From the Desk of Senator Drey
Friends,
I wanted to start this week’s update by sharing some good news.
My hysterectomy went smoothly, and I’m happy and relieved to report that all the results came back clear. From here on out, it’s just routine checkups and scans every six months. That’s the best outcome I could have hoped for, and I’m incredibly grateful.
I also want to say thank you. So many of you reached out over the past few weeks with kind messages, prayers, and words of encouragement. My mom especially appreciated all the local pickleball recommendations. She has been by my side since I returned to the Capitol, and since she has never met a stranger, she’s making friends wherever she goes.
Speaking of which, check out the photo from Tuesday when Yellowstone actor Jefferson White stopped by to visit his longtime friend and my House colleague, Representative J.D. Scholten. The two became fast friends with just about everyone in the room, and it was a fun moment in an otherwise busy week.
From left to right: Nate Willems, candidate for Attorney General; Jefferson White, Yellowstone actor and Mt. Vernon, Iowa native; Rep. JD Scholten; Senator Drey; and her mom, Carol Hoistad.
Your support has meant more to me than I can say, and I promise to keep you updated as things continue to move forward.
Now, it’s back to the legislature. With funnel week quickly approaching, we’re digging into bills, preparing for debate, meeting with Iowans from across the district, and staying focused on the people we serve and the work ahead.
Thank you for being part of this journey. I’m feeling good, I’m thankful to be back to work!
Spotlight: Iowa Farmer’s Union Day on the Hill
I was grateful to spend time with members of the Iowa Farmers Union during their Day on the Hill at the Capitol this week and hear directly from family farmers and rural advocates who keep showing up to make sure their voices are heard. This year, their member-driven priorities include strengthening local and regional food systems, standing up for fair and competitive markets, and supporting farmer-led soil and water conservation. I’m grateful for the work they do and their partnership at the Capitol, and I look forward to continuing to work together for Iowa’s farmers and rural communities this session.
Members of the Iowa Farmers Union join Senator Drey in the second-floor rotunda during their Day on the Hill. From left to right: Tommy Hexter, Beth Hoffman, Senator Drey, Camas Leeson, Tabitha Kuehn, and Cynthia Farmer.
Spotlight: Boluwarin Ojo, Spark Defy Gear
This week, I was proud to visit with Boluwarin Ojo of Spark Defy Gear during Iowa State University’s Day on the Hill. Bolu is the inventive mind behind welding caps designed specifically for long hair—an idea born from lived experience and turned into a growing business that’s opening doors for more women in the skilled trades. Meeting Boluwarin was a highlight for me, I was very inspired by her creativity, determination, and clear commitment to opening doors for others—and proud to see that kind of homegrown talent shaping Iowa’s future.
Public education should be a priority
For nearly a decade now, Iowa’s public schools have been asked to do more with less. They’ve been asked to shoulder the responsibility of teaching the vast majority of Iowa kids – over 90% of all students in the state – while costs rise and state funding lags.
It is clear, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that public education is no longer a priority for the majority party here in Iowa.
This week, Senate Republicans advanced SSB 3100 through the Senate Education Committee. This bill would set the annual increase in state funding for Iowa’s public schools at 1.75%. (To put that in perspective, the U.S. inflation rate is currently hovering at around 2.7%.) This number means one thing: cuts.
Schools will be forced to cut teacher positions. Districts will cut programs. We’ll see school consolidation and larger class sizes – some districts have even talked about combining entire grade levels. At these proposed funding levels, some school districts won’t be able to meet the new minimum teacher salary requirements the legislature passed a couple of years ago.
This severe underfunding isn’t new, unfortunately, and neither are the consequences. After years of Republican control, many school districts can’t afford simple cost-of-living increases for their personnel. Some districts no longer interview the most qualified teaching candidates, because the district knows the candidate is unaffordable. When schools can’t afford enough teachers, students lose access to the individual attention that can lead to significant growth and development.
Without proper funding, students lose access to beloved programs. In Boone, for example, a 100-year-old school orchestra program was recently terminated for lack of funding. In other school districts, STEM teachers aren’t replaced, so programs designed to prepare students for the future fall behind. When schools can’t afford a full-time language teacher, online instruction is used as an insufficient substitute.
We don’t know what the final school funding number will be. Senate Republicans’ number is different than the governor’s, and House Republicans haven’t introduced their plan yet. What we do know is that these Republican proposals would all see our kids fall even further behind.
We know that for the current school year, Iowa’s level of state funding per student falls $1,000 behind inflation.
We know what schools, teachers, and parents have told us: this is not enough.
We know that Iowa kids deserve much better.
Quick Updates
February is Black History Month! The century-old celebration recognizes the importance of Black history, culture, and education. For history buffs, here are some great stories about Black history in Iowa: from Sioux City, to Buxton, to Waterloo.
Iowa Legislative Black and Brown Democratic Caucus: A legislative caucus first founded in 2014 expanded this year to welcome an expanded membership and promote their goals of protecting civil rights, building economic opportunities, and expanding access to healthcare and education. You can read more about the Caucus here.
Real ID started February 1: If you do not have a Real ID – the gold star on your driver’s license – it will now cost an extra $45 dollars to fly. The rule applies to all passengers over the age of 18 and those without the Real ID will need to show proof of payment before getting in the airport security line. Payment is good for ten days, so those with travel plans longer than ten days will need to pay more than once. To get your Real ID, visit the Iowa Department of Transportation’s website.
Layoffs shrink access to healthcare: This week, MercyOne announced 34 employees in the North Iowa Medical Center in Mason City would be laid off in March. This follows previous announcements that MercyOne would let go 67 Des Moines-based employees in March and 40 workers in Ottumwa would lose their jobs when the clinic closes later this month. These layoffs, which are a product of federal funding cuts, will leave many Iowans with diminished access to the healthcare they need.
Two important upcoming Medicare deadlines:
- Iowans currently enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan have until March 31, 2026, to change Medicare Advantage Plans or return to Original Medicare through the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period.
- Iowans whose Part D or Medicare Advantage plans were cancelled at the end of 2025 have until February 28, 2026, to enroll in a new plan.
- Iowans seeking assistance with these changes can reach out to the Iowa Insurance Division’s SHIIP for free, confidential, and unbiased one-on-one counseling. Residents can find a local counselor by calling 1-800-351-4664 or checking a list of local sites at https://shiip.iowa.gov/find-resources/find-counselor.
Student art contest: The Iowa DNR and Wildlife Forever encourages Iowans ages 5-18 to enter in the Iowa Songbird and Fish Art Contests! The submission deadline for the 2026 Iowa Fish Art Contest is February 28, 2026. For more information on rules and submission guidelines and to submit artwork visit Iowa Fish Art Contest.
Paint Iowa Beautiful provides grant recipients free paint to support a wide range of public service and community betterment projects, from restoring park shelters and historic landmarks to brightening main street facades and public murals. Applications are due by Feb. 12 here: https://keepiowabeautiful.org/grants-scholarships/grants/paint-iowa-beautiful/
February is CTE Month: Throughout February, schools will highlight achievements in career and technical education programs. To find out more and to help raise awareness of the importance of CTE programs in Iowa please visit: https://www.acteonline.org/cte-month/