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.

Budget Time at Capitol

One of the first budgets that the House and Senate may be considering next week is from the Administration & Regulation Appropriations Subcommittee.  Admin. & Reg. funds …

Capitol Comments

Developing the State Budget

The House and Senate are moving ahead together in the next few weeks to develop the state budget for 2015.  Budget leaders have released budget guidelines that seven different subcommittees in each chamber will now use to craft budget bills.

Often called “targets”, these expenditure guidelines for the subcommittees ensure that the Legislature approves a constitutionally required, balanced budget – and one that reflects the priorities of Iowans.  While there is a long way to go before all the final compromises are …

Capitol Comments
In the House Chamber

This week we considered, debated and passed bills on the floor of the House. You may recall that last week was the first “funnel” where bills had to be passed out of the committees and be brought to the House floor for debate if they were to be considered any further.

The next deadline will be in about two weeks – about 10 working days.  Bills on the path to becoming law must pass the House or Senate and be out of …

Capitol Comments

We are just wrapping up week 2 of the session. It was a short legislative work week because of the Martin Luther King Day of Service on Monday and the caucuses on Tuesday night. Thanks to all of you who volunteered on the MLK day of service this year and helped make a positive difference in your community. And thanks to all of you who attended the caucuses and who are closely involved in the democratic process in your voting precincts and neighborhoods.

Additionally, Wednesday …

Capitol Comments
The New Year means another legislative session is here

In 2014, I pledge to continue to listen to and work with constituents to offer a voice at the Capitol that is reflective of the values of the state that we love. I know that in 2014 we must focus on the middle class and work tirelessly, with each of you at my side, to create jobs and grow our economy, to advocate for hard-working families, to support and strengthen our education and to bring your …

Capitol Comment
New Strategies Sought to Improve Emergency Medical Services

As a member of the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Study interim committee, I met with other Legislators for two days and heard public testimony from persons involved in the training programs, from the state agency that provides oversight of Iowa’s EMS, from trained professionals, and from EMS providers.

While we, as a committee, did not come together and decide upon one legislative direction, each of us came away with more insight into Iowa’s EMS operations and coverage. Representatives …

Capitol Comments
Iowa Health Insurance Marketplace Opens

Iowa is a national leader when it comes to health insurance coverage for our citizens. We worked successfully in recent years to ensure that all Iowa kids can see a doctor when they need to. Now we’re making sure that every Iowa adult also has access to quality affordable health care.

This was a top priority for the Legislature during the 2013 session. Our hard-fought bipartisan work led to the Iowa Health & Wellness Plan, which will begin providing health insurance …