April/May 2007 A Message from the Culver-Judge Team Visit the Promises Delivered; Promises Kept. Governor and Welcome to the inaugural issue of the “Iowa Report.” This bi-monthly newsletter will Lt. Governor keep Iowans informed of the important issues and events that are taking place both online here in the Capitol and around the state. www.governor.iowa.gov We have had an exciting two months since we took offi ce on January 12th. It’s been an Lt. Governor honor and privilege to work with the Legislature and sign into law many signifi cant bills that will move our state forward and improve the lives of all Iowans. Named Homeland Welcome Message continued on next page... Security Advisor Governor signs Iowa Stem Cell Research and Governor Signs On February 19, Governor Chet Culver announced Cures Initiative Minimum Wage Bill Into Law his appointment for the On February 28, Governor Culver lifted the ban on stem-cell On Thursday, January 25, Governor Chet state’s homeland security research by signing SF 162 into law. Culver was joined by Lt. Governor Patty advisor – Lt. Governor Judge, legislators from both parties, and Patty Judge. “Today, thousands of Iowans who have been affected by hundreds of Iowans to sign his fi rst bill, HF 1. serious illness and disease now have hope,” said Governor “Since 9/11, Iowans This bill increased the minimum wage from have demanded that Culver. “Throughout the campaign, I promised Iowans that this $5.15 to $7.25 their elected offi cials administration would do everything in my power to repeal this law, per hour do all they can on this and today, we keep that promise. Now, let us get down to work and and was issue to make their state give researchers in our state the tools and resources necessary to one of the and nation stronger, give all Iowans a brighter, unlimited, and healthier future.” key issues and our administration during the is committed to doing Governor Culver proposed in his budget $12.5 million for the gubernatorial just that,” said the construction of a Center for Regenerative Medicine to be housed Governor Chet Culver at his fi rst bill campaign. Lt. Governor. “I look at the University of Iowa. These dollars would be the fi rst payment signing to increase the minimum wage forward to working in a multi-year commitment to fi nding cures for illnesses that affect “Throughout the campaign, I met with law enforcement thousands of Iowans. thousands of hard working Iowans who and homeland security believed that their state had forgotten offi cials, communities, and Iowans across the them,” said Governor Culver during the Thank You! ceremony. “I assured them that many state to give Iowa a safe, A special thank you people under this dome had not forgotten secure future.” to everyone who their hard work, and today we prove it. worked day and night With my signature, more than 250,000 Tell us what to restore power to Iowans, 18% of our state’s workforce, will the more than 400,000 issues are receive a pay raise.” Iowas who lost important to you. power during the ice As a result of the minimum wage legislation, and snow storms in more than 250,000 Iowans received an Contact our offi ce at February. annual wage increase of more than $4300 www.governor.iowa.gov annually, and lifted them out of poverty. or call 515.281.5211. Governor Signs Safe Schools Legislation Tell Us Your Thoughts On... We look forward to On March 5, Governor Culver was joined by Lt. Governor With summer approaching, tell us your favorite Iowa hearing from you! Patty Judge at Valley High School in Des Moines to sign place to visit on vacation and why? the School Anti-Bullying and Anti-Harassment Act. On the Flip Side... Visit www.governor.iowa.gov/oneiowareport to tell us, and we will publish some of your responses in Culver Makes 180 Safe Schools continued on next page... the next issue of the One Iowa Report. Appointments to State Boards and Commissions Governor Culver Signs Life-Saving Tobacco-Tax Increase On March 15th, Governor Chet Culver was joined by health advocates, medical professionals, legislators, and Culver, Judge Fight for Iowans dedicated to improving health to sign SF 128 – an increase in the tobacco tax by $1/pack. Iowa’s Energy Future Cigarette Tax continued on next page... Welcome Message Continued... Safe Schools It was an exciting day when we signed our fi rst bill, an increase in the “The School Anti-Bullying and Anti-Harassment Act creates a minimum wage. Since that time, we have worked with legislators of both new boundary in Iowa classrooms, hallways, and cafeterias. This parties to pass several other important pieces of legislation, including the bill makes it clear Iowans are committed to providing protection Stem Cell Research and Cures Initiative, the Safe Schools Law and the against intolerance in every life-saving increase in the tobacco tax that will provide funding for smoking Iowa school,” said Governor cessation programs and increased access to health care for Iowa’s Culver. “Now that we have children. the policy, we must all work together to give our educators We’d like to thank the people of Iowa for giving us the opportunity to move our legislative agenda forward. We ask that you continue to provide input and administrators the and guidance on ways to make Iowa an even better state to live, work and training and tools necessary raise a family. to eliminate bullying in our schools forever.” Sincerely, SF 61 establishes a state policy that school employees, volunteers, and students in Iowa schools shall not engage in harassing or Chester J. Culver Patty J. Judge bullying behavior. Governor Lt. Governor Governor Culver Signs Life-Saving Tobacco-Tax Increase “I want to thank those who made this day possible - the 92 legislators from both sides of the aisle who voted in favor of this legislation. You have proven that this issue cuts deeper than party affi liation,” said the Governor. “We will now be in a position to prevent the deaths of nearly 20,000 Iowans, help 20,000 people quit smoking and prevent nearly 40,000 younger Iowans from taking that fi rst puff that could lead to a lifetime of addiction and health problems.” The historic legislation upon enactment, and almost immediately telephone calls to Quitline Iowa jumped, indicating Iowans who smoke are doing what they can to quit. Governor Culver signs bill increasing the state cigarette tax by $1 Culver Makes 180 Appointments to State Boards Culver, Judge Fight for and Commissions – Continues Search for Iowans Iowa’s Energy Future Willing to Serve On Wednesday, March 14, On March 15, Governor Culver made 180 appointments to boards Governor Culver met with and commissions, including four new appointments to the Iowa business leaders in Osage, Board of Regents. The appointments were made to 81 separate Iowa, a community that is on boards and commission and must be confi rmed by the Iowa Senate the cutting edge of renewable within 30 days. Among the Governor’s appointments were four new energy technology. Meeting at appointees to the Board of Regents - Bonnie Campbell, Jack Evans, Fox River Mills, a textile company that makes products from Craig Lang and David Miles. Governor Culver meets with business corn fi ber, the Governor leaders in Osage to discuss the future of There are still many boards and commissions in need of qualifi ed discussed the Iowa Power Fund, renewable energy in Iowa members. If you would like to serve your state, please visit a $100 million investment in renewable energy www.governor.iowa.gov/administration/boards to fi ll out an application. technology that is designed to grow Iowa’s community and secure Iowa’s energy future. “The projects here in Mitchell County are examples of what should be done throughout the state, and throughout the country,” said Governor Culver at the roundtable. “These are perfect examples of how the Power Fund could be used to promote the next generation of renewable energy. I am thrilled to be sitting around a table with innovative leaders in this area to discuss how we should move forward.” Lt. Governor Judge has also played an active role in advocating for the Iowa Power Fund. “If Iowa is to grow, if Iowa is to be strong, if Iowa is to succeed, we need this legislation now” said the Lt. Governor. “I ask all of you to join with us and urge your legislators to take up this important issue Governor Culver with Board of Regent appointees Bonnie Campbell, Jack Evans, Craig Lang and David Miles and pass the Iowa Power Fund. Let us create a brighter, stronger future for Iowa.”.