Blog | Iowa Senate Democrats

Coronavirus comes to Iowa

5 years ago by ContentAdmin · Blog, Issues, Official, Safer communities, Transparency & accountability

State Public Health officials updated legislators today on cases of coronavirus within Iowa. It’s normal to be concerned, especially with reports of illness and death, so we want to pass along what we’re learning.
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The Best Offense is a Strong Defense

5 years ago by ContentAdmin · Blog, Official

Experts train State Senators on Cyber Security as Russia and Other Foreign Actors Ramp Up Interference in 2020 Elections As foreign countries ramp up their cyber operations to disrupt the 2020 elections, Iowa State Senators are responding by bolstering their defenses. Senator Zach Wahls, Senate District 37, organized a training ...

Enhancing communities through land banks

5 years ago by ContentAdmin · Blog, Issues, Jobs & Economy, Official, Quality of life, Safer communities, Working families

Bipartisan legislation (SF 2369) establishing “land banks” has passed the Senate Local Government Committee. Land banks are public-private partnerships to rehabilitate rundown, vacant and tax-delinquent properties for productive use.
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Oversight meeting needed on state use of cloud-based software

5 years ago by ContentAdmin · Blog, Fiscal responsibility, Issues, Official, Transparency & accountability

Democratic senators are calling for an urgent meeting of the Government Oversight Committee to look into the Reynolds’ Administration’s bidding process and possible conflicts of interest.
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Better tracking of rape kits

5 years ago by ContentAdmin · Blog, Issues, Official, Safer communities, Transparency & accountability

Under SF 2376, the AG will develop an automated tracking system for sexual assault evidence kits, giving victims more complete and timely information about their cases.
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Limiting disruptions in the the classroom

5 years ago by ContentAdmin · Blog, Education, Issues, Official, Safer communities

The Iowa Senate adopted SF 2360, which will give teachers and schools more tools for addressing disruptive student behavior. This is a step toward fixing what has become an overwhelming concern for our schools.
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Child protections cannot wait

5 years ago by ContentAdmin · Blog, Issues, Official, Safer communities, Transparency & accountability

If we want to protect Iowa kids from abuse, neglect and potential death, it’s time to provide adequate funding for Iowa DHS. As we prepare the next state budget, we’ll be fighting for the dedicated workers and the people they serve.
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Tax-hike proposal violates Iowans’ trust

5 years ago by ContentAdmin · Blog, Energy & Enviroment, Fiscal responsibility, Issues, Official, Transparency & accountability

In 2010, voters approved a Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund to be filled with a portion of state sales tax if the sales tax was increased. Governor Reynolds now wants to raise the sales tax, but is reneging on the agreed-to amount for natural resources and recreation.
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Bipartisan bills alive after first funnel

5 years ago by ContentAdmin · Blog, Official

Feb. 21 was the “first funnel” at the Iowa Capitol. That means policy bills must have been passed by a committee to be considered during the remainder of the session. Here are some good bipartisan bills that made it through.
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Iowa Sister States seeks help for China with life-saving aid

5 years ago by ContentAdmin · Blog, Health care, Issues, News releases, Official

The Legislature’s International Relations Committee met to address the deadly spread of coronavirus in Iowa’s sister cities in China. The Legislature is partnering with local leaders, industry and business to ship relief supplies to China, and is asking for help.
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