AFP Lobbyist Attended HF291 Bill Signing Despite No Record Of Invitations Sent By Branstad/Reynolds Administration
As a result of an open records request, Progress Iowa has learned that the Office of Governor Branstad and Lt. Governor Reynolds kept no record of any invitation for the signing of HF291, the legislation that stripped away collective bargaining rights for more than 180,000 public employees in Iowa. A lobbyist for Americans for Prosperity Iowa (AFP), an organization funded by the Koch brothers, attended the signing despite there being no record of any invitation sent to anyone by the Branstad/Reynolds administration.
The records request submitted by Progress Iowa and all communication with the Office of Governor Branstad and Lt. Governor Reynolds is below, and the result of that request can be found here: http://progia.us/requestfeb17.
“The Governor and Lt. Governor kept no record of any invitation for this bill signing, and they won’t tell us who attended, but somehow the lobbyist for the Koch Brothers found his way in the door,” said Matt Sinovic, executive director of Progress Iowa. “Perhaps he was in the right place at the right time, just passing by in the halls of the capitol? A more likely explanation is that the Branstad/Reynolds administration continues to operate under a cloud of darkness, attacking everyday Iowans and working families while excluding them from state business.”
Additional Information:
LOBBYIST ATTENDING BARGAINING BILL SIGNING BRINGS CRITICISM
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2017/02/20/lobbyist-attending-bargaining-bill-signing-brings-criticism/98152134/
RESULT OF OPEN RECORDS REQUEST TO GOV. BRANSTAD
http://progia.us/requestfeb17
RECORDS REQUEST & COMMUNICATION WITH OFFICE OF GOV. BRANSTAD
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From: Matt Sinovic <matt@progressiowa.org>
Date: Fri, Feb 24, 2017 at 9:51 AM
Subject: Request for Information
To: colin.smith@iowa.gov
February 23, 2017
Dear Mr. Smith:
I am requesting a copy of the following information pursuant to Iowa Code Chapter 22, the public records law.
I would like to know the list of every individual and organization invited to attend the signing of House File 291, as well as those who were in attendance.
The Iowa Public Information Board advises that most requests for records are routine and should be handled immediately. Chapter 22.8 states that a good faith, reasonable delay in responding to a request shall not exceed 20 calendar days and ordinarily should not exceed 10 business days.
If there is a fee for fulfilling this request, please inform me in advance of the amount. Chapter 22.3 says that the fee shall not exceed the actual cost of providing the service.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
Matt Sinovic
Executive Director | Progress Iowa
515.423.0530
Progress Iowa
P.O. Box 548
Des Moines, IA 50302
Gov. Branstad signs House File 291 into law
https://governor.iowa.gov/2017/02/gov-branstad-signs-house-file-291-into-law
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From: Smith, Colin <colin.smith@iowa.gov> Date: Mon, Feb 27, 2017 at 4:04 PM
Subject: Re: Request for Information
To: Matt Sinovic <matt@progressiowa.org>
Matt,
Thanks for submitting your open records request. I received your request today, February 27, 2016. It is my understanding you are seeking the following: Any formal invitation sent by the Office of the Governor to any individual or organization invited by the Office of the Governor to attend the bill signing for House File 291 that occurred on February 17, 2017.
Our office charges for open records requests. Our office provides ten pages of hard copy documents free of charge, and three free hours of staff review time in connection with any request. Beyond that, our office charges ten cents per page for hard copy documents and $33 per hour for additional staff review time.
Please confirm that my understanding of your open records request is correct, and that you understand and accept our office’s open records charging policy.
Thank you,
-Colin
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From: Matt Sinovic <matt@progressiowa.org>
Date: Wed, Mar 1, 2017 at 3:51 PM
Subject: Re: Request for Information
To: “Smith, Colin” <colin.smith@iowa.gov>
Mr. Smith,
Thank you for your response.
We are seeking any invitation, formal or otherwise, to attend the bill signing for House File 291 that occurred on February 17, 2017. And we are seeking the names of those in attendance at that bill signing, whether that exists in an email, a list, or any other format.
In addition, I understand your office’s open records charging policy.
Thank you,
Matt Sinovic
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From: Smith, Colin <colin.smith@iowa.gov> Date: Thu, Mar 2, 2017 at 7:59 AM
Subject: Re: Request for Information
To: Matt Sinovic <matt@progressiowa.org>
Thank you, Matt. I appreciate your clarifications. We will proceed with processing your request.
Thanks,
-Colin
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From: Smith, Colin <colin.smith@iowa.gov> Date: Mon, Mar 20, 2017 at 4:50 PM
Subject: Re: Request for Information
To: Matt Sinovic <matt@progressiowa.org>
Dear Matt,
Your Open Records request is ready for pick-up in our office. Our office is located in the State Capitol in G-9. Our office is open from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Our office provides up to ten copies and three hours of staff time free of charge. Additional copies are ten cents a page and $33 an hour for my review time. There is no charge for your open records request.
If you choose to have this request mailed to you, please contact Christina Bettini at 515-725-3517 or Christina.Bettini@Iowa.gov. Thank you.
Thanks,
-Colin
