Dear public school supporters,
July 30 has come and gone. That was the date set for interested legislators to contact the state about calling a special session of the legislature. Where are we to look for support?
Many of you realize Gov. Branstad vetoed a school funding bill that would have given public schools in Iowa an additional $55.7 million dollars. The legislation was passed in the Iowa House of Representatives and Iowa Senate after back and forth debate. Gov. Branstad went against the majority of members in our legislature and against the students of Iowa with this veto.
Some leaders in the House and Senate started a movement to call a special session with the intention of overriding his veto. A special session was not called. Why? There were not enough Representatives and Senate members who contacted the governor about calling the special session.
Following are some of the facts.
FACT: Clarke Schools will not get $158,731 because of the veto.
FACT: Murray Schools will not get $28,595 because of the veto.
FACT: As of July 30, our representative, Joel Fry, did not contact the governor about calling a special session.
FACT: As of July 30, our senator, Amy Sinclair, did not contact the governor about calling a special session.
FACT: Joel Fry is a member of the House Education Committee.
FACT: Amy Sinclair is a member of the Senate Education Committee. In fact, she is listed as the ranking member on the website of the Iowa Senate.
I suggest you contact Rep. Fry and Sen. Sinclair and ask two questions. First, why did you not support calling a special session? Second, the more important question, as a member of the education committee will you support legislation in the next session to make up for the $55.7 million, as well as a fair and equitable increase for the 2016-17 school year.