REPRESENTATIVE CINDY WINCKLER OF DAVENPORT AT THE FORUM
On the last Saturday of the month for the first 4 months of the year, there is a Legislative Forum held in Scott County.
This past Saturday, January 28th, 2006, was the first for this
legislative session. 8 of the 9 Senators and Representatives from
Scott County and parts of Clinton County were in attendance.
Questions from the audience of about 80 covered many topics. They
came to see DEMOCRACY IN ACTION at St. Ambrose University. One
query was about state employee health coverage, another about whether
or not the death penalty would be brought up again for
consideration. Another asked if the state could help fund early
childhood facilities. Also, a Scott County farmer asked whether
or not the IDNR (IOWA Department Of Natural Resources) or the ERC
(Environmental Regulatory Commission) would be reigned in and not be
allowed to site livestock facilities as they see fit.
But, by far, one of the most contentious subjects was the
first question out of the gate. It concerned TAXING OR NOT TAXING
A PERSON’S PENSION. Some people feel that IOWA loses many retired
folks to other states, including Illinois, because there is too
high a tax on pensions. While a couple of the Republicans spoke
about their belief that the tax should be stopped so that retirees will
stay in the state, REPRESENTATIVE CINDY WINCKLER, DAVENPORT, CHOSE TO
DISAGREE.
Rep. Winckler, (an avid DEAN supporter) said it is too early in the
session to put this one into play. She says there are many myths
about this subject including the myth that retirement pensions are
taxed twice. This is not true, Rep. Winckler explained, since money
is put into a person’s chosen fund without being taxed, then is taxed
later when taken out as a pension.
Much discussion that cold, rainy morning was about PAY FOR IOWA’S
TEACHERS. Where the money was coming from and when an
increase could go into effect were addressed. There is a movement
afoot to get IOWA back to being 25th in the nation on teachers’ pay as
opposed to being 42nd in the country, as we are now. But Senator
Maggie Tinsman (R-Bettendorf) said, “Anytime you talk about going
back, that’s not going forward. But, yes, do I think teachers have
slipped in what they are getting for pay, yes, I do.” This was a
quote from the local news at 10pm/channel 6 KWQC.
Well, Senator Tinsman, it is obvious that going back to the 1978 ranking
of 25th in the nation, would only be a HUGE, INTELLIGENT STEP AHEAD IN
THE RIGHT DIRECTION. You are just confusing the issue and not
making a very good assessment of the situation. Plus, you have
just been so ingrained by the Repubs that any suggestion made by
Democrats should be opposed, no matter how unreasonable you may sound.
So, the games have begun again. Will IOWANS be benefactors this
year after the current legislative session ends? Time will
tell. If you have a favorite topic you are keeping an eye on,
don’t forget to contact your Iowa Senator or Representative and voice your
opinion. Do your homework and make your call, write your letter,
or send your email. Or get your buddies together and take a
road trip to the capitol. It is a beautiful building, and good
changes can be made there. Go to www.legis.state.ia.us to find
out more about who represents you.
And by the way…Remember to CPR… CONSERVE/PARTICIPATE/RECYCLE
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