Meeting Public Comments

Jason Edwards [Iowa National Guard]

In short, and certainly not meant to be a slight toward the United States Army Reserve the Iowa National Guard does not support this bill. See below for rationale:1) Unsure of the constitutionality of this particular bill. In short, this bill proposes the use of state funds in support of a 100% federal activity. Neither the Governor of Iowa nor the citizens of Iowa have access or direct use of the USAR.2) Dual role status The Iowa National Guard has a dual status role as both a state and federal asset whereas the USAR is a Title 10 asset only to be used in the event of presidential callup. Outside of Iowa USAR members spending portions of their drill check in Iowa communities, no state benefit exists from the USAR in the event of pandemic, natural disaster, or support to civilian agencies. If passed, the USAR scholarship program will detract from the readiness of the Iowa National Guard and the forces available to the IGOV for support to Iowans in times of crisis.3) The USAR in Iowa lacks the capacity and structure to manage this program. Management would likely have to come from a USAR HQ outside of Iowa. The largest USAR contingent in Iowa is the 103rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) Headquarters with an authorized strength of 300 Soldiers, with a total of approximately 2,600 USAR authorized positions in Iowa. On the other hand, the Iowa National Guard has seven full time personnel that manage education services for the Iowa National Guard as it takes significant manpower to administrate and remain compliant with section 256.210 of the Iowa Code.4). USAR paying tax while on T10 status? According to the Iowa Department of Revenue and unlike the Iowa National Guard, USAR T10 members stationed full time in Iowa are not paying any state taxes the way it is (p.2 of tax webpage).5). The potential for scope/bill creep. The proposed bills only represent the United States Army Reserve. Additionally, as you are aware there is a Navy and Marine Reserve contingent in Iowa as well so I suspect the appropriation will fall short of future demand as the program potentially grows.Tina Shaw (Iowa National Guard LL) will be on site tomorrow at the subcommittee meeting to field any questions.Thanks.Jason EdwardsIowa National Guard Director of Communication and Engagement