We are four weeks from the first legislative funnel. Bills that originated in the House must pass a House full committee for them to be considered on the floor. This excludes appropriation and tax bills.

State Supplemental Aid for Schools

SSA funding for our public schools is one of the first topics we have to tackle each legislative session. We are getting closer to the 30-day deadline we give ourselves to have an SSA number settled so that school districts have time to plan their budgets for the following year.

The Senate and the governor have both proposed a 2 percent increase in SSA funding for education for the upcoming fiscal year. Iowa House Republicans are interested in getting more funding to public schools. So in that effort, Thursday, we introduced our own proposal. Here’s what it entails:

• An increase of 2.25 percent in SSA funding. This increase, plus the second phase of the teacher salary increase passed last session results in $114.5 million more for public schools.

• A one-time increase of 0.6 percent SSA payment, which equates to $22.6 million more for schools.

• A $10 increase in per pupil equity which represents a $5.8 million increase.

• An increase in the Operational Sharing Budget from 21 to 25, providing an additional $1 million to schools.

• Increasing School Transportation to cap the cost of transportation for each school district at the statewide average of $430, resulting in $5.8 million in additional funds.

Altogether, these increases equate to a 3.93 percent increase in state funding to public schools. The new state cost per pupil under this proposal would be $8,039 per pupil.

In FY 2025, we allocated $3.7876 billion to public education. This proposal would allocate $3.9368 billion.

These increases represent the many specific funding issues we hear from our school districts. While each line item may not affect each individual school district equally, one line item may have a big impact on addressing the issue a specific district is facing. We are working to respond to the specific concerns we’re hearing from our schools in a responsible manner.

Health and Human Services Budget Subcommittee

This week, the Department of Health and Human Services presented on Iowa’s child welfare system to the House Health and Human Services Budget subcommittee. DHHS presented some important data that shows improvements in care for Iowa’s children through difficult times. Much of these improvements are based on the dedicated work of Iowa’s social workers and foster parents, and investments from the legislature into foster care rates, field worker training, and youth support initiatives.

Iowa data shows children in the foster care system have been steadily dropping; in 2019 there were 5,955 children in the foster care system; in 2024 there were 4,144. Social worker caseloads are decreasing and time spent with foster children is up. Those are positive trends.

However, the issue I get contacted about most frequently is concern about the foster care and adoption system. I am always happy to look into cases for constituents that need assistance.

Health and Human Services

We have several bills working through the HHS committee right now relating to acute care for behavioral health needs. One is related to commitment hearing testimony. Right now, the physician is required to testify at the hearing. It has been observed around the state that doesn’t always happen and the patient cannot be committed for BH or SUD treatment. HSB 85 allows for the physician’s assistant or advanced registered nurse practitioner to testify if they witnessed the exam, reviewed the report and the physician is unable to attend the hearing. HSB 85 has passed subcomittee and full committee this week.

Transportation

This week, Transportation Development Division Director Stuart Anderson gave a presentation with information about Iowa’s bridges. He outlined the process of inspections and repairs.

State Rep. Ann Meyer, R-Fort Dodge, represents Fort Dodge and eastern Webster County.