UNI’s president sends “open letter” about Lab School
A few developments today regarding the Malcolm Price Lab School at the University of Northern Iowa, which is slated for closure on June 30, 2012. Senator Grassleys’ grandchildren are involved. His granddaughter and three of her friends — all junior at MPLS — arrived in the press room earlier today with written statements for the press. They also answered questions from a reporter (me) for about 10 minutes. Governor Branstad & UNI’s student body president expressed support for UNI’s president & the decision to close MPLS.
Late this afternoon UNI president Ben Allen issued an open letter on the subject.
March 5, 2012
As all of you know, the University of Northern Iowa is a special place — a place to earn an outstanding education in a beautifully maintained academic setting. Many of you are currently participating in or witnessing heated discussions and disagreements occurring on campus and in the community and are concerned about the future of UNI. Let me first of all assure you that the future of this university looks strong and bright. From my first year on campus the goal has always been to take this great university and make it even greater by focusing on the strengths that set us apart (the finest undergraduate education in the state, the strongest liberal arts core, the premier pre-K through 12 teacher education program). Let me address some of those strengths.
I truly believe that UNI offers the best undergraduate education in the state of Iowa. We have an outstanding group of faculty and staff committed to educating our students. We all remain steadfast in that commitment. I urge you to see the current discussions and disagreements as evidence of the passion that is felt for UNI. Rest assured that the goal will remain the same and that we will come together as an even stronger institution.
In addition, our belief that a strong liberal arts core provides our students with the best possible education remains in the forefront as discussions continue and decisions are made about program changes. While we all would like to see the funding of our state universities return to previous levels, we cannot let the quality of our educational offering slip while we wait and hope for that to happen. We must take advantage of this crisis to look at what we are doing and how we are doing it. Discussions have been occurring across campus for several years about program changes. While no final decisions have been made, let me assure you that we are going to make decisions that will result in UNI and our liberal arts core being stronger and more relevant for the future.
Much concern has also been expressed about the commitment to teacher education. I have spoken the words “UNI must be the leader in pre-K through 12 education in the state of Iowa and among the leaders in the nation” in literally every talk I have given throughout the state over the past six years. That commitment is evidenced by the fact that for the first time ever pre-K through 12 education was added as a goal in UNI’s strategic plan; by the fact that the largest gift in the history of UNI was an academic gift directed to the College of Education; and by the fact that the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) initiative leadership is centered at UNI.
To reach that goal requires making changes. Loyalty to the Malcolm Price Laboratory School is understandable; it is convenient, it is comfortable and it is what we have known for years and years. However, not only is the operation of a laboratory school financially unsustainable, but also it is questionable whether the model is the best way to prepare our future teachers. I have been approached by teachers, principals and superintendents from schools large and small within a 30-minute radius of UNI who are excited about the prospect of having our level II education majors in their classrooms. Our students simply must get their experiences in more diverse, “real-world” classroom settings within which they will ultimately teach.
We all know that change is difficult in any organization — it is unsettling and disruptive. However, our imagination for the future must be greater than our commitment to the past.
Sincerely,
Benjamin J. Allen
A businesswoman, an ex-legislator & a college dean
Governor Branstad has released the long list of people he is appointing to state boards & commissions, all of whom must be confirmed by the Iowa Senate. Branstad’s appointments to openings on the State Board of Education are of interest given the focus on education reform.
Diane Crookham-Johnson of Oskaloosa was an executive at Musco Lighting for 25 years, but she recently graduated from Drake Law School and now has a law office “on the square” in Oskaloosa. William “Mike” May of Spirit Lake is a former teacher and resort owner who served in the Iowa House for six years. Charles Edwards Jr. of Des Moines is a former Des Moines Register president and publisher who has been reappointed to the Board of Education. He is currently a dual dean at Drake University, overseeing the School of Journalism & Mass Communications and the College of Business & Public Administration.
Biden: there’s “an ideological divide b/t Santorum & all of America” over college ed (audio)
President Obama is headed to New Hampshire today. Vice President Biden is on his way to Iowa, for a mid-day appearance at Iowa State University. (Both Iowa & New Hampshire are swing/battleground states in the 2012 General Election.) Biden called into the Radio Iowa newsroom just before he left D.C.
AUDIO Full interview (runs just under 7 minutes).
I asked Biden about GOP presidential candidate Rick Santorum’s snobbery comment. Below is the transcript of that portion of the interview.
Henderson: ”Senator Santorum recently said there’s a bit of snobbery involved in suggesting every American should take at least one year of vocational training or a year of college. Are you making a trip to a college campus today to sort of highlight what may be a developing ideological divide between the two parties over the value of college education?”
Biden: ”Well, I think there’s an ideological divide between Rick Santorum and all of America on this. (Laughter) I don’t think it’s between the parties. Look, I’ve been going college campuses and high schools all across America for the past six months talking about what the facts are. Six out of the 10 jobs over the next 10 years are going to require an advanced degree, a degree beyond, either a certificate or a degree beyond high school. It’s that simple. People with a college degree today make, on average, will make the rest of their life $21,000 a year more than someone with a high school degree. People with a two year degree from a community college will make, are making $8000, will continue to make $8000 a year more. This is about living a middle class life.
“Look, from our standpoint we think that America’s climbing back out of a hole they got pushed into. We’re determined to restore the bargain with the middle class and make everyone, give ‘em a fair deal and it’s going to take reviving American manufacturing and access to college and college education and an all-of-the-above approach on energy to make sure this happens and I don’t know how we can, look, let me put it another way.
“I was asked by a group of foreign policy specialists what I thought the most significant thing we could do to maintain our security advantage into this century and I’m supposedly a foreign policy guy and it was an easy answer for me. I said, ‘Have the best educated population in the world.’
“Any country that out-educates us is going to out-compete us. It’s not about snobbery. It’s about allowing people to live a life like their parents lived, in a middle-class environment, decent home, good school, a promise to send their kids to college and being able to take care of their parents and not have to be taken care of themselves by the time they’re their parents’ age.”
Iowa GOP sends out fundraising appeal based on reaction to walk-out
Iowa GOP chairman A.J. Spiker sent out the fundraising appeal below via email. It was sent about seven minutes before House Democratic Leader Kevin McCarthy announced he and the other 39 Democrats in the Iowa House had returned to the statehouse.
The Second Amendment is Dangerous!
Or at least that is what you would think after 40 Democrats walked out of the Iowa House today in protest of legislation protecting second amendment rights of Iowans. Please continue reading below, but before you do please contribute $40 today, $1 for each Democrat who walked out on the 2nd Amendment!!
Today, Iowa House Democrats sent a loud and clear message: YOUR Constitutional rights are NOT their priority. In a cowardly move, the Democrats walked out of the Capitol building to avoid a debate on your gun rights!
These two bills, each designed to defend Iowans’ right to bear arms, were scheduled for debate this afternoon. The first bill amends the Iowa Constitution to include an explicit right to bear arms and the second strengthens your right to self-defense. It is clear that Democrats are afraid to address the tough issues, afraid to debate a subject they don’t like, and afraid to stand up for your rights.
House Minority Leader, Kevin McCarthy, called this kind of protection “extreme” and commented that enacting these laws would turn Iowa into the “Wild, Wild West.” Today, Democrats made it very clear where they stand on the second amendment.
Democrats view the elections in November as an opportunity to gain control of the Iowa Legislature. Iowans deserve a government that works and representatives willing to work for us! Please help lay the groundwork for victory in November 2012 and contribute $40 –$1 for every Democrat who walked off the job today – to help YOUR Republican Party of Iowa fight to elect Republican leadership!
In Liberty,
A.J. Spiker
Chairman
House Dems return; ready to debate “extreme” gun bills (audio)
House Democratic Leader Kevin McCarthy just held a news conference to announce House Democrats have returned to the capitol and are ready to debate the “extremist” gun bills House Republicans favor. AUDIO of five-minute event.
McCarthy: “This morning we found out, mid-morning, that they intended to alter the Iowa Constitution today to eliminate all gun laws…not through legislation, but through altering the Constitution…We wanted to buy some needed time. We left in protest so that there could be some openness and some transparency and some sunlight on this issue that is very, very extreme…We’re going to go up and we’ll have a debate so people know what kind of agenda House Republicans are pursuing.
“…We have a right to caucus off campus. There’s no rule prohibiting it and we had a good, healthy, productive caucus today to buy some time so there can be some sunlight on this very extreme proposal that they’ll be pursing probably later today.”
“…I think the vast majority of Democrats support the United States Constitutional right to bear arms. We also believe that public safety is very, very important and there must be a balance. Recent public (opinion) poll showed that most Iowans feel our current gun laws are adequate.”
The latest on walk-out, a “proof of life” phone call; no resolution (audio)
House Speaker Kraig Paulsen (R-Hiawatha, IA) just briefed statehouse reporters about the phone call he had this afternoon with House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (D-Des Moines, IA). AUDIO of Q&A with reporters (mp3 runs 5 min.).
“Leader McCarthy finally called me. We talked briefly. He didn’t tell me where they were and didn’t indicate when they’re going to come back,” Paulsen says. “…The right thing is for them to do is to come back here and do the work that Iowans sent us here to do, so we’ll be patient a little while longer and see if they can make a decision here and give me something a little more definitive to work with.”
“…I’m trying to be respectful of 40 members of this chamber and the Iowans that they represent, but at the same time, I think they need to be respectful and get here, but I’ve got a little bit more patience here.”
Paulsen indicated he hopes to have this impasse resolved by day’s end, but he conceded McCarthy gave no indication that is going to happen.
“Look, right now, I think the proper thing to do is for them to come back. I’m trying to be respectful of those 40 members who have chosen to leave the capitol so they can cool down or whatever it is…and the 130,000 that each one of them represents, but sooner or later the other 60 members and the people they represent expect us to go to work,” Paulsen said.
One of the 40 House Democrats has indicated he and his colleagues will return if Paulsen tables the gun-related bills that prompted this walk-out. Paulsen, when asked, gave this response: “Someone doesn’t get to have a tantrum and leave the capitol and all of a sudden we’re changing the debate schedule. That’s not how it works.”
Paulsen expects to reconnect with McCarthy by phone later this afternoon. Among the options available is for the House to remain “at ease” without adjourning for the night — essentially a limbo session through the overnight hours. “That wouldn’t be the first time,” Paulsen said of that particular option of staying “in sessionn” overnight.
Paulsen says Republicans in the House have been getting feedback from voters over the past few hours. “Actually the most common comment right now…is: ‘Why are we waiting? Let’s go to work.’”
GOP governor reacts to walk-out
House Democrats have walked out of the statehouse today, in a dispute over gun-related legislation. Governor Terry Branstad, a Republican, was in the House over the noon-hour to sign a proclamation honoring African Americans. The Black History Month celebration planned to go along with the proclamation signing didn’t happen. The five members of the Iowa House who are African Americans are all Democrats and they joined their colleagues in walking out of the capitol earlier today.
Branstad responded to reporters’ questions as he walked out of the House. Read the Q&A below:
What do you think of the walk-out?
Branstad: “I think it’s kind of unusual.”
Is this a legitimate way for a minority party to delay bad legislation?
Branstad: “Well, I don’t think it’s a wise thing to do. It’s always been my position that you state your position, that, you know, I’ve been in the majority, I’ve been in the minority in the legislature and I’ve always felt that the best thing to do is to not be afraid to state your position and then the people of Iowa get a chance to see what your position is and what the other people’s position is and then make a decision.”
Do you think the Wisconsin situation has given legislators in other states this idea?
Branstad: “I don’t know, I think it’s very unfortunate when you have people that decide to, really, abandon their responsibility of being there and representing their constituents and I know that’s been done, you know, in Wisconsin and Indiana and some other states and it’s not been successful and I just think that most people think we are elected to serve, that you should be there when duty calls.”
Do you recall a situation like this previously in Iowa?
Branstad: “No, I don’t remember anything like this.”
Do you anticipate getting involved in bringing Democrats back?
Branstad: “No, no, I think this is really a legislative issue.”
Senate Democratic Leader Mike Gronstal was asked by reporters a few moments later for his reaction to the walk-out of his fellow Democrats. “We’re focused on passing bills & putting Iowans back to work,” he said. When asked again, Gronstal said: “The Senate’s focused on passing bills & putting Iowans back to work.”
Iowa Democratic Party chair reacts to House walk-out over gun rights
Here’s the first installment of this story, then the second. Now, the Iowa Democratic Party’s chair has issued a statement. Read it below.
DES MOINES – Iowa Democratic Party Chairwoman Sue Dvorsky released the following statement today after House Republicans attempted to abuse their power by breaking an agreement with Democrats and forcing a debate on two of the most extreme gun bills in Iowa history:
“The House Republicans have shown time and again that they are unwilling to govern in a manner that gets results and moves Iowa forward. Their abuse of power this morning shows that they are more concerned about breaking the rules in order to push through dangerous bills than work with Democrats to create jobs, grow our economy, and support education in this state.
“The two bills brought up for debate today are opposed by law enforcement and should be opposed by any Iowan who is committed to public safety. House Republicans have once again mistaken their majority in the House as a blank check to focus on an extreme agenda and abuse their power, instead of play by the rules and work towards a stronger Iowa.
“The House Democrats have absolutely done the right thing by refusing to allow House Republicans to misuse their power in this manner.”
Republican reaction to Democrats’ Walk-Out
In case you’re just joining the Leap Day Walk-Out saga, here’s the background.
House Republican Leader Linda Upmeyer told reporters the legislation in question — the gun-related measures — were listed on the internal “blue calendar” which is distributed to every member of the House the day before, indicating that’s the list of bills/resolutions eligible for debate the following day.”Every one of those bills is eligible for debate, so I don’t know how they were double-crossed,” Upmeyer said.
As for McCarthy’s account of events, including the meeting this morning during which McCarthy says he was told “plans had changed” and the controversial gun-related measures would be debated, Upmeyer says: “None of that is accurate…not true.”
McCarthy alleges that Democrats were unable to file the amendments to the proposals they wished because they were misled about the timing of debate. Upmeyer points to amendments which have been filed by Representative Rick Olson, a Democrat from Des Moines. “So apparently he took it seriously that we might debate those bills…I just don’t know what the surprise is.”
House Speaker Kraig Paulsen told reporters he has no intention of debating in the House without Democrats present. “We have 100 members here. They represent 30,000 people each,” Paulsen said. “I think the preferred method is to have them here. I don’t know why the Democrats left the building over a fundamental constitutional right (to keep & bear arms, which is what the resolution at the center of this controversy addresses) and having a debate on that, but hopefully they’ll be back here in a reasonable time and we can move forward with the debate.”
Paulsen can’t think of another instance like this. “I don’t know where they went. Maybe they went somewhere and they’re going to be back in an hour. They haven’t communicated anything to me, so obviously at some point in time I want to talk to their leader. We’ve got a responsibility to run the institution and he does, too, so I would assume he would let me know his plan at some point in time.”
Was he double-crossed?
“Absolutely not,” Paulsen replied. “Is that what they’re saying? That’s absolutely ridiculous…I would like to think that they’ll work through whatever they need to work through and that their leader will give me at some point in time, let me know when they’re ready to go, and then we’ll move forward. I mean, we have a job. Iowans expect us to go to work and Republicans are ready to do that.”
One side note: there was to be a Black History Month celebration over the nooon-hour in the Iowa House. The chairman of that event is Representative Ako Abdul-Samad of Des Moines — one of the Democrats who walked out of the statehouse over an hour ago.
Leap Day Walk-out in Iowa House!
Shortly before 10 o’clock this morning House Democratic Leader Kevin McCarthy appeared in front of the west press bench on the floor of the Iowa House to declare he and the other 39 Democrats in the Iowa House had been “double-crossed.”
McCarthy indicated that yesterday he had been handed by the House GOP one of the internal “blue calendars” which list bills that are eligible for debate and certain bills had been circled, indicating those were the bills that would be debated today. Two of the bills that were not circled on his sheet (which McCarthy held in his hand and showed the two reporters present) deal with gun-related issues. (Technically one is a resolution, proposing an amendment to the state constitution, but legislators still have to vote on it, just like a bill.)
McCarthy said he had indicated to House Republican Leader Linda Upmeyer that “you have a couple of controversial bills on there” but he told reporters he had been assured they would not be debated today. “We were called into her office a little bit ago (this morning) and were told plans have changed and they were debating the constitutional amendment today, whether we like it or not, and they are debating the stand your ground bill today, whether we like it or not.”
McCarthy said that would not happen. “We’ve been betrayed,” he told us. The 40 House Democrats then walked out of the building. McCarthy’s staff has just issued a written statement, via email:
“Yesterday, the Republican Majority Leader gave me a list of the scope of possible bills that might be debated today. Under House Rules, the amendment filing deadline is the day before bills are debated… in other words… yesterday.
House Republicans have betrayed our trust and have told us today, contrary to what we were led to believe yesterday, that not only are they debating bills they said would not come up, they are going to attempt to alter the Iowa Constitution with extreme gun language that, if enacted, would turn Iowa into the Wild, Wild West.
House Democrats believe too strongly in our Constitution and have too much respect for the legislative process to allow this misuse of power to occur unchecked. We, therefore, in unity, have left the State Capitol in protest.”
I’ll be back in a moment with House GOP reaction. Here’s a summary of the situation, including statements from the House GOP leaders.