• Home
  • About Us
  • Advertise With Us
  • Caffeinated Thoughts Gear
  • Contact Us
  • Donate
  • The Caffeinated Thoughts Podcast

Caffeinated Thoughts

Stimulating Christian Conservative News & Commentary

Social Media Management
  • Culture
  • Current Events
    • Sports
  • Education
  • Faith & Theology
  • Iowa News & Politics
  • State News & Politics
    • California News & Politics
    • Colorado News & Politics
    • Illinois News & Politics
    • Kansas News & Politics
    • Missouri News & Politics
    • Nebraska News & Politics
    • New Hampshire News & Politics
    • Ohio News & Politics
    • South Carolina News & Politics
    • South Dakota News & Politics
    • Wisconsin News & Politics
  • U.S. News & Politics
    • Election Central

The Sinclair Report: Week One in the Iowa Senate

January 16, 2015 By Amy Sinclair



State Senator Amy Sinclair with Butch and Susie Gibbs of Humeston

State Senator Amy Sinclair with Butch and Susie Gibbs of Humeston

This week, the new Legislative Session got underway as new Legislators were sworn into office, and priorities were established by leadership of both parties, both chambers and by the Governor. It was a week filled with ceremony, as I was invited to escort the Governor Branstad from his office to deliver his Condition of the State address. Next week the real work will begin. And that work will include some very difficult decisions, some necessary compromises, and a solid look at the priorities of the state of Iowa.

Committee assignments have been made, and I have been named to several. I will serve this year on the Local Government Committee, the Commerce Committee, the Education Appropriations Subcommittee, and I will serve as Ranking Member of the Senate Education Committee.

One of the most difficult pieces of the 2015 Legislative Session will be the budget. As we look forward to establishing appropriations for FY16, we face the heavy weight of a structural deficit before spending an additional dime on priorities.  Built-in commitments from the previous General Assembly – through property tax relief, comprehensive education reform, and increases in Medicaid spending – already exceed the estimated increase in state revenue for the upcoming budget. The order of the day will be to identify the priorities of the state and match our limited resources to meet them.

During his Condition of the State address, Governor Branstad identified the need to improve our infrastructure and provide necessary funding to rebuild our crumbling rural roads and bridges. This idea rings true in District 14. The question is how do we pay for what we all see as a priority?

Many say the only fair and sustainable option is to increase the fuel tax statewide. I feel we can take creative steps in providing sustainable, long-term funding that addresses the infrastructure most in need of maintenance. I have filed three bills that would 1) provide immediate relief to counties in addressing bridge restoration, 2) provide local control and revenue possibilities for cities and counties, and 3) offer motorists a choice in registration to increase the revenue into the RUTF. I look forward to being a part of the solution that meets the need while being responsible to taxpayers.

Within committee work, there is much to be done early for education. During our organizational committee meeting, I identified several issues the Iowa Legislature should do to support school districts in District 14 and across the state. The legislature needs to address supplemental state aid for our public schools for the upcoming budget year, as well as for the following fiscal year. We need to get aid established so that districts may begin work on their own budgets to meet statutory requirements. We will also need to address the issue of school start date, rural transportation, and take a good look at how gifted education is carried out at the state and local level. Student mental health and bullying will also likely be topics within education this year.

  • About
  • Latest Posts

Amy Sinclair

Iowa State Senator Amy Sinclair (R-Allerton) represents Iowa Senate District 14 (Clarke, Decatur, Lucas, Marion and Wayne Counties).Prior to her election to the Iowa Senate in 2012 she was on the Wayne County Board of Supervisors for six years.

Latest posts by Amy Sinclair (see all)

  • Kadyn’s Law Falling Short of Expectations - September 15, 2016
  • The Sinclair Report: Gas Tax Increase & Marijuana - February 13, 2015
  • The Sinclair Report: Iowa Senate Rules & Supplemental State Aid - February 6, 2015

Related

Filed Under: Iowa News & Politics Tagged With: 2015 Legislative Session, Bullying, Condition of the State Address, Fuel Tax, infrastructure, Iowa Senate, Road Use Tax Fund, Terry Branstad

About Amy Sinclair

Iowa State Senator Amy Sinclair (R-Allerton) represents Iowa Senate District 14 (Clarke, Decatur, Lucas, Marion and Wayne Counties). Prior to her election to the Iowa Senate in 2012 she was on the Wayne County Board of Supervisors for six years.

Get CT In Your Inbox!

Connect With Us!

  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Instagram
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Subscribe to Our Podcast

Apple PodcastsBlubrry Google Play Music Podbean Soundcloud Stitcher

travis-risvold-modern-woodman
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact Us
  • CT Gear
  • Donate
  • Send a News Tip
  • The Caffeinated Thoughts Briefing

Top Posts & Pages

  • No Mass Shootings: The Myth of Australia's Gun Control Policy
  • Dietrich Bonhoeffer: Cheap Grace vs. Costly Grace
  • Elon Musk – Production Hell or Party Balloons? Pick One.
  • Top Ten Reasons Why Students Need More Literature (Not Less)
  • Are Transgender Marines and Sailors Causing Unit Cohesion Problems?
  • The DNC Says They Are Suing Russia and the Trump Campaign
  • How Does the Bible Define the Word Nation? (It Is Not What You Think)
  • The Top 15 Most Popular Governors Are Republican
  • Update: Reynolds Signs Bill Changing Iowa's Statewide Assessment Developer
  • Seven Ways Christians Should Respond to Persecution

Recent Posts

  • Elon Musk – Production Hell or Party Balloons? Pick One.
  • The DNC Says They Are Suing Russia and the Trump Campaign
  • Are Transgender Marines and Sailors Causing Unit Cohesion Problems?
  • The Top 15 Most Popular Governors Are Republican
  • Iowa Ethics & Campaign Disclosure Board Sides With Pate, Rebuts AP Story
  • The Expendables: There’s More to Life than Death
  • Ernst Calls For A Fix to Dysfunctional Budget Process
  • Update: Reynolds Signs Bill Changing Iowa’s Statewide Assessment Developer

© Copyright 2018 Caffeinated Thoughts · All Rights Reserved · Hosted by 4:15 Communications, LLC.