Each week the Sergeant-at-Arms desk is staffed by a page. Today the page supposed to be doing it was sick so I filled in for him. Next week, I'll be at the desk. All I have to do is wait for notes to come through the front door and ding the east or west bell depending on whether it's for an odd desk or an even desk. The rest of the time I sit there and wait for a tiny light on the desk to light up which alerts me of a call coming through to the desk. That doesn't happen very often.
This morning the House passed HF 290, HF 322, and HF 328. Just click on them and read the title to see what they're about.
An amendment proposed by a Democrat this morning was declared not germane (not relating to the subject of the bill). However, the Rules of the House (which state that amendments must be germane) can be suspended if 51 reps vote to do so. If an amendment proposed by the Republicans is declared not germane, the Republicans have enough votes to suspend the rules, and they always do. But, when the Democrats have a not-germane amendment and want to suspend the rules, the Republicans never let it pass. Does this seem at all partisan? It would be very frustrating.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Tuesday, March 1
This morning began a bit different. We debated. Rather, the reps did. Remember Thursday, January 27th's post? Part of it was this:
After debate, I sat in on a Veterans' Affairs meeting. They passed a bill which gives National Guardsmen & -women the ability to sign over their share of custody/visitation to someone of their choosing if they are deployed. The bill will now go to the floor of the house.
This morning this bill and several others were briefly debated and passed on the floor. It was interesting to follow this bill through to the floor.
I staffed the environmental protection meeting. They discussed updating the Code to reflect the current policies and practices such as the federal government taking charge of certain regulations. The rest of the day was slow until 5:30 when they gaveled in and debated SF209, which is a 21-page bill regarding the IRS code. Unfortunately, I have other plans, so I won't be able to listen to the debate on that one.
After debate, I sat in on a Veterans' Affairs meeting. They passed a bill which gives National Guardsmen & -women the ability to sign over their share of custody/visitation to someone of their choosing if they are deployed. The bill will now go to the floor of the house.
This morning this bill and several others were briefly debated and passed on the floor. It was interesting to follow this bill through to the floor.
I staffed the environmental protection meeting. They discussed updating the Code to reflect the current policies and practices such as the federal government taking charge of certain regulations. The rest of the day was slow until 5:30 when they gaveled in and debated SF209, which is a 21-page bill regarding the IRS code. Unfortunately, I have other plans, so I won't be able to listen to the debate on that one.
Monday, February 28, 2011
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.
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.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
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.
For most of the day, though, I filled out scholarship applications. I think I would have rather been in school.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
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.
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.
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| The space between the flag and "sky" |
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| The false dome |
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| It's a standard size bulb - pretty big and fancy moldings! |
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| Helloooo down there! |
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
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.
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.
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.
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