State Sen. Eric Giddens (D-Cedar Falls)

Greetings friends and neighbors! We’re moving closer to the end of this year’s legislative session in Des Moines. Last week was a mix of appropriations and tax policy committee meetings, consideration of gubernatorial appointees in the full Senate, and debate of some policy bills in the full Senate that survived the funnel deadlines earlier in the session and were still eligible for consideration. Work on appropriations bills is a good signal that we’re approaching the end of the session – stay tuned for news on the finalization of the state budget in the coming weeks.

I also want to highlight the Cedar Valley 365 list of community events around the Cedar Valley in April! There are lots of fun activities to attend with your friends and family in the coming weeks. A post with the list of events and details is at the bottom of this email. Additional events and information are available at cedarvalley365.com.

Budget bills are moving!

There’s one way to be sure the legislative session is winding down: budget bills begin moving toward debate and passage in the House and Senate. Passing a state budget is the legislature’s one required responsibility each year. Here’s how this vital process works, and why it’s important to our state:

Every December, a three-member panel of experts called the Revenue Estimating Conference (REC) meets to – you guessed it! – estimate state revenues for the coming fiscal year, which begins on July 1.

In early January, just after the legislature convenes, the governor releases her budget proposal, which is based on the REC’s estimate and reflects her administration’s agenda and priorities.

With the governor’s budget in hand, the legislature usually begins holding hearings and gathering input on the budget.

In March, the REC meets again to update its revenue projections. Lawmakers follow these updated numbers in crafting a final version of the budget.

After the REC numbers are out, the majority parties in the House and Senate release new “budget targets” – topline numbers for the state’s various spending areas.

Right about now – early April – the bills start to move. The state budget is divided into 10 separate bills covering areas like transportation, education, social services, etc. These bills are introduced and considered through the same process as other legislation – with a subcommittee hearing, then consideration by the full Appropriations Committee, and then with floor debate.

Like any legislative process, consideration of budget bills is subject to substantial negotiation, politicking, and gamesmanship. This generally occurs between the House and Senate majorities – even when they come from the same party. Eventually, they find consensus.

Once the budget bills pass the legislature, they go to the governor’s desk, where she has 30 days to sign them into law. Budget bills are also subject to the line-item veto – meaning the governor can strike individual spending lines while approving the rest of the bill.

This truly is a critical juncture in each legislative session. The budget drafted and passed into law each year dictates how your money is spent and determines whether you’re getting your money’s worth as an Iowa taxpayer. I am committed to an accountable state budget that provides what Iowans need to ensure their health, safety, opportunity and wellbeing.

This year, the initial budget targets released by the majority party in the House and Senate were tens of millions of dollars apart. When and how they close that gap and agree on final numbers will determine when the legislature finishes its work and adjourns for the year. Stay tuned!

Nominate a Teacher of the Year

Anyone can submit a nomination for an outstanding Iowa teacher to receive this prestigious honor. Nine semi-finalists will be selected as Regional Teachers of the Year, with one being named as the 2025 Iowa Teacher of the Year. Learn more: https://educate.iowa.gov/headline-story/2024-02-21/nominate-outstanding-teacher-iowas-top-education-award

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Month

We can do a better job of addressing child maltreatment. Actions can be taken at all levels – individual, community, and governmental – to address the root causes and provide meaningful support to strengthen families and help them thrive.

No one is a good distracted driver

April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and this week, the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau is partnering with law enforcement across Iowa to curb the alarming and unsafe trend of distracted driving. Distracted driving is a primary law in Iowa, meaning law enforcement can stop any driver who is texting (reading, writing, or sending) or using any portable electronic device unless the motor vehicle is at a complete stop off the traveled portion of the road.

State Senator Eric Giddens represents Iowa Senate District 38 including Cedar Falls, Hudson, Traer, Dysart, Evansdale, Elk Run Heights, Gilbertville, Washburn, LaPorte City and Mount Auburn. Contact Sen. Giddens at 319-230-0578 or eric.giddens@legis.iowa.gov.