Statehouse News 3-31-06
9/19/2007
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Are you making a difference? That was the theme of Major General Dardis’, head of the Iowa National Guard, report to the legislature. General Dardis has a point. When you look back at your life, what do you want to see? The soldiers in the National Guard and all of our Iowa soldiers are highly regarded in the armed services. Their values, love of country, and work ethic make them the best soldiers to defend what we hold dear. When they look back, they see they’ve made a difference. It was a moving address. He had the parents of the soldiers we’ve lost sitting in the balcony. They stood, while all of the Representatives and Senators came to their feet and honored their children and their loss with a resounding ovation and many tears. My heart was full.
The biggest bill of the week: Renewable Fuels. The renewable fuels policy and appropriation bill passed out of the House. It provides incentives and creates goals for the use of ethanol. We approved two million a year for the next three years to help with infrastructure improvements, from gas pumps to storage tanks. The incentives will be handled by the Iowa Department of Economic Development. I have a couple of people to call this weekend to have them ready to apply. The rush will be on for application approval as of 7-1-06.
The Iowa Braille and Sight Saving School. It was finally put in writing that the school will not be closing. The victory is short lived because the Board of Regents are planning “significant” changes to the school. Not that we’re opposed to change, but I don’t want us to have less students and less jobs. I’m still working on it. Many thanks to all of you for your efforts to save the school. We worked together and made things happen. I have the most respect for the people of our district and how they fight for their own. When you look back at your life, you can be proud that you stood for those who couldn’t. That is what we’re here for. You made a difference! There is NO PLACE LIKE HOUSE DISTRICT 39!
I was not able to see any visitors this week. We were debating and meeting when one good AARP member came, but other than that, no one visited. If you’re in Des Moines, stop in. I would love to see you.
If you have any concerns or ideas, please contact me on my cell at 319-610-3412 or send me an email at dawn.pettengill@legis.state.ia.us. I want to hear from you.
Best regards,
Dawn Pettengill
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Iowa House of Representatives
State Representative Dawn Pettengill
Statehouse News
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March 31, 2006
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Inside this Issue
1 Use of Renewable Fuels Encouraged
2 Guard Returnees Are “A New Generation of Heroes”
2 Higher Dependent Care and Child Development Credits
2 Committee Approves Water Quality Bill
3 Bill Increases Fines for Littering and Illegal Dumping
3 Feds Finally Approve Medicaid Provider Increase
4 School Start Date Bill Moves to the Floor
4 Landowner Tax Credit to Assist Beginning Farmers
4 Enterprise Zones Expanded
5 $500 Tax Credit for Volunteer Fire and EMS Workers
5 Income Tax Withholding Pilot Projects
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