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DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Two state mental health institutes have been effectively closed, even though an aide says Gov. Terry Branstad is still reviewing whether to approve a legislative compromise to continue funding the facilities.
Eighty-one employees at Mount Pleasant and Clarinda facilities were sent layoff notices with a June 30 effective date, Department of Human Services spokeswoman Amy McCoy said Wednesday. The actual number of people who were laid off may be lower due to retirements or transfers, she said. There are no patients at either location because they completed treatment or were transferred.
Danny Homan, president of Iowa Council 61 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, said layoffs violate collective bargaining agreements and state law. In a statement, he pledged to take "appropriate action."
Branstad sought to end funding for the facilities in his budget plan, saying they are outdated. State officials have said affected patients would be able to seek treatment at the other state mental health facilities in Cherokee and Independence, among other locations.
But lawmakers reached an agreement to keep the Mount Pleasant one open and to seek a private provider to run the other. Under the deal, the one in Clarinda will stay open through mid-December, and then the state would then seek to turn it over to a private operator.
Branstad has until Monday to decide if he will agree to the plan. Spokesman Jimmy Centers says Branstad is still reviewing the bill and that it would be "premature" to assume Branstad plans to veto the measure.
Rep. Dave Heaton, R-Mount Pleasant, said he remained hopeful the governor would approve the plan.
"He has until the 6th to sign the bill," Heaton said. "Unfortunately, the timing is awkward for the people that work there."
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