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.