In This Issue
Federal Policy Update
State Policy Update
IAA Action Center
Important Dates

Quick Links

IAA

January 18, 2019 
During the state legislative session, the IAA sends out a bi-weekly legislative update. In these emails you'll get an update on what's going on at the State Capitol, and in Congress, as well as actions you can take to advocate for afterschool!

We hope this communication is helpful to you!
Federal Policy Update
After President Trump recommended to completely eliminate the 21st Century Community Learning Centers program in his budget proposal, Congress approved of a $10 million increase to the program for fiscal year 2019 which will pave the way for an additional 10,000 students to be served in high-quality afterschool programming. President Trump signed this bill into law at the end of September 2018. Conversations about funding for fiscal year 2020 will start up again in the next few months. 

As the longest federal government shutdown in history continues, impacts to afterschool programs should be minimal. Funding for Education and Health and Human Services is not affected by the current appropriations negotiation since it had already passed in 2018. It is estimated that child nutrition programs for schools and afterschool programs will be safe through at least the end of March.

If you know of afterschool programs that are impacted by the government shudown, please share those stories with the IAA.
State Policy Update
The 2019 state legislative session kicked off this week. After elections last year, there are many new faces in the legislature. Republicans maintain control of the Senate, House, and the Governor's office. 

Election Results
There are 31 new lawmakers in the House and Senate. Find your legislator and see if there are any changes in your delegation by clicking here.  You can search by address, city, school district, county, or zip code.

To find bios, contact information, and photos of all the legislators, go to the Legislators page on the Iowa Legislature website. Select either "Senators" or "Representatives" on the left-side menu to see a complete list of all members, including links to their information page and district map. 

For a complete list of Senate and House committees and members, click here.

For a full list of Senate and House leadership, click here.


Budget Process
Governor Reynolds has released her budget recommendations for the upcoming year. Included in her proposal is the creation of a children's mental health system and $89.5 million in new money for K-12 education funding. You can read her budget in full here.

You can read an in-depth analysis of her recommendations here.
 
Want to know more about the budget process? This chart outlines the process for you.

IAA Action Center
IAA Day at the Capitol

Join the Iowa Afterschool Alliance and other afterschool advocates at the State Capitol on February 12th to meet your legislators and let them know how important afterschool is to families across Iowa.

You are welcome to bring students from your program - we'll have snacks and space for them to present a project they have worked on in your program.

When:  Tuesday, February 12th 
             2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Where:  Legislative Dining Room
 
Important Dates
January 14         First Day of Session

February 5         IAA Advocacy Training Webinar
                              2 :00 pm
                              https://zoom.us/j/996616641 
Join the IAA on a webinar one week before our legislative day at the Capitol for tips and tricks to meeting with your legislators.

February 12       IAA Afterschool Snack
                              2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
                              Legislative Dining Room

March 8             First Funnel
Final date for House bills to be passed out of House committees, and Senate bills out of Senate committees.

April 5               Second Funnel
Final date for Senate bills to be passed out of House committees and House bills to be passed out of Senate committees.

May 3               Target Adjournment Date

This update is a bi-weekly publication intended to share information and resources regarding legislative activities, events, and bills related to afterschool issues in Iowa. If you have questions or need more information, please contact Britney Samuelson at [email protected]
or 515-237-0340.