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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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The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) will usher in a new era in education in the United States. Signed into law by President Obama on December 10, 2015, many federal policies will change under the new law. Find out more by following EdWeek's coverage of the law.
Also, take a look at a recent presentation on ESSA to the Beyond School Hours crowd by Dr. Sylvia Lyles of the federal Department of Education here.
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State Policy Update
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Now that the second funnel has passed, the legislature's attention has turned towards Appropriations bills and looking toward adjournment in April. Contention on the issues of school funding and water quality have been the two biggest roadblocks to focusing on other spending bills. The legislature recently passed SF 174 and SF 175, which increased school funding by 2.25% and now goes to the Governor to sign. Governor's Revised Budget
Governor Branstad released a revised, smaller budget to legislators this week to reflect the lower revenue estimates provided by the REC, or the revenue estimating conference. Legislators are required by law to not spend more than 99% of the money the state expects to receive in taxes. The new revenue estimates are $46.4 million less than previously thought so the Governor and lawmakers now need to make additional cuts from their original budget proposals.
You can read the press release about the Governor's revised budget here. Want to know more about the budget process? This chart outlines it for you.
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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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