Iowa Senate Democrats

Fighting for a Better Deal for Iowans.

  • Follow what’s happening in the Iowa Legislature

    The 2017 session starts Monday, Jan. 9. Here’s how to follow what’s happening.

      The Iowa Legislature’s website, where you can track what’s happening with bills: www.legis.iowa.gov
      Iowa Senate Democrats caucus website, with events and analysis of bills and issues: www.senate.iowa.gov/democrats
      Photos, video and updates on caucus activities: www.facebook.com/IowaSenateDemocrats
      Live tweeting of key meetings and more: www.twitter.com/IowaSenate
      Live stream and past video of Senate debate: www.senate.iowa.gov/democrats/senate-stream
      A periodic statewide newsletter about events, opportunities and the latest issues: www.senate.iowa.gov/democrats/newsletter

     

  • Statement from Senate State Government Chair on “election integrity” proposals by Iowa Secretary of State

    Iowa Senate News Release
    For immediate release: January 5, 2017

     

    Statement from Senate State Government Chair Jeff Danielson of Cedar Falls
    in response to “election integrity” proposals by the Iowa Secretary of State

     

    “Less than two months after praising the integrity of elections in Iowa, Secretary of State Paul Pate has released a partisan proposal that will suppress voter turnout across Iowa. Voter ID and other changes outlined today will disenfranchise older Iowans, younger Iowans and people of color.

    “Senate Democrats have worked with Republican legislators and county auditors over the years to increase voter participation and election integrity in our state. The proposals today from Secretary Pate turn back the clock by making election policy a partisan issue.

    “As the first-in-the-nation caucus state, Iowa should have the best-in-the-nation election laws. Democrats believe that means Iowa’s elections must be the most accurate, secure and efficient in the country, without disenfranchising a single Iowan. Those values will guide our decisions to support or oppose proposed Republican changes to Iowa’s election laws.”

     

     

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  • Iowa Legislative Leaders, Governor Branstad Pre-Session Interviews with Iowa Reporters (Video)

    On January 13, 2017, the Associated Press organized a pre-session news conference with with the leaders of the Iowa Legislature.  From left to right: Senate Democratic Leader Rob Hogg, House Democratic Leader Mark Smith, Republican House Speaker Linda Upmeyer and Senate Republican Leader Bill Dix.

    After their meeting, Governor Branstad also met with reporters.

    The meetings were livestreamed on the Iowa Senate Democrats’ Facebook Page.  The links below will take you to the videos.  News coverage is below the videos.

     

     

    https://www.facebook.com/IowaSenateDemocrats/videos/10154180349601778/

     

    https://www.facebook.com/IowaSenateDemocrats/videos/10154180479871778/

     

    Des Moines Register:

    http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2017/01/04/gop-exercise-muscle-2017-iowa-legislature/96160734/

    http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2017/01/04/branstad-wont-recommend-tax-cuts-lieu-budget-woes/96160506/

     

     

    CR Gazette:

    http://www.thegazette.com/subject/news/government/budget-constraints-may-limit-iowa-lawmakers-water-quality-actions-20170104

    http://www.thegazette.com/subject/news/government/k-12-schools-medicaid-should-be-spared-from-budget-cuts-branstad-says-20170104

     

    Radio Iowa:

    http://www.radioiowa.com/2017/01/05/first-four-priorities-for-action-in-gop-led-iowa-senate/

    https://www.radioiowa.com/2017/01/04/branstad-state-isnt-in-a-position-to-cut-income-taxes-now/

     

     

     

  • Hogg: Iowans must be assured that there are safe, secure environments at every Iowa facility

    (Des Moines) Senate Democratic Leader Rob Hogg has released the following response to news that clients were mistreated at the Glenwood State Resource Center.

    “Abuse is never acceptable. This is especially worrisome because families in more than half of Iowa’s counties depend on Glenwood for health care services that are unavailable elsewhere.

    “I visited the Glenwood facility in 2015. There is no question that Iowans count on the highly specialized services like those provided at state facilities like Glenwood.

    “We need to make sure we act to prevent abuse and provide the support Glenwood needs to ensure a safe, secure environment.”

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  • Pre-session listening tour: Mason City, Waterloo, Davenport, DeWitt, Ottumwa, Anamosa

    Legislative Democrats are holding six listening sessions to begin our 2017 outreach. We’ll be stopping Jan. 3-6 in Mason City, Waterloo, Davenport, DeWitt, Ottumwa and Anamosa. Throughout the year, we hope to meet with Iowans across our state.

    We want to hear local concerns and share a positive vision for good jobs with good benefits, good schools, better health, and real public safety.

    • Mason City, Tuesday, January 3, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m., at the Mason City Public Library, 225 2nd Street SE.
    • Waterloo, Tuesday, January 3, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., at the Waterloo Public Library, 415 Commercial Street.
    • Davenport, Thursday, January 5, from 8:00 to 9:00 a.m., at the Village Inn, 1919 N. Harrison Street.
    • DeWitt, Thursday, January 5, from 11:00 a.m. to noon, at the Frances Banta Waggoner Library, 505 10th Street.
    • Ottumwa, Thursday, January 5, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., at the Hotel Ottumwa’s Iowa Room, 107 2nd Street E.
    • Anamosa, Friday, January 6, from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m., at Grounds & Goodies, 112 E. Main Street.

    Complete details are available for each event at www.senate.iowa.gov/democrats/events.

  • Senate Democratic Leader Rob Hogg on the release of the new Iowa Energy Plan

    “As we review the proposed Iowa Energy Plan, the new Legislature and Governor’s office should focus on developing our state’s renewable energy and energy efficiency resources, generating wealth throughout the state and making Iowa even more energy independent.

    “Democratic leadership led the way in developing Iowa’s statewide renewable energy industry. That’s because Iowa renewable energy is good for the environment and good for Iowa jobs across our state.

    “Iowa is the number one state in the production of biofuels and a national leader in wind energy.  In addition, Iowa homeowners, farmers, and businesses are using solar systems to save money, and our utilities are investing in large scale solar installations.

    “Many good Iowa jobs now involve manufacturing, installing and servicing of wind, solar, biofuels and energy efficiency systems. Iowa-made energy is a job creator that is expanding Iowa’s economy, especially in our rural areas and small towns.

    “We hope legislative Republicans will continue bipartisan support for clean, renewable energy. This is especially important because the incoming President and his nominees for key positions have expressed opposition to clean energy solutions.”

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  • Ragan: Continue oversight until Medicaid problems are truly fixed

     

    Opening Comments for the December 13 meeting of the Iowa Legislature’s Health Policy Oversight Committee meeting by Senator Amanda Ragan of Mason City, Senate Committee Co-Chair*

     

    In Iowa, privatized health care for the poor and severely disabled is moving forward faster, with less planning, than in any other state.  This affects the health care of one in six Iowans.

    At this meeting of the Iowa Legislature’s Health Policy Oversight Committee, it is our job to ask “How’s it going?”

    That is the question we need to keep asking Iowa families and Iowa health care providers.

    The answers so far are pretty consistent.  Various basic problems continue and aren’t being fixed.   Some examples are:

    • Providers have told us they are not being paid in a timely manner, or are being paid the incorrect amount.
    • Many Iowans still can’t get the services they need without jumping through unnecessary administrative hoops.
    • Are there STILL problems with prior authorizations?
    • Is information from IME and the MCOs still hard to get, inconsistent, or incorrect?
    • Are Iowa’s local health care providers paying much more in administration costs? Yes they are, and yet the MCOs responsible for those cost increases are getting a raise.

    Any savings from privatized Medicaid are vaporous at best, especially as the MCOs consistently complain they are losing lots of money.

    The right thing to do is to fix these problems.  That argument should move us to action, especially when you consider this: Each and every Iowan, except for the wealthiest among us, is just an accident away from needing the long-term health care Medicaid provides.

    That’s why intensive, on-going oversight of privatized Medicaid is absolutely essential.  That oversight must continue until these serious, recorded, persistent problems are fixed.

    Iowans depend on us to ask tough questions, to insist on straight answers, and to make sure the State of Iowa’s efforts result in the most positive health care programs and outcomes possible.

    That’s exactly what I hope we can do today.  Thank you.

    -end-

    * Video of the meeting is available here: https://www.facebook.com/IowaSenateDemocrats/  

     

  • TODAY: Legislature’s Medicaid Oversight Committee

    Iowa Senate News Release
    For Immediate Release: December 12, 2016

     

    The Iowa Legislature’s Health Policy Oversight Committee will meet for their final meeting before the start of the 2017 session.

     

    LIVESTREAM: This meeting will be livestreamed at the Iowa Senate Democrats’ Facebook page, www.facebook.com/IowaSenateDemocrats/. You do not need to be a Facebook user to watch the video of the meeting.

     

    Agenda:

    Noon: Opening remarks

    1:15 p.m. Review of Iowa Health Link quarterly report–Department of Human Services (DHS)

    1:45 p.m. Committee discussion with Managed Care Organization (MCO) representatives

    2:45 p.m. Report on public input sessions and other activities of the Medical Assistance Advisory Committee

    3:00 p.m. Update from the Managed Care Ombudsman Program

    3:30 p.m. Public comment

    4:00 p.m. Committee discussion

    4:15 p.m. Adjournment

    https://www.legis.iowa.gov/committees/meetings/agenda?meetingID=23563

     

    -end-

  • Democrats release committee assignments for 2017 session

    Iowa Senate News Release
    For immediate release: December 9, 2016

     

    (Des Moines) Senate Democratic Leader Rob Hogg has released the committee assignments for the Democratic members of the Iowa Senate for the 201­7 session of the Iowa Legislature.

     

    “A lot of groundwork is done during committee meetings, where there are opportunities for open discussion and bipartisan work,” Hogg said.  “I’m disappointed Senate Republicans have eliminated the Economic Growth Committee, but we will look for ways to stand up for good jobs, good benefits and strong community schools across the state.”

     

    The two-year 87th General Assembly will begin on Monday, January 9, 2017.

     

    The committee list is below, is attached, and  can also be found at: www.senate.iowa.gov/democrats/2017-committee-assignments.

     

     

    Senate Democrats Committee Assignments:
    87th General Assembly

    www.senate.iowa.gov/democrats/2017-committee-assignments/

     

     

    Agriculture Committee

     

    Appropriations Committee

     

    Commerce Committee

     

    Education Committee

     

    Ethics Committee

     

    Government Oversight Committee

     

    Human Resources Committee

     

    Judiciary Committee

     

    Labor and Business Relations Committee

     

    Local Government Committee

     

    Natural Resources Committee

     

    Rules and Administration Committee

     

    State Government Committee

     

    Transportation Committee

     

    Veterans Committee

     

    Ways and Means Committee

     

    Administration and Regulation Appropriations Subcommittee

     

    Agriculture and Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee

    Economic Development Appropriations Subcommittee

     

    Education Appropriations Subcommittee

     

    Health and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee

     

    Justice System Appropriations Subcommittee

     

    Transportation and Infrastructure Appropriations Subcommittee

     

    Administrative Rules Review Committee

     

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  • First change by Senate Republicans guts oversight of economic development

    Iowa Senate News Release
    For immediate release: December 5, 2016

     

    First change by Iowa Senate Republicans guts oversight of economic development projects  

    Senate Democratic Leader Rob Hogg

    Senate Democratic Leader Rob Hogg

    [Des Moines] The first decision by the new Republican majority in the Iowa Senate was to eliminate the Senate Economic Growth Committee.  The committee oversees hundreds of millions of dollars in state economic development efforts by multiple state agencies.  The Senate Republicans’ decision runs counter to that of the Republican-controlled Iowa House, which today announced that the House Economic Growth Committee will continue.

     

    “Senate Republicans should reconsider their decision to gut legislative oversight of Iowa’s job creation efforts,” said Senate Democratic Leader Rob Hogg (D-Cedar Rapids).  “The Senate Economic Growth Committee has helped Iowans create jobs with innovative programs in infrastructure, community development, and emerging technologies.  The committee’s job is to improve these efforts and provide a safeguard against crony capitalism.”

     

    Legislation developed by the Senate Economic Growth Committee was supported by bipartisan majorities in the Iowa House and Senate and signed into law by both Democratic and Republican Governors, including Governor Branstad.  A 2016 example is Senate File 2300, legislation that will help make Iowa a key player in the next generation of renewable chemical production.

     

     

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