Rep. Chris Hagenow’s Capitol Update: Offset Allowable Growth Increase for Schools With Efficiencies

Each year, one of the high profile issues for the legislature is to set “allowable growth” for K-12 education funding.  The legislature determines what growth rate, if any, will be applied to the per-pupil funding amount.

What do you think about a proposal allowing a modest increase in allowable growth for K-12 schoos, but would encourage or require schools to make cuts or increase efficiencies? Tell us in comments.

Currently, K-12 education funding in Iowa is set at $5,883 per enrolled pupil. When you hear proposals for 0 percent, 2 percent or 4 percent allowable growth, that percentage is what would be applied to that $5883 per-pupil amount.

State and local funding is broken down into three segments:

• The first portion of the $5,883 is comprised of $5.40 per $1,000 of valuation in local property taxes.
• The second portion comes from a direct state appropriation, which takes the funding up to 87.5 percent of the $5,883 per pupil.
• The final 12.5 percent is finished off by additional local property taxes.  

One implication of this formula is that “property rich” districts (e.g. West Des Moines) are able to meet their share of the $5,883 per pupil with a lower levy rate than “property poor” districts.  These “property poor” districts need a much higher school property tax levy than schools in our area.  

In the past, to keep growing government in difficult budget years, the legislature set an allowable growth rate, and then intentionally underfunded its share of the K-12 funding the following year.  This underfunding pulled the rug out from under school districts, after they had already set their budgets.  

Last year, with new leadership in the House, we fixed this practice of intentional underfunding, and appropriated over $200 million additional dollars to make up this shortfall from the year before, while at the same time allowable growth was set at zero.

This year, there seems to be some consensus at the Capitol for some amount of allowable growth, yet no agreement yet on the exact rate. I agree with many that it’s time for a modest increase in school funding, but with our economic future still uncertain, I think it’s prudent that we set a growth rate we know is sustainable. I also would like to see any new K-12 educational spending offset by reductions and efficiencies in other areas.             

The education funding formula has also entered into the conversation on property tax reform.  Part of the plan recently passed out of the House Ways and Means Committee provides that the state pick up the above mentioned third piece of funding, the final 12.5 percent, currently paid by local property taxes.  

On the upside, this plan would provide direct relief to local property taxpayers, without impacting school funding at all.  On the other hand, as explained above, our area would get less property tax relief than other communities which must have higher levies to meet the funding formula amount.

Education funding in Iowa is a complex issue that significantly impacts the entire state budget.  We all want the best for our children, and I will continue to work toward an educational system that is respectful of taxpayers, while delivering value to families and our children.

Sledding Hills
With snow finally starting to fall across Iowa, children and families finally have the chance to head out and have fun snow sledding. Sadly, more and more publicly owned hills are being closed due to the threat of being sued.  

I am currently the bill manager of a piece of legislation that would add sledding to the list of activities immune from liability under the municipal tort claims act.  There have been multiple cases recently across the state where publicly-owned sledding hills have been closed because of a large jury award, or the threat of legal action against the city.  

Under current Iowa law, there is a list of recreational activities for which cities and counties are immune from civil liability.  Among other things, skateboarding, in-line skating, bicycling, unicycling, scootering, river-rafting, canoeing, or kayaking are some of the activites.  HF 2004 would simply add sledding to this list.  

It is important to note that this immunity only applies to risk inherent in sledding, and would not remove cities from liability from negligent acts.  For example, if a city negligently leaves a large piece of construction material in a sledding path, or somehow makes the sledding hill more dangerous, they would still be liable.  

I am hopeful that we can get the support to move this bill forward, and help provide some protection for this quintessential piece of Iowa life.   

Iowa State Song
Did you know that Iowa has a state song? This past week, we had a group of young men from Morningside College in Sioux City come to sing it for us in the House Chamber before the day began.

Here are the lyrics:

You asked what land I love the best, Iowa, tis Iowa,
The fairest State of all the west, Iowa, O! Iowa,
From yonder Mississippi’s stream
To where Missouri's waters gleam
O! fair it is as poet's dream, Iowa, in Iowa.

See yonder fields of tasseled corn, Iowa in Iowa,
Where plenty fills her golden horn, Iowa in Iowa,
See how her wondrous prairies shine.
To yonder sunset’s purpling line,
O! happy land, O! land of mine, Iowa, O! Iowa.

And she has maids whose laughing eyes, Iowa, O! Iowa.
To him whose loves were Paradise, Iowa, O! Iowa
O! happiest fate that e’er was known.
Such eyes to shine for one alone,
To call such beauty all his own. Iowa, O! Iowa

Go read the story of thy past. Iowa, O! Iowa
What glorious deeds, what fame thou hast! Iowa, O! Iowa
So long as time’s great cycle runs,
Or nations weep their fallen ones,
Thou’lt not forget thy patriot sons, Iowa, O! Iowa

Clive Chamber of Commerce Forum
The Clive Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring the next legislative forum in our area. The Chamber has invited everyone to attend their “Legislators Coffee” event on Saturday, Feb, 25, from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Walnut Ridge Senior Campus, second floor theatre room, located at 1701 Campus Drive, Clive, Iowa.

Along with myself, invited legislators include Sen. Jerry Behn, Sen, Pat Ward, Rep. Ralph Watts and Rep. Peter Cownie.

The Chamber is expecting another big crowd. If you have any questions, please let me know, or contact Kristy Greening at kgreening@clivechamber.org. Hope to see you there!

Contact Me
As always, I look forward to hearing your comments and ideas.  Please feel free to contact me anytime!
Representative Chris Hagenow
State Capitol
East 9th and Grand Ave.
Des Moines, IA 50319
(515) 281-3221
www.chrishagenow.com
chris.hagenow@legis.state.ia.us