Iowa Republican Senator Tom Shipley, from Nodaway and Republican Representative Tom Moore, of Griswold, spent about 90-minutes taking questions and defending their position on the issues, Saturday, before a large crowd at the Walnut Street Farmer’s Diner, in Atlantic. The men spoke during a legislative coffee sponsored by Farm Bureau. Among the hot topics of interest among those in attendance, was the role of Managed Care Organizations (MCO’s) in the area of mental health, the recently signed bill by Governor Branstad pertaining to Collective Bargaining, and the defunding of Planned Parenthood.

Pastor Nancy Jensen said she buried two people last year who had mental health issues but had nowhere to go for treatment. One of the individuals ended up committing suicide. The other died from an accidental overdose.

Rep. Tom Moore (R) – Griswold

One of the persons was in their 20’s, the other in their 40’s. Jensen said the wait time for mental health care is days, and even months, because the system has been “completely overwhelmed,” over the past couple of years. She asked if Shipley and Moore would be willing to “take a stand” and help oversee Managed Care companies.

Moore said the Iowa Department of Human Services is taking an extensive look into the system that finds beds for mental health patients.

Senator Tom Shipley (R) – Nodaway

One person said providers for mental health care are not getting paid by Managed Care companies. Shipley suggested anyone with concerns e-mail him with the pertinent information, so that he can resolve provider pay errors and delays. Both men agreed the “system” is a long way away from being fixed.

Shipley came under fire when it came to the topic of Collective Bargaining. He said he voted for the bill signed by Governor Branstad, but then admitted he didn’t read the bill that closely. Shipley later backtracked, and said his interpretation of what was in the bill was different that what it actually said.

The question of “What’s next” was brought up, with regard to concessions over Collective Bargaining, and the topic of IPERS was mentioned. Specifically, Senate File 45, a bill which was introduced by Republican Senator Brad Zaun, and is entitled “An Act providing for the development of a mandatory defined contribution pension plan for certain public employees.” It states peace officers (State Troopers/DCI/DPS/Fire Marshal and Narcotics Division) hired after July 1st, 2019, ARE NOT eligible to participate in the Iowa Public Employees Retirement System (IPERS). (https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/LGI/87/SF45.pdf)

Representative Tom Moore said he knows what his vote would be on the bill.

(He says he would be a “No” vote if there are any detrimental changes to IPERS benefits are brought before him.)

Senator Shipley said he contacted the Governor’s Office about the bill, but hasn’t heard back on any proposed amendments.

A man who was allegedly acting in a disorderly manner at a Red Oak pawn shop, was arrested Saturday morning for Breach of Peace. Red Oak Police say 43-year old James Reed Mitroff II, of Red Oak, was found to be intoxicated and acting in a disorderly manner. He was taken into custody at around 10:30-a.m. and held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $300 cash bond.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – A group associated with the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce has hired a director to focus on boosting activities near the Missouri River. The Omaha World-Herald reports that former Lincoln Railyard employee Rachel Halbmaier began Monday at the Missouri River Commons initiative.

The push to bring more events to the riverfront comes after a 2014 Urban Land Institute study. The group suggested the Omaha-Council Bluffs area come together to bring more people to the riverfront, and even potentially hold a national festival.

Chamber President David Brown says that before anything big can develop, Halbmaier will work to ensure people are using the current riverfront amenities. Brown says residents can expect to start seeing results from Halbmaier’s work by next year.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – U.S. Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska says he will re-introduce a measure aimed at helping secure citizenship for the widower of an Omaha police officer killed in the line of duty nearly two years ago. The measure, first introduced by former Nebraska Congressman Brad Ashford and dubbed the Kerrie Orozco Act, would expedite the citizenship process for spouses of first responders who are killed on the job.

Bacon, a Republican, defeated Ashford, a Democrat, in November in the race to represent the state’s 2nd congressional district, which encompasses the Omaha area.

Kerrie Orozco was fatally shot in May 2015 while trying to make an arrest. Her husband, Hector Orozco, is now a single father to three children, including the one Kerrie Orozco delivered only three months before her death.

A legislative forum featuring State Senator Tom Shipley, from Nodaway, and State Representative Tom Moore, of Griswold, will be held this afternoon, in Atlantic. The event takes place at the Farmers Walnut Street Diner, beginning at 1-p.m. The event is sponsored by Farm Bureau, and offers you a chance to hear from our area legislators about the issues they have voted on, those yet to come, and to answer your questions.