Iowa Legislature Gets 2019 Session Underway
Under Iowa’s Golden Dome. Iowa General Assembly.
Des Moines, Iowa – The 88th Iowa General Assembly gavelled in on January 14th, 2019, starting the process of producing a budget for the State of Iowa, and addressing the legislative needs of Iowan’s. Education will once again be at the forefront of the General Assembly this year, with indications that education will see some sort of increase over the one percent increase of the recent past.
Speaker of the House Linda Upmeyer (R-Clear Lake) delivered opening remarks to the Iowa House of Representatives on Monday.
“This year we are welcoming 22 brand new legislators. And with fresh faces come fresh ideas.”
“I am excited to hear what you have learned from your districts as you met on doorsteps, at the local coffee shops, or at the grocery store.”
“I also hope you all had some time to catch your breath and relax in the time since the elections concluded. The legislative session will keep us very busy.”
“After the election, no matter who is in charge, Iowans expect us to move beyond the partisan gamesmanship and govern.
“We have listened to Iowans, heard their priorities, and now, it is time to act. An issue that comes up consistently is the topic of health care.”
“Last session, I was proud to see Republicans and Democrats come together and pass a landmark mental health bill that will help Iowans access treatment in their home communities and near their loved ones.”
“Now that we have made progress in the adult mental health system, let’s see what we can do for our young people.”
“I want to thank Governor Reynolds for bringing together mental health professionals and advocates to identify opportunities for improvement.”
“Additionally, we must continue to make the Medicaid system work better for the vulnerable Iowans served by the program as well as those who provide necessary services.
“Managed care is a strategy that more than 40 other states have used for years to improve health outcomes, create stability, and ensure sustainability of the program. There is no reason that we can’t be successful as well.”
“We passed strong oversight and accountability, and it is written into the contracts.”
“It is time we accept that we cannot go back to the old system, that managed care is here to stay, and we must move forward focused on improvement, outcomes, and success.”
“It must also be a priority to ensure Iowa’s kids are ready for college or a career after graduation. Iowa families want a first-class education system because they know that a great education is the key to a great life.”
“Funding for education has increased 765 million dollars since 2011. That is significant … and we are proud of these historic investments in Iowa’s future. But we must be vigilant to ensure that those dollars are making their way into the classroom, and being spent in a transparent and accountable way.”
“We must continue to provide flexibility to our schools … empowering them to make decisions that fit their communities and their schools.”
“And it’s not just families… Iowa’s employers are depending on our schools to prepare the next generation of skilled workers. We have already seen amazing buy-in from our K-12s, community colleges, and business community to provide students with first-hand, real-world job experience.”
” I am also excited to focus on ways we can revitalize rural Iowa. How many of you have had a conversation with a rural employer who says they can’t hire because there simply are not enough homes available for new employees?”
“How many of you have talked with a young Iowan who loves their small town but doesn’t see enough opportunity to stay?”
“How many of you have heard from entrepreneurs that they can’t start a business in our small towns because they lack access to the high-speed internet that is necessary in today’s economy? Maybe it’s an employee who has the ability to telecommute and work from home but is hampered by unreliable internet speeds.”
“Development and growth should not be limited to Iowa’s largest cities and counties. Whether it is expansion of broadband, more opportunities for affordable housing, or encouraging investment in small businesses, we must be intentional in our efforts to push more opportunities to rural Iowa. Our rural communities are not merely a part of our past, they are the foundation of our future.”
