Senate Budget Targets - Sen. Maggie Tinsman (R-Bettendorf)

This week the state senate issued its spending targets for the 2006 budget year that begins July 1. The $4.8 billion budget is a responsible proposal that funds important priorities without raising taxes.

Our proposal includes $129 million to fully fund Medicaid and allows a rate increase for providers. In total, spending for health and human services under our plan would near $1 billion, an increase of $141.9 million over fiscal year 2005.

In addition, our plan would increase education funding by $115.8 million. I think that it is particularly important to maintain funding for class size and reading at $29.3 million, the same as fiscal year 2005. Increasing education funding is important to our schools, but it is not the only answer. Future success in education also needs to be tied to accountability measures that will help improve student achievement. How to do this has not been decided yet.

While the Senate Republican plan does not include a cigarette tax increase, the Senate Democratic budget does raise taxes on cigarettes. With these two budget plans still millions of dollars apart, it will take some negotiation to reach an agreement on the budget.

At this point we are not sure how it will end, but as we work towards a resolution, we will continue in our commitment to fund the priorities of Iowans without breaking the family budget. I hear from many of you every week and I know that you value education, economic development, healthcare and strong families.

Following is a closer look at our FY06 spending targets for budget subcommittees: $80.9 million for administration and regulation $34.9 million for agriculture and natural resources $29.4 million for economic development $926.7 million for education $994.6 million for health and human services $404 million for justice systems $100,000 for transportation and capitals $122.8 million for the judicial branch $2.2 billion for other unassigned standing appropriations, including nearly $2 billion for school aid Lawmakers Continue Work on Priorities as First ìFunnelî Deadline Passes

Senators were busy this week attending committee meetings as the Legislature faced its first self-imposed deadline of the 2005 session.

In order for a bill not to be declared dead at the end of the first ìfunnelî week, it must be approved by at least one committee in the Senate or House. The deadline, which comes roughly at the middle of the session, plays a key role in paring down the Legislatureís agenda. The funnel does not apply to tax, leadership or appropriations bills.

Senate committees have taken up fewer bills this year due to the 25-25 split in the Senate where each party shares equal control. However, senators are working to find areas of agreement and focusing on priority issues.

The next benchmark of the legislative session is the second ìfunnel,î the deadline that requires bills to be approved by the chamber where they originated as well as a committee in the opposite chamber.

During the next few weeks, senators will be focused on considering legislation that has made it past the first funnel in addition to budget bills and economic growth measures. As we work on these goals, senators will continue to focus on the priorities of Iowans as we work on initiatives to move Iowa forward.

Some of my bills, which were ìfunneledî this week include the Regentsí study of higher admission standards, development of an Iowa Heritage& Citizenship curriculum for grades 7-12, and proposing long term care insurance that includes asset protection, to name a few. However, these bills could be attached to other bills as amendments or taken up first thing next January. I am not giving up!

Legislation to Expand Senior Healthcare Services Advances in Senate

Iowaís nursing home industry would have the opportunity to expand into home and community based services under a bill passed this week by the Senate Human Resources Committee and co-sponsored by me.

Our plan would help older Iowans remain in their home longer by improving the number of health care services available to them in their homes and communities. Iowa currently has a health care delivery system that prohibits a health care facility from providing additional services such as adult day care, homemaker services and home health aides.

We want to remove barriers to access so these options can become available across the state. Iowaís seniors have made it clear that they want options when it comes to their long-term health care decisions, and this legislation will help achieve that goal. I have been working on alternatives for some time now.

Iowaís seniors deserve long-term independence, as they grow older. Our plan aims to give older Iowans that independence so they can make their own decisions about where to live and what type of care to receive.

Committee Approves Voluntary Child Care Rating System

Iowaís child care providers would have the opportunity to participate in a voluntary child care quality rating system under a bill approved this week by the Senate Human Resources Committee. This particular piece of legislation is important to me as I sponsored the bill and presented it to the committee. I shall be working hard to pass it in the full Senate.

The legislation would establish an optional five-level rating system for Iowaís 7,500 regulated child care providers. The goal of the legislation is to provide parents with more information as they select a quality care provider for their children.

Under current law, child care centers must be licensed and home-based providers must be registered with the state if they care for more than five children. Providers also can receive a ìGold Sealî designation for achieving accreditation from a national organization.

However, supporters of the legislation say a rating system is needed for the child care facilities that fall somewhere in between the current guidelines. The legislation approved this week aims to do that by providing parents with additional details they can use when making child care choices.

Although the system is voluntary, lawmakers hope that more facilities will ask to participate as increasing numbers of parents request the ratings. The result will mean improved quality of care for Iowaís young children.

Committee Approves Legislation to Help Forgetful Drivers

The Senate Transportation Committee this week approved legislation that would require the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) to send out driverís license renewal notice According to the DOT, approximately 8 percent of Iowa drivers have to be retested each year because they miss the deadline for renewing their licenses. DOT officials say that while mailing out reminders would cost about $150,000 a year, the department would save money in the long run by not having to conduct as many retests. In addition, more Iowans would be sure to have a valid ID when they travel. Supplemental Appropriations

This week the Senate Appropriations committee approved a bill that would provide additional money in this fiscal year to ensure that critical programs have the funds to function.

The largest appropriation is an additional $63.6 million for the stateís Medicaid program that provides healthcare for Iowaís poor and disabled. Without this funding Medicaid would be out of money by the end of March with three more months to go before the end of the fiscal year, June 30.

The following are the additional spending amounts approved by the committee:

Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board
7,500

National Governor's Meeting
300,000

Racing and Gaming-New license
50,000

Special Olympics National Games
500,000

Iowa Special Olympics
10,000

Human Services
Medicaid
63,600,000

Iowa Medicaid Enterprise
1,000,000

Glenwood State Resource Center
1,000,000

Woodward State Resource Center
1,000,000

State Cases/Legal Settlement
250,000

Sexual Predator Commitment
775,000

Program
Legal Aid
600,000

Corrections
Oakdale
100,000

Central Office
414,416

Inspections and Appeals

Public Defender
1,584,115

Indigent Defense
2,896,042

National Guard Repayment
5,753,000

Capitol Security
800,000

Public Safety

DCI Agents for Prairie Meadows
150,000

Expansion

Civil Rights Commission
56,000

Grand Total
$80,846,073

As you can see, we have been extremely busy this week and hopefully all of this activity will result in a more prosperous Iowa. I am very grateful for all of you who have filled out and returned my annual survey. This helps give me a better idea of where you are on the issues and provides some direction for future initiatives here in the Senate.

Please feel free to contact me and have a great week! Maggie

563.359.3624/515.281.3371 maggie.tinsman@legis.state.ia.us March 10, 2005