Hamerlinck’s Observations Week 15

As the state legislature attempts to track down the ever illusive final week of session, debate has been centered on whether or not policy can be included in appropriations bills. Historically, the majority party makes the determination on the germaneness or relevancy to the issue at hand, and appropriateness of policy on each piece of legislation and this year is no exception.

I am sure this scenario plays itself out each year no matter which party is in control. In a bit of research I found, though Democrats are doing it now, the Republicans did it to Democrats seven years ago, Democrats did it in the late 1990’s and Republicans did it after the farm crises of the 1980’s. Over the years this process has become a gateway for earmarks, irrational policy implementation and pet projects for incumbents in swing districts.

If the minority party offers policy in an appropriations bill it soon dies a quick death through floor tags of micromanaging, being non germane, out of order and/or duplicating the responsibility of other commissions or bodies. Note, even the dissenting comments may not match the policy attempting to be added. If the majority party adds policy it is labeled as responsibility, necessary, overdue and simple right for the future of Iowa.

With this background, I want you to consider two bills discussed in the Senate on Tuesday, House File 809 and Senate File 470. House File 809 was the same bill I spoke about in my last newsletter in relation to my failed amendments promoting a searchable online database so taxpayers could see where their tax dollars are being spent. This amendment, which promotes transparency, failed down party lines.

House File 809 is the Administration and Regulation appropriations bill. Within in the spending bill is a massive policy shift to the way alcohol will be available for consumption. It allows gas stations and convenient stores to now acquire a Class E liquor license. This license will permit the sale of hard liquor and distilled spirits. An amendment to strip this language passed as week. Democratic leadership in the Senate changed some minds during a caucus; the same amendment then failed in a motion to reconsider this week. As is, you will be able to purchase hard liquor at your local gas station. Sadly, the thoughts of city officials, substance abuse prevention specialists and the alcohol consumption rates of youth was found irrelevant when the vote passed.

In the same bill we ran an amendment to limit the purchase of new vehicles by the state of Iowa. This amendment failed as well. In a period of tough economic times, the state can now purchase vehicles with leather seats, seat warmers, upgraded floor mats, designer tent and paint coatings, CD players, blue tooth technology for I-Pods, side mirror defrosters, aluminum trim rims and fuel millage standards no longer apply. This is an example of your hard-earned tax dollars at work.

Most impressive, was how an amendment that passed on the bill now allows elected officials to be paid per diem for trips to Des Moines to sit on boards for which they have no voting power. The legislature showed their ability to make cuts in legislative pay during the session by cutting per diem just to quadruple pay to themselves over the summer interim.

In the same manner of removing amendments placed on Senate File 470, an appropriations bill for college students and the school for the blind included policy changes that were stripped in the Senate. Notice the actions by a majority in the Senate in this bill are procedurally the exact opposite as the bill discussed above. Define hypocrisy, it can’t be very far off from these examples.

Sadly, some of the policy removed in this bill deleted a requirement for the Pledge of Allegiance to be said in public school at the beginning of each school day. It also removed the requirement that the American flag be shown in auditoriums and gymnasiums in public schools. The last amendment removed the restriction on teachers in public schools from posting pictures of students on social websites like MySpace and Face-Book without permission from the student or parents. This isn’t about political parties. This is about rational common sense. It is inappropriate to allow pictures of students to be displayed on private websites without notifying parents.

On a side note, Senate File 389 which was the universal health care bill came back to the Senate from the House with some drastic changes. The bill made vast changes to the healthcare system in Iowa and it forced private insurance companies to offer government subsidized rates through a government board called the Exchange. The bill was more of a dream without the revenue stream by which to back it up. The new gutted form of the bill which returned to the Senate recommended a study group to investigate how to make healthcare in Iowa more affordable for all. As part of this research it requires parents to report insurance for their children on income tax filings next year and then gives them ninety days to either find health care or be given information on the state program Hawk-i.

As a taxpayer you are my boss. I welcome you to contact me with any issue. Thank you for letting me serve you at the Capitol.