From Rep. Todd Prichard of Charles City –
I often wonder what the landscape looked like 150 years ago when my family first came to Iowa and Howard County. Was there prairie grass still standing, were there large groves of trees, were there different flocks of birds, what species were there, was the soil even blacker than today? Did the streams flow crystal clear? Would my ancestors recognize the landscape today?
Over the years that I have been married, I have spent as much time as I can on weekends and evenings helping my father-in-law on his farm in Lime Springs. I help with field work and cattle chores primarily. I look forward to this work as I find it relaxing, as my father-in-law handles the more important decisions about the farm. I just do what he says.
I have to think the farmers who first cut the prairie would be amazed at how productive agriculture has become in what is relatively a short period of time. Just a few years ago, 100 bushels of corn was considered a bumper crop, now 200 bushels is normal for some areas.
Against this backdrop of thoughts lies the current discussion I am a part of with water quality. Last month, I and the local Farm Bureau invited every legislator in the state as well as some environment and agricultural groups to the Norman Borlaug Research Farm west of Nashua. We called the event the Water Quality Academy. Our goal was to educate and provide a rural perspective on the issue of water quality.
Eighty people from across the state, including 15 legislators, turned out to listen, learn and discuss the issue of water quality in Iowa. During the day, the group heard from PhD research scientists from the University of Iowa and Iowa State as well as leading expects from the Soy Bean Association and the Farm Bureau. These experts provided technical presentations about Iowa’s water systems. We also heard from area farmers, like Jon Gisleson and Dean Sponheim from the Orchard, Iowa area and Rick Juchems and Mark Mueller from the Plainfield/Waverly area. To be honest, the farmers stole the show. Each farmer spoke with passion about the conservation practices they are using on their farms to ensure the sustainability of the land.
After the presentations, I had a number of urban legislators and environmental group activists comment to me on how progressive thinking the farmers were and how passionate they were about conservation. They (and I) were impressed with the willingness of the farmers to try new techniques such as buffer strips and cover crops to fight erosion and nutrient reduction. In essence, these farmers are willing to take risks to improve their environment. Like my great grandfather, these farmers continue the pioneer spirit.
For those of you who have followed my comments on water quality closely the last few months, you know that I am hopeful the legislature and governor can agree to meaningful and far reaching legislation to improve Iowa’s waters. Like so often in the past, North Iowa will lead the way showing what works to improve water quality. Let me highlight some accomplishments from our region.
After the 2008 flood, communities along the Cedar River formed the Upper Cedar Watershed Management Improvement Authority. This organization has been a mechanism to identify and fund water shed projects that have reduced flooding and pollution from entering the waterways. The beauty of this authority is its ability to cross political boundaries to get people to work together. The Upper Cedar Watershed Management Improvement Authority is a model of how communities can work together to improve a regions water quality.
Earlier this year, the city of Charles City won a USDA grant to improve its foot print. This grant is rare in that it provides money for an urban area to improve not only its water system, but also to work with farmers and land owners up stream of the city to prevent erosion and mitigate flooding. Again, Charles City, area farmers and land owners will show that we can improve the water by collaborating.
To be successful in improving Iowa’s water quality, we will have to work together across boundaries and have the same “can do” spirit the State is known for.
Finally, on a sad note, I want to send my sympathy to the family and friends of Alex Kuhn. I knew and admired Alex as a rare leader with strong principals and a caring heart. His loss will be felt by the thousands he served in the Northern Iowa community.
Survey Shows Iowa Medicaid Providers Still Struggling with Privatization
A new survey released this week found Iowa Medicaid providers are still struggling under Governor Branstad’s privatization plan, which began earlier this year. Providers said the privatization plan has led to increased costs, reduced services for clients, and even forced them to borrow money because they are not getting paid on time.
According the survey, 90% of providers have seen their administrative costs increase, and nearly two-thirds of them have received lower reimbursement rates. Nearly eight in ten providers said they are not getting paid on time and 28% of providers have been forced to take out loans to cover their expenses while waiting for payment.
Ever since the Governor has turned the Medicaid program over to the three out-of-state companies, providers said services for Iowans on Medicaid has suffered as a result of privatization. Forty-six percent of providers said they have, or will be reducing services, while 61% said quality of services is suffering as a result of privatization
The survey results confirm what Iowans across the state have been saying to us for months, that the Medicaid mess is a major burden for Iowa health care providers.
The survey was completed by over 400 Medicaid providers from around Iowa, including doctors, hospitals, local clinics, and non-profit health care providers. Full survey results are available at www.iowahouse.org.
Board of Regents Approve Tuition Hike for this Fall
Iowa students heading to one of the three state universities this fall will pay an additional $250 in tuition. Approved by the Iowa Board of Regents, the action was deemed necessary after the Legislature failed to allocate an amount close to the Regents’ budget request.
The approved amount was $50 less than originally proposed. The Regents also increased tuition for other students at the universities, including graduate and out-of-state students. Out-of-state undergraduate tuition at the UI will increase by $400, while business and engineering students will see an increase of $500 to $800.
Before the 2016 Legislative Session, the Iowa Board of Regents requested a $20.3 million budget increase. At that level, there would not be a need to increase tuition. The House Majority only provided a $6.3 million total increase in state funds for all of the Regent institutions to operate under next year. House Democrats proposed legislation that a study of student debt and obtaining data on how it affects Iowa’s economy, family finances and how it can be reduced, but it was voted down by the Majority Party.
With the increase, an additional $18 million would be generated for the Regents institutions, but will be made up by Iowa students and their families so they can attend state universities. Iowa graduates already accumulate one of the highest debts to go to college in the country, and this will more than likely increase that problem.
