January 15, 2010
Week Two
Legislative forum – Saturday, January 30
Visitors to the Capitol this week
Sharing information on Facebook
Change is coming to state government
Senate approves Early Retirement Incentives
Keeping an eye on special interests
What can we do to prevent and limit future flood damage?
Fewer Iowans smoking means fewer Iowa hospital visits
Grants available for water quality improvements
Week Two
It was an interesting week here in Des Moines. The ice storm really slowed things down on Wednesday. It was a good day to get caught up on email and reading. The weather also made for a slow week for Iowa City/Johnson County visitors to the Capitol. Everything, everywhere around Des Moines is still covered in ice on Friday morning.
I continued to spend time this week talking with colleagues and interest groups about ways to address bringing more accountability to tax credit spending. I hope that a reform proposal comes together in the coming weeks.
The Iowa Statehouse on January 21 after a couple of days of freezing rain.
Legislative forum – Saturday, January 30
I hope to see you at the Saturday, January 30th legislative forum in Iowa City. The event is sponsored by the Johnson County League of Women Voters and runs from 9:30-11:30AM at Iowa City Hall, 410 E. Washington Street.
Visitors to the Capitol this week
Mike Carberry, Iowa Renewable Energy Association
Todd Scott, River Products
Sharing information on Facebook
I’m using Facebook to share information and exchange ideas about moving Iowa forward. If you’re on Facebook, I invite you to “friend” me. You can find me at www.facebook.com/joe.bolkcom. I regularly post status updates, events and photos, and would love to connect with you.
Change is coming to state government
A major initiative to reorganize Iowa’s state government for the first time in almost 25 years was approved January 20 by the Senate’s State Government Committee.
The State of Iowa must be smarter about spending your money. The changes in Senate Study Bill 3030 will provide more accountability for taxpayer dollars and will eliminate wasteful spending by combining agencies and delivering services to Iowans more efficiently.
There are several provisions in the bill that impact Board of Regent institutions. I will be working with colleagues to make sure the any changes in information technology and central purchasing do not have a negative economic or operational impact. I expect that there will be an amendment to address some of the concerns that have been brought to our attention.
According to nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau and other sources, these reforms will save significant dollars immediately and much more in the long term. Savings totaling more than $80 million have already been enacted through an executive order by Governor Culver and an additional $57.4 million in savings will come from an early retirement initiative for state employees.
We’re hoping to find more than $150 million in savings this session. The legislation is expected to be debated by the full Senate later this month.
To review the state government reorganization bill, go to http://tiny.cc/ReOrg.
Senate approves Early Retirement Incentives
As part of our efforts to reduce costs in state government, the Senate approved an early retirement incentive package for state employees.
Under Senate File 2062, eligible state employee must apply for early retirement by April 15 and leave state employment no later than May 28, 2010. They would receive cash and health care incentives, paid out over five years.
In addition, the legislation will ensure that those who participate in the early retirement program are prohibited from taking another job in state government. This will put an end to “retirees” using a “revolving door” to re-enter state employment after receiving incentives to retire.
The state would save money by increasing the number of retirements and filling only critical positions. Review the legislation at http://tiny.cc/SF2062. I voted yes.
Keeping an eye on special interests
Sunshine can be the best disinfectant. I’m applying that principle to respond to Iowans’ concerns about the influence of lobbyists and special interest groups.
That’s why I’m supporting legislation to make it easier for all interested Iowans and watchdog groups to track lobbying activity at the Statehouse.
Once signed into law, the new reforms in Senate Study Bill 3035 will make it much easier to find out who has hired a particular lobbyist, how much they’re paid, and which bills they’re lobbying for and against. This information will be available on the Internet rather than being spread across a mixture of paper and electronic sources.
Review the legislation at http://tiny.cc/SSB3035.
In the meantime, I’ll keep working to increase government accountability and transparency. I believe it’s a great way to make government more responsible to all Iowans.
What can we do to prevent and limit future flood damage?
Starting with the floods of 1993, Iowa has suffered more than $20 billion in damage from flooding.
That’s why the Legislature is considering 16 new recommendations from the Watershed Resource Coordinating Council to reduce the intensity and damage of future floods.
Recommendations include better planning for new developments to keep property and infrastructure out of harm’s way, as well as minimizing flooding through better watershed management.
By taking action, we can better protect Iowa property owners and taxpayers the next time the water rises. For complete floodplain management recommendations, go to www.rio.iowa.gov/wrcc/resource.html.
Fewer Iowans smoking means fewer Iowa hospital visits
Representatives from the American Cancer Society and doctors from the University of Iowa and Department of Public Health recently visited the Statehouse to talk about the successes of Iowa’s Smoke-free Air Act, which the Legislature passed in 2008.
Dr. Christopher Squier of the University of Iowa found significant decreases in Iowa hospitalizations for illnesses related to smoking since the Act’s passage. For example, Iowa has seen a 24 percent drop in coronary heart disease, an 8 percent drop in heart attacks, and a 5 percent drop in strokes. These results are similar to those found in other states.
The new law is helping to protect the health of all Iowans and saving millions of taxpayer dollars when it comes to healthcare costs.
I learned more about the success in Iowa’s efforts to discourage smoking on January 14. Volunteers from the American Cancer Society told me about new research showing that Iowa hospital visits for coronary heart disease have fallen by 24 percent since Iowa’s Smoke-free Air Act was approved. Dr. Christopher Squire of the University of Iowa said these results are in line with studies done in other states that have taken similar steps to reduce smoking and related health care costs. Pictured, from left: Eileen Fisher of Solon, I, Dr. Squier, and Stacy Frelund of Ankeny. Download photos at http://picasaweb.google.com/IASenate/SenatorJoeBolkcom.
Grants available for water quality improvements
Through April 1, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources is accepting applications for grants to help local groups develop water quality improvement efforts in Iowa communities.
Watershed Planning Grants from $10,000 to $50,000 are available for developing plans to improve local rivers, lakes or streams on the state’s impaired waters list.
Those who’ve already completed a Watershed Management Plan can apply for additional funds to put the plan into practice, such as a DNR Watershed Implementation Grant.
For an application and additional details, go to www.iowadnr.gov/water/watershed/grants.html or contact Stephen Hopkins at 515-281-6402 or Stephen.Hopkins@dnr.iowa.gov.
How to Contact Me
Joe Bolkcom
728 2nd Avenue
Iowa City, IA 52245
319.337.6280
joe.bolkcom@legis.state.ia.us
joe@joebolkcom.org
www.joebolkcom.org
www.senate.iowa.gov/bolkcom
www.legis.state.ia.us
About The Networker
The Networker provides brief summaries of some of the things that I am working on, the work of the General Assembly, and political perspectives on issues. I also use it to announce meetings and how to find useful information about state government.
Additional information
Senator Joe Bolkcom is an Assistant Majority Leader and chair of the Ways & Means Committee. He also serves on the Appropriations, Commerce, Environment & Energy Independence, Human Resources, and Natural Resources committees.