From Rep. Sharon Steckman –
We are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Senate and House Leadership came up with the final budget targets this week and now the chairs of each of the seven budget committees will need to make those figures work. Then, after passing the individual budgets in committee, each chamber, House and Senate, will need to vote on them.
We are scheduled to adjourn on April 19th, so it is going to get a bit hectic, and debating will be intense, especially on Education and Health and Human Services, the two largest budgets.
We have also begun to say good-bye to legislators who have decided not to run again, including four from our caucus and eight from the Republican side. They will each give a “retirement speech” to the House, usually talking about the legislation that they were particularly involved with and their feelings about having had the honor of serving their district and the state.
Another group that we will soon say good-bye to are the pages. These young people from across the state are usually high school seniors who have completed enough of their credits to graduate. They spend almost four months attending to the needs of legislators – running errands, distributing bills and other paperwork, helping in the leaders’ offices and generally making themselves extremely useful. They, in turn, receive an education in how democracy works.
Across the years, many of them have been inspired to study political science, communication or public relations and have chosen to enter public service, either becoming a candidate or running campaigns. As an example, Abby Finkenauer, Democrat from Dubuque, first came to the House as a page; then became a clerk during her college years, and now serves as a Representative.
I am beginning to look forward to the end of session when I can be at home in Mason City full-time, spending time in the community with all of you. However, it is always hard to say goodbye to the good friends here at the legislature with whom I work so closely for almost four months.
Water Quality Alternative Plan Advances in Iowa House
After Governor Branstad’s plan to divert money from public schools to water quality received little support, lawmakers are considering alternative ideas to improve Iowa’s water quality.
Under one idea approved by the House Appropriations Committee this week, conservation farming practices and municipal infrastructure could receive up to $9 million new dollars next year.
Farming conservation practices would receive $5 million from the Rebuild Iowa Infrastructure Account (RIIF), which is comprised of gaming revenues. These cost share programs would support long-term infrastructure projects such as terraces, wetlands, buffer strips and grass waterways.
The legislation would eventually divert an additional $20 million annually from the state’s general fund, which already pays for key state priorities like education and health care. The money would be targeted for municipal infrastructure for clean drinking water, as well as additional farming conservation practices. The changes in the tax will have no effect on what consumers pay for water. Over the course of the diversion, the bill will redirect $232 million from the general fund to water quality infrastructure.
Currently, Iowa spends about $20 million annually to improve water quality. However, it falls short of the estimated $5 billion needed, which was identified by the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy.
House File 2451 could be debated by the Iowa House next week.
Survey on Medicaid Privatization
The Governor’s privatization of Medicaid began April 1, 2016, after being delayed for three months. Medicaid, hawk-i, and Health and Wellness Plan members are now enrolled with one of three private managed care organizations to administer Medicaid services.
Despite the assurance of the Governor and the Department of Human Services that there would be no change in services, many members and direct care providers are confused and are still having issues. Lawmakers want to know how the transition is going for you. Please take this short survey and share your story. http://iowansforqualitymedicaid.com/survey/.
To obtain help with your issues and answers to your questions, members and providers should use the following contact information:
For Iowa Medicaid Member – IME Member Services
Phone: 1-800-338-8366 (toll free) or 515-256-4606
Website: www.IAHealthLink.gov
Email: IMEMemberServices@dhs.state.ia.us
For Iowa Medicaid Providers – IME Provider Services
Phone: 1-800-338-7909 (toll free) or 515-256-4609
Email: IMEProviderServices@dhs.state.ia.us
Provider Managed Care Organization Contacts: https://dhs.iowa.gov/ime/providers/MCO-contact-info
Managed Care Organizations
Amerigroup Iowa, Inc.
Phone: 1-800-600-4441
Web: www.myamerigroup.com/IA/
AmeriHealth Caritas
Phone: 1-855-332-2440
Web: www.amerihealthcaritasia.com
UnitedHealthcare Plan of the River Valley
Phone: 1-800-464-9484
Web: www.UHCCommunityPlan.com/ia/
Electrical Transmission Line Regulations
As energy projects continue to grow in Iowa, the Legislature is considering further regulations of proposed projects as they may impact Iowa residents and some landowners.
The Iowa House recently approved new regulations for companies that want to construct an electrical transmission line. The regulations focus mostly on proposed projects that use eminent domain to obtain access to the land in Iowa. The proposed projects are given a specific timeline for the Iowa Utilities Board to rule on the proposed projects. The bill would take effect upon enactment, and apply retroactively to petitions filed since November 1, 2014.
With this retroactive effective date, the bill includes the current petition before the Iowa Utilities Board for the proposed Rock Island Clean Line project that would build above ground electrical transmission lines from northwest Iowa to Illinois to specifically transmit wind energy to Illinois and the east coast.
Supporters of the bill state this will help protect landowner’s rights and ensure a proposed project does not remain open and undecided for many years. Opponents of the bill are concerned that the rules are being changed midway through the process for a current petition, and that it could negatively impact the jobs needed to build the electrical transmission lines.
The bill now goes to the Iowa Senate for consideration.
Iowa African American Hall of Fame
Nominations are now open for the Iowa African American Hall of Fame, one of the highest honors an individual can receive by the African American community.
Affiliated with the Black Culture Center at Iowa State University, the purpose of the Iowa African American Hall of Fame is to recognize, honor, and pay tribute to individuals who have displayed outstanding ability.
Nominees for induction into the Iowa African American Hall of Fame may be living or deceased in accordance with the guidelines. They must have served to benefit and increase the quality of life for Iowans during the nominee’s professional or civic career, and achieved distinction in the field of research and technology management; business; public affairs or civil society; and corporate governance.
For more information contact: Rudy Simms at rusimmsy@gmail.com or call 515-991-4398.
To learn more about the Iowa African American Hall of Fame, visit the website below Website: www.studentaffairs.iastate.edu/iaahf.
Changes to Specialty License Plates
Iowans who would like to support their favorite college team or show their membership to a nonprofit organization on their license plate could be doing so in a new way.
Under a plan approved by the Iowa House, changes for specialty plates include a space reserved for placement of an organization decal that is designed by the organization instead of the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT). The new specialty plates will be available without an additional fee at the time of initial registration.
An organization wishing to have a decal on a license plate must be a nonprofit with a primary focus of serving the community. The legislation allows the DOT to establish the criteria for decal designs.
Protecting Minors from Unauthorized Credit Cards
In an attempt to help cut down on sex trafficking, the Iowa Legislature limited the ability of adults to obtain credit cards in a child’s names. Currently, it is illegal to use a stolen, forged, revoked or canceled credit card.
The bill prohibits an adult from applying for a credit card for a minor without the consent of the child’s parent, guardian, or legal custodian. This is punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of at least $750, but not more than $7,500. The bill still allows an adult to add a minor’s name to the established adult’s credit card.
In addition, if a person is found guilty of using a credit card obtained illegally through this proposed legislation by purchasing goods or services valued less than $10,000, the punishment is up to five years in prison, and a fine of at least $750, but not more than $7,500. If the amount is over $10,000, the punishment is up to ten years in prison, and a fine of at least $1,000, but not more than $10,000.
The bill was signed into law by the Governor and takes effect July 1, 2016.
Vietnam Veterans Recognition Day at the Capitol
On Friday, May 6, the Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA) will be hosting a recognition ceremony for Vietnam veterans.
During the ceremony, a new plaque dedicated to those Iowans who served in the war will be unveiled. This plaque is located by the sidewalk near the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
Governor Branstad will be delivering remarks, and the public is welcome to attend. The ceremony starts at 11:00 a.m. at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, located south of the Iowa State Capitol building in Des Moines.
