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The Iowa Afterschool Alliance regularly monitors policy at the federal, state, and local levels to encourage supportive practices and policies for afterschool at all levels. This bi-weekly publication will keep you up-to-date on the activities of the Iowa legislature, as well as federal legislation, throughout the Iowa legislative session from January 11, 2016 until the scheduled adjournment date of April 19, 2016. We will also provide a final legislative update after the Governor's 30 day signing period has ended. We hope this communication is beneficial to you as you seek to advocate for and support your program at home.
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Federal Policy Update
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Several weeks ago President Obama released his budget for the 2017 fiscal year. Items related to afterschool include:
- $1 billion for 21st Century Community Learning Centers. This is a cut of $167 million from the previous year.
- $15 billion for Title I grants
- $120 for a new Stronger Together Grants program, which aims to increase socioeconomic diversity by expanding existing efforts through the states and local communities.
- $100 million for Computer Science for All development grants for school districts.
- $3 billion for STEM education
For more on the President's budget, read the Afterschool Alliance's blog here.
To send a message that afterschool is important, please get involved in the We Love Afterschool social media campaign. Find out more on the Afterschool Alliance's website.
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State Policy Update
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Second Funnel Week
The second "funnel" of session occurred last week. Bills needed to be reported out of committees in the chamber from which they did not originate. In order to advance, the Senate bills needed to be reported out of House committees and House bills needed to be reported out of Senate committees, with exceptions for appropriations bills, ways and means bills, government oversight bills, and bills from leadership. Bills that advanced:
A bill to support reading and literacy requirements for practitioner preparation programs ( SF 2196 and HF 2422) passed the Senate on a 50-0 vote and both versions have been placed on the unfinished business calendar.
A bill that modifies an appropriation for the Early Childhood Iowa Initiative ( SF 2299) was exempt from the funnel because it is an Appropriations bill.
A bill relating to reading proficiency assessments and intensive summer reading programs ( HF 2413) passed the Senate Education Committee and was placed on the unfinished business calendar. A bill related to the SAVE fund (HSB 548) in a Ways and Means bill and is, therefore, exempt from the funnel.Bills that did not advance: A bill to expand preschool ( SF 2009) passed the Senate, but died in a House Education subcommittee. A bill related to school funding ( SF 2093 and HF 2197) did not pass out of the House subcommittee. A bill related to school funding ( SF 2092) did not pass out of the House subcommittee. Budget Links:
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| Legislation | |
Senate File 2299 (successor to Senate Study Bill 3128) Relates to the Early Childhood Iowa Initiative and modifies an appropriation. Sponsored by the Senate Committee on Appropriations. Passed House Appropriations Committee. Placed on unfinished business calendar. House File 2413 (successor to House File 2229) Provides that a student in kindergarten through grade three who is not reading proficiently must be provided intensive reading instruction by the school district and requires ongoing assessments for progress. Sponsored by Representative Ruff. Passed the House 97-0. Passed Senate Education committee and placed on unfinished business calendar. House Study Bill 548 Relates to education funding by extending the period of time for collecting sales tax for deposit in the Secure an Advanced Vision for Education (SAVE) fund, modifying allocations of state sales and use tax revenue collections, specifying uses for certain funding received from the SAVE fund, creating a district levy reduction fund, and making appropriations. Sponsored by House Ways and Means Committee, referred to subcommittee.
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| Important Dates | | |
April 19 Target Adjournment Date
100th calendar day of the session and the date per-diem expenses will end.
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This update is a bi-weekly publication intended to share information and resources regarding legislative activities, events, and bills related to afterschool issues in Iowa. If you have questions or need more information, please contact Gracie Brandsgard at gbrandsgard@sppg.com
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