Iowa Senate News Release State Senator Joe Bolkcom: (319) 330-9541
For Immediate Release: April 26, 2018
Statement on action today in Senate Appropriations Committee
by Senator Joe Bolkcom, Senate Budget Committee’s Ranking Member
“The budget package being approved today by Senate Republicans is more bad news for Iowa families, seniors, students and communities.
“The ongoing budget crisis in Iowa is the result of the failure of Governor Reynolds and the Republican-controlled Legislature to keep two campaign promises:
Raising family incomes by 25 percent
Creating 200,000 new Iowa jobs within four years
“As a result of their broken promises, Statehouse Republicans have implemented policies that have pushed down incomes, destroyed jobs, cut critical services and piled up state debt.
“Republicans are downgrading our K12 schools and making higher education and job training less accessible and less affordable for working Iowa.
“They have turned Iowa’s respected, state-run Medicaid safety net into a national disaster, and they continue to shower big corporations with tax cuts and tax credits.
“In the 16 months that Republicans have controlled ALL of state government, they have borrowed more than $140 million and slashed $120 million in spending just to balance their budgets. If Iowa families managed their family budgets like this, they’d be forced to declare bankruptcy.
“Senate Democrats are ready to work with Republicans to restore fiscal stability and pass a budget that reflect Iowa values. That means investing more in job-creation efforts and reining in the fastest growing part of the state budget: tax breaks for big corporations.”
Iowa Senate News Release Senate Democratic Leader Joe Bolkcom: (319) 330-9541 For Immediate Release: April 17, 2018
Statement from Senate Democratic Budget Leader Joe Bolkcom
on legislative Republicans’ budget gridlock and mismanagement
“The gridlock between Senate Republicans, House Republicans and Governor Reynolds is making their budget mess even worse. The budget targets released today by Senate Republicans are more proof that the budget crisis is hurting Iowans.
“In the 15 months that Republicans have controlled ALL of state government, they have borrowed more than $140 million and slashed more than $120 million in spending just to balance their budgets. If Iowa families managed their family budgets like this, they’d be forced to declare bankruptcy.
“Governor Reynolds and the Republican-controlled legislature have created this budget mess by failing to keep their campaign promises to Iowans to raise family incomes by 25 percent and create 200,000 new Iowa jobs within four years.
“Their misplaced priorities and mismanagement of taxpayer money is making life harder and reducing opportunities for Iowa families and their communities.”
Iowa Senate News Release Senator Janet Petersen: (515) 281-3901 For Immediate Release: April 17, 2018
Statement from Senate Democratic Leader Janet Petersen
“After footing the bill for a $1.75 million settlement in Kirsten Anderson’s lawsuit against Senate Republicans, Iowa taxpayers expected more leadership from Senate Republicans on the issue of harassment at the Iowa Capitol. The Iowa Senate received a black eye because of the Kirsten Anderson case, the findings of an ‘internal review’ and related media coverage.
“Senators are finally taking steps today to ensure the Iowa Senate will become a safe and healthy environment. Senate Democrats worked hard on these policy changes because we all have a legal, moral and business imperative to address this serious problem.
“While updated policies are important, we must remember that policies were in place years ago to protect Kirsten Anderson. The problem was that Senate Republican leaders and staff chose to ignore existing policies and procedures. To make matters worse, they fired Kirsten Anderson seven hours after she filed a harassment complaint, and the perpetrators and those who retaliated against her were allowed to stay in the Iowa Senate on the taxpayers’ dime.
“All Senators and staff have a high obligation to support and enforce these new policies, and to continue to strengthen the Senate’s harassment prevention policies and the Code of Ethics. Otherwise, we are doing a disservice to Iowans.”
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Background
Senate Democrats have reached agreement with Senate Republicans on strengthening to the Senate’s Harassment Prevention Policy and the Senate’s Code of Ethics.
Because of these changes, we will move ahead today with reforms that will ensure that:
Victims of harassment will have a clear path to file complaints and have them investigated in a fair, impartial and confidential manner. This includes victims of sexual harassment and other forms of unlawful harassment (e.g., race, ethnicity, age, disability, gender identify, sexual orientation, etc.). Existing Senate policies in this area were inadequate, unclear and needed to be improved.
Victims who step forward to file a complaint about harassment will be protected from retaliation or discrimination by anyone. The same protections will also be available for witnesses and others involved in any investigation. Existing Senate policies in this area were inadequate or non-existent.
There will be a clear process for punishing any Senator, employee or anyone else who takes retaliatory action against someone who has filed a complaint. The same process will also protect witnesses and others involved in any investigation. Existing Senate policies were inadequate or non-existent in this area.
There will be a clear process for disciplining any Senator, lobbyist, media employee or vendor who violates the anti-harassment policies. Existing Senate policies were inadequate or non-existent in this area.
All Senators, staff, lobbyists and media will be required to attend training at least once every General Assembly regarding the Senate’s anti-harassment policies and complaint procedures.
The Senate Majority Leader, Senate President, Senate Minority Leader, Secretary of the Senate and other staff supervisors will be trained at least once every General Assembly on how to properly receive, investigate and, if warranted, to take corrective action. There was previously no requirement for this kind of training.
Iowa State Senator Rita Hart of Clinton asks members of the Senate to sign a letter to President Trump, asking him to protect Iowa farmers, businesses and communities as he makes trade policy changes. Iowa State Senator Rita Hart of Clinton asks members of the Senate to sign a letter to President Trump, asking him to protect Iowa farmers, businesses and communities as he makes trade policy changes. Video of Senator Hart’s Statement to the Senate: https://youtu.be/6ZEUOGoKfnM
IOWA SENATE NEWS For Immediate Release: April 12, 2018
Iowa Senators stand up for Iowa farmers and Iowa’s economy
“…proposed tariffs will have a negative impact on Iowa’s agricultural economy…”
DES MOINES – Twenty-one Iowa State Senators are asking President Donald Trump to protect Iowa farmers, businesses and communities as he makes trade policy changes.
The letter urges the President “to reconsider the economic costs and benefits of your plan to impose new tariffs on imported steel and aluminum. It’s clear to most observers that the inevitable retaliation to proposed tariffs will have a negative impact on Iowa’s agricultural economy by causing other countries to levy burdensome tariffs against Iowa farm products.”
Senator Rita Hart of rural Wheatland wrote the letter and invited all Senators to sign it.
“My husband and I farm near Wheatland. We know firsthand that mistakes in trade policy can have severe consequences on Iowa farmers, small businesses and rural communities,” said Hart, the former chair of the Senate Economic Growth Committee.
The letter noted that “Iowa is the second largest agricultural export state, shipping $14 billion of products abroad last year.” It also drew attention to the fact that proposed U.S. tariffs increasing the cost of imported steel would also hurt Iowa manufacturers. The letter specially mentions Sukup Manufacturing in Sheffield, Iowa. The plant there has 600 Iowa employees and uses 1 million pounds of steel each week to make grain bins and dryers.
The letter was signed by every Democratic member of the Senate and by Independent Senator David Johnson.
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FULL TEXT OF LETTER:
April 12, 2018
Dear President Trump:
Iowa’s prized humanitarian Norman Borlaug said: “Civilization as it is known today could not have evolved, nor can it survive, without an adequate food supply.”
Iowa has a rich history of feeding the world and we need to continue to feed the world without barriers. Iowa is the leading national producer of corn, soybeans, hogs, cattle, and eggs. Iowa is the second largest agricultural export state, shipping $14 billion of products abroad last year. And it’s important to note that 31 percent of farm income comes directly from exports.
For those reasons, we urge you to reconsider the economic costs and benefits of your plan to impose new tariffs on imported steel and aluminum. It’s clear to most observers that the inevitable retaliation to proposed tariffs will have a negative impact on Iowa’s agricultural economy by causing other countries to levy burdensome tariffs against Iowa farm products.
Iowa farmers have already faced several years of low commodity prices.
Any reduction in demand would be devastating, making a bad situation worse.
The potential beef tariff threatens Iowa farmers, who have just gotten back into the Chinese market after a long absence. U.S. beef exports to China totaled more than 3,000 metric tons in the last half of 2017, valued at $31 million.
It’s worth noting that Iowa leads the nation in ethanol production, which results in 42,000 Iowa jobs. In addition, China imports about 60 percent of global soybean trade.
A trade war – even in the short term – creates the potential for a long-term loss of global market share because other countries will move quickly to fill the void if Iowa’s agriculture products become uncompetitive.
Manufacturing is the second largest driver of Iowa’s economy. The state economy is heavily dependent on the 3,000-plus factories across the state, many of whom are dependent on the farm economy. For example, the 600 employees of Sukup Manufacturing make iconic grain bins and dryers in rural Sheffield, Iowa, using 1 million pounds of steel each week.
We urge you, Mr. President, to reconsider this strategy because of the negative consequences on Iowans who farm, those who live in rural communities, and those whose livelihoods depend on products whose markets are threatened by a trade war with China.
Sincerely,
Senator Chaz Allen (D)
Senator Tony Bisignano (D)
Senator Joe Bolkcom (D)
Senator Nate Boulton (D)
Senator Tod R. Bowman (D)
Senator Jeff Danielson (D)
Senator William A. Dotzler Jr. (D)
Senator Robert E. Dvorsky (D)
Senator Rita Hart (D)
Senator Robert Hogg (D)
Senator Wally E. Horn (D)
Senator Pam Jochum (D)
Senator David Johnson (I)
Senator Kevin Kinney (D)
Senator Jim Lykam (D)
Senator Liz Mathis (D)
Senator Matt McCoy (D)
Senator Janet Petersen (D)
Senator Herman C. Quirmbach (D)
Senator Amanda Ragan (D)
Senator Rich Taylor (D)
Iowa Senate Democrats News Release For Immediate Release: March 20, 2018
Senator Pam Jochum named 2018 Uncommon Public Servant
by Hoover Presidential Foundation
Senator Pam Jochum and her daughter, Sarah.
On Tuesday, March 20, State Senator Pam Jochum of Dubuque received one of the highest awards given to an Iowa state legislator: the “Uncommon Public Service Award” from the Hoover Presidential Foundation. Senator Jochum is the 12th State Senator to receive the award.
The award presentation noted that “Senator Jochum has played a leading role in expanding affordable health insurance coverage to thousands of working Iowans and has stood up for citizens with disabilities to protect their health services. Her support for and commitment to education has been unwavering. She has worked to expand early childhood education and ensure affordable higher education, whether at a state university, a private college or a community college.”
Senator Jochum, who has also served as president of the Senate, was joined by her daughter, Sarah, in the Iowa Senate chamber.
REMARKS BY SENATOR DAVID JOHNSON (I)
AT THE PRESENTATION OF THE 12th ANNUAL
HERBERT HOOVER UNCOMMON PUBLIC SERVICE AWARD
It is my privilege to once again to present the Uncommon Public Service Award named in honor of a most “uncommon” American, Herbert Hoover.
The Hoover Presidential Foundation established the Uncommon Public Service Award to be presented annually to one member of the Iowa House and one from the Iowa Senate who exemplify Herbert Hoover’s humanitarian efforts and commitment with uncommon service to the people of Iowa. Moments ago, Representative Dawn Pettengill received the award in the House.
As you may recall, the 2017 Senate recipient was Senator Rob Hogg.
Recipients become honorary members of the Hoover Presidential Foundation for one year and are also honored at the Foundation’s Celebration Banquet in the fall.
President Hoover was an uncommon and extraordinary public servant. His diligent, humanitarian efforts saved the lives of millions of people suffering from the devastations or war, flood and famine, world-wide.
Born in West Branch, in a humble one room cottage in Cedar County, in August of 1874, Hoover raised himself up to accomplish many great things. He won his first bid for elected office: the Presidency of the United States, and in his lifetime, saved the lives of well over a billion people in 57 countries. That certainly made him an “uncommon” person.
Being “uncommon” is a quality of life and of service that we see often in our great state. We find uncommon people in our schools, churches, courts and hospitals, among other places. We even find them in our state government. And, that is why we are here today – to recognize an “uncommon” legislator from the Iowa State Senate.
It’s greatly satisfying to me as a trustee of the Hoover Presidential Foundation, that for the 12th consecutive year, we’ve recognized legislators from the Iowa Senate who have demonstrated uncommon and extraordinary public service to the people of this state.
I know that Mr. Hoover is here in spirit today as we present this award to State Senator Pam Jochum.
Elected to the Iowa House in 1992 and then the Iowa Senate in 2008, Sen. Jochum is respected for her ability to build coalitions that get things done for Dubuque and Iowa. She was nominated by two former Uncommon Public Service Award recipients, Senators Rob Hogg and Amanda Ragan.
They wrote, “We nominate Sen. Jochum… because of her inspirational legislative career, her passion for people and her community, and her commitment to dignity for all people.” The nomination also quoted Teri Goodmann, assistant city manager for the city of Dubuque who said, “Pam is tenacious. She doesn’t give up on people or her passion for the community.”
Among her many accomplishments, in addition to having served as president of this body, Senator Jochum has played a leading role in expanding affordable health insurance coverage to thousands of working Iowans and has stood up for citizens with disabilities to protect their health services. Her support for and commitment to education has been unwavering. She has worked to expand early childhood education and ensure affordable higher education, whether at a state university, a private college or a community college.
Let me conclude with some remarks that Mr. Hoover made on his last visit to West Branch in 1962:
“I have had every honor to which any man could aspire,” he said. “There is no place on the whole earth except here in America where all the sons of man can have this chance in life. Here alone are the open windows through which pour the sunlight of the human spirit. Here alone is human dignity not a dream, but an accomplishment. Perhaps it is not perfect, but it is more full in realization here than any other place in the world.”
Please join me once again in congratulating Senator Pam Jochum, the recipient of the Iowa Senate 2018 Herbert Hoover Uncommon Public Service Award!
Iowa Senate News Release For Immediate Release: March 14, 2018
Statement from Senate Democratic Leader Janet Petersen
“Congratulations to Senator Whitver and Senator Schneider on being selected the new leaders of the Senate Republicans.
“In the wake of Senator Dix’s resignation, Senators Whitver and Schneider have an obligation to finally get it right and change a culture at the Iowa Capitol that is currently putting lobbyists, special interests, and political arrogance ahead of the interests of Iowa families.
“Senators Whitver and Schneider should finally take responsibility for the sexual harassment, discrimination and retaliation against former Senate Republican staffer Kirsten Anderson by Republican Senators and staff. After footing the bill for a $1.75 million settlement in Kirsten Anderson’s lawsuit against Senate Republicans, Iowa taxpayers deserve nothing less.
“Iowa taxpayers’ dollars should have never been used as a slush fund to cover the cost of sexual harassment by Senate Republicans. Senators Whitver and Schneider should turn over all campaign funds raised by Senator Dix to begin to cover the costs of the illegal behavior by their caucus.”
Iowa Senate News Release For Immediate Release: March 12, 2018
Statement from Senate Democratic Leader Janet Petersen
on resignation of Senate Republican Leader
“With Senator Dix’s resignation, Republican Senators have an opportunity to finally get it right and change a culture at the Iowa Capitol that puts lobbyists, special interests, and political arrogance ahead of the interests of Iowa families.
“Republican Senators have an obligation to elect a new leader who will take responsibility for the sexual harassment, discrimination and retaliation against former Senate Republican staffer Kirsten Anderson by Republican Senators and staff. After footing the bill for a $1.75 million settlement in Kirsten Anderson’s lawsuit against Senate Republicans, Iowa taxpayers deserve nothing less.
“It is shameful that the only person fired in this whole scandal was the victim. No Republican Senators or staff were punished for their wrongdoing in this case. And many staffers have reported that they are still afraid to report harassment at the Capitol.
“There is a reckoning in our country on the issue of harassment in the workplace. The new Senate Republican leader should be someone who will hold Republican Senators and staff accountable for their actions in the Kirsten Anderson case and take steps immediately to address this issue.”
Iowa Senate News Release For Immediate Release: March 12, 2018
Statement from Senate Democratic Leader Janet Petersen on Senate Republican Leader Bill Dix
“The video posted on Iowa Starting Line is a serious matter for Senate Republican Leader Bill Dix to discuss with his family, his fellow Senate Republicans and Governor Reynolds.
“Because this involves Senator Dix and a lobbyist, there will be questions about the impact of this relationship on legislation.
“This incident follows Senator Dix’s failure to take any responsibility for the $1.75 million settlement that resulted from the sexual harassment, discrimination and retaliation against former Senate Republican staffer Kirsten Anderson by Republican Senators and staff.”
Iowa Senate News Release For Immediate Release: March 9, 2018
Statement by Senator Joe Bolkcom on updated revenue estimates
“You can’t put lipstick on a pig. No matter how Statehouse Republicans try to spin it, they still have a giant budget mess on their hands.
“Here’s the truth:
Governor Reynolds and legislative Republicans have NO agreement on how to balance the current year’s budget.
Governor Reynolds and legislative Republicans have NO plan for balancing next year’s budget.
Statehouse Republicans have put $144 million on the state’s credit card in an attempt to balance FY17 budget.
Governor Reynolds and legislative Republicans are moving a bloated tax plan that gives most of the benefits to millionaires and big corporations.
Governor Reynolds and legislative Republicans are laying the groundwork to break a promise to Iowans that will result in higher property taxes.
“What’s to blame? An agenda by Governor Reynolds and legislative Republicans that includes grossly under-funding our local schools; turning Iowa’s respected, state-run Medicaid safety net into a national disaster; weakening the rights of workers and driving down wages; and showering out-of-state corporations with an all-you-can-eat buffet of tax cuts and tax credits.
“Senate Democrats still stand ready to work with legislative Republicans and the Governor on a mid-course correction that will restore fiscal stability to our state budget by investing in our schools and job-creation initiatives, and taking a serious look at out-of-control spending on tax credits.”
Iowa Senate News Release For Immediate Release: March 7, 2018
Senate Democratic Leader Janet Petersen on deferred confirmation vote for DHS Director
“We made a reasonable request today to delay the confirmation vote on Jerry Foxhoven until we can fully assess his leadership at the Iowa Department of Human Services.
“First, there’s no need to rush this important decision. The deadline to deal with confirmations isn’t until April 15.
“Second, there are too many unresolved problems with the privatization of Medicaid services by the Reynolds Administration. This is particularly concerning because Governor Reynolds promised in her Condition of the State address this year that Jerry Foxhoven and other new members of her team would:
Resolve issues for caregivers ‘in a timely manner and ensure on-time payments.’
Reach patients in ‘new and innovative ways to individualize their care.’
‘Make it right.’
“There’s no evidence today that she has kept those promises or has a plan for addressing the concerns of Medicaid recipients, health care providers and Iowa taxpayers.
“In addition, Senate Democrats have concerns related to:
Plans to turn the Iowa State Training School for Boys in Eldora into a correctional facility.
Foxhoven failing to raise red flags about the impact of mid-year budget cuts on critical services provided by the Department of Human Services.
Doubts about the state’s ability to ensure the health and safety of vulnerable Iowa children.”
