The pace of this session is keeping me busier than ever. Over the first two weeks, a lot of time was devoted to education bills, as well as reviewing proposals for a major reorganization of state government.

I enjoyed a visit last week from Frank Reynolds of Marion, who came to the Statehouse for a Transportation Subcommittee meeting on changing registration fees for some antique vehicles. January 21 was the annual Veterans Day on the Hill, which gave me the chance to talk with many veterans from our area about their concerns.

Thanks to all who came out to the January 16 legislative forum in Marion. I'm sorry I couldn't attend the Cedar Rapids forum, as my Marion forum ran a little longer than expected. I'll be participating in our local forums throughout the session and look forward to talking with you!



Sharing information on Facebook

I'm using Facebook to share information and exchange ideas about moving Iowa forward. If you're on Facebook, I invite you to "friend" me. You can find me at www.facebook.com/SenatorSwatiDandekar. I regularly post status updates, events and photos, and would love to connect with you.



Change is coming to state government

A major initiative to reorganize Iowa's state government for the first time in almost 25 years was approved January 20 by the Senate's State Government Committee.

The State of Iowa must be smarter about spending your money. The changes in Senate Study Bill 3030 will provide more accountability for taxpayer dollars and will eliminate wasteful spending by combining agencies and delivering services to Iowans more efficiently.

According to the nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau and other sources, these reforms will save significant dollars immediately and much more in the long term. Savings totaling more than $80 million have already been enacted through an executive order by Governor Culver, and an additional $57.4 million in savings will come from an early retirement initiative for state employees.

We're hoping to find more than $200 million in savings this session. The legislation is expected to be debated by the full Senate later this month.

To review the state government reorganization bill, go to http://tiny.cc/ReOrg.

Senate approves Early Retirement Incentive

As part of our efforts to reduce costs in state government, the Senate approved an early retirement incentive package for state employees.

Under Senate File 2062, eligible state employees must apply for early retirement by April 15 and leave state employment no later than May 28, 2010. They would receive cash and healthcare incentives, paid out over five years.

In addition, the legislation will ensure that those who participate in the early retirement program are prohibited from taking another job in state government. This will put an end to "retirees" using a "revolving door" to re-enter state employment after receiving incentives to retire.

The state would save money by increasing the number of retirements and filling only critical positions. Review the legislation at http://tiny.cc/SF2062.



Helping soldiers by helping their families

On January 21, the Statehouse hosted the annual Veterans Day on the Hill. It was a great opportunity to talk with hundreds of veterans from across the state about their concerns and ideas.

The families of Iowa soldiers in our communities often speak of the stress they experience when a spouse or parent is called to active duty.

This year, we're making relocating easier for Iowa's military families. One proposal calls for ensuring that "trailing spouses" of active military members are eligible for unemployment if they have to give up a job; they won't face withdrawal fees and penalties if they must leave college mid-term; and they'll get the assistance they need to transfer professional certifications, including teaching certificates, to their new home state.

We'll do all we can to make sure those who serve our country in the military have the tools and training they need to complete their mission, return home and re-enter civilian life.



Iowa Veterans Home is expanding

Last year, the Legislature approved a major renovation and expansion of the Iowa Veterans Home (IVH) in Marshalltown. In partnership with the federal government, we'll provide a state-of-the-art facility for Iowans who've served and sacrificed.

The first phase of the Iowa Veterans Home's Master Plan was made possible by a state appropriation of nearly $16 million, matched by $29 million in federal funds. The money will be used to construct two new resident-care pavilions on IVH grounds.

Through January 31, you are encouraged to submit your ideas for the naming of these two new buildings. If you have an idea that celebrates the sacrifice, dedication and service of all Iowa veterans, print off a nomination form at http://ivh.iowa.gov and submit it for consideration.

Future phases of the Veterans Home renovation include the construction of additional resident facilities, remodeling existing buildings and installing a new entry and driveway.



Honor a World War II veteran

Did you know that there are very few surviving records concerning World War II veterans? Most of them were lost in a storage warehouse fire decades ago.

The government has records on servicemen who died during the war, but almost no records on those who fought and survived the war.

At http://wwiimemorial.com, family members can register their WWII veterans to be officially remembered. You'll need to know their full name, home state, and something about when, what branch and where they served. It is a simple but meaningful way to say "thank you."



Keeping an eye on special interests

Sunshine can be the best disinfectant. I'm applying that principle to respond to Iowans' concerns about the influence of lobbyists and special interest groups.

That's why I'm supporting legislation to make it easier for all interested Iowans and watchdog groups to track lobbying activity at the Statehouse.

Once signed into law, the new reforms in Senate Study Bill 3035 will make it much easier to find out who has hired a particular lobbyist, how much they're paid, and which bills they're lobbying for and against. This information will be available on the Internet rather than being spread across a mixture of paper and electronic sources.

Review the legislation at http://tiny.cc/SSB3035.

In the meantime, I'll keep working to increase government accountability and transparency. I believe it's a great way to make government more responsible to all Iowans.



What can we do to prevent and limit future flood damage?

Starting with the floods of 1993, Iowa has suffered more than $20 billion in damage from flooding.

That's why the Legislature is considering 16 new recommendations from the Watershed Resource Coordinating Council to reduce the intensity and damage of future floods.

Recommendations include better planning for new developments to keep property and infrastructure out of harm's way, as well as minimizing flooding through better watershed management.

By taking action, we can better protect Iowa property owners and taxpayers the next time the water rises. For complete floodplain management recommendations, go to www.rio.iowa.gov/wrcc/resource.html.



Grants available for water quality improvements

Through April 1, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources is accepting applications for grants to help local groups develop water quality improvement efforts in Iowa communities.

Watershed Planning Grants from $10,000 to $50,000 are available for developing plans to improve local rivers, lakes or streams on the state's impaired waters list.

Those who've already completed a Watershed Management Plan can apply for additional funds to put the plan into practice, such as a DNR Watershed Implementation Grant.

For an application and additional details, go to www.iowadnr.gov/water/watershed/grants.html or contact Stephen Hopkins at 515-281-6402 or Stephen.Hopkins@dnr.iowa.gov.



Walford chosen for 2010 community visioning program

Thirteen Iowa communities, including Walford, have been selected to participate in the Iowa's Living Roadways Community Visioning Program in 2010.

The award-winning program integrates technical landscape planning and design techniques with sustainable community action to assist community leaders and volunteers in making sound and meaningful decisions about the local landscape.

The program is sponsored by the Iowa Department of Transportation in partnership with Iowa State University Landscape Architecture Extension and Trees Forever. In addition, professional landscape architects offer expertise in creating conceptual design plans for the communities.

To qualify for the visioning program, a community must have a population of fewer than 10,000, existing transportation-related issues and a committee of volunteers willing to dedicate their time and talent to the visioning process. Additional information is available at www.communityvisioning.org.