Capitol Letters: Focusing on properties, oversight of federal grants

State Rep. Megan Jones

While it doesn’t have a budget bill to produce this year, the Federal Funds and Other Funds Budget Subcommittee is keeping busy by looking into areas that have not been examined for some time. The subcommittee has been assigned two appropriations bills looking to improve the openness and transparency of state government.

House Study Bill 765 addresses what properties the state of Iowa owns. The bill requires the Department of Administrative Services to maintain a digital inventory of all state buildings and requires four-year review cycle for a review of each property, with at least 25% of buildings evaluated annually on utilization, condition, costs, and value.

The bill requires that underutilized properties be identified, the agencies that have control over those properties would have 60 days to begin vacating and disposal unless they provide justification to the Legislative Council for keeping the property. If a property were to be sold, the proceeds are split and deposited in the Rebuild Iowa Infrastructure Fund and the General Fund.

House Study Bill 764 addresses an issue that legislators have dealt with for years – notice and oversight of federal grant funds. The bill creates a new process for state agencies to go through when seeking federal grants over $5 million, requiring state matching funds, or requiring new state legislation. The bill requires an agency to get approval from the Legislature, or the Legislative Council when the General Assembly is not in session, prior to applying for or accepting such a grant.

Agencies would be required to provide the non-partisan Legislative Services Agency with a report detailing what is being sought prior to applying for the funds. LSA would be required to publish these reports on the internet for public viewing. Once a grant was received, agencies would also be required to provide the Legislature with any documents provided by the federal government giving guidance on the grant. These documents would have to be given to LSA within 10 days of receipt.

Not surprisingly, both bills are generating a lot of discussion from various parts of state government. But with the public’s desire for open and transparent government, these agencies are going to have to be more open and forthcoming with relevant information.

Property Tax Update

Last week, my newsletter was about property taxes.

Property taxes are an issue that resonates personally. I used words and phrases that were impassioned. I appreciate the handful of people who reached out and gave me feedback. They shared with me that they felt my words were personal attacks. That was not my intention, but I realize that may not have been how it was received.

I know and appreciate that public servants throughout our state, and especially in House District 6, work hard to build carefully crafted budgets and get the most out of the taxpayer dollar.

Still, Iowa taxpayers are demanding reform. They are telling us they need relief.

And we hear them. Looking for solutions at the state level, the House, Senate and Governor’s office have all released bills on how to tackle property taxes. There’s more work to do, and I’d like to continue to hear from you.

The last Storm Lake Legislative forum of the session will be held Saturday, April 18, from 10-11 a.m. at King’s Pointe Resort. Email Megan Jones at: megan.jones@legis.iowa.gov