GOP's Zaun Joins Democrats in Asking Governor to Shift Funds to Stop Abbe Mental Health Center Closing

Republican Sen. Brad Zaun of Urbandale has joined four of his Democratic colleagues, including gubernatorial hopeful Jack Hatch, in asking Gov. Terry Branstad to shift money from the Department of Human Services budget to stop a Marion based Iowa mental health facility from closing.

Without an infusion of cash, the Abbe Center, a large residential facility in Marion serving persons with mental or developmental disabilities, will close next week, the Des Moines Register reports.

The veto by Branstad, a Republican, of a $13 million appropriation to help counties maintain mental health services while switching to a system overseen by a regional authority is responsible for the closure, according to a letter signed by the five senators.

Joining Zaun were  Democrats Jack Hatch of Des Moines, Liz Mathis of Robins and Rob Hogg and Wally Horn, both of Cedar Rapids. Hatch has formally announced his candidacy for governor.

“The veto of the $13 million MHDS Risk Pool appropriation has resulted in the closure of at least one facility and has caused many counties to expand waiting lists out of fear that their financial situation is not secure,” their letter stated. “It is a mistake to believe that there is not a need for additional resources to assist counties through this transition.”

The Iowa Association of Counties supported the vetoed legislation, saying that it would help counties maintain services while making the transition from the county-by-county mental health system to the regionally based service delivery program.

In his veto message, Branstad said the $13 million, approved with bipartisan support, wasn’t necessary because other measures were in place to help counties with the transition.