Sheets Snapshot
Rep. Larry Sheets (R) (photo by Don Hubbard)
The House has offered a realistic and responsible budget plan with nearly the entire proposed increase targeted to Supplemental State Aid for K-12 schools and school related property tax relief. The House budget plan spends 99.9% ($7.320 billion) of on-going revenue ensuring that government does not spend more than it has and lives within its means. This is a 2% ($145.8 million) increase over FY 16.
For about 7 years “coupling” with federal tax policy allows immediate tax expensing for items up to $500,000. This passed the House, but the Senate is refusing to allow coupling. If this isn’t passed, farmers, small businesses, teachers and so forth will pay an estimated $100 million in increased taxes across the state.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is a federal agency that works with state governments to administer Medicaid. It has approved Iowa’s Managed Care plan. The purpose of this plan is to ensure quality healthcare services that can be provided by the state in an affordable manner.
This past week the House passed five bills with overwhelming bi-partisan support focusing on personal protection and 2nd amendment issues. 1) Allowing parents to teach pistol safety to minors just as they presently do for rifles and shotguns- Passed 62-36; 2) Bringing Iowa in line with 41 other states that allow individuals to go through the federal process to obtain a firearm suppressor; 3) Preventing the government from confiscating legal firearms from dwellings during times of emergency- Passed 67-31; 4) Allowed the carrying of firearms on ATV or Snowmobile-Passed 74-24; and 5) Maintained privacy of person and addresses of those with Firearms Permits- Passed 97-1.
The House also passed a Joint Resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Iowa prohibiting unwarranted searches and seizures of electronic communications and data (emails/texts/facebook,etc). This passed unanimously supporting our State Motto: “Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain.”
Upcoming forums:
* Mar 5: League of Women Voters @9:30am at Bridge View in Ottumwa
* Mar 12 : “Osky Eggs & Issues” @ 8:30am at Smokey Row in Oskaloosa.
* Mar 19 : “Legislative Coffee” @ 10am in Centerville at the office of Chariton Planning and Development;
308 North 12th Street. Please contact me with any questions or concerns at larry.sheets@legis.iowa.gov or 641-895-6153.
