Guest Editorial: District 23 wrap-up: local issues

Back in Des Moines following my father’s recent passing, I want to thank you for your continued thoughts and prayers.
Earlier, Senate Democrats voted to keep the status quo and immediately end the transition to managed care. They are offering no alternatives to improve services, outcomes, or combat the ever-growing costs of Medicaid. Over the last several years, Iowa’s Medicaid system has been growing at an unsustainable rate. General Fund spending on Medicaid has increased by 133 percent, growing from $557 million in 2003 to $1.3 billion in 2016. Because of this I believe that reform is not optional, it is necessary. Medicaid is eating the state’s budget and is beginning to crowd out core functions like education, public safety, and courts. Iowans would be better served if we all worked together to make managed care better instead of trying to sabotage it.
Taxpayers need to file their taxes, and are depending on the Legislature to act on federal coupling as soon as possible. Regrettably, the Senate has no plan of its own that would provide taxpayers with this certainty. I am committed to giving taxpayers a seat at the table, something the House accomplished when we passed House File 2092.
The first bill passed on the House floor this session was to provide K-12 schools with an increase in funding totaling $81 million, 93 percent of new available revenue devoted to K-12 education in our budget plan. Coupling and education funding continue to endure negotiations, but I am doing everything in my power to reach a resolution as quickly as possible.
I chaired a subcommittee which passed a bill dealing with mandatory reports to the board of educational examiners. It would require schools to report an employee on school premises or at a school-sponsored activity involving students while under the influence of, possessing, using or consuming illegal drugs, unauthorized drugs or alcohol.
I believe this will increase consistency and safety for our schools.
David Sieck
State Representative,
District 23
Iowa House of
Representatives
(515)281-3221
david.sieck@legis.iowa.gov