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.
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