|
Greetings!
Second funnel date comes to an end! Friday was the last day for Senate bills to be reported out of House Committees and for House Bills to be reported out of Senate committees. Last year the legislature adjourned after 80 days, and Friday was day 82 of the 2011 session, with only one 2012 budget bill passed, the legislature has a lot to do to adjourn by April 29th when Legislator's per diem ends. While the rules about the funnel are intended to turn the legislature's attention to budgetary matters in April, the rules can be suspended to consider bills deemed politically important. Since they have to pass a budget before adjourning, let's hope elected officials will focus and get the needed work finished.
Preschool Update Mark Twain once said, "The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated", this could apply to HF 535 - the Governor's proposal on preschool. Many of you have probably seen the DM Register article that highlights bills that did not survive the second "funnel" date which included preschool. As much as that is good news, it still doesn't mean the debate about preschool is over. There will still need to be a decision made between the Governor and the Democratic controlled Senate as to whether or not the current system stays in place or the Governor's proposal moves forward. All of this may play out at the very end of Legislative Session. That's when negotiations often take place in order for the Legislature to come to agreements, wrap up their work, and go home for the year. Calls and emails still need to be made to the Senate and to the Governor's office asking them to maintain the current statewide voluntary preschool program. Email the Governor Call the Governor - 515.281.5211 Email your Senator Call your Senator - 515.281.3371 Rally/Lobby Day - April 13 ISEA, SAI, UEN, IASB and the AEAs are sponsoring an Iowa Kids First Rally on Wednesday, April 13, 2011, at 5:30 P.M. on the west steps of the Iowa capitol. They will have educators, parents, and school board members speak at the rally about the need for at least two percent allowable growth and continuation of the current statewide voluntary preschool program. You are welcome to join them if you're available. Appropriations Update
We were told that Governor Branstad stated he will veto any appropriations bill that does not include appropriations for SFY 2013. House HHS and Ed budget committees met again this week to approve two year budgets. It is not certain how this will be handled by the Senate or what the final results of this attempt may be. We have also been told that the budgets are not binding. So, we wonder, "why bother?" There is no change in funding to early childhood programs.
Parental Rights Amendment to U.S Constitution On Tuesday the House Judiciary Committee debated HSB 230 (which suggests the Iowa Legislature urge the U.S. Congress to add a parental rights amendment to the U.S. Constitution). Since there was not a lot of opportunity for public comment and a lot of opposition to the bill, Chairperson Anderson deferred on the bill. This meeting was the last official meeting of the Judiciary Committee which leaves the bill in peril. A number of state legislatures have taken up such resolutions opposing ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, or urging Congress to pass a Parental Rights Amendment to the States for ratification. A few have even done both.The legislation asserts that "the liberty of parents to direct the upbringing and education of their children is a fundamental right" implicitly protected by the U.S. and Iowa Constitutions.The legislation also explicitly opposes international treaties that could allegedly alter parents' rights. We believe this legislation is too broad and could impact efforts to protect children from abuse or neglect. We registered against this bill along with ACLU of Iowa, Iowa Community Action Association, Interfaith Alliance of Iowa, Iowa Planned Parenthood, the Iowa State Bar Association, and Prevent Child Abuse Iowa. I am sure it will resurface again this year or next! In the meantime, I think we need to concentrate on getting a budget passed that is beneficial to children and their families! Enjoy the beautiful weekend! Stay in touch ~ Sheila | 
