Maybe it's the unusually warm weather lately, but a frequent question these days is when we think the Legislature will adjourn for the year. The 100th day, when their daily expense money ends, is April 17th. It is rare for them to adjourn before that. How many days after the 17th is difficult to answer at this point. They have a LOT left to decide, and in the last two weeks activity has slowed to a crawl.
I have a few updates on issues we are watching:
- K-12 tobacco and nicotine-free schools - This provision is part of the Senate education reform bill (SF 2284) which is awaiting debate in the Senate. It was not part of the House bill. It is almost certain this bill will end up in conference committee and we will work hard to make sure this provision stays in.
- Tobacco control funding - The House Health & Human Services appropriations bill, which zeroes out funding for tobacco prevention and cessation programs, has been sitting on the debate calendar for weeks awaiting action. Rep. Lisa Heddens (D-Ames) has filed an amendment to restore funding to this year's level. Now it looks like the Senate may file its own funding bill. We will keep you posted on developments, but it is likely this will be one of the last issues decided this session, as it was last year.
I want to encourage all of you to consider enrolling in the Cancer Prevention Study 3 (cps3). The Society is seeking 500,000 volunteers nationwide (3,000 in Iowa) to participate in this landmark new research study. This study will help us better understand the lifestyle and genetic factors that cause or prevent cancer. It will help us find the next generation of prevention, detection and cure strategies.
You are eligible to participate if you're between the ages of 30 and 65, have never been diagnosed with cancer, and are willing to make a long-term commitment to the study by filling out questionnaires approximately every two years.
I urge you to consider joining me in participating in this one-in-a-lifetime opportunity! The next opportunity to enroll will be April 17-20 at five locations in the Des Moines area. To schedule your appointment visit www.cps3desmoines.com. For more information, visit www.cancer.org/cps3 or e-mail cps3@cancer.org or call toll-free 1-888-604-5888.
As always, feel free to contact me directly with any questions or concerns - peggy.huppert@cancer.org.
