Note: this is an editted version of Senator Courtney’s newsletter. For the whol newsletter, please go here.

ENSURING COLLEGE STUDENTS CAN AFFORD THE EDUCATION THEY NEED

We’re working to keep college affordable so that all Iowans get the educational opportunities that lead to great jobs. Almost half of bachelor’s degrees awarded in Iowa come from our private colleges and universities. Iowa Tuition Grants help them pay their way.

Iowa Tuition Grants are awarded to Iowa residents enrolled at Iowa’s private colleges and universities. Priority goes to applicants with the greatest financial need. The exact amount each student receives depends on the funding available and number of students awarded grants. Students may receive grants for up to four years of full-time, undergraduate study.

With the funding we are proposing for Iowa Tuition Grants in this year’s Senate Education Budget, the maximum annual award would be an estimated $5,000 per student next year—up from $4,550 per student this year. For the 2013-14 school year, almost 15,000 students received the grant, which is matched by their school.

Iowa is one of 11 states that have scholarship programs specifically for students attending private colleges and universities, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. A survey from the National Association of State Student Grant & Aid Programs shows that Iowa dedicates almost 80 percent of its need-based grants to resident students attending private colleges and universities — well above the national average of 28 percent.

A boost in the Iowa Tuition Grant will ensure more students can afford the education that’s right for them, which is an important part of our efforts to expand Iowa’s middle class. For more on grants, scholarships and other help to pay for college, go to www.iowacollegeaid.gov.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BUDGET IS GOOD FOR IOWA WORKERS
Senate Study Bill 1281 contains an Economic Development Budget that will expand Iowa’s middle class and move our economy forward.

The state’s Economic Development Budget funds Small Business Development Centers, research and economic development at our state universities, arts, cultural and historical projects, worker safety programs, and employer and worker assistance through Workforce Field Offices.

This year, Senate Democrats have proposed a budget that:

• Increases trade assistance for Iowa small businesses to expand their sales to national and international markets.

• Provides funding for an initiative to match returning veterans with jobs at Iowa companies.

• Invests in public transit systems that provide Iowans with transportation to and from work.

• Increases funding for Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) inspectors.

• Increases funding for more wage theft investigators at Iowa Workforce Development.

In addition, the budget provides for financial assistance for businesses to locate and expand in Iowa, and for our state universities to work with businesses on research, development, marketing and entrepreneurship.

HEALTH CARE FOR VULNERABLE IOWANS IN JEOPARDY
In January, Governor Branstad surprised Iowans by proposing to privatize almost all of Iowa’s Medicaid system.

Medicaid provides free or low-cost health coverage to just over a half million Iowans who are some of the most vulnerable people in our state. This includes families and children, pregnant women, seniors and people living with disabilities. More than 71 percent of Medicaid dollars go toward services for the disabled and seniors.

In the Legislature, there is bipartisan support for a responsible, cautious approach to making changes with input from stakeholders. That’s the sort of approach that has worked best in other states and has been Iowa’s traditional approach.

Under Governor Branstad’s plan, however, Iowa will make bigger changes faster than any other state regarding health care services for Iowans who need them the most. After a similar transition in Kansas, the Disability Rights Center of Kansas reported that citizens with disabilities were denied services, struggled to navigate the new system and lacked resources to advocate for themselves.

Senate Democrats are committed to providing robust oversight to ensure that Iowa’s most vulnerable citizens don’t fall through the cracks. Earlier this year, the Iowa Senate unanimously approved SF 452. The bill would have created a process to closely monitor the Medicaid transition, ensured that tax dollars are spent wisely and maintained close-to-home access to critical healthcare services. Unfortunately, the Iowa House did not take up the bill.

There’s still time to act this year. Senate Democrats will continue to advocate for proper oversight of Iowa’s Medicaid transition and focus our attention on making sure resources are used wisely for crucial health, disability and senior services.

IOWANS SPEAK OUT ON NEED FOR MENTAL HEALTH INSTITUTES
The Senate’s Government Oversight Committee heard testimony this week from a patient and employees of the state-run Mental Health Institutes (MHIs) that have been targeted for closure by Governor Branstad.

Under current Iowa law, the state must maintain and operate MHIs in Cherokee, Clarinda, Independence and Mount Pleasant. The Governor’s unilateral decision to close the Clarinda and Mount Pleasant facilities has drawn criticism from community leaders, legislators and mental health advocates because his plan hurts Iowans who need the critical services they provide. Layoffs have already begun in Mount Pleasant.

A former patient and staff describe Clarinda and Mount Pleasant as modern, efficient operations that provide services often not available in other locations, including inpatient dual substance use disorder and mental health treatment. The facilities have trained, dedicated, professional staff that provide compassionate care to some of our most vulnerable citizens.

Anna Short, a former drug abuse counselor at Mount Pleasant, told legislators that Iowa has a mental health crisis. “A lot of our patients are mandated treatment by the courts. If we didn’t serve them, the prisons would house them, and that would cost much more to the state,” she said.

Cindy Fedler, a former nurse at Mount Pleasant, believes the transition is hard on patients, saying, “Just because someone has a mental illness, doesn’t mean they don’t know what’s going on.”

Ann Davison, a nurse from Clarinda, told the committee that since January 15, Clarinda has received 180 calls from 60 counties asking for help.

Christina, is a former patient at Clarinda, said she needed the inpatient experience and that she would not be here today without treatment at Clarinda.

The Senate has passed two bipartisan bills to address the MHI closures. SF 333 would require the Department of Human Services to admit eligible Iowans to the MHIs through the current fiscal year that ends June 30. The funds to support these services were appropriated by the Legislature and approved by the Governor last year. His administration should now follow through on its commitment to use those funds as approved.

SF 402 would set up a process for the Department of Human Services to develop and implement crucial community-based mental health services. The services must be approved by the Legislature and in place prior to considering MHI closings. The plan would include input from stakeholders and experts, require transitional services without reducing access or quality, ensure ongoing local access to highly trained community and institutional care providers, and identify stable funding for new services.

These bills have been eligible for debate in the Iowa House for weeks but have not been taken up.