Thursday, April 7

The morning began with the 84th General Assembly Memorial Choir singing Wilhousky's "Battle Hymn of the Republic".  They then led the Pledge of Allegiance. HF 537 and SF 361 were debated and passed.  SF 361 authorizes the Iowa State Fair Board to establish an endowment fund to receive gifts in trust dedicated to the maintenance and improvement of the Iowa State Fairgrounds.

SF 509 was debated and passed.  It makes appropriations involving state government entities involved with agriculture, natural resources, and environmental protection.  HF 649 was also debated and passed. It makes appropriations for health and human services.  On these bills, and many more to come, the Democrats propose amendments to (usually) increase spending slightly to provide a service, and the Republicans argue that the state can't afford it.  Round and round it goes.  One Republican voted nay on both these bills.