From the Desk of Senator Donahue
Week one is completed. Most of which was pomp and circumstance, but some committee work did commence throughout the week.
I will reserve much of my comments about the start of session for forums and coffee talks over the weekend, but I am very unimpressed by the majority leadership and their start to the session – from both executive wing and the legislative wing, and many of those running the committees.
I look forward to working on the priorities that you sent me to Des Moines to work on, and I will do my level best to push forward those initiatives that are important to our communities and to the 49% of Iowans who are not on the same page with what the majority is working on.
Staying in Contact in 2025
This week marked the beginning of Iowa’s 2025 legislative session. Over the next few months, my colleagues and I will be hard at work on your behalf at the Capitol and in our home districts. I want to thank you in advance for your passion and engagement on the issues facing Iowans today.
This year, Senate Democrats will focus on providing opportunity to folks who just want a fair shot. We’ll be working on behalf of all Iowans to address wage theft and worker safety, to provide affordable and accessible housing and healthcare options, to properly fund and support public education and our AEAs, and to hold Republicans accountable when they prioritize special interests over Iowa families.
With this weekly newsletter, I’ll be providing consistent updates on what’s happening at the Capitol so you can stay informed and active. Please continue to speak up for the issues you care about and stand up for our shared values. We’re in this fight together.
In addition to this newsletter, you can follow me on social media and our website through the links below.
Thank you for your continued support!
The Condition of the State
Governor Kim Reynolds used her annual Condition of the State address this week to paint a rosy picture of her administration’s leadership, but the reality just doesn’t back her up.
Iowans aren’t better off than they were eight years ago. Housing isn’t more affordable, childcare isn’t more accessible, maternal and infant mortality rates continue to rise, and the gap between CEO and worker pay is larger than ever. There is so much work to be done.
Let’s start with the bad. The governor introduced proposals last night that could threaten the long-term health of Iowa’s Unemployment Trust Fund and risk Medicaid recipients having their access to health care interrupted. She didn’t mention anything about expanding preschool access to the one-third of Iowa kids without it. She made no mention of the opioid settlement dollars sitting in state accounts that opioid-impacted Iowans desperately need. And she introduced a budget that will spend more money than the state takes in, forcing us to dip into our reserve funds.
There are, however, opportunities for bipartisan cooperation this session, and I’m willing to work across the aisle to make Iowans’ lives better. We can address Iowa’s rising cancer rates, hands-free driving legislation, childcare access and availability, and cell phone usage in K-12 schools.
I am for ensuring, safeguarding, and expanding opportunity for all Iowans. If my Republican colleagues want to make positive change, Senate Democrats and I are ready to work.
Quick Updates
- Radon Testing: The state Health and Human Services Department, in a partnership with the American Lung Association, is offering free radon testing kits for Iowans to use to measure radon levels in their home. Radon is one of the major causes for lung cancer, and if your home has not been tested recently, you may want to take advantage of the opportunity available through the state for a free test kit.
- Iowa Corrections Officer Honored: High Risk Unit Officer Ben Keen has been named the US Marshal Northern District of Iowa Task Force Officer of the Year. I extend both my congratulations and thanks to Officer Keen’s dedication to community safety and justice.
- Find a place to return your empty beverage containers: Retailers have been allowed to refuse to redeem beverage containers that consumers had purchased at that retail location since changes to the Bottle Bill were passed in 2022. This has made it more difficult for a consumer to know where they can return their containers to collect their nickel deposit and make sure that the containers are recycled. Now Iowans can use a website developed by the Iowa Beverage Association to find sites where they are can redeem their containers. Iowans can go to Empties.org and enter their address to find locations nearby where they can return containers, either at a redemption center or a retail location.
- IRS opens Free File for Taxes: The Internal Revenue Service announced the IRS Free File Guided Tax Software has opened for taxpayers ahead of the official start of tax season later this month. Starting Jan. 10, the IRS Free File will begin accepting individual tax returns. Taxpayers can access free tools offered by trusted IRS Free File partners by visiting www.irs.gov/freefile.
- Care for caregivers’ online series: Iowans who want to take better care of themselves as they care for others can enroll in Powerful Tools for Caregivers, a series of classes offered virtually by ISU Extension and Outreach. The next six-week, online series begins Feb. 3, 1–2:30 p.m. The $40 fee registration fee also includes a guidebook. Online registration is now open. For more information about Powerful Tools for Caregivers, call 563-886-6157
- Grants available for tree plantings at Iowa schools: The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR), through the USDA Forest Service and National Association of State Foresters 2023 Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), received funds for schools to plant trees. A total of $105,000 in funds are available to help increase and diversify tree cover on school grounds, encourage students in planting trees. Grant funding is up to $5,000 per project. Apply online at www.iowadnr.gov/urbanforestry by March 21.
- Find a summer job in your favorite park or forest: Work alongside conservation and law enforcement professionals in an Iowa state park or forest this summer! Seasonal workers will explore the outdoors by performing hands-on duties in park management, natural resource practices, visitor engagement, and/or law enforcement. Apply at: www.iowadnr.gov/employment
This Week in the Capitol
