Hello, I am back. Well, my first week as a member of Capitol Strategies Group, Inc. is pretty much over. Overall it has been a positive experience and I am looking forward to the challenges that will be presented to me by a legislative session that will only grow more hectic with time.

I can tell you that it is going to take a couple more weeks before my body becomes acclimated to waking up at 6:15 in the morning every day. I have only been working for CSG for almost a month, and it seems like ages ago when I didn't want to wake up at 11:30 for class at the University of Iowa. In those days I could stay up much later; I now find myself yawning and getting tired by 10:30. Along the same lines, I never thought I would become a coffee drinker, and I wouldn't quite call myself one just yet, but I have caught myself sipping on a cup of joe a few times.

I also got my first taste of creating the weekly reports that CSG sends out to its clients every Friday. The new Microsoft Word has been a little frustrating, but it is nothing that I cannot get the hang of. The general template that we follow was created by Nicole Woodroffe is great and we plan on using it again.

2011 Iowa Legislation Session Under Way

Greetings! My name is Daniel Weiser and I will be editing the Capitol Strategies Group, Inc. blog from now on. Originally, the plan was for me to work as an intern with Nicole Woodroffe and Scott Weiser as a part of CSG, but when Nicole accepted a position working upstairs for Senator Paul McKinley, there was an opening in CSG.

After graduating from the University of Iowa on Saturday, December 18th, with a Bachelor's degree in Political Science, I began working for CSG on the 20th.

The session started a couple of days ago and I am still getting my feet under me. There has been a lot of information to take in and a lot of hand-shaking to do. I know it is still very early, but from what I have seen and experienced so far, I think I will like the art of lobbying in Iowa and will prove to a successful addition to Capitol Strategies Group, Inc.

I plan to post here in two manners. I will continue to post news articles or happenings around the Capitol that are important to CSG and people we work closely with. I also will post from the first person narrative and describe some of my experiences as they come to me.

Nicole Woodroffe to Join Senate Republican Leader McKinley's Staff

Nicole Woodroffe has accepted a position as one of Senate Republican Leader Paul McKinley’s (R-Chariton) top assistants and will be leaving Capitol Strategies Group at the end of the year.

“Nicole Woodroffe has been a tremendous asset to Capitol Strategies Group and our clients,” said R. Scott Weiser, CSG President. “Nicole’s work ethic, organizational skills, and positive outlook on life will serve Senator McKinley well.

Woodroffe is a 2010 graduate of Drake Law School and is a JAG Officer with the United States Army Reserves.

Adjournment Sine Die

The 2010 legislative session adjourned Tuesday afternoon sine die at 12:22 in the House and 12:48 in the Senate.

“Sine die” is a Latin phrase meaning, “without day” or, “without assigning a day for a further meeting.”

The final bill to get passed in both chambers was the Standings bill, HF2531.

Despite direct calls from the governor’s office to wavering senators, the trial-lawyer led effort to expand awards in wrongful death cases, HF758, did not pass the Iowa Senate, and it is now dead.

The session ended successfully during daylight hours on the 79th day this year. A year shortened to 80 days down from the usual 100 days to save the state money in the midst of hard economic times.

CSG is continuing to monitor bills that have passed both houses as they make their way down to the governor’s office.

"Shall Issue" Passes House

Both chambers of the Iowa State House adjourned late last Saturday night. They returned Monday in attempt to end the 2010 legislative session before per diem pay runs out on March 31.

The House passed the NRA bill, SF2379, after beginning debate on it mid-Monday afternoon. Perhaps most significantly, the bill changes Iowa code language to provide that sheriffs shall issue permits to carry rather than may issue them. “May issue” leaves it up to the sheriff’s personal discretion whether to issue a permit or not. The effect of this was to have 99 different issuing policies for every sheriff in the state.

Permits to carry will be issued to a person who is not subject to the disqualifying criteria laid out in the bill, and are good for five years. Applicants for permits will still have to demonstrate firearm safety by completing certain firearm safety courses or training programs, participation in shooting competitions, or by completion of a small arms course while serving in the armed forces of the United States. The bill will also make it a crime of a serious misdemeanor to carry a firearm while under the influence.

The NRA bill picked up an amendment in the House, requiring it to go back to the Senate for final approval.

Colorful Attire Signals Sine Die

Both chambers adjourned last night just in time to watch the UNI game, but reconvened Saturday in effort to bring the legislative session to a close.

Last night, the Senate passed out the Standings bill and messaged it over to the House. That and the Rebuild Iowa Infrastructure Fund bills are the two major pieces of legislation that are left to debate. Also in the fray is a NRA sponsored bill that some feel is a must-pass in an election year where legislators depend on their NRA ratings to gain support.

The House was scheduled to reconvene Saturday at 9:00am, but by 11:30 had just said the Serenity Prayer and gaveled in. The concern in the lobby is that both caucuses on the House side have spent the morning writing amendments to the Standings bill. If the House doesn’t accept the Senate version as is, any new amendments the House adopts will send the bill back to the Senate for approval.

The Senate has spent a majority of the morning debating the NRA bill.

Senator Rielly was seen wearing a pink blazer this morning, and just a few other lobbyists and legislators were similarly seen wearing bright pink and orange shirts and seersucker. Such attire is meant to signal the last day of session; however it may be premature. Missing is the distinguished green-paisley jacket worn by Senator Gronstal’s Chief of Staff Eric Bakker which signals the assuredness of sine die.

Wrongful Death Bill Stalls in Senate

Wednesday night the Senate called up HF758, a bill which would increase damages recoverable for wrongful death. Specifically, the bill allows recovery of damages for the decedent’s loss of enjoyment of life. This is in addition to damages for loss of consortium and lost economic productive value of the decedent.

Somewhat cleverly, Senator Merlin Bartz (R-Worth) filed a strike-all “abortion amendment” which would allow recovery for expense and actual loss of services, companionship, and society resulting from the injury or death of an unborn child. The amendment would allow a personal representative of the estate of the unborn child to file a wrongful death action on behalf of the unborn child.

In connection with this amendment, Bartz has also filed a “gay marriage amendment.” This amendment specifies that for the purposes of that section of the code, “spouse” means a person of the opposite sex who was married to the decedent at the time of death.

Between frequent breaks for the parties to caucus, the abortion amendment was withdrawn. At 6:09pm the Senate again stood at ease for Republicans to caucus.