Page 8 The Advocate News (Wilton-Durant, Iowa) Thursday, May 17, 2012

OpiniOn

Big week in politics, nationally and locally

he thought first entered my mind while know exactly when life begins. I was waiting for more than 90 minutes I would say though that the trend lines are for President Obama to hit the stage that were going to have more, not less, states in Iowa City April 25. I then thought harder that legalize gay marriage. Even if Iowa takes about it last week upon reading about and steps to define marriage, theres going to be watching the mushroom cloud that was the two more (states) to take its place. week in national politics. And if it hadnt had Kaufmann made some interesting points and any hometown flavor, it hit me again while I predictions there and I tend to agree with all of attended the Wilton Chamber of Commerces them. The reality is that perception is changannual political luncheon. ing and evolving may be The national election is a great way to characterize less than six months away. it. Politically, theres been Oh the door knocking, telestrong arguments for and vision ads and phone calls against Obama coming out that are yet to come! in favor of it. Some say This is also an opportune it hurts him. Some say it time to note that our policy helps. Truly, I believe he has By Derek Sawvell here at the AN with regard to been evolving right along political letters to the editor with many Americans and has not changed. We wont print any letters thanks to Biden, his evolution took a shove the week prior to the election, as it has always last week. been our feeling that opportunities for rebuttal Will he lose votes over it? Perhaps. Will he should always be allowed. We have Democratic gain votes over it? Perhaps. I believe that presiand Republican primaries coming up June 5 dential elections, for the most part, are about and we have been receiving letters in support 6-8 percent of voters. Romney will get 46-47 of area candidates. Next week will be the last percent and so will Obama. This election, like issue for printing new letters of support. most, is about that remaining 6-8 percent of The national political scene was rocked last undecided or independent voters. For those that Wednesday, when President Obama took his werent voting for Obama, his announcement view on same sex marriage from one that was wont change anything. For those voting for evolving to that of support. The announce- him, I dont believe this will kill those votes. ment came on the heels of Vice President Joe Marriage has evolved over thousands of Bidens interview on Meet the Press just three years. Its been reported that both Obama and days earlier, where he came out in support of Romney have men in their lineages that pracsame sex marriage. ticed polygamy. Romney may still face quesIn the political realm as of late, Joe has tions on this down the road with his Mormon certainly made some bold comments. The faith hence his clear definitions about one media calls it Joe being Joe. For any sports man and one woman. enthusiasts out there, it is sort of beginning There were times in this nation when to remind me of the great Yogi Berra, a New women and African Americans couldn't vote. York Yankees catcher whose quotes would There were times when interracial marriage make any person stop and think for a minute. was forbidden. Social rights have, and will, In fact, books have been written that contain continue to shift toward equality. nothing but his quotes. Due to backlash that Obama will receive, I Doesnt it seem like just yesterday when can hardly think this was totally strategic. One Biden was telling all of us that Obama has a thing I do know is that every week that goes big stick when talking about speaking softly by where the national media focuses on social and carrying a big stick? issues with these candidates, the better that is for President Obama was backed into a corner Obama and the worse it is for Romney and and within 72 hours became the first sitting Romney primarily has the Republican primary president in U.S. history to publicly support to thank for that. same sex marriage. If you follow policy, this If I was advising Romney, I would program should come as no surprise. However in a him to talk about nothing but the economy. perfect world, my crystal ball says he would Remember, hes a businessman and because have said shortly after the re-election that he of his vast corporate experience, he can save was for it, assuming he was re-elected. Yet win us. That should be his continuous message. or lose, we would have heard this. For Obama, he has to continue to inspire Sure enough, before the day was out, Mitt the youth vote and continue his high polling Romney, who has all but sewn up the Republi- numbers with women in this country. His can nomination, came out in support of defining grassroots-style campaign in 2008 brought marriage as between one man and one woman. young people, women, African Americans and Sure we can point to seven or eight years ago minority group voters out in droves. when Obama may have been against same sex While attending the Chamber luncheon marriage. But we can also point to a time in May 14, I asked Congressman Dave Loebsack which Romney said hed be to the left of Ted (D-Iowa City) to comment on Obamas recent Kennedy on these kinds of rights. support of same sex marriage. The present is what matters and I was imI agree with the presidents decision, mediately reminded of a two-part column that I said Loebsack. Its difficult to balance the wrote about a lengthy interview that I had with different concerns of different folks. Its the state Rep. Jeff Kaufmann (R-Wilton) about right decision and will help us move forward many things, including same sex marriage, in for equality for all Americans. January, 2011, after three Iowa Supreme Court *** justices were not retained after Iowa legalized Chamber luncheonAs mentioned above, same sex marriage. the Wilton Chamber of Commerce held its Same sex marriage is legal in six states: annual governmental luncheon May 14 at Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Community Bank. Several business leaders, Hampshire, New York and Vermont, plus city and government officials and members Washington, D.C. Washington and Maryland of the school district where in attendance. also passed laws to issue same sex marriage Mike Shuger of Wilton Realty was master licenses in 2012 but each could be derailed in of ceremonies and Reps. Kaufmann and Mark the upcoming 2012 elections. Lofgren (R-Muscatine) were in attendance, The reality is that those numbers are grow- along with Congressman Loebsack. ing and Kaufmann and I talked about it. Here Due to the state losing a Congressional seat is an excerpt from our conversation: due to 2010 Census numbers, Loebsack now I then asked him if he could envision more has 24 counties in his district as opposed to 15. states allowing same sex marriage. Will same But he wants to hear from folks, as he said sex marriage eventually become accepted or he gets to Wilton as often as he can. Hes also a norm? taken six trips to Afghanistan and three trips Trends indicate that it will, he said. We to Iraq as a member of the Armed Services will never completely and fully end the discus- committee. sion on the causes of sexual orientation you He said regardless of what you think about cant do the studies you need to determine the two wars this country has been involved in if there is a gay gene. I dont know if the over the past 10 years, we should all agree on grounding in sexual orientation will ever be at two basic principles: troops should be properly the same level as gender or ethnicity. Its the trained and treated with respect when they same with abortion because well never ever return home from serving overseas.

Case in Point

State Rep. Mark Lofgren (R-Muscatine), Rep. Jeff Kaufmann (R-Wilton) and U.S. Congressman Dave Loebsack (D-Iowa City) visited Wilton May 14 for the annual Chamber of Commerce governmental luncheon. Photo by Derek Sawvell
He was also a professor at Cornell College in Mount Vernon for 24 years and is also on the Education committee. Fighting for education is what Loebsack believes in. Education is whats going to make sure that people who want to get ahead can get ahead, he said. Lofgren spoke about tending to the state budget, saying that with this years budget, the state is only spending 97 cents on each dollar it brings in as opposed to $1.18 for each dollar taken in a year ago. He said there was also an effort to limit the use of one-time funds to balance the budget. Kaufmann said the biggest failure of the Iowa session that just ended was not passing a property tax bill. He said the House sent four different bills to the Senate and the last had several Senate ideas within it. It was to no avail. Our bill wouldnt shift residential rates. By doing nothing, your rates will increase, said Kaufmann, who noted that Iowa has the 48th highest commercial property tax rates in the country. The event provides a nice lunch with several of the towns movers and shakers and I always love to go listen to the many great questions that are asked. In talking with Shuger afterward, he noted that it was the first time in 20 years that the luncheon had a visit from a U.S. Congressman.

'Disappointment' on property tax relief

The 2012 legislative session ended in the bipartisan education reform bill. It looked late afternoon last Wednesday. There was as if the legislation was dead, but in the end hurried activity until the very end with many we have a good start at true reform. Some of the initiatives include state support for issues reaching resolution that day. The week began with a memorial service for competency-based curriculum. This could Vietnam veterans at the Iowa Vietnam Veterans ultimately change delivery, evaluation and Wall just south of the Capitol. I was honored basic instruction in our schools. Also included that the Vietnam vets organization invited me in the bill is an emphasis on early literacy. If to read the Governors Proclamation, a rare the child is not reading at grade level at the end of third grade, the parents time that a non-veteran may choose intensive was given that honor. I remediation including spent eight proud years summer school or holdstanding with those vets ing the child back. and I will continue to do Also included are anso with equal vigor. nual teacher evaluations Several issues were including peer review resolved last week inand a very cautious first cluding a bill trying to By Rep. Jeff Kaufmann step in online learning. control storm chaser If you would like a copy contractors who move into a town after a storm, often overcharg- of the entire bill, let me know and Ill get it ing and confusing citizens. I witnessed this to you. The big disappointment was the Senate firsthand in Clarence last month. We fixed two tax anomalies in the Iowa code not passing property tax relief and reform. that had unfairly cost small businesses valuable The House sent over four different bills to the resources. Car washes and auto body shops Senate which were never debated or called up for a vote. The last bill, which was the result were specifically targeted in our legislation. We also passed some last minute tax credits of months of compromise, contained as many to incentivize the use of geothermal energy Senate initiatives as House ideas. In response to (which has a high upfront cost) and solar en- this last bill, the Senate ignored it and brought ergy. Along those same lines, wind incentives, their very first bill up for debate which then as well as biofuels incentives remain intact as failed to pass. The non-partisan LSA guaranteed that our programs. Regarding the mental health reorganization last compromise bill would NOT shift costs plan that passed last month (despite my NO to residential. (This is one of the incorrect vote), there were some last minute questions statements offered by the Senate to explain on funding, specifically in the transition to their refusal to pass a property tax bill.) The the new program where the state picks up the major factor that will increase property taxes this year is doing nothing. I cant fully explain costs for Medicaid services. The large counties, acting through their my disappointment and yes, even anger at organization, wanted a $10 million fund. I this neglect of a problem that dominated the believe this was a poor idea right now for session and is hurting our home owners and two reasons: we dont know how much this businesses. I am still shaking my head as I will actually cost given the increase in state write this column. contribution, and a disproportionate share Nest week I will have my annual analysis would have gone to larger counties, some who of the entire session, both the disappointments played the system in the past. We definitely and our many bipartisan successes. have enough money until January and the beEnd-of-Session Listening Post Schedule: ginning of a new session. At that time a much May 19, 10:00 a.m., Muscatine City Council better and focused decision can be made. Chambers, 10 a.m.; May 19, 1:00 p.m., Dittos A pleasant surprise was the passage of a Restaurant, Stanwood.

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