SENATOR MARK ZIEMAN

What a week in the Iowa legislature!

The Senate voted to allow human cloning and a much improved anti-bullying bill returned from the House stripped of their amendment. The threat of the Fair Share bill has companies announcing that they are looking elsewhere to locate and a new touch-play bill was introduced.

The two doctors serving in the Senate have stated their position that the stem cell bill is a cloning bill. In 2002 we passed a bill that outlawed cloning. The current bill undid the language enacted in 2002 and did not have bi-partisan support, passing on a vote on the slim margin of 26-24. Many were strong-armed into voting for the bill.

The House debated at much length and amended the anti-bullying bill to protect our Christian schools. I feel the bill will give our parochial schools problems and does not protect ALL students. The bill does not address the problem of who will take responsibility and be held accountable.

As many of you know I was one of a few that voted against the ban on touch-play. I felt that the State had made a deal in good faith with businesses and should honor its commitment. I do not support reinstatement, I would rather the lawsuits take their course.

The Fair Share bill, which repeals Iowa’s current Right to Work law, along with many other anti-business bills, have prompted several companies considering Iowa to announce they are looking elsewhere to locate. What we do here does have an impact on the State’s economy. I wonder when this foolishness will end. Hopefully, before permanent damage is incurred.

Hawkeye REC is kindly sponsoring a town meeting for Representatives Gipp, Quirk and myself. We will be in Ridgeway on Saturday, February 24^th. We will be at the Fireman’s Inn beginning at 9:30 A.M. Hope you can join us and share your views on the issues facing Iowa.

SENATOR MARK ZIEMAN

Senate District 8

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For further information or clarification, please contact me at the Capitol (515) 281-3371 or at my home (563) 864-3104