|
News from Every Child Counts
|
3/30/12
When the Legislators return to work on Monday, only two week
swill remain of the session. April 17th, marks the 100th day and the end of per diem for legislators. Of course, we all remember what happened last year, so just because the calendar states session is over, it isn't over until it is over!
One of the signs that session is coming to an end is the introduction of the standings bill (HSB 674). This bill is sometimes known as the Christmas tree bill because it can have many "gifts" of failed previous legislation in it. Just because a bill didn't make it through the process doesn't mean it is dead - the bill language can still appear in this bill or in other appropriation bills.
The Standings bill which is HSB 674 this year always includes funding for Shared Visions. It shows up as Programs for At Risk Children in the bill. And, unfortunately, the House Republicans have made the decision to cut the funding from $10,728,891 to $9,645,273. This is a cut of $1.1 million! Once again, in a time of budget surplus and talk of third grade literacy/education reform, they chose to cut a program for at risk 3 and 4 year olds - the children we know will benefit the most from comprehensive early childhood education.
Speaking of education, on Thursday, the Senate Appropriations Committee passed SF 2284 (education reform) out of Committee. Senator Dvorsky said the bill should be brought up for debate sometime next week. The floor manager, Sen. Quirmbach, will offer an amendment on the floor. Every Child Counts has been working with the Senate on some language around third grade literacy and kindergarten assessment and are hopeful it will make it's way into the final bill!
SF 2321 (education budget) passed the House on 3/27 with several amendments. Final House Amendment to Senate File 2321 is S-5145. This bill will head back to the Senate and most likely into a conference committee. The home visitation language changes have remained in both chambers versions of the bill, so most likely shouldn't be an issue in conference committee. We anticipate four year old preschool funding to remain the same as last year (with an allowable growth increase).
Both chambers and parties continue to discuss mental health reform. Earlier this week, the House Appropriations Committee passed SF 2315 out with an amendment. It has been placed on the House Calendar for debate. The amendment requires counties to create a county services fund for MH/DS services and makes appropriations from the General Fund for property tax relief.
HF 2435 (HHS budget bill) is still waiting to be brought up for debate in the House. It seems to be held up in the House because of an amendment that has to do with women's health. Representatives Pearson, Sweeney, Alons and Shaw have introduced this amendment to basically eliminate/limit funding for Planned Parenthood. Unfortunately, the funding for vital services for children and families is being held up by this proposed amendment.
The Senate may decide to go ahead and introduce their own HHS budget bill instead of waiting for the House to send one over. We are confident the Senate budget has adequate funding for child care and other vital services.
The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is still being held hostage. After passing (for the third time in two years) unanimously in the Senate a few weeks ago, the House is yet to bring it up for discussion. Raising the Iowa Earned Income Tax Credit from 7 percent of the federal EITC to 20 percent (which is what SF 2161 does) not only would raise the threshold at which Iowa families start to owe state income taxes, but would boost local economies throughout the state. In fact, the increase would provide an average benefit per House district of almost $550,000, which residents would use in their local economy. Check out this new policy brief by the Iowa Fiscal Partnership, EITC Improves Fairness, Benefits to Working Families.
We expect most of the above items to be settled in Conference Committees. First, however, leaders have to agree on a global budget number. Senate Democrats have proposed to spend $6.331 billion. Gov. Branstad has proposed a $6.243 budget. House Republicans have proposed spending $6.060 billion. Once they settle on this number, the Committees will have new targets to work with and should be able to finish up their work.
Let's hope the targets aren't on the backs of vulnerable children and their families!We are heading out to buy some lottery tickets now - perhaps the House should buy a few and use some of the winnings for the education and health and humans services budgets! :-)Good luck and have a nice weekend!
Sincerely,
Sheila Hansen & Danielle Oswald-Thole
|
|
 U.S. House of Representatives passes FY 2013 House Budget Resolution On March 29, 2012, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a FY 2013 House Budget Resolution authored by House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI). While the House Budget Committee has released only summary data, a review of available information shows that children's priorities face deep and devastating cuts. |
Bills of Interest
 Quality Early Care and Education HF 2380 (ed reform) - A study bill for an act relating to programs and activities under the purview of the department of education, the state board of education, the board of educational examiners, school districts, and accredited nonpublic schools; and providing for the retention of certain fees and for the use of certain funds. Passed House.SF 2219 - A bill for an act relating to the continuation of the Iowa early intervention block grant program and including effective date provisions. Passed Education Committee on 2/15. This bill deals with class size and literacy programs (not Early ACCESS). Passed Senate 26-24 on 2/27. Currently on House Calendar for debate. Fiscal Note
SF 2321 (formerly SSB 3172)- A study bill for an act relating to the funding of, the operation of, and appropriation of moneys to the college student aid commission, the department for the blind, the department of education, and the state board of regents, and providing effective date provisions. Update - Passed House with amendment. Back to Senate - headed to Conference Committee. Amendment H-8327.
SF 2284 (ed reform)- A bill for an act relating to programs and activities under the purview of the department of education, the state board of education, the board of educational examiners, the state board of regents, school districts, and accredited nonpublic schools; and providing for the retention of certain fees and for the use of certain funds. Update -Passed Senate appropriations Committee - headed to Senate floor for debate sometime next week. Fiscal Note can be read here.
Child Health and Well-Being
HF 2226 - A study bill relating to child abuse reports and disposition data. Update - final passage in both Chambers - heading to Governor for signature.
HF 2283 -An Act relating to the Iowa health information network, providing for fees, and including effective date provisions. Update - In House Ways and Means - Companion bill is SF 2166 - passed Senate 3/19. Fiscal note.
SF 2225- A bill for an act relating to child abuse by prohibiting retaliation for reporting, providing for implementation of reporting policies at postsecondary institutions, requiring planning for training requirements, and providing for the distribution of information on child sexual abuse, and providing a remedy. Mandatory reporting task force created. Update - Passed both Chambers - heading to Governor for signature.
SF 2315 - An Act relating to redesign of publicly funded mental health and disability services.. Update - Passed Senate on 3/12. Passed House Approps Committee with amendment on 3/22. Headed to House floor for debate.
HF 2390 - A bill for an act relating to obscene material, commercial sexual activity, and human trafficking, and providing penalties and making penalties applicable. Passed House on 3/8. Update -Passed House, Passed Senate, House concurred with Senate amendment.
Child and Family Economic Success
SF 2161 (Formerly SSB 3116) - An Act relating to the amount of the earned income tax credit. Increasing credit from 7% to 13%. Passed full Senate on 48-0 on 2/15. SF 2024 - An Act relating to workforce training programs in community colleges and making appropriations. Passed Senate 26 - 22 on 2/22. HF 2287- A bill for an act creating a tracking and reporting system for certain tax credits awarded by the economic development authority. Referred to Ways and MeansSSB 3192- A study bill for an act making the research activities tax credits nonrefundable and including effective date and applicability provisions. Subcommittee held- bill will probably not proceedNEW:
SF 2325 (companion bill is HSB 673) - A bill for an act relating to the income tax checkoffs for the child abuse prevention program fund and the veterans trust fund and volunteer fire fighter preparedness fund, and including retroactive applicability provisions. Update - passed Senate Ways and Means Committee on 3/29. Passed House Ways and Means Subcommittee on 3/29.
Signed by Governor: HF 2368- An Act providing for the issuance of a certificate of birth resulting in stillbirth, providing for a fee, and including effective date provisions. Signed 3/26/12.
SF 2247- A study bill relating to terminology changes in Iowa Code references to mental retardation. Signed 3/22/12.
|
|
"May I stress the need for courageous, intelligent, and dedicated leadership... Leaders of sound integrity. Leaders not in love with publicity, but in love with justice. Leaders not in love with money, but in love with humanity. Leaders who can subject their particular egos to the greatness of the cause." - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr  |
|
|
|
| Disadvantage: The School Readiness of Poor Children |
by Julia B. Isaacs, Brookings Institution
|
Poor children in the United States start school at a disadvantage in terms of their early skills, behaviors, and health. Fewer than half (48 percent) of poor children are ready for school at age five, compared to 75 percent of children from families with moderate and high income, a 27 percentage point gap. This paper examines the reasons why poor children are less ready for school and evaluates three interventions for improving their school readiness. You can read the rest of the report here....
|
Get timely updates from the Child and Family Policy Center:
 |
How is state policy affecting the families around you?
Tell us about it! Sheila Hansen
Every Child Counts
Director
Danielle Oswald-Thole
Every Child Counts Outreach Coordinator and Policy Advocate
|
A donation to
Every Child Counts helps us do what's good for Iowa kids
and families.
|
Health Care Update
150,000 Iowans could get Medicaid
DM Register Article by Tony Leys
Complicated arguments made before the U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday could help determine whether 150,000 poor Iowa adults gain government health insurance for the first time.
The federal health reform law would expand the Medicaid program in 2014, adding working-age adults who have no children and who make less than about $15,000 per year. Proponents say such people are some of the neediest uninsured Americans, but opponents of the expansion say the government can't afford to add them to the Medicaid rolls. Read the rest of the article here.
|
Legislative Forums
Many of you can't make it to the State Capitol in Des Moines - that doesn't mean you can't have some face to face time with your state legislator.
Legislators host forums in their districts throughout the session. They get a chance to update constituents on the issues and listen to concerns from constituents .
House Republican Forums (it appears the House Republican forum schedule has not been updated in sometime - you have to click on member name and then click on forums)
|
Who Cares for Iowa's Children?
Why be concerned about early childhood education? Time spent in child care is prime learning time and nearly 70 percent of Iowa's children under age six spend time in early care while their parents work. Find key factors that impact early learning, including teacher and provider education. Download this new publication from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. |
State Program Quality Standards about Child Assessment  Child assessments include a range of activities, including observations, portfolio development, and appraisal of performance using multiple indicators that measure a child's learning and development. At the program level, the results inform classroom practice, curriculum development, and learning activities. At the program level, the results inform classroom practice, curriculum development, and learning activities. Results are typically shared with parents and are also used to address the needs of individual children. At the policy level, results may be used to target program quality improvement activities, gauge progress, or inform decisionmaking. Download the rest of the article from the National Center on Child Care Quality Improvement here. |
|
