Capitol Comments by Rep. Curt Hanson

State Representative Curt Hanson, represents Iowa House District 82, which includes most of Jefferson County and Davis and Van Buren counties, in the state Legislature.

This past week, public and legislative attention has been on the huge price spikes in the cost of propane.

Our first concern should be to keep the homes of Iowans warm for the remainder of the winter.

After listening to a panel representing the propane industry, it is clear to me that the crisis is a combined result of inadequate planning and a desire to maximize the industry?s bottom line profits. Our local distributors are also victims in this crisis.

Many individuals have contracted their propane for the season. Some people on fixed or low incomes felt they could not afford to contract their seasonal supply of propane. These are the people who are suffering the ?sticker shock? of a 500 percent increase. Once again, those least able to afford the consequences of this crisis are bearing the largest burden.

Make no mistake; propane in the Midwest is in short supply. Another extended cold period could deepen the crisis. It is in the best interest of all propane users to conserve propane until we are assured we will be able to heat our homes this season.

The propane industry offered these suggestions in the conservation of your present supply:

?Turn down your thermostat 5-10 degrees.

? If you have a propane hot water heater, reduce hot water usage.

? Do not heat any rooms or buildings that do not have to be heated.

? Reduce stove use if you have a propane stove.

? Avoid calling your propane supplier until your gauge shows that you are below 25 percent.

? Do not use your grill cylinders inside your home for any reason.

? Do not try to hook your grill cylinder to your home heating tank as this exposes your home to an extremely unsafe and illegal situation.

? Keep a clear path to your propane tank. This will help delivery drivers get to your tank easily, refill quickly and get to the next home.

It is my hope that after we solve the immediate crisis of keeping the homes of Iowans warm for the rest of winter, we will be able to work together to prevent another crisis like this from hitting our state in the future.

Educators are faced with a blizzard of new research each year, and often the research is pitched by companies trying to sell textbooks and curriculums. The use of slick advertising campaigns and high-pressure sales techniques are common. Trying to determine the validity of research for local educators has become a formidable task.

However, the Iowa Reading Resource Center helps educators evaluate this research. This center reviews research, then offers examples of the best practices that local educators may choose from.

Third grade is a critical point in education because children begin to move from learning to read toward reading to learn.

In Iowa, one out of every four third graders is not proficient in reading. This research center is important in improving the reading abilities of Iowa students and directing educators to valuable research.

On Wednesday, I was pleased that Steve and Joy Evans, John Schroeder and Dale Taylor of Davis County joined me for the opening prayer given by Simon Estes. Simon is an Iowa native and a world class opera singer. Mr. Estes sang ?God Bless America? for the prayer. He also urged legislators to ensure music and art education programs are part of every student?s K-12 experience.

Wednesday also was Transportation Day at the Capitol. The Davis County group, joined by Mark Aeilts, was at the Capitol to advocate for increased road and bridge repair funds. Davis County has a number of bridges closed because they are unsafe for normal traffic. These closures result in increased travel and expenses for local residents. Safety is also an issue because of the inability of fire and rescue vehicles to respond to emergencies in a timely manner.

The Agriculture and Natural Resources Committees held a joint meeting on Thursday. Secretary Northey of IDALS and Director Gipp of the DNR spoke about the Iowa Water Quality Initiative. They shared the progress Iowa is making in improving water quality.

This year we have more than 1,000 new farmers, planting more than 100,000 new acres of cover crops. Cover crops are an important method in nutrient reduction, leading to the improvement of our water quality. It is important for people to realize what happens on their property has impact off their property. Northey said many farmers agree that the reduction of nutrient runoff may be voluntary but it is not optional.

In speaking about water quality incentives, Gipp said, ?If Iowa does it, the rest of the nation follows.?

The lands under the stewardship of the DNR are now required to develop a conservation plan and the tenants of those lands are required to plant cover crops. The DNR wishes to set an example of the best conservation practices.

As our nation?s economic indicators continue to improve, Iowans should note that the Iowa unemployment rate fell to 4.2 percent in December. Iowa?s overall unemployment rate is the fifth lowest in the nation.

I appreciate your phone calls and emails. I am back in Fairfield each weekend. I would be happy to meet with you and discuss issues important to you!

Hanson serves on the House Agriculture and Education, Natural Resources committees, as well as the Education Appropriations Subcommittee.

Contact Hanson anytime by email at curt.hanson@legis.iowa.gov or by phone at 641-919-2314