Government : Hello, Iowa House District 84 from the State Capitol!

Rep Tom Gerhold meets with Pharmacist Kaitlyn Pegump Yeates and Pharmacy Tech Bre Johnston at the Towncrest Pharmacy in Belle Plaine on May 6th.

The Iowa Legislature just completed week 17 with the house and the senate debating bills on Thursday and Friday respectively, in addition to holding committee meetings.

Even though the legislature went past the target date of 110-day goal to complete the session (110 days for the odd-numbered years, 100 days for even-numbered years), we are doing our diligence to not rush through and pass less than desirable legislation.

The house, senate, and governor have negotiated the Fiscal Year 2026 total spending to be $9.425 billion, which is an increase of $478.1 million over FY 2025. Included in this increase is $14 million more for Paraeducator pay, $5 million for the Special Education Division in the Dept. of Education, $8 million more for the Public Safety Equipment fund, and $1.5 million for Length of Service Award Program for volunteer first responders.

The funding for these programs is coming from the Sports Wagering Fund, which has built up its coffers from sports betting the last few years. Iowa House Republicans made it a priority to get more funding for paraeducators and at the same time being fiscally responsible.

The total funding dollar amounts from each budget subcommittee for the $9.425 billion agreed to are:

Administration & Regulation: $73.7 million

Agriculture & Natural Resources: $46.6 million

Economic Development: $40.3 million

Education: $1,033.1 million

Health & Human Services: $2,469.5 million

Justice Systems & Judicial Branch: $924.9 million

State Aid to Schools & other

Standing Appropriations: $4,837.3 million

We hope to finish the session on or around Wednesday, May 14th. On Tuesday, May 6th, I visited the Belle Plaine Towncrest Pharmacy to discuss with pharmacist Kaitlyn Pegump Yeates the importance of Senate File 383, also known as the Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) reform bill. PBMs are third party administrators for health plans and employees but have contributed to pharmacies losing money. This bill will be a big help for rural pharmacies to survive, as a record 31 pharmacies closed in Iowa last year! I still anticipate some sort of property tax reform to be debated, along with eminent domain property rights.

Have a safe and healthy week, please support our local businesses, and watch out for farmers with ag machinery on the roads. On Saturday, May 17th, the Shellsburg American Legion Post #166 is having a "Pork For Patriots" meal including grilled pork tenderloins that is FREE to all veterans and their families. The event is from 3 - 5pm at 114 Main St. SW in Shellsburg, and for more info, contact Dave Travis at 319-560-9054.