Senator Staed’s Jan. 31 Newsletter – Iowa Senate Democrats

From the Desk of Senator Staed

Thank you for your emails, calls, and postcards this past week. It’s refreshing to see this much interaction with the public on a variety of issues impacting Iowans. It is my firm belief that elected officials must be held accountable to the People, which is why I strive to bring sunshine to the process – letting you know my votes on the bills that come before me. (See more about the bill process below.)

It’s unfortunate that I have yet to see a Republican bill moving through the process that addresses the needs of everyday Iowa families. Most Iowans aren’t better off than they were eight years ago. Housing isn’t more affordable, and childcare isn’t more accessible. State revenues continue to decline while the governor has proposed a budget that spends more than we will take in. Relying on one-time relief funds while cutting tax revenues is not a sustainable model for long-term budgeting. We’re passing on an increased fiscal burden to the next generation. This is fiscally irresponsible.

Senate Democrats are for providing economic security for Iowa families – ensuring, safeguarding, and expanding opportunity. We are working to ease the financial burdens on Iowa families by supporting accessible and affordable housing and childcare options and creating more stability and predictability for our workforce. We believe every Iowa child deserves access to a high-quality public education, including pre-school through college. We believe every Iowan should have the right to earn a paycheck that supports their family and respects their work.

After three weeks, it’s time to refocus the legislature’s priorities on the needs of everyday Iowans.

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, I 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!

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 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.

Once upon a time, Iowa’s public schools were among the finest in the nation. It’s time to stop prioritizing the few over the many, adequately fund our public schools, and reassert ourselves as a national leader in public education.

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 signed on to co-sponsor a bill aimed at addressing one of the changes made to Iowa’s unemployment system in recent years.

SF157 would increase the number of weekly benefits from 16 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. We shouldn’t punish them 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 trainings 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.

The Week in Pictures

First meeting of the week was with Katie Biechler, new Political Organizing Director with Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement. The issues Katie mentioned CCI is interested in this Session are also my issues: vouchers opposition, school board elections, no eminent domain for private gain, and water quality.

Zoom meeting with Di Findley, Executive Director of Iowa CareGivers, to discuss solutions for Iowa’s Direct Careworker (DCW) shortages. They are asking the legislature to increase wages, modernize the DCW directory, and establish a family caregivers tax credit.

I have known Di several years now and appreciate her advocacy, intelligence, and compassion. The time is now to enact change, supporting Direct Careworkers.

In Monday’s Natural Resources Committee, we discussed and passed SF 10, relating to landowners’ and tenants’ turkey hunting licenses. It expands the law to allow the special wild turkey hunting license to be used during any open turkey hunting season. It passed and is now eligible for the full Senate to debate.

Served on the subcommittee for SSB 1022 related to operational savings. It allows flexibility and more access to shared social workers, mental health professionals, and school resource officers, especially in rural areas.

I supported the bill; it passed out of sub and can now come before the full Education Committee.

Monday, I also served on the sub for SSB 1033. The bill simply updates IPERS code, eliminating the snail mail requirement for statements. They will still send it via mail if it’s requested.

It’s a cost-saving and efficiency measure saving IPERS an estimated $200,000 annually.

We passed this out of sub and it is now eligible for debate in the full Senate State Government Committee.

The main reason I chose to run for office again was a passion for ensuring future successes for our youngest Iowans.

It’s all about the kids.

United Way of Central Iowa has the same vision and launched a Coalition to Advance Mental Health in Iowa for Kids program (CAMHI4Kids). It represents statewide experts and organizations dedicated to advancing a coordinated approach to address our children’s mental health crisis.

And it IS a crisis – suicide is the second-leading cause of death among Iowans 15-24. [Iowa Dept of Health and Human Services].

But there IS hope if we act now, 50% of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 14 and 75% by age 24 (NAMI).

Thank you to CAMHI4Kids and all advocates for a stronger and more comprehensive children’s mental health system in Iowa!

With United Way’s Dave Stone and Diana Echeverria; Blank Children’s Hospital, Chaney Carr Yeast; lobbyist Cyndi Pederson and Senator Molly Donahue

Speaking of Iowa’s youth, Linn-Mar High School teachers brought some of their students to the capitol to discuss their Venture Academics program. Venture is a learning module using coursework in project/community involvement. This is another great example of connecting with local businesses and professionals for the purpose of students gaining exposure to individuals and careers in our community.

With educators Chelsea Dill, Elyssa McDowell, and Kathleen Wilson Kelley and students Katelyn Castor, MacLynn Hannan, Kyra Bassett, Emma Larson, Reina Gilbertson, and Lucas Digmann.

Tuesday’s Technology Committee passed SF49 which prohibits use of bots for ticket purchase/resale. It’s a consumer protection bill that passed out of Committee.

Cedar Rapids Community School District representatives are at the statehouse to discuss the benefits of full-time pre-school and public-school funding.

With School board president, Cindy Garlock, members David Tominsky, Marcia Roundtree, Truman Early Learning Center Principal Monica Frey, Superintendent Dr. Tawana Grover, Senator Molly Donahue, and State Rep. Aime Wichtendahl.

Linn-Mar Community School District Superintendent Amy Kortemeyer, Board member Brittania Morey, Midhat Mansoor, and Communications Director Renee Nielson spoke with Senator Molly Donahue and me about their legislative priorities, including increased access to mental health professionals, local accountability, full day preschool, and adequate public school funding.

Mental health seems to be a theme today as I also had the opportunity to visit with Erin Liz, Director of Linn County’s Mental Health Access Center. Along with Annie Emerson Battien, Clinical Supervisor at Mercy Sedlacek Treatment Center, and Carissa Brown, Dubuque County Public Health Project Coordinator, we discussed substance use services and treatments. The group is concerned that recovery and peer-support is not prominent in the new reorganization. They are also asking for distribution of the opioid settlement funds – still not addressed by either the Iowa House or Senate.

Glad we have such strong advocates for Iowa’s addiction treatments and mental health services!

Served on the sub for SF 16 dealing with school district dissolutions and realignments which basically fixes a timing issue of effective dates. It moved out of sub and goes to the full Senate Education Committee.

Eric Evans is the Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services Bureau Chief and a great guy! VR does a stellar job helping those with disabilities enter the workforce. They need to continue to secure state matches to pull down federal dollars.

As great as it is to pack up my bags every Sunday and head to Des Moines to do good things for Iowans, it’s perhaps even better to open the door of our condo at the end of the week and announce, “I’m home!”

Bet you understand that feeling also. I know the new owners of Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity homes certainly get it. I spoke with some of them as I went door-to-door this summer and the pride of homeownership was evident.

So, it was great to meet with Brittany Scanlon, CV Habitat’s Executive Director. Brittany had a few legislative requests:

Transfer on death deeds, to help mitigate costs of going through probate

Increase supply and preservation of decent housing

Help make housing affordable for all Iowans through property tax relief measures and down payment assistance programs

“The magic thing about home is that it feels good to leave, and it feels even better to come back.”

― Wendy Wunder, The Probability of Miracles

Good discussion with Des Moines University students about some of the healthcare concerns we’re facing in Iowa. Jordan Samuel, Mallory Britz, and Jessica Duffy shared the college’s legislative priorities which include:

Support fully funding Rural Loan Repayment Program
Support funding for psychiatric education
Support funding and additional in-state graduate medical education opportunities

Wouldn’t it be awesome if these students stayed in Iowa after graduating, to begin their careers in OB/GYN and psychiatry?

Served on the sub for SF108 which gives a life jacket exemption when a personal watercraft (jet ski) is traveling 10 mph or less in a no wake zone. So many reasons this could be dangerous and life-threatening for a jet ski rider. No wake zones can be considered high-risk areas due to the nature of navigating at low speeds and in proximity to other vehicles or obstacles. Common causes of accidents include operator inexperience, improper maneuvering, submerged objects, distractions, and sudden changes in direction. Public Safety is the issue.

This is Sen. Dickey’s bill who was cited by the DNR for not wearing a life jacket on a jet ski moving at a low speed.

I was a NO vote, but it passed 2-1 out of sub-committee.

In Wednesday’s State Government Committee, we passed two bills. One was SSB 1033, the IPERS clean-up bill I mentioned earlier, and the other was SSB 1034, from the Secretary of State. The bill adds language to chapter 524 (banking code) that the filer of any document submitted under the code chapter may request extra filing service and the Secretary of State shall provide the service upon the assessment of a surcharge.

Both bills passed out of committee unanimously and are eligible to come before the full Senate for debate/passage.

Quick visit with Joe Lock, CEO of Eastern Iowa Health Center, about the harmful impacts of the Trump Administration’s federal spending freeze. The freeze would likely result in many Iowans not receiving healthcare.

Friend and constituent Garret Frey and Jennifer Jenn Wolff are in Des Moines for Iowa DD Council advocacy day. Spoke with several attendees and the topic was focused on employment. Those with a disability on Medicaid who are working have grave concerns over eligibility (losing benefits) if they exceed income limits. One person’s comment, “We always make too much for benefits but not enough to survive.” Another said, “I WANT to pay taxes, live in a bigger home, and buy a car….no way I can with the income limits.”

This has got to be remedied.

Speaking with Matt Herman of the Iowa Soybean Association about their legislative priorities including:

Modernizing the Grain Indemnity Fund
Limiting civil lawsuits against manufacturers of glyphosate
Support research funding at ISU
Iowa’s forest and fruit tree tax exemptions reforms

I do not agree with all these positions but it’s important to listen and understand all sides of the issues impacting Iowans.

Dollars 2 Donuts, the non-partisan Legislative Services Agency’s quick run-through of various budget issues. Thursday’s topic was school aid presented by Ron Robinson.

Passed several bills out of the Senate Education Committee, including three I’d served as Ranking Member on the subcommittee:

SSB 1028 – Pro-life advocacy required sex ed curriculum: SSB 1028 requires the Human Growth and Development curriculum provided by school districts, accredited nonpublic, and charter schools in grades 1-12, to include instruction depicting pregnancy and human development inside the womb. This is the same language as last year’s bill that required the “Meet Baby Olivia” video or a comparable video. This version does not specifically name the video but describes the same requirements.

SSB 1028 also changes the current law/definition of “research based” for human growth and development classes. The bill strikes from the Iowa Code the references to medical professionals/organizations in determining “complete and unbiased information.” The bill strikes the requirements that this information be free of racial, ethnic, sexual orientation, and gender biases.

SSB 1053 Sets public school funding (State Supplementary Assistance) at 2%. This is a $149 million dollar state expenditure compared to the $135 million increased cost for vouchers. So public schools with over 482,000 students will get $14 million additional funds than the voucher program with around 27,000 students.

I was strongly opposed to both bills and voted NO.

Always great to hear success stories, like Cedar Rapids AMP Coordinator Laticia Aossey’s. Latisha joined an Achieving Maximum Potential Council when she was a teen and is now helping other foster youth build life and leadership skills. I was impressed with students Daishon and Brittany as they spoke about how AMP helps them personally.