Action Line for March 26, 2009
Volume XXXII, Number 11
The March 20 Revenue Estimating Conference lowered the estimate of state revenues for both fiscal year 2009 and 2010. Lower revenues will lead to further budget reductions across most areas of state government. The Democratic leaders released revised budget targets, reducing another $328 million below the governor’s original budget recommendation. Their revisions include lowering the FY 2010 education budget subcommittee targets by $60 million (this group includes community colleges, regents, the DE, Department of Cultural Affairs, and other direct state appropriations) and reducing the standing appropriations by another $182 million (this includes state foundation aid for K-12 districts and AEAs). The governor’s office and legislative leaders are working to finalize the budget picture for FY 2009 and for FY 2010. Included in this mix are the federal economic stimulus funds. Unless the Legislature takes action, allowable growth for FY 2010 is still at 4 percent.
As local district leaders prepare budgets, keep in mind that the Iowa Department of Management (DOM) will allow a district to lower a cash reserve levy but it will not allow you to increase the levy after the public process to set the budget has been completed. After DOM enters all the appropriate numbers and sends them back to your district, likely in mid-May, you may request lowering the cash reserve levy if it is later determined that federal stimulus funds provided sufficient cash to fund spending authority for FY 2010.
The latest rumors on collective bargaining (Ch. 20) and teacher contract termination (Ch. 279) legislation suggest that the changes will not be acceptable to IASB members nor significantly different than last year. IASB adamantly opposed last year’s changes. Start talking to your legislators now about the importance of your board maintaining the ability to govern your district. Talk about the board’s role in the hearing process for teacher termination, due process rights for boards, and the difficulties of expanding the scope of bargaining, especially during tough budget times. See IASB’s web page for Collective Bargaining and Teacher Contract Termination Advocacy Resources, including talking points, at http://www.ia-sb.org/LegislativeAdvocacy.aspx?id=5870.
Use the following link to fill us in on any responses you are getting from legislators, at http://www.ia-sb.org/LegislativeAdvocacy.aspx?id=6466. It should take you no more than two minutes to describe your conversation via the Local Legislative Contact Report.
HF 777, SF 282 -Open Meetings/Public Records by State Government
Much work has been done on the open meetings and public records bill and all of it good! The latest amendment pulls the new definitions of public records, eliminates the private e-mails of board members and employees from being public records if the e-mail was about school district business and, most importantly, includes in the definition of “confidential record” applicant files with no requirement that the names and qualifications of the final five candidates have to be public records. IASB is currently monitoring the bill, which is on both chambers’ calendars (with the House File being the one that is expected to move). IASB’s registration will likely change to “For” when the amendment is adopted by the full House.
SF445 - Teacher Salary Funds into Single District Schedule
This bill requires school districts and AEAs to include the teacher quality salary and Phase II salary per pupil funds into their district salary schedule beginning in FY 2011. This would eliminate the multiple salary schedules or addendum letters that school districts and AEAs currently have. When the funds were included in the school foundation formula as per pupil amounts during last year’s session, a budget guarantee was also created to set a floor for any district’s allocation. IASB worked with other education stakeholders, including ISEA, on a compromise amendment in the full Senate Education Committee that requires a reopener if funds are reduced from these specific salary allocations. Since adoption of that amendment, IASB has supported the bill, now on the House Calendar.
SF 456 - Wind Energy Tax Credit Certificates
This bill makes school districts and community colleges eligible for tax credit certificates if they install a wind turbine. To be eligible, the applicant must use the energy created by the turbine. IASB supports this bill as amended. It moves to the House where there is a companion bill, HF 747.
SSB 1313 - Biodiesel Mandate
This bill would require that only biodiesel fuel is sold in the state. Under the bill, conventional diesel fuel would no longer be available. This bill is in Senate Ways and Means and IASB is monitoring the bill. We have raised questions about the potential for increased fuel costs to local districts, the problems with winter use of certain biodiesel blends and the impact of biodiesel use on backup generators.
Other Resources
Please visit www.ia-sb.org to view this week’s Capitol Cast video clip from Margaret Buckton.
IASB Government Relations Team
Margaret Buckton, mbuckton@ia-sb.org
Mary Gannon, mgannon@ia-sb.org
Emily Piper, emily80@mchsi.com
Marte Brightman, mbrightman@ia-sb.org
Delivery Note: IASB sends you the Action Line by the fastest method possible: E-mails are usually sent Thursday evening; the print version is mailed Friday. If you prefer the Action Line by a method other than how it's now being sent to you, please contact Marte Brightman at IASB, mbrightman@ia-sb.org, or 1-800-795-4272.