Capitol Comments

Public Forum

A Community Discussion on: “Where is Iowa’s Mental Health Care Going?”

Sunday, April 12th at 3:00 pm

Lovely Lane United Methodist Church –  Intersection of Wenig Road & 42nd St. NE

Panel participants:  Senator Liz Mathis, Representative Dave Heaton, Linn County Supervisor Ben Rodgers, Kent Jackson of Unity Point Mental Health and Dan Strellner, President of Abbe, Inc.

This forum is Co-Sponsored by Lovely Lane United Methodist Church, Representative Art Staed and the League of Women Voters.

“We Will Meet You Half-Way”

Democratic Legislators offered a compromise this week to break the gridlock on school funding; Republicans said “NO”.

In an effort to break a lengthy logjam on school funding at the Capitol, Democratic members of the joint conference committee on Senate Files 171 and 172 proposed a “compromise for Iowa schoolchildren.”

Earlier this session, House Democrats pushed for 6% allowable growth for schools while Senate Democrats voted for a 4 percent increase in basic school funding. House Republicans voted for only a 1.25 percent increase which school administrators, teachers and parents say is not adequate for their kids.

“To resolve this issue, we offered a compromise that meets the Republicans halfway: an increase in basic school funding next school year by 2.625 percent. This compromise is exactly halfway between the Senate and House positions,” said Senator Herman Quirmbach of Ames. “We told the Republicans: ‘We will meet you halfway,’ but they immediately rejected our offer.”

“With a 6 percent increase in state revenues next year, this compromise is responsible and affordable. We’ve heard from parents, students, and school officials that 1.25% is not enough and this compromise is a step forward,” said Rep. Patti Ruff of McGregor. “Given the importance of education for Iowa families and our economy, we can’t afford to wait any longer. It’s time to end the uncertainty for our students and schools.”

School districts must certify their budgets by April 15, 2015. Across the state educators are preparing school budgets that call for more crowded classrooms, fewer course offerings and extracurricular activities, cutting staff positions, and higher property taxes.

The compromise proposal by legislative Democrats is the only new proposal. Legislative Republicans have thus far refused to offer any alternative to their initial position.

Sen.Quirmbach acknowledged that most Democratic legislators continue to believe that 4 percent is the minimum funding increase that schools need to prepare students for 21st Century jobs. He said the compromise proposal is an attempt to break a logjam that is spilling into its third month. “Iowans expect their state legislators to work together, find middle ground and solve problems,” he said. “That’s what we are attempting to do.”

After the meeting, Sen. Quirmbach said he hoped that concerned Iowans — including parents, students, teachers and administrators — would encourage legislative Republicans to reconsider the compromise proposal.

If adequate school funding is an issue important to you, please call the Governor’s office during business hours and ask him to support 4% allowable growth. The Governor’s number is 515-281-5211

Expanding Access to Iowa Preschool

We are working on plans this year to expand quality preschool options to more Iowa four year olds.  In Iowa, only about 54% of four year olds currently receive Iowa voluntary preschool instruction.  The plan being considered would guarantee that no child is turned away from quality preschool.  Currently, many parents cannot get their child into a preschool program either because it is not offered, or the available slots are full.  Unfortunately, it is not known how many children in Iowa currently are being excluded from preschool.

Early childhood programs improve academic achievement, reduce crime, increase workforce earnings and increase tax revenues. A cost-benefit analysis indicates that up to $16 is returned long-term for every $1 invested in a high-quality early childhood program.

Last year, 319 of 348 Iowa school districts participated in Iowa’s voluntary preschool program and served 21,926 children.  The legislation is intended to provide enough funding to expand Iowa’s capacity to guarantee preschool to every 4-year old whose parent wants to have their student enrolled.

EpiPens Would be Allowed in Schools

A bill to allow public and private schools to maintain a supply of EpiPens has advanced in the House.  The provision passed the Senate 50-0 earlier in the session.

Under the bill, health care professionals are allowed to prescribe EpiPens to the schools and trained personnel are allowed to administer the pen injection to students.  If administered in good faith to a student believed to have an allergic reaction, the school has legal immunity.  Iowa is one of only four states that has not allowed trained school personnel the ability to administer an EpiPen to a child needing it.

Handicap Parking

The Iowa House on a 96-0 vote passed a measure Wednesday requiring re-application for long-term handicap parking placards to prevent abuse. The bill would eliminate non-expiring parking permits and replace them with long-term permits that must be renewed after five years. Those already issued will not be rescinded.  The bill, which now goes to the Iowa Senate for consideration, was drafted to take effect on Jan. 1, 2016.

181, 000 Iowans Deserve a Raise

House Republicans blocked a move to raise Iowa’s minimum wage this week that would have given 181,000 Iowans a raise for the first time since 2007.

Already approved on a bi-partisan voted in the Iowa Senate, it is a cornerstone in building a strong Iowa economy.

Over the last 30 years, the minimum wage has failed to keep up with rising costs for Iowa families.  If the wage had matched inflation, the minimum wage would currently be $10.74 an hour. And that would only be parity, not an increase.

The current wage of $7.25 has only 78% of the purchasing power it did in 1968. Currently, 29 states have minimum wages above Iowa’s rate, including our neighbors Missouri, Minnesota, Nebraska, and Illinois.

In both urban and rural areas, Iowans are also solidly behind raising the minimum wage with recent polls showing 65% of Iowans support increasing the minimum wage, while just 31% oppose raising the wage.

Of those 181,000 Iowa’s who would benefit from raising the minimum wage to $8.75, 72% are over age 20, 59% are women and 44% work full time.

Other Iowa News

• For the fourth year in a row, Iowa’s high school graduation rate continues to climb and is now over 90%.  Iowa’s high school dropout-rate is also declining.
• Iowa’s unemployment rate dropped again in February- down to 4.1%, well below the national average.
• A bill requiring schools to start classes after August 23 is on the way to the Governor’s desk.  The Governor told local schools they couldn’t set their own date last fall – removing local control of school calendars.  He then offered August 23rd or Sept 1st (current law but without any waivers).  Both Chambers chose the August date.  The bill has been categorized by the Governor’s office as a compromise.
• Lawmakers are working on a bill that would ban “the use of hand-held electronic devices” while driving.  The Senate prefers a ban on “texting” while driving.

Headed back to Cedar Rapids last week, I had to stop by the Des Moines Event Center to congratulate and cheer on our Cedar Rapids teams competing in the FTC North Super Regional. High school students from 15 states brought their robots, tool kits, and costumes in preparation for the event.  Shown here is Linn-Mar’s team, Dark Matter, that is advancing to the 2015 FTC World Championship.  Congratulations, Dark Matter!

Mike Owen and Peter Fisher from the Iowa Policy Project provided legislators the opportunity to learn more about the pros and cons of HF 604.

This bill would give taxpayers the option of filing at a “flat tax” rate. Unfortunately, this bill does little to benefit the middle-income tax payer. Middle-income taxpayers would see an average cut of about $30 a year under a bill which would bankrupt the state’s budget and lead to cuts in education and other services throughout the state. However, if you are one of Iowa’s 6,943 millionaire filers, you’ll see an average tax reduction of $5,463. But don’t think for a minute that millionaires would want to create nearly a $521 million deficit in the state’s budget for this amount either.

While the House-majority is refusing to follow the law and set allowable growth at an adequate amount for our schoolchildren (claiming that finances are critically scarce) I find it unconscionable and irresponsible of House Republicans to even consider a bill that is estimated to strip our state finances next year by another $482 to $521 million dollars. I believe Iowa’s millionaire’s would rather see the state invest in the future – our schoolchildren. (Also pictured is State Rep. Jerry Kearns)

Senator Rob Hogg and I enjoyed visiting with Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity Executive Director, Jeff Capps, and Volunteer Coordinator, Josie Visser, about upcoming projects in the Cedar Rapids area. If you’re interested in helping on a build this summer, Josie is seeking more helping hands! Contact her at volunteer@cvhabitat.org

Habitat for Humanity has several advocacy priorities, including:
-Increase access and funding for affordable home-ownership
-Expand Iowa’s volunteer base
-Incentivize individuals and businesses to support home-ownership through tax credits and other incentive programs
-Invest in resilient communities by supporting organizations focusing on public/private collaborations

Iowa Nutrient Research Center was established in 2013 to meet the needs for continued monitoring, research, and innovation to address Iowa’s water quality concerns. I discussed nutrient runoff water quality initiatives with some of the researchers from the Center: Keith Schilling, Research Scientist at the University of Iowa; Daryl Smith, former director of the Tallgrass Prairie Center at the University of Northern Iowa; and Dr. Matthew Helmers, Ag Professor at the Iowa State University.

We agreed that Intensive research and monitoring is critical to understanding source points, setting benchmarks for improvement, and implementing measurable nutrient reduction strategies. I am confident that our Regents’ Universities in Iowa will continue to provide valuable research-driven solutions for improving Iowa’s water quality and for developing new ways for farmers to manage nutrients. The legislature must support their efforts and provide the resources to strength and improve the current strategy.

One of the critical roles of the Legislative Branch is setting the budget, not only for the Executive Branch and all of its agencies, but also the Judicial Branch and its courts. The Legislative Branch creates laws that establish policies and programs as well as funding for the Judicial Branch. In turn, the Judicial Branch resolves conflicts arising from the interpretation or application of these laws. (The Social Studies teacher in me wanted to give you this bit of background. I’ve always been intrigued by the inter-connectivity of the separate responsibilities where one branch of government cannot function effectively without the others.)

Carroll Edmondson, District Court Administrator at the Linn County Courthouse, invited me over for a demonstration of the Judicial Branch Electronic Document Management System. The legislature provided funding toward this 5-year project. The EDMS allows attorneys and citizens to electronically file court documents with the judicial branch via the Internet. The EDMS integrates with the Iowa Court Information System (ICIS) enabling electronic access to authorized parties via the Internet to the court docket and court documents, 24 hrs a day, 7 days a week. In addition, it allows court notices to be emailed to lawyers, litigants, and other officials.

When implementation of the EDMS is completed this year, Iowa will be the only state with all of its courts (District, Appeals and Supreme) on this type of system. Prior to this, court personnel, including judges, waded through stacks and stacks of files and paperwork. After seeing the complexity and magnitude of the information and correspondence the courts deal with, I told Carroll I would never again complain about the amount of my legislative emails, code and documents that I experience!

Moral Mondays IOWA highlights the moral progress at work in the Iowa Legislature by discussing legislation that spans a range of progressive issues working for the advancement of values like equality, fairness and justice.

This week’s discussion was about school bullying. Presenters were: Nate Monson , Executive Director of Iowa Safe Schools and Connie Ryan Terrell, Executive Director of Interfaith Alliance of Iowa.
In America, 90% of 4th through 8th graders report being victims of bullying while
1 in 10 students drop out of school because of repeated bullying. Obviously, this issue is much more pervasive today, than when my generation attended school.
Two bills have been written this Session to address the issue of school bullying: HF 490 and SF 345.
They are gaining momentum in both chambers after a strong bi-partisan vote in the Iowa Senate this week.

Kim Colberg, CEO of Linn County Rural Electric Co-op, spoke with me this morning about some of their legislative issues. I am particularly interested in a couple of bills which would provide tax credits for the installation of geothermal heating and cooling, and utility-owned solar energy. These incentives would help transition our reliance on carbon-based fossil fuels and reduce the over-all consumption of energy.
Learn more about geothermal energy here: http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/tech/geothermal-energy

Oh no! The Capitol’s on fire!

Well, that’s not even a good April Fools jest, and it’s no joke that the Iowa Professional Firefighters Association has concerns about several bills in the legislature. Firefighters held a legislative reception on April 1st, and E911 was a hot topic.

Seriously, it was great to visit with Des Moines firefighters, Carlos Oropeza and Jeff Wing, about the proposed statewide Emergency 911 system:

Receiving emergency calls from the public is a vital component of public safety communication. There are two bills (SF 403 and HF 199) addressing the issue of funding for a statewide emergency communication system, with matching federal funds. The Governor has a proposal to use any additional E911 funds to build out the statewide communications platform. The Public Safety Access Points (PSAP’s) would be funded at 53% instead of the current 46% and locals would be able to use the statewide system free of charge. The House bill includes a $2M appropriation from the Department of Transportation. While I am an advocate for this, I also believe in local control/use of the E911 dollars for the local emergency communications. It appears that all public safety organizations are working on the language to ensure that if the bills move forward they will still have sufficient funding at the local level.

Public Safety is no joke. Please join me in thanking our local emergency professionals and volunteers for the great work they do protecting Iowans.

The Iowa Radio Reading Information Service for the Blind- and Print- Handicapped (IRIS), held a legislative reception Wednesday. Executive Director, Maryfrances Evans, explained that over 500 volunteers provide the voices for this free radio reading service. Each day, volunteers in 7 locations throughout the state sit down in front of an IRIS microphone and read aloud from their local newspapers. These readings are heard on custom receivers that are provided to listeners at no cost.

I also really enjoyed visiting with Arlo and Elsie Monthei from Des Moines, both of whom have limited vision and have worked with the blind. As part of the Independent Living Program at the Dept of the Blind, Elsie delivered radios capable of receiving the IRIS programming. Arlo was an occupational therapist working with individuals going through rehab at Methodist Hospital. He spoke of the struggles that people have transitioning from a life of learning by vision, to a life of learning predominately by hearing. The Monthei’s expressed great appreciation for IRIS radio and NPR. Learn more about IRIS here: http://iowaradioreading.org/index.html

After the reception, Susan and I were curious about how easily someone with blindness could navigate the Capitol. Our Capitol tour guides explained that all of the elevators are accessible with braille instructions, and every meeting room door is identified in braille. Cell phone audio tours are available, as are free guided tours. When tours are given to those with sight impairment, the guides use more adjectives and descriptives to explain in greater detail the many incredible architectural elements of our Statehouse. I’d encourage all Iowans to make the trek to Des Moines for a tour!

Good discussion with Zev Sunleaf, U of I Research Foundation Executive Director, at the Iowa Biotechnology Association legislative reception, regarding laboratory research, patents, and company management and development. The process from research to the successful launch of a new product or company requires expertise in a plethora of areas. Research in Iowa produces many new products that can only be produced and marketed with skilled management and venture capital. One of the Foundation’s goals is to recruit more alumni professionals who’s management skills and experience are needed to ensure the longevity and profitability of new businesses. Zev validated my belief that good ideas paired with skilled management attracts investment capital.

It was indeed an honor yesterday to visit with Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir, former Prime Minister of Iceland, and her wife, Jonina Leosdottir. Jóhanna came to the United States as the keynote speaker at the 10th Annual Governor’s Conference on LGBTQ youth.

In 2009, Jóhanna became Iceland’s first female Prime Minister and the world’s first openly gay head of government. That same year, Forbes magazine listed her among the 100 Most Powerful Women in the world. During her tenure, Iceland overcame a financial crisis, organized a new constitutional process, strengthened women’s rights issues and legalized gay marriage.

Jóhanna and Jonina also spoke of the incredible increase in tourism Iceland has experienced since recent eruptions of the volcano, Bárðarbunga. Before, tourism was confined to the summer months of continuous sunshine,. Now, hotels are “springing up everywhere.”

It was great to learn a little more about Iceland, and about the incredible leadership of Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir.

The Arc of East Central Iowa held their 18th Annual Arc March at Lindale Mall to raise awareness and take a crucial step forward to improve the quality of life for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Executive Director Delaine Petersen and her team does an incredible job organizing this fun event for folks of all ages and abilities.

Even the Cedar Rapids Roller Girls got involved! At their next home bout, $1 of each ticket sale will go to the Arc. (Check out their 2015 schedule here: https://www.crrollergirls.com/)
The Arc March was a great opportunity to visit with so many friends in our community. People like…
…Discovery Living Executive Director, Bob Hebl. Discovery Living provides high-quality residential support services to men and women who have various intellectual disabilities.http://www.discoveryliving.org/default.html
…Jim Pettitt, whose daughter recently sang at the Capitol as part of West Music’s SoundReach Choir
…colleague Cindy Smothers, a para-educator at Madison Elementary. Cindy works with children with Down syndrome
…Ben and Nevin. Nevin’s weekly visits to the Arc have made a tremendous difference in his life. While he really enjoys his work at Hy-Vee in Marion, he was missing social interactions that the Arc has provided
…Mike Hawk, who was super-excited to have his picture taken, first with the mayor and then with me. Mike, with his brilliant smile, did an excellent job directing foot traffic around the mall
….colleague Christy Dykes who is a stronger supporter of the Arc – and education!
I always look forward to this gathering and the exuberant show of support for the Arc and its clients. If you would like to volunteer or donate, more info here: https://www.arceci.org/