From the Desk of Senator Donahue
The holidays are upon us, which means session is going to begin very soon. I have been out at events and attending meetings all over the district to hear from constituents about what is important to them.
The themes so far have been the rise in costs for people who are already struggling, affordable housing, the loss of jobs, the attacks on Medicaid, and what’s happening with our public school funding and the vouchers.
We understand people are struggling to pay for groceries and their bills right now because of the increases from inflation and tariffs. The economic downturn in Iowa is very concerning. I will be going back to the Capitol in January with this top of mind—how do we lower costs and boost the economic development in Iowa to provide good jobs with benefits to people. I will also be looking for a better balance of policy to ensure that our state’s budget takes care of the services that Iowans expect and deserve with their tax dollars.
In the survey below, you can share your concerns as well.
Events around the district:
The Living Story Live Nativity
Holiday Movie Trivia @ Goldfinch Tap + Eatery
Community Days at the Marion YMCA
Murder Mystery Dinner and Show: I Spy a Murder
Every month we celebrate BIG birthdays around the district. If you happen to know any of the following folks who have big birthdays over the next couple of weeks, make sure you wish them a very happy birthday!
| Mark | Murphy |
| Debbie | Buxbaum |
| Nancy | Johnson |
| Paula | Patterson |
| Bryan | Cook |
| Kathryn | Geers |
| Mervin | Baumgartner |
| Mary | Tucker |
| Shawn | Dougherty |
| Leo | Stickley |
| Brian | Hess |
| Maureen | Mitchell |
| Kurt | Lubbock |
| Martha | McCormack |
| Phyllis | Fisher |
| Patrick | Drummy |
| Barbara | Taylor |
| Dolores | Foushee |
| Marvelene | Foreman |
| Kelli | Slaughter |
| David | Dukes |
| Mitchell | Riley |
| Consuelo | Davis |
| Margaret | Carver |
| Carol | Eilers |
| Michael | Parks |
| Damaris | Mulcahey |
| Jean | Atkinson |
| Kelly | Anderson |
| Joshua | Reznicow |
| Charmaine | Weber |
| Sushma | Yadav |
| Joseph | Bjorn |
| Mary | Berg |
| Theotric | Hunt |
| Meagan | Keeler |
| Ann | McCartan |
| Christopher | Holmes |
| MacHell | Givens |
| Chantell | Stovall-Frazier |
| Joan | Dewitt |
| Mark | Snyder |
| Shannon | Kennedy |
| Colleen | Bates |
| Jerald | Mahoney |
| Kathleen | Wilden |
| Joyce | Kutin |
| Keith | Schmickley |
| Richard | Louk |
| Michelle | Greene |
| Jackie | Doolin |
| Diana | Wilson |
| Jeannie | Purdie |
| Ted | Benson |
What are Your Priorities for 2026?
We are less than one month away from the start of the 2026 legislative session, and I want to hear from YOU. What do you want the Legislature to focus on in the new year? What issues and costs are most important to you and your family? How can my colleagues and I help make your life a little bit easier?
Below is a link to a brief survey. Please take a few minutes to fill it out to let me know your top priorities for 2026.
Effectively responding to the needs of our shared community means listening to folks on the ground who are living the issues and dealing with the Legislature’s decisions day in and day out. I can’t thank you enough for your time, input, and perspective.
Happy Holidays!
This year has had no shortage of hurdles and obstacles to overcome, but as we end 2025 and lean into 2026, I want to thank you all for continuing to show up and make a difference. Creating the welcoming, affordable, and community-focused Iowa we all deserve is a team effort and I couldn’t do this work effectively without your support and engagement.
I want to wish you a joyous holiday season, rich with happiness, loved ones, and relaxation. May your cup overflow and may you find some well-deserved peace.
I’ll see you in 2026!
Quick Updates
Civics Competition for Middle School students: The 2026 National Civics Bee is inviting students in grades 6-8 to participate in this year’s competition. To officially enter the competition, students must submit a four-paragraph essay on how they would make a difference in their community. To find out more, go to the National Civics Bee’s application portal. Essays will be accepted through Feb. 3, 2026.
Iowa Teacher of the Year: Stephanie Pritts, a 23-year veteran elementary teacher and instructional coach, was named Iowa’s 2026 Teacher of the Year. The award recognizes exceptional teachers who demonstrate excellence in the classroom and who have made a significant impact on student outcomes. Established in 1958, the annual program is sponsored by the Iowa Department of Education through an appropriation from the Iowa Legislature. Honorees serve as ambassadors to schools, higher education, and communities across the state.
Cedar Rapids Reinvestment District Plan Receives Final Approval: On July 22, 2022, the City of Cedar Rapids was approved for a maximum benefit amount of $9 million for the Cedar Rapids Central Reinvestment District with a commencement date established as January 1, 2025. Since then, a couple of projects were identified as not ready for development and were removed from the plan. The district will still include mixed-use buildings, a public plaza, and an entertainment center. At a recent board meeting, the amended Cedar Rapids Central Reinvestment District plan was approved for the maximum benefit of $6 million. The projects within the reinvestment district area represent a $162 million investment.
DNR’s New Interactive Fishing Report: The Department of Natural Resource’s popular fishing report has been updated with new search and filter options including by location, fish species, and various amenities available at each location. The weekly fishing report is broken down by fisheries regions and management districts. You can check the activity of your favorite lake, pond, river, and stream within each region, including which species are being caught, a rating of the bite (slow, fair, good or excellent), and simple tips and tricks for targeting a catch.
Personalized Insight for Producers: The Farm Financial Planning Program from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach provides in-person experts who can offer one-on-one financial counseling, a computerized analysis of the farm business, and referral to other extension programs or outside services. Farm Financial Planning is for anyone who wants to gain a comprehensive understanding of their farm’s financial situation.
New Snowmobile Law Eases Permit Requirements: Iowa snowmobilers are no longer required to purchase and display an annual trail user permit, according to a new law that went into effect July 1, 2024. The law folded the trail user permit into the annual snowmobile registration fee, which will now be $30 plus administration fees. Snowmobilers who own a new machine or have not yet entered the snowmobile into the state registration system need to go to the County Recorder’s office in their county of residence to start the registration process. To renew an existing registration, visit the County Recorder or go online towww.gooutdoorsiowa.com.
Local Chefs Win with Choose Iowa Ingredients: Congratulations to the winners of the Iowa Restaurant Association’s (IRA) Culinary Competition! The annual event highlights the creativity, skill, and imagination of Iowa’s top chefs while celebrating the depth and diversity of Choose Iowa ingredients. Held recently, IRA’s Grand Tasting Gala in Des Moines marked the competition’s culminating moment as chefs prepared hundreds of samples for the public and industry judges, emphasizing the growing connection between Iowa’s farmers and our vibrant culinary community. Congratulations to:
- Chef James Vido of The Hotel at Kirkwood Center in Cedar Rapids
- Dish: Santa Maria Steak “Frites”
History Preserved and Repurposed: The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IDEA) has awarded millions in Historic Preservation Tax Credit program to revitalize historic properties.
- Brucemore, is restoring three early 1900s Servants’ Village structures.
$77 Million Awarded for Public Transit: The U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded $77.1 million to the Iowa DOT for upgrades and investments in public transit infrastructure. The DOT plans to use the money to purchase new buses and vans for over a dozen transit systems across the state, in addition to constructing or expanding several bus facilities for rural transit systems. It will also fund efforts in Ames and Iowa City to replace aging bus fleets with newer hybrid or biodiesel-powered models.
Explore Your Roots with SHSI and Ancestry.com! Interested in learning more about your ancestors? Thanks to a partnership between the State Historical Society of Iowa and Ancestry.com, users now have more than a million newly available records to search and access via the website. Iowans can access the records via SHSI’s Ancestry account at one of its research centers, or through a paid Ancestry.com account.
Here are some of the things I have been up to around the district over the past two weeks:
