The second week of session was short on days due to the observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Monday, but long on activity. We packed as many subcommittee meetings as was reasonable in the given number of days. Subcommittee meetings are an important part of the process, as this is the the time that the public can speak on the bill. In the Senate, people can speak in person at the subcommittee meeting, or they can log in and speak online.
On Wednesday, the rotunda was filled with FFA students, 4-H students and veterans visiting the Capitol for Veterans Day on the Hill. FFA students came from all over the state to meet with legislators, talk about issues in agriculture, and learn about the legislative process while talking with their legislators.
Veterans also visited to meet with legislators and talk about ways we can support our state’s veterans and honor the sacrifices they have made. In the rotunda, we heard from the lieutenant governor, legislators who themselves are veterans, and military members on ways legislators and citizens can be supportive. It was an honor to talk and meet with these veterans and service members at the Capitol and discuss the issues dear to their hearts and what legislation they are advocating for this legislative session.
Last week, the Senate released a proposal on property tax relief. It implements limitations to rein in spending and growth of government, eliminates the rollback to help provide more certainty and transparency, and provides a permanent 50% taxable value discount on your homestead property. It also eliminates involuntary property taxes for Iowans 60 years old and older who have fully paid off their mortgage and own their home.
Property taxes is a big topic at the Capitol this year. The governor, Senate and House have all proposed their own plans. It is critical that all three work together in finding the best solution to and bring relief to Iowans and their families.
Eminent domain and carbon capture has been a topic that has caused much debate at the statehouse. Private property rights and protecting our state’s land is important, and with two bills filed in the Senate this week, SF 2067 and SF 2069, we start tackling this important issue and move Iowa farther down the path to eventually eliminate the Iowa income tax.
Senate File 2067 creates a voluntary easement corridor for a hazardous liquid pipeline project to find willing landowners and voluntary easements and all but eliminates the need for eminent domain for hazardous liquid pipeline projects. This bill does not eliminate the use of eminent domain for carbon dioxide pipeline projects, or any other economic development project that does not meet the definition of “public use.”
Senate File 2069 enacts a severance tax on the carbon dioxide flowing through the pipelines.
Economic development and a strong agricultural economy is important to our state, but our Constitutionally protected rights should not be forgotten, nor should they be compromised. This includes property rights.
On Thursday morning, as the Chair of the Senate Education Committee, I participated in a subcommittee meeting on Senate File 2044, “The Teacher’s Bill of Rights.” Students with violent behaviors have been a growing concern. During the subcommittee meeting, we heard testimony from teachers that have been the victims of these violent behaviors. It creates an unsafe environment for students, as well as staff. This bill is modeled after legislation that has been successfully implemented in other states and proven effective. This is a bill to help protect teachers, staff, and students. It also provides a framework and guidance for administrators.
A Legislative Forum will be held at King’s Pointe Resort in Storm Lake on Saturday, Feb. 7, from 10-11 a.m. Contact Lynn Evans by email: lynn.evans@legis.iowa.gov
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