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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b>From:</b> Baeth, Austin [LEGIS] <Austin.Baeth@legis.iowa.gov> <br><b>Sent:</b> Monday, February 13, 2023 2:14 PM<br><b>To:</b> tpoldberg@gmail.com<br><b>Subject:</b> RE: SB 126<o:p></o:p></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Terry,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Thank you so much for reaching out. I share your concerns about this bill. Many commissions, divisions, and departments that will lose autonomy under this bill as it’s currently written. If the heads of these entities serve at the pleasure of the Governor, we lose accountability and the incentive to serve every Iowan, not just the one holding the top office. Thankfully, I believe there is bipartisan concern over this very issue and I will work hard in the State Government Committee to help my colleagues see how short-sighted and dangerous this would be. Thank you for your advocacy.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Austin<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Dr. Austin Baeth<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>State Representative<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Iowa House District 36<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="mailto:austin.baeth@legis.iowa.gov">austin.baeth@legis.iowa.gov</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="https://iowahouse.us19.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=9f68e4c04f9646e4baeec6d78&id=3a1a1f9948">Subscribe to Austin’s newsletter here.</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b>From:</b> <a href="mailto:tpoldberg@gmail.com">tpoldberg@gmail.com</a> <<a href="mailto:tpoldberg@gmail.com">tpoldberg@gmail.com</a>> <br><b>Sent:</b> Friday, February 10, 2023 4:17 PM<br><b>To:</b> Baeth, Austin [LEGIS] <<a href="mailto:Austin.Baeth@legis.iowa.gov">Austin.Baeth@legis.iowa.gov</a>><br><b>Subject:</b> SB 126<o:p></o:p></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Greetings Representative Baeth:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>I am writing to urge you to oppose Division 13 of this bill pertaining to the appointment of the Iowa Department for the Blind director. It is imperative that the appointment of the director of the Iowa Department for the Blind should be made by the commission board and not by the governor. Should the appointment of the director be made by the governor and not by the commission board, services could be negatively affected. The governor could appoint someone who has no real understanding of blindness or the needs of the blind. On the other hand, a director appointed by the board would have more of an understanding of the needs of the blind. The Iowa Department for the Blind has existed since 1925 and over the years has provided exemplary services to blind Iowans working under the current structure.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Thank you for your consideration of this important matter.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Cordially,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Terry Poldberg<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>