Sunshine takes on two faces
Education dominates Spencer discussion with lawmakers
By Russ Oechslin, Journal correspondent | Posted: Monday, March 12, 2007
SPENCER, Iowa -- In one of the most spirited sessions where state legislators face their constituents, casual comments made by Democrats Marcie Frevert and Jack Kibbie about the day's warm sunshine were turned on them by Republication Sen. David Johnson, who noted "a lack of sunshine in the Iowa Senate," with three major bills discussed in the late evening hours, last week, "away from public scrutiny."
Johnson referred to the teacher quality plan, tobacco tax legislation and the repeal of Iowa's right-to-work law. And while Kibbie kept his calm until near the end of the session, he explained that the delays in the debate were caused not by the majority party, but by Republican legislators who spent more than the scheduled time in caucuses.
With reference to the Democrat's majority in the house and senate, Kibbie finally shot back at Johnson telling him "It's hell to be in the minority," and later explained to Peterson Mayor Jon Bang, "I've been to that college!"
Of the nearly 100 area residents in attendance, fewer than a dozen got to ask questions or make comment during the 90-minute session.
The first question, from Aaron McHone, of the Season's Center, dealt with inequity in the state's mental health program, in which, he said, "individuals are discriminated against depending on which county they are from."
Some emergency funding has provided $174,000 for Emmet County, Kibbie explained. But, he added, the $22-23 million in projected funding for the state's portion amounts to "half a loaf. The state needs to pick up more of the mental health costs."
Johnson noted the alternative to more state funding is raising local property taxes. "But that's not an easy thing to do in all 99 counties."
Sheldon Rep. Royd Chambers agreed with Kibbie, explaining "more money is desperately needed." And, he said he backed Johnson's idea that it should be state money.
Questions about education dominated Saturday's session. The area Education Agency's Linda Linn asked the legislators about the lost mandates and funding for school librarians, guidance counselors and nurses. The situation had been discussed last week in the Senate.
A former classroom teacher, Rep. Mike May, R-Spirit Lake, said the goal of the state's education program should be better students. And he explained the state needs to "invest in the best possible way to help our kids achieve the best they can." His priority, he added, would be to "have a great teacher in every classroom in Iowa," as opposed to taking funding from the classroom and putting it in other areas.
Another of the three teacher-legislators, Chambers said he was also opposed to state mandates in this area, especially if "it means a classroom teacher would be fired."
Former teacher and one-time legislative contender Jack Ryan changed the subject by asking how much money had been taken out of the Senior Living Trust and how much of it had been replaced. Dodging a direct answer about the total of the borrowed funds, Kibbie told Ryan $45 million was replaced last year and this year's number has not been decided. It is Gov. Chet Culver's goal, Kibbie said, to have it all paid back within his four-year term. The tobacco tax, he added, would be the largest part of that funding.
Taking aim again at his Democratic counterpart, Johnson referred to the "fudging" on the Trust, which allows more opportunities for seniors to remain in their homes for a longer period instead of being institutionalized.
The $300 million that was borrowed from the fund could be repaid by the end of the next fiscal year, according to Johnson. But, he said, the governor plans to use part of the money to fund his power fund and other projects. May called it "a bit of a shell game," and explained that he sees the restoration of the money only if the economy remains good. "If not, we're at risk again," he said.
In closing remarks that took the planned 90-minute session into overtime, Frevert said she was surprised that no one commented about what she termed the "billion dollar leakage" in hog farrowing in the state. Explaining that Iowa is the number one hog producing state, Frevert noted that while Iowa finishes 35 million hogs each year, only 20 million are farrowed here. Iowa could "take care of 20 percent of the state budget if we just bring farrowing back into the state," she said.
Johnson referred to the teacher quality plan, tobacco tax legislation and the repeal of Iowa's right-to-work law. And while Kibbie kept his calm until near the end of the session, he explained that the delays in the debate were caused not by the majority party, but by Republican legislators who spent more than the scheduled time in caucuses.
With reference to the Democrat's majority in the house and senate, Kibbie finally shot back at Johnson telling him "It's hell to be in the minority," and later explained to Peterson Mayor Jon Bang, "I've been to that college!"
Of the nearly 100 area residents in attendance, fewer than a dozen got to ask questions or make comment during the 90-minute session.
The first question, from Aaron McHone, of the Season's Center, dealt with inequity in the state's mental health program, in which, he said, "individuals are discriminated against depending on which county they are from."
Some emergency funding has provided $174,000 for Emmet County, Kibbie explained. But, he added, the $22-23 million in projected funding for the state's portion amounts to "half a loaf. The state needs to pick up more of the mental health costs."
Johnson noted the alternative to more state funding is raising local property taxes. "But that's not an easy thing to do in all 99 counties."
Sheldon Rep. Royd Chambers agreed with Kibbie, explaining "more money is desperately needed." And, he said he backed Johnson's idea that it should be state money.
Questions about education dominated Saturday's session. The area Education Agency's Linda Linn asked the legislators about the lost mandates and funding for school librarians, guidance counselors and nurses. The situation had been discussed last week in the Senate.
A former classroom teacher, Rep. Mike May, R-Spirit Lake, said the goal of the state's education program should be better students. And he explained the state needs to "invest in the best possible way to help our kids achieve the best they can." His priority, he added, would be to "have a great teacher in every classroom in Iowa," as opposed to taking funding from the classroom and putting it in other areas.
Another of the three teacher-legislators, Chambers said he was also opposed to state mandates in this area, especially if "it means a classroom teacher would be fired."
Former teacher and one-time legislative contender Jack Ryan changed the subject by asking how much money had been taken out of the Senior Living Trust and how much of it had been replaced. Dodging a direct answer about the total of the borrowed funds, Kibbie told Ryan $45 million was replaced last year and this year's number has not been decided. It is Gov. Chet Culver's goal, Kibbie said, to have it all paid back within his four-year term. The tobacco tax, he added, would be the largest part of that funding.
Taking aim again at his Democratic counterpart, Johnson referred to the "fudging" on the Trust, which allows more opportunities for seniors to remain in their homes for a longer period instead of being institutionalized.
The $300 million that was borrowed from the fund could be repaid by the end of the next fiscal year, according to Johnson. But, he said, the governor plans to use part of the money to fund his power fund and other projects. May called it "a bit of a shell game," and explained that he sees the restoration of the money only if the economy remains good. "If not, we're at risk again," he said.
In closing remarks that took the planned 90-minute session into overtime, Frevert said she was surprised that no one commented about what she termed the "billion dollar leakage" in hog farrowing in the state. Explaining that Iowa is the number one hog producing state, Frevert noted that while Iowa finishes 35 million hogs each year, only 20 million are farrowed here. Iowa could "take care of 20 percent of the state budget if we just bring farrowing back into the state," she said.
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