From the Desk of Senator Trone Garriott
Clockwise from left: The priest, his family, and leaders from the Hindu Temple in Madrid came to the Capitol to share a blessing, Iowa Sherriff’s Departments are advocating for their pensions, Iowa PBS came to visit the Capitol, The Republican Majority refused to exempt families with children from new additional requirements for public assistance in Senate Debate.
Oh, SNAP.
This week the Republican Majority passed Senate File 494 out of the Senate, adding significant administrative hurdles for Iowans needing food and medical assistance — and significantly increasing the cost to Iowa taxpayers. The fiscal note (only available the morning of debate) indicated that the program would require $17.2 Million in start-up costs, a 3rd party contractor, an additional 230 state employees, and $10 million more in administrative costs each year.
Any proposed “savings” would come from removing Iowans (including children) from Medicaid, in which the state pays a portion of the cost. Fewer Iowans will have access to health care and mental health care as a result. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) would not yield any cost savings, because all of those benefits are fully funded by federal dollars. Instead, Iowa would pay more in administrative costs AND lose out on a portion of the $43 million federal dollars qualifying Iowans receive each month to purchase groceries.
The fiscal note estimated that 1.0% of individuals receiving benefits now will have their benefits canceled due to discrepancies: 8,000 Medicaid recipients, 600 Children’s Health Insurance recipients,100 FIP recipients, and 2,800 SNAP recipients. However, it is not possible to calculate how many Iowans will lose access because they cannot complete the paperwork. In addition to new requirements to report and document proof of a household’s assets, this legislation incentivizes a third-party vendor to disenroll Iowans from assistance programs. There will be many opportunities to remove Iowans from these programs, even if they qualify for assistance. Under this new system a recipient can be required to show additional proof of eligibility multiple times between verification periods. If they do not reply to a request within 10 calendar days their benefits will be terminated. The State of Pennsylvania scuttled a similar system after just a few years because of the expense and the realization that 14% qualifying residents were removed benefits because they could not complete paperwork requirements.
In a time when prices are rising dramatically for groceries, and many are struggling to keep up, it is unconscionable that our state government would make it harder for Iowans to get help. Please contact legislators in the House and ask that they do not move this legislation forward.
Also in the news was the Governor’s bill to prohibit the acknowledgement of gender and sexuality in any materials, books, lessons, or conversations in schools. The bill is targeting the LGBTQ community, but creates a myriad of pitfalls with penalties for public schools and their staff. Legislation like this creates a toxic climate for education and is incredibly harmful to our communities. See my comments here. The bill passed the Senate Wednesday on a party line vote. It now moves to the House for consideration.
What Gives You Hope for Iowa’s Future?
Let’s be honest: it’s been a difficult legislative session.
But out in the community I find so much to inspire me in this work. There’s always hope to be found in the strength and optimism of Iowans.
This week, we’re asking you to share your story: Click the button below to tell us what gives you hope for a brighter future in Iowa politics and government.
Quick Updates
- Don’t Device and Drive. Hands-free legislation aimed at preventing distracted driving cleared the Iowa Senate this week. Senate File 547 bans using an electronic device while driving, but allows the use of one-touch or voice-activated features or devices. The change will help ensure drivers keep their hands on the steering wheel and eyes on the road, keeping all of us safer. Offenders will be issued warnings for a short period after the law takes effect, and then face $100 fines for violations. The bill now heads to the House for consideration.
- Join the Book Club. The State Historical Society of Iowa’s book club kicks off this month with an online discussion of “The Good Country: A History of the American Midwest, 1800-1900” by Jon Lauck at 7 p.m. March 30. The first-ever chronicle of the Midwest’s formative century, “The Good Country” describes a rich civic culture that prized education, literature, libraries and the arts. Author Jon Lauck will join the discussion. Register here.
- More opportunities for young deer hunters. A bill passed in the Iowa Senate this week allows hunters under 18 to purchase licenses and hunt during all established deer hunters, expanding their options beyond the September 17-to-October 2 youth season. It now moves on to the House for further consideration.
- Stop human trafficking. A bill creating a new Human Trafficking Taskforce passed the Senate this week. The taskforce will create an annual report examining resources available for victims and law enforcement and what additional resources are needed. I’m hopeful this will become law soon.
- Ban the panic defense. I’m happy to report that a ban on the LGBTQ panic defense is finally moving in the Senate. People have tried to mitigate or excuse violent attacks on gay and trans victims by using this defense in court. This bipartisan legislation makes clear that Iowa will not excuse violence against someone simply because of who they are.
- Expand penalties for stalking. Senate File 201 enhances penalties for stalking when there is a technological device used to track a victim. We passed this bill in the Senate last week, advancing it to the House for further consideration. This bipartisan bill stems from the growing use of GPS devices in stalking crimes.
- Welcome, VPOTUS. Last Thursday, Vice President Kamala Harris visited Des Moines to discuss reproductive rights with legislators and community advocates. Iowans are concerned about government overreach limiting reproductive freedoms, and Senate Democrats are pushing back against Republican politicians who want to restrict or take away reproductive freedom from Iowans.
- Student Loan Forgiveness Update. The Government Accountability Office decided last Friday that President Biden’s student debt relief program is subject to congressional review, providing a new tool for Republicans in Congress to try to block the measure. Iowa Senator Joni Ernst says she’ll try to do exactly that – even though than 408,000 Iowans would be eligible for student loan debt forgiveness under the plan.
- American Rescue Plan anniversary. March 11 marked the second anniversary of President Biden’s American Rescue Plan Act. This transformative legislation created millions of jobs, funded the vaccination campaign, and helped cut the child poverty rate by nearly half in 2021 — the lowest level on record.
This Week in the Capitol
Pensions are a top priority for Iowa Sherriff’s Departments:
PBS in the House (and Senate):
Honesty about attacks on SNAP:
