Last Friday was the Iowa Legislature’s second funnel deadline, but the pace at the statehouse hasn’t slowed, according to District 11 State Rep. Craig Williams (R-Manning). Williams welcomed students from Glidden-Ralston to the Capitol last week, where they observed legislative proceedings and learned more about Iowa’s lawmaking process. Williams says legislators also addressed several policy issues during the week, including debate over a proposed amendment that would have frozen health insurance premiums for five years. The proposal did not advance after concerns were raised that its most likely outcome would be to force insurers to cease operations in the state, leaving millions of Iowans without health insurance. The House considered multiple bills last week, including measures related to employment eligibility verification for Iowa’s schools, administrative law procedures, and coaching authorizations. A bill to classify kratom as a Schedule I controlled substance also passed following debate over regulation and public health concerns. Lawmakers also approved a measure that adjusts Medicaid funding by temporarily increasing a provider tax to secure additional federal matching funds. The tax on insurers will rise from 0.95 percent to 3.5 percent for a nine-month period, generating an additional $250 million in state and federal funds. The measure passed the House 53-40 and now moves to the Senate for further consideration. Williams is scheduled to appear at the Carroll County Growth Partnership (CCGP) and Carroll Chamber of Commerce Legislative Forum at Western Iowa Networks in Carroll at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 28.
