Legislative digest
Posted: Tuesday, March 20, 2007
CIGARETTE TAX WARNING -- A top legislative Republican said Monday that Iowans need to hold Democrats accountable for how money from the cigarette tax increase will be spent.
Gov. Chet Culver, a Democrat, signed the $1-per-pack tax increase last week and vowed that the money will be used to expand health care programs. But Sen. Jeff Angelo, R-Creston, said he's heard this story before. "I think there's a danger sign that some of this money, or all of this money, won't be used for its stated goal," he said.
The cigarette tax legislation says that nearly all of next year's proceeds from the tax will go into a health care trust fund. However, legislators can spend money from trust funds in almost any way they want, with the exception of the trust fund for road projects.
House Democrats said last week that they will keep their promise to use the money for health care programs.
NO PRIVATE-RUN PRISONS -- The Iowa Department of Corrections would be prohibited from sending inmates to for-profit prisons under a measure that cleared the Iowa Senate Monday. The state has been looking at alternatives to deal with its growing prison population and the aging maximum security prison in Fort Madison.
But a bill sponsored by Sen. Eugene Fraise, D-Fort Madison, would ensure state corrections officials could not contract with a private industry to house inmates. "If you need the housing, you better bond for it and build it," Fraise said.
The measure passed 28-19 on a party-line vote. Senate Minority Leader Mary Lundby, R-Marion, said the state should keep all its options open, including contracting with the private sector. "We have a huge population now, and this completely closes the door to consideration," Lundby said.
VILSACK NAMED TO BOARD -- Former Gov. Tom Vilsack will be named today to the Institute for Tomorrow's Workforce board of directors. The institute was created by the Legislature to recommend ways to improve the education system and to meet the state's work force needs.
Senate President Jack Kibbie, D-Emmetsburg, said Vilsack will be a great addition to the board. "I think he enhances the group. He brings a lot to the table with his experience," Kibbie said. Vilsack, who left office in January, will join a group that includes top leaders from business, politics and academia. He will be joined at a news conference Tuesday by the board's co-chairmen, former University of Northern Iowa President Robert Koob and Des Moines business executive Marvin Pomerantz.
NAUGURAL DISCLOSURE -- Donations to the governor's inauguration festivities would be subject to new limits and disclosure requirements under a bill passed Monday by the Iowa Senate. The bill's lead sponsor, Sen. Jeff Danielson, D-Waterloo, said Iowans have a right to know who is paying for the inauguration. "I think (the bill) speaks to the Legislature's ability to provide some oversight to the process," Danielson said. The bill caps individual contributions to the inauguration at $25,000 and requires disclosure of all donors who give more than $200.
Gov. Chet Culver, a Democrat, signed the $1-per-pack tax increase last week and vowed that the money will be used to expand health care programs. But Sen. Jeff Angelo, R-Creston, said he's heard this story before. "I think there's a danger sign that some of this money, or all of this money, won't be used for its stated goal," he said.
The cigarette tax legislation says that nearly all of next year's proceeds from the tax will go into a health care trust fund. However, legislators can spend money from trust funds in almost any way they want, with the exception of the trust fund for road projects.
House Democrats said last week that they will keep their promise to use the money for health care programs.
NO PRIVATE-RUN PRISONS -- The Iowa Department of Corrections would be prohibited from sending inmates to for-profit prisons under a measure that cleared the Iowa Senate Monday. The state has been looking at alternatives to deal with its growing prison population and the aging maximum security prison in Fort Madison.
But a bill sponsored by Sen. Eugene Fraise, D-Fort Madison, would ensure state corrections officials could not contract with a private industry to house inmates. "If you need the housing, you better bond for it and build it," Fraise said.
The measure passed 28-19 on a party-line vote. Senate Minority Leader Mary Lundby, R-Marion, said the state should keep all its options open, including contracting with the private sector. "We have a huge population now, and this completely closes the door to consideration," Lundby said.
VILSACK NAMED TO BOARD -- Former Gov. Tom Vilsack will be named today to the Institute for Tomorrow's Workforce board of directors. The institute was created by the Legislature to recommend ways to improve the education system and to meet the state's work force needs.
Senate President Jack Kibbie, D-Emmetsburg, said Vilsack will be a great addition to the board. "I think he enhances the group. He brings a lot to the table with his experience," Kibbie said. Vilsack, who left office in January, will join a group that includes top leaders from business, politics and academia. He will be joined at a news conference Tuesday by the board's co-chairmen, former University of Northern Iowa President Robert Koob and Des Moines business executive Marvin Pomerantz.
NAUGURAL DISCLOSURE -- Donations to the governor's inauguration festivities would be subject to new limits and disclosure requirements under a bill passed Monday by the Iowa Senate. The bill's lead sponsor, Sen. Jeff Danielson, D-Waterloo, said Iowans have a right to know who is paying for the inauguration. "I think (the bill) speaks to the Legislature's ability to provide some oversight to the process," Danielson said. The bill caps individual contributions to the inauguration at $25,000 and requires disclosure of all donors who give more than $200.
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