The Real Story Behind Our Recent Civil Rights Bill

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By Christina Butts

Being an ex-intern for the Iowa Senate Democrats and their team cheerleader/critic :-) , it sort of annoys me the inference that the Senate was the last to get this bill and finally approve when it was the first and consistent legislative house that has introduced this bill and got the votes to pass it but it died repeatedly in the House. It has been the House that was the stick in the mud, even with the new Democratic majority and needed the final prodding and concession to the extremely conservative Republican Leaders to include the amendment not undermine the DOMA(Defense of Marriage Act) laws on Iowa's books. The public announcement of this as being a wonderful Iowa House bill misconstrues of the facts of history in my mind and somewhat annoys me.  True, once it finally passed the House's amendments to the Senate file/bill, the Senate had to re-vote to concur, but most people don't know these legislative steps in getting a bill passed. The second Senate approval concurrence INCREASED in the AYE votes.

I've just been reading national press releases on the announcements and congratulations all around to Iowa. I know I worked hard on my end of the spectrum to make sure this was one of the KEY issues in the state's Democratic party's platform to be made into public policy, as Co-Chair on the '06 IDP Platform's Government Subcommittee, with Andrew Keiffert of Dubuque, which was overwhelmingly approved during the last state convention by the party delegates/members from around the state. It was a puzzle that needed many pieces(people) to fit into place to make it happen.

But so goes life. :-( :-P   K' Plagh!! Enough with my sour grapes, And celebrate our victories this year!! 8-) :-)
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Here's THE TRUE HISTORY -

Bill History for SF 427

By State Government.

A bill for an act relating to the Iowa civil rights Act and discrimination based upon a person's sexual orientation or gender identity. (Formerly SF 224.)

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March 8, 2007	Introduced, placed on calendar. S.J. 629.
March 8, 2007	Committee report, approving bill. S.J. 641.
March 13, 2007	Fiscal note. SCS.
March 21, 2007	Deferred. S.J. 873.
March 26, 2007	Deferred. S.J. 889.
March 26, 2007	Amendment S-3168 filed. S.J. 901.
March 26, 2007	Point of order raised on S-3168, ruled out of order. S.J. 901.
March 26, 2007	Amendment S-3166 filed, lost. S.J. 902.
March 26, 2007	Amendment S-3167 filed, lost. S.J. 902.
March 26, 2007	Amendment S-3171 filed, lost. S.J. 903.
March 26, 2007	Amendment S-3172 filed, lost. S.J. 904.
March 26, 2007	Amendment S-3169 filed, withdrawn. S.J. 904.
March 26, 2007	Passed Senate, ayes 32, nays 17. S.J. 905.
March 26, 2007	Immediate message. S.J. 905.
March 27, 2007	Message from Senate. H.J. 1026.
March 27, 2007	Read first time, referred to Human Resources. H.J. 1033.
March 29, 2007	Subcommittee, Wessel-Kroeschell, Grassley, and Hunter. H.J. 1163.
April 5, 2007	Committee report, recommending passage. H.J. 1268.
April 9, 2007	Amendment H-1626 filed. H.J. 1287.
April 12, 2007	Placed on calendar under unfinished business. H.J. 1369.
April 25, 2007	Amendment H-1626 adopted. H.J. 1745.
April 25, 2007	Call of the House. H.J. 1745.
April 25, 2007	Passed House, ayes 59, nays 37. H.J. 1746.
April 25, 2007	Immediate message. H.J. 1747.
April 25, 2007	Call of the House lifted. H.J. 1747.
April 25, 2007	Message from House, with amendment S-3487. S.J. 1453.
April 25, 2007	Senate concurred with S-3487. S.J. 1454.
April 25, 2007	Passed Senate, ayes 34, nays 16. S.J. 1454.
April 25, 2007	Immediate message. S.J. 1459.
April 25, 2007	Message from Senate. H.J. 1811.

Now Going to the Chetster (the Guv) to sign into updated Law!

Environment Iowa : Think we can't stop global warming? Wanna bet?

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 Nathaniel Baer, Enviornmental Iowa

 You know what I ran across the other day while surfing the web? I found a website that will let you place bets on the effects of global warming. You can put money on the year you think polar bears will go extinct or whether or not Manhattan will be under water by 2012.

 I don't know about you, but I'd rather create solutions than gamble on problems. Getting 20% of our electricity from clean, renewable energy sources by 2020 is an awfully smart place to start.

 Since I first wrote you about this last week, already over 3,000 people have contacted their representative in support of a bill that will do just that. Thank you! Our elected officials need to hear from all of us, though.

 Click on the link below or copy and paste it into your web browser to tell your representative not to gamble with the future of our planet:

 https://www.environmentiowa.org/action/energy/petition?id4=ES

 Background

 America's energy situation today is less secure than it has been in recent memory. Our domestic production of oil peaked decades ago and our production of natural gas may be peaking now. As a result, we import more of our energy than ever before, leaving our energy supplies and national security vulnerable to political instability abroad. We have ample supplies of coal.  But mining coal causes severe environmental damage and burning it releases large amounts of air pollution; which contributes to global warming, acid rain, mercury contamination and unhealthy air.  Nuclear power has been tried and found wanting for economic, environmental and public safety reasons.  And virtually every year, Americans consume more and more energy.

 Right now, America is failing to take advantage of our almost unlimited potential to generate electricity from renewable sources of energy like wind and solar power. 

 * The wind blowing through the Great Plains could generate enough electricity to power the entire country. Wind power installations in the United States have doubled over the last four years, and wind power is among the cheapest sources of new power generation in some parts of the country.

 * Solar energy could conceivably generate more than enough electricity to power the entire United States. The cost of solar panels has declined dramatically in recent years and solar power installations worldwide nearly doubled between 2002 and 2004. Continued advances in solar technology could bring solar power within reach of more Americans within the next several years.

 * Plant-based sources of energy, called "biomass," already provide a substantial amount of energy in America and can provide even more. A federal advisory group has set a target of having biomass account for 5 percent of industrial and electric generator energy use by 2020.

 * Immense amounts of energy are contained within the earth. Experts estimate that as much as 100,000 megawatts of geothermal power -- equal to about 10 percent of today's electricity generation capacity -- could be economically viable in the United States.

 Thankfully, America is the most technologically and economically advanced nation in the world, blessed with vast natural and intellectual resources. Our nation has a track record of responding to major challenges and achieving unthinkable goals. If any nation in the world is capable of creating an energy system that can fuel our economy while preserving our environment and our long-term security, it is us.

 For America to retain our economic vigor, national security and environmental health, we must build toward a New Energy Future -- one based on homegrown, environmentally friendly energy sources and the sensible use of energy throughout the economy. We have the tools to achieve a better energy future -- in the technological prowess of academia and industry, the cutting-edge public policies now being pioneered in states across the country, and in our vast reserves of energy from the sun, wind and crops.

 The technology to tap those resources is advancing rapidly and is increasingly competitive in cost with fossil fuel technologies.  And, momentum around renewable energy policies is building.  Already, 22 states have already adopted policies requiring utilities to increase their use of renewable energy.  But, we need to make a national commitment to dramatically increase the amount of renewable energy we use to generate our power.

 We're asking citizens to join us in calling on Congress to adopt a Renewable Electricity Standard that would require that utilities generate at least 20 percent of their electricity from clean, renewable sources by 2020.

 Wind power could provide as much as 30 percent of America's electricity by 2025 and possibly more as new technologies and practices allow for us to successfully integrate more wind power into America's electricity mix.

 Solar and geothermal power can combine to produce another 12 percent of America's electricity, while an assortment of other renewable technologies -- ranging from solar hot water heaters to geothermal heat pumps -- can also make an important contribution.

 Additional renewable energy could be generated using new technologies such as wave and tidal power or by achieving technological improvements that would enable us to expand our use of other renewable energy sources.

 Click on the link below or copy and paste it into your web browser to tell your representative not to gamble with the future of our planet:

 https://www.environmentiowa.org/action/energy/petition?id4=ES

 Sincerely,

Nathaniel Baer Environment Iowa Advocate NathanielB@environmentiowa.org
http://www.environmentiowa.org

House Leaders Hail 'Historic' 2007 Session

By Mark Langgin, House Dems

House leaders hailed the 2007 legislative session as 'historic' as the 2007 session came to a close on Saturday evening.

"The 2007 legislative session will be remembered for renewing our commitment to education and transforming our economy," said House Speaker Pat Murphy of Dubuque.  "We made good on our promises to improve learning from preschool to college, make Iowa 'The Green State' and reward hard work."

"We pursued and passed a mainstream agenda for Iowans," said House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy of Des Moines.  "From preventing kids from smoking to finding new cures and treatments for disease to ending discrimination, this session has been nothing short of historic.  We've also made government more efficient, raised the minimum wage, cracked down on abusive car title loans, and helped lift hard-working families  out of poverty."

Last fall, House Democrats outlined the "Plan for Prosperity," which they used as their agenda for the 2007 legislative session.  Democrats completed 15 of the 16 pieces of their agenda.  In education, Democrats made good on their promise to expand access to preschool, keep higher education affordable and attract quality teachers to the classroom. Democrats made good on their promise to help small businesses with the high cost of health insurance and ensure Iowa has a highly-skilled workforce for today's global economy.  Democrats also approved the Iowa Power Fund with the goal making Iowa a world leader in renewable energy.

"I'm extremely proud of our work balancing the state budget and putting our state on solid financial ground.  Our budget leaves nearly $600 million in our savings accounts, the highest level ever, and phases out several of the budget gimmicks used by Republicans in previous years. While we weren't able to solve every problem this year, we made remarkable progress," added Murphy.

In addition to their Plan for Prosperity, House leaders cited significant progress in the environment with an expansion of the Resource Enhancement and Protection program and finding new strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.  Other accomplishments include: expanding health care to 17,000 Iowans, same day voter registration, expanding programs to revitalize communities, better supervision of sex offenders, and enhanced drug enforcement efforts.
 
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HOUSE DEMOCRATS PLAN FOR PROSPERITY: KEEPING OUR PROMISES

* Raise Iowa teacher salaries from 42nd to 25th in the nation (SF 277)

* Insist teachers are certified in what they teach (SF 588)

* Assure school districts provide remedial assistance for students who not proficient by middle school (SF 588)

* Restore work study programs for college students (SF 588)

* Expand access to quality preschool programs (HF 877)

* Limit university tuition increases to the rate of inflation and make community colleges more affordable (SF 588)

* Provide incentives for renewable energy research & technology  (HF 918/927)

* Create public/private energy partnership (HF 918/927)

* Develop a bio-refinery using new ethanol technology (HF 918/927)

* Increase electricity generated by renewable fuel (HF 918/927)

* Secure Iowa's food supply against infectious disease, bioterrorism (HF 551)

* Lead the US in manufacturing equipment for renewable energy production (HF 918/927)

* Raise Iowa's minimum wage from $5.15/hour to $7.25 by 2008 (HF 1)

* Expand job training at community colleges to train high-tech workers (HF 927)

* Allow small businesses to pool their workforces for cheaper healthcare insurance (HF 790)

Email or Call to Support Clean Elections

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By Public Campaign Action Fund (Reposted from Bleeding Heartland)

Due to some technical issues, Blog for Iowa has been down this week. However, we have them fixed, and are ready to roll. Let's begin where we left off, with Clean Elections

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The legislative session in Iowa is winding down. The General Assembly is scheduled to recess this Friday and the House leadership is trying to stall passage of the Voter Owned Iowa Clean Elections (VOICE) Act that would bring full public financing to the state's elections. The bill is currently sitting in the House Appropriations Committee. We have the votes to bring the legislation to the floor, but we need your help.

Please call the following representatives and tell them to allow the VOICE Act, HF 805, to go to the floor.

Speaker of the House Patrick Murphy
(515) 281-3221

House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy
(515) 281-3221

Rep. Jo Oldson, House Appropriations Committee Chair
(515) 281-3221

The VOICE Act would make elections in your state about voters instead of big campaign donors. House leadership would prefer to see this bill just die in committee, but we can't let that happen. The legislation deserves a fair debate on the floor of the House.

We need your help today. Please take a few minutes to call the following legislators and tell them to support HF 805, the VOICE Act:

Speaker of the House Patrick Murphy
(515) 281-3221

House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy
(515) 281-3221

Rep. Jo Oldson, House Appropriations Committee Chair
(515) 281-3221

With so much special interest money flowing into the elections in 2006, these legislators are feeling pressure to bow to their big donors instead of the interests of all voters. Put on a little pressure of your own with a few calls. Thanks for all you do.

Jeannette Galanis
National Field Director

Free Journalism Training and Lexis Account for Iowa Bloggers!

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By Chase Martyn

Six Years of Slow Growth

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By the Iowa Policy Project

While signs are up for Iowa jobs with the latest report from Iowa Workforce Development, some signs are up more than others.

Nonfarm jobs grew by 1,100 in March while the unemployment rate fell to 3.2 percent, from 3.3 percent in February.

But the six-year climb from the start of the last recession to the current nonfarm job record of 1,519,000 has come slowly – with a 46,000-job gain that is over 100,000 jobs off the pace of the 1990s recovery.

“March represented the six-year anniversary of the start of the last recession. We should ask ourselves how much better off we are,” said David Osterberg, executive director of the nonpartisan Iowa Policy Project (IPP).

“We have used the start of the last national recession as a benchmark for putting perspective on the job numbers released each month by the government. And it is helpful in comparing economic recoveries,” Osterberg said.

The 46,000-job net gain from March 2001 to last month compares with a 153,900-job net gain in the six years after the start of the 1990 recession.

“It’s also important to note that the numbers only say so much,” Osterberg added. “There are some questions we should be asking about the numbers. Would we have more jobs and more people to fill them if our pay and benefits in Iowa were better?  Do jobs now pay benefits comparable to jobs in previous years?

“These are questions policy makers must ask themselves, to better understand both the challenges we face, and what role they have in helping to meet them,” Osterberg said.

By the numbers:
--  Nonfarm employment rose by 1,100 jobs in March, slowing from increases of 4,400 in February 4,700 in January. This is the fifth straight net gain in payroll jobs.
--  The March nonfarm job level of 1,519,000 jobs is 46,000 ahead of the March 2001 level, at the start of the last recession. That compares with a net gain of 153,900 nonfarm jobs at the same 72-month point from the start of the 1990 recession.
--  The unemployment rate fell to 3.2 percent, from 3.3 percent in February. The rate was 3.9 percent in March 2006.

“After the strong increase in nonfarm jobs in the first two months of the year, March fell off a bit,” said Elaine Ditsler, an IPP research associate who analyzes job trends. “It’s a mistake to make too much of monthly comparisons, so we need to watch how the job market reacts over the next several months.”

Professional and business services showed the largest single increase in nonfarm jobs for the month, at 700, while financial activities gained by 500 and four categories posted gains of 200 each: construction, manufacturing, trade and transportation, and leisure and hospitality.

Mining was unchanged, with drops of 500 in government, 300 in other services, and 200 in education and health services.

The Iowa Policy Project (IPP) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit research and policy analysis organization based in Mount Vernon. IPP reports on job and income trends are available on the web at http://www.iowapolicyproject.org.

Robert Bowman to speak on Iraq War

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By PCCI

The Progressive Coalition of Central Iowa presents Dr. Robert Bowman who will speak on the Iraq war and the possible U.S. invasion of Iran.
 
Tuesday, April 24, 200, 7:00 p.m at the Des Moines Senior Center on Forest and MLK
 
Dr. Bowman is an anti-war activist who is on tour across the United States this spring and summer speaking out against current U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East.
 
Dr. Bowman, who is described as a fascinating speaker, writes: "The thrust of my talk is to end the occupation of Iraq, prevent an attack on Iran, and impeach Cheney and Bush for deceiving us into war."
 
Dr. Bowman is a retired Lt. Colonel in the U.S. Air Force with a Ph.D. in Aeronautics and Nuclear Engineering from Caltech. He has been a college professor and has chaired several international conferences.
 
Dr. Bowman will be accompanied by his wife, Maggie. They have been married 51 years and have 7 children and 21 grandchildren.
 
NOTE: Please forward this announcement to your list serves.  Thank you. Other organizations are invited to co-sponsor this event. Please contact Vern Naffier of PCCI at www.iowaprogressive.org or joycevernhn@juno.com

Gronstal to Iowa Voters – F*ck You!
Gronstal Earns a Mouth Scrubbing at Capitol Wednesday!

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By swords&ploughshares

It's official, Iowa Democrats who turned out in record numbers this year to deliver the historic control of the Iowa House, Senate and Governorship to Democrats for the first time in over 30 years, can now rest safe that their leadership has abandoned them.

At today's VOICE Rally at the Capitol in Des Moines, Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal stunned Iowa citizens advocating Clean Elections with his arrogance and use of obscenities.

A group of women and elderly men had gathered in the Rotunda after a peaceful rally calling for an end to the use of big money in Iowa's political campaigns, when Gronstal, who has been called "the most powerful man in Iowa politics," came strolling by.

Seizing upon the chance to speak with "the powerful one," members of the group caught his attention and began asking him where he stood on the issue.

When told of the citizen's concerns about how corporate money was impacting elections, Gronstal told them that's the way things work. When asked about the chance of Clean Election legislation reaching the floor he flatly said, "Not a chance."

Gronstal then went on a rant about how "naïve" these Iowans were, thinking that big money could be removed from Iowa elections, warning that "Republicans could just outspend us (Democrats) with a 527."

When someone in the crowd asked Gronstal about the half a million dollars that he raised during the last election cycle and doled out to Democratic candidates, he scoffed at the figure, saying, "I raised twice that much!"

Eventually some 20 citizens gathered around Gronstal, eager to hear the bill's fate during the final days of the 2007 session. What many of them heard was not only disheartening, but ultimately insulting.

Rather than listen to their reasonable concerns about the influence of money in politics, Gronstal arrogantly claimed that the votes for Clean Elections "weren't there." When a woman challenged this claim, Gronstal launched into her. "I make the decisions of what bills come to the floor…I'm the best vote counter in this building. I got 25 years of experience."

At some point, an older gentleman interrupted the Senate Majority Leader, saying, "You're nothing but a Republican in Democrat clothing."

Like a petty tyrant who has finally been called on his bad behavior the Senate Majority Leader lost it. Gronstal squared off with the older gentleman and said, "That's the lowest blow that anyone's ever dealt me. You can kiss my ass!"

Visibly shaken, Gronstal stormed off. He walked a short distance away from the group and then lifted his head up to the top of the Capitol and SHOUTED "F*ck You!" A large group of elementary school children were touring the Rotunda while this was happening.

Inappropriate behavior at the Capitol is not unusual, but somebody with the title of Senate Majority Leader should not be allowed to speak to Iowa voters in such a vulgar manner especially while young children are nearby. The office and the Senate of Iowa deserve better.

If you're appalled at Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal's behavior, contact the Iowa Senate and demand that Gronstal issue a public apology.

E-mail: michael.gronstal@legis.state.ia.us
Home Telephone: 712-328-2808

SENATE SWITCHBOARD: (515) 281-3371
HOUSE SWITCHBOARD: (515) 281-3221

Find Your Legislator and their email address by visiting www.legis.state.ia.us/FindLeg

Demand a public apology. Iowans expect more from their leaders.