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Excessive and unnecessary use of taxpayers dollars?

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Senate Files 2058, 2092, 2244, 2282, 2292

Gov. Branstad today signed the following bills into law:

Senate File 2058: An Act relating to certain records of rural water districts, city utilities, and city enterprises.

Senate File 2092: An Act relating to informal dispute resolution, by eliminating a program for the establishment and support of locally organized informal dispute resolution centers in the Office of Prosecuting Attorneys Training Coordinator of the Department of Justice.

Senate File 2244: An Act requiring that a veteran seriously injured or very seriously injured in order to be eligible to receive a grant under the Injured Veterans Grant Program.

Senate File 2282: An act concerning the definitions of “all-terrain vehicle” and “off-road utility vehicle” for purposes of provisions administered by the Department of Natural Resources.

Senate File 2292: An Act to legalize the proceedings of the City Council of Ankeny, Iowa, including all legal notices given, in connection with the making of a contract for the construction of certain improvements to the NE 7th Street sanitary sewer improvement project with Pirc-Tobin Construction, INC. of Alburnett, Iowa, in connection with, and to legalize said contract, and authorize its performance by said council and the financing including project notes issued thereof.

Representative Rogers, a freshman this year, put together a great video series showing a behind the scenes look of the Statehouse. Here is the first video of the series. Click the link below for the rest.

Click for the rest of the videos

Click here for Fox News article

House Republicans unveiled the new Iowa House video streaming project today. Beginning in January 2012 in time for the next legislative session, video cameras will begin streaming debate live from the floor of the Iowa House.

Iowans will be able to access the live stream when the House is in session on the General Assembly website, providing a unique opportunity to Iowa citizens to have direct access to live coverage of House debate.

“We have added another layer of transparency and openness to government,” said House Speaker Kraig Paulsen. “We want to allow Iowans easier and more convenient access to their Legislature.”

Highlights of the video streaming project include:

• Six high-definition video cameras in the House chamber to capture debate
• Push to talk camera activation using current microphone controls
• Split screen video for viewing of multiple representatives debating one another
• Linked information including bills being debated and speaking representative’s name

The initial cost of the hardware and services is approximately $130,000, however the Iowa House received an award of $100,000 from IowAccess towards the implementation. The remaining costs were paid for from House expenditure reductions in other areas. Additionally, no extra staff are required for the maintenance and support of the system.

We as a nation will honor our Veterans this year on Friday, November 11th. It is an opportunity to pay tribute to all American Veterans and give thanks to Veterans who served our country honorably during war and peace. I trust you will take the time with me to commemorate Iowa’s Veterans who have served our community, state,and nation throughout history.

Due to the three-day weekend, my thoughts turn to the history and the significance of Veterans Day. In an effort to promote tourism, Congress passed the Uniform Holidays Bill in 1968. Veterans Day, formerly known as Armistice Day, was included in that act to move certain holidays to Mondays. Due to the historical and patriotic significance of November 11th, our Congress returned the observance of Veterans Day to November 11th in 1976.

Opportunities abound throughout our communities statewide for all of us to pay tribute, honor, and salute our Veterans and fellow Warriors who have served and continue to serve selflessly around the world. I encourage you to attend an event in your community.

Have a safe weekend as you pay tribute to Iowa’s Veterans and those
continuing to serve our State and Nation.

Sincerely,
Timothy E. Orr
Major General, Iowa National

Click on the links below for Veterans Day events and appreciation meals on Friday:
VETERANS DAY MEALS
VETERANS DAY EVENTS

Abraham Lincoln was elected the 16th president of the United States over a deeply divided Democratic Party, becoming the first Republican to win the presidency. Lincoln received only 40 percent of the popular vote but handily defeated the three other candidates: Southern Democrat John C. Breckinridge, Constitutional Union candidate John Bell, and Northern Democrat Stephen Douglas, a U.S. senator for Illinois.

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, ladies and gentlemen of the House.

I want to take a moment to thank you all for the selflessness in which you serve Iowans. I know that this session it may have been especially difficult to be away from your families and lives, but you are doing the people’s work, and Iowans appreciate your commitment.

To all of the people who keep this chamber running, in particular, LSA and the chief clerk’s office, your knowledge and hard work is invaluable.

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Click on the link below to see a list of bills that will be effective as of July 1st:

July 1 2011 effective bills