First discussion of vouchers in the Iowa House. Please contact members of the House Appropriations Committee before Tuesday at noon and encourage their opposition. See all of the details and talking points in this updated Call to Action. If your Representative is on the Appropriations Committee, your voice is critical to stopping this bill from moving forward.
The Governor’s Parent Choice Bill, SSB 3080, has been approved by a subcommittee and is on the Feb. 17 Senate Education Committee agenda, where it must get approval to survive the Feb. 18 funnel deadline. If it is approved by the Committee on Feb. 17, contact all Senators through the weekend and into next week. Learn more in this Call to Action
School funding discussions are on the Capitol agenda. Don't wait. Contact Senators and Representatives and ask for adequate public school funding. This call to action gives you the details, talking points and contacts.
Several big policies, including the Governor’s Omnibus School Choice and Parents’ Rights bill (Vouchers), school funding and tax relief, are on the agenda for the Statehouse this week. They are all related. UEN is encouraging the legislature to take a balanced approach, position public schools for success, and consider measured tax relief that does not dampen the State’s future ability to adequately fund schools. We encourage our members to engage in thoughtful discussion and advocacy, respecting our state leaders who are wrestling with these big issues and encouraging advocates to build positive relationships going forward.
On May 6, the House adopted an amendment to HF 868 that overhauls accreditation law for public and nonpublic schools in Iowa. The amendment by Rep. Brink, Chair of the House Oversight Committee, added 10 pages of policy to the Education Appropriations bill, rewriting the accreditation process, plus other accountability actions. The bill was never vetted with the education community or reviewed in a committee or subcommittee. Learn more.
Just before midnight last night, the House adopted an amendment to HF 868 that completely rewrites accreditation law for public and nonpublic schools in Iowa. It is contained as Division III of the bill, beginning on page 28 line 20. Call your Senator and ask for them to remove Division III that deals with accreditation, penalties, fees, public hearings and first amendment training. See talking points and details below.