From Senator Mark Lofgren

By Theresa Rose · Thursday, February 16th, 2023 at 3:13 pm CDT
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Dear Senate District 48,

– Week 6 – 

This Week in the Senate

The first six weeks of the legislative session have flown by. It has really helped that the weather has been so nice, allowing all legislators the benefit of safe travel to and from the Capitol. The current snow storm aside, it has been an unusually mild winter in Iowa so far, and I am most thankful for that!

UNI Day at the Capitol
Tuesday was University of Northern Iowa Day at the Capitol. With it also being Valentine’s Day, normally a day to display the pink and red, the Capitol was swarming with Panther Purple. With strong representation from the various colleges; students, staff and alumni were eager to share with legislators and visitors the various projects and learning that are making a difference for Iowans. Brandon Crawford shared with me some of the ways he has been able to assist in the research process that is underway at the Institute for Decision Making on the UNI campus and in outreach across the state.
The Petrichord Quartet from the UNI School of Music performed in the First Floor Rotunda throughout the day!

TC and TK Panther were also present for UNI Day! Pictured with Senator Lofgren: TC Panther and UNI Freshman and MHS Graduate, Kimberly Frisbie

Improving Efficiency and Legitimacy in Iowa’s Public Assistance Programs

Senate Study Bill 1105 started its way through the legislative process this week. This bill is designed to address the issue of errors and fraud in Iowa’s public assistance programs. According to the Iowa City Press Citizen, the total amount of unemployment insurance overpayments for 2022 was up 6,086% since 2017, costing over $129 million in unwarranted spending. Fraud payments were also up 242% last year totaling $13.8 million. This unwarranted spending takes away benefits from those who are legitimately in need. SSB 1105 works to prevent this problem by adapting a more efficient process for identifying eligibility for welfare. Efficient programs and organizations to check employment, assets, residency, and citizenship already exist. The State of Iowa simply needs to use them. SSB 1105 helps ensure these programs are available for Iowans in legitimate need and protects the taxpayer from fraud and government inefficiency.

Ensuring Government Does Not Become Too Large

During her Condition of the State address, Governor Reynolds shared her priority for making government “efficient, effective, and small again,” putting forward a plan for realignment of departments this year. Last year, the departments of Human Services and Public Health were merged into the new Iowa Department of Health and Human Services. This action did not cost any employees their job nor did it downgrade any service. What it did was streamline the organization and allowed for a tight-knit group to work more closely together. The current plan is to continue with this success by streamlining Iowa’s 37 cabinet agencies to 16.  Senate Study Bill 1123 has been put forth to accomplish this goal. Several subcommittees have already met to ensure affected parties can speak and senators can receive public input. I have also sought input from some of the affected department directors on how they foresee this proposal playing out. So far, I have heard positive comments about the governor’s proposal. It has been nearly 40 years since Iowa has taken a comprehensive view of its government structure and doing so now seems appropriate. The goal of this bill will be to reduce unnecessary friction among agencies, improve efficiency and collaboration, and prevent government from enlarging.

Directors Present to Senate Economic Development Appropriations Subcommittee
This week the Senate Economic Development Appropriations Subcommittee was fortunate to hear from representatives from The University of Northern Iowa. Randy Pilkington and Dan Beenken shared with the committee their various projects and initiatives that are at work in all 99 counties across the state. It was great to learn the ways that UNI is making a difference for small and family businesses in Iowa and how innovation continues to be at the forefront of decision making as they work alongside Iowa Economic Development and our other state universities to promote Iowa Manufacturing 4.0. They also shared how they are partnering with Iowa Workforce Development to promote small business startup in Iowa through IASourcelink. If you or someone you know is looking to start their own business, this is a great place to go for resources on “How to”, “Best Practices” and “Tools” to get you started.

Rural Emergency Health Services a Priority

We also had some floor debate this week. One notable bill, Senate File 75, creates a new license for hospitals, called rural emergency hospitals (REH). A rural emergency hospital means a facility that provides rural emergency health services 24/7 and does not provide any inpatient acute care. This designation would help stabilize rural hospitals that may be struggling and help bring in more money through Medicare. This bill also included state licensure of ambulatory surgical centers to provide better transparency and enforcement of these health facilities. Health care access is a major concern in rural Iowa, and one we hear often about from constituents. Senate File 75, which passed the Senate 48-0, helps keep hospitals open in our rural communities and helps to ensure Iowans have access to important health care services.

Best regards,
Mark

 

 

Senator Mark S. Lofgren
Iowa State Senator
District 48
563-272-8683
mark.lofgren@legis.iowa.gov
Information provided by the Iowa State Senate and House of Representative Caucus Staff

Collins Capital Connection

By Theresa Rose · Thursday, February 16th, 2023 at 10:41 am CDT

To the People of House District 95

 

We’re now wrapping up the sixth week of the legislative session in Des Moines and we are quickly approaching the first legislative funnel. The funnel deadline is one that requires a bill to be passed out of committee in order to be considered yet this session. The only exception to this are bills related to taxes and the state budget.

 

Fighting the WOKE Agenda

This week the House Education Appropriations Subcommittee hosted the President’s of Iowa’s three public universities. The Education Appropriations Subcommittee is the panel charged with determining how much money to give to our three public universities for each fiscal year. As a member of this committee, I had many questions for the Presidents, mostly regarding how they continue to blow through taxpayer dollars when it comes to administrative costs at their institutions. Most alarming though, and something that I was able to confirm with each of them at the hearing, was the salaries of just four of the top DEI (Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion) posts on campus. Below is a list of these positions and their annual salaries:

  • University of Iowa Associate Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: $255,000 a year.
  • Iowa State Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: $247,000 a year.
  • University of Northern Iowa Chief Diversity Officer AND Director for Diversity, Inclusion & Social Justice: over $200,000 a year combined.

This hearing received widespread coverage in the media just due to the nature of my questions, but the point of them was the fact that these costs continue to be passed onto students in the form of higher tuition costs, and increased students fees. This is unacceptable, and all options remain on the table to control these rising costs, and ensure Iowans tax dollars are not being used to push the WOKE agenda.

 

Protect Children, Support Parents – Education Committee Prohibits Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation Instruction in K-6

Yesterday the House Education Committee, which I also serve on, passed a bill that does not allow gender identity and sexual orientation instruction to be taught to kindergarten through sixth grade students. Gender identity means a gender-related identity of a person, regardless of the person’s assigned sex at birth. Sexual orientation means actual or perceived heterosexuality, homosexuality, or bisexuality.

This means that all instruction regarding human growth and development not only has to be age-appropriate and research-based, but also cannot include promotion or instruction on these topics. Children in these grades should be focused on curriculum and instruction in math, science, language arts and history. There is no compelling reason young children should have class time spent on gender identity and sexual orientation instead of core academic subjects.

 

Transparency for Temp Staffing Agencies in Health Care

This week, the House Health and Human Services Committee unanimously passed House Study Bill 24 to ensure that Iowa’s taxpayer funds are not being gouged by temporary staffing agencies charging health care entities unnecessarily high costs. This bill ensures that temporary nursing staffing agencies (registered nurses, LPNs, CNAs, etc.) are the target of the requirements described below.

This bill helps provide transparency in pricing by requiring these temp nursing agencies report quarterly a detailed list of the average amount charged to the health care entity for each agency worker category, and average amount paid by the agency to the agency workers for each worker category. The bill also requires these health care employment agencies to register with the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals, and requires DIA to investigate complaints against these agencies. Most importantly, this bill requires agency workers to be qualified and meet health regulation requirements for the health care setting they are working in. Lastly, this bill prohibits non-competes, as it has been seen that these agencies are using these for even CNA positions.

 

House Ways and Means Passes Increase to Adoption Tax Credit

This week the House Ways and Means Committee passed House File 67 which phases in an increase in the adoption tax credit. Currently, the adoption tax credit equals the amount of qualified adoption expenses paid or incurred by the taxpayer in connection with the adoption of a child, not to exceed $5,000 per adoption. Adoption costs are varied by adoptive parents can usually expect costs somewhere between $20,000 and $30,000. Those costs include attorney’s fees, home study costs, application fees, and background check and fingerprinting fees.

House File 67 phases in an increase to the maximum amount of the adoption tax credit as follows:
•    For the tax year beginning January 1, 2024, $7,500 per adoption
•    For tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2025, $10,000 per adoption

 

Legislative Forums

Tomorrow morning, Friday, February 17th at 8AM, I’ll be attending a forum hosted by the Great Burlington Partnership. Attendance is only open to chamber members, but a live video of the forum can be found on the chambers website. Our next in person forum / event should be the Mount Pleasant Legislative Breakfast hosted by the Mount Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce on Saturday, February 25th, at 8:30AM on Iowa Wesleyan’s campus.

Sincerely,

Rep. Taylor Collins
Iowa House District 95

Judith Lee Williams

By Theresa Rose · Thursday, February 16th, 2023 at 8:42 am CDT

Judith Lee Williams, 76, of Birmingham, IA, passed away on Wednesday, February 15, 2023, at University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City.  In accordance with Judy’s wishes, her body has been cremated.  Visitation will be on Sunday, February 19, 2023, with family present from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Cranston Family Funeral Home in Fairfield.  A memorial service will be held on Monday, February 20, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at Cranston Family Funeral Home, with Pastor Larry Smith officiating.  Burial of cremains will be in the Packwood Cemetery immediately following the service.  Gifts to a memorial will be designated later by the family and may be left at the funeral home or mailed to the family at 10900 Lark Avenue, Birmingham, IA 52535.  Friends may leave online condolences at www.cranstonfamilyfuneralhome.com

 

Judy was born on September 14, 1946, in Blandinsville, IL, to Gaylord and Gertrude (Shipman) Lefler.  She attended school in Blandinsville, IL.  Judy married LeRoy Payne, and together they had three sons.  Later in life, Judy met Keith Williams, and they were united in marriage on May 13, 2000, in Birmingham, IA.  She worked at Traffic Devices in Fairfield for nine years and then at Van Buren County Hospital for six months before retiring in 2010.  Judy was a member of the Birmingham Presbyterian Church for 22 years, where she enjoyed playing the piano. Judy and Keith enjoyed traveling to Branson to watch country music shows. She loved taking pictures and was an active member of the Red Hat Society. Judy truly appreciated and was passionate about showing her support for all service men and women.

 

Left to cherish her memory are her husband, Keith of Birmingham, IA; two sons, Faron Payne and Jay Payne, both of Burlington, IA; one stepdaughter, Kimberly (Mike) McGuire of Marion, IA; ten grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, along with many other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, son Darryl Payne, and a brother, Kenneth Lofler.

Daniel Edward “Ed” Donald

By Theresa Rose · Thursday, February 16th, 2023 at 8:30 am CDT

Daniel Edward “Ed” Donald, age 83, most recently of Parkview Nursing Home, Fairfield, and previously Mt. Pleasant, and Stockport, IA passed away Tuesday, February 14, 2023, at the Jefferson County Health Center.

A gathering for friends and family will be held Saturday, February 18, 2023, at the Stockport Legion Hall, Stockport, IA, with family present from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. a meal will be served at 6:00 p.m.

Funeral Service will be 1:30 p.m., Sunday, February 19, 2023, at Behner Funeral Home with Pastor Gary Van Nyhuis officiating.  Inurnment will be held at later date at Smith Cemetery, between Stockport and Birmingham, IA.

Ed was born January 10, 1940, in Stockport, IA on the family farm to Daniel and Nola (Pope) Donald.  He married Roberta Keller June 22, 1958, in Stockport IA, they divorced, remarried in 1982 and later divorced.

Ed graduated from Stockport High School in 1958, where he excelled in Basketball, Baseball, & Music.  He was a farmer for much of his life but after graduating high school, he co-owned the Stockport Texaco Station with his father.  He also worked as a car salesman for Davidson Auto of Keosauqua, Iowa, was a crop hail adjustor and owned Donald Insurance. He was a member of the Iowa Army National Guard, 224th Engineer Bn, Fairfield, IA, where he served 8 years, from 1958 to 1966.  Ed was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan and spent many years organizing bus trips for kids to games in St. Louis.  He was involved in city politics, holding the office of mayor for many years in the town of Stockport.  He was a member of the Workman Masonic Lodge #634 of Stockport, IA and a longtime Lions’ Club member.  He attended the old country school near the family farm, which was later moved to Morris Park, rural Stockport, where, during festivals, he led tours and shared his country school experiences. He spent many of his early years in Stockport actively involved with youth, as a boy scout leader and coached local youth leagues of baseball and basketball.   He continued his love of children by taking grandkids on annual jaunts to Adventureland and to Cardinal ball games, where they enjoyed hearing his singing and telling jokes.  He enjoyed golf and was an expert Morel mushroom hunter and enjoyed talking about his adventures of mountain climbing and white-water rafting in Colorado.  Most important to Ed, was spending time with his family.  He was known for his regular birthday cards and his signature gift-wrapping paper, using comic strips.  He was an active member of the group of morning “Coffee Club” friends who met religiously at the Coffee Depot and McDonalds in Mt. Pleasant, IA.  Friends often would hear of his pride in his family and his adventures in life. He treasured his time with this group of friends and would always run in to old friends while there.

He will be missed by his family, including his children, John (Birdie) Donald of Marcellus, MI, Marsha (Dennis) Laux of Fairfield, IA, Steven Donald of Mt. Pleasant, IA and Stewart (friend Wendy) Donald of Coralville, IA ; grandchildren, Brooke Laux Lilley (Clayton), Miranda Laux Millhouse (Justin), D. Seth Laux (Katie), Ashley Donald, Erin Donald (Robb), Andrew Donald (Janelle), Aaron Donald, Alex Donald, Taylor Donald; and step-grandchildren, Julia Birch, Savannah Birch, Olivia Birch, Ariele Cornellas; great-grandchildren, Shae Donald, Grant Lilley, Alyson Lilley, Evan Millhouse, Madelyn Millhouse, Emma Laux, Kinsley Laux, Chase Laux, Ashton Tlustly, Bailey Hill, Maddox Hill, Payton Stevenson, Ailinn Kaufman, Unity Kaufman; step-great grandchildren Justin Kirkbride, Jaxon Kirkbride, Gabe Harward, Ryan Harward, Connor Bruegge & Luke Birch; his siblings, Doug Donald of Washington, IA, Alice Donald Fitzpatrick of Mt. Pleasant, IA, Cindy Donald Rada, of Muscatine, IA; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Daniel & Nola Donald; granddaughter, Lynnsey Donald; and brother-in-law, Dennis Fitzpatrick.

Memorials can be made to the Fellowship Cup, Mt. Pleasant, Iowa.  Cards and memorials can be sent to the family in care of Marsha Laux @2603 Stockport Rd., Fairfield, IA, 52556.

Henry County Supervisors Meeting Agenda

By Theresa Rose · Wednesday, February 15th, 2023 at 2:47 pm CDT

AGENDA

 February 16, 2023

Approve Agenda

Approve Minutes

Approve Claims

9:00 Historic Preservation Annual Report

9:30 Denise Ballard with IGHCP to Present

Employee Health Insurance Renewal

Other County Business as time allows

Supervisors Sub-Committee Updates

Bryce Wilson Named National Merit Scholarship Finalist

By Theresa Rose · Wednesday, February 15th, 2023 at 2:42 pm CDT

Mount Pleasant High School is pleased to announce that senior Bryce Wilson has been named a National Merit Finalist by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.  Bryce, the son of Michael and Kate Wilson, is now eligible for continue competition in the National Merit Scholarship Program. Every finalist will compete for one of 2,500 National Merit Scholarships ($2,500) that will be awarded on a state-representational basis.  A student becomes a finalist based on academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment and honors and awards received.  The eligible student must have an outstanding academic record, be endorsed and recommended by a high school official, write an essay and earn SAT or ACT scores that confirm the student’s performance on a qualifying  test.   Mount Pleasant Community High School would like to honor Bryce for this outstanding accomplishment.  His commitment and dedication to academics have helped him achieve this goal.  Bryce plans to attend Iowa State University or Oklahoma State University and major in Chemical Engineering.

Reverend Gordon Katsion

By Theresa Rose · Wednesday, February 15th, 2023 at 10:33 am CDT

The Reverend Gordon Katsion, age 88, of Mount Pleasant died Tuesday, February 14, 2023.  The family wishes to thank the Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House in West Burlington for their attentive and sincere care in his last days.
Gordon was born February 8, 1935, in Chicago, IL, the son of Gus and Ola (Correy) Katsion. He graduated from Marshall High School in Chicago (1953). He continued his education at Kansas City Bible College where he received his bachelor’s degree with further studies at Omaha Baptist Bible College and was ordained in 1957.  Gordon later earned his master’s degree (1997) from Grand Rapids Baptist Seminary in Michigan. On June 30, 1957, Gordon married Rosemary Waugh in Kansas City, MO, she died in 1998. He later married Virginia Wilterink, she died in 2011. Gordon was a church planting missionary, serving first in Jamaica then England and finally Bibles International headquarters.  In total his service with Baptist Mid-Missions spanned 47 years. He was a member of Calvary Baptist Church, Mount Pleasant, where he enjoyed teaching from time to time. A life-long Cubs supporter, Gordon was often wearing their logo and enjoyed kidding around about it.
Gordon is survived by three sons, Mark (Karen) Katsion of Fenton, MO, Paul (Trisha) Katsion of Mount Pleasant, IA, John (Peggy) Katsion of Maryville, MO; eight grandchildren; and five great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wives Rosemary and Virgina, three brothers Gene, George and Glenn, two grandchildren Gracie and Jackson and one great grandchild baby Charlotte White.

Funeral Service will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, February 18, 2023, at the Calvary Baptist Church. Pastor Zach Fischer will officiate. Burial will be in the Bethel Chapel Cemetery near Woodburn. Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. on Friday, February 17, 2023, at the Calvary Baptist Church. Memorials may be made to Bibles International and Calvary Baptist Church. The Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel is caring for Gordon and his family. www.powellfunerlhomes.com 

Wayland City Council Meeting Agenda

By Theresa Rose · Wednesday, February 15th, 2023 at 6:14 am CDT

The Wayland City Council Meets at 7:30 pm at the Wayland City Hall.

Public Hearing – 7:30 PM – Public Hearing For The Purpose Of Considering The
Maximum Tax Dollars From Certain Levies For The City’s Proposed Fiscal Year
2023-2024 Budget”
3. Consent Agenda
Note: These are routine items and will be enacted by one motion without separate discussion unless a Council member requests an
item be removed for separate consideration.
a. Minutes of February 1, 2023
b. Bills for Payment
4. Citizen Forum
The Mayor and City Council welcome comments from the public for items not listed on the agenda. You are asked to state your
name and address for the record and to limit your remarks in order that others may be given the opportunity to speak. The
Order of Business is at the discretion of the Chair. No action will be taken.
5. Unfinished Business
a.
b.
6. New Business
a. Res. 2023-05 “Resolution Approving The Maximum Tax Dollars From Certain
Levies For The City’s Proposed Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Budget”
b. Set March 15, 2023 as Public Hearing Date For FY23/24 Budget
c. Set Spring Clean Up May 5, 2023 and City-Wide Garage Sales June 2 & 3, 2023
d. Review of Water System Rates/Consider Rate Increase
e. Set Specifications for Utility Vehicle
f. Set Specifications for Police Vehicle
g. Discuss Well – Repair Assessment
7. Building Permits – none
8. Adjournmen