Following up on my post below about the cost of implementing the VOICE legislation (HF 805), I just spoke a bit with Adam Mason of Voter-Owned Iowa to clear up and talk about a few things. Nothing specifically quotable, but just some discussion. Clearly, the cost is an issue with the legislation — but let’s put it into perspective. When considering the overall budget of the state, $10 million is 1/10 of 1% of the total budget. That’s a mere drop in the bucket.
Of course, we have to take into account that spending that will be limited in other fields that are critical to successful legislating and policy implementation. But, if CityView’s Civic Skinny column from last week is right, then we’re doing just fine when it comes to state revenue and the ability to pay for things that both Gov. Culver and the Legislature want:
“But money lets a governor do almost anything, and the state is suddenly rolling in it. Net taxes in February were $44.5 million higher than taxes collected in February 2006, and net taxes collected in the past 12 months were $383.9 million higher than in the year-earlier period, according to a little-noted new state report. Income taxes and gambling taxes account for most of the gains. Whatever the cause, Culver can easily give nearly every agency almost everything it wants, thanks to a compliant Democratic legislature.”
Don’t believe Skinny or think they got something wrong? Check out the memo from the LSA here (PDF). We’re going to have the revenue and the ability to make this work. The sections of the bill allow for public funding don’t take effect until 2010, allow for a build-up in the fund to make sure that everyone using the system can remain competitive and create the appropriate transition time to create the implementation mechanisms necessary in IECDB and other areas. And trust me, I’ve got no qualms with giving IECDB the money they need to improve their services and transparency — which the electronic filing and other requirements of VOICE would help do. Wanna know more about VOICE? Check out an FAQ here.
Basically, here are the few other things that I know. The bill is funnel-proof. It has been passed out of both the state government committees in the House and the Senate, at least as a study bill. But Rep. Jo Oldson is the Chair of the full Appropriations Committee and has basically said she’s taking her cues for the bill from the leadership. Their goal isn’t necessarily to kill the bill, but it doesn’t seem like they’re ready for it to come to the floor. So, the plan seems that they’re going to stifle the bill and keep it from coming to the floor until the end of the session — effectively killing it, but not doing it so bluntly. We’ve still got a lot of work to do, but let’s keep pushing forward. This fight doesn’t end any time soon.
Chris,
I was just about to leave a reply to your previous post about VOICE, pretty much stating the exact same hypothesis — that they’re going to stall the bill out and let it die a slow painful death in House Aprropriations. I received word from Jacoby yesterday in response to some of my questions and concerns, and he keeps talking about the funding obstacle. As your post states, the funding is there if the priority is there, and it sounds like House Leadership isn’t ready to make VOICE a top priority.
Unless of course, We the People demand it. We need to keep spreading the word to everyone and light a fire under the netroots and grassroots movement. Much like eminent domain, I think VOICE can catch afire with the right amount of kersosene. We need to reclaim out government. I think I’m going to start targeting Murphy and McCarthy and Gronstal and Culver a little more. I’m also going to work on a guest column and submit it to every paper in Iowa over the weekend to help stoke the fire.
chris,
Email me at amyfencl@msn.com
Jim Clausen
I can’t get the link to take me to the LSA memo.
Here’s a perfect example of the need for VOICE:
For years, Patty “Pig” Judge has been at the trough of big pork. Everyone knows that Culver promised her a hands-off policy on pork related issues if she dropped out early and joined his campaign. Well, now Culver has tossed the four most environmental friendly members of the state environmental protection commission. Amazing. Francis Thicke is planning a protest of sorts tomorrow at the meeting. It’s all about money, folks. This is the candidate that our party sold to the highest bidder. Pity when the only thing we can say to console ourselves is: “well, he’s better than Nussle.”
Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement is working with groups and people to put together phone banks, house parties, etc abut VOICE. To get involved contact Adam at 515-282-0484. I am in Jo Oldson’s district and have called her perhaps 6 times in the past week, I may send her a check for $100 (for her next campaign, of course) with a request for a return call to see if that does the trick.
Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement is working with groups and people to put together phone banks, house parties, etc abut VOICE. To get involved contact Adam at 515-282-0484. I am in Jo Oldson’s district and have called her perhaps 6 times in the past week, no response, I may send her a check for $100 (for her next campaign, of course) with a request for a return call to see if that does the trick.
Ha, sad irony that you have to give Jo $100 to get her to help with legislation to rein in campaign contributions.
Chris Woods, where are you?
Are you ever going to blog again?
What I’m hearing from Jacoby this morning:
1. He doesn’t think the bill will reach the floor.
2. The money is not in the budget, due to a need to cover mental health costs in the large counties.
3. “The bottom line is there isn’t enough votes.”
Too bad we’ve got Dems unreceptive to the desires of their constituents:
http://www.blogforiowa.com/blog/_archives/2007/4/19/2891595.html