<html><head><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body dir="auto">Below is a message from IDB Director Emily Wharton concerning upcoming legislation. If we can, as many of us as possible should be there to show support. There have been political appointments before. They don’t have the heart for appointing a person who is familiar with or even cares about a right director.<div>The rest of the email contains valuable information as well.<br><br><div dir="ltr">Cindy Lou Ray<div>Sent from my iPhone</div></div><div dir="ltr"><br>Begin forwarded message:<br><br></div><blockquote type="cite"><div dir="ltr"><b>From:</b> Emily Wharton <Emily.Wharton@blind.state.ia.us><br><b>Date:</b> January 25, 2023 at 4:04:12 PM CST<br><b>Subject:</b> <b>Important IDB Updates</b><br><br></div></blockquote><blockquote type="cite"><div dir="ltr">
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Hello, you are receiving this email as you have shown interest in the Iowa Commission for the Blind and related issues. If you no longer wish to be on this list, please let me know.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<b><span style="font-size:14.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">Education Appropriation Subcommittee Meeting 2/6, 3:30p, Room 304<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
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<span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">Director Emily Wharton and Library Director Sarah Willeford will be presenting to the Education Appropriation Subcommittee at 3:30 on Monday, 2/6 in room 304 of the Capitol. We will give
a 20 minute presentation. The special schools will be presenting at the same committee session. This is an open meeting that the public is free to attend though there is generally no public comment allowed. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<b><span style="font-size:14.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">Realignment Bill<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
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<span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">Last Friday evening (1/20/23), I received a call from the Education Liason for the Governor’s Office, Jane Dufoe, confirming that the forthcoming realignment bill will contain the following
items pertaining to IDB. She stated that the approximately 900 page bill had been sent to the legislature on Thursday, but as of this writing it has not yet been introduced. I will share the bill number and specific text once it is introduced.<br>
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1. IDB will remain an independent agency. It will be considered a non-cabinet agency.<br>
2. There will be language modifying Iowa Code 216(B) to change how the IDB Director is appointed. Currently the Director is hired and fired by the Iowa Commission for the Blind. This language would have the IDB Director hired and fired by the Governor.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">Item 1 means that IDB will continue to operate as we are now with no changes. Being “cabinet” or “non-cabinet” is largely symbolic. Theoretically non-cabinet agencies will have less access
to the Governor, but our access has already been reduced so there should be very little practical difference.<br>
Item 2 would substantially decrease the authority of the Commission and by extension, blind consumers. Having the IDB Director appointed by the Commission Board has allowed the Director to act in the best interest of blind Iowans rather than the political party
of the Governor’s office. It has also allowed for stable leadership that continued through several administrations.<br>
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The Iowa Commission for the Blind currently has two vacancies. The first vacancy came in August 2022 as Commissioner Jacobsen resigned to continue her education. In October, Commission Chair Sandra Ryan, who was battling liver cancer and concerned about her
ability to continue to serve, contacted the Governor’s Office and asked to speak to the Governor regarding making an appointment. She was not given a meeting with the Governor, but met with two of the Governor’s staff. She was told that the Governor was very
busy before the election but they should have candidates in front of her after the election. After informing the Governor’s office that Commissioner Ryan had entered hospice, I was told on November 12th that they would try to get an appointment before the
Commission’s December 6th meeting to ensure that we had quorum. More than six qualified applicants have reported that they have applied for the two vacant positions. Commission Board applicants have been told by the Governor’s office that there would be an
appointment soon, but as of this writing, no appointments have been made and the Iowa Commission for the Blind is unable to conduct business.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black">Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black">Emily Wharton MFA CPM<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black">Director, Iowa Department for the Blind<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black">515.802.7313<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black"><a href="mailto:Emily.wharton@blind.state.ia.us"><span style="color:#0563C1">Emily.wharton@blind.state.ia.us</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black">Web: <a href="https://blind.iowa.gov"><span style="color:#0563C1">https://blind.iowa.gov</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black">"Be sure you put your feet in the right place, then stand firm." -- Abraham Lincoln<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black">A proud partner in the America’s Job Center Network-- <o:p></o:p></span></p>
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