I’ll be participating in as many local forums as I can get to this session. There are two this weekend and many more in the coming weeks. I look forward to seeing you and hearing your ideas.
• Saturday, February 1, 9 a.m.: Muscatine Legislative Forum at Muscatine Community College, 152 Colorado Street, Muscatine
SESSION SHOULD FOCUS ON GROWING IOWA’S MIDDLE CLASS
The 2014 legislative session gaveled in on January 13. This year, strengthening Iowa’s middle class remains my top priority.
We can do it by building on the many bipartisan successes of last year. We approved the largest tax cut in state history, froze university tuition, improved job-training opportunities and increased access to affordable health care. This year, I hope we’ll take that same approach to funding for our local schools after several unpredictable years.
Since 2011, the Iowa House and Governor have ignored state law requiring that school funding be given early, high-priority attention in the Legislature. Instead, last-minute decisions at the Statehouse have disrupted the budget process at our local schools, making it difficult for them to get the best use of the dollars available.
Providing our children with a great education and expanding our middle class go hand in hand. The number of Iowa kids growing up in poverty is at a 50-year high, and our state’s childhood poverty rate is climbing faster than the national average. At the same time, the gap in student achievement between well-off and low-income students is also growing.
We must make a strong investment in our local schools, but Iowa family incomes also need a boost. Increasing family incomes is good for the Iowa economy and helps our kids do their best in school. Last spring, we cut taxes on working families and expanded job-training efforts to prepare more parents for higher-skilled, better-paying work.
Iowa’s fiscal house in order, with record-high amounts in our reserve funds. That means this year we can modestly invest in schoolchildren, creating good jobs and ensuring Iowans can earn enough to provide for their families.
In the weeks and months ahead, I’ll be working on these priorities with the Governor, the House and my colleagues in the Senate. As we do, I want to know what your think. Often I hear the best ideas from the people in my district. If you have suggestions, please contact me.
STAY IN TOUCH IN 2014
With the Legislature back in session, I want to make sure you know what’s happening. There are many ways to follow the action.
I’ll be sending out regular updates on the key issues we’re addressing from week-to-week in the Senate. I’ll also participate in local forums, where we’ll have a chance to talk face-to-face. There are several online resources to help you stay informed as well.
I invite you to check out my Senate Web page at www.senate.iowa.gov/senator/courtney, and encourage you to share this site with others who might be interested in signing up for my newsletter, connecting with me on Facebook or checking out my Senate photos.
At our caucus Web site, www.senate.iowa.gov/democrats, you’ll find:
• Articles on legislation, current events, grant opportunities and state resources.
• Summaries of bills voted on in Senate committees and in the chamber.
• Social media links to connect with Senate Democrats via Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and photos, or our RSS feed.
At www.legis.iowa.gov, the Legislature’s official site, you can watch live debate in the Senate and House, track bills of interest, review what’s happening in legislative committees, and even arrange a free tour of the Statehouse if you plan to visit.
Most importantly, I want you to know that I am here to listen and represent the people in my district. When you share your concerns and ideas, you’re helping me do my job. I especially look forward to input related to committees I serve on.
This session, I am chair of the Justice Systems Budget Subcommittee and vice-chair of the Judiciary Committee. I also serve on the Appropriations, Rules & Administration and State Government committees.
Please feel free to e-mail me at tom.courtney@legis.iowa.gov. I can also be reached through the Senate switchboard at 515-281-3371.
ENSURING JUSTICE FOR ALL IOWANS
The Chief Justice of the Iowa Supreme Court this week praised the Legislature for its bipartisan efforts to ensure our state is safer for Iowans. Chief Justice Mark Cady highlighted how the Legislature has helped the Courts:
• Protect children
• Operate a full-time, full-service court system
• Offer faster, less costly resolution of legal disputes
• Be open and transparent
• Provide fair, impartial justice
The Legislature’s support has allowed the courts to hire more juvenile court officers. These are the public servants who meet face-to-face with young people in trouble and guide them toward better behavior that will help them become successful adults. The work of our juvenile court officers improves public safety for all Iowans and ultimately saves taxpayer dollars.
Other efforts to protect Iowa’s children are proving successful as well. Family Treatment Courts work with community professionals to help Iowans struggling with substance abuse or other problems that put them at risk of losing their parental rights. So far, 463 families—including 549 parents and 900 children—have participated in Family Treatment Courts. The results are spectacular: 95 percent of the kids suffer no further abuse or neglect.
Efforts to maintain an open and transparent court system continue to be successful. The Iowa Supreme Court holds hearings throughout Iowa and even visits local schools. By traveling the state, the Justices give local Iowans a glimpse of how our court system works.
With a boost in funding for our courts last year, every clerk of court office in the state is now open full time, providing access the services Iowans need and the justice they deserve.
NEWS YOU CAN USE
State Board of Education seeks student member
Through January 31, the State Board of Education is seeking applications for its student member position. Applicants must be full-time 10th or 11th-grade students enrolled in a public high school with good academic standing and extracurricular participation. The student will fill a one-year term that runs from May 1, 2014, through April 30, 2015, with most meetings taking place in Des Moines. More information and application materials are available at www.educateiowa.gov/about-iowa-state-boards-education#Student.
Help find the best history teacher in Iowa
The state Department of Education is seeking nominations for the 2014 Iowa History Teacher of the Year award. A 7th through 12th-grade history or social studies teacher will be named the state winner, awarded $1,000 and entered into the National History Teacher of the Year contest. Go to www.gilderlehrman.org/nhtoy to learn more. The deadline to nominate a teacher is February 1.
Apply for Derelict Building Grant
The 2014 Derelict Building Grant program is open for applications through February 28. The program helps small rural communities to deconstruct or renovate abandoned commercial and public structures. The program emphasizes reuse and recycling of building items, helps improve street appearance and commercial development, and alleviates environmental concerns. For complete details and application materials, go to www.iowadnr.gov and search “derelict buildings”.
Students can take part in World Food Prize Youth Institute
The 2014 World Food Prize Iowa Youth Institute is an opportunity for high school students to enhance their STEM education. To participate, students research an issue affecting world hunger and write a five-page paper under the supervision of a teacher. Papers are due March 14, with the Iowa Youth Institute taking place at Iowa State University on April 14. Further details on how to participate are available at www.worldfoodprize.org/en/youth_programs/global_youth_institute/iowa, or by contacting Catherine Swoboda at cswoboda@worldfoodprize.org or 515-245-3727.
Apply for Environmental Excellence Awards
Through March 28, Iowa businesses, organizations and citizens are invited to apply for the state’s Environmental Excellence Awards. These awards are the premier environmental honors in Iowa, recognizing leadership and innovation in the protection of Iowa’s water, land and air. Awards will be given for Overall Environmental Excellence, along with Special Project Awards in Air Quality, Energy Efficiency/Renewable Energy, Habitat Restoration, Waste Management, Water Quality, and Environmental Education. Applications and complete details can be found at www.iowadnr.gov/eeawards.
New site helps Iowans find housing
A new website, www.IowaHousingSearch.org, provides Iowa rental information, including short- or long-term housing, accessible options, replacement housing after a disaster and many other resources. The site is free to use and will be helpful to renters, landlords, housing professionals, economic developers, emergency management personnel and social service agencies. Property providers can list apartments or homes for rent any time, creating a current list for Iowans looking for housing and professionals seeking resources for their clients.
Contact Tom
CAPITOL:
Iowa Statehouse
Des Moines, IA 50319
515-281-3371
HOME:
2609 Clearview Drive
Burlington, IA 52601
319-759-5334
tom.courtney@legis.iowa.gov
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