Capitol Comments by Rep. Curt Hanson

State Representative Curt Hanson represents Iowa House District 82, which includes most of Jefferson County and Davis and Van Buren counties, in the state Legislature.

Tuesday, many Legislators attended their local caucuses.

Since Iowa has a first in the nation status, the process starts with the Iowa caucuses, which results in a great deal of national attention on Iowans.

Wednesday was Veterans Day at the Capitol and veterans from across Iowa came to talk to legislators about a variety of issues related to military families and veterans. One of the ideas under consideration this year would be to exempt military pensions from state income taxes.

Thanks to those who completed the online 2014 session survey this year.  I sincerely appreciate getting input from you and the responses were great. Here are just a few highlights from the survey:

? 90 percent said the Legislature should expand job training opportunities at community colleges to address Iowa?s skilled worker shortage.

? 72 percent said we should raise the minimum wage.

? 65 percent believe we should cut taxes for the middle class.

? 86 percent said we should pass another tuition freeze this year to keep college affordable.

? 85 percent support expanding the production of wind, solar, and biofuels to create good jobs.

? 61 percent said we should make sure every Iowan has access to high-speed broadband internet access or Wi-Fi.

? 79 percent support expanding access to early childhood education.

The 2014 Condition of Education report was released this week and shows mixed results.

While some progress was made, the most striking figure in the report shows the number of children in poverty in Iowa has increased dramatically, rising from 27 percent a decade ago to 41 percent this year.

As Iowa family income climbs, the increase in childhood poverty indicates an uneven growth in our economy.

In the Education Committee meeting, Director Brad Buck explained how the Iowa Core was developed.

The development took several years and involved a broad range of public and professional input. The Iowa Core consists of expectations, which every student should master at each educational level. These expectations should be considered a minimum level of achievement for advancement. The core should not be confused with curriculum.

A curriculum contains the tools chosen by each school district to reach and expand the core expectations. School boards, parents and teachers must be encouraged to exceed the minimum expectations of the Iowa Core.

Iowa law clearly states that neither the State Board of Education nor the Department of Education shall require school districts to adopt a specific textbook or specific instructional methodology.

Also, it states that school districts are not required to purchase specific curriculum materials or products from vendors to reach the Iowa Core expectations. People should be assured that the curriculum is under the control of local school boards.

The Iowa House of Representatives and Iowa Senate are urging Congress to renew its commitment to farmers, lower fuel prices and protect the environment by supporting a robust and sustainable Renewable Fuel Standard.

Iowa?s biofuels industry has added more than $8 billion to Iowa?s economy and generated $2 billion in new household income.

I encourage Iowans to support ethanol and defend RFS. Please go to www.iowacorn.org to leave your comments.

Of interest to my constituents who are on Medicare: If you are a Medicare patient whose stay in the hospital requires several nights, be sure you are admitted as an inpatient.  Some hospitals will place you on an ?observation status.? Medicare considers this status the same as being an outpatient.

This seemingly innocent change of designation could leave you responsible for tens of thousands of dollars in hospital costs.

If you are not sure of your status, please check with your doctor or hospital?s case-management staff.

This information came from Bottom Line Personal, Jan. 15, 2014.

I would like to thank those who have recently contacted me. I do appreciate your phone calls and your emails.

I am back in Fairfield each weekend. I would be happy to meet with you and discuss issues important to you!

Hanson serves on the House Agriculture and Education, Natural Resources committees, as well as the Education Appropriations Subcommittee.

Contact Hanson anytime by email at curt.hanson@legis.iowa.gov or by phone at 641-919-2314; at home, 801 Court St., Fairfield 52256.