Senate Journal: Page 1464: Wednesday, April 26, 2000

  provision does not provide additional funding, but rather, it takes funds
  from state
  cases which serve persons with mental illness or developmental disabilities.
  It also
  gives the appearance of expanding services to additional people when it does
  not.
  Therefore, rather than implementing this section, I am directing the
  department to
  evaluate the system to determine if resources can be spent in a more
  efficient and
  effective manner.

  I am unable to approve the item designated as Section 29, subsection 4, in
  its
  entirety.  This would require the department to redirect state-county
  technical support
  staff.  The result would be dramatically reduced services to counties.  The
  department
  must retain the flexibility necessary to make staffing decisions based upon
  the need to
  provide services to Iowa children and families.

  I am unable to approve the item designated as Section 29, subsection 5, in
  its
  entirety.  This language addresses the department's efforts to seek and or
  revise
  reimbursement methodologies that would best provide the results needed for
  Iowa's
  families and children.  While the thrust of the language is supportive of
  the
  department's efforts, this language appears to be flawed, and therefore, I
  am unable to
  support this item.  However, the department will continue to work with the
  legislative
  branch in developing methodologies that will bring about the best results
  for Iowa's
  families.

  I am unable to approve the item designated as Section 31, subsection 2d, in
  its
  entirety.  Here again, the bill contains language scheduling a meeting for
  next
  legislative session, in this case, with persons in the nursing industry.

  I am unable to approve the item designated as Section 36 in its entirety.
  This item
  requires the department to conduct an evaluation of the child protection
  system,
  including "a determination of whether the system changes have improved the
  safety of
  children and the support of families in the community, and should identify
  indicators
  of increased community involvement in child protection."  This study has
  been
  requested, but no funds have been appropriated to complete the study for the
  last three
  years. The department will contract with consultants from nationally
  respected child
  welfare organizations, using funds from private sources to complete an
  assessment of
  the child protection system. However, the requirements of Section 36 would
  increase
  the scope of that assessment and increase the cost.  Rather than using state
  funding
  intended for other programs to meet this requirement, the state would
  benefit more
  from utilizing current appropriations for services that directly affect Iowa
  children and
  families.

  I am unable to approve the items designated as Section 46, subsections 2, 3
  and 8.
  These items, relating to effective dates, are not approved to be consistent
  with other
  actions disapproved in this bill.

  For the above reasons, I hereby respectfully disapprove these items in
  accordance
  with Amendment IV of the Amendments of 1968 to the Constitution of the State
  of
  Iowa.  All other items in Senate File 2435 are hereby approved as of this
  date.

  Sincerely,
  THOMAS J. VILSACK
  Governor

© 2000 Cornell College and League of Women Voters of Iowa

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