Hello, Iowa House District 84 from the State Capitol!

It was another busy week for me at the capitol. This year is my first year on the Administration & Regulation Appropriations Subcommittee and is quite a bit larger than it appeared initially. This subcommittee covers about 30 departments, and I was assigned the Ethics & Campaign Finance and Treasurer of State departments.

This last Tuesday, the subcommittee Chairman Rep. Mike Bergan, Rep. Jennifer Smith, and I had a meeting with the Dept. of Revenue Director Mary Mosiman. Along with other information for the Dept. of Revenue, Mosiman gave information of fiscal year 2025 liquor sales revenues being down about 2.25% from 2024, while revenues from the Iowa Lottery increased from FY 2024 to 2025.

On Wednesday, Chairman Rep. Bergan and I had a meeting with State Treasurer Roby Smith. A couple highlights were the state is earning over $1 million per day on interest from the surpluses and that the unclaimed money and assets given back to the rightful owners reached a record high of $33.6 million last year via https://www.iowatreasurer.gov/for-citizens/great-iowa-treasure-hunt. Benton County residents have gotten over $2 million returned and there’s almost $2.6 million unclaimed!

House Study Bill 696 is under consideration in the HHS committee. This bill intends to ensure the long-term sustainability of the state’s public assistance. A few highlights are it expands eligibility for the Medicaid for Employed Persons with Disabilities program from 250% of the Federal Poverty Limit to 300%, which will allow more disabled Iowans to qualify and to accept raises and promotions at their jobs without fear of losing Medicaid coverage. It increases the base reimbursement rate for Home and community Based Services (HCBS). The bill also requires Iowans to live in the state at least 12 months to qualify for public assistance and complies with the “One Big Beautiful Bill” requirements.

February 11^th was the Iowa Occupational Therapy (OT) Association Day at the capitol, and OT student Kennedy Vogt of Urbana was one of many talking to their legislators. Kennedy is completing her last year of OT at Allen College in Waterloo, and she and many other OT students advocated for this important profession.

Also, I had a chat with Drew Retz, Atkins, advocating for the Iowa Home Builders Association. Iowa HBA is urging property tax reform, a constitutional amendment requiring 2/3 vote approval in each legislative chamber to raise taxes, regulatory relief, and workforce development including apprenticeships, technical education, and training. These are all great pro-growth and pro-family issues.

Have a great week and Lenten season, which begins on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 18^th.