Iowa Senate Democrats

Fighting for a Better Deal for Iowans.

Senator Dotzler’s Jan. 31 Newsletter

From the Desk of Senator Dotzler

Reasserting Iowa as a National Leader in Public Education

It’s time to talk about school funding.

The governor and Senate Republicans have proposed a 2% increase in school funding for the upcoming school year – less than the funding increase for public schools in both 2023 and 2024. After years of persistent underfunding and school closures around the state, the Republican plan would result in half our school districts getting less funding this year than last. It is just another in a series of gut punches for Iowa’s public schools and the students and families they serve.

The Republican proposal fails to keep pace with rising inflationary costs and would leave many school districts strapped for cash and laboring under significant budgetary pressures. Many schools would not be able to provide the resources their students need. More than half of the state’s school districts would be forced to raise property taxes just to keep the lights on in their schools. If that weren’t enough, the governor is also proposing a $32.5 million cut to our AEAs, further depriving Iowa kids, families, and schools of critical resources and services.

My colleagues and I believe that 2% falls well short of fulfilling our commitment to Iowa’s schools.

Senate Democrats are proposing a 5% increase in school funding for the more than 482,000 kids in Iowa’s public schools – this equals the same dollar amount Republicans are proposing to give to the roughly 27,000 kids in the voucher program.

Our proposal allows school districts to adequately address ongoing teacher shortages, invest in modern educational materials, update classroom technology, support special education needs, and expand preschool programs.

Iowa’s Workers Deserve a Better Safety Net

Navigating a job loss is hard. It’s financially complicated and emotionally stressful. We should be streamlining the process and easing the burden so Iowans can get back on their feet and back to work quickly. Instead, Republican lawmakers have created a system that further punishes job loss and adds another stressor for Iowa’s workers.

Back in 2022, Republican lawmakers made a series of changes to Iowa’s unemployment insurance system that slashed benefits and created unnecessarily complicated bureaucratic hurdles in an effort to dissuade Iowans from even applying for unemployment.

At a time when it seems I can hardly go a day without seeing news about another round of layoffs or a plant closing, now, more than ever, we need the safety net that unemployment benefits provide for hardworking Iowans seeking their next opportunity.

This week, I introduced a bill aimed at addressing one of the changes made to Iowa’s unemployment system in recent years.

  • SF157 would return the number of weekly benefits from to 26, bringing Iowa back in line with most of the country (38 states provide at least 26 weeks of benefits).

Iowans want to work. They want to provide for themselves and for their families. With John Deere laying-off over one thousand workers in Waterloo alone the job market has become very tight. We shouldn’t punish folks further for losing their jobs. Let’s fix our unemployment system.

Quick Updates

  • The Iowa Senate Democratic Caucus is extending a warm welcome to our new member, Senator-elect Mike Zimmer! Mike is the president of the Central DeWitt School Board, a longtime professional educator, coach, and small business owner. He will serve Senate District 35 in Eastern Iowa, representing Clinton, Scott, and Jackson counties. We’re excited to bring him on board to help create a better deal for Iowans!
  • Potential changes to the Iowa Civil Rights Act: Senate Democrats are keeping an eye out for legislation to remove gender identity from the Iowa Civil Rights Act, stripping transgender Iowans of anti-discrimination protections in the areas of housing, education, employment, and more. Senate Democrats believe ALL Iowans should be treated fairly and equally by the laws of our state. We will continue to provide you with updates as they happen.
  • Nominations open for the John Lewis Youth Leadership Awards – If you know any young people in your community fighting for civil and voting rights, nominations for the John Lewis Youth Leadership Awards are open through May 31. The awards aim to send the message that age is not a barrier to creating change and every voice matters.
  • Donating to the Fish/Wildlife Fund (also known as the Chickadee Checkoff), on line 21 of your Iowa state tax form 1040, can help support vulnerable wildlife through research, habitat development, and education.
  • Volunteers needed to judge science fair: Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is seeking judges for the State Science and Technology Fair of Iowa. Students in grades 6-12 will participate in the exhibition on March 27-28 at Hilton Coliseum in Ames. The fair is held annually to celebrate the achievements and innovations of students in science and engineering. Organizers will assign judges based on their category preferences, level of education, field of study, and professional experience. To volunteer, please sign up online.
  • SHIIP-SMP Volunteer Medicare Counselors Needed Across Iowa: The Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) and Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) are free, confidential, and unbiased services of the State of Iowa Insurance Division. Applications for the 2025 SHIIP-SMP New Volunteer Training will be accepted through April 20, 2025. Live virtual new volunteer training will be available. Learn more about the opportunity and apply through the website: www.shiip.iowa.gov/get-involved.
  • 2025 Iowa Travel Guide Now Available: The new 2025 Iowa Travel Guide is now available to inspire travelers looking to plan a trip to Iowa. The free 148-page guide can be ordered online at traveliowa.com or picked up at any of Iowa’s Welcome Centers and DOT rest areas. An online version is also available.
    • Features in the publication include:
      • Farm-to-Table Dining: Get a literal taste of Iowa at restaurants using fresh, locally sourced products.
      • Mountain Biking: Explore scenic trails that challenge and excite cyclists of all skill levels.
      • Historic Hotels: Step back in time at properties more than a century old.
      • Cozy Winter Getaways: Discover charming cabins and inviting destinations to embrace the colder months.
      • Farm Stays: Experience life on various working farms across the state.
      • The Iowa Tourism Office, part of the Iowa Economic Development Authority, works closely with community partners, attractions and events, to promote the state’s beautifully vast scenery and unique history. Tourism in Iowa generated $7.3 billion in expenditures in 2023, with more than $1.1 billion supporting state and local governments, while employing a total of 70,954 people statewide. For more information on everything Iowa has to offer tourists, visit traveliowa.com.

I’m Just a Bill – Staying Involved in the Legislative Process

As we come to the end of our third week at the Statehouse and bills are beginning to make their way through the legislative gauntlet, we thought it would be a good idea to put together a refresher so you all can stay engaged in our work at the Capitol.

Do you remember the old Schoolhouse Rock! song, “I’m Just a Bill”? That little three-minute cartoon taught so many young Americans the fundamentals of the legislative process in Washington, D.C. Here in Iowa, the process isn’t all that different!

If you haven’t tracked legislation before, the whole system can feel a bit complicated. Not to fear! Here’s a quick guide to understanding the process so you can ensure your voice is heard.

And, as always, please don’t hesitate to reach out with a question if I can be of more help along the way!

Step 1: Subcommittee

Subcommittees are where we hear from you.

  • The first step for most bills under consideration in the Senate is a subcommittee. This is where a small panel of lawmakers review a bill and hear public comment. If you want to make your position known on a given bill, this is the place to do it!
  • Subcommittees take place at the Capitol but are also usually streamed online, with time set aside for public comment.
  • What to do: If you want to speak on a bill in a subcommittee, you can attend in person or participate online. You can also leave written comments for lawmakers to read and consider.
  • You can find a schedule of subcommittees here. Click “Agenda” for meeting details and the Zoom link. Click “Comments” to leave a comment.

Step 2: Committee

Committees are where we iron out the details.

  • If a bill passes out of subcommittee (and many don’t), it’s heard by a full committee of senators. In the Senate, we have 17 standing committees focusing on various policy areas. Each committee has between 6 and 20 members, often with specific expertise in that issue area.
  • In committee, senators discuss a bill and ask questions of the bill manager.
  • Senators can also amend the bill in committee – that is, offer changes and additions to it based on what they’ve heard from constituents and experts.
  • Committees take place in person at the Capitol but are also streamed online.
  • What to do: Attend in person to show public interest in the issue. Contact senators on the committee to let them know what you think and how you want them to vote. Find committee schedules here. Click here to find senators’ contact information.

Step 3: The Floor

Floor debate is where we make our stand.

  • A bill that passes committee is eligible for floor debate (although the floor leader decides if and when a bill comes up).
  • If a bill is brought up for debate, the sponsor introduces it, and then all 50 senators have a chance to speak and offer amendments to change it. At the end of debate, senators vote on whether to pass it.
  • Floor debate is held in the Senate chamber and streamed online. You can watch debates live by clicking here. If you’d like to see archived debates, click here.
  • What to do: The Senate chamber galleries are open to the public. Attend in person or watch online. Contact your senator to make your voice heard.

Step 4: What Happens Next

  • What happens after the Senate passes a bill depends on whether the bill has also been considered by the House.
  • If the bill started in the Senate, it moves over to the House for further consideration.
  • If it’s already passed the House, it moves on to the governor. The governor gets the final say on all legislation, choosing whether to sign it into law or veto it.

The next few weeks will be very busy with bills moving through the subcommittee and committee process. If there’s an issue you care about, now is the time to get involved and ensure your voice is heard!

This Week in the Capitol

I met with students from East High School: Brynn Culpepper, Delphi Dixon and Say Say Paw. They are taking classes at Waterloo Career Center with a focus on Agriculture.

I had a conversation with Roger Carr, a retired Waterloo firefighter. We talked about the need and support for more professional and volunteer firefighters across the state of Iowa.

I met with my friend and fellow RAGBRAI rider, Tim Dwight of Iowa Hawkeye and NFL fame. Tim was at the Capitol to promote the solar industry in Iowa