News from the State House

by Patti Ruff, State Representative

The second week of session has been an eventful one! On Wednesday it was Veteran’s Day on the Hill. This is the day we honor and celebrate our veterans for their service to our country. It was a special day for my family because I had the opportunity to introduce my father-n-law, Erwin Ruff, WWII veteran, to the Iowa House. Dan and my three boys brought Erwin down to the Capitol. It was his first time being here and he had a great time. We had our picture taken in the Speaker’s well and enjoyed the governor’s program celebrating our veterans. My father-in-law enjoyed meeting other members of the House and was telling stories any chance he got.
Allamakee and Winneshiek also sent down a great delegation of veterans on Wednesday. It was great to see so many familiar faces return for this important day at the Capitol.  I would be remiss if I did not mention Robert “Bob” Peters as he passed away last year. Bob was a very active member for veteran causes. I had the honor of getting to know Bob and he will be missed.
Two wild deer harvested during the recent hunting season have been confirmed positive for chronic wasting disease in Allamakee County. The DNR has stepped up their efforts to increase the number of samples in the five-mile surveillance area around where we found the positive sample in 2014. The more information they gather, the better position the DNR will have to implement a strategy to slow the spread. There will be public meetings held in the area on CWD with dates and times to be announced.
Pending approval of a new state rule, Iowans may be able to register to vote online as soon as the 2016 elections.  Iowans will be able to register via the Iowa DOT website from an electronic form. Applicants would enter their driver license or non-operator state ID number which would access the applicant’s signature on file. Because the verification of the signature is needed, only those with a state-issued ID or driver’s license would be allowed to register to vote online.
For the first time in 50 years, a majority of U.S. public school students come from low-income families.  According to a report by the Southern Education Foundation, 51% of students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade during the 2012-13 school year were eligible for free and reduced lunch, a poverty indicator. The new report raises questions among educators about whether states and the federal government are devoting enough funding to meet the complex needs of children from low-income families.

I have established my forums for this session. The dates, times and places for these forums are as follows:
February 7 – New Albin Community Center at 10 a.m.
February 28 – McGregor Public Library at 10 a.m.
March 7 – Freedom Bank in Postville (parking available at the grocery store across the street) at 10 a.m.
March 14 – Farm Bureau Office in Waukon at 11:15 a.m.
Mach 28 – Garnavillo Public Library at 10 a.m.