Capitol Comments

We just wrapped up the 2014 legislative session last week and I’m pleased with much of the progress we made this session.  We worked together in many areas to create new opportunities for Iowa families. We:

Expanded key job training initiatives and apprenticeship opportunities to boost our skilled workforce.
Froze tuition at our state universities for the second year in a row to keep tuition affordable.
Encouraged more production of renewable energy like wind, solar, and biofuels.
Broadened access to childcare assistance for parents who are both working …

Capitol Comments

At the Capitol we are moving closer to adjournment.  The final budget bills are being debated in both the House and the Senate and moved to conference committees.  In the conference committees the negotiations continue until all the differences are resolved. Each committee will then send their final budget bill to both the Senate and House for final votes.

Thank you to all who have contacted me during the session – participating in the legislative process. I have learned a great deal from our discussions, …

Capitol Comments

Legislative Coffee This Weekend  
Sunday, April 13, at 2:00 p.m. for voters in neighborhoods along         Glass Road.
I hope you can attend, as your input is always appreciated! Please contact Susan Staed at 319-573-7501 or susanstaed@gmail.com for details.

Local Forum Next Weekend
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 …

Capitol Comments

Two Legislative Coffees This Weekend

Saturday, April 5th at 2pm for voters in the Seminole Valley neighborhood.

Sunday, April 6th at 2pm for voters in the 1st Ave Cedars Apartment neighborhood.

I hope you can attend, as your input is always appreciated! Please contact Susan Staed at 319-573-7501 or susanstaed@gmail.com for more details.

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 …

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 & LemonadesWant 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 …

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
Expanding Broadband Access to More Iowans

As technology demands high-speed internet access, the House Commerce Committee unanimously approved a new plan to expand broadband internet access to more Iowans. While the plan is still being developed, legislators and the Governor are working together to find new ways to get more Iowa communities on-line with increasing internet speeds.

The bill, House Study Bill 515, includes a property tax exemption that would apply to new installation of broadband infrastructure completed on or after July 1, 2014, through December …

Capitol Comments

We’re just wrapping up Week 3 of the legislative session with committee meetings, subcommittee meetings and more meetings being held throughout the day to hammer out issues and get the “surviving” bills ready for debate on the House Floor. Each bill gets a lot of scrutiny from legislators, lobbyists and the public before it becomes law. This arduous process helps to ensure that legislators foresee and understand the impacts, intended and unintended, that each bill has on Iowans – limiting the likelihood that bad …