Capitol Comments
The session wrapped up last Friday, stretching five weeks beyond our targeted close. Some of the same disagreements that impeded compromise this session aren’t likely to disappear before we return in January of 2016. The battles over PK-12 education funding, Medicaid and mental health services funding remain unresolved and will be hot topics afresh in the next session.
During the session, I visited schools; received dozens of emails from constituents; and listened to local school leaders, teachers and parents who all expressed, over and over, that 4% supplemental aid is critical for our schools. We closed the session, with supplemental state aid to schools, at the original Republican starting position of 1.25% and a one-time expenditure of $55.7 million. While Democrats supported a 4% increase in basic state aid for this year and next, Republican leaders in the House refused to compromise at every turn for 5 long months. With Iowa’s strong economy, and more than adequate funds in the budget, there was no reason for House Republicans to shortchange our kids and their future.
Unless Governor Branstad chooses to bring us back this summer for a special session — a move he said is not off the table — we will start the next session, in January 2016, with the immediate responsibility of deciding on state funding for our schools. The Legislature is required by law to set state per-pupil funding levels two years in advance and within 30 days of receiving the governor’s budget. The Legislature has already failed to meet that deadline, again, for the next year.
Positive highlights of the 2015 session included: encouraging more investment in small businesses, entrepreneurs, and start-up companies; re-vitalizing rural Iowa by expanding broadband to un-served areas, encouraging new economic development in our communities, and creating renewable energy jobs; protecting vulnerable Iowans by creating the Safe at Home program protecting the confidentiality of victims of sexual or domestic abuse, and making it easier for emergency personnel to determine the location of cell phones users in life-threatening situations.
The Legislature missed some additional opportunities to help Iowa’s working families. I’m hopeful that we can find common ground next year to pass an anti-bullying bill, raise the minimum wage, protect workers from wage theft, and develop a paid family leave plan for Iowa workers.
Here’s a 2015 Legislative Checklist of some of the more notable new pieces of policy Legislation that passed both Chambers (This list does not include the budget bills):
Mental Health
Made it easier to place Iowans who need critical mental health services. (HF 449).
Ensured the availability of an Independent Mental Health Advocate in every county to assist Iowans in receiving the services needed. (HF 468).
Approved a psychiatric bed tracking system for locating available beds for acute care placement. (HF 449).
Moved to have the Clarinda facility turned over to a private management firm in December, while the Mount Pleasant Mental Health Institute would be restored as a state-run institution. (HF 666).
Protecting Iowans
Helped cities clean up nuisance and derelict properties. (SF 499).
Protected veterans from fraudulent practices by outside organizations who charge fees to get veterans the benefits they have already earned. (HF 414).
Fixed eligibility requirements for disabled veterans homestead property tax exemption. (HF 166).
Expanded training and awareness of human trafficking. (SF 510).
Protected rights of seniors in nursing homes by adding more advocates. (SF 505).
Created new savings plans to support persons with disabilities. (SF 505).
Prevented insurance companies from charging higher co-pays for services provided by physical therapists, speech pathologists, and occupational therapists. (SF 505).
Encouraged constructive dialogue between patients and physicians when there are medical errors. (SF 426).
Improved radio communication between emergency providers. (HF 651).
Trained school personnel and volunteers will be permitted to use epinephrine auto-injectors, EpiPens, when a student is experiencing a severe allergic reaction. (SF 426).
Allowed public court records to be erased for people who have been acquitted of a crime or who have had the charges dismissed, to ensure people wrongfully accused are not haunted by a lingering court file. (SF 385).
Established a Domestic Violence Address Confidentiality program in the Iowa Secretary of State’s office for victims of domestic violence, sexual abuse, stalking and human trafficking. (HF 585).
Authorized the Iowa Ombudsman’s office, which investigates citizens’ complaints about government, to have access to the minutes and audio recording of a closed session of a government body. (SF 457).
Granted rights to adult children to see ailing parents under legislation promoted by Kerri Kasem, daughter of radio personality Casey Kasem who lobbied for the bill. (SF 306).
Education
Made it easier for students to transfer credits to Iowa’s community colleges, private colleges and universities. (SF 501).
Compromised with House Republicans, after a lengthy gridlock on school aid, giving consensus on a base increase of 1.25 percent, plus an additional $55.7 million in one-time spending, for an overall increase of 2.62 percent for the upcoming year. No approval on funds for the 2016-17 academic year. (SF 171 and SF 172).
Approved a compromise bill setting a starting date of Aug. 23 for fall classes to begin for Iowa school districts. (SF 227).
Provided additional money to the three state universities, hoping that in-state tuition for undergraduate students will be frozen for the third consecutive year. (HF 658).
Renewable Energy
Expanded availability of E-15. (SF 510).
Made solar energy tax credit available to more projects. (HF 645).
Strong Economy and Workforce
Encouraged new angel investments in entrepreneurs and encouraged development of more accelerators and start-ups. (SF 510).
Broadened Rural Improvement Zone language to encourage new development. (HF 615).
Expanded eligibility for child care assistance to more Iowans. (SF 505).
Kept prescription drugs affordable while protecting local, independent pharmacies. (HF 395).
Granted property tax breaks, as a business incentive, for broadband network expansions. (HF 655).
Generated more than $200 million annually in additional money for city, county and state road construction projects. (SF 257 and HF 637).
Note: In an upcoming Newsletter I’ll highlight some of the notable pieces of Legislation that failed to pass both Chambers.
In the interim, as I listen to voters at the door and work on legislation for the next session in January, I will be sending out the Newsletter less often – in 6 to 8 week periods in order to inform you of issues affecting Iowans.
– Representative Art Staed
Constituent and teaching colleague, Suzanne Klass-Duthler, brought her 5th grade class from Madison Elementary School to tour their Capitol. These children and their education should be the legislature’s number one priority – just ask any 5th grader!
Despite the wet, cold, and windy weather, CR PrideFest was a huge success! It was an honor to speak about equality at the event (shown here with one of the festival organizers, Katrina Cass). In addition to games, face painting, and live music, food and retail, many local churches and organizations had booths. One of the event sponsors was PepsiCo’s “Equal” Club represented by Ben Smart, Kyle Moore and others. It was encouraging to see so much community support for inclusion and diversity.
Tanager Place’s Summer Fest
Today was the 25th Anniversary for this fun, free outdoor festival which offers families across the Corridor interactive activities, crafts, inflatable rides, live entertainment, and mascot mania. 250 volunteers were on hand to make the event a success.
Since its founding in 1879 as Iowa’s first children’s human services agency, Tanager Place has offered caring, innovative solutions to the complex issues of comprehensive mental and behavioral health treatment for children and families. I spoke with Terri Mikes who is a part of the team working in Pediatric Integrated Health, providing extra support for families by adding to Medicaid benefits. PIH helps parents find resources, assists in managing medications, and provides advocacy with 24/7 support. Learn more about Tanager Place, or contribute here: http://www.tanagerplace.org/
Kim & Lee’s Olympic TaeKwonDo Academy gave impressive demonstrations of board kicks and other katas. Wow. Kids of all ages can participate; more info here: http://knltkd.com/index.html
All types of activities for kids. Of course, with Rockwell’s participation, the event wouldn’t be complete without a hands-on opportunity for kids to design and engineer!
Who needs sand when you’ve got corn kernels?
I was most impressed with Cedar Rapids Firefighter, Jim Porter, who’s been putting out fires in CR for 27 years. We spoke about fire safety, truck maintenance, team sizes, fire and EMS protection in CR and surrounding communities, and the unique bonds formed by rescue workers. As a member of the House Public Safety Committee, I am even more cognizant of the value of our local firefighters and rescue teams. Thank you, Jim, for your service and professionalism!
Cedar Rapidian Carl Rigel wouldn’t sell this beauty of a car, but I sure had fun at the car show, drooling over this and dozens of other vintage autos.
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