Capitol Comments
The New Year means another legislative session is here
In 2014, I pledge to continue to listen to and work with constituents to offer a voice at the Capitol that is reflective of the values of the state that we love. I know that in 2014 we must focus on the middle class and work tirelessly, with each of you at my side, to create jobs and grow our economy, to advocate for hard-working families, to support and strengthen our education and to bring your voice to the debates in the statehouse. It is an honor to be your representative in the Iowa House.
As the 2014 Iowa Legislative session gets underway I want to hear your thoughts on issues that may be discussed at the State Capitol this year. I hope you will take a few minutes to complete a brief survey and share your comments here.
I also wanted to let you know that a few new laws took effect on January 1 that may be of interest to you. There are new changes for teen drivers and additional tax credits for hard working families. The full list of new laws is here.
If you own a small business, you should apply for your new property tax credit before January 15th. For information click here.
As always, please feel free to contact me at home or work, by email or phone, at any time. My contact information is listed on the right.
I look forward to hearing from you!
State Representative Art Staed
Had a tour of Xavier High School before heading to Des Moines for a health care forum. Principal, Tom Keating, has reason to be proud of his building and students. Principal Keating discussed the new iPads program which provides a computer for each student. All class assignments and homework can be completed on the iPad. What may now be considered innovative will soon become mainstream in our schools. We visited a government class discussing an Iowa law case. This instructor is highly esteemed and the students are eager to take his courses. After a discussion with the class I was ready to take it!
I was honored to participate in the forum at the Prevention of Disabilities Policy Summit. The symposium made its recommendations to the Council, which in turn will present these recommendations to the legislature for policy changes. The Council, created by the Iowa General Assembly in 1991, is responsible for facilitating policy development and coordinating state agency and public-private activities to prevent disability and improve the health and independence of those with disabilities.
While prevention was the key topic, the multiple facets to living with a disability were also covered: transportation, education, access to healthcare, inclusive & accessible communities and much, much more.
Nice visit with Nancy Evans who is on the Dept of Corrections Board. I attended the 6th Judicial District & DOC Legislative Meeting at the Faches Center in CR, and learned more about the drug treatment court program. It combines resources of the DOC, community treatment providers and the Court to help clients achieve clean and sober lives, avoid criminal activity and become more productive members of our community. Especially moving was the testimony by two graduates of the program. Also, I heard more about upcoming plans for the April opening of the Anchor Center, which is the first-of-its-kind residential center for parolees and probationers with mental health issues. The Center will have 26 beds for offenders who have mental, behavioral and substance abuse issues and need a transitional structure for proper treatment and an opportunity to learn life skill that will keep them from returning to the correctional system. Both are model programs.
Guest speaker at the League of Women Voters’ holiday gathering was Associate Dean for Faculty at the University of Iowa College of Law, Todd Pettys who spoke about recent litigation in Texas, N. Carolina, Wisconsin, Arizona and Kansas regarding changes and proposed changes to voting rights laws. Are our voting laws regressing to a time when only wealthy, white land owners were allowed to cast a vote?
If you are interested in this issue, Todd recommends this blog:http://electionlawblog.org/
The Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance hosted a celebration to thank city and state leaders on Cedar Rapids’ accomplishment receiving $264 in state funding for flood protection. At this event, I visited with Gary & Lynn Stansbery. Their home – the childhood home of Lynn – was destroyed during the 2008 flood, consequently stripped down to the studs and rebuilt. I also spoke with Gary Ficken, whose business (Bimm-Ridder Sportswear) sat under 11 feet of water. Gary has also successfully restored his business – on higher grounds. It certainly was a wonderful time to celebrate another milestone in the tremendous progress we’ve made in rebuilding our city.
