Public Forum

A Community Discussion on: “Where is Iowa’s Mental Health Care Going?”

Sunday, April 12th at 3:00 pm

Lovely Lane United Methodist Church –  Intersection of Wenig Road & 42nd St. NE

Panel participants:  Senator Liz Mathis, Representative Dave Heaton, Linn County Supervisor Ben Rodgers, Kent Jackson of Unity Point Mental Health and Dan Strellner, President of Abbe, Inc.

This forum is Co-Sponsored by Lovely Lane United Methodist Church, Representative Art Staed and the League of Women Voters

Inadequate School Funding Threatens K-12 Student Achievement

We are nearing the ostensible second “funnel” date when the House is limited to bringing Senate-passed bills out of our committees for House debate and for completing unfinished business.  The House Republican-majority continues to reject the Senate’s position on allowable growth for our schools (setting school aid, by law, should have been accomplished a year ago) so school districts are still in the dark on what they are allowed to spend in next year’s budget.  This inaction has caused many districts to begin the process of eliminating positions – sending out “pink slips” to teachers and staff.  Some districts have begun the process of eliminating or outsourcing some positions.

I have supported a 6% allowable growth while the majority party has proposed only 1.25% growth.  The Senate is currently offering 4%.  It is unfortunate that we have not settled on an adequate amount so that school boards and administrators can get on with Iowa’s most important job – that of educating our students.  Cutting teaching positions and increasing class-size will most certainly impact student achievement.

Parents and students from across Iowa rallied at the State Capitol on Wednesday to encourage us to support a 4% increase in school funding next year.  Legislative leaders also received copies of a petition with 6,000 signatures from Iowans supporting the 4% increase for schools.

Unfortunately, we’re clearly seeing the impact of the school funding crisis at our local schools.  The school district in Forest City was forced to raise property taxes due to the crisis while Charles City is reducing a math teacher, art instructor, library staff, and curriculum director next year.

Cedar Rapids Community School District and Linn-Mar School District officials have told all of us repeatedly (both Republicans & Democrats) that our local schools need more than 1.25% just to meet current expenses.  It is predicted that, under the current 1.25% proposal, Cedar Rapids would need to eliminate 20 employee positions.

Superintendent Doug Glackin of the Woodbury Central Community Schools told a Sioux City TV station: “When we started cutting, we were cutting the fat, and then we got a 0% allowable growth in fiscal year 2011-2012 and then we started cutting the bacon. If we get to 1.25%, we’ll be cutting into the rib meat and into the loin pretty soon, and that’s never good.”

Clear Lake Superintendent Anita Micich has told the local newspaper: “You cannot starve the schools in Iowa and expect to have world-class (education) continue.”

It’s not just smaller, rural school districts. Cedar Rapids and Ankeny are among the largest school districts in the state.  Ankeny’s school board president said, “1.25 % is irresponsible. We’re at the point where we are cutting programming and looking at class sizes.”

Be Vigilant

Governor Branstad has proposed and is moving quickly to privatize nearly all of Iowa’s Medicaid system.

Iowa’s Governor once again decided—on his own—to make big changes at break-neck speed to the health care of Iowans. And once again, those affected don’t have his political power. The Branstad Administration is ignoring the painful lessons already experienced by other states that have adopted the “managed care” approach.

Medicaid provides free or low-cost health coverage to more than a half-million Iowans.  This includes families and children, expectant mothers, Iowa seniors and people living with disabilities. More than 71% of our Medicaid dollars provide services for the disabled and our seniors.

Currently, two things are eminent:

• Changes will be made to the health care of at-risk Iowans and to the essential services for our seniors and the disabled.
• The RFP,  At a cost of $4.2 billion,  is the largest single Request for Proposal (RFP) in state history. Consequently, there are more than a dozen for-profit bidders.

Rather than rushing into privatization, the responsible way to address the issues should include bringing together the stakeholders and taking a systematic approach to making improvements. Iowa Medicaid is, after all, Iowa’s second largest health insurance entity and is financed with public dollars.

A comprehensive managed-care oversight bill, SF 452 was unanimously approved by the Senate and is now in the House. This bill, if passed by the House and signed by the Governor, would provide checks and balances to the complex Iowa Medicaid and health care system.

Under existing state law, the Governor has extensive authority to make this transition with little or no legislative direction. The bill would create a process for closely monitoring the transition, ensuring that tax dollars are used wisely, and providing vulnerable Iowans access to critical healthcare services.  It would also:

• outline consumer protections and standards for high-quality care
• offer consumer choice and self-direction
• ensure nearby access to care
• establish fair reimbursement for healthcare providers
• emphasize the improvement of health outcomes

And finally, SF 452 would establish an ongoing legislative oversight commission to monitor implementation and recommend corrections, as needed.

Federal Investigation Confirms Bias at Workforce Development

Last year, Senator Bill Dotzler of Waterloo sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) expressing concerns about Iowa Workforce Development and its director, Teresa Wahlert.
The letter was based on testimony Senator Dotzler had received from Unemployment Administrative Law Judges indicating there was undue pressure on them, concern about the fairness of the appeals system, and problems with a political appointee directly supervising the appeal judges.

This month, U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) informed the new Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) director, Beth Townsend, that her predecessor had created perceived pressure on Iowa’s Administrative Law Judges (ALJs) to be biased in favor of employers or face retaliation. The DOL also recommended that the new IWD director:

• Immediately fill the Chief Administrative Law Judge position on a merit staffing basis.
• Ensure that the Unemployment Compensation appeals process is insulated from outside pressures that might compromise the process’s fairness and impartiality, or appearance of fairness and impartiality.
• Ensure that Administrative Law Judges are free from actual or perceived intimidation.
• Review any negative personnel actions received by ALJs during the period they were supervised by Teresa Wahlert to determine if the action was appropriately taken, and take any necessary remedial action to reverse the action if not appropriately taken.
• Not take any personnel action against individual Administrative Law Judges related to their possible participation in the review of this matter moving forward.
• To learn more about U.S. Department of Labor findings and recommendations for Iowa Workforce Development, go to www.senate.iowa.gov/democrats/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/150305_combined-US-DOL-files-on-workforce.pdf.

Free Income Tax Assistance for Iowans

If you work and have an annual income that is less than $57,000 you may qualify for free help preparing your income tax returns. Through April 15th free tax preparation is available at volunteer tax sites throughout Iowa.

There are financial incentives that you can only receive by filing federal and state taxes, including the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit. You may also be eligible for an income tax refund, a refund on taxes when the amount of tax you owe is less than the amount you paid in during the year.
Check site locations and schedules published online by the Iowa Center for Economic Success.

Iowa’s Growing Economy

Over the last few months, Iowa’s economy has continued to perform well.  Our unemployment rate dropped again in January to 4.2%, which is well below the national rate, and 3,100 non-farm jobs were added to the state’s economy.

A non-partisan panel of budget experts also met last week and expect Iowa revenues to increase about 6% over the current year.  That means the state will collect about $408 million more than this year with total revenues expected to be $7.176 billion.

Other Items of Interest

In an effort to protect the public, the House approved a bill for transportation network companies like Uber that will require drivers to undergo a background check and have a minimum amount of insurance.

The House approved a bill, demanded by the Governor, that would require schools to start no earlier than Aug. 23 with an exemption for certain year round schools. Many legislators, and myself, prefer letting school districts decided when to start school but Governor Branstad doesn’t agree – threatening a veto on local control of start dates.

The Senate is pushing through a bill already approved by the House that will track the availability of psychiatric beds so that it’s easier to find placement options for citizens, especially in emergency cases.  This functionality is long overdue.

A bill to legalize fireworks cleared a House committee this week, but its fate is uncertain.

Note:

I highly recommend contacting both Governor Branstad and Lt. Governor Reynolds if you have concerns on any of the following issues:

• closing the Mental Health Institutes in Clarinda and Mt. Pleasant
• privatization of Medicaid
• school start date
• school funding

These are decisions which the Governor has made without legislative input and/or is threatening a veto if the Legislature disagrees. Click on the links above for contacting them.

Fantastic time at the annual Sierra Club dinner held at Coe College. I enjoyed visiting with constituents and friends, Felicia and Mike Wyrick, Ellen Fisher, Vincent O’Conner, Bob and Ann Bromley, Tomas A Podzimek, Connie Lehman, and Rep. Liz Bennett about a plethora of environmental issues.
The speaker was Bob Wolff, one of several volunteer bee keepers at the Indian Creek Nature Center. Bob provided a fascinating glimpse into the life of a honey bee.

I learned that in a bee’s short 61-day life span, they will travel within a 5-mile radius searching for nectar while pollinating flowers. They have a very sophisticated communication system, alerting other bees about their surroundings. A healthy hive will consist of 70,000 – 80,000 bees annually.
Bob also covered extensive information concerning the demise of wild honey bees and colony collapse.

Learn more about a variety of environmental topics, and find out about future events here:www.sierraclub.org/iowa/cedar-wapsie

I now have a better understanding of many of the obstacles Iowa immigrants are facing as they seek a new life in America. I met with the Congo Reform Association which is comprised of war refugees and other immigrants now residing in the Corridor. These individuals represent more than 500 families and hail from The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Burundi, Sudan, Tanzania, Rwanda and other African nations.

Congo Reform Assoc. is a group of community members striving to be self-reliant, independent, integrated into the American and Iowa cultures, and attaining US citizenship.

Now for the barriers: diverse languages, affordable housing, jobs that pay a living wage, navigating school enrollment and school interactions, shortage of translators, legal aid, civics and voting education, and transportation.

Some of the cultural adjustments I hadn’t anticipated, such as learning how to prepare healthy meals with American foods, and kids learning how to participate in American sports and activities, and parents unable to assist with homework and communication with teachers due to the language barrier.
I am feeling overwhelmed at the number and level of obstacles these good people are experiencing as a result of being uprooted from their homes and homeland. However, by organizing and networking, the group has taken many steps to address the issues and help one another. I’ll be assisting with efforts to find existing local resources and develop new ones, as needed.

Pictured here: Coralville Mayor, John Lundell; Development Consultant, Tom Sandersfeld; Congo Reform’s Executive Director, Boumedien Kasha; Board members Jean Paul Mugemuzi, Kako Zikeri, Pastor Clement Mukungisa, Samuel Riek, Edmond Zigaba, Barbara Kimanuka, Toyi Kasha, Joseph Nyakamwe, Edouard Muhindi.

Supporting SF 464 at the subcommittee meeting. This is a bill to continue the state’s Prevention of Disabilities Policy Council and establish structure and processes that identify opportunities to enhance prevention of disability efforts in Iowa. The council designs cross-agency strategies to address the prevention, integrate and coordinate proven methods within state programs and informs the general assembly about priority policies and programs. For the last two years I have served as a legislative member of the council and have seen the tremendous value in preventing conditions that lead to disabilities, intervening and eliminating debilitating risks and reducing the overall effects of a disability on an individual’s health and independence. The bill passed the subcommittee 3-0 and will now move to the full House Health and Human Services Committee for further consideration.

The University of Iowa Public Policy Center provided legislators an overview of some of the policy issues Iowa will face when introducing autonomous vehicles into the state, and the potential impact this emerging industry could have on Iowa jobs and economic development.

The four presenters were:

Dan McGehee, Director of Transportation and Vehicle Safety Research Program
Chris Schwarz, Senior Research Engineer at the U of I National Advanced Driving Simulator
David Conrad, U of I Assistant Vice President for Economic Development
Mark Nolte, President of Iowa City Resource Development

Our economic and unique climate make Iowa the perfect state for us to be a leader in autonomous vehicles research and testing. The path for making this form of transportation viable is accelerating quickly. It is both revolutionary, in that it creates huge changes in the society we are familiar with, and evolutionary, in that many of these changes are incremental.

For example, there are already four levels of autonomy. Examples are:

Level One – automatic breaking, electronic stability control that we see in cars today
Level Two – adaptive cruise control in unison with lane keeping in some models by Volvo and Cadillac
Level Three – car senses when driver must retake control (due to weather conditions for instance)
Level Four – vehicle completely independent

Currently, the lower level systems do something everywhere, while upper level systems do everything somewhere. Level Four vehicles are already available, but in limited markets.

A big challenge to industry development is inclement weather (heavy rains, ice, fog, snow). Cars must be able to sense the environment, make decisions about what to do and then execute the actions. A variety of sensors are required to make this occur, such as RADAR, LIDAR (remote sensing technology), GPS, cameras, wireless connectivity and digital maps.

With advanced technology come other challenges. Cars will need hacking firewalls to prevent tampering with the systems. And while improper driving is already a public health issue (99% of crashes are the result of driver error and there were over 300 fatalities in Iowa last year), people may misuse autonomous systems. For instance, if the car is equipped with partial autonomy – Level Two – that requires driver awareness at all times, some distract themselves by answering emails or reading a book when they should be monitoring the vehicle’s progress.

Another prerequisite for building the technology and infrastructure in Iowa resides in education. Our K-12 schools need to teach and equip students with the necessary skills to conduct research and develop the products associated with the autonomous car and related industries.

Self-driving vehicles will bring about a profound change in our lives. If Iowa is proactive instead of reactive, it will be a tremendous opportunity for economic development. I intend to work with my colleagues in the legislature to ensure we don’t miss the boat (or car) on this adventure.

Advocates with DIAA (Deaf Iowans Against Abuse) came to the capitol to speak with legislators about their services. Telina Quintana, Kelsey Maginity, Annie Spring, and Cedar Rapidian Jennifer Upah-Kyers explained that funding is necessary to educate law enforcement and other community organizations about how to provide information and support regarding options and rights within the legal, medical and social services systems to those in the deaf community who become victims of crime, especially abuse and assault.

The DIAA crisis hotline (V/VP) is 319-531-7719 or text only 515-867-8177
More info about the many services that DIAA provides can be found here: http://www.csddiaa.org/

Thursday was Iowa Epilepsy Advocacy Day; t’s always great to catch up with Cedar Rapidian, Dale Todd, one of the strongest local advocates. Some of the group’s legislative requests include:

1. Continue the funding for epilepsy education and support program for more than 30,000 Iowans who live with the disorder. This is the only resource available for individuals and families needing information and services in the state. In addition, the program also saves thousands of dollars in preventing emergency room visits, preventing unemployment, and saving lives.
2. Support legislation to produce, process and dispense medical cannabis oil.
3. Ensure that effective seizure treatments and medicines are available, accessible and affordable for all Iowans with epilepsy

These are efforts that I will continue to support in the legislature.

At an event in Cedar Rapids with former Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley and Iowa House Minority Leader Mark Smith, I had an opportunity to visit with constituent, Jerry Hobart and give him a legislative update. Jerry is the Business Manager at the Plumbers and Pipe-fitters Local Union 125, and he invited me to tour their training facility next month. Looking forward to it!

Lamont Smith moved from Wisconsin to Cedar Rapids about six months ago in order to advance his woodworking skills at the Iowa Dept of the Blind in Des Moines. He’s excited about completing this education and using his expertise to assist in building a Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity home.
Legislating can sometimes be a difficult, frustrating job but it’s connections like this that make me acutely aware of the positive impact our actions can have on Iowans. Each year, the legislature has a standing appropriation to provide funding for the Iowa Dept of the Blind. IDB is an excellent resource to create pathways to independence for the 69,000 Iowans living with vision loss. http://www.idbonline.org/

After visiting with Lamont and congratulating him on his achievements, he turned toward me and said, “You made my day!”

Actually, Lamont, YOU made mine.

Johnson County Public Health Director, Doug Beardsley, spoke with me about the possible health risks associated with E-cigarettes. Although the overall picture of the health hazards is still unclear, the goal of the public health community is to treat E-cigs the same as tobacco products. Half of the ingredients found in them are identical to those found in cigarette smokes. The sale of E-cigarettes is now a billion dollar industry unregulated by the FDA.

Reducing tobacco use in Iowa is a long-term investment with real dividends. Here are the stats:
$1.28 Billion = annual health care costs in IA directly caused by smoking
$364.5 Million = portion pd by IA Medicaid program
$883.00 Dollars per household = Residents’ state & fed tax burden from smoking-caused government expenditures
#4,500 = Number of adults in Iowa who die each yr from smoking

I smoked during my college years and understand how difficult it can be to stop. But the benefits to quitting are tremendous in terms of financial savings and health – both for the smoker and for all Iowans.

Thursday, House Resolution 26 recognized the relationship Iowa has with the country of Taiwan.

It was indeed an honor to welcome the Director General of Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Chicago, Calvin Chen-huan Ho, to the Iowa Capitol for the first time. Iowa’s relationship with Taiwan is marked by strong bilateral trade, educational and cultural exchanges, and tourism. In 2013, Iowa’s exports to Taiwan reached $97.5 million, making Taiwan Iowa’s 5th largest export market in Asia, and 15th largest export market in the world.

HR 26 is a declaration of Iowa’s resolve to strengthen these ties with Taiwan.

Hoan-gêng kong-lîm, General Ho!

First Tech Challenge ambassadors are in the building! Good luck to all 12 Iowa teams competing this weekend during the North Super Regional Event! 3 of the teams are from Cedar Rapids- two from Lin-Mar and one from Metro. Go STEM!

Rep. Sharon Steckman giving a point of personal privilege, urging our colleagues to visit area schools this weekend to see how their school districts are already affected by the legislature not setting allowable growth. Sharon is holding a petition signed by 6,000 Iowans across urban and rural districts, urging us to adequately fund our schools. This is not just about the Future, it’s about the Now for our school kids.

Don Krall of Cedar Rapids is a member of the Iowa Fraternal Alliance and he came to the Capitol today to talk about the Children’s Cancer Connection. CCC offers a large variety of programs and services centered on enhancing the lives of families affected by childhood cancer by providing quality programs for education, recreation and support. The Alliance will be giving overnight kits to families needing to stay overnight at the hospital or motel while their kids receive cancer treatment, and legislators signed cards that will accompany the kits. Learn more about CCC here:http://www.childrenscancerconnection.org/

Thank you, Don, for the good work you and the Iowa fraternal Alliance are doing to help your fellow Iowans who are going through tough times!

Decoding Dyslexia Iowa began as a grassroots movement a few years ago by parents concerned with limited access to educational interventions for dyslexia within our public schools. Dyslexia is the most common learning disability, affecting one in five people in the U.S. Fortunately, early and intensive intervention can help a student keep up and retain his grade level in school, as well as minimize the negative effects dyslexia can have on self-esteem.

Being Dyslexic in no way means less intelligence. Pierre Curie, Alexander Graham Bell, Albert Einstein, Dr. Harvey Cushing, Judge Jeffrey Gallet, George Washington and Iowa State Senator Bill Dotzler were all diagnosed with Dyslexia and these are some of the smartest people – ever!

Although my bills, addressing the need for additional Dyslexia support services in our public schools, did not pass out of committee, they did help raise awareness. Today, Decoding Dyslexia advocates have a booth in the rotunda offering information and resources to legislators and the public. Shown here: Helen Blitvich, Jill Smith, Anna VerPloeg and Sen. Dotzler.

IA Assoc of Community Providers Executive Director, Shelly Chandler, speaking on behalf of the 135 home-based organizations employing over 30,000 Iowans. $32 million was included in the governor’s budget for nursing home rebasing and no rebase money for those providing community-based care. It’s backwards.

I had a very informative, in-depth conversation with Drs.Jenny Butler and Jim Bell about the shortage of physicians in rural Iowa. Some solutions – telemedicine and expanding the number of medical students receiving tuition reimbursement in return for practicing in rural Iowa communities. We also discussed reciprocal medical license agreements between states, training for EMTs and paramedics, and providing medical services from “regional hubs” in remote areas of Iowa.

I really enjoyed this visit with physicians looking for ways to improve access to quality health care for all Iowans.

Speaking with Abbe President, Dan Strellner, and Rep. Kirsten Running Marquardt about the many challenges of the proposed Managed Care system of privatizing Medicaid and other health services. We also discussed if we are unable to stop the governor from closing Clarinda and Mount Pleasant mental health facilities, then the money saved by the state should be used to support enhanced mental health capacity in our communities.

Cedar Rapids Fire Dept. Battalion Chief, Marv Trimble, spoke with me about HF 560 and SF 403. These bills allocate various percentages of money from the E911 system fund for a statewide communications system. There are several questions to be addressed in these bills because they appropriate money away from the local boards. For public safety, we need to ensure that we support local communications networks as well as developing a statewide network.

At the League of Women Voters Linn County forum last Saturday, with guest moderator, Cindy Golding. Some of the questions asked regarded: developmental disabilities, mental health (including the closing of institutions at Clarinda and Mount Pleasant), adequate school funding, proposed Republican tax cuts totally $520 million with an imbalance in favor of the wealthy, SAFE-CR program, and elderly abuse.

This was another full house and I appreciate all who attended, engaging in the political process.
And as always, please feel free to contact me with your legislative suggestions art.staed@legis.iowa.gov or 319-899-4365

The Iowa National Guard Officers, Warrant & Enlisted Associations held a reception to thank legislators for last year’s passage of the Home Base Iowa Act. HBI’s goal is to make our state more attractive for veterans to live and work. Major Matt Dial spoke with me about HBI and other services available for our veterans.

Though eligibility varies, many Iowa veterans now can expect to:
Pay no Iowa state income tax on their military pensions.
Receive a $5,000 grant toward the purchase of a home.
Attend public colleges and universities at the in-state tuition rate.
More easily obtain civilian licenses for skills learned in the military.

The program also has a website designed to connect veterans with private-sector employers. There are currently 700 HBI business and in less than a year, several hundred veterans have landed civilian jobs.

If you are a veteran seeking employment, more info here: https://homebaseiowa.gov/

I attended a memorial for Richard Miles. Richard is the homeless Iraq War combat veteran who froze to death this winter in Waterworks Park in Des Moines. I attended this event to help raise awareness of the homeless and mental health issues affecting many Iowans, including veterans. The veterans who spoke at the memorial services, told about the sacrifices they and their fellow soldiers made and the real costs of war that may include mental issues, substance abuse and a life of poverty and homelessness.

May the life of Richard Miles be remembered as a stark warning of the sacred obligations that we, as a country, owe to those who have put their lives on the line for us all.

Continue Reading the Statehouse News

To read the rest of my Statehouse News go to:http://iowahouse.org/StatehouseNews/3-27-15