Legislative Update

We're Back

My apologies for the lack of a newsletter last week. My legislative assistant helps write the majority of my newsletter and she was out of the House sick last week. But now we're back and we have double the news for you!

De-Appropriations Passed

The de-appropriations bill was passed lastweek. This bill is the House Republican plan to cut $117 million fromthe budget—with no across-the-board cuts and as little effect on government aspossible. A major advantage of this is that it will allow us tomove forward with SSA—State Supplemental Aid—for education funding for K-12students. Currently, funding for K-12 education makes up 43% of Iowa’s budget.Passing SSA will increase funding for schools by 2.25%.

If you’re interested in the SSA bill, we willbe holding a public meeting here at the Capitol on Monday, February 6th,at 11:00 AM, during which we will be focused on moving SSA forward withinthe first 30 days. Getting SSA in place in a timely manner will give schoolstime to work on their own budgets.

HSB 26

I was recently assigned to a Human Resourcessubcommittee to discuss passing House Study Bill 26. This bill provides forexceptions for step therapy established by drug companies. Step therapyprotocols require patients to try several prescription drugs before they provide coverage for the prescription drug chosen by the patient's health care provider. In other words, they arebeing used by these organizations to control health care costs, by implementing step therapy protocol based on clinical practice guidelines. This bill wouldallow us to preserve health care professional’s rights to make their owntreatment decisions, providing for exceptions to the use of these protocols,all within the public’s interest.

Our subcommittee unanimously voted to move thisbill forward to the whole Human Resources committee.

Tax Coupling

In the past, Iowa has matched its tax code with federal tax law. Because of limitations due to the de- appropriations bill,we are unable to move forward with tax coupling with Section 179 of theInternal Revenue Code for the tax year 2016, because tax coupling would havecost us approximately $100 million. However, serious consideration will betaken for tax year 2017 for permanently coupling with tax code. Happening at the Capitol

Students with Future Farmers of America joined us on Tuesday for FFA Day on the Hill to talk about important legislative issues concerning agriculture.

Students and faculty of Iowa Western Community College met with several representatives this week as part of the Annual Student Legislative Summit.

Pictured, L-R: Rep. Charlie McConkey (Council Bluffs), Rep. (Mount Ayr), Don Kohler (Council Bluffs), Rep. (Council Bluffs), Blake Schaben (Dallas Center), Rep. (Glenwood), Rep. Greg Forristall (Macedonia), Travis Jacobson (Council Bluffs), Jake Ryan (Council Bluffs), Rep. (Missouri Valley), and me. Members from the Iowa Pork Producers Association visited with legislators to discuss the importance of the Iowa Pork Congress to Iowa's pork industry.

Pictured, L-R: Gregg Hora (Fort Dodge), Brenda Meier (Clarinda), Dave Struthers (Collins), Curtis Meier (Clarinda), Rep. (Osceola), me, and Rep, Rob Bacon (Slater).

Members of the Atlantic FFA Chapter met with legislators this week as part of the Iowa FFA Legislative Symposium.

Front Row, L-R: Cale Pellett, Ashley Freund (seated), and Josh Rossell. Back Row, L-R: Emily Saeugling, Eric Miller (FFA advisor), me, and Braden Bean. Griswold's Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) members joined us to talk with legislators about the success of students involved with FCCLA.

Pictured L-R: Hannah Boucher, Vickie Anstey, Shelby Keiser (front), me, and Hallie Williams.

Iowa Fun Fact

The average American consumes 46 pounds of pork per year. And there are approximately 20 million pigs being raised in Iowa at any time, making it the leading pork production state in America.

Quick Links Governor Branstad State Treasurer Michael Fitzgerald

Iowa Legislature State Senator Tom Shipley

Iowa Judiciary Branch U.S. Representative David Young

Secretary of State Paul Pate U.S. Senator

Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey U.S. Senator

State Auditor Mary Mosiman

Legislative Coffees

This Saturday marks our second legislative coffee in District 21. This one will be held in Carson. We encourage you to attend! Come visit with us and share your thoughts on current bills so we can make your voice heard. And thank you to everyone who attended our first legislative coffee last month!

Saturday, February 4th Saturday, March 18th Carson Corning 9:00 – 10:00 AM 10:00 – 11:00 AM Carson Community Center Corning Public Library 603 9th St, Corning, IA 50841 252-, 298 S. Commercial St. Carson, IA 51525 Saturday, March 18th Griswold Saturday, February 18th 1:00 – 2:00 PM Creston Griswold Public Library 8:00 – 9:00 AM 505 Main St. Griswold, IA 51535 Depot in Uptown Creston 116 W. Adams St, Creston, IA 50801 Saturday, April 15th Creston Saturday, February 18th 8:00 – 9:00 AM Corning Depot in Uptown Creston 10:00 – 11:00 AM 116 W. Adams St, Creston, IA 50801 Corning Public Library 603 9th St, Corning, IA 50841 Saturday, April 15th Corning Saturday, February 18th 10:00 – 11:00 AM Atlantic Corning Public Library 1:00 – 2:00 PM 603 9th St, Corning, IA 50841 Farmer’s Walnut St. Diner 319 Walnut St, Atlantic, IA 50022 Saturday, April 15th Atlantic Saturday, March 18th 1:00 – 2:00 PM Creston Massena Public Library 8:00 – 9:00 AM 122 Main St. Massena, IA 50022 Depot in Uptown Creston 116 W. Adams St, Creston, IA 50801

Stay Connected

Please feel free to contact me anytime. I can be reached at [email protected] and at (712)-789- 9954. If you would like to set up an in-person meeting or would like to visit the capitol please let me know. Likewise, if you know of anyone interested in receiving this newsletter, please encourage them to contact me. It is a privilege to serve as your State Representative. Rep. | Iowa House of Representatives, 1007 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines, IA 50319 | (712)-789- 9954 | [email protected]

Iowa House Representative | Iowa House of Representatives, 1007 East Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50319

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