March 30, 2018
This week, we passed a bill regarding a new dynamic fee policy at state parks and recreational areas. Under the bill, Senate File 2389, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) can establish a new fee policy for camping, the use of rental facilities, and other privileges at state parks and recreational areas under the jurisdiction of the department.
This policy includes the fees being increased, reduced or waived by the department for special promotional events, or for holiday or seasonal rates. It also requires prices are competitive with fees in other parks or recreational areas within a 60 mile radius.
This bill is a great update to allow the DNR to adjust their fees to best utilize state resources for the best return for the taxpayer and allow prices to be driven by consumer demand.
We also passed House File 2420, which creates an Iowa Service Corps program. This bill was created to help communities meet their needs all over the state and allow these programs to be developed outside of the federal government. This will allow a broader set of service learning programs that will better meet the needs of Iowans. Implementing this program will also provide opportunities for more youth service programs and expand youth service participation.
Governor Kim Reynolds declared this week as Severe Weather Awareness week in Iowa.
Throughout the week, Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, National Weather Service, and Iowa Emergency Management Association worked to promote awareness on severe thunderstorms, weather warnings, tornadoes, flash floods, and how to prepare your family for such events. As spring weather arrives and severe weather season comes with it, being properly prepared in the event of a severe weather incident is important.
On Thursday Governor Reynolds signed into law one of the mental health bills the Senate passed last week, House File 2456. The bill being signed into law is a great step towards fixing our state’s mental health system and ensuring care for those who need it the most.
Focus turns to taxes and spending – The finish line for the 2018 Iowa Legislative session is coming into sight. The end of session always means the negotiation, debate, and passage of a state budget. This year is no different. We are committed to adhering to our principle of managing the state budget like Iowans manage the family budget.
One additional item for consideration during the end of session this year is significant income tax relief for working Iowans. In February, the Senate passed our tax relief plan. We wanted to provide tax relief for Iowans, while simplifying the tax code, and making Iowa more competitive for investment from people both inside and outside our state. More investment means more career opportunities and more wage growth for Iowans.
Tax reform at the federal level stimulated economic development all across the country. Iowa needs to have a competitive tax code to attract the investment happening in America at this moment. With the highest corporate income tax rate, the fourth highest personal income tax rate in the country, and a very complicated tax code, the state has many opportunities for improvement. We look forward to making significant steps to improving the tax climate.
Taxes and spending go hand in hand. As we continue to work with the House of Representatives and the governor, our priorities are to improve the environment for job creators to empower them to develop new career opportunities for Iowans. A balanced budget with tax relief for Iowans is a top priority.
Health care options sent to the governor – Help is on the way for the many Iowans who are unable to afford the rising cost of health insurance premiums and do not qualify for coverage under the Affordable Care Act.
A bill that allows the creation of a new health benefit plan as well as a new group health insurance option has cleared the House and received final bipartisan approval this week in the Senate. It now heads to Governor Reynolds’ desk.
The collapse of the individual health insurance market due to Obamacare becoming law has wreaked havoc in recent years on consumers. With skyrocketing premiums and a lack of options, many Iowans have reached out to their legislators. Their requests were simple – help. When it appeared Congress could not come to an agreement on how to resolve this issue, we went to work to address the hardships facing nearly 30,000 Iowans.
We began working on several plans to provide Iowans with access to health insurance type production. One avenue was to create the health benefit plan for carriers to sell coverage that did not have to meet the ACA requirements since it does not fall into the category of insurance.
The second direction we pursued was an option to allow small businesses and sole proprietors to join forces and work together to create a Multiple Employer Welfare Arrangement – a group health insurance plan – rather than rely on the individual market or small group market.
It was rewarding to see this bill pass and head to the Governor’s office. It will be very advantageous for many Iowans. More important, people should never be forced to choose between affording to buy health insurance or pay for the other necessities of life. The health benefit plan and new group health insurance plans will give Iowans options, which is something they have not had in quite a while.
As always, I want to hear from you. My Senate number is (515) 281-3371 and my home number is (515) 432-7327 or write me at: State Capitol, Des Moines, IA 50319 or at my home address: 1313 Quill Avenue, Boone, IA 50036 or email me at jerry.behn@legis.iowa.gov.
