Capitol Comments

Dear Friend, 

In addition to my teaching responsibilities which began again today, I will continue to do Legislative and constituent work. This fall, I will be working with my fellow legislators (four from the House and 5 from the Senate) on an interim study committee, the Emergency Medical Services Study Committee. Our charge will be to research the current status of Iowa’s emergency medical services (EMS), consult with stakeholders in conducting the study, and make recommendations to the Legislature – recommendations on policy and funding, to ensure the future availability of EMS statewide. 

Other committee work for me this fall includes the Prevention of Disabilities Policy Council. This includes policy issues, activities and events geared toward preventing disabilities and increasing the independence of people who are living with a disability in Iowa. 

Nearly 12 percent of Iowa citizens of all ages report having some sort of disabling condition. Recognizing that disabilities could be reduced by as much as 25 percent, the Iowa General Assembly created the Prevention of Disabilities Policy Council in 1991. The Council is charged with facilitating and overseeing the development of a coordinated system to prevent disabilities and to prevent the development of secondary conditions in those who already have a disabling condition. 

Through our committee work, we examine data and look at what is working here and in other states, hear from stakeholders and experts and offer recommendations to be considered during the 2014 session of the Iowa Legislature. 

If you have suggestions to share on these topics, please e-mail me. I welcome your input. 

— Rep. Art Staed

A PROMISING SCHOOL YEAR FOR IOWA STUDENTS

With the start of a new school year, students of all ages are returning to Iowa classrooms. Some exciting changes await them, as the education reforms we approved during the 2013 session raise standards, improve teaching and encourage innovation.

What can we expect to see at our K-12 schools this year?

1. Greater investment. After several lean years, basic state aid to local schools was increased by 4 percent this year, and another 4 percent next year. This is the money our schools use to pay salaries, buy textbooks, gas up the buses and more.

2. Higher standards. Iowa schools will get the support they need to significantly raise student achievement.

3. Strengthening teaching. We’re working to recruit, encourage and reward great teachers. Iowa’s minimum starting teacher salary will increase from $28,000 to $33,500. In addition, schools will receive more funding if they create “leadership pathways” for teachers who agree to coach others.

4. Personal attention. Young learners will get more of the one-on-one attention they need to become good readers thanks to smaller class sizes in kindergarten through third-grade.

5. More innovation. Iowa schools will keep exploring research-based approaches in the teaching of science, technology and math, which are key to giving our state a competitive edge in the world economy.

These education reforms are getting praise from parents, teachers and business leaders alike. According to a recent Iowa Poll, most Iowans think boosting salaries and adding new leadership positions for teachers will have a positive effect on student learning. The Iowa State Education Association believes the changes will benefit students and schools by providing a reliable funding stream to plan for class sizes, course offerings and technology needs.

The Des Moines Business Record called education reform one of the top legislative wins for business this year, and local chambers of commerce have said it will contribute to workforce development and stronger outcomes for students.

THE BEST TEACHERS FOR IOWA STUDENTS

A new online job posting system will help ensure Iowa students have the best teachers in their classrooms.

This year’s education reform legislation called on the Department of Education and the Board of Educational Examiners to launch a “Teach Iowa” website with all job openings in Iowa’s public schools, charter schools, Area Education Agencies, the Department of Education and the Board of Educational Examiners. Private schools may advertise their vacancies on the site as well.

The system connects employees with job openings and makes hiring and applying for jobs easier through an online process. Best of all, it is completely free to applicants and employers. While Teach Iowa centralizes the search for employers and employees, all hiring decisions remain local.

A glance at the Teach Iowa site this week showed 797 job openings across the state for all types of positions— teachers, administrators, study hall associates, food service workers, bus drivers and more. Check it out at www.teachiowa.gov.

ENSURING THAT A COLLEGE EDUCATION IS AFFORDABLE

Because of action this session by the Legislature, students at Iowa’s state universities won’t experience a tuition increase for the first time in 30 years, as they head back to campus this fall. That’s especially good news for Iowa families when you consider that students graduating from Iowa’s public universities have an average debt of about $27,000.

At Iowa’s private colleges and universities, many students will take advantage of the Iowa Tuition Grant. This year, the Legislature approved enough state funding for the Iowa Tuition Grant to help more than 14,000 Iowa students get the college education that is right for them with a grant of up to $4,110. To qualify, a student must be an Iowa resident attending an Iowa independent, non-profit college or university and must demonstrate financial need based on federal Department of Education standards.

For more information on the Iowa Tuition Grant and other grants and scholarships for college, go to www.iowacollegeaid.gov and click on “Scholarships & Grants.”

ONLINE DRIVER’S LICENSE RENEWAL

Nearly 284,000 Iowa drivers are now eligible to renew their driver’s license or ID online. Most Iowans will be able to renew their license at https://mymvd.iowadot.gov if they:

• Have a valid Iowa driver’s license or ID.
• Are between the ages of 18 and 70.
• Are a U.S. citizen.
• Do not have a condition that would affect their ability to drive.
• Do not need to change the address or name printed on the card.

You will be able to use the online system every other time you renew. Cards renewed online will contain the same photo that is on your current driver’s license or ID. Renewal periods and costs are the same regardless of how cards are renewed.

Tour of Iowa Juvenile Home

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Iowa Rep. Beth Wessel-Kroeschell and I toured the Juvenile Home in Toledo. Discussions with staff and our personal observations contributed to a better understanding of the issues there, but additional information is necessary to identify ways the Iowa Legislature could frame legislation to help the Iowa Juvenile Home, and all of Iowa’s juvenile facilities, be more effective, safe, nurturing homes.

At the facility, we learned:

• Since winter 2013, the administration has changed at the Toledo home. The superintendent has retired, the treatment director quit, and 4 direct care workers were fired. The superintendent from Eldora now shares his time with Toledo.
• Staff members attested to improvements at the facility since winter, including the implementation of Trauma Informed Care and applied behavior analysis using a trained Woodward staff.
• We visited the isolation rooms where some youth were allegedly housed for months at a time. I concluded immediately that any extended stay, even hours in a day, in an isolation room is inappropriate except in the rarest of circumstances – as a last resort. I pose this question for all of us: If our juvenile system is designed to be rehabilitative and not punitive, then how is the use of long-term solitary confinement or extended isolation permitted? We would be outraged if it was found that a parent was confining a child to a small room for days at a time, with minimal human contact. Although inappropriate isolation for adolescents is inhumane, Toledo does house some girls whose behavior are extremely difficult to handle even by the most experienced trained staff, having moved through an average of 6-9 prior unsuccessful placements before ending up in Toledo. Dealing with adolescents exhibiting challenging, sometimes violent behavior inevitably requires making difficult, even controversial decisions. However, these girls need regular social interaction aimed at developing their anger control more than they need punishment in isolation. The philosophy and guidelines for the use of isolation at Iowa facilities needs revision and clarification.

To make informed decisions regarding the Toledo facility, legislators (including myself) still need to investigate/collect:

• Data regarding the pervious use of isolation as it compares to the very limited current use.
• Reasons why the Eldora Boy’s home has received funding for a full renovation while the Toledo facility has received no comparable funding. This will require a similar tour of the Eldora home.
• Suggestions from appropriate professionals concerning the steps the Iowa legislature could/should take to improve the system at Toledo.
• A formal response from the Toledo facility to the allegations in the Des Moines Register.

Questions continue to emerge. However, responsible parties at the facility were open with us and willing to answer these questions when asked.

I hope that, by continuing to probe for answers and explanations, we will have the information necessary to implement effective legislation that will make steps toward both providing nurturing homes for Iowa’s youth and for preventing adolescent anger and violence by treating mental illness and aggressive behavior earlier and more effectively.

With Linn County educators at ISEA Summer Leadership Conference, listening to a presentation on the new teacher leadership roles created in the recent education reform bill. Presented by Ryan Wise from the Iowa Dept. of Education.

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Earlier this month, I spoke to the Cedar Rapids Thursday Noon Optimist Club at Coopers Mill. After giving a synopsis of key bi-partisan agreements reached on taxes, education and health care in the last legislative session, we had a great Q & A session. Club members inquired about education reform, bridge & road repairs and Iowa’s new health care system. I would like to thank the Optimist membership for having me as a guest and giving me the opportunity to speak and answer questions.

Learn more about the club here: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cedar-Rapids-Thursday-Noon-Optimists/125973990805564

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Recently, I attended a Staed family wedding in Florida (congratulations again, Megan Crandall!) I took time out from visiting with the extended families of my 10 brothers and sisters to participate in a 3 hour meeting, via the Internet. As part of the Iowa Prevention of Disabilities Policy Council, I will take the committee’s suggestions and guidance to the legislature next session. This includes actions the legislature can take to reduce or eliminate accidents, diseases and other causes of disabilities. As always, I’d appreciate your input, as well as the committee’s, on measures to improve the public health, and health care in Iowa.

[photos here]

Attending the Iowa Innovation Council Bioscience Workgroup meeting today at the BioVentures Center in Coralville, IA.

The concept of the Iowa Innovation Council (IIC) was collectively developed by leaders in Iowa’s advanced manufacturing, biosciences and information technology sectors. The idea was designed to generate more effective and efficient discussions between government and Iowa businesses to increase Iowa’s economic development innovation and entrepreneurial capacity.

Established by the Legislature, its purpose is to advise the Iowa Economic Development Authority on the development and implementation of public policies that enhance innovation and entrepreneurship. The Council established industry workgroups to focus on issues specific to each industry and make recommendations.

Dr. Joe Assouline, a professor and biomedical researcher at the University of Iowa and President/Founder of NanoMedTrix, proposed a request to me for a collaborative discussion on assistance for startup Iowa biomedical companies. I forwarded this request to IEDA, and a workgroup meeting was convened, because of the focus on commercialization and entrepreneurship, both roles of the Innovation Council and the Bioscience Workgroup. More than 28 stakeholders and representatives from Iowa universities and local “startup” biomedical companies participated in today’s meeting, including constituent Sam McCord, CEO/Founder of MCG BioComposites in Cedar Rapids. http://www.mcgbiocomposites.com/

The meeting was facilitated by Gail Kotval, Innovation Council Liaison, with the Iowa Economic Development Authority.

I listened attentively to ideas, concerns and possible solutions, and came away from today’s meeting with a host of reasons why our economic development incentives should be directed more intensely on our existing Iowa businesses and entrepreneurs, growing our own economy here in Iowa, and less on attempting to land large out-of-state corporations with huge expenditures of public monies and few family-sustaining jobs. I will continue making recommendations to the Legislature, and backing legislation, to provide greater support to these “homegrown” initiatives.

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Listening to Dr. Elwynn Taylor, Professor of Ag Meteorology at Iowa State University, discuss climate and ag production in Iowa. With Representative Helen Miller, founder of the Urban-Ag Academy, and other legislators. The academy is an annual Iowa conference with a mission to inform urban and minority legislators on agricultural issues in Iowa, and encourage dialogue between urban and rural policy makers. Farming and agri-business are cornerstones of our urban centers in Iowa.

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The Governor declares September “Hunger Action Month”. The proclamation ceremony took place in conjunction with the Iowa Food and Family Project’s “Get Connected to Farming” exhibit.

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Traveled to Madison with fellow Iowa legislator Rep. Chuck Isenheart to consult with Wisconsin peers on common issues such as water quality, frac sand mining, health care, education and international trade. Here we are at the Wisconsin Capitol with Rep. Melissa Sargent, who joined us for lunch.

[photos here]

The new downtown Cedar Rapids Public Library is incredible! I wanted to check books out right away, after touring the building and trying out some of the cozy reading chairs. And, yes, that’s a treadmill I’m standing on, and I’m looking at one of over 100 computers for public use. The pic on the right is taken, not at ground level, but on the rooftop! As well as aesthetically pleasing, the library is LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) registered.

A spectacular grand opening is this Friday from 7-10pm. You can find out more about the celebration here:

http://www.crlibrary.org/grand-opening1/

Read More from the Iowa House

To read the rest of my Statehouse News go to: http://iowahouse.org/StatehouseNews/8-14-13.html