AFSCME, 20 legislators file lawsuit to keep MHIs open

DES MOINES ? AFSCME Iowa Council 61 President Danny Homan and 20 legislators have filed suit in the Iowa District Court for Polk County regarding Governor Branstad?s illegal closure of the Mt. Pleasant Mental Health Institute and Clarinda Mental Health Institute.

The legislators taking part in the suit are Sen. Rich Taylor (Mt. Pleasant), Rep. Jerry Kearns, Rep. Mark Smith, Sen. Thomas Courtney, Sen. Janet Petersen, Rep. Bruce Hunter, Rep. Curt Hanson, Sen. Tony Bisignano, Sen. Herman Quirmbach, Sen. Dick Dearden, Rep. Art Staed and Rep. Ako Abdul-Samad.

Other legislators include Rep. Jo Oldson, Rep. Ruth Ann Gaines, Rep. Sharon Steckman, Rep. Todd Taylor, Rep. Mary Gaskill, Rep. Kirsten Running-Marquardt, Rep. Timi Brown-Powers and Rep. Dave Jacoby.

The lawsuit, which was filed against Governor Terry Branstad and Iowa Department of Human Services Director Charles Palmer, seeks to compel the governor and his administration to comply with Iowa law and reopen the Mt. Pleasant and Clarinda Mental Health Institutes.

?Iowa law clearly states that the State of Iowa shall operate Mental Health Institutes in Mt. Pleasant and Clarinda. This was the law when the governor announced his decision to close these facilities. This was the law when the legislature passed, with bipartisan support, the funding to keep these facilities open. This was the law when he closed these two facilities. It is still the law today,? said AFSCME Iowa Council 61 President Danny Homan.

?No one is above the law. That includes the governor. We are filing this lawsuit to hold him accountable for breaking the law,? added Homan.

?I am pleased that 20 legislators are joining with me in filing this lawsuit. We are proud to stand together in support of the rule of law and mental health services,? added Homan.