IFFC Statement on GOP Presidential Endorsement

BREAKING: Iowa
FFC Statement on GOP Presidential Endorsement

November 30, 2011

You may have seen recent news reports ( http://caucuses.desmoinesregister.com/2011/11/27/iowas-social-conservatives-mull-unified-endorsement/) about the efforts by conservative leaders in Iowa to come to some general
consensus about the who should be the GOP nominee to face off against President
Obama next November. I was invited to attend an initial meeting and did so
because our greatest hope is to restore America’s greatness and founding
principles and we believe that changing the occupant of the White House is a
major step towards setting our country back on the path towards conservative
values.

Soon after that meeting, I told Jason Noble of the Des Moines Register that the Iowa Faith
& Freedom Coalition would not endorse a candidate. I believe that it is the
role of our members and supporters to endorse the candidate of their choice.
There are many strong conservative candidates running and while none of them
are perfect, our October 22nd Banquet highlighted for me just how blessed we
are to have so many strong pro-life, pro-family, pro-national security and
pro-freedom candidates running for the GOP nomination.

I will continue to reach out to and encourage all of the campaigns to speak a bold conservative
message that unites values voters, economic conservatives and national security
hawks.

Steve Scheffler,
President, Iowa Faith & Freedom Coalition

Presidential Forum Now Available on CSPAN

A big thank you to all of our faithful supporters that made our Presidential Forum a great success.   On October 22 we were honored by the presence of 6  of the folks who are competing for your vote on January 3rd at the first in the nation Iowa Primaries!  View pictures of our event at: http://ffciowamedia.com/events/2011-fall-presidential-forum

If you were unable to attend you will want to see what these candidates say on CSPAN.   http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/302136-1

 

As of today, we have confirmations from Michele Bachmann, Herman Cain, Newt Gingrich, Ron Paul, Rick Perry and Rick Santorum.

Visit http://ffciowamedia.com/herman-cain-joins-line-up-for-october-22nd-presidential-forum for details.

Five candidates confirmed for Iowa Faith and Freedom
dinner Oct. 22
DesMoinesRegister.com
The coalition’s events are typically well attended by conservative Iowans.
Steve Scheffler, president of Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition and
a member of …

October 22, 2011 Presidential Forum at the State Fairgrounds

DES MOINES HOUSE PARTY FEATURING TIM PAWLENTY PACKED OUT!

The Iowa Faith & Freedom held another one of its ongoing series of house parties featuring different presidential candidates this past Monday evening.  Our guest
this time was Gov. Tim Pawlenty. We sincerely appreciate the hospitality of Jim and Rhonda Dilley in hosting this house party in their home. The event was
packed out to capacity!

Gov. Pawlenty gave his vision for limited government and the need to return America to its greatness that the Founders laid down more than 200 years ago. He also laid out
his positions on critical issues of the day. In addition, he reminded attendees that America must remember the admonition of II Chronicles, calling God’s
people to repentance as a step towards healing our land.

Gopal Krishna, Vice-President, was the Master of Ceremonies for the evening, and as usual, provided attendees with his keen sense of humor. We were honored to have
Congressman Tom Latham in attendance. In addition, State Representative’s Julian Garrett and Chris Hagenow were in attendance and re-capped the results
of the recently concluded Iowa State Legislature.

Steve Scheffler, President, re-capped the positive results from the election cycle—distribution of a record number of voter guides, turning out the pro-family vote in 8 of the
most competitive state legislative races, and the VoterTrak program. Steve stressed the need to have activists actively involved in the most competitive State Senate races in 2012 (many pro-family pieces of pro-life, pro-family pieces of legislation were passed in the House and then were “dead on arrival” in the Senate).

Attendees were encouraged to attend the Iowa Straw Poll on Saturday—the first big test for presidential candidates—their first test of organizational strength leading up
to the Iowa Caucuses.  Good food, good fellowship and vetting of presidential candidate Tim Pawlenty were enjoyed by all.

Iowa FFC On the Move: Hosts Packed House Parties with Rep. Bachmann

By Steve Scheffler

In an ongoing invitation to presidential candidates crisscrossing Iowa, Congresswoman Michele Bachmann highlighted gatherings in both Dubuque and Cedar Rapids Monday evening.  The Iowa Faith & Freedom Coalition will not be endorsing any presidential candidate.  However, we believe it is critical that pro-family Iowans have the opportunity to visit with all the candidates—ask them the “tough” questions—and then make a judgment who earns their support in the 2012 Iowa Caucuses.  We are seeing most of these candidates crisscrossing Iowa now in a mad dash to perform well in the Iowa Straw Poll, slated for August 13th in Ames.

 

Over 100 people packed the home of Ron and Becky Herrig in Dubuque to visit with and hear the vision for a Bachmann presidency.  Upwards of 150 people filled the back yard of Bob and Patti Klaus in Cedar Rapids later in the evening.

Michele Bachmann was accompanied by her husband, Marcus.  She recapped her youth in Iowa and her appreciation for the values that she learned here.  Ms. Bachmann also touched on how important her faith was in developing her value system.  Issues ranging from foreign policy (including defending Israel), to the sanctity of marriage to the “life” issue, to the debt limit now being debated in Washington, to the sad state of our educational system, and other subjects were touched on.

In both cities—attendees posed some really great questions.  The congresswoman answered all the questions posed to her very directly.

I want to thank Ron and Becky Herrig in Dubuque and Bob and Patti Klaus in Cedar Rapids for being so generous in opening up their homes to host these two house parties.  Our appreciation also goes out to them for providing refreshments for all the guests.  These faithful supporters of IFFC are indeed appreciated!

Steve Scheffler

President,  Iowa Faith & Freedom Coalition

LeRoy Carhart: A Legislative Response

      

By Dan Boddicker

The timing of “Dr.” LeRoy Carhart’s announcement of his intentions to put a late term abortion clinic in Council Bluffs after the November 2 elections was wise. The abortion issue has pretty much been off the radar screen since the election of Chet Culver in 2006. This election cycle primarily focused on fiscal policy and social policy was dominated only by the judicial retention vote.

Carhart’s plans to move his abortion business from an Omaha suburb to Council Bluffs present some interesting challenges for the pro-life community eager to stop him, and Senator Mike Gronstal may find yet another prominent social issue sitting firmly in his lap, one that could alienate him and his declining caucus even more from the voters of Iowa.

The reason for Carhart’s move to Iowa is due to recent laws passed by Nebraska’s legislature, which ban elective abortions after 20 weeks, citing the scientific fact that a baby’s nervous system is sufficiently developed to feel the pain of being dismembered, chemically burned or getting scissors shoved into the back of its skull. A law like this is bad for business, or so says Carhart.  Carhart claims late term abortions make up the majority of his business.

So how does Iowa respond? We already tolerate a city with the highest per capita abortion rate in America. Do we want a late term abortionist like LeRoy Carhart here? The sad fact of the matter is that, if there was no market for his grisly services, he wouldn’t be coming to Iowa. So while we work to stop him, we must also work to stop the demand for his “services.”
There are several options that the legislature, the Branstad administration, and the pro-life groups can pursue to thwart Carhart’s plans. They must work together if they hope for success.

Legislatively, the House can pass a bill making Iowa’s abortion laws like Nebraska’s.  The bill should be brought up and passed as quickly as possible and sent over to the Senate.  Senate Republicans should make this issue, along with the marriage amendment issue, their top two social-issue priorities. While they are working to bolster the House Republicans, efforts to cut and control spending, they need to get these social issues up for a vote. The closer Carhart gets to his ribbon cutting, the more pressure needs to be put on Gronstal to keep this menace out of his back yard. And like the Marriage Amendment, this issue is the one where senate tradition needs to be thrown out the window.

Rules exist for a reason, and it is high time that the written and adopted rules of the Senate prevail over the “good ol’ boy” agreement that has existed for decades not to use them.

Perhaps along with the post 20-week ban legislation, it’s time to revive “A-Woman’s-Right-To-Know” legislation. Those who are for “choice” should have no problem with “informed choice”, right?

Regulatory solutions may include the Certificate Of Need (CON) process.  Whether or not Carhart’s type of facility falls under the CON process will depend on what equipment Carhart will require in his facility and whether his activities are considered outpatient surgery.  If it does, then pressure needs to be put on the Department Of Public Health (DPH),and state health facilities panel to make sure that all the requirements are met and that the community actually has a need to have its unborn babies over 20 weeks killed. Governor Branstad must step up and make sure that his DPH Director makes sure that the law is followed.

The Appropriations process may also provide some opportunities to slow down or stop Carhart’s efforts. Perhaps this issue can be used to finally de-fund Planned Parenthood and any other facility that provides abortions or referrals. Most Iowans don’t want their tax dollars funding abortions and never have.   Funds could be directed to crisis pregnancy clinics to provide for ultrasound equipment so that these girls and women can see the life that is in them. Then they can make an educated choice, something that the abortion industry and abortion rights advocates fear the most.

Whatever the legislature does, it is time for the sleeping giant to reawaken and get the attention of the legislature. The lobbying muscles of the pro-life community that existed back in the 90’s have gotten flabby, and the knowledge of how to do grassroots lobbying has become foggy. It’s time for Iowa Right to Life, the Iowa Catholic Conference, the Iowa Christian Alliance, and the other pro-life and conservative groups to step up and fight for our unborn children.

Dan Boddicker is a former Iowa State Representative from Tipton, Iowa.  Boddicker served as the chairman of the House Human Resources committee.

WE THE PEOPLE TO IOWA SUPREME COURT JUDGES

COMMENTARY -Norm Pawlewski

November 3, 2010

TURN IN YOUR ROBES – YOU’RE FIRED              

               According to Rekha Basu in her column this morning, “Justice not served by vengeful ousters,” Rekha, as usual, still doesn’t get it.  Almost a half million Iowans voted to deny retention to three Supreme Court justices, not out of any need for vengeance, but a need to restore the balance of power as provided in their constitution.  The constitution ultimately belongs to all the people.  Like Rekha, the justices either never appreciated that principle or forgot. 

            The losers— the elitists, the lawyers, the progressive left are, as expected, spinning their rejection by the voters as a hissy fit, a tantrum.   Frankly, this is stupidity on their part.  Rekha says, “Now, in a subversion of the judicial retention vote, a band of misguided activists look to have punished the justices……”  She says also, “But because of a vengeful vote, that seemed all but certain at press time, judges now have to worry about the payback with every controversial ruling they make.”  No Rekha, they only have to worry about controversial rulings that exceed their mandate, defy civility, create rights where they are unwarranted and/or non-existent and act like they are a law unto themselves. 

            One more quote from Rekha’s article:  “The issue is, are the judges qualified to be on the bench?  The vote –no people’s actions are at best arbitrary and at worst retaliatory.”  This from a Sioux City attorney who served in three of Bob Vander Plaats’ gubernatorial campaigns before breaking with him on the judge retention issue. 

            When the sore losers start to whine about vengeful voters, out-of-state money, out-of state-activists, etc., remind them that almost one-half million Iowa voters voted to deny retention to these three judges, but allowed dozens more to keep their jobs.  Your decision, whether you voted yes or no, was made after a considerable amount of discussion and debate.  If anything, the main street media, like the Des Moines Register, went overboard to support retention.  Every editorial and most guest columns were skewed toward retention.  They did everything they could to frame the issue as one of guaranteeing judicial impartiality and keeping politics out of the courts.  Every one of these judges was a political appointee.  One article in the Register, “A question of BALANCE,” Thursday, October 28^th, made it clear that the current system is controlled by Democrats, for Democrats. 

            Now that we the people have their attention, we need to work through the Legislature and our new governor to straighten out the imbalance in the judicial nominating and appointment process.  That’s why I said in my last commentary on this issue, “This is not the end of the issue of dealing with Iowa’s activist judges.  It is the beginning.” 

SOME OTHER BIG WINS FOR THE PEOPLE

            There were a few disappointments yesterday.  I wanted Brenna Findley to be Attorney General and Brad Zaun to represent the 3^rd Congressional District in Washington.  I also thought David Jamison would be a great State Treasurer.  And I wanted David Funk to shake up the Polk County Board of Supervisors. 

            But there were some real big wins.  Kent Sorenson, who endured the most negative, unfair and downright disgusting campaign ads, won.  Kent, who came to Christ about ten years ago, was savaged by Sen. Staci Appel (wife of Supreme Court Justice Brent Appel) for his life before Christ.  Kent takes seriously Galatians 2:20~~”I have been crucified with Christ.  It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me, and the life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me.”  And Romans 12:2~~”Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”  That’s how Kent has tried to live his life since coming to Christ.  Fortunately, his neighbors and the residents of Senate District 37 saw this in him and gave Mrs. Appel a whipping.  Kent won by almost 5,000 votes, 59% to her 41%.  Bye Bye Staci.

            Another big win (if it holds, because it’s close) Kim Pearson, attorney, home-schooler Mom and tea party activist, beat seven-term incumbent, Geri Huser, for House District 42.  The last report I saw had Kim up by less than 200 votes.  Geri Huser tried to tout her blue dog Democrat credentials during the last few days before the vote.  It seems not to have worked. 

            I will say more soon in another commentary after we have had a chance to look at complete results.  But congratulations are in order for Joel Fry for beating Mike Reasoner, to Bill Anderson taking an open Republican Senate seat and Rick Bertrand for filling an open Democrat Senate seat.

From the Capitol

Norm Pawlewski – Lobbyist
February 17, 2012

GAS TAX INCREASE – SENATE – HOUSE

SSB 3141 introduced by Sen. Tom Rielly (D) of Oskaloosa, chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, passed out of that committee on a 11-2 vote. Three Republicans joined eight Democrats to raise the tax on gasoline by 10 cents a gallon by Jan. 1, 2014. Sen. Joni Ernst (R), Sen. Hubert Houser (R), and Sen. Tim Kapucian (R) voted for SSB 3241. Sen. Brad Zaun (R) and Sen. Jim Hahn (R) voted no. Why these three Republicans voted for the bill, only they can answer. It could have passed out of committee without their votes.

HSB 547 introduced by Rep. Dave Tjepkes of Gowrie, chair of the House Transportation Committee, has not yet been voted on by the full committee. Some House Republicans are in favor of the bill; how many won’t be known until a vote is taken. The House version raises the gasoline tax by 4 cents per gallon in May of 2013 and another 4 cents in May of 2014.

There are other provisions in these bills, but the gasoline tax increase is the major purpose for them. When fully implemented, it is expected that as much as $220 million will flow into the state’s coffers. The average driver will contribute about $65 per year.

Supporters of the increase, the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, Iowa Corn Growers Association, Iowa League of Cities, Travel Federation of Iowa, Good Roads Association and the Iowa Soybean Association say the revenue is needed to repair deteriorating roads and bridges. Fair enough, but isn’t there another way to get the needed resources to get the job done? How about finding money in the current budget that has a much lower priority than roads and bridges? Is a higher tax the only solution available? What about Republican pledges not to raise taxes?

I realize that 8 cents or 10 cents a gallon, when gas is $3.50 or possibly going to $5.00 per gallon, doesn’t seem like a big deal. But when you look at the big picture, $220 million going into the state treasury, it sounds like a big deal. I would hope our Republican and Democrat legislators take a hard look at the state budget to find better ways of getting the job done without resorting to taking more money out of taxpayers’ pockets.

INTERNET GAMBLING

HSB-626 introduced by the House State Government Committee chair, Rep. Peter Cownie (R) of Polk, would expand Iowa’s gaming industry by allowing Internet poker to the mix. A similar bill, SSB 3164, was introduced by Sen. Jeff Danielson (D) of Black Hawk, chair of the Senate State Government Committee.

The Senate version will face its first test on Feb. 20th at 2:00 p.m. in a sub-committee made up of Sen. Danielson (D), Sen. Horn (D), and Sen. Bertrand (R). It is expected to pass out of the sub and be referred to the full committee.

The House sub-committee made up of Rep. Cownie (R), Rep. Iverson (R), and Rep. Wenthe (D), has not, as yet, scheduled a meeting on HSB 626.

Both of the bills expand gambling in Iowa and offer a new opportunity for problem gamblers to get into trouble.

Why do some people want to approve this additional form of gambling? They say Iowans are already doing it, so we need to protect them from some of the Internet predators that have taken advantage of an unregulated system. But they also say that the state is losing millions of dollars by not taking their cut.

If you believe as we do, that Iowa already has more gambling than is healthy for us, then I suggest you contact your legislators and tell them what you think about bringing casinos into the homes of Iowans by Internet.

WEB CAM BAN

Several bills to ban the use of Web Cams to catch speeders and red light violators are making their way through both chambers. Those of you who have contacted your legislators asking them to support the bans may be making some headway. Keep it up. We may get this newest privacy intrusion banned. The governor said he would sign a bill if it got to his desk. Continue to contact your legislators on this issue.

Sen. Brad Zaun (R) of Urbandale has an interesting take on this issue. His bill, SF 2191, requires that the money a city or county collects from traffic cameras, after costs, be distributed to non-profits by a five member citizens’ committee. No elected officials could serve on the committee.

I wonder how many municipalities would continue to utilize traffic cameras without the incentive of all those dollars flowing into their coffers. It is about safety, after all, isn’t it?

THE SECOND AMENDMENT

There is a civil (I think it’s civil) war going on within the supporters of the 2nd Amendment. Some supporters are pushing for an unfettered right to bear arms. Others, although supporting “ownership and carry rights,” are not comfortable with that notion. Let your legislators know just how far you are willing to take the Second Amendment. Two former state troopers, Rep. Clel Baudler and Rep. Dave Tjepkes, have expressed some reservations about a “pure” Second Amendment right.

NEW REPUBLICAN PARTY STATE CHAIRMAN

On a close vote of the State Central Committee, A. J. Spiker of Ames was elected chair of the Iowa Republican Party replacing Matt Strawn. A. J. is a realtor with Friedrich Iowa Realty. He is married, the father of three, a conservative, and well known to the leadership of Iowa Faith and Freedom. It didn’t take long for critics to begin questioning his selection.

A. J. was local coordinator for the Campaign for Liberty and active in the several committees to elect, most recently the Dr. Ron Paul campaign. On his election, he immediately removed himself from any connections to any candidate for president.

I have no doubt that A. J. will conduct himself honorably and without bias against any Republican candidate, office holder, or member. He is an intelligent, competent, successful businessman who will lead the party rightly. If you want to know more about A. J., I suggest you Google him.

ABORTION LEGISLATION

A sub-committee, chaired by Rep. Joel Fry (R) of Osceola passed out to the full committee. HF 2033 which would require “that prior to performing an abortion, a physician must certify in the woman’s medical record that the woman has undergone an ultrasound imaging of the fetus,” and other provisions.

Our only suggestion on the bill was that it specifies the qualifications of the person performing the ultrasound. We believe this bill has a chance for passage, if it can clear the Human Resources full committee.

Two “prohibition of abortions” were introduced. HF 2298 by Rep. Kim Pearson of Pleasant Hill and SF 2194 by Sen. Kent Sorenson of Indianola. The bills are identical. They are fairly complex, making a number of changes to the Iowa Code. If you are pro-life, I suggest you read one or the other.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

~~Psalm 15:1-4, O Lord, who may abide in Thy tent?
Who may dwell on Thy holy hill?
He who walks with integrity, and works righteousness,
And speaks truth in his heart.
He does not slander with his tongue,
Nor does evil to his neighbor,
Nor takes up a reproach against his friend;
In whose eyes a reprobate is despised,
But who honors those who fear the Lord
He swears to his own hurt, and does not change;~~

A SLOW START BUT THERE ARE BILLS OF INTEREST

Norm Pawlewski – Lobbyist
February 3, 2012

The Legislature has, thus far, been occupied by a few major pieces of legislation, like Education System Reform and Property Tax Relief.  That’s kept the number of bills being introduced to a slow trickle.  But the pace is beginning to pick up.

The Education Reform bills, SSB 3009 (Senate) and HSB 517 (House) which I mentioned in my last report are being worked on, or worked over, depending on your perspective, and getting a lot of behind the scenes attention.  In our opinion, they need it.  The 117 page bills were identical as introduced.  We believe there are serious deficiencies that need correction.  As introduced, the proposed legislation gives the State Dept. of Education too much control of the system, imposes more top-down regulation of Core Curriculum and interferes with private school teacher selection.  There are a number of other issues that trusted experts in education have pointed out to us.  We are relying on those experts to help legislators fix the bill.  Until that happens, we are opposed to SSB 3009 and HSB 517.  If acceptable changes are made, we will re-think our position.

HOUSE BILLS OF INTEREST

HF 576 – This bill is a holdover from the last session.  It prohibits the inclusion of health plans that provide coverage for abortion in a state health benefit exchange.  It would only have an impact if the state creates a state health benefit exchange which is required by implementation of “Obamacare.”

HF 2048 – I mentioned this bill in my last report.  This bill is an attempt to prohibit the use of automated traffic enforcement systems, (traffic cams).  It has passed the House Transportation Committee and is now eligible for debate in that chamber. Now is a good time to let your representative know how you feel about “traffic cams.”

HF 2113 – 2114 – 2115 – 2116 are all related, in some degree, to the second amendment.  If the right to carry or purchase firearms is of interest to you, then I suggest you read these bills and make your views known to your state representative.

HF 2117 – Excludes per diem and daily allowances for legislators and elected officials from the calculation of wages for IPERS (Iowa Public Employees Retirement System). This bill will have a considerable impact on retirement benefits for legislators.

HF 2118 – This bill will require that the Legislative Council determine the amount legislators and legislative employees will pay for health benefits.  It requires that the amount be at least $100 per month.

• Both of these bills (HR 2117, HR 2118) are the result of recent media criticisms of the pension and health benefits legislators have been receiving.  Both bills are currently in the State Government Committee of the House.

HF 2135 – Is an expansion of the newborn safe haven act to infants one year of age or younger.  The current safe haven provisions apply only to “newborns.” This is a tough one.  I can see both pros and cons to this expansion.  I don’t know if this bill is going anywhere.  It currently has only one sponsor, Rep. Mark Smith (D) of Marshalltown.  I will keep you informed of any movement of this legislation.

HF 2159 – An act specifying those persons authorized to solemnize marriages in this state. According to the explanation of the bill, it is intended to allow retired judges and magistrates to “solemnize” marriages in Iowa.  Seems innocent enough.  However, in other changes made to Section 595.10 subsection 2 of the Code of Iowa, the word “minister” is replaced by “individual” and as well in Section 595.13.

• Section 4, Section 595.16 is amended to remove the designation “cleric” and replaced by “an individual authorized to solemnize a marriage under section 595.10.”
• Is this a material change in Iowa’s marriage law?  I don’t know yet, but we will oppose HF 2159 until I find out what this language change means.  The sponsor of this bill is Rep. Rick Olson (D) of Des Moines.

HF 2175 – An act relating to the definition of person under the criminal code.  “This bill defines ‘person’ for the purposes of the criminal code to be:  all living human beings from the beginning of their biological development as human organisms regardless of age, race, sex, gender, capacity to function, condition of physical or mental dependency or disability or method sexual or asexual reproduction used whether existing in vivo or in vitro and each person is accorded the same rights and protections guaranteed to all persons by the Constitution of the United States, the Constitution of the State of Iowa and the laws of this state.”

• This bill also “provides some exemptions to the interpretation and application of crimes against a person based on the definition.”  In other words, it provides for an exception to protect the life of the mother and “contraception administered before a diagnosable pregnancy.”
• This bill was introduced by Rep. Matt Windschitl (R) and seven other Republican representatives.
• This bill would confer “personhood” on the unborn.  I’m sure you will be hearing more about this bill as the session progresses.

HF 2033 – An act establishing prerequisites to the performance of an abortion.  This bill requires that prior to performing an abortion, a physician must certify in the woman’s medical record that the woman has undergone an ultrasound imaging of the fetus; that the woman is given an opportunity to view the ultrasound and that the woman is given the option of hearing a description of the ultrasound image and hearing the heartbeat of the fetus.

• The bill was introduced by Rep. Walt Rogers (R) of Cedar Falls.
• Women who view an ultrasound and/or hear the heartbeat of their unborn child are far less likely to have him or her aborted.

The Senate has been far less productive in areas of interest to us.  My next report will cover anything the Senate does, if anything.

MARCH 5^TH – PRAYER FOR LIFE AT CAPITOL 

Save that date and, if you can, come to the Capitol to help us demonstrate that the unborn matter and that as long as we have the freedom to speak out on their behalf, we will.

“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things shall be added to you.

Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow, for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” ~Matt 6:33, 34

 

“A wise man is cautious and turns away from evil, 
But a fool is arrogant and careless.” ~Proverbs 14:16

From the Capitol

Norm Pawlewski – Lobbyist

January 20, 2012

 

Last Half of 84^th General Assembly Begins

The first week of this session began on Monday, January 9^th with a lot of “speechifying,” a word coined by Gomer Pyle or some other sit-com character.

On Monday, House and Senate leaders gave their opening remarks, which for the most part lauded their respective accomplishments of the last session and expressed their desire to work together to the benefit of the people of Iowa.

One statement, by Senator Jack Kibbie, warrants mention here.  Kibbie said that the states needs to look at increasing the gas tax in order to deal with a “$27 billion transportation funding storage in the next two decades.”  You will hear more about this proposal to raise gasoline taxes during this session.  I suggest you start letting your legislators, House and Senate, know what you think about this, early and often.

On Tuesday the Governor gave his “Condition of the State” address.  In it, he too called for a bipartisan session “to put in place common – sense solutions that are sustainable: by adopting practices that work and by innovating to find new approaches that fit Iowa.”  He proposed increasing spending by $230 million, which would increase the state budget to $6.24 billion, with most of the additional spending to go for education and human services.

The governor said that the DOT will look to find $40 to $60 million in savings to go towards road infrastructure; he also said that he would not rule out a gas tax increase if legislators approved a gas tax increase.  Both Senator Tom Rielly and Representative Dave Tjepkes, the chairs of their respective chambers’ Transportation Committees, have called for an 8 cent a gallon increase.  As I stated earlier, you need to be in touch with your legislators about this gas tax increase.  This topic will continue to be the subject of debate throughout this session.  We will continue to keep you informed.  We ask you to let us know what you think and what your legislator is telling you.

Another topic the governor focused on was education and his plan for improving Iowa’s system.  This too will be a topic for further discussion during this session.  It is crucial that you be involved in the discussion.  Two bills, SSB 3009 and HSB 517, have been introduced.  These study bills are a little over 124 pages long and make substantive changes to the Iowa education system.  You can get a fairly good synopsis of what these bills will change for better or worse by reading the bills’ “description,” Page 125 to Page 156.

In future reports we will refer you to sources that have scrutinized the language and will point out the pros and cons.  In the meantime, we ask that you do your homework and contact people you know and trust on matters effecting Iowa’s education system.

On Wednesday, Chief Justice Mark Cady delivered the Condition of the Judiciary address.  There was nothing new or exciting in his presentation.  He lauded the Iowa courts’ reputation for fairness and transparency, their innovation and efficiency and their importance to the functioning of business in Iowa.  Like all his predecessors, he highlighted the need for additional resources needed to keep up with increased demands on the court system, especially in the area of juvenile justice.  How the legislators will respond to Justice Cady’s request for more funds is anyone’s guess.

The second week of the Legislature was shortened by the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday and starting times were affected by weather.  Not many bills of note were introduced.

One bill of interest, SB 2004, “An act relating to parentage information included on a birth certificate,” was introduced by Sen. Matt McCoy.  Among other changes, the bill removes references to “father or mother” replacing those terms with “a parent,” “other parent,” or “each parent” and replaces the designation of “husband” with “birth mother’s spouse.”  This bill is intended to bring Iowa birth certificates in line with the change in the definition of marriage ordered by the Iowa Supreme Court on Varnum v. Brien.

This is only the first salvo in attempts to change thousands of references to husband, wife, mother, father and other traditional labels used in Iowa law where marriage is referenced.

We will report on these efforts as they come up and bring them to your attention.  I doubt SF 2004 has much of a chance to pass the House, even if it does succeed to get passed in the Senate.

HJR 2003 and HF 2048 are attempts to ban the use of automated traffic enforcement systems. (Traffic Camera Ban)  House Joint Resolution 2003 was authored by Rep. Jeremy Taylor (R) of Sioux City.  House File 2048 was introduced by Rep. Walt Rogers (R) of Cedar Falls and 23 other Republicans.

This issue is very controversial and getting a ban or not will depend very much on public sentiment and interest.  Governor Branstad has stated he would sign a ban bill if it reaches his desk.  Let your legislators know where you come down on this issue.

Finally, we at IFFC wish to congratulate Sen. Jerry Behn (R) of Boone on his election as Republican Senate Minority Leader.  Senator Behn is serving his fourth term in the Senate.  He has always been accessible to IFFC and is a strong advocate for the same family values we support.  We wish him the best as he tries to serve the people of Iowa in a Democrat controlled Senate.

Norm Pawlewski – Lobbyist, July 17, 2011

IOWA FAITH & FREEDOM COALITION LEGISLATIVE REPORT 

Norm Pawlewski – Lobbyist,  July 17, 2011

POSTMORTEM

Actually, the 84^th General Assembly, first session, has
not really ended.  True, the legislators went home, both chambers having
gaveled out at the end of June, but in the waning hours, passed several
appropriations bills.  The governor has thirty days to decide whether he
will sign, veto an entire bill or item veto portions of appropriations.
It is not expected that he will do anything surprising; but as the saying goes,
“It ain’t over till it’s over.”

 

I view this session of the Legislature with
mixed emotions, some good, some bad.  I was encouraged by some things that
went on this year, discouraged and saddened by others.  I won’t belabor
you with all the details.  That would take too many words and probably
bore you no end.  But I do want to give you a summary of what I believe
were the most significant accomplishments and failures this legislative
session.

 

The Pro-Life Agenda

 

A coalition consisting of the Iowa Right to Life
Committee, Iowans for Life, The Catholic Conference and Iowa Faith and Freedom
Coalition met several times before the session to decide on several pro-life
initiatives, how we would prioritize them and what our strategies would be to
get them moving through the process.

 

Our top two priorities would be to significantly
reduce the opportunities for late-term abortions and to stop Planned
Parenthood’s chemical abortion services.  Other states around us were
moving on these two pro-life initiatives and we believed that especially on the
late-term issue, Iowa was vulnerable to exploitation by the pro-abortion
advocates.

 

Late-Term Abortion HF 5 (became HF 657)

The late-term abortion ban, we felt, was of the
highest priority because that was a real threat that a baby killer from
Nebraska would move his nefarious practice to Iowa in response to Nebraska’s
passing legislation to halt the practice in that state.

 

We had a bill, HF 5, authored by Rep. Matt
Windschitl of Missouri Valley, assurances from House Republican leadership that
Matt’s bill would be given the highest priority and it would pass the House in
the opening days of the session, giving us time to work the Senate which we
knew would pose a problem.

 

Within the first few days of the session’s
start, we found out that there would be vigorous opposition to HF 5 and that
our projected timetable might be interrupted, if not completely
curtailed.  HF 5 was not going to proceed easily through the House and we
were forced to alter our strategy.  It took almost the entire session to
get a bill through the House and gave us very little time to work the
Senate.  I told you in my second paragraph of this report that portions of
the session saddened me.  This is one of those.  The opposition to
our bill, that effectively derailed it, did not come from the pro-abortion
advocates, but from people we expected would help us and not oppose us.  I
was not only surprised by their opposition but hurt by the viciousness of their
public and private attacks.  The hurt wasn’t for my feelings, but for
those of people like Jenifer Bowen of Iowa Right to Life and Maggie De Witte of
Iowans for Life and many others. I couldn’t care less what they said about
me.  In 77 years you acquire a pretty tough hide.  But the name
calling and misrepresentation of what we attempted to achieve did go over the
top, was hurtful and unwarranted.  Those of us in the pro-life coalition
agreed early on that we would not respond to attacks in like manner and I
believe we all honored that agreement, although we were accused of not doing
so.  We are still honoring that agreement, so that’s all I will say about
this disagreement.

 

Anyway, the blame for not passing a late-term
abortion bill lies squarely in the lap of the Democrat majority leadership of
the Senate, particularly with four senators who used every bit of their power
to deceive, delay and thwart a majority of the Senate who wanted to vote for HF
657.

 

The minority Senate Republicans and
two Democrat senators signed a “discharge petition” which got HF 657 to the
calendar.  Senator Mike Gronstal, Majority Leader, Sen. Jack Kibbie,
Senate President, Sen. Tom Courtney, Majority Whip and Sen. Joe Bolkcom, Asst.
Majority Leader, all played significant roles in defeating a legitimate will of
the Senate to get late-term abortion limits enacted.

 

I could write pages about the role each of these
senators played in thwarting the people’s desire to put an end to the heinous
process of full-term baby killing, but it would serve little purpose.
Know only that these four men are guilty of allowing the worst of the worst to
continue to be inflicted on uninformed and at-risk women and innocent pre-born
babies of both sexes.

 

Mike Gronstal said publicly many times that he
would not stand in the way of a late-term abortion bill.  But that’s what
he did at every opportunity.

 

Jack Kibbie told another lobbyist and me he
abhorred late-term abortion but used his power as Senate President to stop
every effort to get a late-term abortion bill up for a vote.

 

Courtney and Bolkcom are unapologetic about their
support for abortion and served their Planned Parenthood masters well.
Some of Bolkcom’s statements in support of his bill, a farce he substituted for
HF 657, were ludicrous and disingenuous.  Courtney said little but his
smirk on the Senate floor when Bolkcom’s bill was being debated said it all.

 

God willing, we will take up the challenge again
next year.  There are no assurances that the outcome will be any
different, but that will not keep us from trying.  Our trust is in Him and
He will determine the outcome for His purposes.  We need only to be
obedient.  I will be guided by how the Holy Spirit leads me, not how other
people may be led.  I have been pro-life for 36 years, the same number of
years I have been a child of God, a partaker of the Spirit of God and a
follower of Jesus the Christ.  Before April 28^th, 1975,
abortion was not an issue with which I concerned myself.  If I believed it
was wrong, I didn’t act on it or speak against it.  For me it was a
blissful ignorance.  The first book I studied as a new believer was
Romans.  I very quickly became unabashedly pro-life.  That will never
change.

 

The Encouraging Things

 

I was encouraged by the steadfast fidelity to
their campaign promises of many, if not most, of the Republicans in both the
Senate and the House.  I know there will be some of you who will disagree
with me.  I’ve heard people say that politicians are all alike, makes no
difference whether they’re Republicans or Democrats.  In my experience,
that’s just not true.  I don’t always agree with every Republican, but I
do trust most of them to be true to their conservative, constitutional and in
many cases Biblical principles.  If I believed there is no difference
between the parties, I would just stay home and pray for Christ’s return before
everything goes to “hell in a hand basket.” That will happen anyway, but I
believe we are to occupy until He comes and keep the door open for the sharing
of the gospel for as long as He tarries.

 

There are people of principle who love this
country, this state and its people.  I have talked and commiserated with
them at the Capitol.  They truly are there to serve and I respect them for
their faithfulness and hard work.

 

………………….

Jesus said, ~~
“You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt has become tasteless, how will
it be made salty again?  It is good for nothing anymore, except to be
thrown out and trampled under foot by men.

You are the light of the world.  A city set on a hill cannot be
hidden.  Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a peck-measure, but on
the lamp stand; and it gives light to all who are in the house.

Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works
and glorify your Father who is in heaven. ~~Matt. 5:13-16

 

 

UPDATE ON HF 657 – WAS HF 5 * SF 458 INTERNET POKER AND GAMBLING UPDATES

http://www.ffciowamedia.com/report/033011.htm