Gov. Reynolds’ top legislative priorities for the 2019 Legislative Session:
Budget
A conservative budget that is balanced and leaves our cash reserves full
Education
-$98 million in new money for preK-12, including including:
-$2.1 million to assist schools in addressing children’s mental health
-$2.9 million for per pupil equity
-$7.8 for transportation equity
-$6.4 million for the Governor’s STEM Advisory Council
-$12 million in new money for the Regents’ universities
-$6 million in new money for community colleges
-20 year extension of SAVE, 1 percent sales tax to invest in schools and provide property tax relief at the local level
Workforce
-Nearly $16 million in new money to fund last-dollar scholarships, grants and the Employer Innovation Fund as part of the Future Ready Iowa Initiative
Criminal Justice
-HF 650: protects job creators who hire individuals with past criminal offenses
Mental Health
-HF 690 creates a first of its kind Children’s Mental Health System
-$1.2 million for home and community-based children’s mental health services to eliminate the waiting list that currently exists
-Established a children’s mental health hotline
-Increased reimbursement for Assertive Community Treatment to treat individuals facing a mental health crisis in their own homes and communities
-Increased funding for the State’s mental health institutions for additional staff
Child Welfare
-Nearly $6 million for additional staff to ensure the safety of Iowa’s children
Flood Recovery
-$15 million for flood recovery efforts.
-$10 million for the workforce housing tax credit
Ag Protection
-SF 519 protects Iowa farmers from safety threats or biosecurity risks that untrained people on their property may cause
Judicial Nominating
-We reformed our judicial nominating system to give Iowans a greater voice in the process
Property Tax Reform
-SF 634 provides taxpayers with more transparency and information about how property taxes are collected at the local level
Rural Iowa
-HF 772, The Governor’s Empower Rural Iowa Initiative. This initiative serves as a connector to existing programs and resources which provide our communities with a roadmap for continued success
-$25 million for the workforce housing tax credit
-$5 million for broadband connectivity
