Week 12 in the Iowa legislature has come to a close, which focused on moving the many governor appointments closer to confirmation in the Senate, moved closer to a final budget for FY2025, and passed education legislation which included increased funding, significant teacher pay increases, and area education agency reform.
The changes in education in HF2612 have been the subject of much discussion the entire session to date, with the objective of ensuring consistent and efficient delivery of services, especially those of special needs students throughout the state. More local school control of how this funding is used along with making oversight of all aspects of education fall under the Department of Education is intended to enhance educational excellence across the state.
The funding and pay increases in education include a 2.5% SSA increase coupled with raising beginning teacher pay to $47,500 next year ($50,000 the following year) + experienced teacher pay minimum of $60,000 ($62,000 the following year) + increased funding for para-teacher pay. All in all this represents a substantial increase in public educational funding of over $172 million in FY2025 – and puts Iowa at 5th in the nation for teacher pay!
I have covered most of these bills in prior newsletters, but there remain several bills in unfinished business, that are eligible for a floor vote, that are worthy of another mention. These include:
HF2617 – Fetal development bill – this bill, which is a simple requirement for school curriculum for grades 7-12 to include instruction on human fetal development, to include viewing a 3 minute ultrasound and a 3 minute animated video depicting the humanity of an unborn child. While this is another requirement being imposed on our educational system, I fail to see why this information currently is not already included – this seems like biology 101.
HF2664 – Landowners in the path of the multiple CO2 sequestration (CCS) projects being pursued that crisscross the state face an encumbrance against their land without an appeal process during the drawn out proceedings that seek to use eminent domain to force their acceptance of a permanent easement across their property. Both the threatened use of eminent domain and the inopportunity of appeal or judgement while the application is slowly considered are not constitutional. This bill aims to expedite a judicial ruling on the constitutionality of the process and limit the time resistant landowners have to endure in the meantime.
SF2380 – Changes addressing the conduct of elections in Iowa, to include eliminating confusing and error-prone Rank Choice Voting, requiring absentee ballots be received the day prior to same day voting to reduce the load on auditors on the day of elections, use of a third-party vendor to verify the status of the statewide voter registration file, and strikes the recently added provision for “drop boxes”, a holdover from the turmoil of the covid pandemic.
This week the target budget numbers became available for fiscal year 2025, totaling $8.872 Billion (a 3.74% increase over last year). This spending target includes the significant spending increases in education mentioned earlier and strives to balance fiscal responsibility to the tax payer with the many needs across the state. The various committees will now work on the details with the goal of debating the remaining bills and completing a budget in a timely manner by the upcoming end of session.
Today is Good Friday as we remember what our Savior Jesus Christ did for us in dying for sins on the cross, demonstrating his power over death through the Resurrection, and offering redemption to those who will believe in Him. I truly believe the turmoil we see in our society today is directly related to a loss of relationship with our Creator. This Easter would be a perfect time to reconnect in a church in your neighborhood.
