20 Aug 2012

International Competition Should Drive School Reform

By Shawn Hamerlinck

With two high-profile Olympic competitors ? Lolo Jones and Gabby Douglas ? plus a host of other athletes with Iowa ties to cheer on, Iowans were into the patriotic spirit of the Olympic Games.

As a teacher and elected official, I wish our nation showed more of this drive and ambition when it came to our academic standing in the world. We have much to be proud of when it comes to our athletic accomplishments, but our students are significantly missing the mark on key international benchmarks.

One of the most disconcerting statistics highlights our poor performance in science and reading. U.S. students rank 17th and 24th, respectively, out of 34 developed nations in those subjects. Likewise, our teens didn't do particularly well in math on the international assessment, which had us at 25th.

Iowa's schools can become among the best in the nation. But we must remember that our children, while attending some of America's top schools, are competing with students around the world. That's why we have to ensure our schools are globally competitive and that our students are prepared for the "innovation economy." A strong foundation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics must be a priority of our school leaders.

International performance rankings aren't alone in showing our education system is in need of continued reform. The Council on Foreign Relations recently issued a report warning that the state of U.S. education has put America's national security at risk. It cited high dropout rates, low test scores and large disparities in achievement levels between poor and minority kids and their wealthier, white peers.

What do we do to regain our footing as an academic leader in the world? We should start by tapping into the competitive spirit that was on display at the Olympics. Let's set high expectations for every single student in our most critical academic subjects and push our children to reach farther and dig deeper.

We also need to look at the policies that are holding kids back. There's little doubt that the work our teachers do in the classroom is the most critical factor impacting how well students learn. State law should mandate that staffing decisions be based on teacher effectiveness, not seniority, and reward the teachers who perform the best. By evaluating our teachers we'll ensure that the needs of our students remain a top priority.

We need to look at these policies now and make changes quickly. We simply can't wait any longer. While our international rankings are troubling, what's worse is the direction in which we appear to be headed: We're falling farther behind each day.

Let's work together to reverse that trend. I can't think of anything more patriotic or a bigger rallying point for Iowa's children.

Thank you for letting me serve you in Des Moines.  Feel free to contact me at shawn.hamerlinck@legis.iowa.gov or visit my website at www.shawnhamerlinck.com.

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Shawn Hamerlinck
State Senator
District 42

02 May 2012

This Week in the Senate by Senator Shawn Hamerlinck

By Shawn Hamerlinck

May 1, 2012

Republicans in the House, as well as the governor, have come to an agreement to spend roughly $6.25 billion for the state budget.  Democrats, who control the Iowa Senate have moved their total number of general fund expenditures down from roughly $6.45 billion to match the House and governor's number.  This move does little to assist in negations to end the legislative session.

Truly, the devil is in the accounting details.  Total spending is not less; in fact it has appeared as hundreds of millions more in multiple budgets presented.  Money is pulled from one-time accounts and used for purposes other than what those accounts were intended for to keep actual spending at a higher level.

As an example, the Economic Emergency Fund, Cash Reserve Fund and Taxpayer Relief Fund are used to keep taxes down in tough economic times.  If politicians pull money out of these accounts for ongoing programing they did not spend less, they just shifted the funding source.  This is like paying your cell phone bill out of your savings account rather than budgeting for the bill in your checking.  What do you do when your fridge goes out and you spent down too low in your savings account?

The budget process impacts the whole pie and it is impossible to pass individual pieces without a rational outlook on the whole thing.  For this reason, even if an agreement happened today, moving the pieces through the chambers will still take several days if not two more weeks.  With responsibilities at home like corn to plant, jobs to return to, and primary elections to work on members are becoming anxious.

Thank you for letting me serve you in Des Moines.  Feel free to contact me at shawn.hamerlinck@legis.iowa.gov or 515-281-3371 or visit my website at www.shawnhamerlinck.com.

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Shawn Hamerlinck
State Senator
District 42

03 Apr 2012

This Week in the Senate by Senator Shawn Hamerlinck

By Shawn Hamerlinck

April 3, 2012

The 2012 Legislative Session is quickly coming to a close as debate begins on how to align budget bills and move the body to conclusion.  The calendar is designed in a way to limit the amount of legislation which can be sponsored in a year and also push politicians to pass budget bills and go home.  Notice, the longer politicians have time to mess with policy, the longer it takes to clean up in the future.  Only bills dealing with taxing and spending are now available for consideration.

The key is finding the size of the entire pie and then working in baseline appropriations for key projects like education, the prison system, and care of the poor.  Leftover funds are either saved for a rainy day, used for additional one-time projects or used to grow and create new, ongoing expenditures.  History shows using one-time money for ongoing expenses is rarely wise.  The total size of the pie for House Republicans is 1% larger than last year's total budget.  Governor Branstad has a budget proposal 4% larger than last year, and Senate Democrats have a budget 5% larger than last year.

House Republicans appear to spend 1% more due to their desire to fully fund property tax credits.  Historically, both parties have underfunded tax credits in tight budget years as a means of freeing up cash from the general fund.  Otherwise, they hold the line on spending less than they take in.

The only budget bill which was agreed upon and passed by the House and Senate is the transportation budget bill.  This legislation covers expenditures for roads and bridges from the Road Use Tax Fund.  Since this account is constitutionally protected, it is difficult for politicians to scoop funds; therefore the bill is usually the first to move.

The second bill moving towards passage is the Rebuild Iowa Infrastructure Fund (RIFF), which largely spends gambling revenue for vertical infrastructure like the maintenance of buildings.  This bill caused consternation as it appeared in the Senate with funds for a Des Moines Social Club, water and recreational trails, the zoo in Des Moines, and $2 million for buses in Des Moines.  Apparently, it's not an earmark for some when the money goes to Des Moines.  I beg to differ.

Sound budgeting practices and a fiscally responsible mindset by Iowa politicians will ensure we don't find ourselves in the same self-destructive path as some of our neighboring states.

Thank you for letting me serve you in the Iowa Legislature.

For more information please visit www.shawnhamerlinck.com.

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Shawn Hamerlinck
State Senator
District 42

19 Mar 2012

This Week in the Senate by Senator Shawn Hamerlinck

By Shawn Hamerlinck

March 16, 2012

The first policy bill I authored this year passed through the Iowa Senate chambers on Tuesday.  In order to receive veteran discounts at stores, veterans must prove status.  It is irrational to believe these individuals must carry around their DD214 and Discharge Certificates to receive a 10% discount at a local business.  These documents are as important as birth certificates.  Therefore, Senate File 2037 allows the word "Veteran" to appear on a driver's license or a state issued ID to serve the same purpose.  Keep your DD214 in the lock box from now on!

The second funnel deadline appeared on Thursday which means any bill which has not passed one of the chambers and a committee in the other chamber is no longer available for discussion.  Think of this as a taxpayer protection rule.  This means all the wish list bills are now dead.

Budget bills have stalled as the House, Senate and governor's office are showing off to each other like peacocks displaying their feathers.  No one is ready to start the fight but the cards have clearly been displayed.  As a result there was still time this week to move through a series of "post-card" bills.  These are bills which sound good in theory and great to use as campaign fodder, however, in true application they are difficult to enforce.

The Iowa Senate passed a series of preservation clauses to buy American products and employ Iowa businesses in government contracts.  Though I whole-heartedly agree with the concept of these bills we must watch states like Illinois establishing the same protectionist clauses against Iowa companies.  These bills have the greatest impact upon the interstate commerce of companies on our borders.  Think of an Illinois company receiving a 5% leeway on bidding against Iowa companies.  Also, I fully support U.S. steel used in construction projects, however we must take on the bigger issue that steel refineries have largely been exported.  We are now feeling the drastic effects of businesses moving overseas.

The Iowa Senate also passed a bill allowing online gambling in virtual poker rooms with real money.  As I have never been a fan of gaming I simply caution on the extent which online gaming may go to in the future.  There is a possibility to move to betting on sporting events and even political races.  Sometimes, like with touch-play machines, you get more than what you asked for.

Next week the Senate will return to debate on education reform.  I look forward to sending you an update.  Thank you for the opportunity to serve in the Iowa Senate.


For more information please visit www.shawnhamerlinck.com.

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Shawn Hamerlinck
State Senator
District 42

14 Mar 2012

This Week in the Senate by Senator Shawn Hamerlinck

By Shawn Hamerlinck

March 2, 2012

Since the first funnel week the Iowa Senate has largely passed what are considered to be non-controversial bills.  These are bills such as code editor clean-up bills and jointly agreed upon amendments.  Posturing between the chambers are budget bills that will be debated next week as the legislative session begins to head down the final path.  As debate between the chambers is largely confined to budget negotiations, time is allowed for floor debate and some bills received unlikely attention.

On Wednesday the Iowa Senate passed a bill making it illegal to purposefully seek employment at an agricultural facility to abuse animals for the sake of show.  This bill is an attempt to limit those who want to abuse an animal on tape for the purpose of offering the tape as a misrepresentation of the Iowa farming community.

An amendment offered by Senator McCoy (D-Des Moines), and supported by nine others, would require videotaping within all farming facilities in Iowa and surveillance over outside lots.  As advertised, this amendment would insure food quality and protect livestock.  But it would have meant farmers would've had to install security camera systems in every barn in the state and release weekly tapes for public viewing.  This amendment failed.

The assumption that the vast majority of Iowa farmers are not stewards of the land and animal husbandry is ludicrous.  Simultaneously, a previous amendment offered to place cameras in every classroom for parents to view their children failed on an education bill.  So that tells me that Democrats think parents and children are less important than livestock.

On Monday the Iowa Senate passed a bill sponsored by Senator Brian Schoenjahn (D-Fayette) which requires deer stands and blinds on private property in Iowa to be to be tagged with the owner's name, address, and hunting license.  This bill, which was promoted as a means of curbing poaching, passed the Senate on a party-line vote of 26-24.

This bill makes no rational sense in relation to catching poachers or keeping them from putting up illegal and unwanted tree stands.  A poacher will not bring a deer stand onto your property, without your permission, and then tag it with his name and address.

At the same time a hunting license number is as valuable to hunters as driver's license numbers have become.  The last thing we want to advertise is an identification number which is attached to personal data at the Department of Natural Resources.

I hunt with a good friend in Muscatine County.  He must now tag all his stands before I am allowed to touch them.  For each untagged stand he will receive a $20 fine and be on the radar for future inspections on his private property.

Though I want to blame Senator Schoenjahn for being ignorant of the hunting culture, I will more easily blame his counterparts who voted with him while not thinking about how this bill punishes only the hunters who are doing things the right way. I need your help in bringing common sense back to the Iowa Senate.

The real budget debate begins on Monday as bills are forced to Conference Committee.  Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to join and work in the Iowa Senate.  For more information please visit www.shawnhamerlinck.com.

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Shawn Hamerlinck
State Senator

06 Feb 2012

This Week in the Senate by Senator Shawn Hamerlinck

By Shawn Hamerlinck

February 3, 2012

On Wednesday the Senate Education Committee passed a bill to approve a 4% allowable growth for schools.  This would be an increase of $146.2 million, pushing total state expenditures on K-12 education to $2.66 billion.  There is no doubt K-12 education needs more resources however, politicians are confused on the definition of "resource."  Where Iowa once set the national standard, student achievement scores have continually slipped over the past twenty years and now we are below the national average.  We continually hear the mantra that more money will solve the problem.  There are many more aspects than money at play.  Parts of the governor's education reform package have merit.  The question is if we can get any part of it to move through the Senate.

On Wednesday the Senate Natural Resources Committee passed a bill requiring all deer stands to be tagged with the owners name, address and hunter's license number.  Supporters argued it was done to curb poaching.  Logical thought would say, people who poach probably won't put their name on the equipment they use to poach.

The Iowa House issued their budget targets for the 2013 fiscal year.  Total expenditures are projected to be roughly $100 million more than last year and $190 million less than the governor's budget.  This budget suggests the Economic Emergency Fund ($350 million), Cash Reserve Levy ($600 million), and Taxpayer Relief Fund ($60 million) accounts will all be full.  Also, it projects an ending balance of $285 million.  The fiscal health of our state is very strong as many of our neighbors look at Iowa with envy.

On Tuesday Iowa Republican Party Chairman Matt Strawn stepped down.  Chairman Strawn was successful in pushing the Iowa GOP to campaign and issue successes it hasn't seen in twenty years.  Though now may be the time for transition and new leadership, I wish the Republican Party the best of luck in trying to replace him.

I always welcome your opinions, thoughts and ideas. 

Thank you for letting me serve as your voice in the Capitol.

Thank you for letting me represent the 42nd District.
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Shawn Hamerlinck
State Senator

22 Mar 2010

Senator Hamerlinck's Newsletter

By Shawn Hamerlinck

In the closing two weeks of session, Iowa's budget problems will take center stage.  The Revenue Estimating Conference's March prediction included $33 million more in revenue coming to the state than their previous December estimate.  Though this can be seen as a sign Iowa's economy has seen its worst days, the additional revenue will not be enough to make up the nearly half a billion dollar hole.

Funding education will be the one overriding budget item which will foster aggressive discourse in the Legislature.  Politicians should engage in aggressive debate over poor decision making practices which resulted in unfunded mandates, unfunded per-pupil promises, unfunded allowable growth and the play of politicians which resulted in this mess.  Politicians created the problem, and politicians should have a healthy debate on how to fix the problem.


If the 10% across-the-board cut is not backfilled and allowable growth is not funded the cost will fall back on local property tax payers.  Money was promised to school districts which was never provided.  Many of you are noticing your local school boards begin to make the difficult decisions of how to fund schools without promised state dollars.  State law requires school districts to ratify their budgets by April 15th and to publish them thirty days prior for public review.  School districts can't wait any longer for funds which the state spoiled away.  They are now facing the difficult task of turning to local property tax payers to keep schools functioning.


Rather than waiting for the state legislature, school districts in Iowa City, Cedar Rapids, Ankeny and Clinton have already approved substantial tax levy increases.


Last Thursday a new problem in education popped up:  One time stimulus dollars were used to offer additional pay to teachers for training.  Since the Governor's 10% across-the-board cut also cut this teacher quality pay, school boards found they are now on the hook for this pay as well.  Many school districts were notified of this issue after they certified their budgets.  The full breadth these two problems results in nearly $330 million in unfunded mandates falling to the local level by raising property taxes.


Understanding how Physical Plant and Equipment Levy or PPEL, allowable growth, property tax levies, the state sales tax and the 10% across-the-board cut all factor into this problem can be a task in itself.  And I applaud local youth for writing to me on the issue.  I have received many letters from youth frustrated with the fact that programs like art and music may be cut, as well as teacher positions.  I always encourage young Iowans to get involved in government at a local level and I want to thank them for these letters and I strongly encourage their questions and comments.


Another discussion on the Senate floor sparked intense debate this past week.  One section in the Government Reorganization Bill allowed for the sale and lease-back of state owned buildings.  An amendment to ban the authorization of this practice in the future by the Governor and Legislature failed.  It was passed as a way to offer "management flexibility."  This practice has nearly bankrupt New Mexico.


In closing, I received a message on Thursday in a fortune cookie which read, "If a lobbyist asks you to sponsor an amendment which has already failed twice - Run!"


Shawn Hamerlinck
State Senate 42nd District

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