(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry E. Branstad today signed House File 215 into law, ushering in sweeping educational reform that will ultimately return Iowa's schools to a national leader.

The governor held his signing ceremony at North High School in Des Moines, where he praised the efforts of the many individuals across the state who helped shape the landmark reform.

"The 2013 education reform bill promises to provide all Iowa schools with the support they need to significantly raise student achievement," said Branstad. "Change is never easy. But it was particularly painful that we had to acknowledge that Iowa slipped over the past two decades from a national leader in education to the middle of the pack."

Reynolds noted the value Iowans place in strong schools.

"This landmark legislation speaks to how much Iowans value the importance of giving their children a world-class education," said Reynolds. "It  is the result of an extraordinary effort by many leaders over the past several years to reach agreement on the changes needed to restore Iowa schools to best in the nation and give Iowa's students a globally competitive education."

Major components of the legislation include :

• The governor's goal of transformational, systemic education reform
• Making the teaching profession more attractive with leadership roles and higher pay
• Creates a new process that calls for reliable student assessments that move us toward better teacher evaluations with student achievement growth as one component
• Historic school choice legislation that offers independent accreditation for private schools and strengthens home-school freedoms
• Changes the school finance formula so that "allowable growth" is replaced by 100% state aid

Award recognizes farmers serving as local leaders in environmental stewardship

DES MOINES - Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds today reminded farmers that nominations for the 2013 Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Awards are due by June 15, 2013.   The award recognizes the efforts of Iowa's farmers as environmental leaders committed to healthy soils and improved water quality.

Nomination forms can be found on the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship's website at www.IowaAgriculture.gov under "Hot Topics."

"These awards are an opportunity to recognize the many farmers that are taking significant voluntary steps to protect the soil and improve water quality here in Iowa," Branstad and Reynolds said.  "Iowa farmers take great pride in caring for the soil and water, and we want to lift them up as examples for other farmers to follow."

The award is a joint effort between the Governor, Lt. Governor, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, and Iowa Department of Natural Resources and it seeks to recognize the exemplary voluntary actions of farmers that improve or protect the environment and natural resources of our state while also encouraging other farmers to follow in their footsteps by building success upon success.

Farmers that are nominated should have made environmental stewardship a priority on their farm and adopted best management practices throughout their farming operation.  As true stewards of the land, they recognize that improved water quality and soil sustainability reaps benefits that extend beyond their fields to citizens of Iowa and residents even further downstream.

An appointed committee of representatives from both conservation and agricultural groups will review the nominations and select the winners.

The recipients will be recognized at the Iowa State Fair on Thursday, August 15 at the Penningroth Center.  A lunch for award winners sponsored by Hagie will follow at the Farm Bureau shelter house on the fairgrounds.

The award was created in 2012 and 67 Iowa farm families were recognized during the inaugural award ceremony at the Iowa State Fair.  Winners receive a certificate as well as a yard sign donated by Monsanto.

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Branstad hails landmark session achievements:

Significant property tax relief, transformational education reform, meaningful health modernization that focuses on quality outcomes for low-income patients 

(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry E. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds today commended the Iowa Legislature for working with them to enact significant property tax reform, transformational education reform and a modernizing of the Medicaid system that focuses on making patients healthier while protecting Iowa's taxpayers.

The governor noted that the priorities outlined in his Condition of the State address last January have been fulfilled.

"We have demonstrated today that Des Moines is not Washington, D.C.," said Branstad. "We worked together the Iowa way. Both parties in both chambers came together to pass the most significant legislative achievements we have seen in a generation. This was our opportunity. This was our year. These results will benefit generations to come, ensuring higher student achievement, job creation and healthier Iowans."

"These achievements are the product of visiting every county, every year and listening to Iowans," said Reynolds. "We are pleased that legislators were willing to put in the time and energy to pass significant legislation this year. This demonstrates that as elected officials, we work for Iowans, not the other way around."

In his January 15, 2013, Condition of the State address, Gov. Branstad stated the following:

"This is the chapter in our history that you and I, each and every one of us in this chamber, have the opportunity to write. So let's write it well and write it together. This is our opportunity. This is our Iowa." 

A look at the landmark achievements from the

2013 legislative session:

PROPERTY TAXES:

What was said in the governor's January 15, 2013, Condition of the State address:

"The principles guiding our property tax plan are simple: Permanent property tax relief. No shift of the tax burden between classes of property. And property tax reduction for all classes of property."

"No longer will the school aid formula trigger automatic increases in local property taxes."

"If left unchecked, current law will allow property taxes to grow by over two billion dollars in the next eight years and half of the increase will fall directly on Iowa homeowners. I find that prospect terrifying and ask you to work with me to ensure property taxpayers are protected from this unprecedented property tax increase."

"The businesses pay the taxes yes, but it is our middle class families who truly feel the pain.

And it is those same middle class families who will reap the benefits of a competitive property tax structure that makes it easier for us to recruit, retain, and grow those companies that create the new jobs our families need. Our plan to reform and reduce property taxes is an investment in Iowa families and small businesses, but not at the expense of Iowa's local governments."

What was accomplished in the 2013 legislative session:

• The largest tax cut in Iowa history
• This reduction will stimulate job creation
• Permanent property tax relief
• No shift of the tax burden to other classes of property
• Property tax reduction for all classes of property: agricultural, residential, commercial and industrial
• Fully funds the Homestead Tax Credit and the Elderly and Disabled Tax Credit in fiscal year 2014 with an additional appropriation of $33 million
• Changes the school finance formula so that "allowable growth" is replaced by 100% state aid
  • The first full year of implementation of the Iowa Health and Wellness Plan will result in $48 million in property tax savings
  • Approximately $90 million in annual income tax savings to Iowa taxpayers

EDUCATION:

What was said in the governor's January 15, 2013, Condition of the State address:

"Unfortunately, our teachers are stuck in a system designed for the 20^th century. We must work together to transform Iowa's schools for the 21^st century. Let's establish new roles for top teachers who will provide instructional leadership alongside principals to better meet the needs of every student. That is why elevating the teaching profession is at the heart of our 2013 education plan."

"I believe we should resolve the issue of what we are collectively willing to invest in achievement-driven reform before we spend one minute discussing additional resources to support our existing educational system."

"I propose boosting beginning minimum teacher pay."

"Our children deserve our best efforts because this is our opportunity. This is our Iowa."

What was accomplished in the 2013 legislative session:

• The governor's goal of transformational, systemic education reform
• Making the teaching profession more attractive with leadership roles and higher pay
• Creates a new process that calls for reliable student assessments that move us toward better teacher evaluations with student achievement growth as one component
• Historic school choice legislation that offers independent accreditation for private schools and strengthens home-school freedoms
• Changes the school finance formula so that "allowable growth" is replaced by 100% state aid

MAKING IOWANS HEALTHIER: 

What was said in the governor's January 15, 2013, Condition of the State address:

"First, my budget proposes two million dollars to support medical residency programs in Iowa."

"My second proposal provides two million dollars to launch the Rural Physician Loan Repayment Program and expand it to include OB-GYN and emergency medicine doctors as well as primary care physicians."

What was accomplished in the 2013 legislative session: 

• $2 million for medical residency programs in Iowa
• $2 million to launch the Rural Physician Loan Repayment Program, including OB-GYN and emergency medicine doctors as well as primary care physicians

MEDICAID MODERNIZATION = THE IOWA HEALTH AND WELLNESS PLAN

• Iowa is the national leader for patient outcomes for our Medicaid population
• Iowa is now a national model for providing health care for low income individuals
• The way the legislation is structured will qualify Iowa for federal financing
• Back-up financing is in place to protect Iowa taxpayers should the federal government fail to live up to its funding promises
• The first full year of implementation will result in $48 million in property tax savings
• Iowa is the first state in the nation that will have Medicaid patients paying premiums

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(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry E. Branstad today named Ames CPA Mary Mosiman, AGE, as Iowa's new state auditor, following last month's announcement by David Vaudt that he was resigning to become the new chairman of the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB). His last day was May 3.

Mosiman currently serves as deputy secretary of state under Matt Schultz. Her first day is May 13.

"I had two major requirements for Iowa's state auditor: that the individual was a CPA, and that the individual would adhere to the sound budgeting principles followed by David Vaudt," said Branstad. "In Mary, we found that and more. She is a talented, passionate public servant who will keep a very close watch over Iowa's tax dollars."

Prior to serving as the deputy secretary of state, Mosiman served as the Story County Auditor and Commissioner of Elections, from 2001-2010. She is a graduate of Iowa State University with a degree in accounting.

"I am honored to accept this position, and will do my best to earn the respect of Iowans as well as validate the confidence of the governor," said Mosiman. "David Vaudt provided an excellent service to Iowans in his role as the 'Taxpayers Watchdog.' I look forward to building on his efforts. Working with Iowa's leaders to maintain sound budgeting principles, communicating state budget information, and providing all the necessary audit responsibilities will be my top priorities."

Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds launched their formal search for auditor on April 5, seeking individuals who would adhere to the sound budgeting principles as follows:

• Avoid the use of one-time money for ongoing expenses.
• Refrain from standing appropriations.
• Resist implementing new programs in the middle of the fiscal year.
• Avoid multi-year accelerating commitments.
• Accurately determine state revenue and expenses.
• Align expenses and revenue in the same fiscal year.
• Avoid funding programs through property taxes or fees.
• Reject diversion of funds statutorily authorized for a specific objective to other purposes.

"Mary Mosiman will be a partner in ensuring Iowa's budget remains stable and predictable," said Reynolds. "We look forward to working with her as we continue the great progress we have made in closing the state's $900 million budget gap and building up our cash reserve and economic emergency fund."

Mosiman and her husband Daniel live in Ames and have four daughters. She is a member of the Iowa Society of CPAs, is a past president of the Nevada Rotary, and is an active member of the Gilbert Education Foundation.