From the Desk of Senator Drey
Week one in the Iowa Senate is officially in the books!
The 2026 legislative session kicked off in Des Moines with a whirlwind of firsts—opening-day traditions, speeches and interviews, meetings and events, and the start of committee work. It’s been exciting and humbling to step into this role and begin learning the rhythm of the Capitol, all while getting to know my colleagues in both the House and the Senate.
As we move into the months ahead, my focus is simple: making sure our district has a strong, thoughtful voice at the Capitol. I can’t do that without hearing from you. I’ll be listening closely and relying on your ideas, concerns, and feedback from across Senate District 1. We are in this together, and I’m so grateful for the opportunity to serve.
Sen. Drey with Maggie Taylor (maroon blazer), a second-year member and current secretary of the State of Iowa Youth Advisory Council (SIYAC). Maggie is a junior at Sioux City East High School and is actively involved in student leadership through SIYAC, Student Council, the Iowa Association of Student Councils, and March for Our Lives Iowa.
Listening First on Pipeline Legislation
One of the first major issues unfolding this session is the conversation around carbon pipelines and eminent domain, and I’m committed to approaching it thoughtfully and with the people affected at the center.
Two different pipeline bills are moving through the Iowa Legislature, each taking a very different path. Both would have real, lasting impacts on Iowans, especially landowners and rural communities.
As a freshman legislator, my role is to listen first. I’m committed to meeting with landowners, talking with constituents across perspectives, and taking the time to understand the research, legal questions, and long-term implications before decisions are made.
This legislation is moving quickly, which makes it even more important to stay grounded in the realities Iowans are facing. If you have thoughts or stories you’d like to share, I hope you’ll reach out.
Senator Drey met with landowners from across Iowa to dig into pipeline legislation and hear directly from those who have spent five years persistently advocating and researching this issue at the Capitol.
Staying in Touch During Session
Every week during session, I’ll use this newsletter to talk about what’s happening in the Legislature, the issues and legislation moving through the Senate, Senate Democrats’ priorities, and more. You’ll see me talk often about affordability and lowering costs for working families because I believe the Legislature’s priorities are in dire need of a reset, away from the special interests and exceedingly wealthy and back toward the everyday Iowans who make our state run.
I’m so proud to represent our community, and I want you to know that you can always reach out to me with any questions, comments, concerns, or just to say, “Hey!” So, in addition to staying in touch through this weekly newsletter, you can reach me via email at catelin.drey@legis.iowa.gov, by calling or texting (712) 227-1707, and on social media at the links below.
There will also be plenty of information available through our website, so be sure to check that out when you can!
Thank you for your continued engagement. Reply to this email with any questions you have!
Upcoming Events
I hope you’ll join me for my first Listening Post to talk about what’s happening in Des Moines and what should come next!
I’ll share a brief update, but this time is really about hearing from you. From public schools and working families to healthcare, conservation, and local concerns, I want to listen and bring your voices back to the Capitol.
All are welcome!
Saturday, January 17 | 10:00 a.m.
Legislator Listening Post at Winnie’s
1004 4th Street, Sioux City
The Condition of the State
On Tuesday evening, I joined fellow lawmakers in escorting Governor Kim Reynolds to the Condition of the State address before a joint session of the Iowa Legislature. Governor Reynolds delivered her annual address outlining the condition of the state, marking one of her final briefings to the Legislature. Having announced she will not seek re-election; this was the second-to-last time she will address lawmakers in this capacity.
The governor used her speech to highlight some of her accomplishments, introduce some final legislative proposals, and to memorialize Iowans who are no longer with us. If you are so inclined, you can read the full text of the governor’s speech on her website. I’ll just leave you with a few quick thoughts.
As has been the case for each previous iteration of this speech, the governor has presented an awfully generous, rose-tinted version of her tenure in office.
- She spoke about needing a government that will live within its means but neglected to mention the $1.26 billion budget deficit Republican lawmakers passed with her approval in 2025 – or that she plans to run another this year.
- She proudly announced federal funding that will be directed to cancer prevention but failed to mention that it was a drop in the bucket compared to what the federal government had been providing to Iowa but cut under President Donald Trump.
- She talked about nutrition, healthcare, and new requirements for Iowa doctors, but didn’t introduce anything that would help improve Iowa’s patient-to-physician ratio which currently ranks 44th in the country and is a full 30% below the national average.
- She referenced Summer EBT as a way to provide a nutrition first focus and a “new era of accountability and health,” but conveniently left out the fact that Iowa will only be back in the Summer EBT program next summer after she withdrew us from the program for the previous two years.
- She talked about education, referencing carefully selected statistics to demonstrate growth, but left out how far per pupil funding has fallen, how much money is being diverted to unaccountable private schools, or how her administration has asked public schools to do more with less – despite educating over 90% of Iowa’s students.
The reality is that single-party control has led Iowa down the wrong path. Iowans aren’t better off than they were a decade ago. A recent report ranks Iowa dead last in economic growth. We rank 48th in the country for personal income growth. Moody’s has said that Iowa is in or near a recession. We are the seventh most outbound state in the country – meaning folks are leaving the state for better opportunities elsewhere. The status quo isn’t working for working Iowans.
The condition of our state is deteriorating and it’s time for a change.
Quick Updates
Sioux Honey to expand production in Sioux City: Sioux Honey Association is the world’s largest beekeeper co-op, producing more than 40 million pounds of honey each year for customers nationwide. Their two well-known brands, Sue Bee and Aunt Sue’s, are the first honey brands to be nationally certified that at least 95% of ingredients are grown in the U.S. The company plans to purchase a facility in Sioux City and expand that to accommodate additional production capacity. The board awarded the company a $2 million forgivable loan and tax benefits through the HQJ program. It represents a capital investment of $130 million and is expected to create and retain 70 jobs, of which 33 are incented at a qualifying wage of $29.47 per hour.
Hunting, fishing licenses on sale: Iowans now can buy 2026 resident hunting, fishing, and other licenses. Licenses purchased for 2025 expired on Jan. 10. License options include the popular Outdoor Combo annual resident hunting/fishing/habitat combo license for $55; the Angler’s Special three-year fishing license for $62; and the Hunter’s Special three-year hunting license with habitat included for $101. Licenses are available at 650 locations across the state, and online at www.iowadnr.gov/GoOutdoorsIowa.
Enjoy a Winter Getaway in a State Park: Winter can be an excellent time to view wildlife, especially in a cabin at one of Iowa’s great state parks! Get 20% off your stay with promo code Cabin2026 when you book now for the months of January or February 2026. Enjoy the pristine beauty and outdoor fun of winter in an Iowa state park!
Recreation Mini-Grants Available: The Iowa Foundation for Parks & Recreation is accepting applications for mini grants, which provide funding to support leisure facilities, activities, events, and programs that enhance recreational opportunities and amenities for citizens in small Iowa communities (those less than 10,000 in population). Applications are due January 31, 2026.
Winter trout stockings have started: The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will release rainbow trout in nine locations across Iowa this winter in areas that would not support them during warmer months, including Bacon Creek Lake in Sioux City on January 22. Check the DNR Trout Fishing website at www.iowadnr.gov/troutstocking for possible changes to the schedule.
Anxiety disorders affect approximately one in four adolescents and one in twelve children, making them among the most prevalent mental health conditions in children. The University of Iowa’s Scanlan Center for School Mental Health will host a webinar for anyone seeking to learn more about anxiety disorders, common symptoms in youth, and evidence-based strategies for supporting students in both school and home settings. The session will also introduce Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE). This online event is free and open to the public. It will be held on Monday, February 9, 2026, from 4:00–6:00 p.m. Register for the “Supporting Anxious Students” webinar.
Student Member for State Education Board: Applications are being accepted for the 2025-26 student member of the Iowa State Board of Education. The term of the student member starts May 1, 2025, and ends April 30, 2026. The State Board meets 12 times during that term, with most meetings taking place in the Grimes State Office Building in Des Moines. The deadline for submitting an application is Feb. 28, 2025 and can be found at Membership on the State Board of Education.