State Convention in Grinnell 2017

Just a few thoughts as I reflect on State Convention in Grinnell. The theme was “We’re Not There Yet!” Kathie Obradovich, political columnist for the Des Moines Register, and O. Kay Henderson, Radio Iowa, shared stories filled with humor and history with attendees in the Harris Center on Friday night.

Kathie Obradovich, Des Moines Register, Mary Rae Bragg, LWVIA President and O. Kay Henderson, Radio Iowa

On Saturday the business meeting highlights included a report from our lobbyist. The standouts from the legislative session were Voter ID, water quality funding, criminal justice on mandatory sentencing, and following the money.

First Voter ID:

League lost this round. The Iowa Legislature changed laws to

Signature verification and ID to vote
Limit absentee ballot requests to 120 days prior to an election
Early voting was reduced to 29 days
No more straight party ticket voting option
17 year olds will be able to vote in primaries if they are 18 by Election Day

School Elections will change so elections will be held in November with City Elections starting in 2019.

Campaign check-off will disappear.

Water Quality funds increased to $10,575,000 from $9,529,201.

Crack cocaine disparity in sentencing reduced to 2:5, but new mandatory minimums were created for attempted murder of a police officer.

Mental Health The per capita rates fixes disparities in the mental health regions but not in ours. Eastern Iowa has a big disparity because Scott County’s per capita is low in comparison to other counties creating a shortfall of $3 million.

$$ The Legislature dipped into the “rainy day funds” for $131 million and transferred $25 million to balance the books. While they gave $4.5 million in property tax credits and cut $88.1 million in deappropriations.

Items for 2018

Pay back the $111 million loan
School Choice
Pension Reform/IPERS
Tax Reform
Water Quality

I hope this has sparked your interest. To learn more about these bills go to LWVIA Bill Tracker, http://www.ialobby.com/billtracker/lwvia/ or http://www.ialobby.com/billtracker/ I had a good time in Grinnell connecting with other League leaders. I hope you will join me next time!