Posts Tagged ‘Iowa Legislature’

2012 Session Opens; Jobs Top Priority

The 2012 Legislative Session convened today at the State Capitol in Des Moines.  House Democrats vowed to work together with Republicans to help create good-paying jobs and grow Iowa’s middle class.

Here is the opening day speech from House Democratic Leader Kevin McCarthy:

Thank you Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, Ladies, and Gentleman of the House.

Welcome back to all the members. Mr. Speaker, over the last several years both in Iowa and nationally we have seen a deterioration in the civility of our political discourse. In our national congress, gridlock and partisanship have become the norm; because of this they seem incapable of coming together to solve our nation’s problems.

Here in Iowa last session, too often this chamber mirrored Congress. Because of the agenda that was pursued, Iowans were faced with week after week of partisan divisive debates on issues that tear at the very fabric of our society.

That’s the bad news, now for the good news. It doesn’t have to be that way here. We have shown time and time again that we can come together for the common good. We are Iowans. This year’s legislative session does not have to be a repeat of last year.

House Democrats are ready to turn the page; we are ready, willing and able to work in a bipartisan fashion to focus on the important issues before us. To the credit of the Republican leaders, the tone and rhetoric going into this session has been much more positive and House Democrats have enjoyed working with you this last interim on a series of important issues. Let’s continue that productive work as we begin this new session.

This session, House Democrats want to focus on creating jobs and working with the majority party in a bipartisan way. House Democrats are going to show up to work every day with a singular focus: standing up and fighting for those Iowans who work hard, play by the rules, and only ask to be treated fairly.

Mr. Speaker, Democrats are ready to go to work.

Thank you.

Tags: Iowa House, Iowa Legislature, Kevin McCarthy
Category 2012 Session Information, Featured, Recent News |

2011 Legislature Finally Adjourns

After Republicans finally agreed to compromise, the 2011 Iowa Legislature finally adjourned on the 172nd day of session.  It was the third longest session in Iowa history.

Here’s the statement from House Democratic Leader Kevin McCarthy:

House Republicans spent too much time focusing on divisive social issues – which brought Iowa to the brink of a government shutdown — instead of working to help the middle class.

Republicans voted to end the state’s job creation efforts while Democrats fought to help small businesses and create good-paying jobs. Republicans wanted to raise property taxes on homeowners to pay for tax breaks for out of state corporations while Democrats reduced taxes for working families and supported a property tax relief plan that benefits small businesses. Republicans voted to kick 20,000 kids out of preschool and wanted to starve our schools for the next two years while Democrats worked to ensure our kids get a quality education.

Democrats focused on new jobs and opportunities for Iowa families and I’m proud of our work continuing the state’s job creation efforts, ensuring our k-12 schools weren’t starved for the next two years, and keeping kids in preschool next year.

Tags: Iowa Legislature, Kevin McCarthy
Category 2011 Session Information, Featured, Recent News |

House Honors WWII Veterans

On Monday, April 18th at 1:00PM the Iowa House of Representatives passed House Resolution 39 to honor Iowa World War II veterans.  The Resolution commemerated the 70th anniversary year of the beginning of the World War II. 

After the Resolution passed, the House of Representatives said thank you to the many veterans present by hosting a ceremony in the capitol.

House Resolution 39 reads:

A Resolution commemorating the seventieth anniversary of the beginning of World War II and honoring all World War II veterans.

WHEREAS, nearly 70 years ago, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt announced to Americans that December 7, 1941, was “a date which will live in infamy”; and

WHEREAS, on that morning, America was maliciously attacked without warning and without provocation and more than 2,400 Americans died and 1,100 were wounded; and

WHEREAS, the attack on Pearl Harbor changed America forever, thrusting the United States into the Second World War with Japan, Italy, and Germany; and

WHEREAS, following the attack, Iowans answered the call of service and joined the armed forces in defense of freedom, with 262,638 Iowans serving valiantly during World War II, with 8,398 laying down their lives, and 10 being awarded the Medal of Honor; and

WHEREAS, during World War II, in some of the darkest days of the twentieth century, Iowans proudly served the United States, which stood with more than 40 allied nations to fight and defeat the enemies of freedom across both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans; and

WHEREAS, more than 16 million Americans served in the military during World War II and more than 400,000 Americans made the ultimate sacrifice by giving their lives in the service of their country and their fellow Americans and in the name of freedom everywhere; and

WHEREAS, all Americans sacrificed on the home front by giving up their loved ones and working for the war effort, offering valuable support to family members, neighbors, and unknown fellow Americans; and

WHEREAS, we honor the lives lost in the attack on Pearl Harbor and salute the veterans of World War II by remembering their sacrifices, also paying tribute to those now serving America to advance freedom around the world; NOW THEREFORE,

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, That the House of Representatives recognizes December 7, 2011, as Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day and commemorates the seventieth anniversary of the United States of America entering into World War II; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That all World War II survivors be accorded special thanks and recognition for their actions in their fight against Nazism, fascism, and totalitarianism; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That those killed during the war be memorialized so the memories of them do not fade; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That all state agencies, interested organizations, groups, and individuals be encouraged to observe this solemn occasion with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

Tags: Iowa House of Representatives, Iowa Legislature, Iowa veterans, Veterans
Category Featured, Recent News, Veterans |

More High School Students Earn College Credit

According to the Iowa Department of Education, more Iowa high school students are earning community college credit than ever before.  A report released by the department shows that a record 38,000 students took part in joint enrollment in 2010, a 14 percent increase from 2009.

The Iowa Department of Education released this statement:

“Iowa provides high school students with an excellent opportunity to take courses through our highly-regarded community college system, and this report shows that more and more students are making use of this opportunity,” said Jason Glass, director of the Iowa Department of Education.

Iowa allows for students to be jointly enrolled in high school as well as community college credit coursework. Most jointly enrolled students do so through Senior Year Plus programs such as Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) and concurrent enrollment. Some students enroll independently by paying tuition or enrolling in courses delivered through contractual agreements that do not meet the definition of concurrent enrollment.

“Iowa’s school districts and community colleges are helping tens of thousands of students across the state take the courses they need to succeed in school, in careers and in life,” added Dr. Roger Utman, Administrator of the Division of Community Colleges and Workforce Preparation at the Iowa Department of Education.

Some of the highlights of this report include:

• Enrollment grew to a record high of 38,283 in 2010;

• Year-to-year growth was 14.2 percent, which was above the typical rate of growth. Average annual growth over the last five years was 8.4 percent;

• Jointly enrolled students accounted for 25.7 percent of total community college enrollment;

• Joint enrollment accounts for 13.6 percent of total credit hours;

• Most students (78 percent) enrolled through courses delivered through a contractual agreement between a community college and school district;

• Fifteen percent of students enrolled through Postsecondary PSEO courses;

• Fifty-nine percent of joint enrollees were seniors in high school, and 32 percent were juniors;

• Approximately 51 percent of joint enrollees were female, a lower proportion than the total student body;

• Approximately 10 percent of joint enrollees had a minority racial or ethnic background, a lower proportion than the total student body;

• Of courses taken by jointly enrolled students, the most common subject areas are English language and literature, social sciences and history, and mathematics, followed by foreign language and literature and various career and technical disciplines.

Tags: community college, Department of education, Education, Iowa Legislature
Category Education, Featured, Recent News |

Opening Remarks – 2011 Session

Opening Remarks from House Democratic Leader Kevin McCarthy of Des Moines:

Thank you Mr. Speaker, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. First, welcome to all of the family and friends of the newly elected Representatives. I know that for you, this day is a day to be very proud of.

Also, congratulations as well to the returning members and all the newly elected members. Almost a third of this body are newly elected members and this is something to be welcomed. Many of you newly elected members are coming here with bold new ideas and lots of energy…that’s a good thing. Some of you newly elected members will be told to dampen your expectations and to dampen your energy…don’t do it. Bold ideas and new energy are a good thing, will help challenge conventional wisdom, and will also help more seasoned members to reassess their own point of view.

Congratulations as well to the newly elected leaders from both parties, including Speaker Paulsen, Majority Leader Upmeyer, and Speaker Pro Tem Kaufmann. Particular congratulations are in order for Leader Upmeyer, who is the first female House Majority Leader in Iowa history. To the Republican Leaders and Members, we will have some major battles at times, no doubt, but I am confident that no matter what that battle may be on a given day, that we will be able to get together at the end of that day and talk in a civil tone about the next day… and how we will again work together in a bipartisan way.

Mr. Speaker, House Democrats are ready to go to work. We are ready, willing, and able to put partisanship aside and join you and your members in helping govern this great state. Every day we will show up to work prepared to focus on bread and butter issues that affect the average, ordinary Iowan and every day that your members show up to do the same, you will receive a helping hand from us. A word of warning, however, if a day comes where our members show up ready to work on bread and butter issues and instead find that the House ship has steered into stormy waters, focused instead on divisive issues, then you will hear our voices as we attempt to steer that ship away from the extreme…and back to the mainstream.

We are ready to go to work and we understand that that work begins today on the budget. We will work with you to find efficiencies and to make government more effective, just as we did last year, when House Democrats passed with Republican support, the largest cost-saving measure in Iowa history. With this year’s budget, we challenge you to work with us to do better. House Study Bill 1, which will be assigned today in the Appropriations Committee, contains some items that we can work towards consensus on. However, while cutting 17 million from the current year’s general fund, it spends 41 million more for a net increase of 23 million dollars for the budget year that we are in. Surely we can do better and we are willing to help.

Mr. Speaker, House Democrats are, as said, ready to go to work. Congratulations again to all the new members and their families. Thank you very much. Now let’s get to work!

Listen Here.

Watch Here.

Tags: 2011 Iowa Legislature Opening Day, Iowa Legislature, Kevin McCarthy
Category 2011 Session Information, Featured, Recent News |