Gov. Terry E. Branstad announced today that he will sign Senate File 2007, the first bill of the 2012 legislative session, into law tomorrow at 10 a.m. in the governor’s formal office. Joining the governor will be Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds and Major Gen. Timothy Orr, head of the Iowa National Guard.
SF 2007 provides $1.3 million in additional resources for the National Guard Education Assistance Program, which covers tuition costs for returning service members at Iowa’s higher education institutions.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
10 a.m. Gov. Branstad signs Senate File 2007 into law
Governor’s formal office
Iowa State Capitol
Des Moines, IA
Earlier this week Governor Branstad formally filed his objection to a 2008 rule that requires farmers to have an inspection done on most electrical work. In his letter to Department of Public Safety Commissioner Larry Noble the governor stated that the rule was a “power-grab” by the Electrical Examining Board (board) and that it was “unreasonable, arbitrary, and capricious.”
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Coralville City Administrator Kelly Hayworth was brought before the House Government Oversight committee last Thursday. The committee members raised questions regarding the way the city is using tax increment financing in its Iowa River Landing commercial development.
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In a report issued this week, Department of Transportation Director Paul Trombino identifies 13 efficiencies with total savings projected at $50 million. The money-saving efforts and subsequent report came at the request of Governor Branstad. He directed the department to find efficiencies in order to free up more money in the Road Use Tax Fund for the improvement of the public roadway system. According to the DOT, the fund has a $220 million critical needs shortfall. The report separates the efficiencies into two categories: Program Efficiencies and Partnership Efficiencies.
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This week in the House we approved the first bill of the 2012 Legislative session, House File 2042, legislation to require all administrative rules created by state agencies to be accompanied by a ‘Jobs Impact Statement’. During these difficult economic times, we must not let cumbersome bureaucratic rules create uncertainty and add unnecessary expenses on Iowa’s employers.
HF 2042 is just one of many pro-job, pro-growth bills that the House is working on this year. We are committed to creating policies that put Iowans back to work. The best way to put Iowans back to work is to advance policies that create an environment that encourages employers to keep and create jobs right here in Iowa.
We are also making progress on the state budget as the budget subcommittees have begun the process of going through each budget, line by line. House Republicans are committed to making sure state government is efficient and effective. As we continue our work on the budget, there are a few important guidelines House Republicans will follow.
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A new January 2012 newsletter is available for viewing. Click the link below to see a PDF version:
Caucus Newslettter 1.25.12
- Budget Timeline
- ESOPs on the Move
- Governor Objects to Electrical Work Rule
- DOT Director has Plan to Save $50 Million
Please be sure to mark your calendar for these legislative forums to talk with your Representative about this session.
Representative Peter Cownie
Saturday, January 28th 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
3E Company, 953 73rd Street, Windsor Heights.
Representative Steve Olson, Ross Paustian, and Linda Miller
Friday, January 27th 11:00 a.m.
Clarion Hotel
5202 North Brady Street, Davenport
Saturday, January 28th 10:00 a.m.
729 21st Street Bettendorf
Bipartisan Jobs Bill Kicks off the Year
Today the Iowa House passed the first bill of the 2012 Legislative session, House File 2042, a bill that requires all administrative rules created by state agencies must be accompanied by a ‘Jobs Impact Statement’.
The bill codifies a requirement previously put in place by Governor Branstad via Executive Order 71. It requires that every proposed rule contain a jobs impact statement which sets out in detail the impact of the proposed rule on state agencies, local governments, the public and Iowa businesses. Additionally, it must determine whether a proposed rule would have a positive or negative impact on private sector jobs and employment.
“House Republicans are committed to creating policies that put Iowans back to work. During these difficult economic times, we must not let government rules create uncertainty for Iowa’s businesses,” said House Majority Leader Linda Upmeyer (R-Garner). “The best way to put Iowans back to work is to advance policies that create an environment that encourages employers to keep and create jobs right here in Iowa.”
The bill passed the House unanimously and is now sent to the Senate for their consideration.
House Speaker Kraig Paulsen (R-Hiawatha) released the following statement regarding the efficiency report issued by the Iowa Department of Transportation:
“I commend Gov. Branstad and officials at the Department of Transportation for reviewing their department to find efficiencies. For those areas that require the legislature to act, we will begin the review right away.
“Iowans deserve an efficient and effective state government and House Republicans are going to continue to work hard to ensure taxpayer dollars are being spent wisely.”
Taxpayer funds saved are equivalent to a two-cent highway user fee increase
Today, during his remarks at a Transportation Day 2012 event in Des Moines, Gov. Terry E. Branstad announced that the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) has identified $50 million in Road Use Tax Fund (RUTF) efficiencies.
The full report can be found here
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