Chronicle Editorial

Branstad backs out on anti-bullying efforts
     Ongoing attempts to reduce bullying across Iowa took a significant hit this month thanks to Gov. Terry Branstad’s recent budget proposal. Though inflated political rhetoric may claim otherwise, it appears the governor is backing out on an issue he prioritized during his re-election campaign two years ago.
     Branstad’s budget failed to fund the Center for Violence Prevention at the University of Northern Iowa, which was tasked with managing the new Governor’s Office for Bullying Prevention. Branstad established the office by executive order in September following years of failed anti-bullying legislation in the General Assembly. The governor had made anti-bullying policy a priority for the past several years, which makes his budget decision all the more puzzling.
     Though no money was allocated to directly fund the Governor’s Office for Bullying Prevention, the Branstad Administration will claim it’s being financed indirectly through the Iowa Board of Regents, which oversees the state’s three largest public universities. The governor’s proposed budget allocated $8 million to be divided among Iowa, Iowa State and UNI. It’s up to the regents to set aside a portion of that total for the bullying prevention center, Branstad says, because it’s operated at a state-funded school.
     That may seem logical to some, but a closer look at the numbers reveals a different reality. UNI’s Center for Violence Prevention requested $250,000 to help cover operating costs for the new anti-bullying center. That number is only a small fraction of the $20 million being sought by the three regent schools for operating expenses, student resources and other needs. UNI alone asked for $7.6 million in its initial request, which was separate from the violence prevention center’s request to permanently fund itself and the new anti-bullying office, according to the Associated Press.
     The point here is that the governor’s new anti-bullying office faces an uncertain future. It seems unlikely that the board of regents will be able to fund the office due to ongoing financial constraints. After all, Branstad’s budget proposal doesn’t event fund half of the three regent schools’ initial $20 million budget request. The Legislature can address this issue by allocating more education funds this year, but that seems like a long shot as well. Squabbles over education funding are already causing headaches for lawmakers in Des Moines.
     Branstad’s proposed budget reneges on his promise to increase bullying prevention efforts in Iowa. The governor’s executive order was a noble attempt at getting the ball rolling, but the new office needs proper funding to be a success. Without it, the bullying prevention center will no doubt fail and leave a black eye for Branstad in the years to come.
 
Participating in the political process
     We're less than a week away from the 2016 Iowa Caucus, but the race for first place is still a guessing game. Donald Trump and Ted Cruz remain in a dead heat on the Republican ticket, while Democrats Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders are neck-and-neck as we approach the Feb. 1 deadline. Political pundits would be better off flipping a coin than trying to predict a winner in this one.
     We Iowans have enjoyed a front row seat to the madness that is caucus season. Many of us have met at least one candidate, which is certainly unique facet to the process. Presidential hopefuls – no matter how famous or popular – are forced to rub elbows with ordinary folks as they attempt to gain support. Our state certainly takes advantage of this and we're lucky to have such open access to the long list of contenders.
     Though many voters are still undecided, it's important for everybody to get out and caucus next Monday. This is your chance to have your voice heard at the grassroots level. Whether you're a Democrat or Republican, seize the opportunity and get involved in the political process by caucusing for your candidate Feb. 1.