Download photos at www.iowasenatedemocrats.org/jochum/photos.

 

Senate President Jack Kibbie of Emmetsburg and Senator Pam Jochum of Dubuque congratulate the family of Arnold E. and Agnes E. Bruggeman for donating the Bruggeman Conservation Easement to the Dubuque County Conservation Board. This generous land gift was recognized during "Gift to Iowa's Future Day" at the Statehouse April 6.   In 2008, the Iowa Legislature made donating or making a conservation easement much more affordable and doable in Iowa. The “Iowa Tax Credit for Charitable Contributions of Conservation Lands” offers significant tax savings. Donors can receive a tax credit of up to 50 percent of the fair market value, with a maximum tax credit of $100,000 per donation. The Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation helps landowners consider their options and make generous donations possible. More information is available at www.inhf.org/landowner

 

The Iowa Department of Economic Development has announced that $40,000 will be awarded to Dubuque through the Main Street program, which seeks to improve the social and economic well-being of Iowa communities. The funds will be distributed in the form of federal Challenge Grants, training and technical assistance. For more information the Main Street program, go to www.iowalifechanging.com/community/mainstreetiowa.

 

 

Because the national recession shows no sign of letting up soon, we’re moving forward with a fiscally responsible budget that drastically cuts spending while maintaining Iowa’s priorities.    

 

For example, when the Senate recently passed an Education Budget, we focused on funding programs that best improve student achievement for all Iowa students. We reduced funding for programs that don’t meet that core mission, don't serve all Iowa children or don’t directly impact kids.

 

That’s the approach we’re using with every budget bill we take up in the Senate. We’re making tough choices while maintaining our commitments to creating good-paying jobs, making health care more affordable and improving student achievement.

 

By focusing on these priorities, we can prepare Iowa for a brighter tomorrow and balance our state budget without raising taxes.

 

During this national recession, Iowans are losing the jobs they depend upon to support their families. More than ever, Iowans need employment services and job training to help get them back to work.

 

That’s why the Senate recently passed an Economic Development budget that boosts job-creation efforts and supports Workforce Development.

 

Senate File 469 appropriates more than $18.5 million for Iowa’s 55 workforce field offices. These local workforce centers, including the office in Dubuque, provide Iowans with job counseling, training, placement and other assistance. They help Iowans connect with employers and help businesses find the workers they need to succeed locally.

 

In addition to state dollars, Iowa’s Department of Workforce Development can expect to receive more than $20 million in federal stimulus dollars to help unemployed and laid off Iowans get back to work.

 

For more information on employment services or to contact your local field office, go to www.iowaworkforce.org.

 

The Iowa Senate approved a measure to outlaw wage discrimination based on age, race, religion, gender and the other protected classes cited in the Iowa Civil Rights Act. 

 

The legislation is particularly good news for Iowa women and their families. Iowa currently ranks 37th among states when it comes to equal pay for men and women.

 

Senate File 127 seeks to change that by punishing employers who discriminate. The Iowa Civil Rights Commission could award double the shortfall for the time discriminatory wages were paid and up to three times that wage shortfall in cases of willful violation.

 

The legislation applies only to employers who have four or more employees. It does not apply to wage differences resulting from seniority and job performance. 

 

The bill now goes back to the Iowa House for its approval. For more information about the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, go to www.state.ia.us/government/crc/file_complaint/index.html.

 

The Legislature has approved a bill to require most heath insurance to cover medically-necessary prosthetic devices designed to replace all or part of an arm or a leg. 

 

This change is especially beneficial for children, who may need several prosthetic replacements as they grow.

 

House File 311 requires that insurance coverage be at least equal to that provided under federal Medicare, which currently covers prosthetics with no annual or lifetime benefit cap. The prosthetic device must be prescribed by an Iowa-licensed physician for loss of a limb due to catastrophic injury or illness.

 

The bill applies to individual and group insurance, but federal law exempts self-insured employees from state insurance regulation. The requirement would take effect for policies issued or renewed as of July 1. The bill now goes to the Governor.