Columns

A maroon Members Only jacket hangs in the back of my closet. It is neither warm, nor comfortable nor stylish. It simply exists as continued proof of a plethora of fashion choices society wishes it hadn't made. Of course, May is a month known for decisions being made by the young as they graduate — where they will go, what they will do, who they will become. It's a time when the community watches with great interest as the quasi-adults answer those questions for themselves...

Now that the 2019 session has ended, I thought it might be interesting to share a deeper dive into the state's budget.  At the end of session, supplemental appropriations for Fiscal Year 2019 totaled $168.6 million. This amount is driven by an $150.3 million increase for Medicaid and the $15 million one-time appropriation to help communities in western Iowa recover from this spring's flooding...

This past legislative session we worked hard to ensure high quality and affordable health care in the state of Iowa. The things we did to ensure that include $4.4 million for rural hospitals, $7.7 million for child care affordability, $2.8 million for additional mental health treatment, $5.9 million for additional Department of Human Services field employees, $400,000 for rural psychiatric residencies, and $3.1 million dollars for children’s mental health...

On Tuesday, April 23, the House passed Senate File 599 by a bi-partisan 95 "aye" to 3 "nay" vote. It had previously passed the Senate 49-1. SF 599 provides the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) with the primary role of implementing operating the Iowa Hemp program. I've received a lot of questions about this program...

During the 15th week of the legislative session, we continued our work toward adjournment for the year. We spent much of our time waiting for bills to come to us from the other chamber, waiting on amendments and debating some of the last proposals we will discuss this year. ...

As you read this message the 2019 session of the Iowa Legislature has ended. There were many things that were done this year to "move Iowa forward" and we were able to have a very successful session. This last session, we were able to put taxpayers first, ensure a world class education, ensure affordable and accessible health care, revitalize rural Iowa, enhance Iowa's workforce and economy and protect public safety...

Has the winter been rough on your car? Does it need repair caused by an accident on icy roads? Is it out of alignment or does it need new shocks due to all the potholes? Taking the time to find the right repair shop will save you money and future headaches...

As you prepare for finals and look ahead to summer jobs, don’t miss out on a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Have you ever considered working on Capitol Hill? My U.S. Senate office offers internship opportunities that will give you hands-on work experience in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment. Internships are open to all college-age students of any academic major...

Come Saturday, the spheres of pop-culture geekdom will come into alignment. The first Saturday in May is traditionally held as Free Comic Book Day across the country. It's a day in which comic retailers of all types open their doors and promote literacy through — you guessed it — free comic books. ...

I have talked about property tax reform a few times this year and Thursday morning at 3 a.m., the Iowa House passed a historic bill that simply requires communication on how property taxes are calculated and explained to the common taxpayer. The bill that was passed out of the House and sent to the governor has several main points to it that will protect and keep taxpayers informed. The bill deals with several topics including:...

Senate File 634 is a bill about property tax transparency. I have heard from many of you lately who were concerned about your property tax assessments. It was time to take action. You deserve to know what is going on with your taxes. It should be clear and not buried deep within the depths of a government...

Recently Dickinson County property taxpayers — along with Iowans across the state — were either shocked by the increase of their assessed property tax value or mildly pleased by their escape. Iowa law requires the city or county assessor to review all property in their jurisdiction in odd number years (2019) to be sure assessments are proper. In our case the assessor is the Dickinson County Assessor located at the Spirit Lake courthouse...

We are within a week or two of being done with our business at the Iowa State Capitol this year. We have had a successful legislative session and have begun the process of ending our actions for the year. Our official last day in Session is May 3. However, I don’t think we will be in Des Moines until then. We have agreed on a budget dollar amount which only spends 97.43 percent of the available dollars next fiscal year. This is not a cut in the state budget, rather a slowdown...

We are 14 weeks into the legislative session, leaving us with only two weeks until the scheduled end of session. This deadline prompted discussion on a number of substantive topics this week and many hours debating on the Senate floor. On Tuesday, April 16, the Senate passed a bill creating a children's behavioral health system in Iowa. ...

In less than a week's time, the public in northwest Iowa went from being surprised by the sudden closing of addiction treatment center Compass Pointe, to wondering what society will do with the hundreds of clients who were suddenly dumped, to a twinge of relief as Seasons Center for Behavioral Health took steps to pick up the slack. ...

Every parent wants the best for their child. But not every parent has the resources or support network most of us may take for granted. New parents face many stressors as they welcome a child into their lives – lack of sleep, additional expenses and balancing other responsibilities with the needs of a newborn. Without the support of family and friends, all of these things become even more difficult...

This week, the House Ways and Means Committee unanimously passed House File 227. This bill doubles the income limitation for the Iowa child and dependent care tax credit. This is a credit that supports working Iowa families who spend large portions of their paychecks on childcare...

After last week's legislative deadline for bills, week 13 included more floor debate. We remain focused on our budget work, while we continue to pass bills out of the Senate. While we have no agreement yet with the House or the governor on what the budget will look like for the next fiscal year, we continue to move forward with our budget bills. We do this because we believe we have a budget that is responsible and sustainable...

Despite my strong desire to address the ludicrous nature of supposed cancer-causing sound waves emanating from wind turbines, I can't get the situation surrounding former Vice President Joe Biden out of my mind. It's not simply because he's now been labeled "Creepy Uncle Joe." Rather, it's because I believe our response to the accusations surrounding the last administration's VP will have some wide-spread implications for political discourse moving forward...

Last week, Governor Reynolds and the Department of Human Services announced that negotiations with United Healthcare have ceased. Governor Reynolds cited UnitedHealthcare's demand for more money for less accountability as the reason for the breakdown...

The Voluntary Action Center and the Retired Senior Volunteer Program's Angela Kofoot and Patricia Donovan are lucky women. Because of the work they do in helping to shape and support individual and corporate volunteer programs, they get to see inspiring stories that underscore the power of volunteering...

Governor's bill on contraceptives creates a statewide standing order with the medical director of the Iowa Department of Public Health and allows pharmacists to dispense initially three months of an oral contraceptive, hormonal vaginal ring or hormonal contraceptive patch, and then subsequent year supplies. This bill only applies to patients 18 years and older...

It's not every day an Iowan has the opportunity to wake up and ask top executives of seven major pharmaceutical companies the question that's on the minds of most Americans: Why do prescription drug prices keep rising in America? That’s exactly what I did when I chaired a congressional hearing of the Senate Finance Committee. It's the second in a series of hearings I have called to examine drug pricing in the United States...

Week 11 of the legislative session is in the books. The bulk of my newsletters go heavy and deep on particular policy issues we're considering in the legislature. This week I wanted to try something different to give you a peek behind the curtain and a more personal flavor of life in the week of a legislator...

If the lines at the hardware stores were any indication, this most recent batch of rainy weather hit us all pretty equally. Each of us tried our best to keep the rain at bay as it fell on frozen ground before winding its way down the path of least resistance — ending in the basement for many of us. ...

DCTB has two new trail segments planned for this summer. First is the Jones Pasture Trail, which will extend the Spine Trail one mile north along the east side of Big Spirit Lake. This project has been a development priority for several years and DCTB has now secured $250,000 from the Region 3 Transportation Alternatives Program. The grant provides the additional funding needed along with $50,000 from the Okoboji Foundation and $50,000 from REAP grant funding to move forward with construction...

Floor debate took up most of our time as we finished week 10 of the 2019 legislative session. We are already over halfway through the session and while we've been busy, there is still much we hope to accomplish in the next few weeks. As we continue to consider major issues like the budget and property tax reform, I welcome your questions, comments, and concerns...

The House Labor Committee passed HF 666 requiring the State Government Efficiency Committee to review every occupational license in the state over a six year period of time and send a report to the General Assembly on which it must vote. This bill also requires licensing boards to inform individuals with a criminal record whether or not they would be eligible for an a license...

When I hear politicians talk about abolishing the Electoral College, it immediately makes me think about the impact on the state of Iowa. It would be devastating. The ripple effects would render Iowans' voices moot in the general election and bring an end to Iowa's first-in-the-nation caucus status...

March is National Social Work Month. It's a time to recognize and celebrate the workers who have dedicated their lives to lifting up Iowa families with nowhere else to turn. They work long hours. They see children and parents at the most difficult moments in their lives. But they get up every day, committed to strengthening Iowa families...

Last week was "funnel week." This is where the legislature's focus is narrowed to bills that have passed out of at least one committee in one chamber and are eligible to be debated on the floor and signed into law. If a bill fails to advance through a committee, it is considered "dead" for the session and is tabled. Oftentimes, a bill is not moved forward because it lacks support or needs improvement over the interim. The funnel does not apply to Appropriations or Ways & Means bills...

Week nine in the Iowa Senate included some of the first major debate of the year. Just this week, we passed over 30 bills out of the Senate chamber. One of the bills the Senate passed this week was Senate File 274, protecting the freedom of speech on college campuses in Iowa. ...

When I travel across house district 1, I’m often asked what the most pressing issue is facing the state. That is such a difficult question because, as you might have guessed, everyone has a different opinion. However, the one thing I hear from voters, legislators and community leaders is the issue of rural development in our state...

Week eight in the legislature was the first funnel week of the year. This deadline requires policy bills to be out of their originating chamber’s committee in order to be considered for the rest of this year. Imposing this deadline forces legislators to focus on priority bills and bills with enough support to pass the chamber. The days went by quickly with a majority of our time being in subcommittees and committees to make final decisions on bills...

In 2008, the Legislature created the SAVE Fund to help schools make much-needed investments in crumbling school infrastructure. SAVE serves as an important tool for schools to make important improvements that ensure modern facilities, safe classrooms, and state of the art technology that enhance students' educational experience...

This week, we were presented with another one of those difficult conundrums our system of laws creates from time to time. We almost had a state bill eliminating the mandate for both school nurses and school librarians. Thankfully, the bill was amended to remove the sections about nurses and librarians before being passed by its committee, according to Iowa Public Radio. ...

This was the seventh week of the 2019 legislative session, and another week busy with subcommittee meetings. Next week is the first funnel week of the year, meaning Senate bills need to be out of Senate committees in order to be considered for the rest of the year. This does not apply to bills that are in Appropriations, Ways & Means, or Government Oversight committees...

When I travel across house district 1, I’m often asked what the most pressing issue is facing the state. That is such a difficult question because, as you might have guessed, everyone has a different opinion. However, the one thing I hear from voters, legislators and community leaders is the issue of rural development in our state...

The House Government Oversight Committee met recently to follow-up on the Medicaid Managed Care Oversight legislation that was passed last year. The Committee heard from Director Jerry Foxhoven of the Department of Human Services, Alissa Weber, CEO at UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Iowa, and Jeffrey Jones, President at Amerigroup Iowa. ...

"Genuflectant omnes in plano." All kneel at the same level. It's a phrase meaning we're all the same — equal under God's rule, in its original context. The idea being we are all created equal, and to believe one of us to be greater than the other is short-sighted. I see a parallel in social accountability...

After a mild beginning to the winter season, January hit the state hard with successive snow storms that blanketed the state in snow and cold. And with it came schools closings statewide. The Department of Education doesn't keep track of days called off school for weather, so hard numbers don't exist. But anecdotally you'll hear anywhere from two days to over a dozen days called off so far this season. And that many days will present a challenge to just about every school calendar out there...

I’ve completed round one of three on the Eggs and Issues circuit across District 1. Thanks to all who have attended and asked thoughtful questions. Week 6 of the 2019 session is in the books. Committee work remains a heavy focus in anticipation of the upcoming funnel deadline. ...

Development of the state budget took a major step forward on Tuesday when House Republicans unveiled our framework for a responsible, conservative budget in Fiscal Year 2020. The House proposal provides $7.668 billion from the General Fund to state programs beginning July 1...

These goals always top the list of the most popular New Year's resolutions: Lose weight. Reduce stress. Get in shape. But don't let these resolutions clash with another common one: Manage your money better. Scammers will take advantage of your desire to improve your health. Don’t fall for phony claims peddled online or a "free trial" to try a miracle cure...

This newsletter will be a bit different than the others. I have often been asked: "What it is like to be a state legislator?" So I thought it would be a good idea to give you a brief summary of what an average day is like for me. With that said, each day is different in the state capitol. There is a general flow to each day, and that is what I hope to convey with this letter...

As we moved into the fifth week of the legislative session, subcommittee work remained the primary focus, while bills have been moving through the Senate. However, we also took up our first substantive debate on the Senate floor this week. In addition to considering several bills related to the rules of the body, we considered two important pieces of education funding. ...

Assuming the weather didn't freeze us all where we stood, a number of the faces in your local newsroom will have visited Des Moines to receive their various awards at the Iowa Better Newspaper Association Convention and Trade Show this past weekend. ...

The attention of many Iowans was focused on the work being done in the Senate this week. Several key issues being discussed this legislative session began to work their way through the process and have been the topic of many discussions at the Capitol...

We made significant progress on a couple of important issues this week at the Statehouse. Once again, weather was a detractor from our work on the Hill as it was across the state. All the while, we were working hard at doing the peoples work and making Iowa a better place. The two significant issues that were brought to light this week were school funding and judicial selection reform. ...

The Internal Revenue Service is officially accepting and processing federal tax returns for tax year 2018. The IRS expects more than 150 million individual tax returns to be filed this season and has already received several million in the opening hours...