UNI Legislative Update
The Office of Governmental Relations provides legislative updates to the campus community through online communication and bimonthly campus presentations. These updates will inform faculty, staff and students of hot topics facing the legislature and legislative actions affecting UNI and the Regents institutions.
March 15, 2008
Kressig battles to secure funds for UNI science, math center
BY COURIER DES MOINES BUREAU
DES MOINES --- State Rep. Bob Kressig, D-Cedar Falls, said he is worried a state budget plan might leave out a $5 million request to fund a program to train science
and math teachers at the University of Northern Iowa.
"I know that the folks that are responsible for that at UNI have committed wholeheartedly to that program," Kressig said.
Kressig is talking with legislative leaders, hoping to save the project.
"I think it's an important piece, and I'm going to do what I can to get the dollars," Kressig said.
Gov. Chet Culver has also put pressure on the Legislature to fund the proposed Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, or STEM, center which he believes would help ease a looming shortage of science and math teachers.
LAWMAKERS BACKING OBAMA --- As the battle for the Democratic presidential nomination rages on, a new slate of Iowa lawmakers stepped forward Thursday to support Sen. Barack Obama.
A total of 18 state legislators and Lt. Gov. Patty Judge announced their support at a midday news conference at the Statehouse. They came forward in the days leading up to the party's county conventions, which will be held across Iowa Saturday.
The Obama campaign was looking to win the backing of those who supported other Democrats in the race who have since dropped out.
"Barack Obama has proven state after state that he is drawing a new generation of Democrats to the party and that he can inspire America to move forward," Judge said.
Obama won Iowa's first-in-the-nation presidential caucuses Jan. 3, and leads in the delegate count over rival Hillary Clinton.
A total of 20 lawmakers had thrown their support behind Obama before the caucuses.
FUNERAL PROTECTIONS --- Buyers of prepaid funeral services would get new protection under a bill passed Thursday by the Iowa Senate.
The bill, approved 43-3, requires providers of funeral-related services to take several actions to make sure the prepaid money is not squandered before services are provided.
"This is indeed consumer protection," said Sen. Brian Schoenjahn, D-Arlington, the bill's lead sponsor.
He hopes the legislation will reduce the chances customers lose money when a funeral home goes out of business, changes ownership or is involved in fraud. The measure also applies to cemeteries.
Current law requires service providers to invest 80 percent of prepaid money. The bill adds a series of provisions to further guarantee the money.
Among the provisions, the bill requires an independent financial institution monitor the prepaid accounts and give customers reports.
The bill now heads to the House.