ed. note: this is an editted version of Senator Courtney’s newsletter. For the full newsletter, please go here
BUDGET PRIORITIES WILL EXPAND IOWA’S MIDDLE CLASS
This week, the Iowa Senate released a budget proposal that will expand Iowa’s middle class while maintaining fiscal responsibility. Our overall budget is equal to that proposed by Governor Branstad, saves taxpayer dollars and breaks this session’s on-going logjam on school funding.
Our plan calls for a compromise 2.625 percent increase in state support for Iowa’s local schools. It also calls for a tuition freeze at our state universities for the third consecutive year and for fully funding property tax credits and a commercial property tax cut that is especially helpful to our small businesses.
Under Iowa law, the Legislature never spends more than 99 percent of what it takes in. In fact, this year’s Senate proposal is $149.1 million below that 99 percent mark. We use a cautious approach to determining how much to spend by looking at the recent revenue estimates of a nonpartisan panel of experts, then budget according to the more conservative estimate.
Each year, at least 1 percent of the state budget goes into savings accounts, which include a cash reserve fund and an economic emergency fund. This is the money that gets us by in hard times, such as an economic recession or a natural disaster.
With the budget proposal that Senate Democrats released for Fiscal Year 2016 (July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016), we expect to have a surplus of about $225 million when the fiscal year ends. In addition, our reserve funds will be full with $717 million, the largest amount in state history.
Our budget proposal is sustainable, spends less than the state takes in, and invests in expanding Iowa’s middle class by helping workers gain new skills, improving our schools and growing local businesses.
Read more at www.senate.iowa.gov/democrats/?p=20252.
SCHOOL FUNDING FITS INTO STATE BUDGET PLANS
Senate Democrats continue to get public support for our compromise proposal to increase basic school funding next school year by 2.625 percent. That’s exactly halfway between the original Senate and House proposals.
Unfortunately, legislative Republicans refuse to budge, despite widespread reports that their proposal for a meager 1.25 percent increase in school funding would result in more crowded classrooms, fewer course offerings and extracurricular activities, and higher property taxes.
The refusal of House Republicans to consider a compromise puts school districts in the impossible position of setting budget priorities before their April 15 deadline without knowing how much money they have to work with. In some school districts, layoff notices already are being sent to teachers and other school employees. One school in central Iowa plans to send out layoff notices to 100 percent of its employees because it doesn’t know what its budget will be for the 2015-16 school year.
Senate Democrats released our overall state budget plan this week. Our plan proves that it is possible to invest in students and schools while maintaining fiscal responsibility. Our budget plan is identical in total general fund spending to Governor Branstad’s budget, and includes our compromise offer to increase school funding by 2.625 percent.
We are constantly raising expectations for students and educators. We must provide them the opportunities to meet those expectations through strong local schools focused on 21stCentury learning. Please continue to make your voice heard on school funding that will prepare our students for the jobs, training and higher education to grow Iowa’s future.
SAFE, SECURE MEDICAL CANNABIS FOR SUFFERING IOWANS
Iowa took a first step last year to help those with epilepsy legally use cannabis oil, which has been shown to dramatically reduce seizures and other complications.
A legislative committee studied our new law last fall and came to the conclusion that it is ineffective because families cannot get the medicine locally, requiring them to break laws or face financial, travel and other hardships to access it elsewhere.
This week, the Senate voted to address those deficiencies by passing SF 484. The legislation establishes a comprehensive, safe and secure medical cannabis program for Iowans seeking relief from debilitating medical conditions. Eleven medical conditions are eligible for the program, including cancer, multiple sclerosis and epilepsy. A medical advisory board is established to recommend the future addition of other medical conditions and to provide oversight of the program.
To address one of the primary failures of last year’s law, four Iowa-based manufacturers will be licensed to produce medical cannabis and 12 dispensaries will be licensed across the state to provide local access. All facilities will be subject to inspection and strict security requirements. The Iowa Department of Public Health will determine the appropriate form and quantity of medical cannabis available to patients, but smoking of medical cannabis will be prohibited.
Establishing a more effective Iowa program is a responsible, compassionate alternative to help suffering Iowans, who currently must use legal but ineffective or dangerous medicines, break the law by obtaining medical cannabis illegally, or leave their homes, families and jobs to move to a different state. According to a recent Des Moines Register poll, Iowans strongly believe that their friends and neighbors with debilitating conditions deserve the same access to medicines already legally available to more than half of all Americans.
In response to the federal government’s failure to act, 23 states, including Minnesota and Illinois, have created regulated systems to provide their citizens with access to medical cannabis. Iowa can draw from the best of these state-level programs. It’s time that suffering Iowans also have access to medical cannabis in a safe and secure manner.
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