Sen. Rich Taylor opposes confirmation of Chuck Palmer as DHS director

By BROOKS TAYLOR

Mt. Pleasant News

DES MOINES ? Chuck Palmer passed his test in the Iowa Senate Tuesday, but State Sen. Rich Taylor, D-Mt. Pleasant, emphatically dissented.

Palmer was confirmed as director of the Iowa Department of Human Services by a vote of 39-11.

Taylor was one of the 11 senators opposing the reappointment of Palmer.

?I voted against the confirmation of Gov. (Terry) Branstad?s reappointment of Chuck Palmer to serve the people of Iowa as the director of the Iowa Department of Human Services,? Taylor said late Tuesday afternoon.

A vocal opponent of the closure of mental health institutes in Mt. Pleasant and Clarinda, Taylor?s reason for opposing Palmer?s reappointment was obvious.

?I did so (voted against reappointment) because the actions of Gov. Branstad and Director Palmer have reduced essential services to Iowa families struggling with difficult health care problems. At the same time, their actions are threatening the public safety of all Iowans.

?I believe Director Palmer has failed to stand up for the people of Iowa when Gov. Branstad recklessly ? and I believe illegally ? closed the Iowa Juvenile Home and two of Iowa?s mental health institutes,? Taylor explained.

Palmer took over the department in 2011 after Branstad returned to office. He also ran the department during Branstad?s first tenure in office.

A report from the Associated Press contributed to this article.