Government : The Driscoll Dispatch by Senator Dawn Driscoll

We ended our fourth week in the Iowa Senate. This week featured numerous subcommittees on legislation. Our committee meetings were lively with discussions on legislation and presentations from agencies and professionals as well. We have begun to prepare bills and legislation for floor debate, which is always a thrilling time in the Iowa Legislature.

This week, we had many groups and visitors come to the Iowa State Capitol to meet with legislators. On Monday, we had students from the program Iowa Jobs for America's Graduates, or iJAG, speak with their legislators about the positive impact that this program has had on them. On Tuesday, we had our annual FFA Day on the Hill. FFA chapters from across the state joined their legislators to speak with them about the agriculture industry and agricultural education policies and priorities, as well as learn more about what their state officials do in the Iowa Legislature. It is one of my favorite days of the year when the Iowa State Capitol is filled with blue corduroy jackets, the official uniform of the organization. I was in FFA myself, and it is always enjoyable to have the opportunity to converse with these students. Their dedication to agriculture and leadership skills are commendable. It is an honor to support an organization like FFA.

On Wednesday, a subcommittee was held on Senate Study Bill 3084 which is the governor's biofuel bill proposal. If pass and signed into law, this piece of legislation would create an E15 access standard, which requires gas stations to sell E15 at more of their pumps. E15 is gasoline that contains 15 percent ethanol. It is cheaper per gallon than typical unleaded blends and works in most 2001-to-present vehicles. Under the proposed bill, all retailers with compatible infrastructure must offer E15 by January 1 of 2026. New fuel retailers that open on or after January 1 of 2023 must offer E15 from 50 percent of their dispensers.

This particular version of the bill offers waivers from the E15 standard for certain circumstances. The governor can waive the E15 access standard statewide or on a regional basis if there is an E15 supply shortage, if the price of E15 will create a demonstrated economic hardship, or if widespread infrastructure compatibility issues are present. In addition, there are two waivers obtainable for individual retailers. One can be due to incompatible infrastructure due to the age of the infrastructure. Retailers can also get a waiver if the overall cost to upgrade the infrastructure exceeds roughly $71,000. Retailers are eligible for 70 percent of costs from the Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program (RFIP), up to $50,000. Tax credits available to retailers will also be extended and created for ethanol and biodiesel blends.

This bill will next be considered by the full Agriculture Committee. I am a member of the Agriculture Committee, and I look forward to a discussion on this important piece of legislation. I also encourage input from my constituents and the stakeholder organizations involved in this proposal.

This week, I was also a part of a subcommittee that received a great amount of attention. In this subcommittee Senator Dave Rowley, Senator Todd Taylor, and I considered Senate Study Bill 3072. It would allow older teenagers to roll out pizza dough. Casey's General Stores has pointed towards their workforce issues as their motivation for being a strong force behind this bill. Convenience store pizza is a staple in many small towns across the state. This bill gives more employment opportunities to teenagers and also ensures Casey's is able to produce their fantastic pizza when needed.

Tax Relief: Closer to Becoming a Reality

This week, the Senate's tax proposal advanced in the legislative process. The public was given a chance to provide their own feedback and input on the bold vision for Iowa's future. The proposed tax relief will benefit all of Iowa's hard-working families, small businesses, and employers. It will allow all Iowans more opportunity, too, a priority for this legislative session. Senate Study Bill 3074 is the next step to significantly reforming Iowa's tax code, lowering rates for Iowans, and making Iowa more competitive with other states.

Senate Study Bill 3074 includes one 3.6 percent individual income tax rate by 2028, flattening the rate and taking a much-needed step towards the path of completely removing the income tax in our state. As mentioned last week, Iowa would move from the eight highest income tax rate in the country to the fourth lowest. This is a huge and long overdue change. In addition to this, it fully eliminates all taxes on retirement income. This is vital for Iowans and those looking to move to the state who will now have a powerful incentive to choose Iowa as their home for retirement. In addition, this bill expands the military pay exemption to full-time National Guard members and also provides farmers a first-time pension exemption. Under this proposal, Iowa taxpayers would see an average of $1,590 in tax relief. They will keep more of their hard-earned dollars.

When we are at a time when Iowa has billions of dollars in surplus, the government should not be looking for ways to spend the money all of that money you have worked so hard to earn. This bill not only delivers on the promise we made to Iowans to keep more of the money they have earned, but it also sets Iowa up for success by ensuring growth for all of its families, businesses, and citizens. It delivers real, permanent tax relief for every single Iowa taxpayer.

Giving Parents Strength and Empowerment in their Children's Education

Education issues were an important topic in the Iowa Senate this week. We saw numerous bills move through the legislative process with the overarching goal of improving Iowa education. One common idea in education policy in the Iowa Senate over the last five years has been empowering parents in their children's education. We saw this important theme last year through giving all parents the option to send their children to school in person and full time.

This week, Senate Study Bill 3067 furthered on the legislative process. We have witnessed workforce shortages greatly affecting almost every industry, schools are no exception. This bill expands the Teach Iowa Scholar program, creates an accelerated pathway to licensure for professionals, and increases school district funding flexibility for recruitment incentives. Iowa families have seen how paramount it is to have their children in school full time during the last couple of years. This piece of legislation will help our state to make certain that we have qualified teachers in schools to instruct those students.

Finally, this week in subcommittee and committee the Senate approved education funding for the next fiscal year. This amount is approximately $150 million. My colleagues and I are committed to ensuring schools have reliable, sustainable, and secure funding. This funding keeps that commitment. During the past 5 years every dollar promised by the state to K-12 schools has been kept. By keeping this important commitment, schools are able to have the resources they need to prepare Iowa students for successful careers.

It has been a busy and exciting fourth week in the Iowa Senate. As we near floor debates and vital discussions surrounding bills, I encourage all of you to reach out to me should you have any comments and/or concerns. I always enjoy hearing from my constituents, and I am committed to ensuring all of you have a voice. I look forward to the coming weeks as we continue to move forward during the 2022 legislative session.