This week at the Iowa House of Representatives, funding education continued to be a top priority. The House Education Committee approved House Study Bill 551 to extend the one-cent sales tax for the Secure an Advanced Vision for Education (SAVE) fund until 2050. This tax generates roughly $460 million a year in additional funds for education infrastructure.
House Study Bill 551 allows for additional uses for up to half of all SAVE dollars a district receives. These new uses include offsetting district transportation costs, funding a district cost per pupil equity budget adjustment and reducing the district’s additional property tax.
I supported this bill because it provides flexibility for Iowa’s school districts to address infrastructure and equity needs. The Study Bill now becomes a House File and moves to the House Ways and Means Committee.
The Iowa House got a late start this week in lieu of the Iowa caucuses. I traveled back to my hometown, Griswold, to participate. One of the big stories of the night was the Republican party saw a record-breaking participation rate of over 180,000 Iowans. I was pleased to see this increase in state-wide participation also impacted my precinct, with well over 100 residents participating.
However, I was disappointed by the lack of enthusiasm and diversity I saw around me. Very few participants spoke up in support of a candidate. The atmosphere in the room was subdued, and it was clear most people were only interested in casting their vote. Furthermore, my precinct was overwhelmingly attended by residents over the age of 60. I think at a local level, we can do more to engage our youth in the political process. There is a myth out there that young people are not attracted to the GOP platform. I know this to be a fallacy because of the enthusiastic, bright young Iowans I have a pleasure of interacting with everyday here at the Capitol. The principles of smaller government, lower taxes and local control have not changed. They should and do have cross-generational appeal. For those of us in the older generation, we can do more to reach out to the Millennial generation, articulate those principals and encourage them to get involved in the process.
As for the young Republicans waiting in the wings, I urge you to step forward. The party needs smart and engaged people like you. What are you waiting for? If you’re not sure how you can get involved or pursue a leadership position within the party, start by contacting your county GOP chair or vice chair. Contact information can be found at the Republican Party of Iowa website.
Let us not forget that the future of the party depends on youth involvement. As always, it has been a pleasure serving as your Iowa House Representative.
Iowa Fun Fact
Despite being a landlocked state, Iowa has an island city. Sabula, Iowa, is an island in the Mississippi river with a population of just over 550 residents.
Legislative Coffees
This session I will be attending a number of coffees in District 21 with other legislators from the area. Please come and visit with me from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. Feb. 20 in Creston at the Administration Building, 116 W. Adams St., or from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. in Corning at the Corning Library, 603 9th St.
Please feel free to contact me anytime. I can be reached at tom.moore@legis.iowa.gov and (712) 789-9954. It is a privilege to serve as your state representative.