Representative Nathan Reichert
For Iowa State House District 80
Blog
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Reichert's Newsletter
Posted Apr 05 at 3 PM
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Week 10 Update
Posted Mar 23 at 9 AM
House takes steps to end gender discrimination:
Wednesday in the House we passed two long overdue bills that will help improve the lives of woman in the State of Iowa and end gender discrimination. HF 234 encourages more women to serve on local boards and be more involved in their communities. It requires gender balance for all local government boards and commissions, something that has been done on the state level for over twenty years. Women account for over 50% of Iowa's population, yet the Iowa Commission on the Status of Women reports that they are rarely asked to serve on boards and commissions at the local level.
SF 137 requires women to be paid equally as the male counterparts for doing the same work. In Iowa women make 78 cents for ever dollar that men make, it is well past the time for women to receive equal pay for equal work. Iowa is 37th in the nation for wage disparity and it is my hope that this will be a step forward in the right direction.
Making Iowa Safer:
On Tuesday, I floor managed a bill that makes it tougher for the most violent sex offenders to be released from civil commitment at the Cherokee center. HF 676 makes it harder for sexually violent predators that are committed to Cherokee, after they serve their prison sentence, to be released to the general public. Previously, a sexual predator would have to go through a final hearing process in order to be released. HF676 makes it harder for them to get that hearing. They would have to provide strong, definitive proof that they have met the criteria to deserve this final hearing. This bill applies to the worst of the worst sex offenders and protects Iowa's families.
Protecting the family of those who serve:
This week I am pleased to say that a bill I sponsored to help the families of fallen police and firefighters has passed the House. As it currently stands, children of firefighters and police officers do not receive the death benefits of their parent if they are over the age of 18. HF 707 insures that after and individual passes away there is no spouse, the child over the age of 18 can receive the $100,000 compensation. I have been working on this legislation for the past few years after the death of a local fire fighter. He had children he was supporting through college and when he gave the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty his children were not awarded his benefits. Those who offer selfless service to the public deserve the peace of mind to know that their families will be take care of should something happen to them. The bill is now in the Senate State Government committee.
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Week 9 Update
Posted Mar 16 at 9 AM
New Website Shows Muscatine’s Air Quality in Real Time:
If you want to know real time air quality in Muscatine you can check out a new website from the University of Iowa’s Hygienic Laboratory. The site shows real time data taken continuously from two sites in Muscatine. The device at Garfield Elementary School measures the fine particles in the air (PM2.5), which should be at 35 micrograms per cubic meter of air for normal air quality. The device at Musser Park measures the sulfur dioxide in the air, high levels of sulfur dioxide can cause respiratory problems and acid rain. In 2008, the US Environmental Protection Agency found that Muscatine did not meet their daily standards for fine particles. This designation is presently under review by the EPA after the submission of the 2008 data that narrowly showed Muscatine in attainment.
The website is http://www.uhl.uiowa.edu/services/ambient/realtime.xml
Unemployment Insurance Modernization Act:
On Thursday in the House we passed the Unemployment Modernization Act. Modernizing our unemployment insurance system puts us in federal compliance and prepares Iowa’s reception of 71 million dollars in federal unemployment funds. One of the updates allows for up to twenty six more weeks of unemployment as long as the person is enrolled in a workforce development department approved training course. Eligibility criteria for extra training and unemployment require that the labor market’s demand for the person’s occupation must be declining. Someone would also qualify if their occupation is seasonal or will be suspended for an extended period of time. The training courses would train the individual in an occupational field that is in high demand. With unemployment on the rise, it is important to have people being re-trained in skill sets that actually have shortages. With targeted demand training they have a better shot at obtaining employment.
SF197 also conforms to federal standards by making it so that part-time workers do not have to accept full-time work to remain eligible for unemployment benefits. Without this, they would have to take a full-time job when it is offered, even if the are not looking to work full-time. The provision helps more part-time unemployed people take a part-time job. The bill also helps employers out by not charging their unemployment accounts for workers that temporarily fill a position that is normally filled by a member of the arms forces who is serving active duty. The will encourage employers to hire members of the National Guard, knowing that they will not be responsible for paying the replacement’s unemployment.
If you have any questions about eligibility please contact the local workforce office. The insurance modernization act is expected to become law shortly as the bill’s next stop is the Governor’s desk.
Updated Child Labor Fees:
In response to the gross labor violations in Postville, Iowa the House this week passed HF618 which gets tough on those who abuse Iowa’s child labor laws. It raises the civil penalty to $500 per pay period for each violation, before the fee was $100. A teenager who is applying for a work permit must show proof that they are over the age of fourteen for many jobs. The bill seeks to increases penalties for those who negligently employ children, those who employ children of migrant workers, and parents and guardians who enable children to violate the law.
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Update Week 8
Posted Mar 09 at 11 AM
House Begins the Discussion on Tougher Emission Standards:
This week we held a subcommittee to discuss toughening the emissions standards of new vehicles here in Iowa. During the last election we promised to help reduce Iowa's dependence on foreign oil and make Iowa the green state. Iowans are looking for ways to save money at the gas pump. The Legislature is working to deliver by requiring more fuel efficient, cleaner cars and trucks to be sold in the State of Iowa. This saves you money at the pump, and cuts the number of barrels of oil we need to import significantly. This is also a major step in improving our state's air quality and reducing the effects of global climate change. By starting the discussion on this, it will let the automotive industry know states are going to start demanding cleaner alternatives to foreign oil. There are 16 states have already adopted these standards and Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota are all looking in to doing this as well.
Community Disaster Grant Allocation Changes:
Iowa Homeland Security has re-evaluated the way they will be assessing the disaster grant allocations. They previously went by the zip code of where the property was located, and money was being granted to cities whether the affected address was incorporated in the city or not. Now, they will be geo-coding the addresses to accurately indicate where structures that participated in either FEMA's Individual Assistance Program or Small Business Administration Disaster Relief Programs are located. If the structure is within a city's corporate limits it will be correctly attributed to the city; if the structure is in an unincorporated area of the county it will be attributed to the county. This will hopefully clear up any misunderstanding and make it so that the funds get where they need to be to help with the rebuilding efforts.
Jobs! Jobs! Jobs! The Furniture Bill Passes Out of Committee:
On Thursday in Public Safety we passed HF 417 out of committee, and it is now headed to the floor. We are one step closer to saving good paying jobs in Muscatine, while saving millions of dollars for the State of Iowa. Members from the HNI board came before the subcommittee this week to reinforce how important this bill would be to the local Muscatine economy and to the rest of the state. By creating/saving these jobs it will mean more direct revenue to the city and state, and HNI estimates with all of the ways this bill will benefit Iowa, the state could save more then 25% of its cost by purchasing furniture through a local, Iowa company. -
Week 7 Update
Posted Feb 26 at 5 PM
HF417 saves Muscatine Jobs and the State some cash:
This week I introduced House File 417 which will create a master furniture purchasing contract for all state agencies. The bill gives preference to Iowa based companies like HNI who bid for the contract. In today’s tough economy, the state must do all we can to support middle class families. In addition to creating good-paying jobs in our community, it will also have the potential to save our state millions by streamlining the state’s purchasing process. The bill is now in the House Public Safety Committee, where I have been asked to be the chair of the sub-committee.
Alexander Clark Week:On Thursday in the house we ran a resolution honoring Alexander Clark for his historic victory in desegregating Iowa’s schools 86 years before Brown vs. The Board of Education. In 1867 Clark won his fight to desegregate the Muscatine schools after his daughter Susan was denied the right to attend. He was also the second African-American to graduate from the law school at the University of Iowa, his son was the first. There will be a room in the Grimes Education Building named after Alexander Clark in honor of his prolific civil rights accomplishments.
House Passes Allowable Growth for Schools:
This week the House and Senate passed the allowable growth for schools bill which sets allowable growth for the 2010-2011 (FY 2011) school years at 2 percent which is estimated to provide $2.370 billion in state aid for FY 2011. Under this bill, the state cost per pupil is $5,883, an increase of $115 per pupil. Under this level of funding, 193 school districts will be on the budget guarantee. I believe that investments in our children’s education will pay dividends to our future generations and give Iowa a bright tomorrow.
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News and Updates Week 6
Posted Feb 23 at 5 PM
Hunters and Fishers Forum
This Saturday I will be holding my annual hunters and fishers forum at the Environmental Learning Center at 9:00 in Muscatine. My special guest will once again be State Representative John Whitaker, from Van Buren County, who serves on the Natural Resources committee and is an outdoor enthusiast. Although I no longer serve on the committee, these issues are still very important to me and will remain so. I would like keep the discussion at the forum geared towards natural resources and sportsmen's issues, so if you have anything else you would like to contact me about please feel free to e-mail me at nathan.reichert@legis.state.ia.us or give me a call. I look forward to seeing you soon.
Update on Atalissa:
The oversight committee has paused in their investigation of the situation with Henry's Turkey Services in Atalissa; they do not want to interfere with the ongoing criminal investigation. They will resume their meetings at a later date, this is far from over. Also this week Governor Culver has assigned a special task force to investigate this situation, including a representative from his office, the Labor Commissioner, and representatives from the Department of Human Services, the Civil Rights Commission, Department of Inspections and Appeals, Department of Public Safety, the Civil Rights Commission, and the Department of Elder Affairs. -
News and Updates
Posted Feb 11 at 12 PM
Mortgage Help:
Do you need help with maintaining your mortgage payments during these tough financial times? Iowa Mortgage Help is offering free services to those who are struggling to make their payments each month. You can call 1-877-622-4866 and talk to a trained counselor who can help you with your situation. They will get you in touch with someone who can help you budget your expenses each month and work with you and you lender to reach a solution that works for both of you. If you would like more information please call their number or check out iowamortgagehelp.com.Helping Military Families Achieve Success in Education:
Last week we took steps for Iowa to join the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunities for Military Children. House File 29 has been passed unanimously out of the veterans committee will now come before the floor. The Compact will aid military families moving to or from Iowa by easing the stress of transferring their children to a new school. There are several huge educational burdens placed on these families when it comes to switching schools, including transferring records and credits for graduation. The cost for Iowa to join is one hundred and eighty dollars, which was donated by the members of the Democratic caucus.
Open Budget:
Also Last week the House Democrats unveiled a new website designed to give you a voice in the budget process, www.iowahouse.org/openbudget. This website will provide information and updates about the budget as it progresses during this legislative session. There is also a place for your comments, so if you have a suggestion on how the state can save during the tough economic recession we are in, just go to the website and voice your ideas.
