Hot Topics of 2010
Here are a few of the things accomplished by lawmakers in this whirlwind 79-day session:
Government Reorganization: After a summer of work, legislators and a consultant hired by the Governor proposed almost a billion dollars of ideas for saving taxpayer money by reorganizing how government operates and is funded. Some of these ideas (like paying state troopers out of the Road Use Tax Fund) were political hot potatoes that were destined to fail. Others, like enticing state employees to retire a few years early with sweet benefit packages, were embraced early. In the end, legislators found almost $300 million in savings, with promises of more to come.
Balanced Budget: Despite the ongoing political battle over the budget, there are a few facts citizens can trust. Faced with a $341 million shortfall, legislators adjourned session with a balanced budget (how they balanced it remains in dispute). More than $700 million in one-time funds helped balance the budget, but most of that is from federal stimulus dollars that were intended to help keep the state afloat until better economic days arrive and from the state’s savings account (cash reserves). The Legislature left town with $380 million still in the bank.
Guns: Lawmakers approved a measure to take guns away from domestic abusers and people with no-contact orders against them, but they also took away a sheriff’s discretion in issue concealed weapons permits. Sheriffs must now use uniform guidelines in deciding whether to issue permits.
Drivers Ed I (Texting): The legislature passed new restrictions on texting while driving. Drivers under 18 will be banned entirely from using cell phones and other electronic devices while driving, while older drivers are no longer allowed to read or send text messages or emails. In this first year, violators will receive a warning but no fine. But don’t worry - adults can still fiddle with cell phones, IPODs, and GPS systems without being fined.
Driving Ed 2 (Seatbelts): Teens will need to wear seatbelts in the back seats of cars under new laws passed this session. A number of fatal accidents involving teen passengers prompted legislators to make this change to Iowa law. Teens with a disability that prevents them from safely using seatbelts are exempt.
Drivers Ed 3 (Bicycles): Despite active lobbying on behalf of the bicycling community, and several high-profile motorist-bicyclist accidents, only small changes were made to Iowa’s traffic laws related to bicycles. Drivers are prohibited now from getting too close to a bicyclist on a road, and cannot throw things at the bicyclist. Bicyclists are required to continue to operate with the laws currently on the books and county attorneys are strongly encouraged to enforce them.
Campaign Finance Reform: Iowa became the first state to respond to a US Supreme Court decision that allowed businesses to contribute to political campaigns. The new laws will require corporations, unions and other groups that engage in political activity and spend money on elections to file campaign reports just as Political Action Committees (PACs) must currently do. Lawmakers hope that closing this loophole in campaign spending will help head off problems in the 2010 elections. In order to spend more than $750 on political activity, a corporation must first get the okay from their governing board and file reports within 48 hours of any expense. In order to run ads for or against a candidate or issue, a corporation must note the name and address of the corporation paying for the ad, and the CEO’s name.
Health Insurance Reform: State lawmakers made a first step toward improving health insurance accountability in the wake of double digit insurance rate increases. A new law will require health insurance companies to provide more information about rate increases, and basically prove rate increases are justified. They will be required to let consumers know sooner when rates are going up (and justify those rate increases), makes all information on health insurance rates public, and requires the Insurance Commissioner to hold hearings on rate increases. Rep. Janet Petersen of Des Moines said she acted on these changes after constituents expressed concern about 50-60% increases in their Wellmark insurance premiums while the company was spending more than $1 billion in cash to build a new headquarters. Late changes were made to the bill to require the Insurance Commissioner to review and determine the impact of federal health care reforms and state insurance mandates on insurance premiums.
Health Care Access 1 (Veterans Mental Health Parity): In what some lawmakers described as a “crowning moment” for Rep. Ray Zirkelbach of Monticello, an amendment was approved on a non-recorded voice vote to require large employers (those with 50 or more people) to provide veterans with insurance coverage for mental health and substance abuse treatment. Rep. Zirkelbach served more than two years in Iraq while serving in the Legislature.
Health Care Access 2 (Autism Mandate): Parents of children with autism made big strides this year. While lawmakers were unable to get the support needed to require all state-regulated insurance plans to pay for up to $36,000 each year to provide services to children with autism, they were able to require state employee health insurance plans to provide such coverage. At an estimated price tag of $140,000 per year for state insurance plans, legislators thought it was a good deal and hope that the experience will make it easier to pass full coverage for all Iowans.
Health Care Access 3 (IowaCare): Another installment of the state’s health care reform efforts passed the Legislature this year, creating an online clearinghouse of information on public and private health insurance options available to Iowans. The bill also expands the IowaCare program (state health care program for non-Medicaid eligible individuals and families making up to 200% of thefederal poverty level), allowing IowaCare members to receive health care closer to home. Right now, IowaCare members must receive care in Iowa City (University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics), or if they are a Polk County resident, at Broadlawns Hospital. The new bill will begin an expansion allowing people to receive care in one of the state’s 13 community health centers. Since the expansion is contingent upon fund availability, it will likely take several years to roll out.
Animals: Legislators tightened regulations of dog-breeding operations in an effort to crack down on puppy mills. The measure raises fees on them to pay for more inspectors to check complaints.
Here are a few of the things lawmakers couldn’t get done this session:
Expanded Gambling:Legislators rejected two gambling proposals this year, deciding that this was one place they didn’t want to go for more money. One proposal would have generated about $25 million annually adding sites, and another would have raised $7 million a year in exchange for ending greyhound dog racing subsidies.
Labor Issues: Since taking over control of the Legislature, Democrats have tried to change to the way unions operate by allowing them to charge non-members a fee for the services they provide (called “fair share”), expand public worker bargaining power by adding to the issues that can be addressed in negotiations, and requiring workers on public projects to be paid the prevailing wage. None of the measures came up for a vote this year, creating even more tension between two normal political allies (labor and Democrats).
Marriage: Same-sex marriage was the top issue for many Republicans going into this session (and its shaping up toplay a big role in the Republican primary for Governor), but it barely came up during the session. Many Republican legislators wanted to put a constitutional amendment before voters outlawing gay marriage, but that would require approval by two consecutive general assemblies. With no action this year, the soonest the issue could be put before voters would be 2014.
The final two “failures” of this legislative session are very important for advocates with disabilities. These issues have been debate for years but never fully addressed regardless of which party was in control. They are not partisan issues but they are perfect campaign issues. It’s time hold our legislators’ feet to the fire and demand real solutions, with real plans to enact them if elected.
FULL MENTAL HEALTH PARITY: Despite passing expanded mental health and substance abuse coverage for veterans, legislators failed to pass a complete parity package that would include all Iowans covered by state-regulated health insurance plans. Once again, the measure failed to gain the needed votes from the so-called “six pack” of conservative Democratic legislators. Democrats that expressed opposition included Rep. Brian Quirk of New Hampton, Rep. Doris Kelley of Waterloo, Rep. Doris Mertz of Algona (she’s retiring), Rep. Geri Huser of Altoona, Rep. Mike Reasoner of Creston, and Rep. McKinley Bailey of Story City. All Republicans said they would vote against the measure. On the fence last year were Rep. Larry Marek of Riverside and Rep. Roger Thomas of Elkader – they were non-committal this year. If you care about this issue, talk to the candidates for legislative office and Governor. Find out what they will do if elected – and how they intend to break through the gridlock on the issue.
SENATE FILE 69: Legislators found late money to expand K-12 education, and added a bit of money to reduce HCBS waiting lists and pay for more state cases – but they failed to address significant and growing shortfalls in the county-based mental health and disability services system. They also failed to act on any of the recommendations of the interim group that studied the system and had recommended pilot projects and a move toward a system where money really followed the person (using case rates assigned to the person rather than paying by the county based on fund balances). The county-based system is buoyed this year by an enhanced federal Medicaid match, but once that runs out, the state will be left with a $30 million plus bill that it must fill (or counties will be forced to begin cutting thousands off services). The promise of Senate File 69 passed back in 1995 was that the state would pick up all costs of “allowed growth” – which it has failed to fully fund every single year since the passage of this legislation. This is a very important issue and one that has no cheap solution. If you care about local mental health and disability services funding, talk about this with legislative and gubernatorial candidates, and ask them too for their solutions (and how they will pay for it). Remember, there are no simple answers to this, so press them for details (the “how”).
Campaign Preview: A Peek Ahead at the 2010 Election
With session behind them, legislators and the Governor will now turn their attentions toward the June 8th Primary Election (where political party members pick their candidates to be on the ballot in November) and the November 2nd General Election.
It’s a big election this year, with Senator Charles Grassley and Governor Chet Culver up for re-election, along with all statewide elected offices (Secretary of State, State Auditor, State Treasurer, Secretary of Agriculture and Attorney General), all 100 state legislators, 25 of the 50 Iowa Senate seats, and some county supervisors that make local decisions about Mental Health and Disability Services (MH/DS) funding.
- Senator Grassley will top the ballot this year and will face the winner of the Democratic primary – lawyer Roxanne Conlin, formerState Senator Tom Fiegen or former State Representative Bob Krause.
- Governor Chet Culver is up for re-election and will be challenged by either former Governor Terry Branstad, retiring State Representative Rod Roberts or activist Bob Vander Plaats.
The Legislature will also see dramatic change following Election Day. All 100 House seats are on the ballot along with half of the 50 Senate Districts (odd numbered districts only). Even if there are no incumbents defeated (which is a rare occurrence), there will be at least three new State Senators and a fourteen new House members. That is because 17 legislators are stepping down from office this year.
State Senate
- Two Senate Democrats and One Senate Republican are retiring- Democratic Senators Steve Warnstadt and Roger Stewart, and Republican Sen. Ron Wieck.
- Senate Republicans have five incumbents running for re-election - three are running unopposed (Senators Boettger, Johnson and Noble) and one faces a primary challenge (Senator Hartsuch). In all, Senate Republicans recruited candidates to run in 20 of the 25 Senate seats up for re-election this year.
- Senate Democrats have seventeen incumbents running for re-election this year, with five running unopposed (Senators Bolkcom, Dvorsky, Hatch, Hogg, and Horn). No current Democratic Senators face a primary challenge. Democrats fielded candidates in 22 of the 25 Senate seats up for election this year.
State House
- Eight House Democrats are retiring – Representatives Wes Whitead, Roger Wendt, Marcie Frevert, Dolores Mertz, Mark Kuhn, Polly Bukta, Wayne Ford, and Elesha Gayman.
- Six House Republicans are retiring - Representatives Mike May, Rod Roberts (who is running for Governor), Christopher Rants, Rep. Jodi Tymeson, Kent Sorenson (who is running for the Senate), and Doug Struyk.
- Republicans have 38 incumbents running for re-election, and have candidates for 88 out of the 100 House seats. Representatives Henry Rayhons & Jim Van Engelenhoven the only Republicans with people running against them in the primary election.
- Democrats have 48 incumbents running for re-election, and have candidates running in 73 of the 100 House seats, with Representatives Kerry Burt, Chuck Isenhart, Dave Jacoby, Geri Huser and Mary Gaskill all facing primary opponents.
Out with the new, in with the old? Many former elected officials are coming out of the woodwork this year to run. Former Governor Terry Branstad wants his old job back. Former State Representative George Eichhorn is running for Secretary of State and former State Senator Tom Fiegan and former State Representative Bob Krause are running for US Senate. Former legislators running include former State Senator Stewart Iverson (against Rep. McKinley Bailey), former State Representative Bill Dix (against Sen. Bill Heckroth), former State Senator Sandy Greiner (against Sen. Becky Schmitz), and former State Representative Dan Rasmussen (against Rep. Gene Ficken).
Sioux City Clean Sweep. For the first time in recent memory, the City of Sioux City will be electing an entirely new slate of legislators in 2010. All five of Sioux City’s legislators will be retiring this year – Rep. Christopher Rants, Rep. Wes Whitead, Rep. Roger Wendt, Sen. Ron Wieck & Sen. Steve Warnstadt.
With that many new faces coming on board, it is very important that you get involved this year.
- Go to www.idaction.org to find out how you can get involved in local Advocating for Change events and learn more about the ID Action Vote 2010 Campaign. You can find candidate lists and contact information at: www.sos.state.ia.us.
- Go to www.infonetiowa.com for more voter information. Not sure which legislative district is yours? Go to www.legis.state.ia.us/FindLeg and enter your address to find out.