Iowa House of Representatives

HF 2663, Bill Summary

HF 2663, Amendment Summary

On Thursday the Iowa House honored Iowa State University on their 150th anniversary. State Representatives  Lisa Heddens, Beth Wessel-Kroeschell and Donovan Olson  introduced House Resolution number 140 in the House.  The resolution, which celebrates Iowa State University’s 150th anniversary, was adopted. ISU President Gregory Geoffrey addressed the body after the adoption and met with legislators and staff throughout the day.

Read the resolution

After a bi-partisan 18-6 vote in the House Ways & Means Committee late Thursday, a plan to redistribute the one cent sales tax currently collected for schools on an equitable basis now moves to the House Floor. The plan also provides $24 million in property tax relief.

“Every county in Iowa already collects an extra penny sales tax for schools, but many schools districts, especially in rural Iowa, are at a severe disadvantage. The plan approved last night will equalize funding for schools to ensure every child gets their share of state resources. It will also provide significant property tax relief for Iowans,” said State Representative Mike Reasoner of Creston, who managed the bill to approval in Ways & Means. (more…)

House and Senate leaders today firmly stated their intention to continue the progress made in education last year by increasing basic state aid to schools, increasing teacher pay and expanding access to quality pre-school. The lawmakers also said they planned to approve a rigorous and relevant curriculum to make sure every Iowa student is ready for a job in today’s global economy.

“Students, parents and teachers can be assured that we will not back away from the promises we made last year. We took the first step with a $112 million increase in allowable growth, which is $222 per student, and we will provide an additional $76 million to bring teacher salaries to 25th in the nation,” said House Speaker Pat Murphy of Dubuque. (more…)

Continuing the progress in education from last year, the Iowa House today approved a $222, or 4 percent, increase in per pupil state aid to schools for the 2009-2010 school year. Called allowable growth, the Legislature must set the rate 18 months in advance so school districts can plan their budgets.

“This is just the first piece of good news for schools this year. We will continue the progress we’ve made in education by expanding our preschool initiative, bringing teacher pay to 25th in the nation, and keeping higher education affordable for Iowa families,” said State Representative Roger Wendt, D-Sioux City, who chairs the House Education Committee. (more…)