2019 Iowa Legislature Off and Running The 2019 Iowa legislative session began on January 14th. This year’s session will run until at least May 3rd, at which time, the legislators’ per diem ends, so they are motivated to wrap it up by that date. As is tradition, on the second day of the session, Governor Kim Reynolds gave her Condition of the State address, outlining her budget and priorities. In her speech, she indicated her policy priorities are: Continuing what began in last year’s session with mental health reform and ensuring sustainable funding, Boosting education funding, including the Future Ready Iowa initiative, Revitalizing rural communities with initiatives like improving broadband access and others, Restoring voting rights for felons. Since the Last Session After last year’s legislative session, many state agencies participated in work groups to develop recommendations on some issues of interest. As a result of those meetings, reports are available for legislators to review and consider. Some of the recommendations include the following: Establish a stable and predictable long-term funding structure for regional mental health and disability services that is appropriate to fully implement the vision of redesign and to support growth and innovation over time. Assure continued efforts to provide choice in membership to managed care organizations. Expand the availability, knowledge, skills, and compensation of professionals, paraprofessionals and direct support workers as an essential element in building community capacity and enhancing statewide access to services. Maintain a robust Medicaid program with a full array of services that serves its members, and ensure communications between and among providers, members, and MCOs is clear, consistent, and timely. Stay tuned to see how the legislature deals with these issues and the Governor’s priorities. To keep apprised of the latest, attend an upcoming legislative forum. All forums this year will be held at: Central High School Kahler Auditorium 1120 Main Street Davenport February 23, 2019 10:00AM - 12:00PM March 23, 2019 10:00AM - 12:00PM April 27th, 2019 10:00AM - 12:00PM Legislators meet informally with attendees starting at 10 a.m. for 30 mins. prior to the forum at 10:30 a.m.
Transcript
2019
Iowa Legislature Off and Running The 2019 Iowa legislative session began on January
14th. This year’s session will run until at least May
3rd, at which time, the legislators’ per diem ends, so
they are motivated to wrap it up by that date.
As is tradition, on the second day of the session,
Governor Kim Reynolds gave her Condition of the
State address, outlining her budget and priorities. In
her speech, she indicated her policy priorities are:
Continuing what began in last year’s session
with mental health reform and ensuring
sustainable funding,
Boosting education funding, including the Future
Ready Iowa initiative,
Revitalizing rural communities with initiatives
like improving broadband access and others,
Restoring voting rights for felons.
Since the Last Session
After last year’s legislative session, many state
agencies participated in work groups to develop
recommendations on some issues of interest. As a
result of those meetings, reports are available for
legislators to review and consider. Some of the
recommendations include the following:
Establish a stable and predictable long-term
funding structure for regional mental health and
disability services that is appropriate to fully
implement the vision of redesign and to support
growth and innovation over time.
Assure continued efforts to provide choice in
membership to managed care organizations.
Expand the availability, knowledge, skills, and
compensation of professionals, paraprofessionals
and direct support workers as an essential
element in building community capacity and
enhancing statewide access to services.
Maintain a robust Medicaid program with a full
array of services that serves its members, and
ensure communications between and among
providers, members, and MCOs is clear,
consistent, and timely.
Stay tuned to see how the legislature deals with these
A one-time showing of “Becoming Bulletproof” will be held on Wednesday, February 27, 2019 at 5:30 p.m. at the Rave Theatre in Davenport. “Becoming Bulletproof” follows the filmmaking process as a diverse group of actors living with disabilities set out to make their first Western. Visit the HDC website to watch a trailer of “Becoming Bulletproof”. There are a limited number of tickets available, so get them soon. Tickets for this event can be purchased by visiting the HDC website.
The Boosters will not be meeting in February.
However, that doesn’t mean the Boosters are idle. Here are some ways
to stay involved: help out at the Valentine’s Day dance, buy some
Booster chocolates for your sweetie, stop by the bowling alley and help
out on Saturday, and/or stay informed by attending a legislative forum.
Join us for the Boosters’
VALENTINE’S DAY DANCE
Friday, February 15th
at Hickory Grove Road
from 6 to 8 p.m.
Boosters can come at 5 p.m. to help set up, or come later to help clean up.
Donations for these events are always appreciated!
All HDC participants are welcome to attend HDC Booster parties.
BOOSTERS’ VALENTINE’S DAY CHOCOLATE SALE
Monday, February 4th through Friday, February 15th.
