The final 2015 legislative forum hosted by the League of Women Voters is scheduled for

Saturday, April 18, 10:30 – 11:45 AM

Mercy Medical Center, 701 10th Street SE, Cedar Rapids
Hallagan Education room

I hope you can attend. This is an important opportunity for you to ask Linn County legislators about issues important to you, including adequate funding for schools and mental health reforms.  Please join me!

Students, parents and educators from across Des Moines held handmade signs and posters at the Statehouse today to visit with legislators in support of 4 percent school funding for Iowa schools.

The Iowa Senate and Governor Branstad have agreed on a balanced state budget outline this week that proposes spending $7.3 billion next year while leaving the state’s savings accounts full at $700 million with an additional $387 million surplus.

The Senate plan includes a compromise 2.625 percent increase in state support for Iowa’s local schools, which is about $150 million.  It calls for a tuition freeze at our state universities for the third consecutive year and fully funding property tax credits as well as a commercial property tax cut approved two years ago. The plan also funds an early retirement incentive plan for eligible state employees that are projected to save the state $16.1 million in the next fiscal year.

The release of budget targets is a significant step for the budget subcommittees and the Appropriations Committees to begin their work in crafting the detailed expenditures of the fiscal year 2016 budget.

However, the House Majority party is insisting on overall spending of $7.175 billion, $166 million less than both the Governor and Senate are proposing, and has yet to release any more details.  The delay means the Legislature is unlikely to finish work by the May 1 deadline.

Iowa law allows the Legislature to spend up to 99 percent of available revenues. The proposals by the Senate and Governor Branstad are both $149.1 million below the state’s 99 percent expenditure limitation.  Both the Senate and Governor are at 97 percent of available revenues, as determined by the nonpartisan Revenue Estimating Conference.

Veterans Benefits Consumer Protection

The Iowa Legislature works each year to thank veterans and their families for their service and sacrifice.  Over the past ten years, the benefits and services to veterans and their families have increased.  As a result, private entities have emerged willing to help them apply for their well-deserved benefits, but for a fee.

The Legislature passed legislation that requires individuals and companies to notify their possible clients that the same benefits and services are offered at no cost by federally chartered veteran service organizations, such as the American Legion or the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), and by County Commission of Veteran Affairs offices.  The applicant must sign a written disclosure form statement stating that the client has read and understands the written disclosure statement.

If an individual or company fails to comply with the requirement, they are subject to a fine of $1,000 for each violation.  Any penalties collected for failing to comply with the requirement will be deposited in the Veterans Trust Fund.

The bill now goes to the Governor’s desk for signature or veto.

This week’s Moral Monday’s topic was about School Funding – do we really have money in the state budget for 4-6%? Some lawmakers claim there isn’t enough money in the coffers to adequately fund our schools. Bradley Hudson, ISEA Government Relations Specialist, did a fantastic job outlining the available funds for supplemental school aid. Senator Joe Bolkcom then followed with a synopsis on how state tax credits play a role reducing available revenue. With Iowa’s competitive business tax environment, it’s unnecessary to give big business huge tax cuts. It’s time to get back to policies that help Iowa’s economics. Investing in our children should be the legislature’s top priority.

Rep. Kirsten Running Marquardt and I spoke with Grant Wood AEA members who are participating in the Organizational Leadership program: Kathleen Goslinga, Angie Miller, Jonathan Wylie, Myka Forrest, Pat Lussenhop and Valerie Taylor Hill. The AEAs would like funding for a pilot project to provide in-school mental-health resources. Unmet mental health needs has reached a critical point for countless Iowa school districts struggling to deal with disruptive behaviors and other issues they aren’t equipped to handle without the assistance of mental health professionals.
AEAs also really concerned about the lack of adequate funding for our public schools.

You, too, can advocate on behalf of our future leaders! Please call the Governor’s office during business hours at 515-281-5211. Let the Gov and Lt. Gov know that you are disappointed in their budget for Iowa’s schools.

April 13th, Thomas Jefferson’s birthday, was certainly an appropriate occasion to celebrate many of the freedoms Americans enjoy to this day.

One of Jefferson’s proudest lifetime achievements was writing the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, which established freedom of religion and the separation of church and state. I had a good discussion with Susie Sims, who is active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, about this topic and the rich diversity of religious beliefs in the United States. The Freedom of Assembly, the Freedom of Speech and the Freedom of Religion were all actively demonstrated in the rotunda Monday.

I’m very appreciative of my colleague, Rep. Chuck Isenhart, for hosting a conversation with Maryland officials about clean water goals in the Chesapeake Bay. There are lessons learned in that six-state watershed plan that may be helpful to us here in Iowa. Speakers were: Tom Simpson of Aqua-Terra Science; Dave Nemazie, Associate Vice-president for external affairs at the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science; and Sarah Lane, Senior Faculty Research Assistant at the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science.

Maryland had a goal of reducing the amount of nitrogen entering the Bay by more than 11 million pounds – about a 21% reduction. They’ve not yet achieved their goal, but have identified 46 specific, measurable actions and associated goals for reducing pollution, restoring habitats, and fostering smarter, greener growth and living in Maryland.

Maryland is leading the states on cleaning up its waterways, and Iowa should look to solutions everywhere they can be found. Hopefully our understanding of other states’ attempts can help improve our own planning and implementation here in Iowa.

 

Rep. Lisa Heddens and I met with a group concerning the Office of Substitute Decision Maker, which the legislature established a few years ago. The purpose of this OSDM is to create a statewide network of substitute decision makers who provide substitute decision-making services as a last resort for older Iowans.

Pictured: Iowa Dept.of Aging Program Director and Legislative Liaison, Kimberly Murphy; IA Dept. of Aging Public Service Executive, Joel Wulf; OSDM Director, Tyler Eason; UofI Health Care Associate VP for Legal Affairs, Joseph Clamon; UofI Hospitals & Clinics Dept. of Social Services Director, Joshua Brewster; and Democrat Staffer for the House Health and Human Services Committee, Zeke Furlong.
This multi-disciplinary team shared some heart-breaking stories of older Iowans stuck in nursing homes or hospitals for months on end while family members steal their assets. I had no idea how prevalent this abuse is in our state, and am grateful to the OSDM for providing a voice for some of our most vulnerable Iowans.

Without a substitute decision maker, the adult is at risk of:

• Abuse, exploitation, and scams;
• Medical or financial crisis caused by the lack of a substitute decision maker;
• Loss of home or savings; and
• Being trapped at a costly and inappropriate level of care

OSDM could assist by providing:

• An advocate to protect and ensure safety;
• Access to needed services to those who cannot consent;
• Alternatives to inappropriate or poor decision makers; and
• Assistance in planning for incapacity.

The group came to the Capitol to educate law-makers about the services OSDM provides, give examples of the cases they handle, and request an incremental increase in funding to continue the OSDM services.

I attended the bill signing for House File 488, which establishes the Iowa reading corps. This bill had tremendous bi-partisan support, passing the Senate and the House unanimously. HF 488 is a collaborative effort with United Way, AmeriCorps, the IA Dept of Ed, and local school districts, to provide members with a data-based, problem-solving model of literacy instruction to use in tutoring K-3rd graders who are having difficulties reading.

Iowa Goldstar Military Museum
The state legislature provided funding for building this museum and for its continued operation. As a member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, I was invited to tour the facility. It has a remarkable historical collection highlighting Iowa’s contributions to our national security all the way back to the Revolutionary War. By the way, it’s free and very educational. A great idea for a day trip with the entire family!

Col. Robert King greeted us at the museum. Col. King served 36 years in the Iowa National Guard, before retiring. He shared the story of the governor calling him up one day and asking him to serve his state once again as Executive Director of the Iowa Dept of Veterans Affairs.

Historian Tom Clage has an incredible memory! Tom definitely makes history come alive as he explained how thousands of Iowans volunteered at President Lincoln’s first call for soldiers in the Civil War.

 

David Malake is a hospital social worker and Jonathan Eike is an artist. I had a great visit with them at the World War II exhibit. Thank you, gentlemen, for your volunteer work at the museum!

This soldier/ docent wouldn’t reveal his true identity (I suspect he’s conducting some undercover work), but he did reveal a terrific understanding of the Vietnam War and the combat troop carriers like the UH-1 Huey helicopter.

This periscope actually allows you a 360 degree view of Camp Dodge. “Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!”

Mental Health Forum
*It’s estimated that we need 1500 psychiatric beds in Iowa and we only have 750.
*There are 80,000 youth in Iowa with mental health issues.
*We have an increasing number of suicides in Iowa.
*As many as one third of our prisoners have mental health issues.

These are just a few of the reasons for Sunday’s discussion. The panelists were: Steve Miller of NAMI, Dan Stellner, CEO of Abbe Inc., Kent Jackson, Director of Unity Point Mental Health Services; Linn County Supervisor, Linda Langston; State Representative Dave Heaton, and State Senator Liz Mathis.  Other points they covered: the crucial need for legislative oversight of Managed Care, integrated health homes, telemedicine, the scarcity of child psychiatrists, nurse practitioners and direct care workers, the new regionalization of mental health, and lack of provider input into mental health redesign.

Pastor Paul Wilcox getting interviewed prior to the forum. (He looks like a natural in front of the TV cameras!) Lovely Lane United Methodist Church and the League of Women Voters, with Myrna Loehrlein as emcee, did an awesome job organizing and co-sponsoring this important discussion. Thank you to Lovely Lane and to the LWV.

Constituent Rev. Bob Bromley spoke with me about being proactive in writing and calling the governor, asking him to keep the MHI open. You can help by calling the governor & lt. governor at 515-282-5211 urging them to keep the facilities open and support mental health services and funding.

 

Constituent, Dr. Kevin Krumvieda discussing mental health issues with Linn County Supervisor Linda Langston. Kevin is a psychologist and deeply concerned about the shortage of mental health professionals in our state.

There were still attendees discussing issues for about an hour after the program officially ended.

 

Some of the behind-the-scenes work for this event was accomplished by Eric Wylie and Shelly Hawkins Turner. So many people are impacted and concerned about mental health issues; it’s our responsibility as a church, as a community and as a state to take care of our most vulnerable neighbors.

My two biggest “take-aways” from the event:

1. The issues of mental health are persistent, complex and monumental. It will take all of us, working together, to successfully address and improve our system of services. The governor and the legislature must dedicate the necessary funding and provide the oversight to implement needed improvements.
2. If you need help, it IS available. Please call 2-1-1 to find local resources to address human service issues, including mental health.

Special Olympics Iowa Spring Games

Before competing in the Games at Coe College last Saturday, athletes went through the “high-five” line. Over 400 participants in the day’s games! Pictured with County Supervisor Ben Rogers.  Also pictured is Volunteer Extraordinaire, Helane Golden, with two athletes excited about the day’s competition, David Fields and Ryan Heald.

Special Olympics is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering individuals with intellectual disabilities to become physically fit, productive and respected members of society through sports training and competition. Special Olympics offers children and adults with intellectual disabilities year-round training and competition in 26 Olympic-type summer and winter sports. There is no charge to participate in Special Olympics. Saturday’s Blue Ribbon winners will participate in state competition in Ames.

Learn more about how you can get involved here: http://www.soiowa.org/default.aspx

Continue Reading the Statehouse News

To read the rest of my Statehouse News go to:http://iowahouse.org/StatehouseNews/4-17-15