I was convinced that the legislative session would go beyond the 100 days. However, it appears that April 20 is a feasible adjournment date, as most of the policy bills have either been passed or relegated to another year. Actually, most should stay is the trash bin. Just because we’re “lawmakers” doesn’t mean we have to continue to expand the code books of the state.
The big issues from this Monday on will be the appropriation bills for state agencies. The governor has made his recommendations for a state budge, but it is the role of the legislature to develop the budgets that are sent to him. Iowa provides the governor with line item veto authority in appropriations bills, so he frequently removes language and spending he disagrees with.
As Senate Chair of the Agriculture and Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee, I await the bill that will come to us from the House of Representatives. Actually, I received a copy of what they will pass this week, and it is an absolute embarrassment. The House Republicans decimated Resource Enhancement and Protection program, our nationally award winning natural resource protection program that involves everything from soil and water protection to funding the maintenance of state parks. The House figure is $9 million below the Senate, and they even have the gall to take funds from their figure and pork barrel them to pet projects, such a Hungry Canyons which is next to the House Chair’s farm! Several programs of importance to agriculture and natural resources were grossly underfunded. The House bill appears to me to be a feeble attempt to “pass something,” ship it to the Senate, where both the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Natural Resources know we will approve a responsible budget to meet their statutory responsibilities.
Of interest to readers is information I confirmed this past week from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, both the Forestry Bureau and departmental administrators. At issue is the Emerald Ash Borer, and those who are advertising their services in “saving your ash trees.” According to professionals at DNR, chemical innoculants are not a proven means of doing anything other than possibly prolonging the life of the tree by a year or two. If you’re so inclined to hire someone who claims to be able to protect you trees, make sure they are reputable, and insist on a written and signed “money-back guarantee.” DNR’s suggestion: Far better to save your money, and use it to hire some one to cut up the dead tree, haul away the slash, and grind out the stump.
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Any questions or comments? Call me at (515) 281-3371, or email dennis.black@legis.iowa.gov.