[Tall-Corn] FW: Section XIII of HSB 126 and SF 514 re: Government Realignment and response from the National Federation of the Blind of Iowa

[Scott Van Gorp]

Good Morninng:

I have sent the below out to the general assembly in response to the
Senate's passage of the reorganization bill. Hopefully we can get the house
to offer an amendment to strike section XIII and get this back to a
conference committee. Thanks all for your work on this. Let's continue to
press our legislators to get the job done! We're not done yet!

 

Scott Van Gorp, President
National Federation of the Blind of Iowa
Phone: 515-720-5282
Email <mailto:svangorp at nfbi.org> 

 <http://www.nfbi.org/> Website 
 
<https://www.facebook.com/National-Federation-Of-the-Blind-Of-Iowa-372681823
082570/posts> Facebook 
 <https://twitter.com/nfb_iowa> Twitter 
Live the life you want.

The National Federation of the Blind of Iowa is a community of members and
friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation's blind. Every day
we work together to help blind people live the lives they want.

 

From: Scott Van Gorp <svangorp at nfbi.org> 
Sent: Wednesday, March 8, 2023 7:50 AM
Subject: Section XIII of HSB 126 and SF 514 re: Government Realignment and
response from the National Federation of the Blind of Iowa

 

Dear Representatives and Senators:

As president of the National Federation of the Blind of Iowa, and on behalf
of blind Iowans in all 99 of Iowa's counties, I am writing today in response
to the Senate's passage of Senate file 514 and the expected debate of HSB
126 regarding the reorganization of state government in Iowa. The National
Federation of the Blind of Iowa has previously sent a letter to all of you
regarding our position on section XIII of this bill in regards to the Iowa
Department for the Blind, and I have again attached a copy of the letter for
your reference. It is our sincere hope that the Iowa House of
Representatives will pass an amendment that would strike section XIII and
preserve the rights of the Blind of Iowa to continue to have a say in the
hiring/firing of the director of the Iowa Department for the Blind. The
history of the Iowa Department for the blind and its services to blind
Iowans is well documented, and the blind of Iowa must continue to have the
quality of services that we have come to expect from our state agency. The
Iowa Department for the Blind has been a world-class agency for many years,
and our fear is that, through this bill, services will be greatly impacted
in the long run by directors who may not have the interests of the blind at
heart. The reason services have been successful in Iowa is due in large part
to the stability of directors throughout several administrations. If the
governor is allow to appoint the agency director whenever he or she wishes,
this could lead to disastrous consequences to services Iowans need to live
full and productive lives, gain employment, and take advantage of
educational opportunities. We appreciate the legislature's time and efforts
at the subcommittee and committee levels and the opportunity to address
particularly the subcommittees on this issue, and we look forward to working
with the legislature on amendments to this bill and on future bills to
continue to enhance the quality of life for blind Iowans. Please feel free
to contact me if you have any questions or need more information.

      

 

Scott Van Gorp, President
National Federation of the Blind of Iowa
Phone: 515-720-5282
Email <mailto:svangorp at nfbi.org> 

 <http://www.nfbi.org/> Website 
 
<https://www.facebook.com/National-Federation-Of-the-Blind-Of-Iowa-372681823
082570/posts> Facebook 
 <https://twitter.com/nfb_iowa> Twitter 
Live the life you want.

The National Federation of the Blind of Iowa is a community of members and
friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation's blind. Every day
we work together to help blind people live the lives they want.

 

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