Happy new year to the Bleeding Heartland community. Here's an open thread. I'm among the minority of Iowans not watching the Outback Bowl today, but for what it's worth, I do hope the Hawkeyes beat Louisiana State. LSU jumped out to an early lead.
Several new laws take effect in Iowa today, notably the alternative to expanding Medicaid, just approved by the federal government in mid-December. Under the plan, federal funds will cover Medicaid for Iowans earning up to 100 percent of the federal poverty level and private health insurance for Iowans with incomes between 100 and 138 percent of the federal poverty level. In theory, the Iowa Health and Wellness Plan is supposed to cover between 100,000 and 150,000 people, roughly half of our state's uninsured population. Problems with the federal health insurance exchange website may leave a lot of people with a gap in coverage, though. The Iowa Department of Human Services has advised roughly 16,000 Iowans who applied for coverage through Healthcare.gov and may be eligible for Medicaid to apply again to the state agency. If they apply by January 31, they can get coverage retroactive to today.
Teen drivers in Iowa face new restrictions under Senate File 115, which passed both chambers with large bipartisan majorities last year. After completing driver's ed and having an instruction permit for six months, teenagers will have an intermediate license for 12 months (extended from six months under the previous statute). Also, the teen driver's parents have the option to limit the driver to having no more than one unrelated minor passenger in the vehicle. Rod Boshart explained more details about the new law, intended to reduce the risk of traffic accidents involving young drivers.
Boshart also reports, "Thousands of commercial property owners in Iowa face a Jan. 15 deadline to apply in their counties for a new tax credit established" in the compromise property tax bill approved at the end of last year's legislative session with strong bipartisan support.
As of today, it is legal in the state of Colorado to sell marijuana to people over age 21 at certain licensed stores. Drivers with Colorado license plates were already among the groups more likely to be pulled over by Iowa State Patrol. I would guess that profiling will increase.
In some parts of the country, black-eyed peas are considered a lucky food to eat on New Year's Day. I'm not a fan of "hoppin' John," the most traditional preparation, but I've posted the recipe for my favorite black-eyed peas dish after the jump.
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