March 26, 2010

Week Eleven
Yes We Can, Hell No You Can’t.
Health care reform expands access to thousands of Iowa families, small businesses.
Visitors to the Capitol.
Fiscally responsible plan to help middle-class Iowans, small businesses.
Helping small businesses grow our economy.
Protecting unemployed Iowans against insurance rate increases.
Making Iowans safer by restricting texting while driving.

Week Eleven

I write from the Capitol this morning. We are in the last couple of days of the session with a few budget and policy bills ahead of us. It has been a busy week. The issues remaining that I am tracking have narrowed. I watched the President’s speech on Thursday from the Senate President’s office. I had tentatively planned to come over for the President’s visit but instead stayed at the Statehouse to take votes and monitor budget bill language in the final hours. It looked like a terrific visit to Iowa City for President Obama.

Congratulations to Congressman Loebsack, Congressman Braley and Congressman Boswell for their work and votes on national health care reform. What a historic accomplishment! See some of the details of the federal legislation are below. We need to work now educate ourselves about the benefits and unfinished business that this legislation represents.

The Republican opposition to this legislation is amazing and disappointing. What is even more concerning are the death threats, vile language and racial slurs directed at members of Congress. This rage and dangerous behavior needs to me confronted by leaders in both parties in a unified fashion. I hope this can be done immediately.

Yes We Can, Hell No You Can’t

House Minority Leader John Boehner needs to chill out. Here is a new video he rages in by Will.i.am. http://www.bing.com/videos/watch/video/yes-we-can-hell-no-you-can-t/96dc937e2e19b8f3265a96dc937e2e19b8f3265a-1762235908161.

Johnson County Sheriff Lonny Pulkrabek, Johnson County Mayor Steve Dolezal, and Johnson County Supervisor Terrence Neuzil and I at the Statehouse on March 23.

Health care reform expands access to thousands of Iowa families, small businesses

National health care reform legislation recently signed by President Obama will ensure that all Iowans have access to quality, affordable health insurance.

The cost of health care for the middle class will be reduced, seniors will enjoy health care security, and small businesses and individuals will receive tax credits to further reduce the cost of health coverage.

Key benefits for Iowa include:

** Tax credits to up to 48,600 Iowa small businesses to help make providing employee health care more affordable.

** Insurance companies can no longer exclude coverage of pre-existing conditions for all of Iowa’s 713,155 children starting this year.

** Improved Medicare benefits for 505,000 Iowa seniors.

** Reduced Medicare premiums for the 444,000 Iowa seniors.

** Affordable coverage options for the 302,000 Iowans who are uninsured and the 171,000 Iowans who purchase health insurance through the individual market.

** 5,600 to 9,000 new jobs made possible by reducing health care costs for employers.

** 300,466 young adults can stay on their parents’ insurance plans longer.

** Addition federal funding for 83 Community Health Centers in Iowa.

For more information on how Iowans will benefit from the newly passed national health care reform, go to http://dpc.senate.gov/docs/sr-111-2-41_states/ia.pdf.

Sergeant Major Dennis Edelbock, a former Iowa City resident, plays in prestigious U.S. Army Brass Quintet. He and the rest of the group performed at the Capitol on March 23.

Visitors to the Capitol

Lonny Pulkrabek, Johnson County Sheriff.
Steve Dolezal, Major, Johnson County Sheriff.
Terrance Neuzil, Johnson County Supervisor.
Sally Stutsman, Johnson County Supervisor.
Sue Curry, Dean, University of Iowa College of Public Health.
Chris Atchison, College of Public Health Associate Dean and Director of the UI Hygienic Laboratory.
Brian Smith, Associate Professor of Biostatistics.
Carmen Smith, graduate student in Biostatistics.
Shelly Campo, Associate Professor of Community and Behavioral Health.
Nia Aitaoto, graduate student in Community and Behavioral Health.
Matthew Chrisman, graduate student in Community and Behavioral Health.
Michele West, staff in Epidemiology.
Taylor West, daughter of Michele.
Peter Thorne, Professor of Occupational and Environmental Health and acting department head.
Jong Sung Kim, graduate student in Occupational and Environmental Health.
Dan McMillan, staff, College of Public Health.
Dawn Gentsch, staff, College of Public Health.
Kimmer Ernesto Zambrano, student, Iowa City West High School.
Adam Schwertner, student, the University of Iowa.
Rebecca McCray, student, the University of Iowa.
Jonathan Lewis, student, the University of Iowa.
Sophia Kajewski, student, the University of Iowa.

Fiscally responsible plan to help middle-class Iowans, small businesses

In the last days of the 2010 session of the Iowa Legislature, we are wrapping up the final pieces of a fiscally responsible plan to help middle-class families, small businesses and other Iowans recover from the national recession.

I remain committed to balancing the state’s check book without raising your taxes. I’ve worked hard this session to ensure that state government works for you, not against you. That’s why I’m supporting a responsible financial plan that includes saving more and spending less.

I’m making sure Iowa families and small business owners recover from this national recession stronger than ever by giving them the tools they need now, including good jobs, affordable health care and quality education.

Throughout this session, I have been guided by your suggestions and common-sense principles, including:
** No new taxes for middle-class families.
** Eliminating wasteful government spending.
** Expanding job-creation incentives for Main Street businesses.
** Improving government efficiency for taxpayers.

Based on these principles, I have supported initiatives this year to:

** Make state government leaner and more accountable to the public with a sweeping plan to reorganize and streamline services, saving taxpayers more than $120 million.

** Save nearly $60 million a year with an early retirement plan for state employees.

** Save more than $70 million through an executive order by Governor Culver that makes state government more efficient.

** End some business tax credits, cut many remaining credits and dramatically increase accountability for all tax credits. These steps will reduce Iowa’s tax credit liability by more than $115 million.

** Shift the focus of our state’s tax credits away from Wall Street by investing more in our Main Street businesses. This is our first step toward ensuring that tax credits will be eliminated if they aren’t creating jobs or accomplishing their goals.

These are difficult times for family budgets, and the state budget is no different. We face significant challenges, but Republicans and Democrats in the Legislature have worked together to focus on the priorities of Iowans and small businesses.

Dr. Sue Curry, Dean of the University of Iowa’s College of Public Health, and Associate Dean Christopher Atichison met with legislators on March 23 to discuss ways to build healthy communities, increase quality of life, and promote ‘Generation Public Health.’ For more information, visit http://www.generationpublichealth.org/. Pictured from left to right: Senator Bolkcom, Senator Dvorsky, Senator Schmitz, Dean Curry, and Associate Dean Atichison.

Helping small businesses grow our economy

In these tough economic times, investing in local jobs and small businesses is more important than ever. This session, we’re focusing on technical assistance to current small businesses and potential start-ups by supporting Iowa’s Small Business Development Centers, which are key to growing economies in our local communities.

The Legislature recently passed House File 2522. The bill provides funding for one-on-one counseling at Small Business Development Centers across Iowa. This investment is based on real results. Last year alone, Small Business Development Centers created 1,299 new jobs and retained 552 jobs, while clients of the centers started 146 new businesses.

House File 2522 also provides funding to MyEntre.net, an online community for Iowa’s small businesses and entrepreneurs. A partnership will be created between MyEntre.net and the Iowa Bankers Association to supply capital to Iowa entrepreneurs.

Protecting unemployed Iowans against insurance rate increases

Legislation to protect Iowans from unreasonable insurance rate hikes was signed into law on March 19.

Unexpected life events, such as a death or serious illness, military deployment, identity theft, natural disaster, or a layoff that lasts three months or more, can lower your credit score, which in turn can be used to raise your insurance rates.

Senate File 2075 will help those who’ve been hit by these catastrophic events. Insurance companies are now required to tell Iowans when their rates are being raised due to a lower credit score. Those facing a rate increase can have it reversed by providing documentation proving they suffered an extraordinary event. If necessary, Iowans can file an appeal with the Iowa Insurance Consumer Advocate.

Making Iowans safer by restricting texting while driving

The Iowa Senate and House have overwhelmingly approved legislation designed to make Iowa roads safer for everyone by banning the most dangerous driving distractions.

The bipartisan agreement that restricts texting and cell phone use while driving now heads to the Governor for his signature.

During the first year of the new law, only warnings will be issued by law enforcement officers. During this grace period, Iowa’s Transportation and Public Safety departments will work to make Iowans more aware of the dangers of texting while driving.

The bill also prevents local jurisdictions from creating different laws on distracted driving.

Here’s what ALL drivers need to know:

Prohibited:
Reading, writing or sending a text message or e-mail while driving unless the car is at a complete stop off the roadway.
Exceptions:
** Use of a GPS device.
** Sending text messages using voice commands.
** Entering a number to place a phone call.
** Truckers, bus drivers and emergency personnel may continue using their digital dispatch systems.
** Public safety workers and health care professionals may read text messages while performing official duties.
** Anyone may read a message about safety-related information, such as Amber Alerts and traffic or weather alerts.
Penalties:
A violation is a simple misdemeanor with a fine of $100, including court costs. It is not a moving violation and is not cause to suspend a license. There are heightened penalties if you kill or seriously injure someone in an accident.
Enforcement:
Officers may not stop you based only on a texting violation, and they may not confiscate your phone.

Here’s what TEEN drivers with a learner’s permit, intermediate license, school license or restricted work license need to know:

Prohibited:
Using ANY electronic communication or entertainment device while driving is prohibited unless the car is at a complete stop off the roadway.
Exceptions:
Devices that are permanently installed in the vehicle or that are operated through permanently installed equipment are allowed.
Penalties:
A violation is a simple misdemeanor with a fine of $100, including court costs. A violation is not a moving violation, but the Department of Transportation may impose license restrictions and suspend or revoke the license, as with all beginner license violations. There are heightened penalties if you kill or seriously injure someone in an accident.
Enforcement:
Officers may stop you if they see you using a phone while driving.

The Association of Iowa Workforce Partners was at the Statehouse on March 23. The group talked about the services available to meet training, education and job placement needs of workers across the state and discussed their ideas for helping Iowans seeking employment. Pictured from left to right: Alicia Zehr, Carla Andorf, Ciara Roquette and me.