Iowa Senate Democratic Leader Janice Weiner (D-Iowa City) has issued the following statement regarding the announced layoffs at Whirlpool in Amana amid ongoing issues with unemployment in the State of Iowa.
“Today, 650 working Iowans face a complex and unfriendly unemployment landscape following a surprise round of layoffs in Amana,” Sen. Janice Weiner (D-Iowa City) said. “Iowans’ livelihoods are being threatened, and the changes the governor and Republican legislators made to our unemployment system hang Iowa workers out to dry.”
“Alarm bells should be sounding in our communities,” Sen. Weiner said. “The Bureau of Economic Analysis showed in a release last week that Iowa is one of just two states where real GDP has contracted. Our agriculture economy is worsening, on-again-off-again tariffs are exacerbating existing issues, and Iowans hardly go a week without seeing another round of layoffs.”
One month ago, I knew absolutely nothing about SSB 1051/SF 394 (the Pesticide Bill) and during an early legislative forum, another local Senator stated, “This is only about labeling.” What we’re talking about is the use of the herbicide RoundUp and its active ingredient glyphosate. Since that first interaction, I have read numerous articles, attended a forum from pesticide expert Dr. Charles Benbrook, and spoken to many farmers/applicators. My conclusion is that the legislature should not run corporate interference for any Iowan who believes they have incurred cancer due to the use of pesticides, herbicides, or rodenticides. Iowa farmers must have access to glyphosate, but they need access to safer versions manufactured in Europe. Additionally, the EPA should lower the approved glyphosate human exposure limits to that of the European Food Safety Agency. Why should our farmers be treated less safely than their European counterparts?
(Kustin, Mary. (Feb 3, 2016). Americans at Greater Risk of Glyphosate Exposure than Europeans. News & Insights.)
School Funding Delay Crisis
Iowa Law requires the Legislature to finalize school funding in the first 30 days of the session. We are now on day 72. All of us received our property tax notices for FY26 which reflect a worst-case scenario because schools must anticipate zero new dollars. In the meantime, teaching contracts for the next school year remain at a standstill and staffing decisions are in limbo. WHAT ARE WE DOING? Contrary to Iowa’s Open Meeting/Sunshine Laws, there seems to be a common theme emerging from the Majority party this year: an aversion to transparency and accountability.
Over a month and a half ago, Senate Republicans passed SF 167, setting the rate for school funding growth at 2%. My colleagues and I argued on the floor at the time that the bill was insufficient and warned that, at 2%, nearly half of Iowa’s public-school districts could be forced to raise property taxes to cover costs. Senate Republicans didn’t listen.
Another factor affecting our schools is the hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars flowing to the private school Education Savings Account (ESA)/voucher program. With the income eligibility cap coming off next school year, Iowans deserve transparency into where their tax dollars are going. State Auditor Rob Sands has asked repeatedly for access and has been told by Governor Reynolds to submit a request form. The Iowa Supreme Court has already ruled that the form is not a requirement. So here we go playing political games with Iowa taxpayer dollars.
Earlier this week, the Senate debated new limits and restrictions on Medicaid as Republican lawmakers sought to advance legislation that would likely serve as the beginning of the end for health insurance for 181,000 Iowans.
As we would with any other bill of this kind, my colleagues and I looked to a fiscal note from the nonpartisan Legislative Services Agency (LSA) to get a better understanding of how much the new restrictions would cost and how many people would be affected. What we got was a reference to Arkansas and Georgia.
Despite repeated requests from LSA, the state Department of Health and Human Services refused to turn over information that could give better insight into the cost and severity of the new restrictions.
We finally got a look at the Department of Management’s five-year projections, and they show Gov. Reynolds is planning on spending more than the state takes in for each of the next five years. It took a Freedom of Information request and weeks of delays to get even that much information.
Delays and secrecy only serve to withhold critical information from the public. Iowans deserve transparency from their government.
Quick Updates
Medicaid restrictions: This week, Senate Republicans advanced SF 615, adding restrictions for Medicaid recipients in Iowa. The bill includes trigger language that says if the federal government does not approve Iowa’s request for a waiver to institute Medicaid restrictions – a likely outcome under the next Democratic president – Iowa’s 181,000 Medicaid expansion recipients would be stripped of their healthcare coverage. Make no mistake, SF 615 is an attempt to dismantle Medicaid expansion in the state of Iowa, putting healthcare access at risk for hundreds of thousands of Iowans.
Pesticide immunity passes: The Iowa Senate narrowly passed SF 394 this week, providing massive, foreign chemical corporations with immunity from legal action if their products cause harm – including cancer – to Iowans. Iowa is in the midst of an ongoing cancer crisis, and this bill would protect chemical companies instead of Iowa’s farmers.
Cell phones prohibited in Iowa schools:HF 782 mandates new guidelines for student electronic device use in schools. The bill requires school boards to adopt policies restricting student use of personal electronic devices during instructional time, with defined exceptions, by July 1, 2025. The Iowa Department of Education is required to provide guidance to schools and families by May 1, 2025. Each school must also revise and update their emergency plans, incorporating student electronic prohibitions.
Consumer protections on crypto scams: This week the Iowa Senate passed SF 449, adding consumer protections and stricter regulations to cryptocurrency kiosks (ATMs) in an effort to fight growing fraud concerns. The bill limits fees and transactions and requires consumer warnings to protect users against scams which have cost Iowans more than $20 million.
Add spring color to your yard: Spring is a great time to plant trees. Find great tips and resources on how to select, plant and keep trees healthy on the DNR webpage. Check out the State Forest Nursery for diverse, native seedlings.
Severe Weather Awareness: The Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM) and the National Weather Service (NWS) have joined together to promote Severe Weather Awareness Week this week, March 24-28, 2025. The purpose of Severe Weather Awareness Week is to encourage Iowans to take the necessary steps to be prepared in case of a weather emergency. You can learn more at https://ready.iowa.gov/.
It’s spring, but if that means sprouting new ideas and opportunities to grow Iowa and help Iowans, I regret to inform you that it’s not happening at the Capitol. Maybe they should open the windows and let some fresh air in. We know that Iowans need help with lowering costs; with housing; with childcare; with healthcare; with unemployment and economic security; with cancer research – you get the picture. And there are plenty of bills in the hopper (my colleague, House Minority Leader Konfrst, pointed out at this week’s press conference that a record number of bills have been filed on the House side this year – so no shortage of ideas).
Instead, as I said at the press conference, the only opportunity our Republican colleagues offered this week were the opportunity for kids to be hungry (HF 970); for Iowans to be kicked off of their healthcare through a trigger provision (SF 615); and for corporations to be given immunity from liability (SF 394). In addition, there was the bill that appears to promote uniformity, inequity, and exclusion (SF 507).
Fortunately, we are fast approaching the second funnel (next Friday), when in theory, any non-financial bill that has not been voted on in one of the two chambers, dies. I say “in theory” because it is always possible for the majority party to amend something onto a bill or otherwise revive a project they really want to pass. However, it does mean we will be moving on to the final portion of this year’s session, when we *should* be focused on budget-related issues.
One of those issues will be property taxes. We will cover that in more detail in an upcoming newsletter, but I wanted to flag that there are companion bills in the House and Senate (identical bills, introduced at the same time) that propose a massive overhaul of Iowa’s complex property tax system. There’s a reason property taxes are complex – they are the principal funding source for counties, cities, and schools. Property taxes for cities and towns are attached to agricultural land – and decoupling that is unlikely to happen. There’s currently something called the “roll back” that helps ensure rates don’t rise too much in any given year, despite higher assessments, but as Rep. Jacoby likes to say, it only causes people’s eyes to roll back when anyone tries to talk about it.
On the Senate side, it is SSB 1208; on the House side, HSB 313. Both had subcommittee hearings on Wednesday. Past efforts (since around 2013) to reform the system have not resulted in reduced rates for residential property. Past promises that the state backfill some of the changes have been broken. Trust is not high and there are plenty of entrenched interests. And everyone needs the services their towns, cities and counties provide, even as costs (including insurance costs) rise for them as well. The last property tax “fix”, HF718, passed two years ago. Your eyes may be rolling back as you read this, but we will be paying close attention, cities and counties will be paying close attention – it’s an issue we hear about often at the doors – and whether or not you are a property tax wonk, we welcome your ideas and feedback!
I traveled to Sioux City a week ago with a couple of colleagues, where we had meetings and held a town hall. My goal was to listen and learn. The issues we heard there from people – many of whom clearly had been waiting a long time for someone to listen to them – are many of the same issues you bring to me here in Iowa City and Johnson County. Schools, healthcare, cost of living, messaging, workers’ rights – and what can we do? Their school district is in deficit, despite prior cuts. They are worried about hospitals closing – both rural and urban – if Medicaid is cut. Iowans are Iowans, no matter where in the state they live.
We had some technical difficulties distributing this newsletter this week, so apologies if you missed the forums on Friday or this morning. You still have an opportunity to make your voices heard this weekend, however. Today, Saturday, March 29, I am doing a listening post at 1:30pm in Meeting Room E of the Iowa City Public Library. There will be plenty more forums and meetings before the session ends. Lots of chances to show up!
Keep writing and calling – at our level and at the federal level.
Show Me the Money
There seems to be a common theme emerging from the Majority party this year: an aversion to transparency and accountability.
Over a month and a half ago, Senate Republicans passed SF 167, setting the rate for school funding growth at 2%. My colleagues and I argued on the floor at the time that the bill was insufficient and warned that, at 2%, nearly half of Iowa’s public school districts could be forced to raise property taxes to cover costs. Senate Republicans didn’t listen.
Now, weeks later, they have blown past our statutory deadline by which time we’re meant to finalize school funding. The already insufficient funding proposal has stalled because Senate and House Republicans can’t come to an agreement on just how much to underfund our public schools.
We’ve already seen reports of severe budget cuts and staff layoffs in certain school districts, and still, Senate and House Republicans can’t come to an agreement.
Another factor affecting our schools is the hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars flowing to the private school voucher program. With the income eligibility cap coming off next school year, Iowans deserve transparency into where their tax dollars are going.
Instead, the state Department of Education has refused to allow the state auditor’s office to audit the private school voucher program or the out-of-state company overseeing the program’s management. What are they hiding?
Earlier this week, the Senate debated new limits and restrictions on Medicaid as Republican lawmakers sought to advance legislation that would likely serve as the beginning of the end for health insurance for 181,000 Iowans.
As we would with any other bill of this kind, my colleagues and I looked to a fiscal note from the nonpartisan Legislative Services Agency (LSA) to get a better understanding of how much the new restrictions would cost and how many people would be affected. What we got wasn’t worth the paper it was printed on.
Despite repeated requests from LSA, the state Department of Health and Human Services refused to turn over information that could give better insight into the cost and severity of the new restrictions. Again, we ask: what is the Reynolds Administration hiding?
We finally got a look at the Department of Management’s five-year projections, and they show Gov. Reynolds is planning on spending more than the state takes in for each of the next five years. It took a Freedom of Information request and weeks of delays to get even that much information.
Delays and secrecy only serve to withhold critical information from the public. Iowans deserve transparency from their government.
Quick Updates
Medicaid restrictions: This week, Senate Republicans advanced SF 615, adding restrictions for Medicaid recipients in Iowa. The bill includes trigger language that says if the federal government does not approve Iowa’s request for a waiver to institute Medicaid restrictions – a likely outcome under the next Democratic president – Iowa’s 181,000 Medicaid expansion recipients would be stripped of their healthcare coverage. Make no mistake, SF 615 is an attempt to dismantle Medicaid expansion in the state of Iowa, putting healthcare access at risk for hundreds of thousands of Iowans.
Pesticide immunity passes narrowly: The Iowa Senate passed SF 394 this week, with just 26 votes, providing massive, foreign chemical corporations with immunity from legal action if their products cause harm – including cancer – to Iowans. Iowa is in the midst of an ongoing cancer crisis, and this bill would protect chemical companies instead of Iowa’s farmers. The “no” vote was bipartisan.
Cell phones prohibited in Iowa schools:HF 782 mandates new guidelines for student electronic device use in schools. The bill requires school boards to adopt policies restricting student use of personal electronic devices during instructional time, with defined exceptions, by July 1, 2025. The Iowa Department of Education is required to provide guidance to schools and families by May 1, 2025. Each school must also revise and update their emergency plans, incorporating student electronic prohibitions.
Consumer protections on crypto scams: This week, the Iowa Senate passed SF 449, adding consumer protections and stricter regulations to cryptocurrency kiosks (ATMs) in an effort to fight growing fraud concerns. The bill institutes limits on fees and transactions and requires consumer warnings to protect users against scams which have cost Iowans more than $20 million.
Add spring color to your yard: Spring is a great time to plant trees. Find great tips and resources on how to select, plant and keep trees healthy on the DNR webpage. Check out the State Forest Nursery for diverse, native seedlings.
Severe Weather Awareness: The Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM) and the National Weather Service (NWS) have joined together to promote Severe Weather Awareness Week this week, March 24-28, 2025. The purpose of Severe Weather Awareness Week is to encourage Iowans to take the necessary steps to be prepared in the case of a weather emergency. You can learn more at https://ready.iowa.gov/.
It was another rough week for Iowans when it comes to the legislation that was passed through the Senate by Republicans. The passing of the diversity, equity, and inclusion bill that removes any office or procedure that utilizes diversity, equity, and inclusion ideals from state and local offices, the Medicaid bill that could potentially throw 182,000 Iowans off healthcare, and pesticide immunity bill that puts Iowans and in particular rural Iowans in a losing battle against this Republican-led legislature.
They are willing to pass bills without knowing the cost in a budget deficit year — where we are $621 million over budget, because of the flat tax policy already in place — and other policies that this Republican legislature have put through. We, as a state, are spending more than what we are bringing in. We all know when budgeting our own lives that you can’t do that and expect to not pay more in the end.
Rather than cutting spending in areas that won’t harm working class Iowans, they are looking to cut funding to some of our most vulnerable citizens from childcare to Medicaid. This is unacceptable, and if Democrats were in charge we, 1. Wouldn’t be in this position, and 2. We would not make the cuts at the bottom — we would take them from the top.
There are some big birthdays again this week — if you happen to know any of these folks from my district, make sure you wish them a very happy birthday!!
John
Spielman
Nicholas
Williams
Mary
Anderson
Kevin
Yock
Matthew
Pint
Maureen
Lough
Ethel
Houser
Jody
Schulte
Betty
Brodersen
Janice
Cohenour
Lisa
Opsahl
Joseph
Whited
Judith
Donald
Janet
Thomas
Lance
Bisinger
Wendy
Bucklin
Show Me the Money
There seems to be a common theme emerging from the Majority party this year: an aversion to transparency and accountability.
Over a month and a half ago, Senate Republicans passed SF 167, setting the rate for school funding growth at 2%. My colleagues and I argued on the floor at the time that the bill was
insufficient and warned that, at 2%, nearly half of Iowa’s public school districts could be forced to raise property taxes to cover costs. Senate Republicans didn’t listen.
Now, several weeks later, they have blown past our statutory deadline by which time we’re meant to finalize school funding, and the already insufficient funding proposal has stalled because Senate and House Republicans can’t come to an agreement on just how much to underfund our public schools.
We’ve already seen reports of severe budget cuts and staff layoffs in certain school districts, and still, Senate and House Republicans can’t come to an agreement.
Another factor affecting our schools is the hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars flowing to the private school voucher program. With the income eligibility cap coming off next school year, Iowans deserve transparency into where their tax dollars are going.
Instead, the state Department of Education has refused to allow the state auditor’s office to audit the private school voucher program or the out-of-state company overseeing the program’s management. What are they hiding?
Earlier this week, the Senate debated new limits and restrictions on Medicaid as Republican lawmakers sought to advance legislation that would likely serve as the beginning of the end for health insurance for 182,000 Iowans.
As we would with any other bill of this kind, my colleagues and I looked to a fiscal note from the nonpartisan Legislative Services Agency (LSA) to get a better understanding of how much the new restrictions would cost and how many people would be affected. What we got wasn’t worth the paper it was printed on.
Despite repeated requests from LSA, the state Department of Health and Human Services refused to turn over information that could give better insight into the cost and severity of the new restrictions. Again, we ask: what is the Reynolds Administration hiding?
We finally got a look at the Department of Management’s five-year projections, and they show Gov. Reynolds is planning on spending more than the state takes in for each of the next five years. It took a Freedom of Information request and weeks of delays to get even that much information.
Delays and secrecy only serve to withhold critical information from the public. Iowans deserve transparency from their government.
Quick Updates
Medicaid restrictions: This week, Senate Republicans advanced SF 615, adding restrictions for Medicaid recipients in Iowa. The bill includes trigger language that says if the federal government does not approve Iowa’s request for a waiver to institute Medicaid restrictions – a likely outcome under the next Democratic president – Iowa’s 181,000 Medicaid expansion recipients would be stripped of their healthcare coverage. Make no mistake, SF 615 is an attempt to dismantle Medicaid expansion in the state of Iowa, putting healthcare access at risk for hundreds of thousands of Iowans.
Pesticide immunity passes: The Iowa Senate narrowly passed SF 394 this week, providing massive, foreign chemical corporations with immunity from legal action if their products cause harm – including cancer – to Iowans. Iowa is in the midst of an ongoing cancer crisis, and this bill would protect chemical companies instead of Iowa’s farmers.
Cell phones prohibited in Iowa schools:HF 782 mandates new guidelines for student electronic device use in schools. The bill requires school boards to adopt policies restricting student use of personal electronic devices during instructional time, with defined exceptions, by July 1, 2025. The Iowa Department of Education is required to provide guidance to schools and families by May 1, 2025. Each school must also revise and update their emergency plans, incorporating student electronic prohibitions.
Consumer protections on crypto scams: This week the Iowa Senate passed SF 449, adding consumer protections and stricter regulations to cryptocurrency kiosks (ATMs) in an effort to fight growing fraud concerns. The bill institutes limits on fees and transactions and requires consumer warnings to protect users against scams which have cost Iowans more than $20 million.
Add spring color to your yard: Spring is a great time to plant trees. Find great tips and resources on how to select, plant and keep trees healthy on the DNR webpage. Check out the State Forest Nursery for diverse, native seedlings.
Severe Weather Awareness: The Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM) and the National Weather Service (NWS) have joined together to promote Severe Weather Awareness Week this week, March 24-28, 2025. The purpose of Severe Weather Awareness Week is to encourage Iowans to take the necessary steps to be prepared in the case of a weather emergency. You can learn more at https://ready.iowa.gov/.
It was another week of debate on both sides of the legislature. Some of the bills were good bills. For example, we passed hands free driving on the Senate side (again) with only one dissenting vote, and it was on the debate calendar for the House yesterday (which has been the block in past years) but got pulled at the last minute. We passed bills on both sides that would create a way for children in particular to testify against their abusers without having to be in the same room (this is in response to an Iowa Supreme Court ruling last summer that made Iowa an outlier in the country) – the Senate passed a constitutional amendment, a longer process and likely necessary for a permanent fix, and the House passed a bill, which I hope will also pass the Senate for a stop gap fix.
But again, no school funding – which makes me wonder what the sticking point is, who in Republican leadership is holding it hostage to what. Because at this point, we certainly know that when our colleagues decide to pass something, they do – in a matter of days or even hours. It appears funding our public schools is not one of those priorities.
An example of our Republican colleagues rushing to pass a bill that no one asked for, and which had not been considered in subcommittee or committee, took place this week, under the innocuous name of Senate File 603. It started out as a good workforce bill that was largely a clean-up bill – clarifying sections of code – and which originally passed the Senate unanimously. It was uncontroversial.
It then went over to the House, where it sat for a week, and then was brought to the floor for debate. Rep Kaufman then amended it with language that should not have been allowed, because it was not germane – in other words, it changed the whole tenor of the bill. In fact, they had to suspend the rules on the House side to be able to consider that amendment. It turned it into a bill that takes aim at local governments, local control, and worker safety, and ties their hands when it comes to including language in incentive programs to encourage apprenticeships. It takes aim at the construction trades. Why? No one could really give us an adequate rationale.
If that language was going to be run, it should have been run as a separate bill. Yet Republicans in the House passed it and sent SF603 back to the Senate, where our Republican colleagues decided to take it up the very next day. Please recall, none of this new language had been vetted by Iowans through the normal subcommittee process. One of their own caucus members, Sen. McClintock, offered an amendment against it, to return the bill essentially to its original form. We argued for his amendment. Then we offered our own amendment. Both failed. In the end Republicans insisted on passing this unvetted version of the bill, which is now headed to the Governor’s desk. What started as a good, non-controversial bill, is now an anti-safety, basically anti-Iowa worker bill. Ask yourself why. I guess my answer is: follow the money. Because the process broke down here and did not work for the people of Iowa.
It remains the fact that much of what is going on here under the Golden Dome seems a sideshow compared to what is happening in Washington DC to deconstruct our governmental institutions. That was so much the case that our governor traveled to Washington this week for a photo op, standing by President Trump’s side while he signed an executive order to dismantle the Department of Education. She wrote an op-ed encouraging that, asking for the money to come to the states. Please recall that she is doing this when Republicans in the Iowa legislature have yet to pass public school funding for this year and school districts are well into their legally mandated annual budgeting process. Also please recall that the reason President Carter called for the creation of the Department of Education – which was created by an Act of Congress and can only be unwound by an Act of Congress – is that states were failing adequately to fund schools for poor districts and wouldn’t protect kids with disabilities, and wouldn’t follow civil rights laws, especially in the South – that was part of the willful legacy of Brown v. Board of Education. Calling for its abolition is a call to turn back the clock. it will hurt all of our public schools – but it will hit those in rural areas hardest.
On that cheerful note, I ask that you continue to pay attention on both the state and federal level. Continue to show up, as many of you are doing – at the State Capitol, at town halls and at listening posts, calling us, calling and emailing at the federal level. There are many rallies scheduled – I participated recently in a rally in Iowa City for veterans and care for veterans at the VA Hospital; and in Des Moines for the USPS, which serves all Iowans and Americans. I give credit to US Senator Grassley for actually showing up – at a recent town hall, he acknowledged that Elon Musk does not have the right to do what he is doing. Where is the rest of our delegation?
We Democrats in the State Senate are continuing to fan out across the state to listen to Iowans’ concerns. Several of us are in Sioux City on Saturday afternoon – to listen to Iowans. It’s at 2pm, March 22, at the Morningside Branch Library. I’ll be back home in Iowa City next weekend for more forums. Your voice is more powerful than you think – please use it.
Decreasing Revenues and Bad Budgeting
It’s clear the majority party’s budgeting isn’t working for Iowans. It’s not working for the children whose public schools are underfunded, it’s not working for the thousands of workers being laid off, and it’s not working for the families trying to cover the cost of childcare or find housing they can afford.
Now, after years of massive corporate tax breaks, Republican lawmakers’ runaway voucher spending will continue the misguided budgeting trends into the next five years.
The state’s Revenue Estimating Conference (REC) met last week to update their projections for the state’s revenues for the current and upcoming fiscal years (the REC meets every October, December, and March). According to their estimates, the panel projects state revenues will drop by over $1.2billion in just two years, between FY24 and FY26. To put it mildly, that is a significant decrease.
For FY26, the governor has proposed appropriations (spending) of $9.433 billion, which, thanks to our decreasing revenue, is $925 million more than Iowa’s projected revenues. Gov. Reynolds is planning on spending more money than the state takes in during the 2026 fiscal year.
Here in Iowa, the governor is statutorily obligated to sign a balanced budget. So, the $925 million difference has to come from somewhere. It comes from two places, in fact. The first is from the Taxpayer Relief Fund (TRF) and the second is from carryforward surplus dollars from previous years. These are both one-time funds.
In a five-year projection provided by the state’s Department of Management (see below), the Reynolds Administration is planning on dipping into these reserve funds to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars for each of the next five fiscal years. That means the governor is planning on spending more money than the state takes in for five straight years and covering her poor budgeting with a dwindling supply of one-time money.
In this table, the top row represents actual and projected state revenues for the given fiscal year (actual for years past, projected for years future).
In the bottom row, you can see the one-time money the governor plans to transfer from the Taxpayer Relief Fund to cover the deficit in her budgets. The TRF can only be used to cover up to 50% of the deficit, so the gap between projected revenues and projected spending is actually double the number in the bottom row.
Visit Your Iowa Capitol!
One of my favorite aspects of serving in the Iowa Senate is coming to work in the beautiful Iowa State Capitol. Each day the building is filled with groups of Iowans from every corner of our state, from lobby days to school trips to sightseeing excursions, and more. All visitors are welcome in the People’s building.
If you’ve never taken the opportunity to visit, we’d love to see you! Here are a few tips if you’re planning a trip to the Golden Dome.
When to come: The Capitol is open year-round between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturdays. The House and Senate are typically in session Monday through Thursday between January and late April or early May, so if you’re looking to meet your legislators or see the Legislature in action up close and personal, you’ll need to plan accordingly.
Take a tour: The Capitol is truly a sight to behold, full of art and history. The Capitol is staffed by highly knowledgeable guides who lead tours throughout the day and can give an in-depth history behind the building and its unique characteristics. If a self-guided tour is more your speed, those are available as well. For groups of 10 or more, please click here to request in advance.
Watch a debate: The Senate and House galleries are open to the public during all periods of debate. You can sit in, watch the discussion, and see the votes cast in person from a seat overlooking the chamber.
Meet me in the rotunda: I am always happy to meet with my constituents, so please come say hi! Outside the Senate chamber, on the second floor, there is a pad of “pink slips” where you can write a message and provide your contact information. Hand the slip to a Senate employee near the Senate chamber door and they’ll hand-deliver it to the senator on the floor. When there’s a break in the action, I’ll come out to say hello, hear your concerns, and take a photo, if you’d like!
Let’s make a plan: If you know you’re going to be visiting the Capitol – especially with a group – please reach out in advance and I’ll be happy to assist you. If I know you’re coming, I can be sure to set aside time to meet and even formally introduce and recognize you on the Senate floor.
Quick Updates
Equal Pay Day: Celebrated on a different day each year, Equal Pay Day highlights the gender wage gap across various industries and demographics. According to recent data, the gender pay gap for women is currently 83% for full-time, year-round workers and 75% for all workers (including part-time and seasonal). This year, Equal Pay Day is celebrated on March 25, the 84th day of the year – that means, by most recent data, it takes a woman one year and 84 days to earn the amount of money a man earns in one year. Looking for opportunities to take action? Visit www.aauw.org/issues/equity/pay-gap/ to learn more about the wage gap and what you can do to fight it.
Neonatal Excellence in Iowa City: UIHC’s neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is one of only two units designated as a Neonatal Excellence Program by the American Academy of Pediatrics. UIHC has the highest survival rate for extremely preterm infants in the country, and continues to develop new technology to assist infants and parents. Thank you to all the dedicated staff that serve our smallest Iowans!
Rural Healthcare Struggles:This NPR article takes an in-depth look at the state of rural hospitals in Iowa, and it’s not good. It’s clear that significant investment is necessary to keep rural hospitals operational in Iowa so that all Iowans can access care when they need it.
Federal Cuts Impact Local Food Programs: The Trump Administration has cut $11.3 million in federal funding that provides thousands of Iowa children with locally produced meat, dairy, fruits, and vegetables at schools, daycares, and food banks across the state. The cuts, affecting funding from 2025 to 2028, followed the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s announced scaled-back spending as part of President Trump’s broader budget reductions. Farmers and advocacy groups warn that the funding loss threatens both access to nutritious food and the financial stability of local producers. An Iowa Farmers Union spokesman said Iowa producers had already planned over $3 million in food sales for 2025 through these now-defunded programs.
Defining “Proficient”: Reviewing your child’s assessment reports can generate a lot of questions including, what does it really mean for my child to be “proficient” at reading? Iowa’s Reading Research Center (IRRC) staff answers in this month’s Ask IRRC video. You can learn more about literacy assessments and what they mean for your child by visiting a new eLearning module, Understanding Your Student’s Literacy Data.
Iowa Workforce Grant and Incentive Program: Do you know a junior or senior at one of Iowa’s public universities pursuing a “high-demand” career field? Find out if they may be eligible for the Iowa Workforce Grant and Incentive Program! This program provides grants for up to four semesters and offers a $2,000 incentive payment to students who accept a high-demand job in Iowa within six months of graduation and work full-time for at least 12 consecutive months. Don’t miss this opportunity to fund your education and launch your career in Iowa!
Master Gardeners: Master Gardeners in Johnson County partnered with Ecumenical Towers to create a hügelkultur garden that provides residents an innovative, accessible garden space for attracting pollinators. For this effort they have received the Search for Excellence Award from the Iowa Master Gardener program.
Diesel Emission Reduction Grants: The Iowa Department of Transportation is accepting applications through May 9 for diesel emission reduction grants. The Diesel Emission Reduction Program (DERA), part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, was created as part of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, and is designed to achieve significant reductions in diesel emissions among on-road or non-road vehicles and equipment, including school buses, medium- and heavy-duty transit buses and trucks, marine engines, locomotives, and nonroad engines, equipment, or vehicles.
Women’s History Month is celebrated in March to honor the contributions of women throughout history and recognize their achievements in various fields. It began as a weeklong celebration in the U.S. in 1980 and expanded to a month in 1987. The month highlights influential women in politics, science, arts, sports, activism, and beyond.
The theme this year is “Moving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations,” which highlights the collective equality, strength, and influence of women in leadership, mentorship, and education roles.
I want to take a moment to lift up and celebrate the incredible women in my Senate Democratic caucus. Their unwavering commitment to making Iowa a better place for all of us is truly inspiring. From advocating for families and education to fighting for equality and opportunity, these leaders are making a lasting impact on our communities.
Their voices, strength, and dedication continue to pave the way for future generations. I am proud to stand alongside them as we work toward a brighter and more equitable future for all Iowans. These women embody this year’s theme: Senators Janice Weiner, Molly Donahue, Liz Bennett, Claire Celsi, Janet Petersen, Sarah Trone-Garriott and Cindy Winckler.
Decreasing Revenues and Bad Budgeting
It’s clear the majority party’s budgeting isn’t working for Iowans. It’s not working for the children whose public schools are underfunded, it’s not working for the thousands of workers being laid off, and it’s not working for the families trying to cover the cost of childcare or find housing they can afford.
Now, after years of massive corporate tax breaks, Republican lawmakers’ runaway voucher spending will continue the misguided budgeting trends into the next five years.
The state’s Revenue Estimating Conference (REC) met last week to update their projections for the state’s revenues for the current and upcoming fiscal years (the REC meets every October, December, and March). According to their estimates, the panel projects state revenues will drop by over $1.2billion in just two years, between FY24 and FY26. To put it mildly, that is a significant decrease.
For FY26, the governor has proposed appropriations (spending) of $9.433 billion, which, thanks to our decreasing revenue, is $925 million more than Iowa’s projected revenues. Gov. Reynolds is planning on spending more money than the state takes in during the 2026 fiscal year.
Now, here in Iowa, the governor is statutorily obligated to sign a balanced budget. So, the $925 million difference has to come from somewhere. It comes from two places, in fact. The first is from the Taxpayer Relief Fund (TRF) and the second is from carryforward surplus dollars from previous years. These are both one-time funds.
In a five-year projection provided by the state’s Department of Management (see below), the Reynolds Administration is planning on dipping into these reserve funds to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars for each of the next five fiscal years. That means the governor is planning on spending more money than the state takes in for five straight years and covering her poor budgeting with a dwindling supply of one-time money.
In this table, the top row represents actual and projected state revenues for the given fiscal year (actual for years past, projected for years future).
In the bottom row, you can see the one-time money the governor plans to transfer from the Taxpayer Relief Fund to cover the deficit in her budgets. The TRF can only be used to cover up to 50% of the deficit, so the gap between projected revenues and projected spending is actually double the number in the bottom row.
Visit Your Iowa Capitol!
One of my favorite aspects of serving in the Iowa Senate is coming to work in the beautiful Iowa State Capitol. Each day the building is filled with groups of Iowans from every corner of our state, from lobby days to school trips to sightseeing excursions, and more. All visitors are welcome in the People’s building.
If you’ve never taken the opportunity to visit, we’d love to see you! Here are a few tips if you’re planning a trip to the Golden Dome.
When to come: The Capitol is open year-round between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturdays. The House and Senate are typically in session Monday through Thursday between January and late April or early May, so if you’re looking to meet your legislators or see the Legislature in action up close and personal, you’ll need to plan accordingly.
Take a tour: The Capitol is truly a sight to behold, full of art and history. The Capitol is staffed by highly knowledgeable guides who lead tours throughout the day and can give an in-depth history behind the building and its unique characteristics. If a self-guided tour is more your speed, those are available as well. For groups of 10 or more, please click here to request in advance.
Watch a debate: The Senate and House galleries are open to the public during all periods of debate. You can sit in, watch the discussion, and see the votes cast in person from a seat overlooking the chamber.
Meet me in the rotunda: I am always happy to meet with my constituents, so please come say hi! Outside the Senate chamber, on the second floor, there is a pad of “pink slips” where you can write a message and provide your contact information. Hand the slip to a Senate employee near the Senate chamber door and they’ll hand-deliver it to the senator on the floor. When there’s a break in the action, I’ll come out to say hello, hear your concerns, and take a photo, if you’d like!
Let’s make a plan: If you know you’re going to be visiting the Capitol – especially with a group – please reach out in advance and I’ll be happy to assist you. If I know you’re coming, I can be sure to set aside time to meet and even formally introduce and recognize you on the Senate floor.
The Week in Pictures & How I Voted
Quite a crowd at the League of Women Voters Linn County legislative forum. Audience topics of interest included: school funding, state budget, civil rights, Medicaid, legalizing guns for minors and local control. Thank you to the League for hosting and for constituents for participating in this important conversation.
Well, that was depressing. Attended a zoom meeting presented by National Conference of State Legislatures, “Medicaid and the States.” Focus was on federal actions’ potential impacts on states and territories for receiving/utilizing Medicaid dollars. Of course, the situation is fluid right now, but this was to prepare states for various scenarios being proposed in Congress, including per capita or aggregate funding. Some examples require changes in eligibility making it more difficult to get help. Others reflect reductions in reimbursements to providers and caps on individual services and denial of services.
Members of Congress are proposing cuts to the most vulnerable and poorest Americans so that billionaires can get or retain their tax cuts. We must not let that happen.
Please call our Congressional delegation and state your opposition to Medicaid cuts:
Rep. Feenstra: (202) 225-4426
Rep. Hinson: (202) 225-2911
Rep. Miller-Meeks: (202) 225-6576
Rep. Nunn: (202) 225-5476
Sen. Ernst: (202) 224-3254
Sen. Grassley: (202) 224-3744
Christine Landa and Nate Klein of Junior Achievement presented before the Education Appropriations Committee about 3DE. 3DE is a high school learning model that connects students to real-world business challenges and prepares them for the workforce.
Also, at the Capitol to discuss how 3DE can be more widely integrated in our schools is CRCSD Superintendent Tawana Grover, Prairie HS student Paisley Joens, College Community School District Superintendent Doug Wheeler, educator Matt Sima, JA CEO Jack Harris, JA Central Iowa President Ryan Osborn, JA Central Iowa VP for Education Shannon Gerard, and Green State Credit Union’s Melissa Winter.
The Senate is beginning the process of approving the appointees nominated to boards and commissions. Democrats are shy one person of stopping any of these appointments, but we will still conduct our due diligence in researching the individuals, providing our input.
Monday, Iowa Dept. of Administrative Services (DAS) Director Adam Steen was introduced. As head of DAS, Adam oversees 350+ employees and the following departments: State Accounting; State Finance; Employee Relations; Procurement, Goods and Services; Construction, Major Maintenance, Capitol Events; State Library; State Historical Society and State Human Resources.
Adam has been DAS Director since 2021. Senator Cindy Winckler and I spoke with Adam about upcoming challenges and projects in his department.
9 bills debated in the Senate Monday:
SF 106 – repeals the prohibitions for operating or riding a snowmobile or ATV with a loaded firearm, discharging a firearm from a snowmobile or ATV, and having a loaded firearm in a vehicle. [NO vote; to me, this is a safety issue]
SF 140 – amends the current prohibition list of satellite location voting sites. The new prohibition applies if the site is on school property and there are school issues on the ballot [NO vote; this removes a valid location for satellite voting and it is already a challenge to find these spots especially in smaller communities. This bill limits voter access.]
SF 257 – clarifies that a sticker issued for the upcoming year prior to the expiration of the current registration year does not invalidate the registration and is not required to be displayed on the plate. [YES vote]
SF 315 – requires the Department of Administrative Services (DAS) to conduct an online reverse auction process for pharmacy benefit managers seeking to administer benefits under the state employee health plan [YES vote, it allows competitive bidding]
SF 407 – increases the number of governor-appointed members to sit on the district-level judicial nominating commissions to be one greater than the number of elected members. It removes the senior judge to sit as chair of the commission, and instead, it allows the members to elect their own chair. [NO vote; this further politicizes the judicial process]
SF 469 – establishes an “emeritus license” under the Board of Medicine for licensees over 60 years old. The bill requires emeritus licensees to primarily engage in supervising/training – although they are allowed to maintain the same scope of practice previously held. [NO vote. I’m concerned about doctors practicing without continuing their education which helps them stay up to date on latest advancements in medicine, improve patient care and maintain their professional competence.]
SF 470 – prohibits a dental carrier from denying a claim submitted by a dental care provider if the services had received prior authorization from the dental carrier (there are several exceptions). The dental carrier is also required to reimburse the claim at the rate that was provided per the prior authorization. [YES vote]
SF 491 – expands upon remotely piloted aircraft (drone) usage, prohibiting the use of drones within 400 feet over private farm property without permission. [YES vote.]
SF 311 – restricts cities’ ability to discipline employees who hold civil service rights. Police officers and firefighters statutorily hold civil service rights, but other employees may as well. [NO vote. The bill preempts any other form of citizen police conduct review boards. These boards were created to provide transparency and trust within the community. Also, this is another intrusion on local control.]
First thing on the docket Tuesday morning was a conversation with Coalition for Family and Children’s Services in Iowa members.
Mary Beth O’Neill, Four Oaks CEO; Emily Walker Blomme, Foundation 2 Crisis Services CEO; and Crystal Hall, Tanager Community Based and Prevention Services Director, spoke with me about the uncertainty of funding sources at federal and state levels. It’s important the legislature protect behavioral health funding for Iowa’s youth. (3 out of 8 under age 21 rely on Medicaid for healthcare.)
Foresight is the legislature acting to ensure our youth have the services they need now before their symptoms and issues escalate.
Served on the sub-committee for SF597 which is about the obligations of certain state and local government entities in erecting, rebuilding, or repairing partition fences. Because the bill was amended to “may” instead of “shall” use REAP dollars for these projects is optional (something already happening), I was a YES vote.
So, basically, this bill was code clutter.
Democrats filed an amendment to SR6, allowing a simple majority of Senators to bring up a bill for debate. This was obviously asking for Senate Republicans to bring Eminent Domain up for a debate.
We’ve all received scores of emails from farmers – many of them century farmers – asking us to stop the carbon pipelines from running through their land. If you own property, a private business should not have the right over that land.
Republicans voted down the amendment. (FYI, per Food & Water Watch, Bruce Rastetter, the CEO and founder of Summit Agriculture Group -which owns Summit Carbon Solutions, has donated more than $1.6 million to Iowa candidates and committees over the past 25 years.)
No eminent domain for private gain.
10 bills passed in the Senate Tuesday:
SF 605 – establishes a $5,000 threshold for withholding for sports wagering prizes by referencing the federal income tax requirements established in federal law [YES vote. There currently is no withholding threshold established for Iowa residents for sports wagering winnings. This meshes Iowa law with federal.]
SF 22 – Hands Free Driving [Although I don’t like the part of the bill exempting rural agricultural vehicles (and voted for Sen. Bisignano’s amendment to strike the exemption), I was a YES vote. I’ve heard from many constituents about this bill. It will save lives and assist law enforcement.]
SF 233 – expands Iowa’s “Right to Try” legislation beyond current “terminally ill” patients to those with “life threatening or severely debilitating illness”. [YES vote. There are safeguards protecting individuals from exploitation and this bill could provide better quality of life and save lives.]
SF 378 – Speed limit increase [No. Seems counterintuitive to the above “hands free” bill. Instead, we should Back the Blue, save lives and keep the speed limit as it is.]
SF 514 – When no rebuttable presumption against awarding joint custody exists, this requires a court to award temporary joint physical custody during a pending custody proceeding. [NO vote. This handcuffs the court and could possibly put children in danger.]
SF 523 – authorizes the court to award separate rights and responsibilities of joint legal custody to each parent. [YES vote. This allows the court to resolve custody right disputes on application from either parent. The parents may stipulate to a parenting plan, and the court shall approve it unless it finds the agreement is not in the best interest of the child.]
SF 583 – authorizes multidisciplinary threat assessment teams in schools. [YES vote]
SF 594 –creates an interim study committee to analyze whether to consolidate fire services under a countywide fire protection structure. [YES vote]
SF601 – changes the time allowed for cities to provide notice of a proposal for election to determine whether to sell a city utility from 60 days to at least thirty days prior to submitting the proposal. [YES vote]
SR 6 – updates the organization and protocols governing the Senate, including the regular order of daily business, how committees are to operate, rules for debate, appointees, and various aspects of parliamentary procedure. [YES vote]
Always a pleasure connecting with labor unions from Linn County.
“Unions have been the only powerful and effective voice working people have ever had in the history of this country.” – Bruce Springsteen
Thank you, union members, for your continuing contributions for ensuring fairness and dignity in the workplace!
Senator Molly Donahue and I visiting with Linn County Rural Electric Co-op’s Gary Shropp and Terry Sullivan about property tax reform and public-school funding. The REC co-op has been member owned since 1938!
Iowa Conservation Alliance is all about protecting our outdoor heritage. Great to visit with President Fred Long and American Fisheries Society Executive Director Jeff Kopaska.
Protecting our natural resources is essential for ensuring the well-being of future generations and maintaining a healthy planet. Natural resources such as water, forests, minerals, and wildlife are vital for our survival, supporting everything from agriculture to energy production. Overuse, pollution, and deforestation are threatening these resources, which could lead to irreversible damage. By adopting sustainable practices, reducing waste, and prioritizing conservation efforts, we can preserve these precious resources for future generations. It is our collective responsibility to take action and safeguard the environment through thoughtful policies, community involvement, and responsible consumption. Every small effort counts in ensuring a balanced relationship with nature.
11 bills debated in the Senate Wednesday:
SF 27 – requires courts to notify the Department of Transportation (DOT) when a person is ordered by the court to complete Remedial Driver Improvement, or RDI, within 10 days of the order and when the person completes the action within 10 days of the court receiving confirmation of completion [YES vote]
SF 256 – relates to land boundaries by acquiescence. Under current law, land boundaries and corners must be recognized and acquiesced for a period of 10 years to be permanently established boundaries and corners. The bill makes this law self-executing, meaning these boundaries and corners by acquiescence are permanent and immediately law (once the 10-year period has passed). [YES vote]
SF 273 – Grooming expanded definition change for educators [NO vote. Broadens the definition of “grooming” as it relates to mandatory reporting to the Board of Educational Examiners (BOEE) of licensed school employees who engage in grooming behavior toward students and is too broad and ambiguous.]
SF 288 – requires “reasonable accommodations” for any student (or employee) who is pregnant or gives birth while attending an Iowa Regent University or an Iowa Community College. [YES vote, though I see this as more code clutter as it doesn’t require anything that the Regents aren’t already doing]
SF 448 – exempts school bus drivers from being required to complete a Department of Education training unless the school district employing the driver requires it. Drivers are still required to obtain a certified driver’s license (CDL) to operate the school bus – in addition to training that the school district requires. [YES vote]
SF 459 – Ranked Choice Voting Prohibition [NO vote. Another local control issue. I’ve received dozens of emails from constituents in support of having RCV as an option for municipalities and only one email in favor of the bill from the Heritage Foundation.]
SF 513 – prohibits a court from including a postsecondary education subsidy in a dissolution of marriage temporary orders, final judgments, or decrees. [NO vote. There’s no evidence that judges don’t already treat this seriously. Currently, an order to pay post-secondary education tuition requires ‘good cause’ by the court.]
SF 521 – requires courts to direct a person found in contempt during a marriage dissolution proceeding to pay reasonable attorney fees incurred by the opposing party as a result of the actions constituting contempt. [YES vote]
SF 573 – relates to motor vehicle insurance coverage for glass repair and replacement relating to vehicles with advanced driver assistance systems and is based on model legislation developed by the National Council of Insurance Legislators (NCOIL) and has had input from many stakeholders. [YES vote]
SJR 9 – is a proposed amendment to the Iowa Constitution that would allow the legislature to limit a defendant’s right to confront witnesses who are under 18, with mental illness, with intellectual disability, or other developmental disability. [YES vote. We are the only state that requires children to confront their sexual predators.]
SF 603 – Iowa Workforce Development’s department bill. We passed this clean bill out of the Senate, but it was amended in the House by Rep. Kaufmann and now the bill does the following:
Amends the Registered Apprenticeship Act. It inserts language that states that unless expressly required by the state law, the use of apprenticeship training shall be voluntary and shall not be mandated by any state agency or political subdivision.
A political subdivision shall not impose additional restrictions, qualifications, or requirements on development, contractors, subcontractors, or apprentices relating to the apprenticeship training beyond those expressly authorized in the Registered Apprenticeship Act or state law.
A political subdivision shall not make receipt of any incentives or eligibility for such incentives contingent upon compliance with any such restrictions, qualifications, or requirements.
The amendment specifically amends Code sections related to school districts, counties, and cities that they cannot adopt or enforce such ordinances, motions, resolutions, or amendments regarding those restrictions and qualifications.
[NO vote. The amended bill is from the far-right group, ALEC. It usurps local control and goes against protecting the public from people trying to do projects on the cheap. Also, Senators received an email from the League of Cities stating that one of the unintended consequences of the amendment is its possible impact on eligibility of receiving Community Development Block Grants.]
Very much enjoyed my conversation with Leslie Olson of the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants and Tara Nepal, Problem Management Plus Coordinator College of Public Health University of Iowa. They were at the Capitol to spread awareness of some of the barriers refugees and immigrants face when first arriving in the US. Tara understands firsthand as he was expelled from Bhutan and lived in a refugee camp in Nepal for 18 years before coming to America. He knows about the poverty and struggles but also the desire to contribute and be part of community.
One of the little-talked about issues is the need for mental health services for those newly arrived in our country. That’s what Problem Management Plus provides in their peer-led program to strengthen skills to manage problems and cope with stress.
So grateful for Iowans such as Tara and Leslie who support immigrants and refugees as they navigate new challenges in a foreign land.
Quick Updates
Equal Pay Day: Celebrated on a different day each year, Equal Pay Day highlights the gender wage gap across various industries and demographics. According to recent data, the gender pay gap for women is currently 83% for full-time, year-round workers and 75% for all workers (including part-time and seasonal). This year, Equal Pay Day is celebrated on March 25, the 84th day of the year – that means, by most recent data, it takes a woman one year and 84 days to earn the amount of money a man earns in one year. Looking for opportunities to take action? Visit www.aauw.org/issues/equity/pay-gap/ to learn more about the wage gap and what you can do to fight it.
Rural Healthcare Struggles:This NPR article takes an in-depth look at the state of rural hospitals in Iowa, and it’s not good. It’s clear that significant investment is necessary to keep rural hospitals operational in Iowa so that all Iowans can access care when they need it.
Federal Cuts Impact Local Food Programs: The Trump Administration has cut $11.3 million in federal funding that provides thousands of Iowa children with locally produced meat, dairy, fruits, and vegetables at schools, daycares, and food banks across the state. The cuts, affecting funding from 2025 to 2028, followed the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s announced scaled-back spending as part of President Trump’s broader budget reductions. Farmers and advocacy groups warn that the funding loss threatens both access to nutritious food and the financial stability of local producers. An Iowa Farmers Union spokesman said Iowa producers had already planned over $3 million in food sales for 2025 through these now-defunded programs.
Golden Owl for Local Educator: Last week, seven educators were honored across Iowa as finalists for the 2024-25 Golden Owl Award, which recognizes excellence in agriculture education. This award highlights the vital role of agriculture educators in shaping the future of the industry. This year saw a record 570 nominations for 131 exceptional educators in both secondary and postsecondary education. Each finalist was celebrated at a special event in their home district or community college, receiving an engraved plaque and a $500 prize. They now move forward as contenders for the 2024-25 Golden Owl Award, which comes with a $3,000 grand prize and the Golden Owl trophy. Congratulations Laura Brecht of Prairie High School for their impact and commitment to agricultural education!
Defining “Proficient”: Reviewing your child’s assessment reports can generate a lot of questions including, what does it really mean for my child to be “proficient” at reading? Iowa’s Reading Research Center (IRRC) staff answers in this month’s Ask IRRC video. You can learn more about literacy assessments and what they mean for your child by visiting a new eLearning module, Understanding Your Student’s Literacy Data.
Iowa Workforce Grant and Incentive Program: Do you know a junior or senior at one of Iowa’s public universities pursuing a “high-demand” career field? Find out if they may be eligible for the Iowa Workforce Grant and Incentive Program! This program provides grants for up to four semesters and offers a $2,000 incentive payment to students who accept a high-demand job in Iowa within six months of graduation and work full-time for at least 12 consecutive months. Don’t miss this opportunity to fund your education and launch your career in Iowa!
Diesel Emission Reduction Grants: The Iowa Department of Transportation is accepting applications through May 9 for diesel emission reduction grants. The Diesel Emission Reduction Program (DERA), part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, was created as part of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, and is designed to achieve significant reductions in diesel emissions among on-road or non-road vehicles and equipment, including school buses, medium- and heavy-duty transit buses and trucks, marine engines, locomotives, and nonroad engines, equipment, or vehicles.
Week 10 and the house files are starting to go to subcommittee and committee in the Senate. Unfortunately, there are plenty of bad bills still making their way through. We are doing our best to stop the bad bills and amend those that could benefit Iowa to give it a few fixes. Unfortunately, the majority party doesn’t like to take fixes. They’d rather push a bad bill through and come back to it after the lawsuits fly.
With the corrected budget information coming from the REC last week, the Governor and GOP are revamping the original plan due to the increase in deficit spending. It will all come from the rainy day or surplus fund, but that means that that fund is going to be depleted even sooner than expected.
Here’s what’s happening around the district this weekend and next week:
Here are the BIG birthdays in district this coming week. If you happen to know any of these folks, make sure to wish them a very happy birthday!
Jeffery
Evans
Julalia
Pratt
Linda
Hemesath
James
Turner
Herbert
Gladwin
Lynn
Johnson
Fern
Zahrt
Shilpa
Patel
Margaret
Ferreter
Giselle
Rippy
David
Hockett
Jesse James
Thomas
Janet
Weber
Claudette
Roby
John
Spielman
Nicholas
Williams
Decreasing Revenues and Bad Budgeting
It’s clear the majority party’s budgeting isn’t working for Iowans. It’s not working for the children whose public schools are underfunded, it’s not working for the thousands of workers being laid off, and it’s not working for the families trying to cover the cost of childcare or find housing they can afford.
Now, after years of massive corporate tax breaks, Republican lawmakers’ runaway voucher spending will continue the misguided budgeting trends into the next five years.
The state’s Revenue Estimating Conference (REC) met last week to update their projections for the state’s revenues for the current and upcoming fiscal years (the REC meets every October, December, and March). According to their estimates, the panel projects state revenues will drop by over $1.2billion in just two years, between FY24 and FY26. To put it mildly, that is a significant decrease.
For FY26, the governor has proposed appropriations (spending) of $9.433 billion, which, thanks to our decreasing revenue, is $925 million more than Iowa’s projected revenues. Gov. Reynolds is planning on spending more money than the state takes in during the 2026 fiscal year.
Now, here in Iowa, the governor is statutorily obligated to sign a balanced budget. So, the $925 million difference has to come from somewhere. It comes from two places, in fact. The first is from the Taxpayer Relief Fund (TRF) and the second is from carryforward surplus dollars from previous years. These are both one-time funds.
In a five-year projection provided by the state’s Department of Management (see below), the Reynolds Administration is planning on dipping into these reserve funds to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars for each of the next five fiscal years. That means the governor is planning on spending more money than the state takes in for five straight years and covering her poor budgeting with a dwindling supply of one-time money.
In this table, the top row represents actual and projected state revenues for the given fiscal year (actual for years past, projected for years future).
In the bottom row, you can see the one-time money the governor plans to transfer from the Taxpayer Relief Fund to cover the deficit in her budgets. The TRF can only be used to cover up to 50% of the deficit, so the gap between projected revenues and projected spending is actually double the number in the bottom row.
Visit Your Iowa Capitol!
One of my favorite aspects of serving in the Iowa Senate is coming to work in the beautiful Iowa State Capitol. Each day the building is filled with groups of Iowans from every corner of our state, from lobby days to school trips to sightseeing excursions, and more. All visitors are welcome in the People’s building.
If you’ve never taken the opportunity to visit, we’d love to see you! Here are a few tips if you’re planning a trip to the Golden Dome.
When to come: The Capitol is open year-round between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturdays. The House and Senate are typically in session Monday through Thursday between January and late April or early May, so if you’re looking to meet your legislators or see the Legislature in action up close and personal, you’ll need to plan accordingly.
Take a tour: The Capitol is truly a sight to behold, full of art and history. The Capitol is staffed by highly knowledgeable guides who lead tours throughout the day and can give an in-depth history behind the building and its unique characteristics. If a self-guided tour is more your speed, those are available as well. For groups of 10 or more, please click here to request in advance.
Watch a debate: The Senate and House galleries are open to the public during all periods of debate. You can sit in, watch the discussion, and see the votes cast in person from a seat overlooking the chamber.
Meet me in the rotunda: I am always happy to meet with my constituents, so please come say hi! Outside the Senate chamber, on the second floor, there is a pad of “pink slips” where you can write a message and provide your contact information. Hand the slip to a Senate employee near the Senate chamber door and they’ll hand-deliver it to the senator on the floor. When there’s a break in the action, I’ll come out to say hello, hear your concerns, and take a photo, if you’d like!
Let’s make a plan: If you know you’re going to be visiting the Capitol – especially with a group – please reach out in advance and I’ll be happy to assist you. If I know you’re coming, I can be sure to set aside time to meet and even formally introduce and recognize you on the Senate floor.
Quick Updates
Equal Pay Day: Celebrated on a different day each year, Equal Pay Day highlights the gender wage gap across various industries and demographics. According to recent data, the gender pay gap for women is currently 83% for full-time, year-round workers and 75% for all workers (including part-time and seasonal). This year, Equal Pay Day is celebrated on March 25, the 84th day of the year – that means, by most recent data, it takes a woman one year and 84 days to earn the amount of money a man earns in one year. Looking for opportunities to take action? Visit www.aauw.org/issues/equity/pay-gap/ to learn more about the wage gap and what you can do to fight it.
Rural Healthcare Struggles:This NPR article takes an in-depth look at the state of rural hospitals in Iowa, and it’s not good. It’s clear that significant investment is necessary to keep rural hospitals operational in Iowa so that all Iowans can access care when they need it.
Federal Cuts Impact Local Food Programs: The Trump Administration has cut $11.3 million in federal funding that provides thousands of Iowa children with locally produced meat, dairy, fruits, and vegetables at schools, daycares, and food banks across the state. The cuts, affecting funding from 2025 to 2028, followed the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s announced scaled-back spending as part of President Trump’s broader budget reductions. Farmers and advocacy groups warn that the funding loss threatens both access to nutritious food and the financial stability of local producers. An Iowa Farmers Union spokesman said Iowa producers had already planned over $3 million in food sales for 2025 through these now-defunded programs.
Golden Owl for Local Educator: Last week, seven educators were honored across Iowa as finalists for the 2024-25 Golden Owl Award, which recognizes excellence in agriculture education. This award highlights the vital role of agriculture educators in shaping the future of the industry. This year saw a record 570 nominations for 131 exceptional educators in both secondary and postsecondary education. Each finalist was celebrated at a special event in their home district or community college, receiving an engraved plaque and a $500 prize. They now move forward as contenders for the 2024-25 Golden Owl Award, which comes with a $3,000 grand prize and the Golden Owl trophy. Congratulations to Laura Brecht of Prairie High School for their impact and commitment to agricultural education!
Defining “Proficient”: Reviewing your child’s assessment reports can generate a lot of questions including, what does it really mean for my child to be “proficient” at reading? Iowa’s Reading Research Center (IRRC) staff answers in this month’s Ask IRRC video. You can learn more about literacy assessments and what they mean for your child by visiting a new eLearning module, Understanding Your Student’s Literacy Data.
Iowa Workforce Grant and Incentive Program: Do you know a junior or senior at one of Iowa’s public universities pursuing a “high-demand” career field? Find out if they may be eligible for the Iowa Workforce Grant and Incentive Program! This program provides grants for up to four semesters and offers a $2,000 incentive payment to students who accept a high-demand job in Iowa within six months of graduation and work full-time for at least 12 consecutive months. Don’t miss this opportunity to fund your education and launch your career in Iowa!
Diesel Emission Reduction Grants: The Iowa Department of Transportation is accepting applications through May 9 for diesel emission reduction grants. The Diesel Emission Reduction Program (DERA), part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, was created as part of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, and is designed to achieve significant reductions in diesel emissions among on-road or non-road vehicles and equipment, including school buses, medium- and heavy-duty transit buses and trucks, marine engines, locomotives, and nonroad engines, equipment, or vehicles.
Chapter 26 of the Iowa Code pertains to Public Construction Bidding for projects that exceed $100,000. A public entity is required to accept the lowest bid unless it’s determined to be “not responsive” (the bid was submitted late) or if the bidder is deemed “not responsible” based upon factors such as financial capacity, experience, or ability to secure bonds and insurance. The lowest responsive bidder has the right to “sue” the governmental agency if they believe the rejection was arbitrary or capricious.
When contractors submit a low bid by using minimally trained workers, the project can encounter building code violations, substandard workmanship, OSHA safety violations, construction delays related to redoing work, or worse yet, having to secure a properly trained company to complete the work. Oftentimes, the governmental agency will not realize the substandard work until well into the project or, worse, after completion. To avoid future lawsuits or delays, governmental agencies may include specific contract language pertaining to worker competence such as licenses or apprenticeship training.
On March 12, 2025, the Senate passed SF603 related to “cleaning” up language within the Iowa Workforce Development Division. With bipartisan support, the bill passed 48-0 and was sent to the House for approval. Late Tuesday, March 18, House Representative Bobby Kaufmann added a non-germane (not related to the bill) amendment that stated that a public entity could not impose additional restrictions not already found in Iowa Code related to ensuring that highly qualified individuals would be working on the project. This amendment was so controversial, the House had to suspend their own rules regarding germaneness to pass it. On Wednesday, March 19, within only 14 hours of submission, Senate Republicans brought this newly amended bill to the floor for debate. The amendment specifically prohibited an apprenticeship requirement to ensure that there are highly qualified individuals completing the work.
While the intent of the amendment was to target labor unions by using the term “apprenticeship,” it did not take into account the efforts over the past nine years of ensuring that 70% of Iowans would secure a certificate, diploma, or degree within six years of graduating high school. Iowa High Schools, Community Colleges, Non-Union and Union training centers saw increased U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) apprenticeship participation in CNC machining, welding, construction, and more. While trade unions are often synonymous with holding apprenticeship programs, that is not always true.
Both Governors Branstad and Reynolds made increasing Iowans’ skill level/knowledge one of their signature accomplishments. With a single, hastily crafted amendment, those efforts were completely undermined. Why would the Iowa Legislature approve taking the state in the opposite direction of supporting these apprenticeships by highly skilled and trained Iowans? The answer can only be found in their utter disdain for union trained workers. Senate Democrats and some Republicans, pleaded with our colleagues to either reject the amendment or at the very least defer passage until further research could be conducted to ensure that this bill would not violate any Federal regulations. Do you recall the Iowa Legislature passing the 2023 Child Labor law in violation of the Federal Labor Law and local businesses being fined even though both had been repeatedly warned? For building contracts receiving funds through the Inflation Reduction Act, the employment of apprentices from registered apprenticeship programs (DoL) and compliance with prevailing wage requirements are needed to qualify for increased credit amounts. When asked during debate if this requirement had been considered, the answer was, “we will be fine”.
Iowa State Sen. Tom Townsend has released the following statement on the effort to limit apprenticeship training in local contracts.
“Job site safety has been a concern of mine for my entire professional career,” Sen. Townsend (D-Dubuque) said. “The amendment offered to SF 603, which was sent over from the House, makes job sites less safe. Period.”
“Irresponsible, out-of-state contractors that come in and use untrained, unqualified workers put projects at risk and cost our communities millions when they have to be re-done, correctly,” Sen. Townsend said. “Apprenticeship programs, both union and non-union, produce high-quality workers who can do the job right the first time.”
“We’ve learned that this amendment may put federally funded community development block grants at risk in Iowa’s communities,” Sen. Townsend said. “This bill may have serious unintended consequences, but we’ve rushed it through the process on less than 24-hour notice and nobody can seem to explain why.”
Sen. Townsend serves on the Senate Workforce Committee.
It was a week filled with debate – mostly non-cons – which is what our schedules will mostly look like over the next few weeks to dispose of the bills that the GOP leadership in the Senate have decided to put through this year. Then we will begin our work on the house files coming from the other chamber.
Here are the events around town this weekend and upcoming week:
We have some more special birthdays in district this week. I won’t share how special and BIG these birthdays are, but if you happen to know anybody on the list, make sure you wish them a very happy birthday week.
Virgil
Mihm
Amy
Ealy
Mary
Smith
Thomas
Lynch
Kathleen
Matias
Kamber
Boeckmann
Kecia
Coffield
David
Hedrick
Kamal
Ramanathan
Paul
Nicks
Kerry
Patrick
Patricia
Wilson
Lorne
Royster
Jay
Schroeder
Lisa
Kelly
Sarah
Blazek
Jeffery
Evans
Halfway Through
We have officially reached the half-way point of the 2025 legislative session. Last Friday marked both the end of Week 8 and the end of the first Funnel Week.
Funnel Week is a self-imposed deadline designed winnow the pool of legislation up for consideration during a given year. At the end of the first funnel week, policy bills introduced in the Senate need to have advanced through a Senate committee in order to still be eligible for consideration the rest of session (the same goes for House bills in House committees).
There are exceptions to the Funnel Week deadlines – tax and budget bills, for example – but this is the process for most legislation.
Unfortunately, many of the bills proposed by my colleagues and I failed to advance beyond the funnel deadline. The majority party didn’t even give the bills a hearing. However, there are still a few good, bipartisan bills in the mix. And even though there a few bad bills out there still running, a bunch of harmful legislation failed to advance. Here’s a brief rundown (this list is not comprehensive):
Immunity for pesticide companies giving people cancer (SF 394)
Requires public schools to provide false information to kids on pregnancy (SF 175/HF 391)
Allow school and public librarians to be put in jail (HF 521)
State encouragement for elective high school course on bible (SF 510/HF 448)
Restricting STI vaccines from Iowa’s youth (SF 304/HF 384)
More red tape for public union recertification elections (SF 472)
Taking away unemployment benefits for short-term workers (SF 466)
$1 billion in new tax breaks for corporations at the expense of workers (SF 504)
Conspiracy theory on chemicals in the air (HF 191)
Good News: These Bills Are Dead
Prohibition of mRNA vaccines – almost all COVID vaccines (SF 360)
Prohibition on state use of contact tracing, ordering isolation, quarantine, or treatment for infected persons, and expanding exemptions to school vaccinations (SF 406)
In Iowa, the Legislature is required by law to set and pass a basic public school funding rate (SSA) within 30 days of the governor’s budget release. This year, that date was February 13. Today is March 14 and the Legislature has still not done its job for Iowa’s public schools, which creates budget uncertainty for local school districts.
SF 167 set a 2% SSA rate and was passed by the Senate last month. The House set a slightly higher 2.25% SSA rate and also included several other investments. Republican majorities in the House and Senate should prioritize finding a compromise between their two positions and give our local schools the time they need to submit their budgets in March and finalize their budgets by April 15. Delays create uncertainty and can force schools to make conservative estimates or last-minute adjustments.
Districts must issue teacher contracts by April 30. Without a set SSA, schools may be unsure about hiring, salary adjustments, or potential layoffs. Without timely SSA, districts may need to make cuts, increase property taxes, or use reserves to cover costs, impacting the quality of education.
Quick Updates
Iowa’s Revenues Drop Again: The three-person Revenue Estimating Conference panel met this week to estimate Iowa’s current fiscal year and next fiscal year’s revenues. The new revenue estimate for our current fiscal year (FY2025) shows a decline of $621 from the previous fiscal year (FY2024). The new revenue estimate for the next fiscal year (FY2026) is $626 million less than our current fiscal year. Soon, the Legislature’s work will be focusing on the budget. We will need to take into account that we have seen a $1.2 billion drop in revenues in two years. This week’s REC projections confirm that, for the foreseeable future, Iowa will spend more money than it takes in and dip into the state’s reserves to cover the difference.
National School Breakfast Week: In Iowa, an estimated 19.6 million school breakfast meals were served during the 2023-24 school year. Access to a healthy breakfast is necessary for Iowa students to start their school day, ready to learn. This week’s National School Breakfast Week highlighted the importance of these first-of-the-day school meals and how they fuel students for success each day. Senate Democrats introduced a bill this session, SF 58, that would have required schools to provide free breakfast and lunch for students.
Erin’s Lawadvancesin the Senate: SF 172 requires schools to teach age-appropriate sexual abuse prevention education. It was named after Erin Merryn, a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, who has advocated for the law across the country. Currently, 38 states have adopted this law that mandates schools educate students about recognizing, avoiding, and reporting abuse, as well as empowering them with tools to protect themselves. More information about this law and other resources is found at https://www.erinslaw.org/erins-law/.
State Plan for Aging: Iowa Health and Human Service’s Division of Aging & Disability Services in inviting public review and comment on their draft State Plan on Aging. The plan outlines key aging issues, goals, and strategies to enhance quality of life, support caregivers, and promote age-friendly communities. It addresses critical concerns such as elder abuse prevention, caregiver support, food insecurity, social isolation, and access to essential services. The plan is intended to ensure that resources remain accessible, effective, and sustainable for those in greatest need. You can attend the virtual public comment session on March 26 at 10:00 a.m. or visit the HHS website to review the draft plan and share your feedback.
Iowa Kids Garden Day: Staff with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Farm, Food and Enterprise Development are launching the first Iowa Kids Garden Day on May 21 celebrating and encouraging community efforts to grow, eat, and learn in on-site gardens. K-12 school district staff, early care and education providers, families, and community groups are invited to participate anytime throughout the month of May. Registration is now open.
Farm to Table at Iowa’s Schools: The Iowa Dept of Agriculturehaslaunched the Choose Iowa Food Purchasing Pilot Program for Schools, aiming to connect Iowa schools with Choose Iowa members to encourage school food service programs to buy more ingredients and serve more products sourced from local farmers and small businesses. Applications will be accepted through the Choose Iowa website.
Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving: The Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau (GTSB) is partnering with Iowa law enforcement March 13-21 to remind drivers: Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving. Through the Decide to Ride program, Doll Distributing is offering a $10 Uber voucher to encourage Iowans to plan ahead and make safe choices. GTSB supports the effort by raising awareness. In March 2024, 26 people died in traffic crashes on Iowa roads; 38% of those involved impaired driving.
100 Years and Counting: The Iowa DNR and Pheasants Forever are celebrating 100 years of pheasant hunting in the Hawkeye State. The first season was held Oct. 20-22, 1925, when 13 counties in north central Iowa were opened to pheasant hunting. Hunters were allowed a three-rooster limit, for a half-day of hunting. An estimated 75,000 hunters participated. Hunters can commemorate the 100th anniversary by purchasing a hard card featuring Iowa Pheasants Forever Print of the Year when they purchase their 2025 hunting and fishing licenses. Information on places to hunt, the annual roadside survey results, and more is available online by clicking the 100 Years of Pheasant Hunting graphic at www.iowadnr.gov/pheasantsurvey.
Here’s what’s happening around the district this weekend and next week:
We have some more special birthdays in district this week. I won’t share how special and BIG these birthdays are, but if you happen to know anybody on the list, make sure you wish them a very happy birthday week.
