Capitol Highlights

Greetings from Capitol Hill:
Rep. Tedd Gassman joined legislators from across the state for the first day of Iowa House Session, Jan. 14.
Gassman is “excited” to be back and working with the 88th General Assembly where he will be working with the Education, Economic Growth, Environmental Protection, Local Government and Education Budget Subcommittee this session.
Gassman said, “ It has been my honor to represent the people of District 7 and I look forward to continuing to serve for the next two years .”
It was encouraging to hear Governor Kim Reynolds speak on the strengths of the state and her intents moving forward. For the “Future Ready Iowa” initiative, Governor Reynolds requested the Iowa Legislature to appropriate [a $20 million dollar budget to fund the program introduced last session, as well as a $93 million dollar increase in supplemental state aid for preschool through high school education. $11.2 million in disproportionate transportation costs, and $1 million in additional STEM funding. Total will be about $3.4 billion for school aid—fiscal year 2020-an increased investment in education.] Legislature is using the Governors numbers, but may change those amounts.
Governor Reynolds requests an additional [$3 million dollars in an education budget] to train teachers and early childhood educators to recognize early signs of mental illness. For the “Empower Rural Iowa” initiative, Governor Reynolds recommends [a $20 million dollar budget split over two years for broadband infrastructure. An increase in competitive workforce housing credits by $10 million dollars.]
The Iowa House also heard from Iowa Chief Justice Mark Cady during his judicial system address. Chief Justice Cady requested a $7.3 million dollar increase over the next fiscal year for the Iowa Judicial Branch. This includes [$2.5 million in technology initiatives, $1.9 million—four percent raise for judges, $1.6 million to hire 37 court employees, $897,000 for juvenile court improvements, $359,000 for justice systems accessibility aiding ASL and those representing themselves, and lastly $86,000 for problem solving courts.] Most of Chief Justice Cady’s requested budgets apply to modernizing Iowa’s courts by enabling greater accessibility online.
Representative Gassman said, “As it is the intent of Governor Reynolds administration and Chief Justice Cady to improve education, mental health, workforce initiatives and programs and organize budgets, we will be busy serving the people from the great state of Iowa.”
Some of Representative Gassman’s goals for the 2019 Legislative Session include:
• Introducing legislation to change the school start date
• Finishing the supplemental state aid amount by the middle of February
• Performing an in-depth look at the funding for community colleges
• Making changes to Iowa divorce laws
• Further investigating ESA’s
And we’re not stopping there.
Representative Gassman encourages constituents to contact him with questions, comments and concerns throughout session via cell at 515.538.0117 or by email at tedd.gassman@legis.iowa.gov .