Jay's and my visit to the Iowa Statehouse today began with our meeting Rep. Dan Kelley, a staunch film supporter. He said he's been alert as he awaits the return of the film office bill to the House floor. I know he's been speaking with his colleagues on our behalf and feel fortunate that he is on the side of creative Iowans.
And we met our friend, Senator Bill Dotzler, Jr., who said the "props" bill (appropriations bill containing the IFO funding issue) would be "deferred" so amendments could be added, which I believe means that legislators can add their own issues to the bill before it is approved. Politics. Complicated.
While waiting on the rotunda level, Rep. Jason Schultz unexpectedly came over to explain why he voted for zero funding for the film funding bill a few weeks ago. Although he is not in support he did say there would be further negotiations on this matter and that it is certainly not a dead situation for us. He was very kind and if I said anything bad about him previously I now take it all back. He's doing what he thinks is best for his constituents.
Rep. Ruth Ann Gaines met with us in the House of Representatives lounge. She is a former high school drama teacher and has been speaking out for us this session. She said that she and fellow representatives Dan Kelley and Ako Abdul-Samad are putting together an amendment to support fully funding the Iowa Film Office. This would be attached to the Economic Development bill. Governor Branstad recommended allocating $400,000 to run the IFO.
We met a legislator going in and we met two legislators outside as well. While outside, I approached Rep. Dave Jacoby and apologized for getting him mixed-up, in a earlier report, with Rep. Jason Schultz, both of whom are bald, even balder than myself!!! He laughed it off and accepted my apology. I know that from previous talks with him he is a supporter of amply supporting the IFO.
I recognized Rep. Bob Hager who was also outside and asked what his position was on the film issue. He was quite friendly but said his primary concern was to preserve the unemployment office in his Allamakee district which faced elimination. He implied that there wasn't enough to support both that office and the IFO.
The pace of everything is cumbersome at the Statehouse, so this film funding issue still has some time left on the clock before it will be all over. Continued letters are still needed, so please email legislators to ask that they stand in support of full funding for the film office.
Gene L. Hamilton
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