A study committee examining the care of companion animals by commercial breeders had its first public meeting at the Statehouse on September 29. State Senator Joe Seng, a Davenport veterinarian, co-chairs the committee with Representative Jim Lykam. They heard testimony from many organizations, including Iowa Voters for Companion Animals, the Animal Rescue League of Iowa, the Humane Society, the Iowa Veterinary Medical Association, the Iowa Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal, and the Iowa Pet Breeders Association. For more on the work of the committee, go to www.legis.state.ia.us/aspx/Committees/Committee.aspx?id=486.
State Representative Jim Lykam of Davenport gestures as he describes proposed legislation to better regulate pet breeders in Iowa on January 25. Lykam and State Senator Joe Seng of Davenport (right) co-chaired a bipartisan legislative study committee this summer which unanimously approved the ideas on which House Study Bill 604 is based. The legislation is designed to better protect pets and pet owners from irresponsible pet breeders. A key provision of the bill will increase the number of state inspectors to respond to animal health and safety complaints involving USDA licensed facilities.
Senator Joe Seng met representatives from the Iowa Catholic Conference to discuss new legislation to bring technological advances into Iowa’s classrooms. The new bill (SF 2058) passed the Senate Education Committee on February 2 and allows private schools to use existing textbook funding to purchase laptop computers or other personal portable computing devices for non-religious purposes.
Senator Joe Seng poses with Iowa University medical students Megan Srinivas and Michael McCoughlin, both from Fort Dodge, outside the Senate chamber on February 2. The students visited their Legislators to talk about ways for individuals to work with the Legislature to manage tuition and student debt, and brainstormed how to better ensure a stable family physician population in the state of Iowa throughout the coming years.
On February 8, Lori Baux of Ames was at the Statehouse to encourage Iowans to maximize their income tax returns this year by filing electronically for a quick refund, avoiding costly refund anticipation loans and taking advantage of state and federal Earned Income Tax Credits. Many Iowans may also qualify for free electronic filing of their taxes, including low and moderate-income taxpayers, active-duty military, students and seniors. Learn more at the Iowa Department of Revenue's Web site at www.iowa.gov/tax.
On February 17, Senator Joe Seng and other legislators exchanged ideas on how to increase the number of Iowa doctors and improve the affordability and accessibility of health care in Iowa. Doctors visited the Statehouse with the Iowa Osteopathic Medical Association, a group that seeks to advance the philosophy and practice of osteopathic medicine in the state of Iowa.
Senator Joe Seng met with Deb Goodall, a former President of the Iowa Association for Lifelong Learning (IALL) on February 24th. . They discussed IALL’s mission of encouraging personal development and growth for Iowans of all ages, and talked about the local impact of classes offered at the Eastern Iowa Community College that promote entrepreneurship and small businesses.
Senator Joe Seng met with Lou Ann Sandburg, a board member for the Chrysalis Foundation, on March 3. The organization emphasizes education and philanthropy while providing resources to support leadership and economic self-sufficiency for girls and women in Iowa.
Governor Chet Culver signs legislation to improve conditions in Iowa pet breeding facilities, surrounded by legislators, a number of children who supported the legislation, and his dog, Buck. Standing behind Governor Culver are, from left: Representative Wes Whitead, Senator Staci Appel, Senator Pam Jochum, Representative Jim Lykam, Senator Matt McCoy and Senator Joe Seng.
On March 9, Senator Joe Seng attended an American Advertising Federation’s (AAF) event at that Statehouse. The AAF is currently sponsoring television ads and a poster campaign to warn teens of the possible emotional and criminal consequences of sending explicit text messages. The organization is also working to increase awareness of the Des Moines Music Coalition, a non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening the live music economy throughout Des Moines and Iowa.
As part of an annual tradition, the Senate was honored with a visit from a member of the Irish Parliament. Senator Ned O’Sullivan (not pictured) and his wife, Mrs. Madeleine O’Sullivan (left) traveled from Kerry County, Ireland to stay in Emmetsburg and enjoy St. Patrick’s Day festivities.
Senator Seng met with Brenda Criswell from the Iowa Department for the Blind to learn more about the many services the department provides to blind and visually impaired Iowans, including job training, career placement, and a library for blind and physically handicapped Iowans.
Sue Curry, Dean of the University of Iowa’s College of Public Health met with legislators on March 23 to discuss ways to build healthy communities, increase quality of life, and promote ‘Generation Public Health.’ For more information, visit http://www.generationpublichealth.org/.
State Senator Joe Seng of Davenport talks with State Senator Bill Heckroth of Waverly during the final hours of the 2010 session about their efforts to help middle-class families and small businesses recover from the national recession. The two legislators were successful in passing a new initiative that makes low-interest loans available to existing small businesses so they can create jobs, shifts tax credits from Wall Street businesses to Main Street businesses, and strengthens Iowa’s Small Business Development Centers. Senator Seng serves Ways & Means Committee. A small business owner, Senator Heckroth serves on the Economic Growth Committee and is the Vice-Chair of the Economic Development Budget Subcommittee.
“Jobs, jobs, jobs” are my top priority for the 2011 session of the Iowa Legislature, which began on Monday, January 10. I hope to increase assistance to Iowa small businesses, help Iowa workers improve their skills, and continue the expansion of the Iowa’s clean energy economy. I took the oath of office for a four-year term in the Iowa Senate. I can be reached at joe.seng@legis.iowa.gov or by calling 515-281-3371.
Hans van Leeuwen, Professor of Engineering at Iowa State University, met with me and other senators at the Statehouse on January 27. Leeuwen gave a presentation about fungal oil production to the Senate Agriculture Committee. Fungal oil can produce a form of alternative energy and is better for the environment than many other forms of fuel.
I talked with Steve Bolie of Creston, executive director for the Iowa Association of Area Agencies on Aging, February 3 at the Statehouse. The Association helps aging Iowans maintain independence and a high quality of life, and ensures that caregivers have information and guidance about services available to their older loved ones.
Lisa Nolan of Ames, dean of Veterinary Medicine at Iowa State University, visited with me during an Agriculture Committee meeting on February 3. She spoke to the committee about salmonella testing on Iowa egg farms. Salmonella testing at the ISU labs has quadrupled following last summer's egg recall.
Representatives from the University of Iowa Health Sciences Colleges came to the Capitol on March 9 to discuss with legislators their commitment to improving the lives of Iowans through health research. Dr. James Davis, Chief of the Division of Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery and Transplantation at the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital, visited with me. We are looking at an artificial heart transplant that is used to correct congenial heart defects.
Diane Nelson of Davenport, CEO of the Girl Scouts of Eastern and Western Illinois, met with me at the Capitol on March 10 to discuss how the Girl Scouts gives young girls confidence and leadership skills.
Iowa Congressman Bruce Braley was recently in Afghanistan where he met with General David Petraeus, commander of US forces there. At Braley’s request, the General recorded a short video message for the 3,500 Iowa National Guard Members deployed in Afghanistan. You can check it out at www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtRTSfLh3_E.
Matthew Bonney of Ankeny, a senior in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Iowa, and Andy Veit of Iowa City, program manager for the National Advanced Driving Simulator at the University of Iowa's College of Engineering, came to the Capitol on April 5 to introduce legislators to driving simulator technology. The driving simulator was designed by the University of Iowa through years of research and allows for many different real-life driving experiences. I took a test drive and discussed with Bonney and Veit the economic advantages Iowa receives by licensing this advance technology to other institutes around the country.
Along with veterans and other Iowa legislators, I watched as Governor Terry Branstad signed a bill designating August 7 as Purple Heart Day. I helped pass this bill in the Senate to honor the sacrifice of our military men and women killed or wounded in enemy action, or who suffered maltreatment as prisoners of war.
As chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, I attended a bill signing in Governor Branstad's office for two important agricultural bills. House File 592 establishes an advisory council for agricultural education. The council's duties will include reviewing, developing and recommending standards for secondary and postsecondary agricultural education. House File 557 eliminates the need for pseudo-rabies testing, which is an unreasonable barrier to hog producers participating in multiple hog shows each year. Iowa has been pseudo-rabies free since 2004. I received the first pen that the governor used to sign the pseudo-rabies bill.
I talked with Senator Bob Dvorsky of Coralville, chair of the Senate Budget Committee, during the final days of the 2011 legislative session. I think adequate funding for local schools and strong job creation efforts are top priorities as state budget negotiations move to conclusion.
One of the best moments I had this week was talking with Waukee resident Kennedy Haag, who visited the Iowa Senate during a pause in debate on May 26. Kennedy was very excited and proud because it was also her preschool graduation day. She had just finished up her preschool education at one of Iowa’s quality programs for four-year-olds. Public opposition to education cuts recently convinced Governor Branstad to abandon deep cuts to early education. Disagreement over education funding continues to prevent the Legislature and the Governor from agreeing on next year’s state budget, which is to begin on July 1.
I participated in a series of public hearings on the state budget at the Iowa Capitol this week. These hearings give legislators a chance to learn how the budget could impact Iowans. I am pictured here at the Economic Development Budget hearing on June 8, along with Senators Swati Dandekar of Marion and Bill Dotzler of Waterloo.
On June 28th, I met with Chairman and CEO of Amtrak Thomas Carper and Amtrak Government Affairs Director Derrick James regarding the future of passenger rail in Iowa. I am a strong supporter of passenger rail as a way to provide convenient, environmentally responsible transportation alternatives, but the proposed Iowa City - Chicago route (via the Quad Cities) has faced an uphill funding battle in the Iowa House. Pictured from left: Carper, I and James.
I attended the recent celebration of 100 years of Taiwan democracy. The event took place in Chicago. Taiwan is an important trade partner with Iowa. In fact, Taiwan is the fifth largest market for corn and soybeans. And of course Iowa is the state that leads the nation in production of these crops. As we continue to develop strong relationships with agricultural trade partners, we’ll ensure our state’s continued economic success. Iowa State Senators Steve Sodders and Dennis Black and I are pictured here with Perry Shen, Director General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Chicago, and his wife, Vivian.
I joined more than 500 state legislators from all 50 states who filed a brief with the U.S. Supreme Court supporting the constitutionality of the federal health reform law. Our goal is to protect the many benefits the legislation has brought to Iowa: a patient's bill of rights, medical discounts and free checkups for seniors, and increased competition that will lower health care costs. The legislators at the Iowa Statehouse event included, from left to right: Rep. Chuck Isenhart, Sen. Joe Bolkcom, Sen. Jack Hatch, Rep. Anesa Kajtazovic, Sen. Pam Jochum, Rep. Pat Murphy, Rep. Mary Mascher and I. You can learn more at http://www.senate.iowa.gov/democrats/iowa-lawmakers-defend-the-benefits-to-iowans-of-health-care-reform/.
Iowans using innovative community college approaches to recover from lost jobs and fill existing job openings visited the Statehouse to talk about how they did it. I met with Mike Sevart of Cedar Rapids (center) and Fernando Franco of Sioux City (right). Sevart’s 32-year position ended when his employer closed. He enrolled in his community college’s combination welding program while earning an adult high school diploma. When he graduated, he was hired by a local manufacturing firm. Franco lost his job when the John Morrell plant closed. He earned a GED at Western Iowa Tech Community College, a diploma in the Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning program, and an Associate’s degree in Technical Studies in December 2011.
