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Iowa State Senate

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Iowa State Senate

Seal of Iowa.jpg
General Information
Type:   Upper house
Term limits:   None
2012 session start:   January 9, 2012
Website:   Official Senate Page
Leadership
Senate President:   John Kibbie, (D)
Majority Leader:   Michael Gronstal (D)
Minority leader:   Jerry Behn, (R)
Structure
Members:  50
   Democratic Party (26)
Republican Party (24)
Length of term:   4 years
Authority:   Art III, Section 1, Iowa Constitution
Salary:   $25,000/year + per diem
Elections
Last Election:  November 2, 2010 (25 seats)
Next election:  November 6, 2012 (25 seats)
Redistricting:  Iowa Board of Apportionment
Meeting place:
Iowa State Senate Chamber.jpg

Contents

The Iowa State Senate is the upper house in the Iowa General Assembly. It consists of 50 members, each representing a district with about 59,500 residents. The districts are identified by a number. The senators serve four-year terms and are not subject to term limits. Half of the senate is up for re-election every two years. Each member represents an average of 60,927 residents, as of the 2010 Census.[1] After the 2000 Census, each member represented 58,586 residents.[2]

Sessions

The Legislative Department of the Iowa Constitution establishes when the Iowa General Assembly, of which the Senate is a part, is to be in session. Section 2 of the article states that the General Assembly is to convene its regular session on the second Monday of January of each year. The General Assembly can also be called into special session by a proclamation of the Governor of Iowa or by a written request of two-thirds of both houses of the General Assembly.

2012

See also: Dates of 2012 state legislative sessions

In 2012, the Senate was in session from January 9 to May 9.

Major issues

The main issues will be a property tax relief package, along with education and mental health reform. Legislators are also expected to consider extending terms for representatives from two to four years.[3]

2011

See also: Dates of 2011 state legislative sessions

In 2011, the General Assembly was in session from January 10 through July 1. The legislature was in an extended session due to concerns on how to reduce commercial property taxes. House Republicans favored a 25 per cent reduction in commercial property tax rates, while Senate Democrats proposed a tax credit that would be paid directly to the owners of the commercial properties.[4] During the extended session, legislators did not receive per diem. Iowa legislative rules allow lawmakers to receive per diem for a maximum of 100 days in even numbered years, and 110 days in odd numbered years. The 110th calendar day of the 2011 session was April 30. The rules may be amended at any time to extend the legislative session.

Budget

Iowa ended its 2011 fiscal year with $54.5 million in revenue collections above estimated figures, an increase of 6 percent over fiscal 2010. The 6 percent increase was one percent higher than expected.[5]

As a whole, Iowa collected $329.3 million more in revenue than it did last year. Last year's overall total revenue is still not yet known, due to the continuing flow of expenses or revenue collections that can be attributed to fiscal year 2010. To account for this, the books will remain open until September, as is customary for the state.[5]

2010

See also: Dates of 2010 state legislative sessions

In 2010, the Senate was in session from January 11th to March 30th.

Elections

2012

See also: Iowa State Senate elections, 2012

Elections for the office of Iowa State Senate will be held in Iowa on November 6, 2012. The signature filing deadline was March 16, 2012 and the primary date is set for June 5, 2012.

2010

See also: Iowa State Senate elections, 2010

Elections for the office of Iowa State Senate were held in Iowa on November 2, 2010. The signature-filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in these elections was March 19, 2010 and the primary election day was on June 8, 2010.

Iowa State Senators serve four-year terms and are not subject to term limits. Half of the senate is up for re-election every two years.

The partisan breakdown of the Senate before and after the election was as follows:

Iowa State Senate
Party As of November 1, 2010 After the 2010 Election
     Democratic Party 32 27
     Republican Party 18 23
Total 50 50


In 2010, a total of $5,058,528 was raised in campaign contributions by those running for state senate. The top donors were: [6]

Donor Amount
Iowa Democratic Party $1,540,045
Iowa Republican Party $607,907
Iowans for Tax Relief $112,250
Associated General Contractors of Iowa $89,750
Iowa Credit Union League $80,000
Iowa Dental Association $71,550
Iowa Bankers Association $69,500
Iowa Farm Bureau $66,779
Iowa Health Care Association $66,250
Butler County Republican Central Cmte $61,300


Qualifications

The Iowa Constitution states, "Senators shall be chosen for the term of four years, at the same time and place as representatives; they shall be twenty-five years of age, and possess the qualifications of representatives as to residence and citizenship." [7]

Vacancies

See also: How vacancies are filled in state legislatures
How Vacancies are filled in State Legislatures
NevadaMassachusettsColoradoNew MexicoWyomingArizonaMontanaCaliforniaOregonWashingtonIdahoTexasOklahomaKansasNebraskaSouth DakotaNorth DakotaMinnesotaIowaMissouriArkansasLouisianaMississippiAlabamaGeorgiaFloridaSouth CarolinaIllinoisWisconsinTennesseeNorth CarolinaIndianaOhioKentuckyPennsylvaniaNew JerseyNew YorkVermontVermontNew HampshireMaineWest VirginiaVirginiaMarylandMarylandConnecticutConnecticutDelawareDelawareRhode IslandRhode IslandMassachusettsNew HampshireMichiganMichiganAlaskaVacancy fulfillment map.png

If a vacancy occurs in the Senate, the Governor must call for a special election within five days of the vacancy. If the vacancy happens while the Senate is in session, the Governor can call the election to be held as soon as possible. However, a minimum a 18 day notice is required. All other special elections require a 45 day notice as long there are no school elections scheduled on the same day[8].

Senators

Salaries

See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries

As of 2011, members of the Iowa legislature are paid $25,000/year. Additionally, legislators receive $132/day per diem tied to the federal rate. Polk County legislators receive $102.75/day.[9]

The $25,000/year that Iowa legislators are paid as of 2011 is the same as they were paid during legislative sessions in 2007. Per diem has increased from $118/day in 2007 to $132/day in 2011. Additionally, Polk County legislators received $88.50/day per diem in 2007 but now receive $102.75).[10]

When sworn in

See also: When state legislators assume office after a general election

Iowa legislators assume office the first day of January after their election.

Partisan composition

See also: Partisan composition of state senates
Party As of May 2012
     Democratic Party 26
     Republican Party 24
Total 50


Leadership

The Senate elects a President and President Pro Tempore from its members. The duties of the President include referring bills to committee, preserving order, and making procedural rulings. The President Pro Tempore presides over the Senate in the absence of the President.[11][12]

Senate Leadership of the 84th General Assembly (01/10/2011 - 01/13/2013)[13]

Office Representative Party
President of the Senate John Kibbie Electiondot.png Democratic
President Pro Tempore Jeff Danielson Electiondot.png Democratic
State Senate Majority Leader Michael Gronstal Electiondot.png Democratic
State Senate Majority Whip Thomas Courtney Electiondot.png Democratic
State Senate Assistant Majority Leader Joe Bolkcom Electiondot.png Democratic
State Senate Assistant Majority Leader William Dotzler Electiondot.png Democratic
State Senate Assistant Majority Leader Wally Horn Electiondot.png Democratic
State Senate Assistant Majority Leader Steven Sodders Electiondot.png Democratic
State Senate Assistant Majority Leader Amanda Ragan Electiondot.png Democratic
State Senate Minority Leader Paul McKinley Ends.png Republican
State Senate Minority Whip Steve Kettering Ends.png Republican
State Senate Assistant Minority Leader Merlin Bartz Ends.png Republican
State Senate Assistant Minority Leader David Johnson Ends.png Republican
State Senate Assistant Minority Leader Tim Kapucian Ends.png Republican
State Senate Assistant Minority Leader Pat Ward Ends.png Republican
State Senate Assistant Minority Leader Brad Zaun Ends.png Republican

List of current members

District Representative Party
1 Rick Bertrand Ends.png Republican
2 Randy Feenstra Ends.png Republican
3 David Johnson Ends.png Republican
4 John Kibbie Electiondot.png Democratic
5 Robert Bacon Ends.png Republican
6 Merlin Bartz Ends.png Republican
7 Amanda Ragan Electiondot.png Democratic
8 Mary Jo Wilhelm Electiondot.png Democratic
9 Bill Dix Ends.png Republican
10 Jeff Danielson Electiondot.png Democratic
11 William Dotzler Electiondot.png Democratic
12 Brian Schoenjahn Electiondot.png Democratic
13 Tod Bowman Electiondot.png Democratic
14 Pam Jochum Electiondot.png Democratic
15 Robert Dvorsky Electiondot.png Democratic
16 Tom Hancock Electiondot.png Democratic
17 Wally Horn Electiondot.png Democratic
18 Liz Mathis Electiondot.png Democratic
19 Rob Hogg Electiondot.png Democratic
20 Tim Kapucian Ends.png Republican
21 Dennis Black Electiondot.png Democratic
22 Steven Sodders Electiondot.png Democratic
23 Herman Quirmbach Electiondot.png Democratic
24 Jerry Behn Ends.png Republican
25 Daryl Beall Electiondot.png Democratic
26 Steve Kettering Ends.png Republican
27 Bill Anderson Ends.png Republican
28 James Seymour Ends.png Republican
29 Nancy Boettger Ends.png Republican
30 Pat Ward Ends.png Republican
31 Matt McCoy Electiondot.png Democratic
32 Brad Zaun Ends.png Republican
33 Jack Hatch Electiondot.png Democratic
34 Dick Dearden Electiondot.png Democratic
35 Jack Whitver Ends.png Republican
36 Paul McKinley Ends.png Republican
37 Kent Sorenson Ends.png Republican
38 Tom Rielly Electiondot.png Democratic
39 Joe Bolkcom Electiondot.png Democratic
40 James Hahn Ends.png Republican
41 Roby Smith Ends.png Republican
42 Shawn Hamerlinck Ends.png Republican
43 Joe Seng Electiondot.png Democratic
44 Thomas Courtney Electiondot.png Democratic
45 Sandra Greiner Ends.png Republican
46 Gene Fraise Electiondot.png Democratic
47 Mark Chelgren Ends.png Republican
48 Joni Ernst Ends.png Republican
49 Hubert Houser Ends.png Republican
50 Michael Gronstal Electiondot.png Democratic

Senate Standing Committees

The Iowa Senate has 17 standing committees:

External links

References

  1. ↑ Population in 2010 of the American states
  2. ↑ Population in 2000 of the American states
  3. ↑ Sioux City Journal, "Legislators predict 'different' 2012 session," January 8, 2012
  4. ↑ RadioIowa, Property tax reduction still holding up close of legislature, June 15, 2011
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 DesMoinesRegister.com, Iowa ends fiscal year with better-than-expected revenues, July 14, 2011
  6. ↑ Follow the Money: "Iowa Senate 2010 Campaign Contributions"
  7. ↑ Iowa Constitution
  8. ↑ [field,%20folio-destination-name%20:%20sec_69_14%27$x=server#LPHit1 Iowa General Assembly "Iowa Election Law"](Referenced Statute 69.14)]
  9. ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "2011 Legislator Compensation Data"
  10. ↑ Empire Center, "Legislative Salaries Per State as of 2007"
  11. ↑ Rules of the Iowa Senate 81st General Assembly - Rules 52-53
  12. ↑ Iowa State Senate Leadership
  13. ↑ Leadership of the 84th General Assembly


v • d • e
Democrat majority Current members of the Iowa State Senate
Senate President: John Kibbie (D) • Majority Leader: Michael Gronstal (D) • Minority Leader: Paul McKinley (R)
   
Democratic (26) • Republican (24) • Iowa State Senate • Iowa House of Representatives
v • d • e
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