×

Area legislators report on the 2016 session

We recently concluded the 2016 Legislative session. Although it was a fiscally challenging year, I feel we addressed issues in a fair and nonpartisan manner.

Funding for education is an ongoing challenge. I feel good about the compromise met between political parties. Almost 80 percent of this new spending, or nearly $140 million, was dedicated to education funding. This means nearly 56 cents out of every dollar the state spends goes towards education. Education has been and will continue to be a top priority.

The passage of the coupling bill saved $97 million for our small businesses, rural communities, and teachers. This bill allows accelerated depreciation on certain purchases for farmers and small business owners as well as up to $250 for out of pocket expenses for teachers.

We also passed legislation to help grow Iowa’s bio-chemical sector. Senate File 2300 provides tax incentives for these businesses to organize, locate, or expand operations in Iowa. This bill will retain and attract additional corporations that will support existing industries in our district. This is a great bill for Iowa’s economy, increasing demand in renewable fuels and high quality jobs in this industry.

During this session, the state fully transitioned from state-run Medicaid to a managed-care program. More than 560,000 Iowans are covered by Medicaid and despite dramatic growth in spending, the health outcomes of many Medicaid members failed to improve under the old system. By going to a managed-care model, Iowa is utilizing nationally experienced companies to coordinate care, making Medicaid members healthier and fitting their individual needs. As with any change, it is imperative that we provide oversight of the program.

With a tough budget year, I’m proud we were able to dedicate much of the state’s revenue to our children’s education, while taking care of our small businesses and expanding care to Iowa’s Medicaid population.

Sen. Tim Kraayenbrink, R-Fort Dodge, represents District 5 in the Iowa Senate.

Area legislators report on the 2016 session

After over a week of overtime, we wrapped up the 2016 legislative session with some progress having been made toward helping working families.

Unfortunately any real progress on education, job training, and health care that could have helped hard-working families was held up by the House majority this year.

Key legislation approved this session will maintain Iowa’s balanced budget, continue efforts building a skilled workforce and keep Iowans safe. Unfortunately, the majority party delayed funding and shortchanged Iowa public schools again this year. Right now, schools across Iowa are being forced to cut teachers, increase class sizes, and raise property taxes. I also fought hard this year to keep higher education affordable and make sure job training is available to more Iowans.

Other highlights of the 2016 session include: reversing the decline of rural communities; closing the gap in our skilled workforce by revamping our career and job training program starting in high school; working to stop human trafficking; protecting kids from synthetic drugs; protecting children in boarding schools; passing meaningful sentencing reform; helping Iowa Veterans by making it easier for them to vote if serving overseas and helping them to obtain employment after serving our country; and trying to move water quality efforts forward. In addition two tax credit bill will benefit our area.The biofuel tax credits to allow extension of a handful of state biofuels tax incentives will benefit area ethanol plants. Also the new biochemical tax credit which aims to put Iowa on the cutting edge of petroleum replacement products.

The 2016 session will likely be remembered for missed opportunities on key issues that Iowans overwhelmingly support, including wage equity, life-saving medical cannabis, minimum wage, and oversight of the governor’s Medicaid privatization plan. My effort to afford protection of the elderly in nursing homes from resident sexual abusers was not passed. State action is even more important now that the Iowa Court of Appeals has found that the nursing home have no responsibility to the elderly who may be abused.

Rep. Helen Miller, D-Fort Dodge, represents District 9 in the Iowa House of Representatives.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today