Under the Golden Dome

By: 
Carrie Koelker
Iowa State Senator, 29th Dist.

     On Monday, March 16 and into early that Tuesday morning, the Iowa Legislature passed a series of resolutions to pause the legislative session for 30 days while the state works to slow the spread of COVID-19. I’m finally sitting down to share some thoughts and the recent work in the legislature. I appreciate everyone’s patience, words of support, and realizing this is a very fluid situation that unfortunately doesn’t come with a playbook. This situation is moving swiftly and I am glad we are all back in our districts to assist our constituents and work from home.

     Before we departed from Des Moines, we passed a resolution SCR 102 to allow us to adjourn until April 15, 2020 and pause the legislative deadlines for this year. It would also allow us to come back into session before that date, if necessary, or after that date if we cannot come back in 30 days.

     We also passed Senate File 2408, which included a supplemental appropriation to the State Hygienic Lab for additional COVID-19 testing, additional money for Medicaid, Hawk-I, and the Glenwood Resource Center. It also increases the governor’s transfer authority, allowing her the power to move money between budget items as necessary. The total for this supplemental appropriation is $91.8 million. Additionally, this bill gave Governor Kim Reynolds access to the Economic Emergency Fund while session is suspended for needs related to the COVID-19 outbreak. Under this legislation, Governor Reynolds can spend up to 10 percent of the fund to address the impact of the virus. The Legislative Council, a committee of both representatives and senators, may approve up to a total of $196 million without the legislature having to reconvene.

     Additionally, we set a level of spending to go into effect if legislators cannot make it back to the Capitol before the end of the current budget year on June 30. It sets spending levels for July and August 2020 at the current rate of funding for FY 2020, with the exception of education funding, which was passed and signed into law earlier this year.

     A couple weeks ago, Governor Reynolds recommended schools cancel classes for four weeks. The Legislature included in our legislation a provision to waive the requirement for Iowa schools to reschedule days canceled in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.

     All of these changes are temporary and only to address the situation our state is facing. We have not had to face a situation like this before. It was important for us to consider the precedent our actions would set, as well as ensure the resources would be there when we need them.

     Information on the COVID-19 outbreak is constantly changing and I urge you to stay updated as much as possible to keep you and your families safe. I am getting a lot of questions about what resources exist to help Iowans who have been affected. We have held many meetings and met with statewide officials to tackle this together.

     The Iowa Economic Development Authority has put together a number of resources for both businesses and employees affected by COVID-19. This includes a small business relief program, information on the U.S. Small Business Administration Disaster Loan Assistance program, Community Development Block Grant funds to support infectious disease response, and unemployment related to the pandemic. All of this information can be found by going to www.iowabusinessrecovery.com.

     Additionally, Iowa Workforce Development has a lot of information and resources on unemployment insurance on their website, www.iowaworkforcedevelopment.gov/COVID-19. If you contact them for questions or information, I encourage you to be patient. People all over our state are calling and they are receiving a very high volume of calls. I know they are trying to be helpful to every Iowan in their time of need.

     If you are looking for other resources, and not sure where to go, the Iowa Senate Republicans have put together a web page with links to various state agencies and departments and their information on COVID-19. This site includes updates from the governor’s office, tax information, and links to the above information. Please visit www.iowasenaterepublicans.com/covid-19-resources/ or contact me with questions you may have.

     I have also received many questions on the availability of testing for coronavirus. The decision on whether or not to administer a test is made by a doctor following the guidance of the CDC. Since this virus is new, it took time to develop and replicate the tests and the quantity of tests is limited. As a result, only individuals who meet certain criteria are allowed to receive a test. The volume of testing will continue to increase as more and more tests are produced. Another concern is the dwindling supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect health care workers from the contagion while working. The White House has called on private-sector companies to ramp up production of these safety items.

     For more information on what is happening with COVID-19 in Iowa and across the country, here are additional resources you can use:

     • https://coronavirus.iowa.gov/

     • www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

     • https://idph.iowa.gov/emerging-health-issues/novel-coronavirus

     • https://dhs.iowa.gov/COVID19

     A hotline has been set up for Iowans to call with COVID-19 related questions. It is available 24/7 and can be reached by dialing 2-1-1 or 1-800-244-7431.

     The State of Iowa is doing whatever it can to help Iowans through this crisis. At the federal level, they are also working on a legislative package to help citizens and assist those who have been affected.

     I have solid faith that we are in good hands with our governor, Kim Reynolds, who is working around the clock with an amazing team to manage the public response to this virus. Also, please keep in mind they are utilizing data to make these decisions with a measured approach. A reminder: please stay home if able, wash your hands, check on your loved ones, and as always, call or email me with your questions and concerns as we navigate this crisis. We will have an economic hurdle to overcome but we are Iowans and we are in this together.

     In closing, I thank you for your patience. I’m humbled and honored to serve in the Iowa Senate with a team I have faith in. Together we will lead Iowa through this difficult situation.

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