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Legislative update from Rep. Todd Pritchard

 Representatives Prichard and Steckman meet with members of the Charles City Community School District at the Capitol on Tuesday February 17, 2015. Pictured with Representatives Prichard and Steckman are Superintendent Dr. Dan Cox, School Board President, Scott Dight, School Board Vice President, Jason Walker, Information Specialist, Justin DeVore, and school board members, James Frisbie, Robin Macomber, and Lorraine Winterink.

Representatives Prichard and Steckman meet with members of the Charles City Community School District at the Capitol on Tuesday February 17, 2015. Pictured with Representatives Prichard and Steckman are Superintendent Dr. Dan Cox, School Board President, Scott Dight, School Board Vice President, Jason Walker, Information Specialist, Justin DeVore, and school board members, James Frisbie, Robin Macomber, and Lorraine Winterink.

From Rep. Todd Pritchard –

Another week in the 2015 session has passed. This was the last full week before funnel week. Funnel week is the week when all bills must be submitted and out of committee in order to be eligible for final passage. I am happy to report that one bill of particular interest to our region passed subcommittee this morning. This is a bill I authored dealing with the issue of mental health patient transportation. Currently, when an individual is committed to custody for mental health reasons, they are transported by sheriff’s deputies. This is a heavy burden on sheriff’s offices as the trips can be over long distances and pull deputies off of their beat. My bill would allow county mental health officials to contract with private carriers (like ambulance services) to perform these trips. I am hopeful this bill will continue to the House floor for final passage.

Also this week, I am happy to report that I filed a bill to encourage small farm growth in Iowa. This bill focuses on providing financial incentives and assistance to small farmers who are raising crops for sale in local food markets. Activities like farmers markets and food coops have been a growing sector in agriculture for the last few decades. I hopeful that the legislation I authored starts the discussion as to how to grow this sector of agriculture and allow more producers to enter in the business of farming. I see this as a great way for beginning farmers to get started in Ag. I credit this legislation initiative to a visit I had to Lloyd and Renee Johnson’s farm in rural Nashua, Iowa in 2013.

This week at the Capitol, I was proud to fix a bill I supported last year, exempting some injured veterans from home property taxes. About 200 of the vets who should have qualified for this benefit were denied because of an error in last year’s bill. Now, as was intended, the vets who are determined to be 100% unemployable or 100% disabled are eligible.

Finally, I am disappointed we failed to pass an acceptable level of state funding for schools. The House and Senate failed to come to agreement on what school funding should be. For those of you who read my newsletter regularly, you will know this is a constant source of disagreement and disappoint for me. Our schools need to be funded at a higher level then what Governor Branstad and House Republican leadership are proposing. I have heard from numerous educators from around the state and our district that this funding is critical to maintaining the quality of education we have. I am hopeful we can come to an agreement for acceptable funding in the next few weeks.

I am hosting a listening post at the Nashua Public Library this Saturday, February 28 at 11am. I hope you can attend if you are in the area.

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