We had a great turnout at the Preschool Demonstration last Saturday at the Mason City Public Library. |(From Rep. Sharon Steckman)
We had a great turnout at the Preschool Demonstration last Saturday at the Mason City Public Library. Thanks to all who attended and a very special thanks to teachers, Ann Fisher and Emily Younke, and administrators, Dr. Anita Micich and Mike Pensa, who helped make the program so informative. During debate this week on the Education Funding Bill, I talked about how the demonstration illustrated the importance of the preschool program for all four-year olds. For more information on that debate, see the story below.
We are still fighting the “allowable growth” battle for school funding. The Senate has sent back to the House HF 185 which they amended to 2% growth rather than 0% growth as passed by the House. I asked for reconsideration of the bill on the floor, but the request was denied along party lines. Meanwhile, Iowa schools are preparing to layoff at least 1500 teachers.
Lots of the comments coming from the public and elected officials on the redistricting plan have been positive. It looks like we will vote on the plan sometime next week.
This year is the 70th Anniversary of the beginning of the World War II conflict. Monday, April 18th, the House will be honoring veterans of this war with a resolution. Immediately following the passage of the resolution, at 1pm there will be a ceremony on the First Floor Rotunda. Any Iowa WW II veteran is invited to attend. All World War II veterans are encouraged and welcome to attend.
As we begin to look toward the end of the session, we know that there are still many issues to be resolved that legislators feel intensely about on both sides of the aisle and in both Chambers. Stay tuned!
