Capitol Comments

Dear Neighbor,

This week marked the halfway point of the Legislative session. With the Legislature’s first self-imposed “funnel” deadline this Friday, it has been one of the busier weeks of the session. Subcommittee and committee meetings were held throughout each day – narrowing the number of bills still eligible for debate. Bills that weren’t approved by a House or Senate Committee this week are now “dead” for the year unless they are budget or tax bills.

It is good news that many of the divisive issue …

Capitol Comments

This week I wanted to keep my communication squarely focused on this week’s most important topic, Medicaid Expansion. In addition, I wanted to share the positive data on Iowa preschool programs found in research by Early Childhood Iowa.

Below is a compilation of information on Medicaid and IowaCare from our Democratic research analysts at the Capitol:

Branstad Continues Opposition to Affordable Health Care

After a meeting in Washington D.C. earlier this week with federal officials, Governor Branstad is still opposed to an expansion of affordable health care …

Capitol Comments
Scaled Back Education Reform Bill Passes House

Most of my week was focused, rightly, on Education Reform and we are in recess until Monday because of the impending storm. Consequently, my comments are shorter than usual:

The Iowa House approved a scaled back version of the Governor’s education reform bill this week after a non-partisan analysis of the plan found the Governor didn’t provide enough money for implementation in over 60% of Iowa schools.

To deal with the shortfall, the House majority party lowered beginning teacher salaries …

Capitol Comments
EDUCATION REFORM

We all agree that our Education system in Iowa can be improved. We differ on how we best accomplish this. There are many areas where we can work together with Republicans and the Governor to reach compromise and good Legislation. And, any education reform plan must be thoughtful, researched, and designed to improve learning for all students. The Governor’s plan and the new scaled-back version from House Republicans both fall well short of these goals. The Democrats in the House Education Committee fought …

Capitol Comments
House Approves $60 Million in Tax Cuts for Middle Class, Small Businesses

The Iowa House approved the first bill of the session this week that will provide $60 million in tax cuts. The bill couples state income taxes with changes made at the federal level. It provides tax relief for working families through the Earned Income Tax Credit, extends tax deductions for teachers, and allows small businesses to expense more of their needed equipment. It also continues the state Research Activities Credit.

After approval by the …

Capitol Comments
Time for Action on School Funding

After an unnecessary delay last year, our first order of business this year should be to set the rate for school funding. Called allowable growth, the Legislature is mandated by code to set the rate 30 days after the Governor releases the budget. It gives schools about 18 months notice to know what state funds they will receive and begin to craft a budget.

Last session, the Legislature should have set the allowable growth rate for the school year that …

Capitol Comments
2013 Legislative Survey

Prior to session starting I included in my newsletter a brief survey to find out what’s important to you. As your state representative while in Des Moines, my goal is to keep you updated on issues in the Iowa House and get your feedback throughout session. Many of you have already responded, but if you haven’t had a chance yet, please take the survey here. I look forward to hearing from you.

Representative Art Staed at Board of Regents breakfast reception.

With …

Capitol Comments

Governor Branstad released his budget recommendations this week and he has proposed zero allowable growth for the next two years, Fiscal Year 2014 and FY 2015. He also issued an ultimatum and said he would not talk about school funding or allowable growth until his education reform package has been approved by the Legislature. Senate Democrats have proposed 4% allowable growth for Fiscal Year 2014 and plan to take action by the end of January so school districts can plan before their …

Dear Neighbor,

This is Art Staed, your new State Representative when the Iowa Legislature convenes January 14th, 2013 at the Iowa State Capitol. I’m excited to serve you and look forward to a productive session.

My top priorities are to listen to you, represent you, and get your thoughts and ideas before the Legislature. I will continue to be available so that you can share your views with me. Thousands of you, voters in District 66, shared your suggestions and issues as I visited with …

News from “House to Home”

November 2, 2012

From Your State House Representative to Constituents in Cedar Rapids

Iowa’s unemployment rate fell to 5.1 percent in October.  Iowa’s unemployment rate is the fourth lowest in the nation.  The number of unemployed Iowans fell to 83,800 in October, down from 96,000 a year ago.  The job gains were led by 6,000 more Iowans working in non-farm jobs, including 1,400 new manufacturing jobs.  We are headed in the right direction but we must strengthen our efforts to improve our economy …