Monday, February 28

This week's Lunch 'n Learn was with House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy.  The story of how he became a politician is long; he is also a lawyer, and he met us late because a court hearing was delayed.  He told us that the job of his caucus (party), as the minority, is to point out the problems associated with the Republicans' ideas.  Something he always tells his caucus is "vote your conscious; vote your district".  He realizes that members of his caucus should not always agree with each other just because they are in the same party.

For example, a decision to sell a historically significant painting owned by the state, and located near Iowa City, for millions of dollars will never gain support from a rep from that area.  On the other hand, a rep whose entire rural district is three hundred miles away may want the money to go towards farm subsidies.  Both reps have their best intentions; they're just trying to reflect the views of their district.

After a 15-minute session this morning, we gaveled out for the entire day.  Go committees, go.

Thursday, February 24

With the funnel coming up next Friday, committees are still hard at it to get their bills to the floor.  This results in almost no action on the floor; the gavel-in time in the afternoon has gone from 4:00/4:30 to 5:00; next week it will be 5:30 and 6:30.  We are even working on Friday next week!  Harold said that lobbyists also want their bills to go through committees, so they will be busier next week as well. 

For most of the day, though, I filled out scholarship applications.  I think I would have rather been in school.

Wednesday, February 23

Today was a mirror image of yesterday. For more information, please see Tuesday, February 22.  A couple things did happen, though.  I addressed the assembly once more - that's right, I started the pledge. Again. I was saying it all by myself until everyone else came in...

I had packed a light lunch bearing in mind that free food was going to be available. Was it ever! Pancheros served a free meal, resulting in a one hundred-foot long line.  I even went downstairs and got free pizza! To top it all off, after lunch a group of us went all the way up the dome, and not just to the walk-around underneath the false dome where everyone else goes.  We went so far up that we eventually came outside, on top of the dome!  I'll try and attach some pictures I took.  It's 250 feet to the top.

The space between the flag and "sky"

The false dome

It's a standard size bulb - pretty big and fancy moldings!

Helloooo down there!

Tuesday, February 22

At 8:30 we gaveled in and out again until 5:00.  The entire day was full of committee meetings, subcommittee meetings, and appropriations subcommittee meetings.  As for action on the floor, well, zip. Perhaps I've mentioned it before, but there's a funnel date coming up.  This means that most bills need to be out of committees so the committees are pumping iron right now.

A time will (hopefully) come when these bills come to the floor for debate.  It seems to me that any split-party vote in the House will be at least amended in the Senate, which then comes back to the House for approval of the amendment.  Naturally, this process takes time, and we'll soon be halfway through the session.  I know that lots of work is being done in committees, but it's just no fun for me.  Okay.  I'm done pouting now.      

Monday, February 21

This morning's Lunch 'n Learn was with Iowa Supreme Court's Chief Justice Mark Cady.  He seems like a sharp man which is no surprise.  He spent most of the time explaining the role of the judicial system.  In short, while lawyers are busy protecting the interests of their side of the case, judges must be busy protecting the interests of the Constitutions.

Later the amended version of the Taxpayers First Act from the Senate was debated.  Rep. Wagner simply read through the changes, the ranking member (lead Democrat for a committee) gave his support, and it was unanimously passed. Within half an hour, the session adjourned for the day.

Thursday, February 17

There wasn't a whole lot of action today.  HF 267 was unanimously passed simply with opening & closing arguments.  The Senate, however, debated amendments and amendments to amendments concerning HF 45 (the Taxpayers First Act).  I think there are nearly 30 amendments to debate.  It will be interesting to see how different the TFA will be coming out of the Senate than how it came out of the House.

There are small speakers around the capitol that can broadcast live from either chamber, and one of them is next to the switchboard, and while listening to the debate I found the respective parties arguing the same points on the same topics that the House did. For this reason, it seems to me that it would have saved time to stick both the Reps and Senators in the same room for 24 straight hours for debate, take a 20-minute break, then 24 more hours of debate.  If they are all still too stubborn to find some semblance of similar ground, then take coffee away from them until they do.

Or we could take coffee away at the beginning and have a solution in two hours.

Wednesday, February 16

Today one of the switchboard operators was sick so I sat in and answered the phone all day.  "Iowa House of Representatives, how may I direct your call?"

At 4:00, though, I moved to the speaker's well for debate.  First up was House File 194, which presented a 20% across-the-board cut on individual income tax rates.  The Democrats argued that the money "taken away" from the government could have been used to fund programs (preschool came up a lot).  The Republicans argued that it wasn't the government's money in the beginning.

There was an amendment on the bill, and then, an amendment to the amendment.  At one point, a vote to suspend the rules took place because the first amendment was not germane (relevant to the subject of the bill).  Then a vote for the amendment to the amendment.  Then a vote for the amendment.  I'll summarize: each vote was in favor of the Republicans.  After 2 1/4 hours of debate, the bill was passed 62-33.

Next came House file 260, its short title being School District Home Rule.  The best way to explain it is to copy the first paragraph:

The board of directors of a school district shall operate, control, and supervise all public schools located within its district boundaries and may exercise any broad and implied power related to the operation, control, and supervision of those public schools except as expressly prohibited or prescribed by the Constitution of the State of Iowa or by statute.

Of course, the Republicans passed it 65-30.  

Tuesday, February 15

I'd like to share a few observations which have come from attending committee meetings and the like:
1) Agriculture - This committee is a homely bunch because they are so deeply rooted in Iowa.
2) Economic Growth - These are always very stimulating meetings.
3) Environmental Protection - For some reason, topics in these meetings are always complicated.  Almost the whole time is spent clearing the air of confusion.
4) Transportation - To me, it is obvious that the Iowa DOT is in a rut.
5) Veterans' Affairs - People are always trying to sit in on these meetings.  To ensure that no unauthorized persons enter, I am always on Guard.
6) Judiciary - I have never sat in on a judiciary committee because another page has requested all of its meetings.  It's just not fair.
7) Labor - I dread attending these meetings - I always end up doing hard work.
8) Commerce - It's business as usual.
9) Ways & Means - As far as I can tell, this is the committee that finds ways of being mean by taxing Iowans.
10) Education - I haven't really learned anything from this committee.
11) Public Safety - I've only been scheduled to this committee once. Unfortunately, on my way to it, I slipped on a dangerously wet floor.

Monday, February 14

For another slow day, it is surprisingly easy to write this.

This week's Lunch 'n Learn was with Iowa's Secretary of State, Matt Schultz.  He described his campaign strategy which made him the first person to beat an incumbent in a statewide office in Iowa for something like 50 years.  He lives in Council Bluffs with his wife and two children (the third is due on Friday).  He commutes on Monday mornings, returns Tuesday night, commutes Wednesday morning, and returns Thursday night and works Friday from his (still-operating) law office.  And I think my 15-minute commute is bad.

The first highlight was that the prayer was offered by Pastor Bob Dishman of Park Church of Christ in Goldfield.  Apparently there is a special parking place for clergy.  After the pledge an announcement was interrupted by the warning system.  We all walked down the stairs in an orderly fashion - and that's when I saw it - some delivery man was sprinting up the stairs against the flow with a bouquet of flowers, probably hoping to receive a huge tip.  At least it was nice outside.

For the rest of the day, I ran a whopping 10 errands.

Thursday, February 10

Ooh la la. What a slow day again.  Five minutes of session in the morning, five in the afternoon, and the rest was committee meetings and caucuses.  There weren't even a lot of lobbyists to spice up the time.  I went to a Natural Resources committee and handed out five different things to the reps - when that is the task of the day, I know I'm in trouble. They passed a bill about hunting, but I don't recall the specifics, and it honestly didn't make a lot of sense despite my unparalleled hunting experience...

On the positive side, I finished my third book today.

Wednesday, February 9

I can tell we're getting a little more into the session.  Today we gaveled in at 8:30 and recessed until 4:00, so the entire day was a mass of committee meetings, committee meetings, and oh yeah, subcommittee meetings.  The lobbyists were busy today lobbying for the BCVJ, WEO, JYCU, and most any other acronym I can randomly type.  At one point, about 160 students toured the chamber and finally took a picture around the well.  Boy did that make it hot in the chamber.

Over lunch I was bored so I went to the legislature's web site and skimmed over a few bills.  There were several that, while still in committees, were interesting to read.  I'll even provide a direct link to the list of education committee bills that are out there: http://www.legis.iowa.gov/Legislation/Find/billByCommittee.aspx?GA=84

In the afternoon I worked at the switchboard.  It's amazing how many people will call in and not have the slightest idea whom their legislator is.  Fortunately, we have a list of most of the municipalities in Iowa with their respective reps.  One lady believed her rep was "Grassley".  To be sure, I asked if she meant Pat Grassley (a state rep) or Chuck Grassley ("oh yes, he's the one").  I offered to give her C. Grassley's number but she decided she would rather tell me everything politically with which she has ever disagreed.  I doodled a little on a sticky note.

Tuesday, February 8

I pledge allegiance... I pledge allegiance... it didn't help when the rep standing beside me in the well told me not to say oh say can you see...  fortunately it didn't mess me up.  I can now say I have addressed the Iowa House of Representatives.

A part of the job which has become more annoying is that the temperature in the chamber is about ten degrees warmer than everyplace else.  It wouldn't be so bad except after 25 minutes of nonstop, three-messages-at-a-time errand running, the blazer and slacks and everything in between get plenty... cozy.  I eventually ran ice cold water on my wrists in the restroom.  Boy did that feel good, although a couple of reps gave me a funny look (I'm used to it by now).

The rotunda was full (as in not walkable) of people wanting to see reps.  It was these reps, however, who seemed to disappear into the marble.  Busy busy busy.

In the afternoon, HF 185 was debated.  This set the "state percent for allowable growth" for education at 0%.  It's simply the raise that the state gives in funding compared to the previous year (or, in this case, it's going to be the same as before).  The Republicans said it was the best way to go because last year the Democrats made the across-the-board cuts (a.k.a. they didn't follow through on their promise of funding) and the Republicans also argued that the state needed to cut spending as much as possible.  The Democrats, who proposed an amendment (that failed) which raised funding 2% instead of 0%, argued that an increase (which accounts for inflation etc.) is necessary simply to keep schools alive.  Of course, the Republicans passed the bill.

Monday, February 7

Unlike previous Mondays, today was fairly lively.  I arrived at 10:00 and the pages had a Lunch 'n Learn with Speaker Paulsen.  As the speaker, he has the full authority to hire and fire all the staff members relating to the House such as secretaries, Indexing and Journalizing staff, pages, and the Republican & Democrat support staff. He may also keep a bill from being read in/debated/passed.

Anyway, the House convened at 1:00, had the prayer/Pledge, and then the Democrats caucused.  The chamber was strangely busy this afternoon.  I sat in on an education meeting again and they caucused for a very long time. While committees are having a caucus, the Democrats go to another room from the Republicans and that's when us pages sit outside and wait until everyone's done.  Today, I got a good start on a third book.

Tomorrow, I get to go in the well and start the Pledge of Allegiance, all by myself.  I pledge allegiance... I pledge allegiance... I pledge allegiance...

Thursday, February 3

Things were a little back to normal today.  By the way, the session begins each day with a (Christian) prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.

The most memorable task of the week was hauling a (not so) mini-fridge and microwave from a vehicle in the lot to an office a floor above ground level.  Fortunately, the rep had the sense to pack along a dolly cart which, through the snow, was about as navigable as the Titanic in a kiddie pool.  Anyway, I got quite a few strange looks as I pulled the stacked appliances along the tile floor.

Today I was in the Environmental Protection committee meeting and its new director spoke about giving the DNR a better image with the people it deals by responding sooner to issues and by being "Iowa reasonable" at the same time.  He and the reps would like to see more efficiency and streamlining between Iowa's DNR and the federal EPA.  Sounds good to me.

Thought of the day...
...There's one thing the Democrats and Republicans share in common: our money.

Wednesday, February 2

The snowstorm of the week kept many legislators home (wherever home is during session) so this morning was s-l-o-w. 

However in the afternoon I attended the Education committee meeting.  They voted 20-2 to allow schools to set something like "prescribed daily attire" which is the very politically correct way to say "school uniforms".  It would have been considerate to consider the advice of the best expert on (this generation's) school in the room - me.  One representative did come up to me afterwards and asked me what I thought - I thought it was maybe a little too late.

The House worked late tonight and debated two bills: 1) called for the words "right to work" on all materials distributed by the Dept. of Economic Development.  It passed 65-32. 2) A "statement" or "piece of legislation", depending on which party you ask, which cancels the penalty put forth on those who don't purchase health care under Obama's plan.  It was passed 59-39.

Tuesday, February 1

Now here was another interesting day! Because of the weather, the 4:00 session was bumped up to 11:00 for debate on the Constitutional amendment which would ban gay marriage.  Who says there is no use for blizzards?

Once again, about half of the Democrats spoke on the issue.  Their argument was that the Constitution grants equal rights to everyone.  The Republicans argued that the people of Iowa have the right to vote on such an issue.  Note that the resolution does not directly ban gay marriage - if it passes the Senate, it must wait a year and be passed again in both chambers.  If that happens, it is put on the next ballot for all Iowans to vote on whether to amend the Constitution.

The final vote was 62-37 in favor of adopting the resolution.  Representatives Quirk and Swaim were the two Democrats who *gasp* crossed over.  De Boef was absent; I think she has a new grandson.

For the last two hours of the day I ran the switchboard all by myself.  Boy, did I feel important.

Monday, January 31

Today's session was short and sweet - it lasted a whole entire 6 minutes. 

Before that, though, we had another Lunch 'n Learn with Majority Leader Upmeyer.  She explained her job and answered questions.  I asked what her top priorities were, and she said that stabilizing the economy and the budget were on top, because a more predictable government encourages entrepreneurship and small business growth, which increases jobs and helps the economy and so on...   Apparently some 600 bills have filed with the Legislative Services Agency, and about 150 of them have become House Files which I retrieve from the wonderful bill room ladies and hand out to lobbyists.  Upmeyer also is in charge of the blue calendar - this is the list of bills she wishes to pursue with debate.  She is the one that decides if and when a House file is debated. She also says she meets with Minority Leader McCarthy often to discuss schedules and so forth. 

I staffed an Agriculture meeting during which local food production was discussed.  The ISU Extension has formulated a plan, part of which gives incentives to schools and healthcare institutions for purchasing locally grown foods.

Tomorrow will be very interesting.