The first “funnel week” of this legislative session has just ended. As I mentioned in my last article, the “funnel” is the deadline for policy bills to come out of committee if they are to stay alive for the session. The exceptions are the appropriation proposals and tax bills, which are exempt from this first of several funnels. For any bill to move forward in its journey toward becoming a law, it must first be approved by a sub-committee of three members (two from the majority party and one from the minority). When at least two of these three sub-committee members vote for the bill, it then moves on to be considered by the full committee of 21 members. If it receives a majority in the full committee, a bill is then eligible for debate by all 100 members in the Iowa House of Representatives.

Two of my bills that were not considered would have improved the health of Iowans. One was a bill (HF261) that would have allowed local communities to adopt stronger or more stringent restrictions on smoking. Last year, I co-sponsored the bill, along with Rep. Bill Schickel, R-Mason City, after conferring with leaders of several cities and towns. Our bi-partisan bill, which met its demise this week, would not ban smoking in public places. It would simply have allowed city or county governments to establish smoking ordinances, as they and their constituents would like. Unfortunately, for now, that is not to be.

Another bill (HF215), which has not be considered, would increase the tobacco tax by $1 per pack, however there is still the possibility that it could be an amendment to bills pertaining to health care. This is the fourth year that I have sponsored this legislation, and it was much easier to obtain co-sponsors this year than it was three years ago. More people are coming to the realization that raising the price of tobacco products, together with restricting smoking in public areas, would lead to reduced use of this very addictive legal drug. Tobacco related illness and death continues to be the most preventable disease in America.

The very good news for me last week was that HSB 643 passed the Human Resources Committee and now will go to the House for debate and predicted passage. The bill includes a proposal similar to one I proposed three years ago (HF536). Sometimes it takes time for an idea to catch on, but I have learned that if you stay with a good proposal, persistence will pay off. This bill establishes services for youth who are placed in foster care by the courts. About 550 youth “age out” of the foster care system each year in Iowa. Right now, when a young person in foster care reaches their 18th birthday, they are no longer eligible for services from the state. And, even though child welfare agencies offer suggestions and planning for these young people, many are not really prepared for the adult world at the age of 18. Because they have experienced interruptions in their lives, many of these young folks have not even completed high school.

The new program, Preparation for Adult Living (PAL), will provide transitional living assistance, tuition, and medical care to participating foster children from ages 18-21. To participate, a foster child will need to enter into a self sufficiency plan and engage in employment or educational activities intended to meet the goals of the plan. They will have the opportunity to complete high school and begin a college program or attend a technical school.

Most of us know that our own children require support, guidance and nurturing beyond their 18th birthday. I am convinced that our investment in these young people will provide future cost savings. Without follow-up services, some of these young people become homeless, require mental health and substance abuse services, hospitalization, or incarceration in our correctional system. When the courts remove a child from their home the state essentially becomes that child’s parent. The PAL program is simply having the state be a responsible parent, committed to that child’s success beyond their 18th birthday. I believe this is an excellent investment in our foster children of Iowa.

You can write me at the State Capitol, Des Moines, IA 50319; call me at 515/281-7328 or e-mail me at ro.foege@legis.state.ia.us.

Ro

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