District 11 State Rep. Craig Williams (R-Manning) highlighted legislative activity at the Capitol in his latest newsletter, noting the end of the first “funnel” deadline and advancement of dozens of bills to potential floor debate. The Feb. 20 procedural deadline requires most House bills to pass committee in their chamber of origin to remain eligible, with exceptions for appropriations, ways and means, and oversight measures. Among the proposals that survived the House’s funnel are measures to consolidate city and school elections with the general elections, requiring English proficiency for a commercial driver’s license, and “right-to-repair” measures for Iowa farmers and their equipment. While tens of bills may have survived the first funnel, they have a long way to go before becoming law. The measures will still need to pass through the opposite chambers’ respective committees to stay alive, plus approval by both chambers, and be signed by the governor. Outside of funnel talk, Williams highlighted data from the 2023-24 school year that underscores some of the debate over education funding in Iowa. The state spent approximately $11.5 billion from all sources that school year, which is an average of $23,711 per student and $474,000 per classroom. The Iowa House did approve a two percent increase in State Supplemental Aid (SSA) for Iowa schools for the 2026-27 school year, which reflects a compromise between the two chambers and the governor., Williams also notes a recent audit from State Auditor Rob Sand, who completed a review of Iowa’s Education Savings Account (ESA) program and reported no issues with financial controls, marking an end to a long standoff between the governor’s and auditor’s offices. Constituents with questions, concerns, or complaints are encouraged to contact Williams directly by email at craig.williams@legis.iowa.gov. Williams’ next legislative forum will be held Saturday, Feb. 28, at 10 a.m. in the Kerkhoff Shelter House in Manning.
