Senate Issues – 2004
1 EXPENDITURE LIMITATION (HF 2039)

Reduces the percentage of revenue that is available to meet budget needs and puts more into savings at a time when revenues are already too short to meet our needs.

  • IFL position was “NO.”                    

  • Senate Vote: Passed 21 yes – 21 no

  • Item vetoed by Governor
2 PAY FREEZE RESOLUTION  (HCR 104)                                    

Requests the Governor and state employee unions to renegotiate contracts and accept pay freezes to make up for the budget shortfall.

  • IFL position was “NO.”                  

  • Senate Vote: Passed 27 yes – 21 no

  • Passed by House; non-binding; Governor’s signature not required
3 WORKERS’ COMPENSATION  (HF 2304)

Makes technical changes requested by the agency and provides for confidentiality, but cuts benefits for school employees.

  • IFL position was “YES.”

  • House Vote: Passed 49 yes – 0 no

  • Died in House
4 CONSUMER AWARD LIMITATIONS (HF 2440) 

Sets arbitrary $250,000 limitation on awards for damages in medical malpractice lawsuits, which unfairly hurts innocent people who have been wrongfully injured.                                                    

  • IFL position was “NO.”                    

  • Senate Vote: Passed 27 yes – 21 no

  • Vetoed by Governor
5 EDUCATION FUNDING  (SF 2124)       

Inadequately funds education for the 2005-06 school year, which will cause more layoffs for teachers and school personnel and less money for textbooks and supplies in schools already hurting from lack of resources.                                        

  • IFL position was “NO.”

  • Senate Vote: Passed 28 yes – 21 no

  • Vetoed by Governor

6 SCHOOL TUITION CREDITS (SF 2295)

Shifts revenues to private schools by providing tuition tax credits to persons who donate money to private school scholarship or tuition assistance programs, but not for those who donate to public school foundations.

  • IFL position was “NO.”

  • Senate Vote: Passed 37 yes – 10 no             

  • Vetoed by Governor
7 IPERS  (S-5259 to HF 2262)

Provides contribution increases to fund IPERS commitments and maintains 60-40 employer/employee contribution ratio.

  • IFL position was “YES.”

  • Senate Vote: Failed 21 yes – 28 no

  • Died in Senate
8 OVERTIME PROCEDURAL VOTE   (H-8482 to SF 2298)                                                

Exempts Iowa workers from the Bush overtime changes.                  

  • IFL position was “YES.”                   

  • Senate Vote: Failed 22 yes – 26 no
9 OMNIBUS BUDGET BILL (SF 2298)

Combines most of state funding (approximately $5 billion) for FY2005 into one bill and includes policy-related matters. Provides inadequate funding for education, health care and human services; policy provisions include cuts in Workers’ Comp benefits for school employees and a ban on state employees assuming privatized work.

  • IFL position was “NO.”

  • Senate Vote: Passed 28 yes – 20 no

  • Governor approved most appropriations but item-vetoed a number of policy issues, including those mentioned above
10 CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT FOR REFERENDUM ON TAX INCREASES (SJR 2010)

Requires that any legislation to raise taxes by $45 million or more that is passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor must be approved by a vote of the people before it takes effect.  Makes it extremely difficult to raise revenue for education and other vital government services.

  • IFL position was “NO.”

  • Senate Vote: Passed 26 yes – 23 no

  • Governor's signature not required; to take effect must be passed by the next General Assembly and then by a vote of the people of Iowa