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Rep. Steckman reflects on 2014 legislative session

From Rep. Sharon Steckman –

State Rep. Sharon Steckman
State Rep. Sharon Steckman

We just wrapped up the 2014 legislative session last week and I’m pleased with the progress we made this year. We worked together in many different areas to create new opportunities for families across Iowa.

We continued key job training initiatives and expanded apprenticeship opportunities to boost our skilled workforce. We froze tuition at our state universities for the second year in a row to keep tuition affordable and encouraged more use of renewable energy. While I’m proud of the progress, we missed some opportunities this year to build a strong middle class, grow our economy, and I am especially disappointed that majority party did not set school funding. These are critical issues we must address next year during the 2015 session.

The session is over but I’m still available to answer your questions, listen to your ideas, and assist you with any issues related to state government. My contact information is located to the right on this page. Please feel free to contact me anytime.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Protections for Seniors from Abuse

Lawmakers approved several bills this session to provide additional protections for vulnerable Iowa seniors.

Senate File 2239 allows vulnerable elders that are taken advantage of to seek a protective order from their abusers, if there is physical or financial abuse. Courts can order a variety of remedies to protect a senior, including requiring the abuser to avoid contact with the senior and removing the powers of an abuser to make decisions for a vulnerable elder.

The bill also requires state agencies that deal with seniors to collaborate and provide written recommendations to strengthen Iowa’s elder abuse prevention efforts.

Senate File 2168 provides additional protections for elderly Iowan’s that rely on a power of attorney to help manage their affairs. It creates specific minimum duties on agents, or people granted authority to act for an elderly Iowan, under one of these legal documents.

The bill establishes mandatory duties on agents, as well as specifying when an agent must disclose information to organizations such as the courts or adult protective services. In addition, the bill provides for powers that an agent cannot exercise unless the document expressly authorizes those powers. There are also provisions creating liability for agents that violate a power of attorney document.

AARP Iowa applauded the passage of the bill. The organization indicated that this bill was the single most important tool to address financial exploitation of elders.

Lastly, as part of the Health and Human Services budget bill, House File 2463, the Legislature approved the re-establishment of the Office of Substitute Decision Maker. The Office helps vulnerable Iowans obtain a guardian or power of attorney to protect their best interest when there is no one else.

School Funding Not Acted Upon Before Adjournment

While approved by the Iowa Senate, several attempts were made this session by House Democrats to set basic funding for Iowa schools, as required by law.

The Iowa Senate acted on school funding, often called allowable growth, on time to prioritize k-12 education in the state budget. The plan set school funding at 6% increase, or $196 million, and set what is called categorical funding at 6% as well, which would provide increases in entirely state funding for teacher salaries, professional development, and early reading intervention.

Lawmakers heard from parents, superintendents, school board members, and teachers that all supported the school funding plan passed by the Senate. School officials said the 6% increase in basic funding for schools would be used to expand early literacy, boost student achievement, and reduce class size.

Despite multiple opportunities, the House majority party refused to act on school funding before the 2014 session adjourned for the year. The Governor was also opposed to the school funding plan.

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