Kapucian Korner by Senator Tim Kapucian

Iowa State Senator Tim Kapucian

Greetings from Under the Golden Dome

Again, this week many bills are moving forward. Primarily the bills are noncontroversial but the longest debate was on the education reform bill.

One part of the bill changes the 180 day requirement to 1,080 hours of instruction. The schools I have talked to in my senate district already far exceed the 1,080 hour requirement. I believe this will give our schools more flexibility, especially when dealing with making up snow days. For example, they may simply add a half-an-hour to the school day for a period of time to make up a lost day due to weather. I know our school boards and administrators are innovators and they will now have more flexibility in addressing this issue in their particular district. I know this may seem like a small issue but anytime we can give our schools more flexibility that is a good thing.

Medicaid expansion passed out of the Senate as well this week. I don’t know what the House will do. There is a lot of concern across Iowa on how we, as a state, will choose to address health care coverage for lower income Iowans. Everyone is committed to reaching an agreement that will provide the best health outcomes for Iowans before we adjourn.

Second Funnel Week

The week beginning April 1st is the second funnel week which is the last week for House bills to be voted out of Senate committees and Senate bills out of House committees. It will be a busy week. Both appropriation and ways and means (tax) bills are exempt from the funnel process and are usually the last bills passed prior to adjournment of the legislative session. You can access information on the Legislature, bills and their status in the Iowa Legislature website. There are links on the website where you can watch the debate for both the House and the Senate chambers.

See you out and about the district!