March 7, 2008

 

Tough budget builds solid foundation for future

Strengthening consumer protections to prevent identity theft

New initiative for healthier children

 

 

 

Senator Wally Horn of Cedar Rapids congratulated Meghan Busswuitz for an outstanding paper she submitted for the Write Women Back into History essay contest.  Meghan and fellow Prairie Middle School students Tyler Hupp and Connor Drahos were recognized at the Capitol on March 4.  Their winning essays can be found at www.women.iowa.gov




Tough budget builds solid foundation for future

We continue to make progress by putting together a fiscally responsible state budget that keeps our commitments to middle-class Iowa families and grows our economy. 

 

Several weeks ago, the broad outline of the budget was released.  While we are still working on the details, some things are certain. 

 

We’ll set a new record by pouring more than half a billion dollars into the state’s rainy day funds.  We’ll continue to repay the Senior Living Trust, which helps seniors live independently.  And we’ll keep the commitments we made last year to improve education, make health care more accessible, and grow Iowa’s economy.

 

Unlike the federal government’s budget, Iowa’s budget must be balanced and there are expenditure limitations to impose fiscal discipline.  In the coming weeks, I’d appreciate hearing your thoughts as we fill in the details on next year’s state budget.

 

 

Strengthening consumer protections to prevent identity theft

This session we’re taking additional steps to protect more Iowans from identity theft.

 

The Senate Judiciary Committee recently approved a “security freeze” proposal that would help consumers protect their credit and protect themselves from identify theft.  The bill would allow Iowans to request that credit agencies put a freeze on their credit information.

 

Making this request would be free to those who’ve been victims of identity theft.  For the rest of us, a security freeze would cost $10.  The freeze stays in place until the consumer asks that it be lifted.  Thirty-nine states already offer this protection to their residents.

 

The Commerce Committee is also considering “security breach” legislation that would require companies to tighten access to personal information, such as credit card details.  The proposal outlines who a consumer’s personal information can be shared with and increases businesses’ accountability for protecting your information.

 

The bill would cover retailers, chain restaurants, gas stations, convenience stores and other businesses that operate in Iowa and are not already covered by federal security breach legislation.



 

New initiative for healthier children

The growing number of overweight Iowa children is alarming. More than 40 percent of our kids are overweight, and 20 percent of them are morbidly obese or approaching morbid obesity.

 

Overweight children are at higher risk for long-term health problems, including heart disease, stroke, Type 2 diabetes, certain cancers, high blood pressure and gallbladder disease. Overweight childhood also have a significantly increased risk of obesity in adulthood.

 

In 2007, the Legislature created a Healthy Child Task Force to assess policies and statutes affecting the health of children.  The Task Force examined factors that affect children’s health, including physical activity, physical education, food and nutrition, and nutrition education. 

 

Based on the Task Force’s findings and overwhelming public concern, the Senate Education Committee has passed a Healthy Kids Act.  This bill directs the Iowa Department of Education to establish nutritional standards for food sold during the school day and to make sure children engage in physical activity every day.

 

Good nutrition plays an important role in successful learning and development. Inadequate diets and hunger, as you would expect, reduce the ability to learn and decrease motivation and attentiveness. 

 

To read more about the task force’s recommendations, go to www.iowa.gov/educate/content/blogcategory/59/904/.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is a legislative update from Senator Wally Horn.  Contact Senator Horn by calling (515) 281-3371 or sending an e-mail to wally.horn@legis.state.ia.us.  For newsletters, photos and further information, go to www.iowasenatedemocrats.org/horn.        

 

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