Capitol Comments
Dear Neighbor,
This week marked the halfway point of the Legislative session. With the Legislature’s first self-imposed “funnel” deadline this Friday, it has been one of the busier weeks of the session. Subcommittee and committee meetings were held throughout each day – narrowing the number of bills still eligible for debate. Bills that weren’t approved by a House or Senate Committee this week are now “dead” for the year unless they are budget or tax bills.
It is good news that many of the divisive issue bills did not make it through the funnel this year. And legislation needed to help build a strong middle class in Iowa is still “alive”. If we keep working together, in a bipartisan way, we will have a productive 2013 session.
Here are some of the bills that are still “alive” with the help of House and Senate Democrats…
Improving Iowa schools by boosting teacher quality, increasing student achievement and supporting innovation
An increase in basic aid to local schools by 4% beginning on July 1, 2013, while avoiding any related property tax increase (SF 51 & SF 52) and an additional 4% beginning on July 1, 2014 (SF 161 & SF 162). And education reforms (SSB 1228) that will improve opportunities and accountability for students and educators
Investing in Skilled Worker Training to Expand Iowa’s Middle Class
There is bipartisan support to invest a total of $25 million in new funding for community colleges to fill skilled job openings at local businesses, and to ensure our state remains a competitor in the global economy (SF 291).
Growing Iowa’s economy
Make more state purchases from Iowa companies (SF 15 & HF 93) and encourage taxpayer-funded projects to use American companies (SF70). Use tax credits to encourage the growth and expansion of targeted businesses (SF 205). Help startup companies expand and grow and provide microloans to small businesses (SF 274). Provide a health care tax credit to small businesses (SSB 1024).
Cut taxes for working families and for small and Main Street businesses
Prevent education-related property tax hikes by using the Taxpayer Trust Fund (SF 53); Cut commercial property taxes for all Iowa businesses, a bigger tax cut for 9 out of 10 businesses when compared to the Governor’s plan while protecting homeowners from a tax increase (SF 295); Cut taxes for families, small businesses and farmers through federal income tax coupling (SF 106 & HF 110).
Expanding affordable health care
We can reduce the chance that a serious illness will bankrupt Iowa families and slow the rise in everyone’s health care costs through Medicaid expansion (SF 296 & HF 83).
Please take a moment to view the presentation by the Iowa Hospital Association at: http://youtu.be/3o2DlZJS46M
Also, prepared by our caucus staff, here’s a side-by-side comparison of the current IowaCare Program, Medicaid Expansion, and the Governor’s new IowaCare Plan (Healthy Iowa Plan). You can view that document here.
With the Governor’s plan we would cover fewer Iowans, provide fewer services, and pay more – for less.
We are still hopeful that the House Leadership will allow consideration of legislation approving the expansion of Medicaid in Iowa. Choosing Medicaid would put Iowa on the road to becoming the healthiest state in America.
– Representative Art Staed
Carol O’Brien, Operations Director for Foundation 2, spoke with me about shelters for children and foster families and the need for continued support. Foundation 2 is one of the only youth shelters in Eastern Iowa that accepts “non-system” youth, or those not yet involved with the Department of Human Services. Wonderful people – like Carol – working with a wonderful program!
The Iowa Association of Area Agencies on Aging hosted a legislative reception this morning. Pictured with me are Directors from across the state: Barb, Connie & Mick. They are facing a $600,000 budget reduction which will greatly impact services to seniors. Heritage Agency on Aging in Linn County would experience a $66,498 reduction, if the Governor’s proposed budget is not amended. I’m supporting full funding, without these reductions. These funds help our seniors remain independent, living in their homes where they prefer to be, and avoid the more costly residential or institutional services.
Informative visit with Laura Holmes, Director of Best Buddies Iowa. The 12-year-old volunteer program’s mission is to create opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. They have seen much success in pairing students with disabilities with a Best Buddy at school.
Students from Iowa School for the Deaf came to visit legislators at the Capitol. John Isaacson and Dalton Rosch are pictured here. John has had his cochlear implant for 4 years, and it’s really helped him with communicating. Terrific young men!
Met with Brad Klug, CEO of Rabiner Treatment Center. We spoke about the history of The Coalition for Family & Children’s Services in Iowa. The Coalition’s vision is of a “true public/private partnership providing Iowa’s at-risk children and their families an array of quality, outcome-based services.”
7th & 8th grade students from Isaac Newton Christian Academy.
(In above two photos.) Kathryne Oates, Dir of Dev & Comm Relations for Isaac Newton Christian Academy, brought several 7th & 8th grade students to the Capitol to meet their legislators. As a product of private K-12 schooling myself, I thoroughly enjoyed meeting these fine young people! They did an excellent job speaking about the importance of tuition tax credits and helping students with scholarships. Great presentation!
Visiting with McKinley Elementary
(Above two photos.) I really enjoyed visiting with Terri Baker, Dean of Students at McKinley Elementary; and Marie Perez, parent of one of the students attending the Iowa After School Alliance legislative reception. It was super to hear the kids sharing about the fun times they have – and the fun things they’re learning – during their after school programs!
At the Iowa Pride Network Legislative Reception
(Above two photos.) At the Iowa Pride Network Legislative Reception, I heard some horrific personal accounts of bullying. These students had some good ideas for crafting and enforcing legislation to help prevent bullying. Here with Representative Cindy Winckler.
Meeting with Kitty Chadima, Lodge Director WFLA
(In above two photos.) Kitty Chadima, Lodge Director for the Western Fraternal Life Association, met with me this morning. We discussed the many Fraternal Alliance community projects throughout the state. This includes an upcoming cleaning of Linn County trails involving Marion High students and Wikiup Hill. More details forthcoming, in case you’d like to join me in keeping our trails beautiful! Also, the Alliance is sending personal cards and packages to our overseas military. The cards were decorated by schoolchildren and signed by legislators. A wonderful way to let our military know we appreciate their service and dedication!
I learned a lot about IRIS from Maryfrances Evans, Exec Dir, and Mary Ann Nielsen, Chair of the Board of Directors. IRIS provides radios to Iowans who are visually impaired. The radios are preprogramed to their channel and they have over 300 volunteer readers who read newspapers, grocery ads and local information. It’s a terrific service for the thousands of Iowans who are legally blind!
Everyone loves a….fair! Visiting here with Joe Yedlik, County Extension Director. We spoke about fairgrounds improvements in Linn County. Looking forward to “fair” weather!
At the Iowa Library Association Legislative Reception
(In above two photos.) At the Iowa Library Association Legislative Reception, I visited with Doug Raber, Director of Marion Public Library, and Daniel Boice of the IA Commission of Libraries. This reception was held in the incredibly beautiful Capitol Law Library. Doug and Daniel were both appreciative of the late fees my wife often contributes to the CR Libraries : )
The most amazing group of House pages ever! Smart, funny, always helpful!
Read More from the Iowa House
To read the rest of the Statehouse News go to: http://iowahouse.org/StatehouseNews/3-8-13.html
