Lawmakers reconfirm Iowa education chief
Omaha World-Herald, April 13, 2004
DES MOINES (AP) – The Senate on Monday confirmed Gov. Tom Vilsack's reappointment of Iowa Department of Education Director Ted Stilwill. . . .
Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Stewart Iverson, R-Dows, asked to postpone a vote on the nomination of Jonathan Wilson, a gay rights activist, to the state school board.
The move came after a heated floor debate on whether Wilson's approval was being held up over concerns that he would promote a gay agenda while on the board.
Wilson, a Des Moines attorney, served on the Des Moines school district's board for 12 years.
Vilsack has called the holdup on his nomination discriminatory.
Vilsack Says Budget Fails To Fund Iowa's Schools
TheIowaChannel.com, April 13, 2004
DES MOINES, Iowa — The House passed a $4.46 billion budget late Monday night that Gov. Tom Vilsack said fails to fund Iowans' priorities.
The bill passed 54-45 after nine hours of debate.
The budget represents a decrease of $56.3 million from the current year and relies heavily on one-time funding sources by spending $573 million from reserves and the Senior Living Trust Fund.
Vilsack said the budget fails to adequately fund Iowa's school districts, doesn't provide money for the Iowa Values Fund economic development program created last year and provides no money to continue development of cultural and recreational projects.
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