From the Desk of Senator Drey
Week 5 already! Let’s dive in.
Senator Drey speaking on the Senate floor during debate on SF 2201 ahead of Tuesday’s vote.
This week, Senate Republicans passed a 1.75% increase in State Supplemental Aid for our public schools. That number doesn’t come close to keeping up with inflation, rising insurance costs, or the real expenses districts are facing right now. When funding lags this far behind reality, schools are forced to cut staff, programs, or opportunities for kids. That is not how we build a strong Iowa. Read on below for more details about what this means for our local districts and where the fight goes next.
On a personal note, I had surgery recently and am healing up well. I could not have done this without my mom, Carol, who has been driving me to and from the Capitol and making sure I actually rest when I’m supposed to. If you know me, you know that’s no small task. I’m grateful beyond words for her steady presence and support, along with all of you.
Thank you for following along.
Spotlight: Siouxland Chamber of Commerce
I joined Senate Minority Leader Janice Weiner in meeting with members of the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce this week to discuss key priorities for our region on Thursday afternoon.
Our conversation centered on the need for stable funding and reliable access to essential services and infrastructure, including mental health care, clean water, childcare, public education, workforce development, housing, and continued support for the 185th Air Refueling Wing.
Business leaders emphasized that long-term economic growth depends on predictability and strong public systems. Employers need a skilled workforce. Families need access to quality schools, affordable childcare, safe water, and health services. The 185th remains a critical economic and community partner in Siouxland.
I appreciated the opportunity to hear directly from local leaders about the policies and investments necessary to keep our region competitive and strong.
Spotlight: Alzheimer’s Association
This week, advocates from across the state gathered at the Iowa State Capitol for the Alzheimer’s Association’s annual Day on the Hill, sharing personal stories, and urging lawmakers to strengthen support for Iowans living with dementia.
The Alzheimer’s Association Iowa Chapter provides education, caregiver support, community programs, and a 24/7 helpline for families navigating Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Their work touches thousands of Iowans each year.
I caught up with Libby Heirs of Council Bluffs during Advocacy Day, who was here urging the legislature to:
- Fund a statewide Dementia Service Specialist program to ensure families in every community can access expert guidance and local resources.
- Strengthen dementia care and caregiver support services, especially in rural areas.
- Improve early detection and diagnosis, helping families access care and treatment sooner.
With more than 60,000 Iowans living with Alzheimer’s, their message is simple: families deserve support, answers, and real investment from the state.
Senator Drey stands with Iowa pediatricians in the rotunda during the Iowa AAP’s Day on the Hill, advocating for strong health coverage, mental health support, and preventive care for kids.
Preparing for Funnel Week
Senator Drey in the Senate Lounge early Thursday morning, digging into the details of SSB 3104 during subcommittee.
After five busy weeks at the Capitol, we’re now coming up at the point during session when legislation begins to narrow down somewhat. Next week is the first legislative Funnel. For you veterans of the bill tracking process, this is old hat, but for those of you newer to the legislative process, here’s a quick breakdown.
Each legislative session has two built-in Funnel Weeks. These are self-imposed deadlines designed to shrink the pile of bills up for consideration during a given year. We don’t have year-round legislative sessions in Iowa, so the idea behind the funnels is to keep lawmakers focused on the legislation that really matters to our constituents and limit the time we spend on silly flights of fancy like stealing counties from Illinois.
The first Funnel Week deadline is next Friday, Feb. 20. By this date, policy bills introduced in the Senate need to have advanced through a Senate committee in order to still be eligible for consideration for the rest of session. The same is true for the lower chamber: House bills need to have advanced through House committees. There are some exceptions to these deadlines, like bills dealing with taxes or appropriations.
So, by the end of next Friday, if a Senate bill you were tracking never passed a vote in its assigned Senate committee, that bill should be considered dead for the year. You can always see where any bill is at during the process on the Legislature’s website. Here’s an example of what to look for (you can find the Bill History on the left-hand side of the screen when viewing any specific bill on the Legislature’s website):
Unfortunately, many Senate Democratic bills fail to advance past the first funnel deadline – the majority party often refuses to even give Democrat-sponsored bills a subcommittee hearing. But that doesn’t mean that everything that advances is bad. There are always some good, bipartisan bills still in the mix.
Once we’re through the first funnel, I’ll give you an update on what’s still alive, what isn’t, and what comes next.
A Failing Grade: More cuts on the way for Iowa’s public schools
On Tuesday, the Iowa Senate held its first day of debate for the 2026 legislative session, and the big focus of the day was school funding.
The bill in front of us, SF 2201, was a Republican proposal to set the annual increase for public school funding at 1.75%. As I mentioned in last week’s newsletter, this is not nearly enough to provide for the type of world class educational environment our kids deserve. It will result in harsh budget cuts for school districts around the state.
I know that percentage can seem abstract, so here’s what it means in real terms:
- Only $21.2 million in increased funding for the hundreds of school districts around the state
- Many school districts won’t be able to afford the new basic minimum teacher salary requirements, so teacher vacancies will remain unfilled or existing teaching positions will be cut, meaning class sizes will grow and kids won’t get the individual attention they need
- Extracurricular activities, like a 100-year-old orchestra program in Boone, will be cut to save costs
- Schools will consolidate or close altogether
After several hours of debate, the bill passed the Senate by a vote of 28-20 – three Republicans joined every Democrat in voting No.
The bill now moves to the House for consideration. I will keep you updated on its progress.
Quick Updates
A good bill “postponed indefinitely”: SSB 3080 would have allowed nursing facility residents or their representatives to install electronic monitoring devices in resident rooms for visual or audio surveillance. Roommates would have to consent, and installations must meet National Fire Protection Association 101 life safety code standards. Unfortunately, the Senate Technology Committee pulled this bill off the committee agenda this week. If having a video monitoring option for your love ones in a nursing home facility is something you would like to see, please contact the members of the Iowa Senate Technology Committee.
New Online Guide to Iowa Zoning to Support Housing: Iowa State University Extension and Outreach has launched the Online Guide to Iowa Zoning, a new publicly accessible mapping and data tool designed to help policymakers, planners, and community leaders better understand how local zoning regulations shape housing development across the state.
Iowa Leads the Way in FAFSA Completion: FAFSA completion is on the rise in Iowa! So far, 36% of high school seniors in the class of 2026 have filed their FAFSA—an 18.4% increase over last year and nearly three percentage points above the national average. Iowa now ranks 13th in the nation for FAFSA completion, thanks to the dedication of our high schools, colleges, and to the students that are pursuing quality higher education after graduation.
Follow Iowa Senate Democrats on TikTok! Take a look behind the scenes at what’s happening at the Capitol by following our TikTok page, @iowa.senate.dems. We’ll keep you updated on what’s happening in the Senate, legislation to keep an eye on, and opportunities for you to speak out about issues you care about.