From the Desk of Senator Trone Garriott
Clockwise from left: the Senate Republicans passed a bill to limit the Democratic State Auditor’s ability to investigate fraud and waste in state government and it now goes to the Governor, Lane Affield and Caroline Kansa from Interfaith at Drake shared an interfaith blessing for the Senate, Patrick Palmersheim from Wreaths Across America showing headstones that have waited months for placement at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery, Pages created personalized boxes for Senators to take their papers home in (mine is an ode to house painting and interfaith work).
Going into Overtime
Today is the 110th Day of the 2023 legislative session, intended to be the last day of work. However, the House and Senate will be back in session next week in hopes of finally completing budget work. While the Republican Majorities in the House and the Senate have come together to quickly carry out the Governor’s priorities, they have to get it together and wrap up the session on time. More about that below. But first…
Show Your Appreciation for Iowa Educators!
May 8-12 is Educator Appreciation Week. Our Iowa educators do such an amazing job in challenging circumstances. This year I’ll be sending letters of appreciation to educators that you nominate. This is one way we can let them know how much they matter to us! Please fill out the form with your contact, their info, and why you appreciate them: Nominate an educator here.
Debate, Debate, Debate
The Senate was in debate all week and began to consider state budgets. Blank check budgets that were passed out of committee were finally given numbers though amendments as each budget came to the floor. This left minority party legislators with very little time to review and respond. With no subcommittees or advanced notice, the public lost their usual opportunities to ask questions or advocate for the budget items that matter to them. Patrick Palmersheim, the former Executive Director of Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs waited in the lobby, trying to catch lawmakers so that he could give input on budget items for veterans. Mr. Palmesheim was ready with photos (brown grass, stacks of headstones waiting months to be placed) to show the impacts of underfunding the Iowa Veteran’s Cemetery in Van Meter. The Senate budget did not offer increases in this area, and the House version appears to move funds out of the cemetery to shore up a veteran’s assistance fund that ran out of money this year.
The Health and Human Services budget was missing funding for key priorities for Iowans. There was a helpful increase in Medicaid reimbursements for mental health care and some additional funds to increase department caseworker pay. However, there were no increases Medicaid dental care reimbursements (which have not been adjusted in over 20 years). The budget also did not include an expansion of Medicaid postpartum care for 12 months following birth, which the Governor had requested. Forty-four other states have offered this expansion to address our nation’s high rates of maternal mortality. An amendment offered by Democrats was voted down on party lines.
The cost of the postpartum Medicaid expansion would be equivalent to the $8 Million Senate Republicans are allocating in the budget to implement SF494, a new more restrictive process for Iowans accessing federal food assistance (SNAP). The new restrictions for SNAP have been criticized widely for their potential to remove people that do qualify financially, but would not be able to complete additional and onerous paperwork requirements. We have more evidence that this is in fact the intended effect. The budget removed long-standing budget language that specifically noted all qualifying Iowa households could participate in the federally funded, state adminstered program. When I asked HHS Budget Chair Senator Costello to yield (answer a question about this change) he at first refused to answer, which in itself was pretty incriminating. The last time the Republican Majority refused to answer questions the Democrats extended debate till 5am. Facing that possibility the Senator relented, giving a vague answer about the language being removed as “clean up.” SF494 has not yet been sent to the Governor’s desk, so there is still an opportunity to make your concerns known.
More budgets will be coming to debate next week, as well as some potential policy bills. Each day of overtime means that legislators will be on call, not knowing what may be debated or when the session will adjourn.
Quick Updates
- Needed: Healthcare workers. Iowa faces a critical workforce shortage in healthcare. Careers in the health sciences are expected to continue to grow, due to an aging population and related health care needs. In addition to doctors and nurses, Iowa will need additional workers in diagnostic testing, biotech research, and health informatics – all high-paying careers using advanced technology. To learn more about available jobs and career pathways, check out the state of Iowa’s Health Science Careers Snapshot.
- Improving access to care. Earlier this month, President Biden announced a historic set of executive orders to improve the accessibility and affordability of childcare and long-term care across the country. As working families continue to face rising costs and fewer options for quality care, this will provide relief and help address the growing childcare crisis in our state.
- Easier probate operations. The Senate passed a bill this week helping Iowans sign and witness wills using videoconferencing, and retroactively validating wills signed under pandemic disaster proclamations. These common-sense fixes could help families avoid years of probate litigation, saving money and providing peace of mind. Speaking of estate-planning, we also passed HF111, granting a tax exemption for trust estate plans that already exists for will estate plans.
- Stay safe paddling. Tempted to get out on the water? The DNR recommends that paddlers wait for warmer weather to allow the water temperatures to rise slowly. Stay away from strainers and sweepers — wood or branch piles — which can pull a paddler under or pin them underwater. These are usually found on outside river bends where currents are strongest. Some tips:
- Wear your lifejacket at all times. Make sure all buckles and zippers work and free of holes.
- Dress for the water temperature, not air temperature. A wet suit or dry suit is encouraged. Dress in layers to adjust to temperatures.
- Always bring along a dry bag with a set of extra clothes if you get wet, a first-aid kit and a protected cell phone or weather radio. Pack plenty of water to stay hydrated.
- Let others know where you are going and when you are expected to return.
- Check your canoe or kayak for any needed repairs/maintenance. Look for holes and leaks, and check your paddle blades for signs wear.
- Boating safety. The Iowa DNR always offers boating education courses in person and online. Courses are made to fit every schedule and lifestyle. Click here for boater education information.
- Learn to Bow Hunt. The DNR is offering a six-month workshop teaching key archery hunting skills for beginners. Skills taught include hunting with a bow, and field dressing and cooking white-tailed deer. The workshop includes archery practices in the summer and lessons in fall, with hunting opportunities throughout the archery season. All sessions are led by experienced instructors. The course will be hosted in Adel, Ames, Council Bluffs, Davenport and Iowa City. Applications open April 15 for all locations – apply here.
- Walleye Challenge. The DNR is partnering again with MyCatch by Angler’s Atlas to conduct a statewide walleye fishing challenge May 1 through June 30. Participating anglers are encouraged to report all the walleye they catch in May and June through the MyCatch mobile app. DNR fisheries biologists will use the catch data to assess and manage walleye populations across Iowa. Anglers will have the chance to win numerous local and statewide prizes. Register here.
- LCAN Grants Available. Iowa College Aid is accepting new grant applications to develop Local College Access Networks (LCANs) across Iowa. LCANs help communities across the state address workforce needs and increase educational attainment through the LCAN grant series. Applications will be accepted through Iowagrants.gov from April 15 – May 15, 2023. Find more information here.
- Workers’ Memorial Day Around Iowa. More than 50 years ago today, the Occupational Safety and Health Act went into effect, promising every worker the right to a safe job – a fundamental right that Senate Democrats will always fight to protect. Still, each year thousands of workers are killed and millions suffer injuries because of dangerous working conditions. Together on this Workers’ Memorial Day, we raise our collective voices to win stronger safety and health protections in our workplaces.
- Local Apprenticeship Award. Broadlawns Medical Center, Grand View University, and Life Care Companies recently each received a grant from the Iowa Health Careers Registered Apprenticeship program. These grants will fund apprenticeship programs aimed at expanding health careers across Iowa, and are from the American Rescue Plan Act.
