Iowa Senate Democrats

Fighting for a Better Deal for Iowans.

  • Oversight needed on rejection of federal COVID help

    Legislators request Oversight meeting on Reynolds rejection of $95 million in federal COVID help

    The top Democrats on the Iowa Legislature’s House and Senate Oversight Committees are requesting meetings to review the Reynolds Administration’s handling of Federal COVID relief funds. 

    In a joint letter to the House and Senate Oversight Committee chairs, the top Democrats on each committee, Senator Claire Celsi of West Des Moines and Representative Ruth Ann Gaines of Des Moines, write that they were “flabbergasted to discover that Governor Reynolds sent $95 million in COVID-19 testing funding back to the U.S. Federal Government instead of giving schools the option to use it for COVID-19 testing protocols in their districts.”

    For more information, contact Senator Claire Celsi, 515-554-6754.

    -end-

  • Federal investigation needed at Anamosa, DOC

    Axne, Iowa Lawmakers Request Federal Investigation into Anamosa, DOC

    Des Moines, Iowa — Today US Rep. Cindy Axne, Iowa House Minority Leader Todd Prichard, and Iowa Senate Minority Leader Zach Wahls sent a letter to federal officials requesting an independent investigation into last month’s deadly assaults at the Anamosa State Penitentiary, as well as the increasing violence within Iowa’s correctional facilities.

    In the letter to the US Attorney General and US Secretary of Labor, the Iowa lawmakers outlined the ways in which Governor Reynolds and Iowa Department of Corrections have disregarded and dismissed several warning signs leading up to this tragedy. The signs include: rising violence, prison overcrowding, staff reductions and continued budget cuts.  As two inmates attempted to escape the Anamosa State Penitentiary on March 23, they violently killed correctional officer Robert McFarland and nurse Lorena Schulte. 

    Last year, the Iowa Occupational Safety and Health Administration (I-OSHA) issued numerous warnings and serious violations to DOC for inadequate communication and prison staffing. One I-OSHA report warned Anamosa employees did not have reliable communication equipment or adequate staff for emergency responses. Instead of fixing the problems identified, the DOC began denying state inspectors access to facilities for fair and independent safety assessments. 

    “Last month’s attack at Anamosa highlights the risks facing our workers if adequate emergency procedures and other measures are not in place to protect them. We owe it to these employees and their families to seek an independent investigation that will uncover all of the facts of this tragic incident and ensure we have clear answers for what went wrong and what can be done to better protect Iowa’s workers,” said Representative Cindy Axne.

    “This terrible tragedy should never have happened. We know the Reynolds Administration ignored the warning signs for years, failed to take action, and even proposed denying additional safety inspections in our correctional facilities. It’s time for an independent investigation that’s completely outside the control of the Reynolds Administration,” said House Minority Leader Todd Prichard.  

    “The Governor’s reaction to last month’s tragic events is yet another example of her failed leadership. How can Iowans expect Republican leaders to keep our state safe if Republicans can’t even keep state workers safe? The Reynolds Administration should have immediately requested an independent, outside investigation. Because she was unwilling to do so, today, we are calling on the Federal government to intervene and take on that responsibility. Iowans need to know the truth about what is happening in our prisons,” said Senate Minority Leader Zach Wahls. 

    ###

  • 2021 Second Funnel Update

    Last week, the Legislature passed a key deadline, the “second funnel.” For Senate policy bills to remain eligible for consideration, they had to be approved by a House committee, and House policy bills had to be approved by a Senate committee to remain alive.

    The funnel helps legislators narrow our focus to what has a real chance of becoming law this year. Fortunately, some bad ideas have died, and many good opportunities still have the chance to make it to the Governor’s desk.

    Bad bills that are still alive

    • Voter suppression (SF 413)
    • Historic low funding for public schools (SF 269)
    • Eliminate background checks & put guns in hand of criminals (SJR 7)
    • Take away right of woman to make her own healthcare decisions; ban common forms of birth control (HJR 5/SJR 2)
    • Eliminates diversity plans used by some schools (HF 228)
    • Provides immunity to firearm manufacturers (HF 621)
    • Eliminates housing voucher non-discrimination laws (SF 252)
    • Expands Charter Schools (HF 813)
    • Bans “divisive concepts” like racism or sexism from being discussed in public schools and universities (HF 802)
    • Immunity to trucking companies for hiring rapists/sex traffickers (SF 537/HF 772)
    • Putting a monetary value on people’s lives when medical malpractice has occurred (HF 592/SF 557)
    • Punishing private businesses for blocking hate speech and insurrection on social media (SF 580)
    • Allows landlords to charge higher fees for late payments and throw away a tenant’s possessions immediately after eviction (HF 843)
    • Cut unemployment for Iowans (SF 492)
    • Vouchers for private schools (SF 159)

    Common sense, bipartisan bills killed by Republicans

    • Constitutionally restore felon voting rights (HJR 11)
    • Prohibits “Gay Panic” defense (HF 310)
    • Cap cost of insulin to $100 for month supply (HF 263)
    • Pharmacists can give birth control without prescription (HF 434)
    • Insurance has to reimburse mental health and physical health providers at same rate for telehealth services (HF 294/HF 706)
    • Prohibits employers from restricting low wage workers from getting another job (SF 496)
    • Learning Recovery Task Force for Covid learning losses (SF 545)
    • Enhances communications with our returning veterans to be sure they access benefits they’ve earned (SF 255)

    Bipartisan bills moving ahead

    • Dentists can administer vaccines (HF 528)
    • Exempt COVID payments & relief from state taxes (SF 364)
    • Creates more affordable housing options (HF 582/ SF 295)
    • Increase funding for students learning English (HF 605/ SF 544)
    • Expand protections to prevent sexual abuse (SF 253)
    • Double tax credit for volunteer EMS/fire fighters (HF 563)
    • Tax credits/grants for businesses to build on-site child care (HF 606)
    • Encourage more OB/GYN doctors to locate in rural Iowa (SF 129)
    • New enforcement to stop human trafficking (HF 452/ SF 388)
    • Expand Child Care Tax Credit (HF 230)
    • Expand adoption tax credit (HF 369)
    • Business child care tax credit (HF 370)
    • New tracking system for rape kits (HF 426/SF 451)
    • Lifetime trout stamp for Iowans over 65 (HF 234)
    • Employment leave for adoptive parents (SF 362/HF 724)
    • Expansion of the popular beginning farmer tax credit to attract younger farmers (HF 694 / SF 360)
    • More funding opportunities for voluntary fire departments (HF761)
    • Expanded benefits for firefighters (HF 797)
    • Reducing costs for Iowans to examine public records (SF 480/HF 786)
    • $3 million increase for Iowa state park maintenance (HF 749)
    • Expands protections for vulnerable Iowans (SF 450/HF 839/SF 583)
    • Toughens enforcement of retailers selling drug paraphernalia in our neighborhoods (SF 363)
    • Explores opportunities to expand broadband across Iowa communities (SF 390/HF 848)
    • Eliminates inheritance tax and ensures tax reform (SF 576)

    Bad GOP bills that are dead

    • Reduces unemployment appeals for Iowans (SF 187)
    • Statewide private school voucher program (SF 127/SF 128)
    • Prohibiting any instruction about gender identity in schools (SF 167)
    • Requiring survey of political views of university employees (SF 292)
    • Allowing discrimination based on religious beliefs/exemption defense (SF 436)
    • Penalize or remove school board members and administrators for disagreeing with the Governor (SSB 1213)
    • Prohibits mask requirement on college campuses (HF 204)
    • Digital tracking women looking for reproductive care online (HF 515)
    • Legalize conversion therapy & ban medical care for some kids (HF 193)
    • Punish students in communities with high COVID cases (HF 165)
    • Death penalty (HF 271/SF 82)
    • Publicly shaming woman for their health care decisions and falsely declaring an “abortion pandemic” in Iowa  (SF 508)
    • New barriers for Iowans to get food or health care assistance (SF 389)
    • Eliminate tenure at Iowa’s state universities (HF 496)
    • Discouraging Iowans from getting live-saving vaccines (SF 555)
    • New “poll tax” before restoring someone’s right to vote (HF 818)
    • Prohibits a social media company from limiting an elected official’s access to the platform (HF 830)
    • Punishing cities for keeping budget balanced (SF 479)
    • Allows the State to make discrimination easier (HF 815)
    • Medication abortion reversal requiring physicians to give unproven information to patients (HF 383)

  • Statement on tragic deaths at the Anamosa State Penitentiary

    Statement by Sen. Todd Taylor, Ranking Member of the Justice System Appropriations Subcommittee

    “The death of two prison employees at the Anamosa State Penitentiary is a horrible tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families, neighbors and co-workers. In addition to ensuring that justice is served, we must also ensure that state leaders address chronic understaffing and other systemic problems at our prisons before we have more deaths.”

    – end –

  • Fight to Keep Background Checks for Gun Purchases

    DES MOINES – On a party-line vote tonight, the Republican members of the Iowa Senate voted for legislation that will eliminate existing requirements for background checks for Iowa gun sales.

    The legislation, HF 756, does away with Iowa’s law requiring a background check in order to purchase a handgun. 

    If Governor Reynolds signs HF 756, Iowans will be able to purchase a firearm from a private seller without a background check and then carry it anywhere in public without any firearms training proficiency.

    Senate Democratic Leader Zach Wahls offered an amendment to require background checks.  It was defeated by Senate Republicans. 

    Video of his floor comments are available on Youtube at: https://youtu.be/8nBIPFUDc6A . 

    Transcript of Senator Wahl’s remarks on Senate Amendment 3092 to House File 756:

    I am offering this amendment today because Iowans support background checks.

    Iowans know that we are safer in our homes and communities because of background checks.

    My amendment would require background checks on all gun sales.

    There’s data to show that Iowa’s current system of background checks is working: 14,921 illegal sales have been blocked by the system in Iowa from 1998 to 2019.

    Let me repeat that: Because of Iowa’s current system requiring background checks, 14,921 illegal sales have been blocked between 1998 and 2019.

    If the system in Iowa isn’t broken, what are we doing here? 

    We know from other states that what legislative Republicans are proposing today does NOT work.

    In Missouri, Republicans repealed their law in 2007.  When Missouri repealed its purchase permit law requiring background checks, the state experienced an up to 27 percent increase in its firearm homicide rate and a 16 percent increase in its firearm suicide rate.

    Senate Amendment 3092 attempts to fix some of the biggest problems with this bill.

    If signed into law, there would be NO background checks whatsoever required for private sales.

    If signed into law, there would be NO requirement for a permit to carry a weapon in public.

    If signed into law, people without any type of firearms training will be allowed to carry in public.  So, a person can purchase a firearm from a private seller without a background check and then carry it anywhere in public without any firearms training or proficiency if this bill is adopted.

    If you support background checks, vote “yes.” If you oppose background checks, vote “no.”

    -end-

  • Statement on the latest REC estimates

    Statement by State Senator Joe Bolkcom, ranking member on Senate Appropriations Committee

    “The latest revenue estimates are more confirmation that the American Rescue Plan will bring much needed relief to Iowa businesses, workers, schools, local governments and other sectors of the economy. Help is on the way and Iowans know it! 

    “While Governor Reynolds and the Republican-controlled Legislature have taken a hands-off approach to boosting economic opportunities to Iowans during the pandemic, Senate Democrats are ready to build on the American Rescue Plan. At the state level, we can do more to ensure more efficient distribution of vaccines, provide more support for Iowa businesses, and protect the rights of workers hit hard by the pandemic.”

  • Bipartisan bill cracks down on fertility fraud

    DES MOINES — Working in a bipartisan manner, State Senator Sarah Trone Garriott today supported legislation to crack down on reproductive fraud against Iowa families.

    Trone Garriott of Windsor Heights, a Democrat, worked with Senator Annette Sweeney of Alden, a Republican, to pass Senate File 529, which is known as the “Fraud in Assisted Reproduction Act.”

    WATCH: Video from Senate Debate

    The legislation addresses cases where those seeking fertility assistance are instead victims of fraud, specifically cases where the physician misrepresents the sperm donor’s identity. Through popular DNA testing, individuals in states across the nation have been shocked and horrified to discover that the physician is actually their father. Existing law provided the children born of reproductive fraud with no opportunity to seek criminal or civil action after their discovery. Iowans who have been affected shared their stories at the subcommittee meeting.

    Senator Sweeney, the bill’s floor manager, credited Trone Garriott for working to clarify the legislation to better connect with existing Iowa Code. The legislation classifies this offense as sex abuse in the third degree, which is a level included on the sex offender registry.

    The legislation was approved by the Senate on a 47-0 vote. Key provisions of the bill:

    • Prohibit a person from providing false information to a patient related to assisted reproduction treatment.
    • Prohibit a physician from using human reproductive material for assisted reproduction other than that agreed to in writing by the patient.

    A person who is found guilty of violating the Fraud in Assisted Reproduction Act would be guilty of a Class “C” felony.

    In addition, the legislation ensures that any health care provider or facility may have its license revoked for violating the law; a patient or family member could sue anyone who violates the law for compensatory and punitive damages; and any physicians who use their own human reproductive material in the assisted reproduction procedure would be guilty of sexual abuse in the third degree when the physician uses their own human reproductive material in the assisted reproduction procedure.

    The legislation now moves to the Iowa House.

    — end —

  • 2021 First Funnel Update

    Last week, the Legislature passed a key deadline, the “first funnel.” For Senate policy bills to remain eligible for consideration, they had to be approved by a Senate committee, and House policy bills had to be approved by a House committee to remain alive.

    The funnel helps narrow legislators narrow our focus to what has a real chance of becoming law this year. Fortunately, many bad ideas have died, and lots of good opportunities still have the chance to make it to the Governor’s desk.

    Reynolds & GOP: Politics & Division

    • Voter suppression (SF 413)
    • Cut unemployment for Iowans (SF 492 /HSB 203)
    • Historic low funding for public schools (SF 269)
    • Eliminate background checks, allow guns in schools, and put guns in hand of criminals (SJR 7)
    • Take away right of woman to make her own healthcare decisions; ban common forms of birth control (HJR 5/SJR 2)
    • Eliminates diversity plans used by some schools (HF 228)
    • Provides immunity to firearm manufacturers (HF 621/ SF 514)
    • Eliminates housing voucher non-discrimination laws (HF 720/SF 252)
    • Expands Charter Schools (HSB 242)
    • Bans “divisive concepts” like racism or sexism from being discussed in public schools and universities (HSB 258)
    • New barriers for Iowans to get food or health care assistance (SF 389)
    • Eliminate tenure at Iowa’s state universities (HF 496)
    • Vouchers for private schools (SF 159)
    • Punishing cities for keeping budget balanced (SF 479)
    • Allows the State to make discrimination easier (HF 481)
    • Provide trucking companies immunity from hiring rapists and sex traffickers (SF 537/HSB 259)
    • Putting a monetary value on people’s lives when medical malpractice has occurred (HF 592 / SF 557)
    • Discouraging Iowans from getting live-saving vaccines (SF 193)
    • Punishing private businesses for blocking hate speech and insurrection on social media (SF 402)
    • Allows landlords to charge higher fees for late payments and throw away a tenant’s possessions immediately after eviction (HSB 253)
    • New “poll tax” before restoring someone’s right to vote (HSB 231)
    • Prohibits a social media company from limiting an elected official’s access to the platform (HF 633)

    Bi-Partisan Bills Moving Ahead

    • Dentists can administer vaccines (HF 528)
    • Constitutionally restore felon voting rights (HJR 11/ SSB 1134)
    • Prohibits “Gay Panic” defense (HF 310)
    • Exempt COVID payments & relief from state taxes (SF 364)
    • Creates more affordable housing options (HF 582/ SF 295)
    • Increase funding for students learning English (HF 605/ SF 430)
    • Expand protections to prevent sexual abuse (SF 253)
    • Double tax credit for volunteer EMS/fire fighters (HF 563)
    • New tax credits/grants for businesses to build on-site child care (HF 606/SF 176)
    • More transparency from drug companies (HF 526)
    • Cap cost of insulin to $100 for month supply (HF 263)
    • Encourage more OB/GYN doctors to locate in rural Iowa (SF 129)
    • New enforcement to stop human trafficking (HF 452/ SF 388)
    • Expand Child Care Tax Credit (HF 230)
    • Expand adoption tax credit (HF 369)
    • Business child care tax credit (HF 370 / SF 123)
    • Pharmacists can dispense birth control without prescription (HF 434/SSB 1157)
    • New tracking system for rape kits (HF 426 / SF 451)
    • Insurance has to reimburse mental health and physical health providers at same rate for telehealth services (HF 294/HF 706)
    • Lifetime trout stamp for Iowans over 65 (HF 234)
    • Employment leave for adoptive parents (SF 362/HF 724)
    • Prohibits employers from restricting low wage workers from getting another job (SF 496)
    • Allows storage of inhalers at schools for kids in life-threatening situations (HF 701)
    • Expansion of the popular beginning farmer tax credit to attract younger farmers (SF 360)
    • More funding opportunities for voluntary fire departments (SF 438)
    • Expanded benefits for firefighters (HSB 268)
    • Reducing costs for Iowans to examine public records (SF 480)
    • Consumer protections for dental visits (SSB 1202)
    • Establish Learning Recovery Task Force to recommend fixes for the Covid learning losses (SF 452)
    • Prohibits an insurance company from switching a patient’s medication just because it is less expensive (HF 656)
    • Expands broadband access (HSB 133)
    • Probation and sentencing reform (HF 678)
    • $3 million increase for Iowa state park maintenance (HF 749)
    • Adds a definition of soil health into the Iowa Code (HF 646)
    • Requires DOT to add adult changing stations to rest areas (HF 492)
    • Literacy assistance for deaf and hard of hearing children (HF 604)
    • Strengthens laws to protect older Iowans from financial exploitation ( SF 391/HF 258)
    • Toughens enforcement of retailers selling drug paraphernalia in our neighborhoods (SF 226)
    • Explores opportunities to expand broad across Iowa communities      (SF 390/HSB 133)
    • Enhances communications with our returning veterans to be sure they access benefits they’ve earned (SF 255)

    Good News: These GOP Bills Are Dead

    • Reduces unemployment appeals for Iowans (SF 187)
    • Statewide private school voucher program (SF 127/SF 128)
    • Prohibiting any instruction about gender identity in schools (SF 167)
    • Requiring survey of political views of university employees (SF 292)
    • Allowing discrimination based on religious beliefs/exemption defense (SF 436)
    • Penalize or remove school board members and administrators for disagreeing with the Governor (SSB 1213)
    • Prohibits mask requirement on college campuses (HF 204)
    • Digital tracking women looking for reproductive care online (HF 515)
    • Legalize conversion therapy & ban medical care for some kids (HF 193)
    • Punish students in communities with high COVID cases (HF 165)
    • Death penalty (HF 271/SF 82)
    • Publicly shaming woman for their health care decisions and falsely declaring an “abortion pandemic” in Iowa  (SF 508)

  • Let’s work together to make Iowa public schools great again

    By Sen. Zach Wahls and Rep. Todd Prichard

    Public education has long been the foundation of our state. For generations, Iowans could count on a great public education from Iowa schools to set them up for success in life. When we were growing up, our public education system regularly led national rankings. 

    Today, however, many Iowans are watching with dismay as a decade of underinvestment from Republican leadership has resulted in Iowa placing in the middle of the pack in national rankings. We’re wondering: When will Iowa schools lead the nation again? 

    Despite a recent claims by Governor Kim Reynolds and Republican legislators that public education is a priority for them    , the facts demonstrate otherwise. The latest Annual Survey of School System Finance shows that Iowa now spends less money per-pupil than most of our neighboring states. Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, North Dakota, Michigan — and even Nebraska! — all invest more money per pupil than Iowa. South Dakota and Missouri are the exceptions.

    The truth is the Iowa Republican Party is being led by radicals who do not believe public education is important — or worse, who believe public schools are being used to brainwash our children. It sounds kooky when you say it out loud, but these beliefs are why the 2020 Iowa Republican party platform explicitly endorsed private school vouchers and called for the abolishment of the federal Department of Education. If they sound radical or out of touch to you, you are not alone. Today’s GOP is not your grandparents’ Republican Party. 

    Today’s Republican Party of Iowa is undermining public education at every opportunity. Here’s how they are doing it:

    ·        Private school vouchers: Consistent with their party platform, urged by Governor Reynolds, Iowa Republicans in the legislature recently voted to remove tens of millions of dollars from our kids’ public schools to fund private school vouchers. This system could drain tens of millions of dollars in its first year, and hundreds of millions when they expand the program, which they’ve already promised they will do.  

    ·        Inadequate school funding: Under Republican leadership, public school funding in Iowa has failed to keep up with a rising cost of living four of the past five years. On top of that, their 2022 plan would provide 137 Iowa school districts less state funding than they did in 2021, prompting higher local property taxes. This is unacceptable.

    ·        Disrespecting educators: Republican politicians can’t say with a straight face that they respect educators when they voted in 2017 to strip educators of their ability to have a say in their own workplace.  

    ·        Defunding preschool: Legislation approved by Iowa Republicans will cut $7.5 million from preschool funding with no way to make up that funding locally. A global pandemic is no time to take early childhood education choices away from parents and kids.

    Are these the actions of a party that truly values our state’s education legacy? We don’t think so. Iowa Democrats, on the other hand, continue to support better public schools for our students, parents, and educators. That’s why we believe the Legislature should be taking these steps:

    • Proactively investing in public schools to reduce class sizes and grow a highly-skilled workforce.

    • Providing universal access to high quality preschool and childcare.

    • Empowering and respecting educators.

    • Funding mental health services for students in rural and urban schools alike.

    • Ensuring that every student can afford to pursue higher education without leaving Iowa.

    • Protecting rural schools from forced consolidation and fewer opportunities for their students.

    That’s a public education agenda all Iowans can support. 

    Instead, Iowa Republicans support more tax cuts for the rich, spending our tax dollars on private education vouchers, and abolishing the Department of Education. Iowa Democrats believe better public schools start with investing in public education. The choice could not be more clear. 

    Zach Wahls is the Senate Democratic Leader and Todd Prichard is the House Democratic Leader.  

  • DeJear appointed to redistricting panel

    DeJear is small business owner and community activist 

    Senate Democratic Leader Zach Wahls today appointed small business owner and community leader Deidre DeJear of Des Moines to the Temporary Redistricting Advisory Commission.

    The Commission is responsible for conducting hearings to gather input from Iowans about new maps that will be drawn for legislative and Congressional districts later this year, based on updated information from the U.S. Census Bureau. 

    “Deidre DeJear is committed to free and fair elections,” Wahls said. “Now more than ever, we need to ensure Iowans have fair maps for legislative and Congressional districts going into the 2022 elections. Iowa’s nonpartisan, independent system for redistricting should not be undermined by politicians.”

    DeJear said she is enthusiastic about serving on the Commission because of her passion for voting rights. 

    “It is of the utmost priority that every Iowan has equal access to the ballot box,” DeJear said. “In order to deliver safe and accessible elections to Iowa’s rural, urban, and suburban communities, we must also ensure that the state of Iowa has fair maps for legislative and Congressional districts.”

    DeJear said her passion for voting rights advocacy started when she campaigned for her grandmother who ran successfully for County Commissioner of Elections in Mississippi the 1990s. Ever since, DeJear has championed voting rights and supported national and local candidates in Iowa. 

    DeJear founded Caleo Enterprises in 2008, which specializes in marketing and project development for small businesses and nonprofits.  In 2018, DeJear became the first African American nominated by a major political party for statewide office in Iowa. DeJear graduated from Drake University. 

    For more than 12 years, DeJear has also supported efforts to increase financial management skills for Iowans, and strengthening financial capability and wealth attainment of Iowa’s African American community.  

    This week, Iowa House Democrats named Ian Russell, an attorney from Bettendorf, to serve on the Commission.

    Background 

    After receiving updated figures from the U.S. Census Bureau, the nonpartisan Legislative Services Agency will draft a proposed redistricting map and submit it to the Legislature. The Commission will conduct at least three public hearings across the state to gather comments from Iowans on the maps.

    Following the hearings, the Commission  will submit a report to the Legislature summarizing information and testimony received during the hearings. The commission’s report shall include any comments and conclusions which its members deem appropriate on the information and testimony received at the hearings. 

    The report must be submitted within 14 days of the date the first redistricting plan is delivered to the Legislature.