Category Archives: Uncategorized

House Advances Cautious and Conservative Budget Plan The House Majority this week released a conservative budget plan for the upcoming fiscal year (FY21) that funds priorities in a responsible way. While the COVID pandemic has impacted other state’s finances in a negative way, Iowa is in good shape. Iowa’s budget has a healthy projected surplus,Continue reading “Capitol Update”

Return to Restarting the 2020 Legislative Session On Wednesday, we returned to the Capitol to restart and work towards the end of this session.  It is a different environment here in Des Moines.  At the Capitol we have our temperatures taken when we enter the building.  Some wear face masks, there are others who haveContinue reading “Capitol Update”

Capitol Update I recently read a Facebook post from a fellow pork producer.  He talked about keeping a positive attitude and working at controlling the things that we can control during this pandemic. Do not worry about the things we cannot.    It reminded me of meeting I had with my accountant back in 1998 duringContinue reading “Capitol Update”

When Should Iowa Reopen the Economy? Ever since the COVID-19 outbreak first made its way to Iowa, our families, small businesses, and communities have been impacted in ways they have never been. In this era of social distancing and uncertainty, many have lost their jobs and businesses have had to shut their doors (some haveContinue reading “Capitol Update Week 15”

Region 6 Based upon outbreaks in long-term care facilities, severity of the illnesses, and the rate of hospitalization in Region 6 of Iowa’s Regional Medical Coordinator Center has been elevated to a level 10 on the assessment scale that is being used by the Governor and the Department of Public Health. Region 6 includes Allamakee,Continue reading “Capitol Update Week Fourteen”

Legislative Council Meets On Thursday via a conference call, I participated in the Legislative Council meeting, which I am a member of, we extended the suspension of the Legislative session to April 30th.  It was a short meeting with a unanimous vote to postpone the date to reconvene the session.  Unless things change in theContinue reading “Capitol Update Week Thirteen of the 2020 Session”

Governor Recommends Schools Stay Closed   On Thursday, April 2nd, Governor Reynolds recommended that Iowa schools remain closed until at least April 30. Prior to suspending session, the Legislature waived missed school days up to April 13. Because the situation was continuing to evolve, the Legislature also gave the Governor the authority to waive additionalContinue reading “Capitol Update Week 12”

While the Legislature was not in session this week, things continued to evolve as state and national officials work to slow the spread of COVID-19. As legislators, we are continuing to work… answering emails from constituents, fielding phone calls from local officials, and keeping you all updated on what actions the state is taking toContinue reading “Week 11 of the 2020 Session”

COVID-19 Update House and Senate Suspend Legislative Session Out of an abundance of caution related to COVID-19, leadership in the Iowa House and Senate have made the decision to suspend the legislative session for a minimum of 30 days. The decision was made in consultation with the Department of Public Health and the Governor’s officeContinue reading “Capitol Update Week 10”

House Overwhelmingly Supports Childcare Legislation This week, the Iowa House overwhelmingly passed four bills to expand access to childcare in the state. These bills are part of a legislative package this session to increase childcare workforce, increase provider rates to maintain existing childcare facilities, provide incentives to develop new childcare facilities, and support hard-working familiesContinue reading “Capitol Update Week 9”