department of Natural Resources - Roger Lande


Iowa Department of Transportation - Nancy Richardson


Labor Relations Consultant - Leon Shearer


Iowa Department of Corrections - John Baldwin


Iowa Public Safety Commissioner - Larry Noble


Iowa Public Employees Retirement System - Donna Mueller


Iowa Department of Human Rights - Isaiah McGee


Iowa Lottery - Terry Rich


Iowa Veterans Home - David Worley


Iowa State Public Defender - Sam Langholz


Iowa Department of Administrative Services - Mike Carroll


Iowa Department of Education - James E. Glass


Iowa Office of Energy Independence - Debi Durham


Iowa Labor Commissioner - Michael Mauro


Iowa Homeland Security & Emergency Management - Brig. Gen. J. Derek Hill



Governor's Staff:

Chief of Staff - Jeff Boeyink
Legislative Liason - Todd Schulz
Communications Director - Tim Albrecht
Deputy Communications Director - Jimmy Centers
Executive Scheduler - Alicia Freed
Legal Counsel - Brenna Findley
Boards and Commissions - Carmine Boal
Special Assistant for Education - Linda Lantor Fandel

 





Help Us Help Iowa's Kids and Their Families
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Click here to make a tax deductible donation to Every Child Counts.
 What You Need to Know about CACFP
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In this Webinar brought to you by Food Research and Action Center, speakers will discuss the improvements in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) made by The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act. 

January 13th at 12:00 noon.

Speakers will provide details on these new CACFP provisions, their role in boosting food security and healthy eating, and recently released USDA policies key next steps, and USDA's implementation plans.  Speakers will include Tina Namian, USDA, Food and Nutrition Service; Mary Story, University of Minnesota, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Healthy Eating Research Program; and Geri Henchy, FRAC. 

Register here!