Statehouse News

December 16, 2011

In this Issue:

Overturns Governor Veto to Close Job Centers
Preventing Child Abuse
Young Women Can Shadow Legislators
Federal Agency Recommends No Calling or Texting While Driving
Consider an Iowa Grown Christmas Tree
Prepare for Driving on Winter Roads
Missouri River Flood Recovery
DNR Hosting Free GIS Training for Water Operators
Pheasants Forever Partner with DNR on Wildlife Specialists

Court Overturns Governor Veto to Close Job Centers

Iowans looking for work won a victory last week when a district court overturned Governor Terry Branstad’s veto which closed down 36 workforce centers across Iowa.

Last session, Democrats and Republicans in the Legislature approved a plan to keep local workforce centers across Iowa open. The centers help Iowans learn new skills to land a good-paying job and help local businesses find workers.

However, Governor Branstad ignored the bi-partisan will of the Legislature to keep the offices open by vetoing the plan and has now closed 36 of the 55 centers, mostly in rural Iowa. After a lawsuit was filed challenging the veto in Polk County District Court, a judge last week overturned the Governor’s veto and ruled it unconstitutional.

The case may be appealed to the Iowa Supreme Court.

Preventing Child Abuse

Protecting children from abuse will again be a top issue for the Iowa Legislature next year. Last year, even before the case at Penn State University became public, the Iowa Legislature authorized a study committee to examine ways to prevent child sexual abuse.

Over the past few months, news about an extended delay of properly notifying authorities of possible child sexual abuse at Penn State University has become public. In response to this, Iowa wants to make sure that proper authorities are notified in a timely manner of a suspected child abuse case.

Some of the recommendations from the study committee so far include improving training requirements and expanding the list of mandatory reporters. Currently, professionals who come in frequent contact with children are mandatory reporters. The group plans to meet once more to finalize their recommendations.

In addition, the Legislature authorized a workgroup to improve the child abuse registry appeal system. Currently, there is a long wait for the appeal process to work through the system. The workgroup looked at short term and long term solutions to improve the appeal process by not compromising the protection of children. The Legislature will consider all recommendations in the upcoming session and continue to work to protect children from abuse.

Young Women Can Shadow Legislators

Young women from across Iowa will again have the opportunity to shadow female legislators and learn how state laws and budgets are developed and passed. This is the third year for the program, which will convene at the State Capitol on Feb. 8.

The day begins at 7:30 a.m. with an inside look at the Iowa General Assembly and general guidelines to follow. Girls will be introduced in both the Iowa Senate and Iowa House of Representatives, and then paired with legislators. Lunch is included with the day concluding at 2 p.m.

To be considered, an application is available at http://www.women.iowa.gov/just_for_girls/Docs/2012_Application.doc. The application needs to be submitted via e-mail to women@iowa.gov or by fax to 515-242-6119 by January 13. Cost of the event is $30. Registered Girl Scouts receive a discount with the price being $15. Space is limited.

Federal Agency Recommends No Calling or Texting While Driving

After the loss of more than 3,000 lives last year due to distraction-related accidents, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is recommending that all states ban the use of electronic devices for all drivers, even hands free devices. The NTSB is an independent federal agency charged with determining the probable cause of accidents and has made recommendations on topics such as driver fatigue, teen driver safety, and the use of child safety seats. Iowa’s Law

Iowa’s texting law became effective on July 1, 2010, and prohibits all drivers from texting while operating a motor vehicle. The law prohibits drivers under 18 years of age that hold some type of permit or restricted license, from using an electronic mobile device or electronic entertainment device. There is an exception for the entertainment device if it is permanently installed in the vehicle or operated through permanently installed equipment. Otherwise, those under 18 cannot text or make a phone call while driving.

Adult drivers are prohibited from using a hand-held communication device to read, write, or send a text message while driving, but can use the device to make or answer a phone call. Exceptions to the texting law are made for members of a public safety agency performing official duties, health care professionals in the course of an emergency situation, and a person receiving safety-related information including emergency, traffic, or weather alerts.

While Iowa’s law went into effect on July 1, 2010, the scheduled fine of $30 didn’t begin until July 1, 2011. From 2010 to 2011, law enforcement issued warning citations. Iowa’s law also prohibits local governments from adopting ordinances regarding drivers and electronic communication or entertainment devices.

For more information on Iowa’s law, please visit www.iowadot.gov/CurbItClickIt/electronic_device_brochure.pdf

Consider an Iowa Grown Christmas Tree

Help Iowa small business owners by buying a locally grown Christmas tree this year. According to Iowa’s Department of Agriculture, these Christmas tree farms devote over 1,500 acres to Christmas tree production in Iowa and as a result harvest approximately 39,500 Christmas trees each year. The result is a $1 million industry contributing to Iowa’s economy.

A directory of over 100 tree farms across Iowa is available on the Iowa Christmas Tree Grower’s website at www.IowaChristmasTrees.com. On the site there is a “Find a Farm” link on the top left-hand corner of the page. Besides the location of the farms, the directory also includes a phone number and hours of operation for each farm to assist in planning.

Prepare for Driving on Winter Roads

Even though some parts of Iowa have already experienced driving on winter roads, it’s a good idea to make sure your vehicle is ready for the winter months. The Department of Transportation and the Iowa Insurance Division have information on their websites to assist you in making sure that you are prepared this winter. Please go to www.iowadot.gov/maintenance/winterSafety.htmlor www.iid.state.ia.us/node/1590220.

The Department of Transportation’s website has information about road conditions, including a link to www.511ia.org, as well as driving tips, and items to be included in your winter survival kit. The Insurance Division’s website has information regarding winterizing your car and whether or not you need rental insurance.

Missouri River Flood Recovery

The Missouri River Flood Recovery website, www.moriverrecovery.iowa.gov/index.html, is up and running and has information regarding disaster assistance, the Missouri River Recovery Coordination Task Force created by the Governor, and newsletters.

As of early December, more than $20 million has been approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to assist individuals, businesses, and communities impacted by the Missouri River floods early this year. The largest amount, $14.6 million, has been approved under the public assistance program, which funds the repairs of roads, bridges, other public infrastructures, and emergency protective measures that were taken to prevent or mitigate damage.

Disaster Assistance Deadline

Residents in Monona, Harrison, Pottawattamie, Mills, and Fremont counties have until Dec. 19 to apply for FEMA Individual Assistance. Residents can call 1-800-621-3362 or www.disasterassistance.gov to apply.

DNR Hosting Free GIS Training for Water Operators

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources will host three training sessions for water operators in Iowa communities. The sessions will train operators on how to collect, create, and integrate data using geographic information systems, or GIS.

Attendees need to register by January 1 to reserve a seat. Trainings will be held in Fort Dodge at the Iowa Central Community College on March 1, in Cedar Falls at the Hawkeye Community College Cedar Falls Center on March 8, and in Grinnell at the Iowa Valley Community College on March 15. Trainings are limited to 20 attendees total. Registration can be completed at www.iowasourcewater.org.

Trainees will learn how to use the GIS software; make maps of their communities; and find, collect, edit, and load data using a GIS. Trainees will receive Quantum GIS software, as well as training and reference materials. Attendees will learn about topography, well placement, and infrastructure, as well as other water related topics.

For additional information, contact Soren Rundquist at Soren.Rundquist@dnr.iowa.gov.

Pheasants Forever Partner with DNR on Wildlife Specialists

Iowa’s Natural Resources Commission approved a one-year agreement between the Department of Natural Resources and Pheasants Forever to fund 12 biologists to work one-on-one with landowners to deliver wildlife technical and financial assistance. These 12 specialists complement the efforts of DNR’s 10 private land biologists.

Through the Fish and Game Trust Fund, DNR has dedicated $50,000 for this public/private partnership. Pheasants Forever will fund the remaining cost, which is estimated at $730,000. The funds help create wildlife habitat, improve water quality, and preserve Iowa’s soil.

This is the third year for the cooperative agreement, which is an effort to make conservation easy and profitable for landowners. The goal of the program is to establish and improve one million acres of wildlife habitat, increase the number of upland hunters, and increase hunting-related revenue to local communities.