It was a historic week at the Capitol. First, Governor Kim Reynolds was chosen to give the Republican response to President Biden's State of the Union speech on Tuesday. That's a big honor and legislative leaders wanted to give her something to brag about in her speech. So they worked fast to pass the largest tax cut in our state's history on Thursday. Here are a few things to know about this tax cut:

• It will reduce the money the state can spend next year by $236 million and by $1.9 billion in 2026 (read more here).

• Income taxes will be reduced - Iowans will pay a flat 3.9% tax on the money they earn. Iowa's tax rates right now are between 4.4-6.5%. Businesses would also pay less in taxes.

• Retired Iowans would not pay state taxes on retirement income from their 401(k)s, IRAs, and pensions. Also retired farmers that rent out their farmland will not pay taxes on the money they earn from those rental agreements.

The Des Moines Register reported that a family earning $68,000/year would see their taxes lowered by $563. On the other hand, someone earning more than $1 million a year would pay $66,879 less in taxes. That has some legislators concerned that the cuts will help the rich more than the middle-class. Others say it will help all Iowans, and help get more people to move to the state and start businesses.

What Does This Mean to You?

• The tax cuts will be different for every person. If you work, you will probably pay less in state taxes.

• Many organizations worry about the loss in tax dollars and what it could mean to important programs that help Iowans, including home and community based services that make sure Iowans with disabilities can live and work in the least restrictive setting possible. Will there be less money to invest in these programs? Will this make it harder for Iowa to fix the problems in our disability services systems that the US Department of Justice has said need fixed?

• Iowans with disabilities want to work and want to have choices in where they live. It is important to remind your legislators that they need to invest in the programs that help all Iowans meet these goals.

• Most of these changes go into effect over five years, so if legislators are unable to keep up with the funding for these programs, you can ask them to take action to freeze the cuts.

Mr. Werger Goes to the State Capitol

Advocacy may look easy when you watch Brady Werger. He has opened doors for many advocates with disabilities. He was appointed by the Governor to serve on the Iowa DD Council, where he is Vice Chair.

He has been an advocate for the rights of Iowans and for people living at Glenwood State Resource Center. He's come to the Capitol many times, and when he shows up at Medicaid town halls, DHS Director Kelly Garcia and Medicaid Director Liz Matney greet him as a friend. Brady is a natural advocate.

But to Brady, sharing his story was not easy and advocacy was not natural. It was a learned skill, something that came after a lot of practice. Brady joined other advocates at the Capitol for NAMI-Iowa's Capitol Day, which he found out about in his church's newsletter. NAMI-Iowa is the National Alliance on Mental Illness, something Brady knew a lot about. In his earlier years, he had run-ins with the law, because the system just didn't put the resources into addressing his mental health needs. He wants to stop the criminalization of mental illness, and get people the services and supports they need, just like Brady.

His message was clear:

• He is concerned for Iowans struggling with mental health.
• He wanted to express frustration with the growing waiver waiting lists and the complex process to get on them.
• He wanted to share his story of overcoming significant obstacles and thriving with key supports.

Brady had a meeting set up with the Lt. Governor Adam Gregg, but not with Governor Kim Reynolds. He really wanted to meet her, so he just decided to knock on her door and see what happened. As you can see from the picture above, he got to meet her and even sit in her chair. She listened to his story, and was moved to tears. There is absolutely no better way to show that your story matters, and your story can move people to action.

How can you get started?

• Use our Advocacy Toolkit to help you get started (or reboot your advocacy).

• Check out the Legislative Guide to learn more about your legislators.

• Join our Capitol Chats each month to talk about ways to advocate and learn from others. Sign up for March here.

• Go to a town hall meeting and introduce yourself to your legislators.

• As Brady says, "Mental health issues are important. Disability issues are important. You are not alone." He encourages advocates who want help in getting started to reach out to him, he wants to help. You can email Brady at wergerbrady22@gmail.com.

Capitol Chat

We were joined by Brady Werger in our February Capitol Chat held on Friday. Listen to his Capitol experience and learn more about what other advocates are doing.

Click here to watch.

Click here for ASL version.

Sign up for our March Capitol Chat.

March is Developmental Disability Awareness Month!

The Iowa DD Council wants to share your stories & talents during March. Not just advocacy stories - if you are a poet, writer, or artist, they want to show off of your talents.



Click here to submit a story.

Guardianships

During our February Capitol Chat, several parent advocates talked about the need to make changes to Iowa's guardianship laws. Senate File 348 makes sure guardians file an initial plan with the courts and update it each year. These changes were recommended by a Supreme Court Task Force that included almost 100 stakeholders.

The bill may be in trouble, but it has the support of the Older Iowans Legislature, Iowa Mental Health Planning Council, Iowa Guardianship & Conservatorship Association, and the Brain Injury Alliance of Iowa.

The bill passed the Senate (47-0) last year, and is in the House Judiciary Committee. There is a subcommittee planned on Tuesday, March 1 at 8:00 a.m.

• You can watch this subcommittee here.

• You can attend and speak at the subcommittee (State Capitol, Room 304.1).

• You can submit comments here, or you can email the subcommittee members separately:

dustin.hite@legis.iowa.gov

todd.prichard@legis.iowa.gov

steven.holt@legis.iowa.gov

Advocate Resources

Bill Tracker

Action Center

Calendar & Legislative Town Halls

Guide to the Iowa Legislature

Advocacy Toolkit

infoNET is a disability policy newsletter of the Iowa Developmental Disabilities Council and its network of Iowans with Disabilities in Action.



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This project was supported, in part by grant number 2101IASCDD, from the U.S. Administration for Community Living, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C. 20201. Grantees undertaking projects with government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusions. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official ACL policy.