infoNET 2008 - Issue #8 |
June 14, 2008 v.16 |
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Final Session Report |
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June 14, 2008 |
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The Governor has 30 days from the end of session to sign bills that he likes – or veto those that he does not like. The Governor finished his work up several weeks ago, well before the 30-day deadline.
While we updated our website with this information quickly (www.infonetiowa.com), we chose to delay this issue of infoNET until we were able to publish the results of the June 3 primaries, and had more information available on the voting and elections resources ID Action is making available to you this summer and fall. But first things first…
Governor Completes Work
We have been tracking many bills of interest to persons with disabilities, their families, and their service providers. The updated bill tracker is at the end of this issue – the status of these bills is now final. For a list of bills that didn’t make it and won’t become law, go to: www.infonetiowa.com/current_issue/dead_bills.php.
The Governor signed all but two of the bills sent to him, and vetoed portions of 7 of budget bills (called a “line item veto”). The Governor only line item vetoed 16 things from those bills.
- The Governor vetoed the controversial collective bargaining bill that expanded the things a union could include in its negotiations with employers (HF 2645).
- The Governor vetoed a bill that would have set out a procedure in law for a minor to become “emancipated,” or be declared independent or free from his/her parents (SF 2364).
This year legislators requested 2,383 bills be drafted. With 150 legislators, that is about 16 bill requests per legislator! But only 2,087 of these were actually introduced and given a bill number. The rest ended up in someone’s files (or the trash). Here are some other statistics you might find interesting:
- The number of bills introduced this session (2,087) fell by 12% this year thanks to the 10-day shorter session.
- The Legislature passed 196 bills this year, or about 9.4% of those that were introduced.
- The Governor signed all but two of these 196 bills, so 9.3% of the bills introduced this year were signed into law.
These statistics don’t change much from year to year – and are roughly the same whether the Governor is of a different party than legislative leadership.
Generally on any given year, the odds of someone passing a bill are about 8-10%. That is why it is very important to stick to a few important issues, and work them very hard during and, equally importantly outside, session.
We are often asked what makes the difference between legislative success and failure? What increases the odds of legislative success? The answer is - you.
Many people think that belonging to a group or having a lobbyist is what makes things happen. While the organization a group offers and the information and advice a lobbyist offer are important, the real key to legislative success is you, the member of the group, the person that must deal on a day to day basis with the shortfalls in funding or the bias of employers or the inaccessibility of buildings or the lack of reliable transportation or whatever the issue.
Remember! For those of you without Internet access, ask your local public library for suggestions. Public libraries frequently hold trainings to teach people how to use a computer and the Internet, as well as have free public use of computers and the Internet.
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Your stories and your activism are what will increase the chances of changing a law, increasing funding, or passing a bill. There is a saying at the Capitol, “If you get one call from a constituent, you have an issue. If you get two calls from a constituent, you have a problem. If you get three calls, you know it’s a crisis.”
The more you contact your legislators, explain what the issue or funding means to you, and spend time working with and helping on the campaigns of your legislators, the better chance you (or the organizations in which you are a member) have of passing a bill or its legislative agenda.
This summer, we encourage you to:
- Take a few extra minutes and send your legislators a handwritten thank you note for their work this year. If they did something in particular that you liked, please tell them. Otherwise, just thank them for their time and sacrifices to represent you - the constituent. Invite them to sit down for a cup of coffee this summer, or offer to help them over the summer. Ask them to put you on their campaign and legislative mailing lists, and if you like what they have been doing, by all means offer to be a volunteer on their campaign!
- Take your legislator out for coffee. You may also wish to do this with candidates for legislative office - although not all together. Talk to them about the issues important to you, and what you would like to see them do if elected/re-elected. Invite others you know as well or invite your legislator to come to you - the more the merrier, and its definitely less stressful to have others there. You can find local contact information for your legislator at the following site: www3.legis.state.ia.us/ga/legislators.do?ch=s (Senators) www3.legis.state.ia.us/ga/legislators.do?ch=h (Representatives).
Work Continues Over the Interim
The Legislative Council, a leadership group of Representatives and Senators of both parties, will decide which issues will need further study over the summer and fall (the “interim”).
These interim study groups usually meet two or three times between July and December to talk further about issues. We know that the following groups will be meeting, but there will likely be others:
- Property Tax Reform Interim Study Committee will continue to meet (they have been meeting since 2007 to work on a solution to Iowa’s complicated and inequitable property tax system).
- Criminal Code Restructuring Interim Study Committee will also continue to meet to look at changes needed to Iowa’s Criminal Code.
- Effects of Flooding on Livestock Industry Study Committee will meet twice over the summer to look at the effects of the 2008 flooding on the Iowa livestock industry, including commodity prices, differential effects on small and large producers, financing issues, and effects on businesses associated with the livestock industry.
- Energy Efficiency Plans and Programs Study Committee will meet twice as well to look at the existence and effectiveness of energy efficiency plans and programs implemented by gas and electric public utilities, with an emphasis on results achieved by current plans and programs from the demand, or customer, perspective, and make recommendations for additional requirements applicable to energy efficiency plans and programs that would improve such results.
- Identity Theft Prevention Study Committee will meet once to review how much our personal, identifying information is used by the state or government-affiliated organizations, and which, if disclosed, could leave us vulnerable to identity theft.
- Iowa Law Enforcement Academy Facility Analysis will meet once to issue a request for proposals to contract for an independent entity to analyze and make recommendations for an optimal site and facilities for the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy.
- Mass Transit Study Committeewill study the ways in which mass transit might be used to provide public transportation services among Iowa communities. The committee will consider the ways mass transit availability affects various populations in rural and urban communities, particularly those who are unable to drive or cannot afford to own a motor vehicle; determine any impact mass transit among communities can have on population levels, quality of life, and economic development in urban job centers, small and satellite communities, and rural towns; identify the effect of mass transit on greenhouse gases and on overall air quality; determine the level of public need for mass transit, including any specific areas in immediate need; investigate the feasibility of expanding mass transit services and the types and combination of services that might comprise a state mass transit system; identify potential costs and funding mechanisms for developing and maintaining specific mass transit services; and assess the attitudes and habits of Iowans concerning personal transportation and ways to educate the public about the economic, social, and environmental advantages of mass transit. This committee is authorized to meet only one day to accomplish all this work.
- Medicaid Elderly Waiver Program Study Committee will review the services, costs, and requirements under the Medicaid Home and Community-based Services Elderly Waiver Program, in consultation with with the Department of Human Services and persons interested in the program. This committee is also authorized to meet only a single day.
- Medicaid Program Drug Product Selection Study Committee will meet once this summer and convene public and private stakeholders to review current law for drug product selection under the Medicaid Program. This arose out of the controversy this session over allowing pharmacists to give people generic or alternative drugs used to treat epilepsy and transplant patients, even without patient or doctor authorization.
- Postsecondary Education Rigor Analysis will meet once to issue a request for proposals to contract for an independent entity to analyze and compare the rigor of the first two years of study at community colleges and institutions of higher education governed by the State Board of Regents.
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Take Action! |
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June 14, 2008 |
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Iowans with Disabilities in Action (ID Action) is working hard to give you the tools and opportunities to take action, and make sure your voice is heard as you advocate for change.
We are all different (thank goodness!) – so different things will appeal to different people. That is why we are working hard to give you lots of choices this summer. Check out our website for up-to-the-minute events and new ideas (www.infonetiowa.com).
Continuing Education for Advocates
ID Action’s Advocacy University is gearing up again this summer to offer Voter Training in a community near you. New voting laws and equipment have made voting in Iowa more accessible than ever. While it is always good to register to vote in advance, this year voters will be able to register to vote on Election Day with proof of identity and residency.
As they say – practice makes perfect. We want everyone to feel comfortable with voting, whether you have done it dozens of times or are new to it all, these trainings will give you ideas on how to become a more informed voter while covering the basics of how to vote.
These entertaining, interactive workshops will help Iowans of all abilities get more comfortable with voting, know their rights, and understand the importance of showing up on Election Day.
Advocacy University is currently identifying local hosts for these free trainings. We hope to begin these as soon as the floodwaters go down and towns have an opportunity to rebuild. ..let’s hope by August!
If you are interested in hosting or attending an elections workshop, call today at 1-866-432-2846 or email us at info@idaction.org.
 Mark Your Calendars!
August to October 2008
ID Action Election Workshops
November 4, 2008
Election Day!
x President/Vice President
x US Senator
x US Representative
x Half of the State Senators
x State Representatives
x And many others….
ID Action Election Resources
ID Action’s Caucus 2008 Project was an overwhelming success, and many of you have shared your caucus experiences with us. Please continue to share those stories and photos.
But the caucuses are now over, the two major party candidates are known (we think), and the campaign for President is now underway. ID Action is now launching its Vote 2008 campaign to offer a variety of activities and resources to engage individuals with disabilities in the political activities leading up to the elections including:
Ø Voter Captain Program – As one component of the Vote 2008 project, ID Action is looking for 10 Iowans with disabilities from all areas of the state to coordinate regional voting-related activities. for their community from June through November. ID Action will provide training on managing get-out-the-vote efforts at a local level and successful applicants will be reimbursed for their time and effort. Please contact ID Action for additional information.
Ø Vote 2008 Grants – ID Action is offering Vote 2008 grants ranging from $500 to $2,000 to cover the costs of community get-out-the-vote efforts. The funds may be used for community get-out-the-vote efforts. Since ID Action is a nonpartisan political action program, the grants may be used for initiatives such as educational workshops, grassroots activities to register Iowans with disabilities to vote, coalition building activities, voter forums, etc. However, the grants may not be used for partisan purposes, such as advocating for a particular political party, candidate or issue. Use your imagination and be creative in your efforts to organize vote-related events! Grants are only available for a limited time, so submit your application early to increase your chances of receiving a grant.
Ø More information – To learn more about the Vote 2008 Campaign activities, including the Vote 2008 grant application guidelines and registration information for voter trainings, visit www.idaction.org or call 1-866-432-2846.
2008 Primary Election Results
There were primaries in many of Iowa’s state legislative and congressional races – to find results and who will be on the ballot on November 4, go to:
Primary Election Results
County Auditor Contact Information
Apply To Be a 2008 Lobbyist Apprentice
Are you interested in being our next lobbyist apprentice? Send in an application now – we’ll be selecting our 2009 class this summer!
Call or e-mail your request for an application here:
866/432-2846; 866/432-2847 TTY/TDD
info@idaction.org
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