Capitol Comments
The Final Days

The 2013 Legislative session is in overtime, and although we have agreed on how much we can spend, we still haven’t hammered out all the final details. It is our responsibility, especially in these crucial and final agreements, to balance the state budget, distribute our scarce resources wisely, protect our cherished values and quality of life, and make smart investments in Iowa’s future.

I want to thank all the constituents who have contacted me about their concerns and interests during the session. I …

Capitol Comments
Legislature Continues to Work

After passing the scheduled date for adjournment last week, we moved closer to an agreement this week as the final pieces of the state budget were sent to bi-partisan conference committees to iron out their differences.

Over the next week, conference committees on the state budgets and other key issues in health care, property taxes, and education will continue to negotiate and try to reach agreement. Each conference committee is comprised of five members of the House and five members of the …

Capitol Comments
STAED TO HOLD LISTENING POSTS

I will be hosting listening posts Saturday, May 4th at two Hy-Vee locations in Cedar Rapids to gather input from local residents about legislation in the Iowa House.

HyVee in the food service area. at 9-10:00am
3235 Oakland Road NE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa

HyVee in the food service area. 10:30-11:30am
5050 Edgewood Road NE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa

HEALTHY IOWA PLAN PASSES HOUSE

On a slim 51-49 vote, the House approved an alternative health care plan offered by the Governor this week instead of Medicaid …

Capitol Comments
STAED TO HOLD LISTENING POSTS

I will be hosting listening posts Saturday, May 4th at two Hy-Vee locations in Cedar Rapids to gather input from local residents about legislation in the Iowa House.

HyVee in the food service area at 9-10:00am
3235 Oakland Road NE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa

HyVee in the food service area. 10:30-11:30am
5050 Edgewood Road NE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa

BUSINESSES GROW IN IOWA

Facebook announced this week that they will build a $300 million data center in Altoona, just outside of Des Moines, with future plans …

Capitol Comments
EDUCATION REFORM & ALLOWABLE GROWTH

This week, House Republicans offered their proposal for a “compromise” to the Conference Committee on HF 215. Read the compromise here.

The House proposal, while acknowledging the need for 4 percent allowable growth, came with an ultimatum “drawn in the sand”: Take the House version without negotiations – the version passed by Republicans in a party-line vote. And if you don’t, Iowa schools may see as little as 0% instead of 4%. This flies in the face of compromise, bipartisanship and …

Capitol Comments

Last week I had a response to my newsletter with a comment that my reporting of events at the Capitol may be partisan. I listened to this view and understand how my accounts may tend to be more reflective of my Democratic values. I will henceforth, keep this concern in mind. 

As always, I will continue to strive for bipartisan work in the House knowing that the experience and expertise here thrives in both parties. Not including an entire group of lawmakers creates a troublesome …

Capitol Comments
EDUCATION

After the House and Senate approved differing plans on education this session, we’ve sent them both to a conference committee that will work to find consensus on a single plan that can pass both chambers and get the Governor’s signature. It’s a step in the right direction and I’m optimistic we will find common ground, but time is of the essence.

That’s because the bill also includes the critical school funding piece for the upcoming school year, called “allowable growth”. I have strongly support 4% …

Capitol Comments
Expanding Access to Affordable Health Care

The Iowa Senate just approved a bill to expand Medicaid to Iowans who don’t have private insurance. The plan would extend health coverage to about 150,000 Iowans so they are able to access preventative care, hospital services, and other health care services in their own communities. In a step toward compromise with the Governor, the Senate also included a provision that allows Iowa to opt-out of the Medicaid expansion if the federal government does not keep their promise on …

Capitol Comments
Public Forums

Legislator Listening Posts with Representative Art Staed 

Saturday, March 30th at
HyVee in the food service area.
at 9-10:00am
3235 Oakland Road NE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Saturday March 30th at
HyVee in the food service area
at 10:30-11:30am
5050 Edgewood Road NE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa

State Budget Moves

With approximately six weeks left in the legislative session, we are working in both the House and the Senate crafting the state budget. We’ve recently seen blueprints from each of the seven budget subcommittees that will make up the state’s total budget.

Right now, …

Capitol Comments
Public Forums

League of Women Voters Legislative Forum
10:30 AM to 11:45 AM
Hallagan Education Center at Mercy Medical Center
701 10th St., Cedar Rapids, IA

Legislator Listening Posts with Representative Art Staed

Saturday, March 30th at
HyVee in the food service area.
at 9-10:00am
3235 Oakland Road NE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Saturday March 30th at
HyVee in the food service area
at 10:30-11:30am
5050 Edgewood Road NE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Updates from the Iowa House

We’re now just over half way through the legislative session and we’re spending more time on the House floor …