SJR1(sustainable funding)

[ElkHunter]

SJR 1 will go to the full senate soon; we have a few Senators that could use some positive reinforcement. They need to hear from their constituents that this piece of legislation is very important.

Senator Pam Jochum is a no vote. Her district is Dubuque. Calls from the city of Dubuque need to go to her.
Pam.Jochum@legis.state.ia.us


Senator Randy Feenstra could use some additional background information to get up to speed. He needs calls to explain the importance of this issue. He represents Lyon County, Sioux County, and Plymouth County, which include the cities of LeMars, Orange City, Sioux Center, Rock Valley, and Rock Rapids.
randy.feenstra@legis.state.ia.us


Senator Wally Horn was reported to need some reinforcement. He represents Linn County. Calls need to come from Cedar Rapids.
wally.horn@legis.state.ia.us

Senator James Seymour was also reported to need some reinforcement. He represents Ida County, Monona County, Crawford County, Harrison County, and Pottawattamie County, which include the cities of Missouri Valley, Denison, Onawa, Maple, and Ida Grove.
james.seymour@legis.state.ia.us


P.S. Always remember to be polite and thank the senators for their time. Make sure they realize you are from their district.

 

[blake]

Proposed constitutional change on resource protection funding advances

Voters would be asked to change the state constitution to dedicate a portion of future sales tax increases to outdoor recreation and conservation under a resolution now eligible for debate in an Iowa House committee.

If voters approve, three-eighths of the first penny of any future state sales tax increase would go to soil and water conservation projects and natural areas such as parks, trails, and fish and wildlife habitat.

The funds, which could reach a maximum of about $150 million a year, would be constitutionally protected. Once the tax was in place,
lawmakers could not use the money for other purposes without first going through a lengthy amendment process.

Amendments to the Iowa Constitution need to be approved by simple
majorities in both the House and Senate in two consecutive general assemblies and then be approved by a simple majority of voters in the next general election.

Lawmakers approved the resolution last year, making this year the final legislative step before voters would decide the issue in 2010.

Groups such as the Iowa Environmental Council and the Iowa Chapter of the Sierra Club have voiced support for the plan, saying it's critical to water quality and other natural resource protection issues.

But at least one group is concerned that a sales tax increase would have a disproportionate impact on poor Iowans.

"As a network of agencies that serve low-income families, we have great concern about a sales tax increase and how that impacts their ability to meet the needs of their children," said Lana Ross, executive director of the Iowa Community Action Association.

The amendment would not increase the tax but would specify how at leasta portion of any future sales taxes would be spent. House JointResolution 1 was approved Monday by a House Natural Resources subcommittee, with bipartisan support. The full committee must now approve it before it is eligible for debate by the full House.

"There are a lot of groups out there that are totally behind this," said Rep. Paul Bell, D-Newton, who led discussion of the resolution. "I've not had any negative feedback from the general public after they understand what this goes to and how it would be spent."

PM
Ron Wyllie
Southwest Iowa IBA Area Representative
rwyllie@iowawhitetail.com

 

[Fishbonker]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: blake</div><div class="ubbcode-body">But at least one group is concerned that a sales tax increase would have a disproportionate impact on poor Iowans.

"As a network of agencies that serve low-income families, we have great concern about a sales tax increase and how that impacts their ability to meet the needs of their children," said Lana Ross, executive director of the Iowa Community Action Association.</div></div>

Ten bucks says if the 3/8ths on one cent was gonna go for free cheese or some other hand out she'd be all for it. I wonder how many of the families she represents I have fed through the HUSH program?

The 'Bonker's feelin a little grumpy tonight.

 

[blake]

Prospects good for outdoors funding measure
From the Des Moines Register

Iowans likely will vote in November 2010 on a new sales tax that would pump $150 million a year into improving the state's outdoor recreation areas, habitats and waterways.

Twin pieces of legislation in the House and Senate would amend the state constitution to set up a protected account that would be fueled by a three-eighths of 1 percent sales tax. Lawmakers would have to vote again after the 2010 public vote to raise the sales tax.


The Legislature appears poised to call the referendum next year, key lawmakers said.

Backers hope the state's economy will rebound before the politically sensitive 2010 vote approaches. A broad coalition of environmental and outdoor groups already is working for passage.

"I support it 100 percent," said Mike Schmitz, a 42-year-old hunter from Greeley. "I deem it as the biggest thing for outdoor enthusiasts that has happened in our lifetime."

A number of agriculture and business groups have registered as
"undecided" on this year's legislation, which marks the required second consideration of the constitutional amendment that easily passed last session. And the Iowa Conference of the United Methodist Church opposes the tax because it would take a greater portion of poor families' incomes than those with higher incomes, said lobbyist Naomi Sea Young Wittstruck.

But the measure has wide support from many diverse groups, including The Nature Conservancy, the Iowa Environmental Council, the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation and the Iowa Soybean Association.

Most lawmakers are lining up in support, too.

"It's looking really good in the Legislature," said State Rep. Paul Bell, a Newton Democrat who chairs the House Natural Resources Committee.

Rep. Dave Deyoe of Nevada, the ranking Republican on the panel, also expected the amendment would win final approval.

Money from the tax would pay for a wide range of improvements to state parks; water and soil conservation; trails; wildlife habitat; and prairie, forest and lake restoration. The fund would give a $20 million boost to the popular Resource Enhancement and Protection program. REAP pays for trails, land and cultural attractions.

Another goal: To have an outdoor recreation area within a half-hour drive of every Iowa home.

The legislation passed subcommittees unanimously in both chambers this session, even as economic uncertainly shelved proposed increases in hunting and fishing fees to help pay for habitat and land management.

Floor debate is expected within a few weeks.

"It's looking really good," said Richard Leopold, director of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

A telephone poll of registered Iowa voters by Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin & Associates found 52 percent said they supported the ballot language. Respondents supported by a 6-1 margin putting the measure on a ballot. The December poll was backed by a private coalition of groups campaigning for the measure.

American voters last year approved 90 of 127 conservation measures on ballots last year, raising $8.4 billion, according to Trust for Public Land, a San Francisco-based group.

Leopold lobbied for more steady financing for natural resources when he ran the Iowa Environmental Council before becoming DNR director in January 2007.

The resources department has struggled for years to coax enough money out of the Legislature to run its programs, and has had some accounts raided to balance the budget. The new account would legally protect the money for only natural resources work and would ensure steady financing.

Roger Wolf of the Iowa Soybean Association, which has been active in efforts to clean up the Raccoon River, supports the tax because it would pay for soil and water conservation work.

"We need soil and water conservation funding for Iowa farmers," Wolf said. "There are some big needs out there."

Leopold said allowing voters to make the call avoids some political baggage.

"The key message is 'power to the people,' " Leopold said. "Let the people decide. We see over and over that people value their natural resources, and trails and parks. Sometimes it's hard to get the Legislature to do the people's will."

PM
Ron Wyllie
Southwest Iowa IBA Area Representative
rwyllie@iowawhitetail.com

 

[LoessHillsArcher]

Sounds good but now just to wait a a while!