Capitol Comments

Lawmakers Pledge to Work Together to Grow Middle Class

When the 2014 Legislative Session opened this week we, legislators, pledged to work together to build a strong middle class, support Iowa education, adequately fund our mental health and health care systems, repair and maintain our roads and bridges, and protect our Iowa natural resources.

We outlined this year’s priorities that would provide more economic security to Iowa families. These priorities include expanding job training and apprenticeships so Iowans can get the skills they need to land a good job, raising the minimum wage, and freezing tuition at Iowa’s state universities to keep higher education more affordable.

Many of the issues, likely to come up this year, already enjoy strong bi-partisan support. In addition to keeping state government running efficiently to maintain Iowa’s balanced budget and strong surplus, we said we will work to encourage more use of renewable energy as well as connect more Iowans to broadband and WI-FI.

Other issues with bi-partisan support include expanding support for veterans and military families, creating good family-sustaining jobs, increasing apprenticeships to build Iowa’s skilled workforce, protecting kids from bullying, and keeping state government running efficiently to maintain Iowa’s balanced budget and strong surplus.

In an effort to better connect with you, we are still requesting that you participate in a brief survey about the 2014 Session. Please click here to complete the survey and share your views.

Representative Art Staed

Mental Health and Disability Services a Priority

Over the last few years, Iowa’s adult mental health and disability service system has started a redesign process. The goal of the redesign process is to improve access to services and set standard services and criteria for eligibility, while establishing an equitable and sustainable funding source for the needed services.

One of the main aspects of the redesign process has been how the services are delivered to Iowans. The system is moving away from a county based system to a regional based service delivery system. This will allow for a greater number of services to be available to all Iowans. The new regions will be fully funded in place July 1, 2014.

In addition, a set of core services must be available within each region. In the past, there was no minimum standard. Some counties had a robust number of services available, and others had only a few. The redesign guaranteed that every Iowan would be able to access services related to treatment, crisis response, community living, employment, recovery and coordination of care.

The third main aspect of the MHDS service system redesign is funding the needed services. The current temporary funding comes from a combination of county property tax funding and a state appropriation. The Legislature will look at modifying the current funding system or keeping the current system in place.

For the redesign process to succeed, the MHDS service system needs to be fully funded. The provided services are necessary to all Iowans.

Capitol Views

Participating in numerous discussions about Iowa’s children and our education system at the ISEA legislative conference was a terrific way to prepare me for the start of another legislative session. Iowa’s new Department of Education Director, Brad Buck, summed up the meetings well when he stated that if we are able to bring together, coordinate and implement all of the educational reforms in recent legislation, Iowa’s students will benefit greatly. In addition, I realize that we must keep our commitments to providing our schools with the resources necessary to do just that.

First meeting of the legislative session is with Cory Berkenes, State Director of the Iowa Food Bank Association and Cory’s intern, Brian Huinker. Representative Dan Kelley and I invited them to the capitol to give us an update on initiatives to help end hunger in Iowa.

After our first day of work, which included several meetings about Food Banks, one of the evening’s conversations at the Greater Des Moines Partnership & Affiliate Chamber Legislative Reception was about banks, loans, trusts and holdings. Also had a discussion about reducing student debt in Iowa. Ideas and solutions can come from anywhere, even at a reception. Shown here with Don Coffin, Executive VP & Lending Officer of Banks Trust, at the State Historical Museum.

Speaking with Kate Carlucci of the American Cancer Society about radon testing in Iowa schools. The Iowa Radon Survey has indicated that Iowa has the largest percentage (or 71.6%) of homes above the US Environmental Protection Agency action level of 4pCi/L. It is also designated by the US EPA as an entirely zone 1 state, which means that at least 50% of the homes are above US EPA’s recommended action level. It’s our responsibility to ensure the safety of our young people who are in school buildings 6-8 hours a day.

More info here: http://www.idph.state.ia.us/Radon/Data.aspx

Gary Grant, Linn County lobbyist, and I discussing the intricacies of the Options program and other critical services to people with a disability. I am adamant in my belief that the level and quality of services needs to be maintained, with funding and support by the legislature and local government regardless of who provides them – public or private.

Jenny Feddersen and Steve Carroll with the Linn County Rural Electric Coop pointing out a pie chart of energy resources in the region. I was pleased to see that 60% of their electricity is generated from carbon-free resources, including 25% from wind. We addressed the Coop’s biggest legislative issue, a resolution asking FEMA for assistance in repairing electric lines damaged during severe weather.

We’ve seen a lot of constituent Sam McCord this past year as he continues to build his business, MCG BioComposites, and produce quality products using recycled biomass from corn stover – and recycled carpet material. Sam’s company is innovative, green and growing. I’m always impressed with his ingenuity and progressiveness. I’m certain I’ll continue to meet Sam at various events – as his ideas and his business continue to grow!

Stacy Frelund of the American Heart Association discussing possible legislation designed to encourage broader use of public recreation facilities, including school buildings and tracks. This is to reduce obesity and increase the physical activity of Iowa children and families.

Meeting with representatives from Cargill: Ray Jenkins and Sarah Kempcke. Ray is an IA Corn Merchandising Mgr who buys corn for the plant on Otis Road in CR. Sarah provides soy beans for the Cargill Soy Processing Plant adjacent to Quaker Oats/Pepsico in CR. We discussed product manufacturing and food processing in Iowa.

Candice Bennett, Chief Juvenile Court Officer with the Sixth Judicial District, in Linn County made the trek from Cedar Rapids to hear Chief Justice Mark Cady’s annual speech to the Iowa legislature. Candice and I share a similar philosophy in directly addressing the needs of our juvenile court system. I also learned that Candice’s father was a state legislator for several years, so she knows her way around this beautiful building. Great to see Cedar Rapidians at the capitol!

After listening to Iowa Supreme Court Chief Justice Cady’s speech in House Chambers, I met with the 6th Judicial District Chief Judge Patrick Grady. Judge Grady provided good input on a judicial bill I’m working on, at the request of a constituent.

Legislators were lobbied by a group (radiologists, physicians and breast cancer survivors) who want breast density information sent to the patient, accompanying the mammogram report. Just so happens, this week I signed on as co-sponsor of a bill doing just that.

Great to welcome Cedar Rapids and Linn County FaDSS (Family Development & Self-Sufficiency Program) group to the House Chambers. This Four Oaks program is doing terrific work in Linn County, helping at-risk families. Their comprehensive system of support offers home visits, assessments, goal setting, referrals and advocacy. To find out more: http://www.fouroaks.org/News/20080103/16/Iowa-Family-Development-Alliance-Sponsors-FaDSS-Information-Fair-at-State-Capitol.aspx

At the Iowa Assoc of Business & Industry reception. Visiting here with constituent Tom Hobson, who is the Sr.Mgr of Government and Public Affairs at Rockwell Collins. http://www.rockwellcollins.com/

Breakfast on the run as I attended the first of four Thursday receptions at the capitol before 8:30 gavel-in. Here with Joanne Tubbs and Richard Wortmann of the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners, talking about the new service at http://www.teachiowa.gov/ the legislature approved last year. This website creates a terrific resource for applicants and employers/school districts across the state.

Nice meeting with Milt Dakovich of the Board of Regents and Patrice Sayre, Chief Business Officer of the Board. We discussed tuition freezes, efficiencies and other means of making higher education more affordable for Iowa students.

Bob Jeppesen of Central Iowa Center for Independent Living discussed means of keeping those with disabilities, active in the community and living in their own home. The organization is hoping to expand its services to more Iowans, including veterans and elderly who are currently under-served in most of the state.

I discussed recent constituency issues regarding the DOC and issues about the sex offender registry with Bruce Vander Sanden, Director of the Sixth Judicial District Department of Correctional Services. Bruce provided great insight and clarification to help me better understand previous legislation and ts implications for the public.

Continue Reading the Statehouse News

To read the rest of my Statehouse News go to: http://iowahouse.org/StatehouseNews/1-17-14