School Leaders Send Warning to Iowa Lawmakers
A new survey released this week found 90% of Iowa’s local school leaders will be forced to raise class sizes next year if public school funding falls short again.
Superintendents, principals and other school officials completed the survey in recent weeks to help us better understand the looming consequences of shortchanging our public schools, and to determine the impact of the Governor’s veto last summer of bipartisan school funding.
In addition to packing more students into already crowded classrooms, school leaders say underfunding schools will force them again to:
• Delay purchasing books and classroom materials (77 percent of respondents).
• Leave positions unfilled (71 percent).
• Delay new technology purchases (56 percent).
• Cut back on programs that help kids learn to read (43 percent).
The survey found that 88% of school leaders recommended the state provide at least a 4% increase in basic state funding next year, often called supplemental state aid (SSA) or allowable growth.
Lawmakers in the Iowa House will consider school funding plans this Monday. The majority Republicans in the Iowa House just cut the Senate school funding plan that was approved last year in half, down from 4% to 2%. That’s far short of the request from school leaders.
School leaders reported on the impact of the Governor’s $56 million education veto last summer which increased class sizes, left positions unfilled and delayed textbook and technology purchases.
Dr. Brad Buck, Superintendent of our local Cedar Rapids Community Schools, commented this week about the inadequate state funding in a letter to district staff:
“…Iowa school districts have been challenged for the past five years by historically low State Supplemental Aid (SSA) funding from our legislature. In response, we have focused on becoming more resourceful in all of the areas of our work. We also now have 139 fewer employees (funded through the General Fund) and a total of 149 fewer staff members working in the District than five years ago…The District’s “break-even” SSA need is 3.72% for 2016-17. At Governor Branstad’s recommended percentage of 2.45%, we will be facing approximately $2.0 million dollars in reductions. If SSA is set at 1.25% as the current year, we will be facing nearly $4 million dollars in reductions.”
It’s time to make public schools a bipartisan priority of the Legislature again. We can afford it. Our state savings accounts are full at $719 million. That’s a record high level, equal to 10 percent of the state budget. In addition, we expect to end the year with another surplus of $264 million.
To view complete results from the school administrator survey, go to http://iowahouse.org/pdf/1-
Veterans Day on the Hill
On Wednesday, Veterans and their families traveled to Des Moines for Veterans Day at the Capitol. Throughout the day, Veterans met with legislators to discuss the priorities of the Veterans Coalition – a group of representatives from Veterans’ organizations across Iowa who work collectively to develop and advance policy to assist them and their families.
Throughout this year’s Legislative session, the Veterans Committees in the House and Senate will review various veteran-related bills, including the proposals from the Coalition. I am honored to serve on the House Veteran’s Affairs Committee.
The Legislature’s Veterans Affairs Committee works in a bipartisan way to expand benefits for service members and their families. For example, last year we:
• Provided a stable source of revenue for the Iowa Veterans Trust Fund by transferring $2.5 million in lottery revenues each year to the trust fund (SF 323).
• Offered flexibility in using college aid by providing a total of 120 undergraduate credit hours through the National Guard Educational Assistance Program, instead of administering aid by term (SF 130).
• Expanded college credit for military education, training and experience to include National Guard members and Reservists, saving them time and money in completing their degrees (HF 205).
• Ensured a full property tax exemption through the Disabled Veterans Property Tax Credit to veterans who have 100 percent service-connected, permanent disability that makes it impossible to work (HF 166).
• Added “service-disabled veteran” to the definition of targeted small businesses, which are eligible for low-interest loans and grants, as well as consideration when that state seeks bids for goods and services (SF 499).
This year, we continue to explore opportunities to support our veterans, enhance existing services at the state and county levels, help returning service members reenter civilian life, and encourage more veterans to make Iowa their home.
I will continue to work to help our veterans and make sure they get the care and appreciation they deserve for their service.
Ensuring that Iowa’s Childrne Can Reed and Succeed
Adequate funding for early literacy efforts is another education priority this legislative session.
In 2012, our Education Reform legislation focused on ensuring that all of our students become good readers. For the last three years, the state has provided $8 million per year to achieve that goal. Funding has been targeted toward helping struggling students in their early elementary years so that they are reading at grade level by the time they complete the third grade.
Assessments show that between 22 and 30 percent of Iowa third-graders failed local reading tests. Next year, any student who is substantially deficient in reading at the end of third grade will have to take a summer reading program or repeat third grade.
The Iowa Department of Education is asking for $9 million specifically for the summer school reading programs, and another $5.5 million to step up literacy efforts throughout the state. Unfortunately, Governor Branstad’s budget does not call for funding either of these critical requests, even though he wants to hold Iowa students back if their reading isn’t on par by the end of third grade.
We need to support local schools and the summer reading programs as a viable and preferable alternative to holding students back. This is a critical issue for the Legislature, this session.
Iowans Anxious and Angry about Problems with Medicaid Privitization
Medicaid is the health care safety net for more than 560,000 Iowans. One in five Iowans depend on Medicaid for vital health care services, including Iowa’s elderly, people with disabilities and mental health concerns, children and moms.
Because of an ill-conceived, hasty, and poorly executed plan by the Branstad/Reynolds Administration, Iowa families may not be able to count on that “safety net” any longer.
The Governor’s unilateral decision to turn Medicaid and $4.2 billion of state taxpayer monies over to a few private out-of-state companies is fiscally irresponsible and risky to the health of Iowans. The federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has stepped in to slow down the process until at least March 1, but many Iowans are still deeply concerned that the Iowa Department of Human Services and the out-of-state companies will be not be prepared to make the transition.
Members, caregivers and families are in turmoil over the major changes to Iowa Medicaid. The transition to MCOs could result in increased costs to taxpayers, lower reimbursements to providers and denial of health care services to Iowans. Some providers are unsure they’ll survive the new payment structure.
After federal officials forced Governor Branstad to delay his plan to privatize Medicaid last month, a new investigation found the cost savings Branstad has claimed the state will save are much lower or nonexistent. In addition, the state’s ombudsman told lawmakers they need strong oversight of the privatization plan to combat fraud and mismanagement.
Majority Senate Democrats, supported by Minority House Democrats, are developing stronger oversight legislation this session. Democrats want safeguards in place to protect Iowans who rely on Medicaid, and our local health care providers, from the potential negative impacts of privatizing Iowa Medicaid. Hopefully, the Republican-controlled House will follow suit and support the loud call for more effective oversight.
Registering to Vote
Iowans can now register to vote online at www.sos.iowa.gov.
Wednesday was Veterans Day at the Capitol and a wonderful opportunity to visit with Linn County Commission of Veteran Affairs Director, Don Tyne, and Commissioner, Marilyn Patterson and Joe Stutler , Communications Officer with the Iowa Democratic Veterans Caucus.
Iowa has more than 230,000 veterans; 174,000 are wartime vets. I am proud to support these men and women – like Don, Marilyn and Joe – by representing them on the House Veterans Committee.
Thank-you for your service to our country and our state!
I met with the Linn County Farm Bureau to discuss their legislative agenda. This local group has some of the same concerns and priorities as I do: adequately funding education, Medicaid privatization, mental health services for adults and children, water quality, school busing transportation costs, eminent domain by private utilities, and soil and water conservation practices. I appreciated this opportunity to speak with our local farmers. (But now I’m hungry for a BBQ pork chop, an ear of sweet corn and fresh-picked tomatoes!)
Had a good discussion with Broadlawns’ Director, Dr. Earl Kilgore; Human Resources VP, Julie Kilgore; and Board of Trustees Chair, Jean Logan. In response to the increasing prevalence of mental health needs for adults, Broadlawns has added beds and services.
They shared concerns about the scarcity of rural mental health services and psychiatrists, issues with the transition to privatizing Medicaid, and patients questionably placed at their facility by the Courts – because there is no other, more appropriated placement available in the state.
Great, dedicated people working on improving Iowan’s health. Learn more about Broadlawns here:http://www.broadlawns.
Four Oaks Director – and constituent – Anne Gruenewald, and a DHS administrator of adult, family and child services, Wendy Rickman, presented the final Children’s Mental Health and Well-Being report to the Health and Human Services Budget Committee. It was an honor to serve on this committee. I was most impressed by the work-group’s depth of professional expertise and dedication to improving the health and well-being of Iowa’s children. You can read the report here: https://dhs.iowa.gov/sites/
Gary Streit, President of Shuttleworth and Ingersoll, was wearing a different hat when he visited the Capitol – the red, white and blue beret of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Iowa – ACS CAN. There are many health-related issues facing the legislature this Session, and I’m in support of the ACS CAN’s priorities:
1. Increase funding for Iowa’s Tobacco Use Prevention and Control Program. The most effective way to prevent lung cancer is to not smoke. Spending money on this initiative has proven to save money – and lives – in the long run.
2. Support efforts to prohibit minors from using tanning facilities. Melanoma rates in Iowa have more than TRIPLED since 1975, due in part to increased use of tanning beds. I co-sponsored this bill in the past, and will advocate for it again this Session.
3. Advance legislation to reduce exposure to radon. January is Radon Action Month. You can get a simple DIY kit from your county health department or by calling the Iowa Radon Hotline at 800-383-5992. Radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer and the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers.
Des Moines University 2nd-yr students, Julie Risinger and Bryn Ehlers, joined instructor Dr. Mindi Feilmeier to thank legislators for creating the Rural Iowa Loan Repayment Program. This initiative was established to address critical doctor shortages in rural Iowa communities and provides loan repayment incentives to individuals that practice in specified locations for up to five years. Julie and Bryn are from Minnesota and Wisconsin, but they’ll be Iowans for at least five years after completing their residency!
Learn more about the program here: https://www.iowacollegeaid.
Iowa Solar Energy Trade Association is dedicated to promoting excellence in safety, quality of workmanship and technical standards for the benefit of the solar photovoltaic, and solar thermal industries and their clients in the state of Iowa through public policy, public relations, marketing and education.
Chris Ball, Energy Efficiency Director for the city of Bloomfield, Iowa and John Blake, President of Blake Electric in Waukon; and I enjoyed an energizing discussion about all things solar.
At the Joint House/Senate Healthcare Policy Oversight Committee, I listened to Deanna Clingan-Fischer, State Long-Term Care Ombudsman, give the Health Consumer Ombudsman Alliance Final Report.
The report is thorough and comprehensive and includes not only narrative about recommendations, but a cost allocation plan. (You can read the full report here: https://www.iowaaging.gov/
Larry Jons, with Region 7 Conservation District of Iowa – CDI – (includes Linn County), spoke with me about soil conservation cost share. This program is a partnership between local landowners and the state to help get conservation practices on the land that prevent erosion and improve water quality. Practices include: terraces, cover crops, grassed waterways, water and sediment control basins and grade stabilization.
One of the biggest hurdles CDI faces is a decline in funding for state field office staff. Since 2008, Conservation Assistants have been reduced from 100 to 84 and Soil Techs from 46 to 34. At one time, we had 79 Soil Techs. Many farmers would implement conservation with technical assistance alone, but long waiting periods leave farmers disenfranchised. More staff is needed for sustainable agriculture and clean water in Iowa.
I’m interested in hearing from you on this topic. Your thoughts?
At the League of Women Voters forum, moderated by constituent Amy Reasner, the hot topics were education funding and Medicaid privatization. There was a healthy debate between the ten legislators from Linn County, and it is clear there is a difference in priorities.
After the formal discussion, I enjoyed hearing from constituents one-on-one about: increasing number of autism spectrum disorders and possible causes, a plethora of education issues, exposure to dangerous radon gas in our public schools, and the upcoming Presidential causes. Shown here: Kevin and Meg Oberreuter; Kim Miller, Tania Johnson, Pete Clancy, Janette Schroeder; Ethan Lowder; and Maryann Stewart.
Thanks to all who braved the cold last Saturday to come and share their comments and ideas with legislators!
After the LWV forum, legislators attended the United Labor Alliance forum. As you might have imagined, hot topics at this meeting revolved around adequately funding education and the transition of Medicaid to MCOs – forming stronger oversight in the Governor’s unilateral decision to privatize. Other issues covered: increasing minimum wage, mechanical licensure enforcement, banning the box (job aps currently have a box or question that immediately excludes anyone with a criminal record from obtaining a job, even the most qualified applicants), legalization of medical cannabinoid oil, and water quality.
It’s apparent that many of the bills before the legislature this Session will have substantial impact on the lives of hard-working Iowans and their families.
Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center CEO, Michael Parejko, and COO, Susan Blaskovich, spoke with me at the LIfeServe Legislative Reception. They are asking for a state sales tax exemption on the acquisition of reagents and other critical supplies needed to perform testing on donated blood (testing is an FDA requirement).
Every two seconds, someone in the US needs blood. To find out where you can donate this life-saving gift:http://www.americasblood.org/
I met with the local Early Childhood Iowa board for a presentation and a review of recommendations for the legislative session. ECI participated in a state Funding and Purpose Workgroup last Summer and Fall. Today, they shared a draft of their goals for increasing the effectiveness of ECI, more efficiency in the processes and an enhanced ability for local ECI Boards to focus on addressing local community needs. Kudos to the local and state ECI boards for their collaborative work within the organization and with Iowa kids and their families throughout Iowa. (Pictured is my wife, Susan Staed, reading to our grandsons, Jackson and Max.)
Continue Reading the Statehouse News
Iowans Can Now Register to Vote Online
January is Deemed “Radon Action Month”
Iowa Gets D+ In Higher Education Report
Flu Nears Peak Season
DOT Seeking Sponsors for 2016 Urban Youth Corps
Iowa Has Backlog of Conservation Practices
To read the rest of my Statehouse News go to:http://iowahouse.org/
