Capitol Comments

Local Forum

Saturday, April 19, 10:30 to 11:45 a.m.
League of Women Voters Legislative Forum
Mercy Medical Center, 701 10th Street SE, in Cedar Rapids.

The forum topic is “Youth & Adolescent Mental Health Issues.” Panelists will include mental health providers who will discuss issues affecting youth and adolescent mental health in the current MH/DD redesign and funding environment.

Local Coffees & Lemonades

Want to host or attend a weekend neighborhood coffee in House District 66, with a legislative update and conversation? For information, please email your request for times and locations near you. More than 10 coffees and lemonades are currently scheduled throughout District 66. Your input is always appreciated!

Help for First Time Homebuyers

Iowans looking to purchase their first home will have extra help under legislation passed by the Iowa House this week. The bill would allow first time home buyers to set up a savings account to finance the purchase of a home and deduct a portion of this savings from their state income taxes.

In order to be eligible, a first time homebuyer must be a resident of Iowa and set up their account at a bank or credit union. While there is no limitation on the amount of contributions yearly, the first three thousand (or six thousand for joint filers) can be deducted from their yearly state income taxes. Deposits can be made for ten years following the opening of the account.

The money in the savings account can be used for closing costs and down payments. If the funds are withdrawn for any reason other than the purchase of the home all back taxes must be paid and a penalty is assessed.

The bill now moves to the Senate for further consideration.

House Votes to Protect Seniors from Abuse

The Iowa House has approved additional protections for vulnerable Iowa seniors. Senate File 2239 creates new criminal penalties for people who take advantage of seniors, as well as providing additional protections to help guarantee that seniors are protected from abusers in the future.

The bill creates a new class of crimes for financial exploitation of a vulnerable elder. If a person is in a position of trust over a senior and uses that confidence to deceive or defraud the senior of property or assets the person would be guilty of financial exploitation. The penalties for financial exploitation range from 30 days in jail and a fine of up to $500 to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000 depending on the value of the property or assets that are acquired.

Additional protections for vulnerable elders are included in new protective orders. A vulnerable senior can obtain a protective order if there is physical or financial abuse. Courts can order a variety of remedies to protect a senior, including requiring the abuser to avoid contact with the senior and removing the powers of an abuser to make decisions for a vulnerable elder.

The House also requires state agencies, that deal with seniors, to collaborate and provide the legislature with written recommendations to strengthen Iowa’s elder abuse prevention efforts.

Senate File 2239 passed the House and moves back to the Senate for additional debate.

Literacy Training and Dyslexia Defined

The Iowa House approved a bill to help train elementary school teachers in identifying and addressing dyslexia. The training would be offered at no cost by Area Education Agencies, the Department of Education, and the state’s Reading Research Center.

The funding for the training should come soon in the education budget. The reading assistance in the legislation includes strategies to address dyslexia, which for the first time, is defined in Iowa law.

Senate File 2319 was changed/amended in the House and now goes back to the Senate for consideration.

Utilities at Risk of Shutting Off on April 1 for Unpaid Bills

Following a shortage of propane in early 2014 and increased costs of natural gas, the winter months took a toll on low-income Iowans with the high costs of utility bills. The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides assistance to low-income and elderly households who are eligible.

Since the Iowa Utilities Board began tracking overdue utility bills in 1999, this February was the highest month, with $46 million in unpaid bills from 243,403 Iowa households. Over 76,000 of those households were certified with the LIHEAP program and currently 38,000 of LIHEAP households are $11.7 million behind in their utility bills.

Beginning on April 1, the winter moratorium on utility disconnection for past due accounts ends. More than 35,000 Iowans could face the prospect of utility disconnection. Additionally, it will likely resort in more Iowans, not currently participating in the LIHEAP program, looking for utility payment assistance.

Over the past two months, House Democrats have attempted, by offering bills and amendments, to add $2 million in additional resources, without success. While the Iowa Senate has passed legislation providing that additional funding, it has not passed in the House.

To apply for the LIHEAP program, as the winter months continue, Iowans can go tohttp://www.dcaa.iowa.gov/bureau_EA/ or call the Iowa Department of Human Rights’ Bureau of Energy Assistance at (515) 281-8059.

Fantastic group of students from Prairie High School in Cedar Rapids! Social Studies educators Kent Noska and Billy Goodale brought them to the capitol for a youth day tour and visits with their legislators. We discussed their upcoming role as citizens in a democracy, and what takes place here in the legislature having an impact on their daily lives. Really enjoyed having students at the capitol!

Dr. Tom Lane with Iowa’s AEAs, spoke with me about early literacy and the AEA’s role in providing training for teachers and reading specialists to help struggling readers. Of course, we also discussed the education budget. Good discussions as the legislature continues to work out final details on the largest portions of the annual state budget.

Founding President/CEO of Trees Forever, Shannon Ramsay, visited the capital. Trees Forever is celebrating a 25-year anniversary! Their 50-year vision includes the goal of planting 50 million trees; providing a buffer of trees and native plants for Iowa rivers and streams; enhancing every roadside and trail with sustainable plantings. To learn how you can contribute or get involved with this Four-Star Charity: http://www.treesforever.org/Home

Shown here with Ron Blinz and Jeff Mauk.
The National Caucus of Environmental Legislators (NCEL) and Jeff Mauk, Climate and Energy Project Coordinator for NCEL, along with the assistance of Rep. Chuck Isenhart of Dubuque, hosted Ron Binz for a visit with a group of Iowa General Assembly legislators. We discussed future energy policy in Iowa, including the production, distribution, storage, pricing, and conservation of energy, along with a myriad of new renewable energy initiatives.

Ron is a nationally-recognized expert in renewable energy regulation and development, from Public Policy Consulting in Denver. Binz also works as a nonresident fellow with the Energy Security Initiative at Brookings Institute.

He was nominated by the Obama Administration to head the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). After controversy and strong opposition from the coal industry and conservative political groups, Binz withdrew his nomination in September 2013. He served as the Chairman of the Colorado Public Utilities Commission and led the commission in implementing state policy changes that brought forward Colorado’s New Energy Economy initiative.

The group discussed a large number of promising renewable energy technologies and initiatives that could be pursued in an energy policy – with renewed effort, determination and focus in the Iowa Legislature and the Governor’s Office.

Joan VandenBerg, Iowa City School District Youth & Family Development Coordinator, spoke with me about after-school programs. The Iowa Afterschool Alliance represents providers of and advocates for high-quality out-of-school time that keeps kids safe, supports working parents, and promotes student learning. Learn more about the alliance here: http://www.iowaafterschoolalliance.org

President Eileen L Fisher and Dr. Les Weber discussed e-cigarettes and tobacco prevention efforts. Susan’s father died from lung cancer, most likely attributed to years of pipe smoking , and this issue is particularly important to both of us. 18 % of adults in Iowa smoke and annual health care costs in Iowa directly caused by smoking: $1.28 billion. That’s a BILLION dollars that could be used for education or infrastructure or cancer research.

Cassie Reuter is with NW Iowa Child Care Resource & Referral. We spoke about registration of child care facilities. At present, this is not required if the business cares for five or fewer children. A registration process would ensure safety and well-being of our kids. Non-registered child care providers aren’t monitored by DHS unless a complaint has been made. For tips on choosing quality child care: http://www.iowaccrr.org/

Clay Schneckloth and Nathan Gruver, landscape architects with Snyder & Associates, discussed some of their projects that provide quality of living space and enhancements in Iowa neighborhoods.

Mark Cowan, Vice President of PACE at Orchard Place, and Board Member John Parmeter, spoke with me about funding for the regional mental health system. Orchard Place is an accredited community mental health center for children, and a valuable resource for central Iowa families. Learn more about Orchard Place here: http://www.orchardplace.org/

Ed Blanco and state senator Rob Hogg practice law at Elderkin and Pirnie, PLC, in Cedar Rapids. At the Bar Association legislative breakfast, we discussed public service, judiciary bills from the Senate and the hearings on recent secret employment settlement scandals regarding the executive branch.

Holly Turner is Administrator of the Good Samaritan Society nursing home in Indianola. Prior to moving to Iowa, Susan was office manager at a Good Samaritan facility in Arkansas, and she and Holly enjoyed “talking shop”. Holly and I spoke about Medicare funding issues in relation to hospital stay days and Medicaid reimbursements. Great discussions and great walk down memory lane for Susan!

My amazing sister-in-law, Gayle Hafner, died last week. Many of us have role models; Gayle was a role model to many. Her compassion and drive were second to none when fighting for the rights of those whose voices were not heard strongly enough. From Gayle I was reminded that our power is in the strength of our character, not the size of our body. I am but one of many who will remember her for her empathy and generosity to others. (Senator Tom Harkin looks on as Gayle, Senior Attorney at the Maryland Disability Law Center speaks about how we can continue to advance the goals of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Harkin and Hafner participated in an event called The ADA: Looking Back, Looking Forward which celebrated the 20th Anniversary of ADA becoming law.)