Iowa
Iowa Legislative Update
04/09/10
SESSION WRAP-UP
The 83rd session of the Iowa General Assembly concluded on March 30th. The session was shortened by about a month to save money, which meant that most of the focus was on budget -related bills and less time was spent on policy matters. As it turned out, K-12 education received a very small increase in funding and human services received smaller cuts than expected because of the use of one-time monies (such as federal stimulus appropriations or state “rainy-day” funds). Education and human services are the two biggest parts of the state budget.
Read more
The 83rd session of the Iowa General Assembly concluded on March 30th. The session was shortened by about a month to save money, which meant that most of the focus was on budget -related bills and less time was spent on policy matters. As it turned out, K-12 education received a very small increase in funding and human services received smaller cuts than expected because of the use of one-time monies (such as federal stimulus appropriations or state “rainy-day” funds). Education and human services are the two biggest parts of the state budget.
Read more
Iowa Newsletter
03/05/10
To: Iowa Catholic Conference Legislative Network
Welcome to the new members of our legislative network. Thanks for joining!
The second "funnel" deadline was today (Friday). Except for finance or leadership bills, legislation that has not passed one chamber and through a committee in the other chamber is no longer eligible for consideration.
We were pleased that Senate File 2178 passed out of the House Education Committee 19-3 on Wednesday. We appreciate the work of Rep. Gene Ficken (D-Independence), vice chair of the committee, and Rep. Polly Bukta (D-Clinton), chair of the bill's subcommittee, for their help in shepherding the bill through the committee.
The bill would allow textbook funds appropriated for nonpublic school students to be used for laptop computers. In the committee meeting, more than one legislator mentioned how this bill would not take away any dollars from public schools.
I would like to thank you for the many emails and phone calls in support of the bill. They made a huge difference. We are now working to get the bill debated on the floor.
Finally, last week we discussed our concern about possible efforts to legalize online poker tournaments sponsored by Iowa casinos. That idea is apparently being dropped.
We're still waiting to see legislation which might propose cutting back on tax credits available for donations to school tuition organizations (STOs) in the state. Donors receive a 65 percent tax credit for their contribution. The STOs use the donations to provide scholarships for low-income children to attend the school of their choice.
There are currently $7.5 million in tax credits annually, but the governor's tax credit panel suggested cutting the program by a third. We are working to keep the status quo as we believe cutting that program actually could cost the state money (if people leave the private school and enter the public school system).
HEALTH CARE
Senate File 2356 passed the Iowa Senate 45-5 last Monday after being scaled back significantly. As amended, the bill:
IowaCare is the state health insurance program of last resort, covering people who make up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level but are not eligible for Medicaid.
The Iowa Catholic Conference supports the bill. It will help make health care more readily available to low-income Iowans in rural areas of the state. We also believe that an "apples to apples" comparison of health care insurance plans in Iowa will help consumers in making the right choice for their family. You can go to our Action Center at www.capwiz.com/iowanasccd to send a message to your member of the Iowa House.
We had been working for an amendment to keep the status quo on state payment for abortions. Our concern proved to be moot because the "IowaCare Plus" part of the bill was amended out due to concerns about cost and people leaving private insurance to get on an expanded state plan. IowaCare Plus would have expanded eligibility for Iowans up to 300 percent of the federal poverty level.
On the national scene, there are efforts going on to reconcile the House and Senate health care reform bills. Stay tuned as we may be asking for your contacts encouraging health care for all that respects the life and dignity of each person from conception until natural death. For more information about the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' teaching on health care reform, visit www.usccb.org/healthcare.
DELIVERABLE FUELS
HF 2475 is still waiting to be debated in the Iowa House. The Iowa Catholic Conference supports this legislation, which would require the provision of deliverable fuels between Nov. 1 and April 1 for customers who have cash or are eligible for LIHEAP (federal low-income energy assistance program). The state in a similar way already protects those who heat with other fuels during the winter months. There is a sample message for legislators on our website on this issue as well.
FAMILY PLANNING WAIVER
Senate File 2219, an expansion of the current Medicaid "family planning waiver," is advancing through the legislative process. Generally speaking, we object to government-funded contraception programs. The Catholic Church does not consider those programs to be true "health care."
While proponents believe that contraceptive programs save the state money, as a practical matter, these projects do not seem to reduce the abortion rate or the number of children born to unmarried mothers. In addition, we object to minors being able to receive contraceptives without the knowledge of their parents, as this undercuts the parent-child relationship.
FINANCIAL LITERACY
House File 2474 would establish a financial literacy education program in the state treasurer's office. We are hopeful that this program will help consumers get the information they need to make good financial decisions. The program would be administered within the current appropriation for the treasurer's office.
REAUTHORIZATION OF D.C. SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
Efforts are being made in the U.S. Congress to reauthorize funding for scholarships for students from low-income families to attend private schools in the District of Columbia. Many of those schools are Catholic schools. Without the passage of additional legislation, this valuable program has a bleak future. Under current legislation no new students can be offered scholarships, so the number of students who can be assisted would decline each year. Please contact Iowa Senators Tom Harkin and Charles Grassley in support of the legislation. The U.S. Senate switchboard number is (202) 224-3121.
The message is: "Please support the bi-partisan Scholarships for Opportunity and Results (SOAR) Act so that the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program can continue to provide more educational opportunities for low-income children in the District of Columbia. Do not force families to have students in separate schools because no new students can be added to the program."
Thanks for your help with this issue.
AND FINALLY,
Don't forget to become a fan of our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter at "iacatholicconf". You'll be the first to find out about how our issues are faring at the legislature.
Tom Chapman
Executive Director
Iowa Catholic Conference
Welcome to the new members of our legislative network. Thanks for joining!
The second "funnel" deadline was today (Friday). Except for finance or leadership bills, legislation that has not passed one chamber and through a committee in the other chamber is no longer eligible for consideration.
We were pleased that Senate File 2178 passed out of the House Education Committee 19-3 on Wednesday. We appreciate the work of Rep. Gene Ficken (D-Independence), vice chair of the committee, and Rep. Polly Bukta (D-Clinton), chair of the bill's subcommittee, for their help in shepherding the bill through the committee.
The bill would allow textbook funds appropriated for nonpublic school students to be used for laptop computers. In the committee meeting, more than one legislator mentioned how this bill would not take away any dollars from public schools.
I would like to thank you for the many emails and phone calls in support of the bill. They made a huge difference. We are now working to get the bill debated on the floor.
Finally, last week we discussed our concern about possible efforts to legalize online poker tournaments sponsored by Iowa casinos. That idea is apparently being dropped.
We're still waiting to see legislation which might propose cutting back on tax credits available for donations to school tuition organizations (STOs) in the state. Donors receive a 65 percent tax credit for their contribution. The STOs use the donations to provide scholarships for low-income children to attend the school of their choice.
There are currently $7.5 million in tax credits annually, but the governor's tax credit panel suggested cutting the program by a third. We are working to keep the status quo as we believe cutting that program actually could cost the state money (if people leave the private school and enter the public school system).
HEALTH CARE
Senate File 2356 passed the Iowa Senate 45-5 last Monday after being scaled back significantly. As amended, the bill:
- enables IowaCare patients to receive care at a clinic closer to home (not just Des Moines and Iowa City as is currently the case)
- provides some reimbursement to Iowa hospitals for emergency care of IowaCare patients
- sets up a web information portal on health insurance options in Iowa.
IowaCare is the state health insurance program of last resort, covering people who make up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level but are not eligible for Medicaid.
The Iowa Catholic Conference supports the bill. It will help make health care more readily available to low-income Iowans in rural areas of the state. We also believe that an "apples to apples" comparison of health care insurance plans in Iowa will help consumers in making the right choice for their family. You can go to our Action Center at www.capwiz.com/iowanasccd to send a message to your member of the Iowa House.
We had been working for an amendment to keep the status quo on state payment for abortions. Our concern proved to be moot because the "IowaCare Plus" part of the bill was amended out due to concerns about cost and people leaving private insurance to get on an expanded state plan. IowaCare Plus would have expanded eligibility for Iowans up to 300 percent of the federal poverty level.
On the national scene, there are efforts going on to reconcile the House and Senate health care reform bills. Stay tuned as we may be asking for your contacts encouraging health care for all that respects the life and dignity of each person from conception until natural death. For more information about the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' teaching on health care reform, visit www.usccb.org/healthcare.
DELIVERABLE FUELS
HF 2475 is still waiting to be debated in the Iowa House. The Iowa Catholic Conference supports this legislation, which would require the provision of deliverable fuels between Nov. 1 and April 1 for customers who have cash or are eligible for LIHEAP (federal low-income energy assistance program). The state in a similar way already protects those who heat with other fuels during the winter months. There is a sample message for legislators on our website on this issue as well.
FAMILY PLANNING WAIVER
Senate File 2219, an expansion of the current Medicaid "family planning waiver," is advancing through the legislative process. Generally speaking, we object to government-funded contraception programs. The Catholic Church does not consider those programs to be true "health care."
While proponents believe that contraceptive programs save the state money, as a practical matter, these projects do not seem to reduce the abortion rate or the number of children born to unmarried mothers. In addition, we object to minors being able to receive contraceptives without the knowledge of their parents, as this undercuts the parent-child relationship.
FINANCIAL LITERACY
House File 2474 would establish a financial literacy education program in the state treasurer's office. We are hopeful that this program will help consumers get the information they need to make good financial decisions. The program would be administered within the current appropriation for the treasurer's office.
REAUTHORIZATION OF D.C. SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
Efforts are being made in the U.S. Congress to reauthorize funding for scholarships for students from low-income families to attend private schools in the District of Columbia. Many of those schools are Catholic schools. Without the passage of additional legislation, this valuable program has a bleak future. Under current legislation no new students can be offered scholarships, so the number of students who can be assisted would decline each year. Please contact Iowa Senators Tom Harkin and Charles Grassley in support of the legislation. The U.S. Senate switchboard number is (202) 224-3121.
The message is: "Please support the bi-partisan Scholarships for Opportunity and Results (SOAR) Act so that the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program can continue to provide more educational opportunities for low-income children in the District of Columbia. Do not force families to have students in separate schools because no new students can be added to the program."
Thanks for your help with this issue.
AND FINALLY,
Don't forget to become a fan of our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter at "iacatholicconf". You'll be the first to find out about how our issues are faring at the legislature.
Tom Chapman
Executive Director
Iowa Catholic Conference
Iowa News
02/22/10
Well, it's snowing again in parts of Iowa. But since we're halfway through the legislative session spring can't be that far away, can it?
BUDGET NEWS
Legislative leadership released their "budget targets" last week so committees can begin putting together the major appropriations bills. This means that debate on the state's budget will begin in early March. The targets anticipate more than $200 million less in estimated expenditures compared to the current fiscal year. The biggest hit is to the Health and Human Services department, which includes Medicaid.
The last bill of the session, called the "standing appropriations" bill, is not included in the target amounts; therefore we don't know what the total budget will be.
Earlier in the week, the House passed the state reorganization bill 98-0. The bill, Senate File 2088, is estimated to save the state more than $250 million. Since it was amended in the House, the bill returns to the Senate.
ACTION NEEDED
As we reported last week, the bills providing conscience protections for religious organizations regarding marriage did not make it out of committee. Some legislators oppose the bill because they are not interested in addressing the marriage issue or religious freedom at all; others oppose it because they believe the bill would legitimize same-sex marriage. Many other legislators support the bills as a way to continue Iowa's long-standing traditions of religious freedom.
It is our position that mitigating the damage to religious freedom from same-sex marriage should be supported, as we continue to work for an amendment to Iowa's constitution to define marriage as a union between a man and a woman.
Sometimes people ask, "What's the real problem? Why does the church care?" A perfect example came last week as Catholic Charities in Washington, D.C. was told that the agency would be ineligible to continue its 80-year-old foster care and public adoption program because it will not place children with same-sex couples. The District of Columbia's new same-sex marriage law is scheduled to go into effect next month.
I have to ask: Why is it that here in Iowa, the chairs of the Senate Judiciary Committee and the House Judiciary Committee both introduced religious conscience bills to take care of problems like this, but could not receive a hearing?
Please use the sample message on our website at www.capwiz.com/iowanasccd or call on your legislator to help.
BUDGET NEWS
Legislative leadership released their "budget targets" last week so committees can begin putting together the major appropriations bills. This means that debate on the state's budget will begin in early March. The targets anticipate more than $200 million less in estimated expenditures compared to the current fiscal year. The biggest hit is to the Health and Human Services department, which includes Medicaid.
The last bill of the session, called the "standing appropriations" bill, is not included in the target amounts; therefore we don't know what the total budget will be.
Earlier in the week, the House passed the state reorganization bill 98-0. The bill, Senate File 2088, is estimated to save the state more than $250 million. Since it was amended in the House, the bill returns to the Senate.
ACTION NEEDED
As we reported last week, the bills providing conscience protections for religious organizations regarding marriage did not make it out of committee. Some legislators oppose the bill because they are not interested in addressing the marriage issue or religious freedom at all; others oppose it because they believe the bill would legitimize same-sex marriage. Many other legislators support the bills as a way to continue Iowa's long-standing traditions of religious freedom.
It is our position that mitigating the damage to religious freedom from same-sex marriage should be supported, as we continue to work for an amendment to Iowa's constitution to define marriage as a union between a man and a woman.
Sometimes people ask, "What's the real problem? Why does the church care?" A perfect example came last week as Catholic Charities in Washington, D.C. was told that the agency would be ineligible to continue its 80-year-old foster care and public adoption program because it will not place children with same-sex couples. The District of Columbia's new same-sex marriage law is scheduled to go into effect next month.
I have to ask: Why is it that here in Iowa, the chairs of the Senate Judiciary Committee and the House Judiciary Committee both introduced religious conscience bills to take care of problems like this, but could not receive a hearing?
Please use the sample message on our website at www.capwiz.com/iowanasccd or call on your legislator to help.
Iowa Catholic Conference legislative update
02/15/10
| FUNNEL REPORT
Friday was the deadline for Senate bills to be reported out of Senate committees and House bills out of House committees. Let’s take a look at how some issues of interest to the Iowa Catholic Conference fared:
We were pleased that House File 2269 did not make it out of committee. The bill would have required require all schools, public and private, to offer “comprehensive” sexuality education each year from kindergarten through high school. We opposed requiring Catholic schools to offer instruction that is quite likely to be in opposition to the church’s moral teaching. I would like to thank those who contacted their legislator about this issue – you made a big difference! |
Iowa Catholic Conference newsletter
02/01/10
Coming up in our newsletter …
Read more . . .
- Governor’s budget message
- Regulation of payday loans
- Iowa Workforce Opportunities Act
- Technology for nonpublic school students
- Marriage amendment
- Health care reform – national and state
- Pro-life rally
- Medicaid Family Planning Waiver
- Woman’s Right to Know Act
Read more . . .
Iowa Catholic Conference newsletter
01/19/10
In this issue …
Read More . . .
- This week’s preview
- “Race to the Top”
- Governor delivers Condition of the State message
- Marriage and pro-life bills introduced
- State health care commission makes legislative recommendations
- Upcoming dates
- Help for Haiti
Read More . . .
Iowa Update
01/09/10
LEGISLATIVE SESSION PREVIEW
As you dig out from the latest snowstorm, I'd like to give you a preview of the 2010 legislative session in Iowa. Sorry for the length this time, but there's a lot to cover. This is the first of what will normally be weekly updates during the session.
The second session of the 83rd Iowa General Assembly will convene this coming Monday, Jan. 11. The leadership has decided to cut the number of days that legislators will be reimbursed for expenses from 100 to 80. Since the end of the session typically comes close to when the "per diem" ends, that would put the end of the session around March 31. This timeframe will make it more difficult to advance issues other than the budget and other priorities of the leadership, but we'll be ready to work from day one.
The Iowa Catholic Conference has five committees. The Communications Committee helps us get the word out about what we're doing. The other four are Education, Family Life, Pro-Life and Social Concerns. Let's take a look at the issues we're likely to work on from these committees.
EDUCATION
There is always a great deal of legislative activity on education in Iowa. Since Catholic schools are accredited by the state and generally must follow all the state's regulations for schools, we pay very close attention to what's going on.
There is already an unfortunate recommendation to cut the Educational Opportunities Act (EOA) tax credit program, which help nonpublic schools raise private money for scholarships. The problems with the Iowa Film Office tax credits have put all tax credit programs under scrutiny. We agree that all tax credit programs should be reviewed for their usefulness to the state.
The governor's tax credit review panel on Friday called for keeping the EOA tax credits but capping them at $5 million rather than $7.5 million, and reducing the credit percentage to 40 percent rather than the current 65 percent. This would be mean fewer dollars for scholarships and making it more difficult to raise those dollars.
We will definitely be working to keep the status quo with the Educational Opportunities scholarships. The tax credits are already capped (unlike some other programs), the program helps low-income children, and the citizens of Iowa know exactly what benefit they receive - great student achievement. In addition, every child who attends a nonpublic school saves the state money, because the state and local governments do not have to pay for their education.
We are also very concerned about cuts in funding for services for nonpublic school students, particularly in the area of textbooks and transportation. The reality is that funding for textbooks is less than what was appropriated in 1992. Transportation funding for nonpublic school students is about the same as in 1992 and falls more than 20 percent short of what is actually needed.
Finally, we will be working to make a change in the Iowa Code allowing state textbook funds to be used for instructional technology.
FAMILY LIFE
The main issue from our Family Life Committee is asking the legislature to pass an amendment to Iowa's constitution which would define marriage as a union between a man and a woman. We believe that the people of Iowa should be able to vote on such an important issue, and that can only take place if the legislature passes the amendment in two successive sessions.
The legislative leadership is adamant that the debate on this issue is over and that an amendment will not reach the floor. In fact, the debate is not over and there will be efforts to get this bill on the floor. We encourage you to contact your legislators by email or phone, even if you have previously done so. This is a new session! You can go directly to our website at www.iowacatholicconference.org to download a flier with questions and answers on the issue and click on "Action Center" to send a message to your legislator.
We also have concerns about the religious conscience aspects of the issue and its effects on the church. In the past, state laws have largely been in harmony with the church's view of marriage. Now, as in other states, we believe that same-sex marriage will be an occasion for conflict. We are concerned about requirements for benefits, the provision of the church's moral teaching in Catholic schools, denial of access to government benefits, and the licensing of adoption services, among other areas.
In his most recent encyclical letter, "Charity in Truth," Pope Benedict XVI said, "States are called to enact policies promoting the centrality and the integrity of the family founded on marriage between a man and a woman, the primary vital cell of society, and to assume responsibility for its economic and fiscal needs, while respecting its essentially relational character."
PRO-LIFE
There will be a bill introduced called the "Women's Right to Know Act," which provides for an informed consent process of at least 24 hours before an abortion is performed. Women would have the right to view an ultrasound if they wished. There is an exception in the informed consent bill for an abortion that would be required in a medical emergency.
Since the Roe v. Wade decision in 1973, the practice of abortion has been exempt from many medical standards, including informed consent.
You are invited to participate in the Prayer for Life Day 2010. Nationally-known neuroscience and bioethics expert Father Tadeusz Pacholczyk is coming to Des Moines on Feb. 8. He is presenting workshops on stem cell research and end-of-life issues/euthanasia beginning at 10 a.m. at the Catholic Pastoral Center. Reservations are required to attend the morning educational workshop and lunch. Please call (515) 237-5016 by Feb. 3.
Later that day, everyone is invited to a "Lobbying 101" workshop in the Legislative Dining Room on the ground floor in the Capitol at 2:30 p.m. It will be followed by a Prayer for Life Rally at 3:30 p.m. Des Moines Bishop Richard Pates will offer a prayer.
SOCIAL CONCERNS
One of our major concerns will be the impact of the state's budget shortfall on the safety net for the poor and vulnerable. There is estimated to be a shortfall of about a billion dollars. About half of that will be made up through leftover stimulus and rainy days funds, but it will still be a difficult budget year.
You may have seen a story in the news this week about the Iowa Catholic Conference support for regulation of payday loans, which can carry interest rates of 400 percent. We are encouraging the legislature to limit the interest rate on payday loans to 36 percent. We believe the current situation is unjust especially since these loans appeal to people who are in a precarious financial state to begin with. Only one percent of these loans are made to one-time borrowers. There will be legislation filed to deal with this issue and we'll be asking for your help when the time comes.
There are also plans to introduce a bill that in other states has been called the "DREAM Act." This has been a long-time priority of the Conference. The legislation would allow undocumented high school graduates who are residents of Iowa to be eligible to pay in-state tuition rates at colleges and universities in the state of Iowa. The students would have to have grown up here, stayed in school, and kept out of trouble. We believe the legislation would be a good building block for immigration reform and help add talented, motivated, multi-lingual and multi-cultural people to our workforce. Several states including Nebraska, Wisconsin, Illinois and Kansas have this policy.
At the national level, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) announced steps on Jan. 6 to push for the enactment of immigration reform legislation in 2010. Bishop John C. Wester, bishop of Salt Lake City, Utah, and chairman of the USCCB Committee on Migration, and Bishop Howard J. Hubbard, bishop of Albany, New York, and chairman of the International Policy Committee of the USCCB, made the announcement.
"It is our view, and that of others, that the American public, including the Catholic and other faith communities, want a humane and comprehensive solution to the problems which beset our immigration system, and they want Congress to address this issue," said Bishop Wester.
Steps announced by Bishop Wester include:
Bishop Hubbard, chairman of the International Policy Committee, spoke to the root causes of irregular migration and how the long-term and humane solution to the problem is integral human development.
UPCOMING ICC DATES
Feb. 1 - Iowa Catholic Conference Legislative Mass, 7 p.m. at St. Ambrose Cathedral in Des Moines. Everyone is invited. Dubuque Archbishop Jerome Hanus, OSB will be presiding. The Mass is intended to bring Catholics together with state legislators to pray for wisdom in decision-making for all those who serve in government. We encourage everyone to come to the legislative Mass to pray with our legislators. We will also pray in thanksgiving for their service to the people of Iowa.
Feb. 2 - Iowa Catholic Conference Legislative Breakfast at the Capitol.
Feb. 8 - Prayer for Life Day at the Catholic Pastoral Center in Des Moines and at the Capitol. See the flier on our website for more information.
AND FINALLY,
Some of you have asked about the Iowa Institute for Social Action conference. There is not an Institute being held this month, but there are ongoing discussions regarding the scheduling of a conference later this year. You will hear more about this later.
Those of you who are Mediacom customers (as I am) did not receive the December newsletter because we could not get it delivered. Don't hesitate to check our website or email me for updated information. You can also update your email address with us.
Tom Chapman
Executive Director
Iowa Catholic Conference
As you dig out from the latest snowstorm, I'd like to give you a preview of the 2010 legislative session in Iowa. Sorry for the length this time, but there's a lot to cover. This is the first of what will normally be weekly updates during the session.
The second session of the 83rd Iowa General Assembly will convene this coming Monday, Jan. 11. The leadership has decided to cut the number of days that legislators will be reimbursed for expenses from 100 to 80. Since the end of the session typically comes close to when the "per diem" ends, that would put the end of the session around March 31. This timeframe will make it more difficult to advance issues other than the budget and other priorities of the leadership, but we'll be ready to work from day one.
The Iowa Catholic Conference has five committees. The Communications Committee helps us get the word out about what we're doing. The other four are Education, Family Life, Pro-Life and Social Concerns. Let's take a look at the issues we're likely to work on from these committees.
EDUCATION
There is always a great deal of legislative activity on education in Iowa. Since Catholic schools are accredited by the state and generally must follow all the state's regulations for schools, we pay very close attention to what's going on.
There is already an unfortunate recommendation to cut the Educational Opportunities Act (EOA) tax credit program, which help nonpublic schools raise private money for scholarships. The problems with the Iowa Film Office tax credits have put all tax credit programs under scrutiny. We agree that all tax credit programs should be reviewed for their usefulness to the state.
The governor's tax credit review panel on Friday called for keeping the EOA tax credits but capping them at $5 million rather than $7.5 million, and reducing the credit percentage to 40 percent rather than the current 65 percent. This would be mean fewer dollars for scholarships and making it more difficult to raise those dollars.
We will definitely be working to keep the status quo with the Educational Opportunities scholarships. The tax credits are already capped (unlike some other programs), the program helps low-income children, and the citizens of Iowa know exactly what benefit they receive - great student achievement. In addition, every child who attends a nonpublic school saves the state money, because the state and local governments do not have to pay for their education.
We are also very concerned about cuts in funding for services for nonpublic school students, particularly in the area of textbooks and transportation. The reality is that funding for textbooks is less than what was appropriated in 1992. Transportation funding for nonpublic school students is about the same as in 1992 and falls more than 20 percent short of what is actually needed.
Finally, we will be working to make a change in the Iowa Code allowing state textbook funds to be used for instructional technology.
FAMILY LIFE
The main issue from our Family Life Committee is asking the legislature to pass an amendment to Iowa's constitution which would define marriage as a union between a man and a woman. We believe that the people of Iowa should be able to vote on such an important issue, and that can only take place if the legislature passes the amendment in two successive sessions.
The legislative leadership is adamant that the debate on this issue is over and that an amendment will not reach the floor. In fact, the debate is not over and there will be efforts to get this bill on the floor. We encourage you to contact your legislators by email or phone, even if you have previously done so. This is a new session! You can go directly to our website at www.iowacatholicconference.org to download a flier with questions and answers on the issue and click on "Action Center" to send a message to your legislator.
We also have concerns about the religious conscience aspects of the issue and its effects on the church. In the past, state laws have largely been in harmony with the church's view of marriage. Now, as in other states, we believe that same-sex marriage will be an occasion for conflict. We are concerned about requirements for benefits, the provision of the church's moral teaching in Catholic schools, denial of access to government benefits, and the licensing of adoption services, among other areas.
In his most recent encyclical letter, "Charity in Truth," Pope Benedict XVI said, "States are called to enact policies promoting the centrality and the integrity of the family founded on marriage between a man and a woman, the primary vital cell of society, and to assume responsibility for its economic and fiscal needs, while respecting its essentially relational character."
PRO-LIFE
There will be a bill introduced called the "Women's Right to Know Act," which provides for an informed consent process of at least 24 hours before an abortion is performed. Women would have the right to view an ultrasound if they wished. There is an exception in the informed consent bill for an abortion that would be required in a medical emergency.
Since the Roe v. Wade decision in 1973, the practice of abortion has been exempt from many medical standards, including informed consent.
You are invited to participate in the Prayer for Life Day 2010. Nationally-known neuroscience and bioethics expert Father Tadeusz Pacholczyk is coming to Des Moines on Feb. 8. He is presenting workshops on stem cell research and end-of-life issues/euthanasia beginning at 10 a.m. at the Catholic Pastoral Center. Reservations are required to attend the morning educational workshop and lunch. Please call (515) 237-5016 by Feb. 3.
Later that day, everyone is invited to a "Lobbying 101" workshop in the Legislative Dining Room on the ground floor in the Capitol at 2:30 p.m. It will be followed by a Prayer for Life Rally at 3:30 p.m. Des Moines Bishop Richard Pates will offer a prayer.
SOCIAL CONCERNS
One of our major concerns will be the impact of the state's budget shortfall on the safety net for the poor and vulnerable. There is estimated to be a shortfall of about a billion dollars. About half of that will be made up through leftover stimulus and rainy days funds, but it will still be a difficult budget year.
You may have seen a story in the news this week about the Iowa Catholic Conference support for regulation of payday loans, which can carry interest rates of 400 percent. We are encouraging the legislature to limit the interest rate on payday loans to 36 percent. We believe the current situation is unjust especially since these loans appeal to people who are in a precarious financial state to begin with. Only one percent of these loans are made to one-time borrowers. There will be legislation filed to deal with this issue and we'll be asking for your help when the time comes.
There are also plans to introduce a bill that in other states has been called the "DREAM Act." This has been a long-time priority of the Conference. The legislation would allow undocumented high school graduates who are residents of Iowa to be eligible to pay in-state tuition rates at colleges and universities in the state of Iowa. The students would have to have grown up here, stayed in school, and kept out of trouble. We believe the legislation would be a good building block for immigration reform and help add talented, motivated, multi-lingual and multi-cultural people to our workforce. Several states including Nebraska, Wisconsin, Illinois and Kansas have this policy.
At the national level, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) announced steps on Jan. 6 to push for the enactment of immigration reform legislation in 2010. Bishop John C. Wester, bishop of Salt Lake City, Utah, and chairman of the USCCB Committee on Migration, and Bishop Howard J. Hubbard, bishop of Albany, New York, and chairman of the International Policy Committee of the USCCB, made the announcement.
"It is our view, and that of others, that the American public, including the Catholic and other faith communities, want a humane and comprehensive solution to the problems which beset our immigration system, and they want Congress to address this issue," said Bishop Wester.
Steps announced by Bishop Wester include:
- The launch of a nationwide postcard campaign under the Justice for Immigrants campaign, with 1.5 million postcards already ordered;
- The launch of two Web sites, a new Justice for Immigrants website with tools for parishes (www.justiceforimmigrants.org), and the National Migration Week website, which provides other resources (www.usccb.org/mrs/nmw/index.shtml); and
- A nationwide action alert asking for Congress to enact immigration reform as soon as possible. The alert is located on the Justice for Immigrants website.
Bishop Hubbard, chairman of the International Policy Committee, spoke to the root causes of irregular migration and how the long-term and humane solution to the problem is integral human development.
UPCOMING ICC DATES
Feb. 1 - Iowa Catholic Conference Legislative Mass, 7 p.m. at St. Ambrose Cathedral in Des Moines. Everyone is invited. Dubuque Archbishop Jerome Hanus, OSB will be presiding. The Mass is intended to bring Catholics together with state legislators to pray for wisdom in decision-making for all those who serve in government. We encourage everyone to come to the legislative Mass to pray with our legislators. We will also pray in thanksgiving for their service to the people of Iowa.
Feb. 2 - Iowa Catholic Conference Legislative Breakfast at the Capitol.
Feb. 8 - Prayer for Life Day at the Catholic Pastoral Center in Des Moines and at the Capitol. See the flier on our website for more information.
AND FINALLY,
Some of you have asked about the Iowa Institute for Social Action conference. There is not an Institute being held this month, but there are ongoing discussions regarding the scheduling of a conference later this year. You will hear more about this later.
Those of you who are Mediacom customers (as I am) did not receive the December newsletter because we could not get it delivered. Don't hesitate to check our website or email me for updated information. You can also update your email address with us.
Tom Chapman
Executive Director
Iowa Catholic Conference
Legislature and Governor Encouraged to Cap Payday Loan Interest Rates
01/06/10
The Iowa Catholic Conference strongly urges the legislature to limit the interest rate on payday loans to 36 percent. The Conference calls upon legislative leadership and the Governor to make this a priority issue during the upcoming session.
The stated purpose of payday loans is to offer a solution to families who face a short-term crisis. But only one percent of these loans are made to one-time borrowers. On the average, Iowans who take out one payday loan end up with 12 loans. This creates an economic dependency and high long-term debt for consumers. Interest rates can approach or exceed 400 percent.
Read more . . .
The stated purpose of payday loans is to offer a solution to families who face a short-term crisis. But only one percent of these loans are made to one-time borrowers. On the average, Iowans who take out one payday loan end up with 12 loans. This creates an economic dependency and high long-term debt for consumers. Interest rates can approach or exceed 400 percent.
Read more . . .