NorthIowaToday.com

Founded in 2010

News & Entertainment for Mason City, Clear Lake & the Entire North Iowa Region

Ragan: Ensuring government works for Iowans

Pictured with Iowa Vietnam Veterans are (front, from left) Rep. Mary Gaskill, Rep. Jerry Kearns, Senator Mary Jo Wilhelm, Senator Daryl Beall, Senator Amanda Ragan, Senator Ken Rozenboom, Senator Rita Hart and Senator Amy Sinclair. Back, from left: Senator Joni Ernst, Senator Bill Dotzler and Rep. Chuck Isenhart.
Pictured with Iowa Vietnam Veterans are (front, from left) Rep. Mary Gaskill, Rep. Jerry Kearns, Senator Mary Jo Wilhelm, Senator Daryl Beall, Senator Amanda Ragan, Senator Ken Rozenboom, Senator Rita Hart and Senator Amy Sinclair. Back, from left: Senator Joni Ernst, Senator Bill Dotzler and Rep. Chuck Isenhart.

From Senator Amanda Ragan –

Iowans who have served and sacrificed for our freedom deserve the highest quality care we can offer. That is a top priority for all legislators, regardless of political party.

Allegations of mistreatment of veterans and staff were the subject of a special meeting of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee this week. Legislators heard from a dozen speakers, including Commandant David Worley. Most, including a long-term care ombudsman with the Iowa Department of Aging who has worked with Veterans Home residents, reported serious concerns. It was also noted that more than 40 employees, an unusually high number, have resigned in the last two years, many with decades of service at the home.

After the meeting the Governor appointed Jodi Tymeson, executive director of the Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs, to a newly created position as Chief Operating Officer at the Veterans Home. General Tymeson will work directly under Worley and oversee the departments, staff and day-to-day activities.

This is a positive first step toward restoring confidence at the Iowa Veterans Home and ensuring the proper treatment of veterans and IVH employees.

Chief Justice Mark Cady said in his State of the Judiciary address in January that “Iowans expect their government to operate a full-time, full-service and efficient court system.”

The Legislature is working to provide that full-time access to justice through court funding in the Judicial Branch Budget. Senate File 442, approved with strong bipartisan support, provides close to $168 million to our court system, a $5.6 million increase over last year’s appropriation. The extra money will allow the courts to hire staff that provides much-needed services to Iowans.

This year’s funding should help Iowa’s courts improve staffing and services to ensure we continue to have one of the most responsive court systems in the nation.

The Legislature has approved changes that will make getting your Iowa driver’s license a lot faster and easier.

SF 224, signed into law May 1, lets Iowa veterans get their veteran status marked on their driver’s license or state ID when they go in for a duplicate license rather than waiting until they come up for renewal, which could be years away. It also makes licenses good for 8 years for Iowans between the ages of 18 and 74. In addition, Iowans who voluntarily give up their driver’s license for age-related or medical reasons may get a free state ID.

HF 355, approved by the House and Senate, will make it possible for most Iowans to renew their driver’s license online every other time it comes up for renewal. That means no waiting in lines, no driving long distances and renewing your license at your convenience. This is a fiscally smart move that will free up $1.2 million for fixing our roads and bridges, according to the nonpartisan Legislative Services Agency.

0 0 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
guest

1 Comment
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Even more news:

Watercooler
Copyright 2024 – Internet Marketing Pros. of Iowa, Inc.
1
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x