Hite Capitol Update – January 13, 2022
by Dutin Hite
This week marked the start of the 2022 legislative session. The first week is always filled with ceremonies and the first committee meetings of the year. In many ways it is like the first day in school where you see old friends and meet new ones. This year I will serve on the same committees as last year—Education, Judiciary, Ways and Means, and Information Technology, and I will continue to chair Education.
On Tuesday night Governor Reynolds gave her Condition of the State address where she discussed the successes of Iowans over the past year and her agenda for the upcoming session. The Governor’s plan proposes to spend $8.2013 billion from the General Fund in FY 2022, which is an increase of 0.95 percent over the current FY 2022 budget. Governor Reynolds’s budget spends 89.04 percent of the on-going revenue in the General Fund ($9.2106 billion).
Among the major items in the Governor’s budget are:
Supplemental State Aid for Schools – Governor Reynolds is proposing that Iowa’s education system receive $154.1 million in additional money during FY 2023. Schools are provided a 2.5 percent increase in Supplemental State Aid for Schools and school transportation funding.
Higher Education – State funding for state universities under the Board of Regents, Community Colleges, and the Iowa Tuition Grant program also receive a 2.5 percent increase in FY 2023. The three state universities receive $12.3 million in additional funds for their general education line items, and the University of Northern Iowa receives $1.3 million for its new program working with community college students to earn their bachelor degrees. Iowa’s community colleges are recommended to receive an increase of $5.4 million. Students at the state’s independent colleges also see an increase of $1.2 million to the Iowa Tuition Grant program.
Medicaid – In Fiscal Year 2023, the state will spend $1.5039 billion from the General Fund on the regular Medicaid program and the Health and Wellness program. This amount would have been significantly higher, if not for the continued enhanced federal Medicaid match rate states are receiving in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Mental Health – Another major piece of Governor Reynolds budget proposal is fulfilling the state’s new commitment to exclusively funding Iowa’s mental health system. Under her budget plan, the state provides $121.3 million to the mental health regions to serve Iowans needing mental health and intellectual disability services.
Rebuild Iowa Infrastructure Fund – As part of her budget proposal, Governor Reynolds also released her recommendations for the Rebuild Iowa Infrastructure Fund (RIIF) for FY 2023. Among the new projects proposed to be funded are:
$4.9 million for Dept. of Corrections projects
$3.2 million for infrastructure projects at DHS facilities,
$6 million in FY 2023 & FY 2024 to restore the livestock barns at the Iowa State Fairgrounds
Creating new programs dealing with carbon and fertilizer management
The Governor also proposed for increasing funding for state park infrastructure projects, Iowa National Guard facilities, and grants for the railroad revolving fund and recreational trails.
As always, the release of the Governor’s budget proposal represents the firing of the starter’s pistol on the annual budget process that is the guiding factor in each legislative session. Budget subcommittees begin next week, starting with a close examination of the details of Governor Reynolds’ proposal.
In addition, the Governor talked about many things in the world of education. She announced the launch of a first-in-the-nation Teacher and Paraeducator Registered Apprenticeship Grant Program Tuesday during her annual Condition of the State Address.
The grant program will provide opportunities for current high school students to earn paraeducator certificate and associates degree and paraeducators to earn their bachelor’s degree all while learning and working in the classroom. The program will begin in the 2022-2023 school year.
“This is a transformational opportunity that puts our schools at the center of growing their future workforce,” said Gov. Reynolds. “I can’t think of a better place to recruit our future generations of teachers and paraeducators than in our own classrooms. Through this first-in-the-nation experience today, we’ll be shaping our educators of tomorrow.”
During her speech, Governor Reynolds also highlighted Marie Vander Wilt from Pella. Marie was the first apprentice in Pella’s patient-care registered apprenticeship program. This program offers students hands-on experience in a variety of settings, while at the same time earning a wage.
As I have done in the past, I would like to introduce you to Morgan White, my new clerk, and fill you in on what my previous clerks are up to. Morgan hails from Estherville and recently graduated from Iowa State with a degree in Ag and Society. Prior to working with me, Morgan interned in the Governor’s office with my first clerk, John Hirl. John will finish up working for the Lieutenant Governor and attend law school in the fall. He still has not made the decision of where, but I am rooting for Iowa. Annie Hayes, my clerk from last session is currently working for Governor Reynold’s campaign. I wish both of them luck in their future endeavors.
This week, I was able to meet with Matthew Briggs from Burlington, Iowa. Matthew is a sophomore at Central College in Pella majoring in Political Science and Philosophy.
Finally, I would like to close by again inviting you to come visit the Capitol while we are in session. The Capitol remains open to the public this year. As always, please email me at dustin.hite@legis.iowa.gov with any questions, comments, or concerns.
