Latest news with #AmySinclair
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Iowa lawmakers issue statements marking end of 2025 legislative session
DES MOINES, Iowa (KCAU) — The 2025 Iowa legislative session has come to an end, and lawmakers are sharing their final thoughts on the work they did this year. Closing statements from three state senators, the governor and the lieutenant governor are all included below. Iowa Senate Democratic leader State Sen. Janice Weiner: 'This was a session marked by division, special interest giveaways, and partisanship. There were limited occasions when the people's interests were truly served in the Senate chamber. Senate Democrats offered a number of opportunities for the majority party to join us in reducing costs, improving access to critical services and resources, and prioritizing Iowa's working families. I believe government works best when we work together, bridge divides, and work for the common good of Iowans – unfortunately, that was all too rare. Senate Democrats will continue to offer a positive alternative as we fight for lower costs, well-funded public schools, economic security for workers, and a better deal for ALL Iowans.' Story continues below Top Story: Iowa lawmakers issue statements marking end of 2025 legislative session Lights & Sirens: 24-year-old woman dies, baby injured in Lincoln County, SD, crash Sports: Northwestern softball eliminated from NAIA Tournament with 10-2 loss to Marian Iowa Senate President State Sen. Amy Sinclair: 'The 2025 session of the 91st Iowa General Assembly has been marked by a number of pieces of common-sense legislation. As I spoke about when we opened session, Iowans made a choice, and they chose common sense. 'This year, we passed common-sense legislation to allow Iowa businesses to keep more of their money to reinvest in growth, wages, and employee benefits. This legislation cuts taxes by $1 billion. That's $1 billion businesses will invest in our economy. It's common sense to take less from Iowans and allow the market to dictate how to invest in our state. 'We continued to enact common-sense laws to restore and protect the rights of Iowans. We took additional measures to secure our elections, protecting a fundamental right of our citizens. Iowans can continue to believe in Iowa's elections and know our elections meet the highest levels of integrity. We repealed an antiquated law regarding the manner of firearms conveyance. No longer do Iowans need to be concerned about whether or not they are in compliance when exercising their right to protect themselves while traveling. It's common sense to protect the rights of law-abiding Iowans. 'It's common sense. There is dignity in work, and the vast majority of Iowans know this. Having a sense of purpose and accomplishment is not only good for one's well-being, but it is good for our state. Enacting policies that help put people back to work, like work requirements for able-bodied Iowans on assistance programs, provides opportunities for Iowans to earn a living, find a sense of purpose, and contribute to the growth of our economy. I'm proud of the work we did to enact legislation to this effect. It's common sense that there is satisfaction in a good day's work. 'As we return to our regular lives at home, I wish each of you the best this interim. I hope you all take pride in the common-sense legislation we passed this year, knowing we continue to make Iowa the best place to live, work, and raise a family. I look forward to seeing you all back next session as we continue our work on behalf of Iowans. Thank you, may God bless you all and continue His blessing on the State of Iowa.' Nebraska Legislature: Personal devices, lab grown meat bans heading to governor's desk Iowa Senate Majority Leader State Sen. Jack Whitver: 'At the start of this legislative session, we told Iowans, 'We hear you.' We hear your concerns about the high costs in our everyday lives, the concerns about costs and access to health care, and concerns about safe communities. Iowans have consistently told us time and time again they support our agenda and the work we have done. I am proud to say throughout the 2025 legislative session, we continued building on those accomplishments to make Iowa the best state for families to live and grow in. 'We addressed a wide range of issues this year as Iowans brought us their concerns, their stories of successes or struggles, and their experiences and expertise. We passed bills on the biggest priorities of Iowans, including education, health care, and public safety. We always are putting the taxpayers first, and it consistently showed as we passed bills to protect our freedoms, budget responsibly, and fund important priorities. 'The Iowa economy and specifically the agricultural economy is under a lot of pressure from outside issues. The legislature responded by implementing another nearly billion-dollar tax cut for Iowa small businesses. A few years ago, the legislature reformed the unemployment system, and it was a huge success. The number of Iowans on unemployment dropped by half, and the time they spent on unemployment also dropped by half. This success created a massive surplus in the trust fund to pay unemployment claims. This session the legislature reduced those unemployment taxes on businesses by nearly a billion dollars. Every dollar goes back to Iowa employers so they can invest in their workers, their business, and their communities. 'On the topic of jobs and work, the legislature also passed a bill requiring people on taxpayer-funded health care to work at least 80 hours a month if they are able-bodied and do not fit one of several exemptions of caring for young children or elderly parents, going to school, or medically exempt. Work has both tangible and intangible benefits to both individuals, their families, and our communities at large. Further, taxpayer-funded health care should be preserved for those Iowans truly in need and not a permanent plan for someone able to work. 'With our historic flat tax going into effect this year, ways we can continue to help hard-working families and taxpayers remains our focus. Protecting the tax relief measures we have passed is one we can do that, and that is why the Senate passed SJR 11. It requires a two-thirds majority in order to increase taxes in Iowa, making it harder for politicians to take more money out of the pockets of Iowans and protecting the historic tax relief bills for generations to come. '2025 was another successful year for Republicans in the legislature. Thank you all for your hard work, dedication, and commitment to conservative values, common-sense solutions, and making Iowa a better place for all.' Boyden-Hull School District sends off three, retiring teachers with celebration Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds: 'I'm proud of the work we did this session to expand on the strong foundation we've built over the last several years in healthcare, education, and tax reform. We prioritized rural and maternal healthcare and created a new physician pipeline that will result in 460 new medical residents over the next four years. We invested in cancer research and, for the first time in Iowa history, established a parental leave program for state employees alongside 24 other states and the federal government. We took steps to improve math and civics proficiency among Iowa students and removed digital distractions from the classroom so they can focus on learning. We cut taxes for the sixth time—this time reducing unemployment insurance taxes by half—resulting in nearly $1 billion in savings over five years for businesses of all sizes. 'To keep taxes low and ensure Iowans keep more of what they earn, we passed a responsible, balanced budget that puts taxpayers first and keeps Iowa on a strong, fiscally sustainable path. Some have claimed Iowa is facing a deficit. Let's be clear: this isn't a deficit—it's the result of the state collecting more from taxpayers than it needed. Now we're giving it back. That's what the Taxpayer Relief Fund is for. With $3.75 billion set aside specifically to offset income tax reductions, the fund ensures that we can cut taxes today while maintaining essential services and long-term stability. 'I look forward to continuing this work next session—especially when it comes to reducing Iowans' property tax burden. And to make sure tax cuts remain sustainable, even as we continue to make smart investments, we'll keep streamlining government. Our alignment efforts, so far, have already saved taxpayers more than $250 million, and we're just getting started.' Iowa Lieutenant Governor Chris Cournoyer: 'Governor Reynolds has delivered on her promise to continue Iowa on an upward trajectory. She made hands-free driving a reality, making Iowa's roads safer and saving the lives of those we love. She is investing in rural healthcare, making sure we have excellent care and more providers in all four corners of our state. And she continues to improve our education system by raising math and civics standards and removing digital distractions from instructional time so our students are free to achieve their greatest potential. And because of her fiscal leadership, Iowa is the best place for those students to find jobs and thrive. It's been my honor to stand by her as she leads Iowa forward.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Iowa lawmakers end 91st General Assembly early Thursday morning
DES MOINES, Iowa — After waiting through the night, Iowa lawmakers in both chambers finished with the state budget right when the sun came up Thursday morning. The Iowa House chamber was the last to sine die, meaning adjourn, around 6:30 a.m. after passing the standing appropriations bill. Lawmakers had gaveled in at 9:30 a.m. the day before, marking a 21-hour marathon to wrap up the 91st General Assembly. All 99 Iowa counties face increased food insecurity, survey reports Governor Kim Reynolds saw a number of her priorities pass this session. Those included a cell phone restriction in schools, rural healthcare expansion, hands-free driving bill, Medicaid work requirements, unemployment insurance reform, and more. A property tax reform bill was introduced this session, but due to the wide impact of the bill lawmakers were not able to pass it this session. 'I look forward to continuing this work next session—especially when it comes to reducing Iowans' property tax burden. And to make sure tax cuts remain sustainable, even as we continue to make smart investments, we'll keep streamlining government. Our alignment efforts, so far, have already saved taxpayers more than $250 million, and we're just getting started.' Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, (R) The Iowa Senate adjourned just briefly before the House with both chamber leaders highlighting legislation that had been passed over the last four months. 'We addressed a wide range of issues this year as Iowans brought us their concerns, their stories of successes or struggles, and their experiences and expertise. We passed bills on the biggest priorities of Iowans, including education, health care and public safety. We always are putting the taxpayers first, and it consistently showed as we passed bills to protect our freedoms, budget responsibly, and fund important priorities.' Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver (R), District 23 from Grimes Senate President Amy Sinclair discussed the unemployment insurance tax that had just made it through both chambers on Wednesday. 'This year, we passed common-sense legislation to allow Iowa businesses to keep more of their money to reinvest in growth, wages, and employee benefits. This legislation cuts taxes by $1 billion. That's $1 billion businesses will invest in our economy. It's common sense to take less from Iowans and allow the market to dictate how to invest in our state.' Senate President Amy Sinclair (R), District 12 from Allerton Now, lawmakers, lobbyists and Iowans await what bills will be signed into law, specifically a bill that would add requirements for eminent domain use for carbon pipelines. Iowa lawmakers end 91st General Assembly early Thursday morning All 99 Iowa counties face increased food insecurity, survey reports Unemployment insurance tax, other bills sent to Gov. Reynolds' desk Bison baby boom! New stars bring visitors flocking to Neal Smith NWR Iowa veteran credited with ending the Vietnam War 50 years ago shares his story Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Huge solar farm proposed for Johnson County. How MidAmerican's project could impact you.
Iowa's largest energy provider is considering building a 900-acre solar farm in Johnson County that could power more than 30,000 homes. Plans filed with the Iowa Utilities Commission in February would add six solar sites to the MidAmerican Energy's arsenal in 2027 and 2028, including a "Triangle" in Johnson County just south of Iowa City that would be among the state's largest solar farms. The "Triangle" project would be near properties along Highway 218. MidAmerican has not yet revealed where they plan to place each solar farm, though two projects are expected in Sac County and Mills County in western Iowa. MidAmerican estimates that the Johnson County solar farm will generate about 150 megawatts, meaning it could power 29,000 Iowa City-area homes annually. The six solar farms together are expected to generate about 800 megawatts statewide, enough to power about 150,000 homes. The proposals come on the heels of a November 2024 MidAmerican study that predicts growth in energy demand over the next two decades. The company's projection exposed a "need for near-term capacity additions to meet the growth as soon as 2026." More: The new $525 million University of Iowa hospital in North Liberty has an open date. When is it? MidAmerican will need approval from the Iowa Utilities Commission to proceed with its solar farms. Construction is expected to begin in 2027 and be completed by 2028 if they get the OK. MidAmerican anticipates the solar projects to generate nearly $25 million in property taxes over its life and $270 million in lease payments to landowners. The company did not say how much they would pay to acquire the necessary land needed for each project. "The proposed generating projects will help the company keep rates affordable while also ensuring customers have the around-the-clock energy they need," the company said in a release. More: A hospice for kids: Grinnell family eyes Iowa City for state's first pediatric hospice Nationwide, energy demand has been on the rise. Utility companies are trying to keep up, noting a growing demand from tech companies increasing their artificial intelligence capabilities, electric vehicle production and new manufacturing operations in the U.S. Iowa has attracted massive data centers for Facebook, Google, Microsoft and other tech companies. More: A hospice for kids: Grinnell family eyes Iowa City for state's first pediatric hospice MidAmerican is not the only electric utility operating in Iowa that is proposing measures to keep up with the growth: Florida-based NextEra Energy has pushed to reopen Iowa's only nuclear power plant, saying it could restart its Duane Arnold plant near Palo by late 2028. 'It's crucial for our economy to have energy that's there when we need it most — regardless of whether it's hot, cold, windy or cloudy,' Iowa Senate President Amy Sinclair said in MidAmerican's press release. 'Developing a diverse mix of energy sources that keeps rates affordable and serves Iowans into the future just makes good sense.' MidAmerican said the large solar project is expected to complement its extensive wind-powered generation capabilities by "providing increased energy at times when wind energy may be lower." Like wind, MidAmerican noted that solar energy "requires no fuel and helps to keep energy prices low for customers." More: 'Stand Up for Science' Pentacrest rally draws crowd amid NIH funding uncertainty MidAmerican, in its press release, claims its utility rates are 42% below the national average. The company has pitched a natural gas combustion turbine project in Adair County that they said would generate 400 construction jobs over two years and five high-paying, permanent positions. The company claims it could serve the surrounding community for the next 40 years. The Register's Donnelle Eller contributed reporting. Ryan Hansen covers local government and crime for the Press-Citizen. He can be reached at rhansen@ or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @ryanhansen01. This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: 900-acre solar farm in Johnson County part of MidAmerican proposal
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Senator introduces 14 nursing home bills just ahead of legislative deadline
The Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing is responsible for overseeing Iowa's nursing homes. (Photo illustration via Getty Images; logo courtesy of the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing) Fourteen bills related to nursing home oversight were introduced in the Iowa Senate this week, although none are expected to win approval. At the beginning of the 2025, Senate President Amy Sinclair, a Republican from Allerton, told Iowa Public Radio she didn't anticipate any action on nursing home regulation, saying the state was already doing a good job overseeing the industry. Prior to the session, Sen. Claire Celsi, a Polk County Democrat, had called for stricter oversight and increased enforcement of nursing home regulations. On Wednesday, just ahead of this week's deadline for approving non-appropriations bills, she introduced 14 separate bills dealing with nursing homes. Celsi acknowledged that since the GOP controls both the House and Senate, it will be difficult to have the bills considered and discussed this session, let alone voted on, but said she's prepared to pursue the matter. 'We're not going to drop this issue,' she said. 'Even though it's an uphill battle, this is something that still needs to be handled and we're going to shame the hell out of people until they start, you know, introducing some of this stuff. It might take forever, but we're not going to give up.' One of the 14 bills, Senate File 532, is a wide-ranging piece of legislation that would increase the penalties imposed for certain regulatory violations and would prohibit any Medicaid-certified home in Iowa from requiring residents or their families to agree to arbitration should they seek to make any claims for negligent care. In recent years, dozens of lawsuits filed against nursing homes have been tossed out of Iowa courts due to arbitration agreements that residents or their guardians signed at the time of admission. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The bill would also make it a serious regulatory violation for any facility to retaliate against an employee or resident for filing a quality-of-care complaint with the state or cooperating with state investigators. Senate File 532 would also provide a $600,000 increase in state funding, which would generate additional funding from the federal government, to pay for 30 more care-facility inspectors to visit assisted living centers and skilled nursing facilities. John Hale, a consultant and an advocate for Iowa seniors, said the bills introduced Wednesday 'present an opportunity to do what Iowans are asking elected officials to do — to discuss and pass bills that actually help people, that make the lives of Iowans a little better, and that give taxpayers assurances that their dollars are being well used.' One of the bills, Senate File 527, would establish minimum staffing levels in Iowa nursing homes. Those levels would match those set under current federal rules approved by the Biden administration, which the Trump administration is widely expected to eliminate. According to data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, 14% of Iowa's 422 nursing facilities were cited for insufficient staffing in fiscal year 2023. That was more than double the national average, which was 5.9%. Only five other states — Hawaii, Michigan, Montana, New Mexico and Oregon — had a worse record of compliance with the sufficient-staffing requirement. Dean Lerner, who headed the state inspections department under Democratic Gov. Chet Culver, said the bill is necessary to protect seniors from insufficient staffing given the potential rollback of federal regulations. 'Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds and Attorney General Brenna Bird have gone out of their way to kill the recent federal minimum staffing standards rule for nursing homes,' Lerner said. 'Republicans in Congress are also attempting to kill the rule. Nearly every resident in every nursing home will share their daily struggles with having enough trained, caring staff to help them. The Democrats care about these residents, the Republicans care about industry's campaign contributions.' As for the prospects of the 14 new bills, Hale said that 'if legislators truly care and are on the side of the residents, the bills will move forward. If they really don't care and fall on the side of nursing home operators and owners, the bills will die. Every Iowan needs to watch what happens to these bills and judge their legislators accordingly.' Among the 14 bills Celsi introduced on Wednesday: New levels of oversight: Senate File 539 would create a Long-Term Care Facility Safety Council to establish standards for nursing homes and review the licensing of facilities repeatedly cited for serious violations. Taxpayer recoveries: Senate File 538 would establish a working group to study the potential recovery of Medicaid payouts after a care facility is closed or sold. Cameras in rooms: Senate File 537 would bar care facilities from prohibiting the installation of video cameras in nursing home residents' rooms by the residents or their guardians. It's similar to House File 664, which has not advanced in the House since it was introduced on Feb. 28. Legislation along these lines has been vigorously opposed by the industry in years past. More ombudsmen: Senate File 536 would increase the number of regional long-term care ombudsmen working for the state and would require them to prioritize on-site visits to nursing homes that have recently changed ownership or been taken over by private equity firms. Ownership changes: Senate File 535 would require a more detailed state review of change-of-ownership applications by nursing homes and would involve a review of the new owner's compliance with state and federal regulations in other jurisdictions. It would also increase the amount of money the new owner is required to have in escrow to ensure there is sufficient cash on hand for the continuation of services to residents. Private equity ownership: Senate File 533 would bar the state from approving any change of ownership that result in a nursing home being acquired by a private equity fund or real estate investment trust. Taxpayer dollars for lobbying: Senate File 531 would prohibit care facilities from using Medicaid dollars to pay for industry-association dues and lobbying expenses. 'Around $2.3 million taxpayer dollars annually are funneled through membership dues to the Iowa Health Care Association,' Lerner said, noting that the head of the IHCA was paid $780,000 in 2023. 'That association represents the interests of for-profit nursing homes: more taxpayer money and less government oversight. Residents' health, safety, and welfare take a back seat to funding and accountability.' Caregiver minimum wage: Senate File 530 would establish a new, minimum hourly wage of $15 for direct-care workers in nursing homes, with increases of $1 per year, to at least $20 per hour by the year 2031. Personal needs allowance: Senate 528 would increase, from $50 to $85, the personal needs allowance collected each month by Medicaid beneficiaries in nursing homes. A similar bill, introduced earlier this year, would increase the allowance to $65. Iowa lawmakers haven't increased the personal needs allowance for nursing home residents since 2001. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
