Meeting Public Comments

Margaret Buckton [Urban Education Network and Rural School Advocates of Iowa]

Both UEN and RSAI are opposed to the rule change exempting bills from the Ed Reform Committee from Appropriations and Ways and Means Committee approval. The timetested process of all legislation impacting the balance sheet having to endure the oversight and due diligence of both the appropriations and ways and means committee is critical to good government. These procedural stops are an important part of democracy, to allow stakeholders and individuals concerned about the states financial picture to weigh in on policies that are generated at the policy committee level. In the case of the Education Reform Committee, its even more important. The Governors website mentions an investment of over $900 million in scholarships for private school students. Weve costed the proposal out at somewhere between $300 and $400 million annually, but that all depends on the assumptions. How many students would choose private schools without this proposal? Do any home school students switch to private school with this proposal? How many from public school? Do addition private schools establish in Iowa, like they did in Florida in the 30 most rural counties of their state? What is the impact on the teacher shortage? On programs for public school students? On the balance sheet? Should the existing tax credits which help middle and low income families offset tuition expenses continue given this broad proposal? What happens to the states ability to fund both public and private systems when the onetime surplus is spent? True transparency, which is necessary for a democracy to work, requires thoughtful consideration of the fiscal impacts of proposed legislation. When legislation is especially costly and controversial, extra due diligence is required so that legislators are fully informed, by their nonpartisan budget staff and their constituents, when it comes time to cast their vote. Thank you for the opportunity to comment.