2019 Legislative Session - Week 10

Governor Kim Reynolds has shifted her focus toward disaster relief following catastrophic floods across Iowa.  Yesterday, she requested that President Donald Trump issue an expedited Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for 57 counties.  That move would immediately free up federal recovery resources, including FEMA funding.  So far, the floods have hit southwestern Iowa hardest.  Statewide, the Reynolds Administration projects about $1.6 billion in damage to homes, businesses, farms and levees. 

While many legislators worked to balance their duties at the Capitol with the flooding in their districts, they maintained their schedule at the statehouse.  In the Senate, the GOP passed a measure instituting work requirements for Medicaid recipients on a party line vote, 32-17.  Under SF 538, able-bodied adults on Medicaid would have to work, go to school, or do some form of community service for a set number of hours each week.  The bill would exempt disabled Iowans and those with mental health issues.  Republicans touted the measure as giving dignity to low-income Iowans, and a way to strengthen the state’s workforce.  Democrats said it would add unnecessary bureaucracy and costs to the current system.  The bill now goes to the House for consideration.

On the House side, a bill to legalize sports betting is gaining steam.  Wednesday, the Ways & Means Committee passed HF 648.  It is now eligible for floor debate by the full House.  The measure includes several amendments.  One of the major provisions bans so-called “prop” bets on games involving Iowa athletes, their colleges, or their opponents.  Prop bets are wagers on things other than the outcome of the game, such as how many points an individual player will score.  Also, the tax rate for participating casinos would be capped at a 6.75 percent maximum, with 0.25 percent set aside for problem gambling.  Prairie Meadows would face a requirement to pay horse groups another 11 percent of its casino sports book hold. 

Meanwhile, voters decided to keep Iowa Senate District 30 in Democratic hands following Tuesday’s special election.  Democrat Eric Giddens won against Republican Walt Rogers by a 15-point margin, 57 percent to 42 percent.  Libertarian Fred Perryman drew one percent of the vote.  Giddens is a UNI program director and member of the Cedar Falls Board of Education.  Rogers served in the Iowa House until last November, when he was defeated by Democratic challenger Dave Williams.  The Senate seat opened last month, when Sen. Jeff Danielson (D-Cedar Falls) abruptly resigned.  Giddens will likely be seated next week.  With his election, the Senate balance will hold at 32 Republicans and 18 Democrats.  He will fill out the remainder of Danielson’s term, which ends in 2020.