A new scorecard from the AARP concludes Iowa is among the top states in the nation for the quality of care provided to its senior citizens, but Iowa’s in the middle of the pack when it comes to having options other than nursing home care available for the elderly…
Human Resources | JillJ | September 14, 2011 | 
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Posted below is the analysis of the omnibus budget bill proposed by House Republicans. The current schedule for the bill is to have it go through committee on Monday June 6 and then be debated on the floor on Tuesday June 7.
Agriculture, Budget, Commerce, Economic Growth, Education, Environmental Protection, Human Resources, Judiciary, Labor, Natural Resources, Rebuild Iowa, State Government, Transportation | JillJ | June 2, 2011 | Comments (0)
Last week it appeared that the conference committee on Senate File 209 was close to reaching consensus. SF 209 is the federal tax code coupling and FY 2011 supplemental appropriations bill.
House Republicans offered a compromise that would include all of the original provisions of SF 209 including coupling and bonus depreciation as of January 1, 2011, increasing the EITC from 7 to 10 percent, $46 million in supplemental appropriations. The compromise also included $20 million for mental health funding and the language creating the Tax Relief Fund (TRF).
Budget, Human Resources, Taxes | JillJ | March 24, 2011 | Comments (0)
A national study released today finds that Iowa is the national leader for children’s health. The Commonwealth Fund, a national group that studies health trends among the states, released its 2011 children’s health scorecard. This year, Iowa and Massachusetts have tied for being the top state for children’s health.
Human Resources | JillJ | February 7, 2011 | Comments (0)
House Republicans unveiled their plan for budget savings, the Taxpayers First Act.
To view full bill and staff analysis view links below:
“House Republicans campaigned on giving Iowans a seat at the table. This bill does just that,” said House Majority Leader Linda Upmeyer (R-Garner).
The Taxpayers First Act will create a Taxpayer Relief Fund which will capture any budget surplus and direct it back to the taxpayer.
Economic Growth, Education, Human Resources, Natural Resources, Press Releases, Taxes, Transportation | JillJ | January 3, 2011 | Comments (7)
The December 2010 projections from the Medicaid Forecasting Group shows an improving picture for the funding of the second largest program in state government. While there is no guarantee the forecast will continue to improve, it is good news for a program that is at the heart of the state’s financial problems in FY 2012. Read more »
Human Resources | JillJ | December 17, 2010 | Comments (0)
House Republican committee assignments are now assembled for 2011. Click the links below to view lists in PDF.
Agriculture, Commerce, Economic Growth, Education, Environmental Protection, Human Resources, Judiciary, Labor, Local Government, Natural Resources, Public Safety, State Government, Transportation, Veterans Affairs | JillJ | November 29, 2010 | Comments (0)
(DES MOINES) – Speaker-Elect Kraig Paulsen (R-Hiawatha) today announced the final committee chairs for the 84th General Assembly.
Education, Environmental Protection, Government Oversight, Human Resources, Judiciary, Local Government, Natural Resources, Press Releases, Public Safety, Veterans Affairs | JillJ | November 18, 2010 | Comments (0)
According to a recent report released by the state’s Medicaid forecasting group, Iowa will have to find ways to fill a $600 million gap to pay the state’s share of Medicaid next year. This is a direct result of the massive use, by Gov. Culver and legislative Democrats, of one-time funds to pay for the program this year.
“We warned people that the decisions being made by legislative Democrats and Gov. Culver were going to come back to haunt us,” said Rep. Dave Heaton (R-Mount Pleasant). “The Medicaid budget now has a Grand Canyon-sized hole.”
Budget, Human Resources, Press Releases | admin | September 30, 2010 | Comments (1)
Medicaid service providers across the state are asking why Gov. Culver chose to raise reimbursement rates for AFSCME union members while everyone else continues to provide services at a lower payment level. Legislative Republicans are pushing for answers from the governor and the state’s Medicaid agency.
“State government should not be in the business of picking winners and losers,” said Rep. Linda Upmeyer, Republican Whip. “In this case, if you happen to be an AFSCME member, you win. This kind of favoritism reeks of an election-year stunt and is not fair to many hard working Iowans across the state.”
Commerce, Human Resources, Press Releases | admin | September 14, 2010 | Comments (0)
