Blog | Iowa Senate Democrats

Bipartisan bill would compensate college athletes

4 years ago by ContentAdmin · Blog, Issues, News releases, Official, Transparency & accountability

A new bill would allow student athletes in Iowa to profit from promotional use of their names, images, and likenesses as early as July. SF 245 would allow student athletes to financially gain from marketing opportunities. Six states have enacted similar legislation.

Public Education makes Iowa great

4 years ago by ContentAdmin · Blog, Education, Issues, News releases, Official

Iowa Senate Democratic Leader Zach Wahls rejected the private school vouchers bill being advanced by the Governor and Iowa Republicans that would drain millions of dollars away from Iowa’s public schools.

Our COVID Recovery Plan

4 years ago by ContentAdmin · Blog, Fiscal responsibility, Health care, Issues, Jobs & Economy, Official, Opinion, Quality of life, Safer communities, Transparency & accountability, Working families

Iowans have been through a lot over the last year, particularly with the pandemic. It’s not over yet, but it is time for the Legislature to do all it can to help Iowa build back better, bigger and stronger than ever. Our focus this session is on a COVID Recovery Plan to help Iowa rebound from the ravages of the last year.

Public Education Disaster Week

4 years ago by ContentAdmin · Blog, Education, Fiscal responsibility, Issues, News releases, Official, Safer communities

Monday, two harmful bills are being rushed through the Senate Education Committee before Iowans have time to respond. SSB 1065 would divert taxes for public schools to private schools and SSB 1064 would make Iowa schools unsafe during the pandemic.

Leader Wahls’ 2021 Opening Day Speech

4 years ago by ContentAdmin · Blog, News releases, Official

In the weeks and months ahead, we will balance our legislative responsibilities and our leadership responsibilities. As Legislators, we have the responsibility of faithfully discharging the duties of Senator and upholding the Iowa Constitution. We also have the responsibility of following the best available public health guidance, and leading by example so Iowans are not forced to choose between life and liberty or safety and happiness.

Iowa Legislature Must Act to Feed Hungry

4 years ago by ContentAdmin · Blog, Fiscal responsibility, Issues, Official, Opinion, Quality of life

We propose using the state’s ending balance or the state’s “rainy day funds” to provide $30 million or more in immediate supplemental food assistance for Iowans directly and through food banks, food pantries, and other feeding entities in Iowa.

Iowans need supplemental food assistance

4 years ago by ContentAdmin · Blog, Issues, News releases, Official, Quality of life, Working families

A group of Iowa Senate Democrats are calling on the Iowa Legislature and Gov. Reynolds to pass immediate assistance for food and other basic needs as early as possible in the 2021 legislative session.

Gov. Reynolds’ Misuse of Federal Pandemic Relief Funds

4 years ago by ContentAdmin · Blog, Fiscal responsibility, Issues, News releases, Official, Transparency & accountability

Senator Claire Celsi is formally requesting that Republican leaders in the Iowa Senate convene a Senate Government Oversight meeting. The Legislature must ensure that all CARES dollars are used properly. If the State fails to do so, Iowa could be required to return misspent money.

Priorities, top committee assignments for 2021

4 years ago by ContentAdmin · Blog, News releases, Official

Iowa Senate Democratic Leader Zach Wahls today announced Senators who will lead the Democrats’ efforts on the various committees.

Unemployment rate much higher than Reynolds Administration estimate

4 years ago by ContentAdmin · Blog, Issues, News releases, Official, Transparency & accountability

When we include all the Iowans out of a job over the last year, Iowa’s actual unemployment rate is 10.3%, and the actual number of Iowans who have lost their jobs is approximately 180,000.

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