Week in Review

Culver Opens Session with Reorganization Plan
Governor Chet Culver told legislators during his State of the State Speech on Tuesday that he would work with them to do a complete reorganization of state government. In fact, House Study Bill 565 is already under consideration with over 250 pages of changes to Iowa’s structure of government. Lobbyists and legislators are scrambling to weigh the impact on clients and taxpayers. The governor did not release details of his budget and was not specific about how he intends to pay for new spending, other than a suggested transfer of Road Use Tax Funds to pay for the operations of the Iowa State Patrol.

Short Session Prompts Rare Friday Debate
The Iowa House of Representatives debated several education funding bill during a Friday morning session today. Leaders are attempting to cut this session to 80 days rather than the normal 100 to save money. This action is prompting a very short window for bill introductions and committee work.

CSG Interests

3M: Work has begun to amend House File 823, the “Green Cleaning” legislation introduced by Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (D-Des Moines). Representative Nathan Reichert (D-Muscatine) is interested in working with 3M and has asked that he be selected as Chair of the subcommittee to consider the bill. We anticipate that we will have a subcommittee meeting as early as next week.

IAHBPA: CSG has approached Rep. Brian Quirk (D-New Hampton) to approve the drafting process on account deposit wagering, eliminating the sunset date on horse purses, and direct funding of IAHBPA from new revenues generated by ADW. We are also watching the activities of the Standardbred lobby as it appears that they will seek to fund their county fair operations from the current purse pool.

Motor Trucks: Governor Culver’s proposal to scoop over $50 million from the Road Use Tax Fund to pay for the operation of the Iowa State Patrol received a very cool reception at the statehouse this week. Although Democrats cheered wildly for many of the Governor’s initiatives, the chamber was silent when he pleaded the planned transfer. We are on guard for any labor initiatives relating to our ability to choose medical care for workers compensation injuries or any renewed efforts to reclassify our contractors employees.