Calendar Countdown: Florida is threatening to move up its primary to January 31, 2012. That screws up the current calendar for the 2012 nominating process. Most importantly for Iowans, it would, at least temporarily, put Florida before the Iowa caucuses, currently scheduled for February 6th. CNN talked with Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, who is in D.C. for the National Governors' Association meetings. Branstad told CNN he will make sure Iowa comes first in the process. No real surprise there. But it does offer another reason for the out-of-towners coming for the caucuses to make sure their hotel rooms have refundable deposits, so they can move their stays a little earlier next year. Can they please still let us reporters enjoy our Christmas holiday break though with our families and not move everything up too much?!
Newt's Next Move: Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich is sounding more and more like he's not just flirting with a run for president in 2012 (and trying to sell a bunch of books). The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports Gingrich will announce in 10 days he is forming a presidential exploratory committee. That allows him to start doing things like raising money for a possible run, etc. Former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, former Pennsylvania Rick Santorum and Gingrich seem to be among the most serious in Iowa so far. Former candidates Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee have run here before, so you can't forget about them. And Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour also just took his first trip here that was solely focused on exploring a run.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Friday, February 25, 2011
Gay Republicans
Gay Republicans: Romney, Pawlenty, Santorum, Huckabee, Barbour, Gingrich...is there room for a gay Republican in the presidential race, too? Fred Karger, a gay rights activist in California, wants in. The Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition has its Spring Kickoff Event coming up March 7th in Waukee. Karger is filing a complaint with the Federal Elections Commission to try to help get him an invite to the event. In these times of same-sex marriage ballot fights, do Republicans want a prominent gay person in their race? Should they? What do you think?
By the way, I checked with Steve Scheffler, the head of the coalition. He said the guest list for next month includes: Former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum (who headlined the event last year), Texas Congressman Ron Paul, Godfather's Pizza former president Herman Cain and former Louisiana Governor Buddy Roemer. Scheffler expects 500-700 people, up from around 450 last year. He adds 99% of the attendees are likely caucus voters. He said he might be hearing today that another possible presidential candidate could be rsvp-ing for the event. But he declined to say who that is. At this point, though, none of the assumed "big names"...Romney, Huckabee, Palin, Gingrich, are slated to attend.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
DHS to Cut 230 Positions
Job Cuts: Iowa Governor Terry Branstad warned Iowans there would be layoffs. According to this email from Chuck Palmer, the new director of the Department of Human Services, those layoffs are on the way. Here's an email sent out to employees.
DHS Staff:
I am sharing important budget news with key legislators today and I want to give you the same information.
I’ll start with the most sobering news. Our latest projections show that our budget for fiscal year 2012 will support 4,777 positions. That’s 5 percent fewer than the 5,029 funded positions today. Nearly half of the shortfall will be managed by keeping funded positions vacant, including positions that we expect will be vacated in the coming months. The remaining positions will be laid off, for a total reduction of about 230 funded positions. Our current hiring freeze will continue indefinitely, with only the most critical positions being considered for filling.
We are making a couple of assumptions. One is that policymakers will not appropriate funds to cover the costs of negotiated salary increases. For our agency alone, the salary adjustment portion is about $8.9 million. In order to honor our contractual obligations without a funded salary adjustment, we will need to eliminate about 136 positions, or a little more than half of the expected 230 reduction in positions. The remaining reductions are due to provisions of the governor’s budget recommendations, which we assume will pass, and due to budget-cutting legislation approved by the Legislature last spring.
You may have read that there are efforts in the Iowa Legislature to appropriate amounts lower than the governor recommended for our agency. It will be up to me and our other leaders to explain the consequences of even sharper cuts, and you can be assured that we will do so.
It is quite clear that a budget impact of this size will have unavoidable consequences for the work we do. Of course we will continue to look for ways to be more efficient. And of course our priorities will be to protect the most vulnerable Iowans who depend on our care.
The most significant impact will be in our field operations. Of the total 236 positions that we need to reduce, about half – an estimated 135 – will come from field, including income maintenance workers and social workers. Of these, we estimate that about 56 field positions will remain unfilled and, depending on the vacancy level, another 79 will be laid off. Caseloads for IM workers could exceed 800 per worker, compared to just under 700 today. Caseloads for social work case managers will also rise.
There will also be staff reductions in general administration, the child support recovery unit, the juvenile facilities at Toledo and Eldora, and the resource centers at Glenwood and Woodward.
We are assuming that the governor’s proposed supplemental for this fiscal year will also pass, meaning we will be able to keep our commitment to avoid critical cuts at our mental health institutes that would otherwise occur almost immediately under budget-cutting legislation (SF2088) approved last year.
As we evaluate our core mission, we anticipate going forward into FY12 with two changes at the MHIs that will have an impact on number of employees. At Clarinda, the geropsychiatric unit will be reduced to 20 beds from the current 29, and the substance abuse treatment unit at Mount Pleasant will be reduced to 25 beds from the current 45. Our core mission at the MHIs is to provide acute psychiatric help for adults and children. Those capacities will remain approximately the same, with a slight increase at Clarinda.
Our service area managers, superintendents, and other supervisors have been briefed on the projected impact of this budget, and I’m relying on them to give you the specifics. We assume that the budget picture will be complete by April. Assuming our assumptions are verified, we will begin the layoff notification process in May for implementation in July.
As always, I will do the best I can to keep you up to date regarding budget developments.
Sincerely,
Chuck
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Ethics Hearing on Clel Baudler, Albert Pujols Contract
Third Time's a Charm: For the third time, we await the state ethics hearing against Greenfield Republican State Rep. Clel Baudler. He admitted that he lied about having physical problems when he applied to get medical marijuana in California. Baudler said he got the prescription but never got it filled. And he only did this, he said, to show how easy it is to get medical pot. A local activist who wants to legalize medical marijuana filed the ethics complaint against Baudler for lying. The hearing takes place Wednesday. Well, we think it will. It's already been delayed two other times. The hearing is set for 12:30pm. We will be there. Unless it gets delayed.
Speaking of Waiting...: Albert Pujols is already one of the greatest players the St. Louis Cardinals have ever had. He is scheduled to be a free agent at the end of the upcoming baseball season. He and his agent gave the Cardinals until Wednesday at 11am to either get a new contract or shut down talks until after the season. If it's true Pujols is demanding an unheard of 10-year, $300 million contract and won't budge from that, then, Albert, it was good knowing you. There is NO way the Cards will pay that much, especially since that would make Pujols 41 years old when the contract ends. No sane fan thinks he will still be this good that far from now. Even the Yankees and Red Sox, two teams that seem to print money at will, can't think Pujols should get a 10-year contract, at least I don't think they will.
Having said all of this, the Cardinals sold fans that if they helped finance a new stadium for 2006 with millions of taxpayer dollars, then the Cards could be more financially competitive. Well, gentlemen, taxpayers gave you what you wanted and kept showing up 3-million-a-year strong in the seats. So now, it's your turn to make something happen with Pujols. And, Albert, how about being a little more reasonable? 7 years, $200 plus million? Would that really stop you from keeping food on the dinner table for your family? No, it won't. And, hopefully, your devoted fans, many of whom ARE struggling to keep food on the table, will keep paying too much money to see you play in the only the way you can.
Speaking of Waiting...: Albert Pujols is already one of the greatest players the St. Louis Cardinals have ever had. He is scheduled to be a free agent at the end of the upcoming baseball season. He and his agent gave the Cardinals until Wednesday at 11am to either get a new contract or shut down talks until after the season. If it's true Pujols is demanding an unheard of 10-year, $300 million contract and won't budge from that, then, Albert, it was good knowing you. There is NO way the Cards will pay that much, especially since that would make Pujols 41 years old when the contract ends. No sane fan thinks he will still be this good that far from now. Even the Yankees and Red Sox, two teams that seem to print money at will, can't think Pujols should get a 10-year contract, at least I don't think they will.
Having said all of this, the Cardinals sold fans that if they helped finance a new stadium for 2006 with millions of taxpayer dollars, then the Cards could be more financially competitive. Well, gentlemen, taxpayers gave you what you wanted and kept showing up 3-million-a-year strong in the seats. So now, it's your turn to make something happen with Pujols. And, Albert, how about being a little more reasonable? 7 years, $200 plus million? Would that really stop you from keeping food on the dinner table for your family? No, it won't. And, hopefully, your devoted fans, many of whom ARE struggling to keep food on the table, will keep paying too much money to see you play in the only the way you can.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Baudler Hearing Delayed Again
Still Waiting: We thought we would find out this past Thursday if a state ethics committee thought retired state trooper-turned State Rep. Clel Baudler could get into some trouble. Baudler doesn't hide the fact he lied about his health when he applied to try to get a prescription for medical marijuana in California (it's legal there). Baudler said he never actually tried to fill the prescription to help the hemorrhoids (which he says he doesn't really have). Mike Pesce, of Des Moines, a legalize marijuana activist, filed the complaint with the ethics committee saying Baudler should get punished for breaking California law by lying on his application.
Lawmakers ended up delaying the ethics hearing Thursday and rescheduled it for Valentine's Day Monday. Today, House Chief Clerk Charlie Smithson sent out this message letting us know the meeting won't address the Baudler complaint Monday either. Here's his message:
Lawmakers ended up delaying the ethics hearing Thursday and rescheduled it for Valentine's Day Monday. Today, House Chief Clerk Charlie Smithson sent out this message letting us know the meeting won't address the Baudler complaint Monday either. Here's his message:
Due to scheduling logistics for some of the House Ethics Committee members:
1. The meeting on February 14 at noon for the House Ethics Committee will be a discussion on the proposed House Rules Governing Lobbyists ONLY.
2. There will be NO discussion on the Pesce v. Baudler Ethics Complaint. This issue will be the focal point of the next Ethics Committee meeting (not yet scheduled).
Thank you all.
Charlie Smithson
Chief Clerk of the House
Saturday, February 05, 2011
Brother Kills Brother
Albia Murder: I'm wondering what could cause one brother to kill another. That is what authorities say happened in southern Iowa around the lunch hour. 73-year-old Richard Davis stands accused of shooting his younger brother, 60-year-old Gary Davis. Neighbors say the victim had just been standing in his driveway in the middle of the day when the older brother started shooting. Gary Davis had been a well-known doctor in Albia, a town of about 3,500 people, which is also the Monroe county seat. Authorities haven't said why they believe the elder Davis did it. But neighbors told us the brothers had been arguing for months. Here's the release from the Iowa Department of Public Safety:
The Albia Police Department and the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department are
conducting a homicide investigation. On February 5, 2011, at 12:11 p.m., the Monroe County 911 Center received a 911 call reporting a shooting at 113 Linden Lane in Albia, Monroe County, Iowa. Responding authorities found a white male adult, later identified as Gary Davis, 60, of Albia, suffering from multiple injuries. Gary Davis was transported to the Monroe County Hospital where he was
pronounced dead. At 1:03 p.m., law enforcement arrested Richard J.
Davis, 73, of Albia, on the charge of Murder in the First Degree.
Richard Davis and Gary Davis were brothers. Richard Davis is currently in custody at the Monroe County Jail in Albia.
The Monroe County Sheriff’s Department is being assisted by the Clarke
County Sheriff’s Department, Department of Transportation, the Iowa State
Patrol and the Division of Criminal Investigation.
A criminal charge is merely a criminal charge and not an indication of guilty.
Thursday, February 03, 2011
Iowan Zach Wahls on TV
Iowa on TV: Iowa's debate over changing the state's marriage laws is scheduled to go prime-time. Lawrence O'Donnell's "Last Word" on MSNBC is scheduled to discuss the topic on tonight's show at 7pm central. Zach Wahls, a student at the University of Iowa, offered a passionate speech during the public hearing Monday night in the Iowa house chamber. He has two lesbian mothers as parents. His speech has nearly 500,000 hits on YouTube as I write this. Tonight, he is scheduled to talk on O'Donnell's show.
Speaking about the topic...in my story earlier this week, I wrote that Republicans were working to provide a more "narrow definition" of marriage in Iowa. I didn't expect the word "narrow" to be charged. I heard from a pastor who said the choice of the word shows a bias. I didn't see it that way. In my mind, I chose the word because Republicans are trying to limit which people can get married, which they are. So doesn't that narrow the definition of marriage? What do you think?
By the way, I do appreciate the responses to how something is written. There are times we choose words that mean one thing to us and something else to others.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
All Hawkeyes Released from Hospital
Sick Hawks: I don't know that we can call this "breaking news" since some of the "new" information is a day old....but...the University of Iowa now says all 13 sickened football players are out of the hospital. You will also notice a much more sorrowful coach Kirk Ferentz in the statement that just came out:
IOWA CITY, Iowa — All 13 of the University of Iowa football players who had been hospitalized with symptoms of rhabdomyolysis, a muscular syndrome, have been released from University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.
"Getting all 13 student-athletes healthy and out of the hospital has been priority number one all along, so I'm very happy that they all are now back home and resuming their lives," said Kirk Ferentz, the UI’s head football coach.
"These young men and their families have been through a difficult and trying time. They are under my supervision and watch, and I am truly sorry for what they've experienced. They trained extremely hard and ended up in the hospital, and there is no indication they did anything wrong. So I'm pleased they are progressing well and I look forward to seeing all of them being back to normal."
The University's athletics department earlier had confirmed the release of five student-athletes Friday. Six more were discharged on Saturday, and the final two were sent home on Sunday.
"Now that these students are out of the hospital and on the road to recovery, we can devote our full attention to determining what happened, and making sure it does not happen again," said Ferentz. "There has been a lot of speculation by those who don't have the facts and it is unfair and inappropriate for anyone to make wild guesses about what happened."
"We obviously are extremely pleased all of our student-athletes have been released from the hospital and can begin the return to their academic, athletic, and personal lives," said Gary Barta, the UI’s director of athletics.
"We now can focus exclusively on discovering the root cause of this situation, and I'm anxious to work with President Mason's group to this end. We will review every aspect of the workouts and talk with everyone involved. The staff and coaches who work with these young men are highly respected professionals who are dedicated and care deeply about our student-athletes. I hope those who follow our program will respect this process moving forward and refrain from any further unproductive rush to judgment."
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Branstad on Supreme Court Vacancies
Face Time: Iowa Governor Terry Branstad is expected to take the better part of the next 30 days to come up with his 3 choices out of the 9 finalists to fill the vacancies on the Iowa Supreme Court. Branstad has 30 days to make the selections after the judicial nominating commission chose the finalists Thursday out of the 60 people who interviewed this past week for the job. Branstad's staff said he will begin interviewing finalists next week at the earliest but definitely the week after.
Border Beef: What do you make of this lawsuit with Taco Bell? An Alabama firm is suing the chain, claiming the beef it sells really isn't beef. We had a Taco Bell across from my high school growing up. We couldn't go off campus for lunch until senior year, so going across the street to Taco Bell was kind of a big deal. Then, of course, we had those late-night food runs, too. We didn't have nearly as many late-night choices as they do now. Did I mention we had to walk 10 miles through the snow to school every day, too?:)
Friday, January 28, 2011
Santorum Hires Two Iowans
Rick's Picks: Looks like former Republican Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum is getting more serious about 2012. He just hired two Iowans now that we are about a year away from the caucuses.
Here's the release:
Santorum Announces Nick Ryan and Jill Latham as Iowa Advisors to America’s Foundation PAC
Washington, DC – Former Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA) announced today that his political action committee, America’s Foundation, has brought on Nick Ryan and Jill Latham of the Des Moines, IA-based Concordia Group LLC to serve as advisors.
“I am extremely pleased to have Nick and Jill on board to assist with my PAC’s efforts in Iowa and across the country. They have a proven track record of building grassroots support for candidates and conservative causes. As I continue to consider a run in 2012, they will play a critical role in helping determine if we are able to build the necessary support to embark on a possible run,” said Senator Santorum.
Nicholas T. Ryan, founder and President of Concordia Group LLC, has extensive experience in Iowa. He served as a top political advisor for Congressman Jim Nussle (R-Iowa) from 1999-2006, and ran three successful congressional campaigns in Eastern Iowa. Nick is also the founder of the American Future Fund which was established as a multi-state issue advocacy group designed to effectively communicate conservative and free market ideals.
“I have respected Senator Santorum for years and am excited to have the opportunity to work for him. He has a deep understanding of the issues that matter to conservatives across the nation," said Nick Ryan. "Senator Santorum is a full-spectrum conservative who has a demonstrated ability to motivate conservatives and Republicans. I am honored to help him continue the work he has started in Iowa by helping so many conservatives get elected this past November."
Jill Latham serves as Principal at Concordia Group LLC. Prior to joining the Concordia Group, Jill served as Iowa Political Director for Governor Mitt Romney’s presidential campaign. Jill has vast experience in government and politics, having worked on Capitol Hill and around the country, including President Bush’s re-election campaign in 2004. She also served as the Political Director of the Republican Party of Wisconsin from 2005 – 2006.
“As someone who played an active role in the 2008 Republican presidential primary, I have seen firsthand what appeals to Iowa Republican caucus goers – conservative values, honesty and a commitment to standing up for what you believe in – all attributes that Senator Santorum has. I look forward to working with Senator Santorum over the weeks in months ahead,” said Jill Latham.
Senator Santorum has been to Iowa nine times in the last 15 months.
Bristol Palin Appearance Canceled: DeMint Coming to Iowa
Banning Bristol: One of my "back home" universities apparently just decided to abstain from Bristol Palin's abstinence appearance. Washington University had planned to bring in Sarah Palin's daughter to talk about the topic. But once it got out that thousands of dollars in student fees would pay for the visit, people complained and Bristol has been bounced. Here's the story.
DeMint DeComing: Do we count tea party fav South Carolina Senator Jim DeMint among the possible 2012'ers? He seemed to earlier downplay any chance he would run for prez. But he is coming to Iowa on behalf of western Iowa Congressman Steve King. What should we make of that? Here are the details:
Des Moines, Iowa – Congressman Steve King will bring nationally-recognized leaders to Iowa for his first Conservative Principles Conference on Saturday, March 26, 2011. The day-long conference will include panel discussions and speakers including 2012 Republican presidential prospects. The event will conclude with an evening banquet featuring King and keynote speaker Senator Jim DeMint of South Carolina.
“I am looking forward to engaging with Iowa activists for a day of visionary and principled dialogue centered on our American destiny,” King remarked. “We will be joined by some of the best thinkers in America to begin the process of shaping the agenda of our nation. We hope to provide a forum for all the presidential candidates and to help them identify priorities.”
Iowa’s first in the nation caucuses are bringing presidential candidates to the state and raising the level of public discourse. “Iowans take seriously their privilege and responsibility to evaluate the presidential candidates and their proposals,” King commented. “By hosting the candidates, and other leading thinkers, at our Conservative Principles Conference, we are given an early opportunity to test them on the issues. Iowans are astutely informed on public policy issues because of our duty as the first-in-the-nation caucus.”
Conservative Principles Conference will be held at the Des Moines Marriott Downtown. Doors will open at 8:00 am with the program set to begin at 9:00 am. An evening reception begins at 5:00 pm with the banquet starting at 6:00 pm. Tickets for King’s Conservative Principles Conference are $50 per person and available by calling 888-722-4704 or by visiting www.conservativeprinciplespac.com.
“I invite all Iowans to participate in this event and to engage in our effort to refurbish the pillars of American Exceptionalism,” King concluded.
Conservative Principles PAC is King’s leadership political action committee. Founded in 2008, Conservative Principles has supported conservative candidates for Congress across the country as well as candidates for Iowa Senate and House seats.
After serving six years in the Iowa Senate, King was elected to Congress in 2002 to represent Iowa’s 5th Congressional District. King is a nationally recognized constitutional conservative who routinely leads efforts to decrease the size and scope of government while protecting individual liberty and the sanctity of life. His language to repeal ObamaCare was passed by the US House on January 19, 2011, and he continues to work to implement common-sense solutions for the issues facing Americans.
DeMint was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2004. In early 2007, DeMint also fought for commonsense immigration reform by leading the effort to defeat the amnesty bill and calling on government to first secure our borders, enforce the laws already passed, and streamline the legal immigration system. DeMint was recently ranked as the Senate’s most conservative member by National Journal and as the No. 1 senator voting for responsible tax and spending policies by the National Taxpayers Union. DeMint has made it clear he is not a presidential candidate and will keynote the event as a conservative leader.
For more information on the Conservative Principles Conference, contact Conservative Principles PAC Director Tim Moran at 712-310-2386 or Ann Trimble-Ray at 712-273-5745. The contact number for tickets only is 888-722-4704.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Commission Chooses 9 Justice Candidates
Pick 'Em--And then there were 9. What started as 60 interviews this week before the Iowa Judicial Nominating Commission has now shrunk to 9. Tonight, the commission announced its 9 finalists. The interviews just ended today before lunchtime. Now, it's up to Governor Terry Branstad to choose the 3 he wants to fill the court. Drum roll, please... Here's the news release:
Des Moines, Iowa, January 27, 2011—After completing public interviews of all 60 applicants, the State Judicial Nominating Commission has selected a slate of nine nominees to fill the vacancies on the Iowa Supreme Court that occurred when the terms of Chief Justice Marsha Ternus, Justice Michael Streit and Justice David Baker ended on December 31, 2010. The nominees are:
Governor Branstad has thirty days in which to make the appointments to the court from this slate of nominees. A summary resume, completed questionnaire and writing samples for each candidate are posted on the Judicial Branch website at:
www.iowacourts.gov/State_Judicial_Nominating_Commission/Application_Information/
Commission Names Nominees for Iowa Supreme Court
Des Moines, Iowa, January 27, 2011—After completing public interviews of all 60 applicants, the State Judicial Nominating Commission has selected a slate of nine nominees to fill the vacancies on the Iowa Supreme Court that occurred when the terms of Chief Justice Marsha Ternus, Justice Michael Streit and Justice David Baker ended on December 31, 2010. The nominees are:
Robert James Blink, West Des Moines, Age 60
District Judge (appointed 1995)—Fifth Judicial District
J.D., 1975, Drake University
Arthur E. Gamble, Clive, Age 58
District Judge (appointed 1983), Chief Judge (appointed 1995)—Fifth Judicial District
J.D., 1978, University of Iowa
John C. Gray, Sioux City, Age 56
Attorney—Heidman Law Firm
J.D., 1981, University of Iowa
Steven Verne Lawyer, New Virginia, Age 45
Attorney—Law Firm of Steven V. Lawyer & Associates, PLC
J.D., 1991, Drake University
Edward M. Mansfield, Des Moines, Age 53
Iowa Court of Appeals Judge (appointed 2009)
J.D., 1982, Yale
Michael R. Mullins, Washington, Age 58
District Judge (appointed 2002)—Eighth Judicial District
J.D., 1982, Drake University
Angela Onwuachi-Willig, Grinnell, Age 37
Professor of Law, University of Iowa
J.D., 1997, University of Michigan
Thomas Dana Waterman, Pleasant Valley, Age 51
Attorney—Lane & Waterman L.L.P.
J.D., 1984, University of Iowa
Bruce B. Zager, Waterloo, Age 58
District Judge (appointed 1999)—First Judicial District
J.D., 1980, Drake University
Governor Branstad has thirty days in which to make the appointments to the court from this slate of nominees. A summary resume, completed questionnaire and writing samples for each candidate are posted on the Judicial Branch website at:
www.iowacourts.gov/State_Judicial_Nominating_Commission/Application_Information/
Branstad's budget
Da Budget: Listening this week to Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, I thought of those word-a-day calendars. You know, the ones you get to teach you fancy, 25 cent words you can use to impress people at parties? The governor was saying how he would describe the budget. He kept using the word, austere. Dictionary.com gives us our definition:
Today, we learned what the gov means by austere. He is cutting more than $300 million. He is also shifting more than $700 million of state spending into the general fund budget. This is the one-time money (federal stimulus dollars, borrowed money from other reserve funds, etc.). He says instead of keeping it separate like previous Governor Chet Culver did, Branstad includes it into the actual budget. Branstad feels it gives a more accurate portrayal of the state's finances. Branstad did make cuts, like he said he would. Undoubtedly this will be where the debate begins on which programs get cut and whether the cuts are too much. For one thing, he wants to give no funding increases for public schools the next two years. And he would basically cut in half the amount of money who gives to what is now the universal pre-school for 4-year-olds (Branstad only wants to give vouchers to needy families, although he hasn't released what "needy" is).
aus·tere
[aw-steer]
–adjective
1.
severe in manner or appearance; uncompromising; strict; forbidding: an austere teacher.
2.
rigorously self-disciplined and severely moral; ascetic; abstinent: the austere quality of life in the convent.
3.
grave; sober; solemn; serious: an austere manner.
4.
without excess, luxury, or ease; simple; limited; severe: an austere life.
5.
severely simple; without ornament: austere writing.
6.
lacking softness; hard: an austere bed of straw.
7.
rough to the taste; sour or harsh in flavor.
Today, we learned what the gov means by austere. He is cutting more than $300 million. He is also shifting more than $700 million of state spending into the general fund budget. This is the one-time money (federal stimulus dollars, borrowed money from other reserve funds, etc.). He says instead of keeping it separate like previous Governor Chet Culver did, Branstad includes it into the actual budget. Branstad feels it gives a more accurate portrayal of the state's finances. Branstad did make cuts, like he said he would. Undoubtedly this will be where the debate begins on which programs get cut and whether the cuts are too much. For one thing, he wants to give no funding increases for public schools the next two years. And he would basically cut in half the amount of money who gives to what is now the universal pre-school for 4-year-olds (Branstad only wants to give vouchers to needy families, although he hasn't released what "needy" is).
And the gov also wants to raise taxes. He wants to increase taxes on casinos from 24% to 36% (for most of the casinos). That helps raise the money to make up for the revenue the state could lose from his call to cut corporate income tax cuts in half. What do Republican anti-taxers think of this? Are you against ALL tax increases? Or is this o.k. because it raises them on casinos and cuts for other companies? You don't hear Republicans talk about raising taxes much these days. In fact, no one else really comes to mind as I write this. How will Branstad's idea go over?
Governor Branstad's Budget Address
In case you want to read along with Iowa Governor Terry Branstad as he gives his budget address...
Text of Gov. Branstad’s budget and program presentation to the Iowa General Assembly
(DES MOINES) – Gov. Terry E. Branstad today presented his budget and program to the Iowa General Assembly. Following are the remarks as prepared for delivery:
Madam Lt. Governor, Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, Leaders, justices, judges, legislators, elected officials, distinguished guests, family, friends and fellow Iowans.
I am humbled to stand before you once again as your Governor in this, the people’s House. It is here that our forefathers set the direction of our state: educating our kids, building our roads, protecting our citizens, caring for the unfortunate. And they did so, while being careful with the tax dollars and balancing our state’s budget.
In this storied chamber, I cut my political teeth as a young state representative – learning both to advocate my position and respect my adversary.
--To disagree without being disagreeable.
--To listen, because that is the only way to learn.
Because, at the end of the day, we are all Iowans working hard to make our special state an even better place. Let us never forget why we are here: to do the people’s business as their servants with respect and dignity and good will.
Today, I stand before you to present the state’s budget for the next two years.
But, at the risk of sounding a bit like the grandfather I am now, I think we need to start with a stern talking to.
When I began the preparation of this budget, I was handed a list of dozens of programs – 89 to be exact – that had been funded with money we no longer had. Everything from paying for teachers to state troopers had been funded with one-time money – nearly 900 million dollars’ worth.
Now, you wouldn’t run your family budget that way. If you did so, you would soon be visiting the bankruptcy court.
And we should never run the people of Iowa’s budget that way, either. And with this budget, it will come to an end, now.
I understand that this budget method of borrowing from Peter to pay Paul didn’t just happen overnight. I understand that it has been building over at least a ten years. But that doesn’t make it right; and that doesn’t mean we can ignore it for another decade.
You see, if we don’t fix it, the very integrity of our government is threatened.
When we over-promise and under-deliver, time after time, we erode, like a corrosive acid, the ties that bind our society. And, our ability to do those things we desire – whether it be educating our kids, caring for the sick, protecting the vulnerable, or improving our ability to create jobs – will be lost in a sea of red ink.
It is our responsibility, as servant-leaders, to pass a budget as honest, frugal and balanced as the people it serves.
And, the time to do it is now.
The rebounding agricultural economy gives us a unique opportunity to bind up Iowa’s budget wounds quickly. We must not squander that opportunity.
It will not be easy. It will require difficult and painful choices. But the pain we endure by fixing our budget today, will lead to great opportunities for Iowa in the future.
It will require change. No longer can every organized constituency get what it wants. There is a greater good we are seeking.
We must restore predictability and stability to our state budget, ensure our decisions are sustainable for the long term, and set the stage for a period of unprecedented economic expansion.
It is the taxpayers, not the interest groups, we must protect.
So, the budget I present to you today cleans up the budget mess that has been made. It cleans out the cobwebs in the closets of government. It sets Iowa on a new course with smaller, predictable, sustainable government. That is nimble enough to respond to needs and small enough to stay out of the way of our job creators.
And we do it by:
First, $770 million of general-fund spending that was funded by one-time revenue is moved back into the general fund, where it belongs, once and for all.
This is an honest budget that matches ongoing spending with ongoing revenue. And it funds our commitments to schools, health care for the poor and elderly, and troopers with funds that won’t evaporate in a year.
Second, this budget provides nearly $160 million in direct property tax relief to Iowans. It fully funds the state’s share of our school funding commitments – erasing the need for local school districts to make up the difference in property taxes.
Iowa property taxpayers have paid a high price for the state’s past practices and it is time to make them whole.
Third, this program and budget make it clear that Iowa is ready for job creation. We all know that small businesses are the engines of our growth. Yet, our small businesses pay an income tax rate that is highest in the nation at 12%.
And our small business pay commercial property taxes that are as high as those in mid-town Manhattan.
This budget will make us competitive for new jobs.
The small business income tax rate will be cut in half and made a flat 6%. Commercial property taxes will be reduced by 40% over the next 5 years. New investment will be immediately taxed at 60% of its valuation. And existing commercial property will be rolled back by 8% a year over 5 years.
My plan includes funding for these tax cuts through the use of new revenue coming to the state due to economic growth, the additional revenue generated by the extension of the Bush tax cuts, and by a restoration of the gaming tax to the level at which it was originally agreed to years ago.
I will be bringing forth legislation to transform our current Department of Economic Development into a public/private partnership.
This will be a partnership that unshackles our economic development efforts from an alphabet soup of bureaucratic programs and brings the best practices from both sectors to recharge our job creation mission.
And I intend to give that new partnership new tools to market and sell our state to job creators.
I have asked each of our Department and Agency heads to do a top to bottom review of all administrative rules and regulations to determine how we can best fulfill our responsibilities while eliminating impediments to job growth.
While tax policy can take us a significant way forward in our effort to compete for new jobs, much of that work can be undone by a bureaucracy that fails to understand the critical relationship between burdensome regulation and job creation.
The rules and regulations identified through this process will be the first subjected to our proposed rolling sunset and I will further order all future proposed rules and regulations to contain a jobs impact statement so we can identify those that cost jobs before they impact our Iowa employers.
We have wrung our hands over these issues long enough. Now is the time to make Iowa’s main streets truly open for business with the jobs we so desperately need. It is only by these actions that we can be assured of the growth we need to fund our future state budgets.
Many new Governors across this nation are aggressively moving to reduce tax and regulatory burdens to spur new job growth and I want to position Iowa as the leader.
Our unemployed deserve nothing less than our best efforts to bring new jobs to this state. No one will work harder to bring new jobs to Iowa than me, Lt. Governor Reynolds, Director Durham, and our entire economic development team.
Fourth, we must reduce the size and scope of government. State agencies and local governments must break down the silos that divide them.
Services must be shared so Iowans’ needs are met. Costs must be reduced – we can no longer afford to pay 46% more for public services; the collective bargaining law must be changed to recognize the rights of the taxpayers. And we, the leaders of our governments, must do a better job of managing our scarce resources.
Over the past two months, Lt. Governor Reynolds and I have been actively working with our management team, reviewing the current budget in excruciating detail.
In fact, the Lt. Governor and I have taken the time to personally review every line item in the state budget so we can look Iowans squarely in the eye when we tell them we simply have too much government and the status quo is no longer a viable option.
With this budget, we have a choice. Do we take the bold and difficult steps, make the painful decisions, and honestly align our spending and revenue? Or, do we kick the problem down the road yet again?
Fellow Iowans, I didn’t come here to avoid tough decisions.
No more games. No more gimmicks. No more bail-outs.
Fifth, we must budget for the long term. This budget doesn’t solve all our problems overnight. No budget can. But it puts us on a path of sound budgeting principles. And we must stay on that path by resisting the temptation to push our obligations to the next generation.
I plan to insist on budget discipline.
The results of our past budget practices have been across the board cuts and a mountain of broken promises. The days of unsustainable commitments are over.
It will come as no surprise to any of you that I am submitting a biennial budget that includes my recommendations for both Fiscal Years 2012 and 2013. Also included with this budget is a five year financial projection that shows how the decisions we make this year will impact the bottom line over the next five years.
Iowa desperately needs these financial planning tools and I will insist the Legislature join me in this commitment to provide Iowans with an honest, open, and transparent approach to spending the public’s money.
We will make our government as good, as dependable, as well-managed as the people it serves.
How do we accomplish our goals? We cut unnecessary spending.
Programs that have passed their time are eliminated and others are modified to make sure those in need are those who receive government help.
Every area of state government will be asked to share in this sacrifice. I have appointed a collection of talented leaders in our state departments and agencies and have charged them with remaking government at all levels to find more efficient and less costly methods to deliver our state services.
While school systems across this country are reeling from massive budget cuts, this budget for the next two years holds school spending authority at the current level. No increase. No decrease – but with an assurance that we can deliver on this promise and allow our creative school leaders more flexibility and opportunity to make things work.
And let’s not forget, even while holding spending authority at current levels, last year the state underfunded its commitment by $156 million. Local school districts were left holding the bag with little choice but to levy additional property taxes to make up the difference. This budget funds that commitment with state dollars and provides direct property tax relief to Iowa taxpayers.
But education isn’t all about dollars and cents. It is about our children and our willingness to take the steps necessary to reform our schools and make them among the best in the world.
To that end, I will convene an education summit this summer—bringing together the nation’s most dynamic educational reform leaders.
These national leaders will work with our new education policy team and strive to reach a consensus on what changes are needed to give our children the nation’s highest quality schools.
Should we reach that critical consensus, and I have no reason to believe we won’t, I will convene a Special Session of the Iowa Legislature in the fall of this year to approve our bold reform agenda and make good on our new covenant promise to provide our children with a globally competitive education.
In addition, I cannot leave the education discussion without renewing my commitment to ensure that every Iowa child has access to quality preschool.
This budget proposes a $43 million annual investment in providing preschool assistance to those families in greatest need.
Research shows preschool investments have the most long-lasting impact on children who come from homes with financial need. As such, our program will be targeted to those families and will give parents flexibility to choose the preschool environment that best meets their needs.
But we cannot do this alone, all across this state parents, private donors and caring organizations have for years partnered with preschool providers to ensure access. I am happy to have the state of Iowa join them—as a partner, not as the sole provider.
My fellow Iowans, none of what I have brought forward today will be easy.
But all of it is necessary.
We must put an end to the budgeting practices that failed our people and brought unprecedented instability to the delivery of critical state services.
We must adopt long term budgeting practices that provide decision makers with an early warning system to coming budget cliffs in time to make adjustments that prevent service disruptions.
We must cut real spending out of state government and challenge our Department leaders to remake state government in a manner that provides services more efficiently and at less cost.
We must provide financial stability to our schools while we engage in an historic effort to reform our schools and restore our preeminence in educational performance.
We must fund more of our property tax credits and obligations and provide Iowa taxpayers with nearly $160 million in much needed relief.
We must reduce small business income and property taxes, and eliminate rules and regulations that cost us jobs.
If we have the courage to do these things and do them now, then I am confident Iowa will be the leader in America’s economic recovery.
The more than 100,000 unemployed Iowans deserve nothing less than our best efforts and we have an obligation to take the bold and decisive actions necessary to dramatically improve Iowa’s ability to compete for new jobs.
When God made his covenant with Abraham and his people so many ages ago, it was a covenant that required immediate and significant sacrifice in return for a promise of incredible abundance. However, that abundance was to be years and even decades in the making.
Our new covenant between this state and its people does indeed require significant immediate shared sacrifice.
But, as with Abraham and his people, the people of Iowa can expect our efforts will lead to tremendous abundance which we, our children, grandchildren, and future generations of Iowans will enjoy.
I stand before you today older and wiser than when I first set foot in these chambers. But I am no less passionate about our future.
If we make the right choices, the days before us will be ones of abundant growth and new jobs:
· Enough abundance to bring back our sons and daughters and those who wish to join us.
· Enough abundance to meet the needs of our kids, and our elderly, and the sick and the vulnerable.
· Enough abundance to make the future the golden years in Iowa history.
We stand at the crossroads of that history. Which path will we take?
I know that this institution is fueled by compromise; but we cannot compromise on the future of Iowa.
Our state will be driven by the right policy choices and I will fight with all my political might to make sure that we make the right choices.
We are the fortunate few who have been chosen by the people to do what is right. Let us be motivated by the better angels of our nature for the good of all Iowans.
Together, we will accomplish great things.
Thank you and God Bless you and God Bless the people of Iowa.
Text of Gov. Branstad’s budget and program presentation to the Iowa General Assembly
(DES MOINES) – Gov. Terry E. Branstad today presented his budget and program to the Iowa General Assembly. Following are the remarks as prepared for delivery:
Madam Lt. Governor, Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, Leaders, justices, judges, legislators, elected officials, distinguished guests, family, friends and fellow Iowans.
I am humbled to stand before you once again as your Governor in this, the people’s House. It is here that our forefathers set the direction of our state: educating our kids, building our roads, protecting our citizens, caring for the unfortunate. And they did so, while being careful with the tax dollars and balancing our state’s budget.
In this storied chamber, I cut my political teeth as a young state representative – learning both to advocate my position and respect my adversary.
--To disagree without being disagreeable.
--To listen, because that is the only way to learn.
Because, at the end of the day, we are all Iowans working hard to make our special state an even better place. Let us never forget why we are here: to do the people’s business as their servants with respect and dignity and good will.
Today, I stand before you to present the state’s budget for the next two years.
But, at the risk of sounding a bit like the grandfather I am now, I think we need to start with a stern talking to.
When I began the preparation of this budget, I was handed a list of dozens of programs – 89 to be exact – that had been funded with money we no longer had. Everything from paying for teachers to state troopers had been funded with one-time money – nearly 900 million dollars’ worth.
Now, you wouldn’t run your family budget that way. If you did so, you would soon be visiting the bankruptcy court.
And we should never run the people of Iowa’s budget that way, either. And with this budget, it will come to an end, now.
I understand that this budget method of borrowing from Peter to pay Paul didn’t just happen overnight. I understand that it has been building over at least a ten years. But that doesn’t make it right; and that doesn’t mean we can ignore it for another decade.
You see, if we don’t fix it, the very integrity of our government is threatened.
When we over-promise and under-deliver, time after time, we erode, like a corrosive acid, the ties that bind our society. And, our ability to do those things we desire – whether it be educating our kids, caring for the sick, protecting the vulnerable, or improving our ability to create jobs – will be lost in a sea of red ink.
It is our responsibility, as servant-leaders, to pass a budget as honest, frugal and balanced as the people it serves.
And, the time to do it is now.
The rebounding agricultural economy gives us a unique opportunity to bind up Iowa’s budget wounds quickly. We must not squander that opportunity.
It will not be easy. It will require difficult and painful choices. But the pain we endure by fixing our budget today, will lead to great opportunities for Iowa in the future.
It will require change. No longer can every organized constituency get what it wants. There is a greater good we are seeking.
We must restore predictability and stability to our state budget, ensure our decisions are sustainable for the long term, and set the stage for a period of unprecedented economic expansion.
It is the taxpayers, not the interest groups, we must protect.
So, the budget I present to you today cleans up the budget mess that has been made. It cleans out the cobwebs in the closets of government. It sets Iowa on a new course with smaller, predictable, sustainable government. That is nimble enough to respond to needs and small enough to stay out of the way of our job creators.
And we do it by:
First, $770 million of general-fund spending that was funded by one-time revenue is moved back into the general fund, where it belongs, once and for all.
This is an honest budget that matches ongoing spending with ongoing revenue. And it funds our commitments to schools, health care for the poor and elderly, and troopers with funds that won’t evaporate in a year.
Second, this budget provides nearly $160 million in direct property tax relief to Iowans. It fully funds the state’s share of our school funding commitments – erasing the need for local school districts to make up the difference in property taxes.
Iowa property taxpayers have paid a high price for the state’s past practices and it is time to make them whole.
Third, this program and budget make it clear that Iowa is ready for job creation. We all know that small businesses are the engines of our growth. Yet, our small businesses pay an income tax rate that is highest in the nation at 12%.
And our small business pay commercial property taxes that are as high as those in mid-town Manhattan.
This budget will make us competitive for new jobs.
The small business income tax rate will be cut in half and made a flat 6%. Commercial property taxes will be reduced by 40% over the next 5 years. New investment will be immediately taxed at 60% of its valuation. And existing commercial property will be rolled back by 8% a year over 5 years.
My plan includes funding for these tax cuts through the use of new revenue coming to the state due to economic growth, the additional revenue generated by the extension of the Bush tax cuts, and by a restoration of the gaming tax to the level at which it was originally agreed to years ago.
I will be bringing forth legislation to transform our current Department of Economic Development into a public/private partnership.
This will be a partnership that unshackles our economic development efforts from an alphabet soup of bureaucratic programs and brings the best practices from both sectors to recharge our job creation mission.
And I intend to give that new partnership new tools to market and sell our state to job creators.
I have asked each of our Department and Agency heads to do a top to bottom review of all administrative rules and regulations to determine how we can best fulfill our responsibilities while eliminating impediments to job growth.
While tax policy can take us a significant way forward in our effort to compete for new jobs, much of that work can be undone by a bureaucracy that fails to understand the critical relationship between burdensome regulation and job creation.
The rules and regulations identified through this process will be the first subjected to our proposed rolling sunset and I will further order all future proposed rules and regulations to contain a jobs impact statement so we can identify those that cost jobs before they impact our Iowa employers.
We have wrung our hands over these issues long enough. Now is the time to make Iowa’s main streets truly open for business with the jobs we so desperately need. It is only by these actions that we can be assured of the growth we need to fund our future state budgets.
Many new Governors across this nation are aggressively moving to reduce tax and regulatory burdens to spur new job growth and I want to position Iowa as the leader.
Our unemployed deserve nothing less than our best efforts to bring new jobs to this state. No one will work harder to bring new jobs to Iowa than me, Lt. Governor Reynolds, Director Durham, and our entire economic development team.
Fourth, we must reduce the size and scope of government. State agencies and local governments must break down the silos that divide them.
Services must be shared so Iowans’ needs are met. Costs must be reduced – we can no longer afford to pay 46% more for public services; the collective bargaining law must be changed to recognize the rights of the taxpayers. And we, the leaders of our governments, must do a better job of managing our scarce resources.
Over the past two months, Lt. Governor Reynolds and I have been actively working with our management team, reviewing the current budget in excruciating detail.
In fact, the Lt. Governor and I have taken the time to personally review every line item in the state budget so we can look Iowans squarely in the eye when we tell them we simply have too much government and the status quo is no longer a viable option.
With this budget, we have a choice. Do we take the bold and difficult steps, make the painful decisions, and honestly align our spending and revenue? Or, do we kick the problem down the road yet again?
Fellow Iowans, I didn’t come here to avoid tough decisions.
No more games. No more gimmicks. No more bail-outs.
Fifth, we must budget for the long term. This budget doesn’t solve all our problems overnight. No budget can. But it puts us on a path of sound budgeting principles. And we must stay on that path by resisting the temptation to push our obligations to the next generation.
I plan to insist on budget discipline.
The results of our past budget practices have been across the board cuts and a mountain of broken promises. The days of unsustainable commitments are over.
It will come as no surprise to any of you that I am submitting a biennial budget that includes my recommendations for both Fiscal Years 2012 and 2013. Also included with this budget is a five year financial projection that shows how the decisions we make this year will impact the bottom line over the next five years.
Iowa desperately needs these financial planning tools and I will insist the Legislature join me in this commitment to provide Iowans with an honest, open, and transparent approach to spending the public’s money.
We will make our government as good, as dependable, as well-managed as the people it serves.
How do we accomplish our goals? We cut unnecessary spending.
Programs that have passed their time are eliminated and others are modified to make sure those in need are those who receive government help.
Every area of state government will be asked to share in this sacrifice. I have appointed a collection of talented leaders in our state departments and agencies and have charged them with remaking government at all levels to find more efficient and less costly methods to deliver our state services.
While school systems across this country are reeling from massive budget cuts, this budget for the next two years holds school spending authority at the current level. No increase. No decrease – but with an assurance that we can deliver on this promise and allow our creative school leaders more flexibility and opportunity to make things work.
And let’s not forget, even while holding spending authority at current levels, last year the state underfunded its commitment by $156 million. Local school districts were left holding the bag with little choice but to levy additional property taxes to make up the difference. This budget funds that commitment with state dollars and provides direct property tax relief to Iowa taxpayers.
But education isn’t all about dollars and cents. It is about our children and our willingness to take the steps necessary to reform our schools and make them among the best in the world.
To that end, I will convene an education summit this summer—bringing together the nation’s most dynamic educational reform leaders.
These national leaders will work with our new education policy team and strive to reach a consensus on what changes are needed to give our children the nation’s highest quality schools.
Should we reach that critical consensus, and I have no reason to believe we won’t, I will convene a Special Session of the Iowa Legislature in the fall of this year to approve our bold reform agenda and make good on our new covenant promise to provide our children with a globally competitive education.
In addition, I cannot leave the education discussion without renewing my commitment to ensure that every Iowa child has access to quality preschool.
This budget proposes a $43 million annual investment in providing preschool assistance to those families in greatest need.
Research shows preschool investments have the most long-lasting impact on children who come from homes with financial need. As such, our program will be targeted to those families and will give parents flexibility to choose the preschool environment that best meets their needs.
But we cannot do this alone, all across this state parents, private donors and caring organizations have for years partnered with preschool providers to ensure access. I am happy to have the state of Iowa join them—as a partner, not as the sole provider.
My fellow Iowans, none of what I have brought forward today will be easy.
But all of it is necessary.
We must put an end to the budgeting practices that failed our people and brought unprecedented instability to the delivery of critical state services.
We must adopt long term budgeting practices that provide decision makers with an early warning system to coming budget cliffs in time to make adjustments that prevent service disruptions.
We must cut real spending out of state government and challenge our Department leaders to remake state government in a manner that provides services more efficiently and at less cost.
We must provide financial stability to our schools while we engage in an historic effort to reform our schools and restore our preeminence in educational performance.
We must fund more of our property tax credits and obligations and provide Iowa taxpayers with nearly $160 million in much needed relief.
We must reduce small business income and property taxes, and eliminate rules and regulations that cost us jobs.
If we have the courage to do these things and do them now, then I am confident Iowa will be the leader in America’s economic recovery.
The more than 100,000 unemployed Iowans deserve nothing less than our best efforts and we have an obligation to take the bold and decisive actions necessary to dramatically improve Iowa’s ability to compete for new jobs.
When God made his covenant with Abraham and his people so many ages ago, it was a covenant that required immediate and significant sacrifice in return for a promise of incredible abundance. However, that abundance was to be years and even decades in the making.
Our new covenant between this state and its people does indeed require significant immediate shared sacrifice.
But, as with Abraham and his people, the people of Iowa can expect our efforts will lead to tremendous abundance which we, our children, grandchildren, and future generations of Iowans will enjoy.
I stand before you today older and wiser than when I first set foot in these chambers. But I am no less passionate about our future.
If we make the right choices, the days before us will be ones of abundant growth and new jobs:
· Enough abundance to bring back our sons and daughters and those who wish to join us.
· Enough abundance to meet the needs of our kids, and our elderly, and the sick and the vulnerable.
· Enough abundance to make the future the golden years in Iowa history.
We stand at the crossroads of that history. Which path will we take?
I know that this institution is fueled by compromise; but we cannot compromise on the future of Iowa.
Our state will be driven by the right policy choices and I will fight with all my political might to make sure that we make the right choices.
We are the fortunate few who have been chosen by the people to do what is right. Let us be motivated by the better angels of our nature for the good of all Iowans.
Together, we will accomplish great things.
Thank you and God Bless you and God Bless the people of Iowa.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Bipartisan Seating at State of the Union
Left, Right, Left, Right: We wanted to know if the Iowa delegation would follow the wishes of those who wanted to avoid the usual...one party stands up clapping wildly while the other sits on its hands as the president gives the state of the union. Here's what we heard back from the offices that responded to our inquiries:
Republican Senator Chuck Grassley sat with Oregon Democratic Senator Ron Wyden3rd District Democratic Congressman sat with Texas Republican Congressman Mike Conaway
4th District Republican Congressman sat with Minnesota Democratic Congressman Collin Peterson
5th District Republican Congressman said he just wanted to get a seat.
State of the Union
The Speech: This is my first state of the union address as a dad. I'm watching as my now six-month-old Hayden sits next to me. I watch these speeches as a reporter. But, of course, now I undoubtedly watch in a different way, as well. Here are a few thoughts:
Will Washington really get serious about cutting the deficit? It's something like $14 trillion. That's $14,000,000,000,000. That's a ridiculous number. For all of you responsible for raising that number, do you feel any regret at all? I remember talking with candidate Obama before the election. He didn't seem to have the deficit reduction anywhere on his to do list. Of course, I remember when I worked in Columbia, Missouri, and I followed around former Governor John Ashcroft as he traveled Iowa. He talked about eliminating the deficit. He lost the election. And clearly, those who won have failed to accomplish his goal.
The president talked about our teachers. Why don't teachers get more respect in our society? Seriously, we are absolutely hosed without good teachers. Should we pay them more? Should we have them teach our kids year-round? What do we do with the bad teachers? How do we get them to improve? Or how to we get rid of them if they don't improve?
All this talk the president is saying about working together...will this really happen? Sure, Dems almost have no choice but to talk that way after the election. But will they really work with Republicans? Do Republicans really want to work with Dems? Do they want to work with the president?
What will come of the speech? Progress? More gridlock? Let's all hope that no matter where you are politically, the economy gets better and people keep suffering. There's too much of that right now.
One more thing...did you see Des Moines area Democratic Congressman Leonard Boswell whispering to the Prez? Think he told him he was running for re-election?:)
Branstad Pushes Higher Ethanol Blend
Higher Blend: Iowa Governor Terry Branstad wants to push state subsidies from the E-10 blend in the state to E-15. Earlier this month, the Environmental Protection Agency ruled that vehicles made after 2001 could handle the higher ethanol blend. Branstad said during the Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit in Des Moines that it is time to push E-15 in Iowa. Branstad said, “I'm going to be talking to all the presidential candidates about how important renewable fuels is to the future of this country and our competitiveness and how important it is to the state of Iowa."
Statehouse Sitdown: Branstad met at the Iowa Statehouse with former U.S. Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, who also spoke at the summit. Former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum also spoke. But Branstad’s staff said the governor did not meet with Santorum. Branstad met last week with another possible 2012 Republican candidate: Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann. You think Branstad will be a popular guy for the next year with these (possible) candidates?
Statehouse Sitdown: Branstad met at the Iowa Statehouse with former U.S. Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, who also spoke at the summit. Former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum also spoke. But Branstad’s staff said the governor did not meet with Santorum. Branstad met last week with another possible 2012 Republican candidate: Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann. You think Branstad will be a popular guy for the next year with these (possible) candidates?
State of the Union Presidential Preview
Prez Preview: The White House just released some excerpts from President Obama's State of the Union Address tonight, you know if you just can't wait until he says it live:
Excerpts from President Obama’s State of the Union Address
As Prepared for Delivery-
With their votes, the American people determined
that governing will now be a shared responsibility between parties. New laws
will only pass with support from Democrats and Republicans. We will move forward
together, or not at all – for the challenges we face are bigger than party, and
bigger than politics.
At stake right now is not who wins the next
election – after all, we just had an election. At stake is whether new jobs and
industries take root in this country, or somewhere else. It’s whether the hard
work and industry of our people is rewarded. It’s whether we sustain the
leadership that has made America not just a place on a map, but a light to the
world. We are poised for progress. Two years after the worst recession most of
us have ever known, the stock market has come roaring back. Corporate profits
are up. The economy is growing again.
But we have never measured
progress by these yardsticks alone. We measure progress by the success of our
people. By the jobs they can find and the quality of life those jobs offer. By
the prospects of a small business owner who dreams of turning a good idea into a
thriving enterprise. By the opportunities for a better life that we pass on to
our children. That’s the project the American people want us to work on.
Together.
Half a century ago, when the Soviets beat us into space with
the launch of a satellite called Sputnik¸ we had no idea how we’d beat them to
the moon. The science wasn’t there yet. NASA didn’t even exist.
But
after investing in better research and education, we didn’t just surpass the
Soviets; we unleashed a wave of innovation that created new industries and
millions of new jobs.
This is our generation’s Sputnik moment.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Bachmann's Brother; Presidential Drinking Game
Famous Family: No, this isn't that Kevin Bacon game, "Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon" ,where you try to show everyone is somehow related to the actor. But our station, WHO-TV, may have a family connection to the 2012 presidential race. Michele Bachmann, the Minnesota Republican congresswoman, is the sister of Gary Amble. He used to be our main weather man and was very popular. He moved south down I-35 to Kansas City.
In case you are wondering, the congresswoman is NOT related to our main anchor. John spells his last name with just one "n", Bachman. But we think no less of him for it:)
Presidential Drinking Game: Not sure what to make of this, but for the drinkers among you...especially those who get bored by traditional speeches...I'll throw this out. The San Francisco Chronicle offers a drinking game to get you through the state of the union. Here's the short of it...if the prez talks bipartisanship and House Speaker John Boehner cries, then you might get hammered. I'm not endorsing the idea. I don't need to drink during these things. But to each, her own.
In case you are wondering, the congresswoman is NOT related to our main anchor. John spells his last name with just one "n", Bachman. But we think no less of him for it:)
Presidential Drinking Game: Not sure what to make of this, but for the drinkers among you...especially those who get bored by traditional speeches...I'll throw this out. The San Francisco Chronicle offers a drinking game to get you through the state of the union. Here's the short of it...if the prez talks bipartisanship and House Speaker John Boehner cries, then you might get hammered. I'm not endorsing the idea. I don't need to drink during these things. But to each, her own.
Marriott To Get Rid of Hotel Porn
There's No Business Like Porn Business: Ben Smith of the Politico has a story about another sign that Mitt Romney is running for president again in 2012. He reports Romney used to serve on Marriott's board and the owners are big Romney backers. They have now decided you won't be able to rent porn during your stay at the company's new hotels. That's not the shocker for me. It's this: Smith reports Marriott says it makes $175 per room a year on porn. $175 per room?! I can't find on the Marriott website how many rooms the company has, but the site does say it has 3,500 properties. Safe to say...the company has a lot of rooms. And apparently Debbie did a lot in more places than just Dallas.
Da Bears: I grew up in Illinois but in the shadow of the Arch in St. Louis. So I always followed the St. Louis teams instead of Chicago. In case you care. Haven't said that...I don't understand the Bears play-calling on what would be their final offensive play of the day in the NFC Championship game against the Packers. The bears have a third-string quarterback in the game. They have fewer than 2 minutes to play. And it's fourth down. They had just one timeout left but how don't you call it there? Don't you think the offense could use the time to figure out the play? Sure, that's the last timeout. But if you don't get the first down, it won't matter. They didn't call it. They threw an interception. I don't get it. But it was a great game. Bears fans, just remember your Cubs brethren...wait til next year.
Da Bears: I grew up in Illinois but in the shadow of the Arch in St. Louis. So I always followed the St. Louis teams instead of Chicago. In case you care. Haven't said that...I don't understand the Bears play-calling on what would be their final offensive play of the day in the NFC Championship game against the Packers. The bears have a third-string quarterback in the game. They have fewer than 2 minutes to play. And it's fourth down. They had just one timeout left but how don't you call it there? Don't you think the offense could use the time to figure out the play? Sure, that's the last timeout. But if you don't get the first down, it won't matter. They didn't call it. They threw an interception. I don't get it. But it was a great game. Bears fans, just remember your Cubs brethren...wait til next year.
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