Page Six N/Warren Town and County News Thursday, April 4, 2019
Senate News
By State Senator Julian B. Garrett
j ulian.garrett@legis.iowa.gov
Putting People to Work
Governor Reynolds and Republicans in the legislature
have been working hard to continually improve Iowa's
economy, and maintain our number one in the nation
status. Having the lowest unemployment rate in the
nation is great but it does present some challenges and
opportunities. I have written more than once about the
fact that both here in Iowa and nationwide, we have a
number of able bodied individuals who are not working,
but who are not counted in the unemployment figures
because they are not looking for work. Most Iowans
believe in extending a helping hand to those who are
disabled and cannot work. We also believe that able
bodied people who are receiving welfare benefits should
be required to go to work, get training that will allow
them to get a job, or do something to give back to their
community.
Senate File 538 that we just passed in the Senate,
requires those receiving Medicaid benefits, who do not
have a child under the age of five, to work or do
volunteer work at least 20 hours per week, or get job
training. If taxpayers are providing healthcare for able
bodied people, it is fair and reasonable to expect
something in return.
As has been said before, our success should not be
measured by how many people our welfare system
provides for, but how many can become self supporting
and no longer need welfare. Getting the skills to get
into the workforce helps not only that individual, but
his or her family and taxpayers.
We need a waiver from the federal government to
implement this requirement but the Trump
administration is encouraging states to make those
requests, so if the House passes the bill, I am optimistic
that we will be able to implement it. Waivers have been
approved for at least five other states. The bill passed
on a party line vote.
Solar Subsidies
I received a number of comments both pro and con,
on Senate File 538 that requires new solar users to pay
their fair share for the use of the electrical grid.
Currently, those with private solar systems who are
customers of a privately owned electric utility company
are subsidized by their neighbors who do not use solar
systems. Most non solar users do not know that they
are subsidizing their neighbors. Existing solar users
are grandfathered in under the bill, so they retain their
subsidies. It would not be fair to induce people to install
solar units relying on the subsidies, and then to take
the subsidies away from them. There are benefits to
using solar power but there has to be some limit to the
subsidies. There are still substantial tax credits, both
state and federal, for those who install solar systems.
Customers of rural electric co-ops or municipal owned
electrical systems are not required to subsidize their
neighbors who are solar users.
Opponents of the bill argue that the rich utility
companies don't "need" the money that solar users have
not been paying. This argument misrepresents the
nature of the electrical utility business. The state
Utilities Board sets rates for the customers of privately
owned utilities so that they will have enough income to
maintain proper service to their customers, plus a
"reasonable" profit. They will receive their "reasonable"
profit regardless of how many customers are receiving
solar subsidies. The more solar installations there are
under the existing system, the higher the rates the other
customers will have to pay.
American Legion- 100th Anniversary
Senate Resolution 11 recognizes the centennial of the
six-month formation period, from March 15, 1919 through
September 16, 1919, of the American Legion in Iowa.
Confirming Governor's Appointees and More
The Governor makes a number of appointments that
must be confirmed by a two-thirds vote of the Senate.
That means at least 34 Senators must vote for
confirmation. Since there are 32 Republicans in the
Senate, to be confirmed a person must receive the votes
of at least 2 Democrats. So far there have not been any
close calls. As a rule, but not always, the Governor's
appointments are confirmed with little or no opposition.
In addition we have been debating a number of bills.
The average recently would be around 10 per day. Many
of them are not particularly controversial, but of course
some are. We are also working in earnest on our budget
bills. I chair one of these subcommittees and I am facing
the challenge of taking a limited amount of money and
allocating it in the manner that best benefits the
taxpayers.
Ban on Traffic Enforcement Cameras
We have again voted to ban traffic enforcement
cameras, starting July 1st, 2019, with Senate File 343.
The vote was 30-19. The bill now goes to the House
Killing an Unborn Baby
We passed Senate File 523 that provides that the
penalty for killing an unborn child without the consent
of the mother, results in the same penalty as for killing
anyone else. The bill has nothing to do with abortion
since it only applies where the mother has not consented
to the killing.
Pharmacist Dispensed Contraceptives
The Senate passed Senate File 513 allowing the
dispensing by a pharmacist, of three self-administered,
hormonal contraceptives to a woman at least 18 years
of age, under certain circumstances. The bill, a priority
for Governor Reynolds, allows the dispensing of an
initial 3 month supply, and then a one year supply of
the contraceptives. The patient would have to certify
that she had seen a medical practitioner to receive the
contraceptive after two years.
In order to participate in this program, pharmacists
will have to complete a standardized training program
and receive continuing education related to dispensing
the hormonal contraceptives. They will also have to
obtain a completed self-screening risk assessment from
each patient before dispensing the contraceptives,
provide the patient with certain written information,
provide the patient with a copy of the record of the
pharmacist's consultation with the patient, and provide
patient counseling.
The goal of the bill is to allow women, especially in
rural areas, more ready access to these popular
contraceptive methods. Obviously this is only an option.
As with many drugs, there are possible side effects. No
one is obligated to participate. The bill now goes to the
House for consideration.
As always please feel free to contact me with your
ideas or concerns.
Iowa Public Television Presents
New Season of Iowa Ingredient
Season 8 of Iowa Public Television's Iowa
Ingredient will feature sizzling new episodes
exploring fresh ingredients grown in Iowa, the
passionate farmers who produce them and the
creative chefs who cook with them. The new season
premieres Thursday, April 4th at 6:30 p.m. and
Saturday, April 6 at 11:30 a.m.
This season, Charity Nebbe hosts a journey through
the state to discover Iowa farmers growing and
producing peas, ginger, feta cheese, kohlrabi,
cauliflower, tofu, cherries and black beans. As always,
Iowa Ingredient invites resourceful Iowa chefs to cook
with Charity in the studio kitchen, using fresh, local
ingredients to create viewer-friendly recipes that can
be tried at home.
"I continue to be blown away by the innovation,
passion and talent of our Iowa growers and chefs,"
Nebbe said. "Even eight seasons into Iowa Ingredient,
I'm still learning so much about our state and the
incredible people in it. This is the most delicious kind
of education, and I can't wait for more!"
New episodes will premiere each week on
Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 11:30 a.m.
on statewide Iowa Public Television. Iowa Ingredient
also airs on IPTV Create (.3). The entire season will
be available for members to binge watch on IPTV
Passport beginning April 4.
This season will feature chefs from all across Iowa,
including Chef Julie Schoenherr of SoHo American
Kitchen in Sioux City, Chef Katy Meyer of Trumpet
Blossom Cafe in Iowa City, Master Chef David
Baruthio of Baru 66 in Des Moines, Chef Katie Porter
of the Wallace Centers of Iowa in Orient and Des
Moines, Chef Terrie Kohl of Country Club Market in
Clive, Chef Brandy Leuders of The Grateful Chef in
Des Moines and special guest Chef Marc Navaille
from Basque, France.
"Season 8 has a few surprises," said Executive
Producer Debra Herbold. "We're hoping some of the
more unique ingredients inspire viewers to take the
plunge and cook up their own delicious dishes. And
we're sharpening our focus on the chefs this season,
letting Charity's chemistry with them shine in the
studio kitchen."
Join Iowa Ingredient on social media for recipes,
tips and tricks, behind-the-scenes footage, bloopers
and more. Follow Iowa Ingredient on Facebook,
Instagram and Pinterest.
Learn more at Iptv.org/IowaIngredient.
School staff members: do you
have pictures and information
about all the great activities going
on in your classrooms and
elsewhere at school?
Send them our way at
news@norwalknewspaper.com.
We will also happily accept photos
and information from parents,
students, and
community members.
SE POINT. WEST DES
FOX VtJ LEY 115309.900
Order by SWEET
April 15th
- oyDe.verF VIDALIA ONIONS
10 lbs. for $11
To place your order, call
JACK LANE 981-4273
Za-Ga-Zig Shrine Fundraiser
Photo Printing is a full conu aercial
printer located in Carlisle, Iowa.
If you have a flyer, letterhead,
envelope, brochure, magazine,
newsletter, book, etc that you would
like to have printed, give us a call for a
Free Estimate.
Photo Printing, Inc.
210 S. 1st Street
Carlisle, Iowa 50047
515-989-3251
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Parents Night
Out at the South
Suburban
YMCA
The South Suburban
YMCA, 401 E. Army Post
Road, offers Parents
Night Out for YMCA
members and non-
members, infants to age
12. The next scheduled
Parents Night Out is
Friday, April 12th, from
5:00-9:00pm. Bring your
child for an evening of
dinner, crafts and fun.
Must be pre-registered
to attend. There is a
minimum of five children
and a maximum of 15.
Contact Kristy Young,
285-0444, or Kristina.
young@dmymca.org for
further information
including, cost of the
program.
