Iowa Senate Democrats

Fighting for a Better Deal for Iowans.

  • Legislative Leaders: It’s time to ‘slow down’ on major overhaul of workers’ rights and start listening to Iowans

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, February 13, 2017
    CONTACT: Dean Fiihr, 515-281-0817

     

    DES MOINES – Responding to record turnout at legislative forums over the weekends and an outpouring of opposition to legislation that would significantly reduce workers’ rights across Iowa, Democratic leaders today called on Republican legislative leaders to “slow down” and to listen to the concerns of Iowans.

    “Iowans are angry. Iowans are confused. Iowans are concerned,” said House Democratic Leader Mark Smith of Marshalltown. “We are calling today on Republican legislative leaders to slow down their efforts to shove this legislation down the throats of Iowa workers. Firefighters, police officers, teachers, nurses, and other dedicated public servants deserve to be heard.”

    Smith pointed to forums over the weekend that attracted large and even overflow crowds across the state, including Ankeny, Council Bluffs, Davenport, Waukee, Cedar Falls, Elkader, Postville, Mason City and Independence. In addition, thousands of Iowans attended a pro-teacher rally on the grounds of the Iowa Capitol on Sunday.

    “When the state’s collective bargaining law was passed in the early 1970s, it took two years of discussion by legislators and their constituents, as well as days of debate before the legislation was adopted in a bipartisan manner,” said Senate Democratic Leader Rob Hogg of Cedar Rapids. “Iowans deserve more time to ask questions, to get straight answers and to better understand a major policy change that affects almost 200,000 hard-working Iowans. It’s time for all legislators – Republican and Democratic – to listen to the concerns of Iowans and to respond to those concerns.”

  • Today At 5:00 – Worker’s Rights Rally And Press Conference Before Public Hearing

    PROGRESS IOWA NEWS RELEASE
    For Immediate Release:     February 13, 2017
    Contact: Matt Sinovic, (515) 423-0530

    Public Workers To Address Media
    Before Public Hearing On Collective Bargaining Bill In The House

    DES MOINES – Iowans will gather in support of worker’s rights for a rally and press conference before the House public hearing on HF291 Monday evening. Several of the public employees who plan to speak to the Iowa House will address the media beforehand. They’ll voice their frustration with the all-out, Republican-led attack on worker’s rights that has been fast-tracked through the Legislature despite no discussion of such sweeping changes in the previous election.

    WHO: Iowans standing with public workers
    WHAT: Workers Rally/Press Conference Before Iowa House Public Hearing
    WHEN: Today, Monday, February 13, 5:00 PM
    WHERE: Iowa State Capitol Rotunda, 1st Floor, 1007 East Grand Ave, Des Moines, Iowa

    ###

  • The Basics: Collective Bargaining & Chapter 20

    Download PDF: The Basics of Collective Bargaining

    The Iowa Public Employment Relations Act (often called Chapter 20 or Iowa’s collective bargaining law) was passed with bipartisan support and signed into law by Republican Governor Bob Ray in 1974. The law lays out the rules by which public workers and state/local government employers sit down and solve problems.

     

    KEY FACT: Iowa’s collective bargaining law also prevents public workers from striking, which is one of the reasons the law was passed.

    The bargaining topics between employees and employer are divided into three areas:

    1. Mandatory: listed in the law, including wages, insurance, overtime, health/safety
    2. Permissive. Both sides have to agree to negotiate on the topic.
    3. Management Rights and illegal topics to bargain, including retirement (IPERS)

    There is a long list of public employer rights listed in the law, which includes hiring, promotion, demotion or transfer of employees; suspension or discharge of public employees for proper cause; and maintaining the efficiency of governmental operations.

    In most cases, the two sides are able to sit down and negotiate on mutually agreed upon contract terms. In the rare instance (less than 3% last year) when the two sides cannot reach agreement, they can pursue mediation and/or arbitration.

     

    KEY FACT: The vast majority of public sectors contracts are resolved voluntarily. During the last bargaining cycle (FY 2016), 97.9% of contracts were resolved voluntarily.

    During mediation, an impartial neutral party helps facilitate dialogue between the employees and employer. This helps the two parties reach a resolution.

    During arbitration, the two parties have reached an impasse and submit their differences to a third party arbitrator. When making a decision, the law lays out the factors the arbitrator must consider, including: past contracts; comparisons with other public workers doing the same work; interests and welfare of the public (taxpayers); power of the public employer to levy taxes and appropriate funds. The arbitrator then determines which offer is the most reasonable and the decision is final and binding. This process forces both sides to have reasonable offers, not the extreme.

     

    KEY FACT:  Just last year, the Governor’s Public Employment Relations Board, which facilities our collective bargaining contracts, said “Few cases go to arbitration and the results are evenly balanced.” (Governor’s budget hearings, November 22, 2016)

  • Senator Petersen’s opening comments on SF 2, the Attack on Iowa Family Planning Services

    State Senator Janet Petersen’s opening remarks on SF2:

    Thank you Mr. President.

     

    This bill is bad for Iowa women and families.

     

    It will create more unintended pregnancies, more high risk pregnancies, and cost Iowa taxpayers more.

     

    Iowans don’t support it.  Doctors warn against it.  We should listen to them and reject it.

     

    Last week, Senator Sinclair held a 25-minute subcommittee on Senate File 2.

     

    Hundreds of Iowans came to the statehouse that day to make their voices heard about their opposition to Senate File 2, which will gut Iowa’s Family Planning Network.

     

    Senator Sinclair cut off their testimony after 25 minutes.

     

    Senators were not allowed time to ask questions about the bill or provide facts about Iowa’s Family Planning Network.

     

    I have served in the Iowa Legislature for 17 years.  I have never seen a subcommittee conducted that way.

     

    I stayed for nearly an hour after the meeting to listen to Iowans and make sure their stories were heard.

     

    It is unfortunate that not one of the 29 Republican sponsors stuck around to hear what Iowans have to say about their bill – Senate File 2.

     

    Apparently 28 Republican men and 1 Republican woman know what’s best for women’s health care.

     

    To the thousands of Iowans who have written me, asking me to FIGHT SF 2, and to the hundreds of Iowans who have SHOWN UP at the statehouse to have my back, I am HONORED to be your voice today.

     

    Here is what I’ve learned about Senate File 2 so far…

     

    Senate File 2 guts Iowa’s Family Planning Network, a program that has helped more than 80,000 Iowa women and men access family planning services across our state since 2006.

     

    We know the Iowa Family Planning Waiver works.

     

    It has helped reduce abortions and Medicaid costs in Iowa.

     

    The Iowa Family Planning Network is inexpensive for taxpayers.

     

    Iowa’s Family Planning Network program has saved Iowa taxpayers MILLIONS of dollars.

     

    We shouldn’t mess with the program.

     

    LET’S LOOK AT THE FACTS:

     

    The Iowa Family Planning Network WORKS.

     

    An evaluation of the program by the University of Iowa Public Policy Center in May of 2016 showed:

     

    1. The family planning waiver has increased the number of women receiving family planning services within the Medicaid program.

     

    1. Medicaid costs for deliveries and birth and first years of life have declined by nearly $345 million.

     

    1. Very conservative estimates of net Medicaid savings are more than $265 million.

     

    The Iowa Family Planning Network saves Iowa taxpayers money.

     

    For every 10 cents Iowa taxpayers invest in the program, we get an additional 90 cents from the federal government to help pay for the program.

     

    Iowans invest roughly $300,000 in the program each year.  When you add the federal dollars to Iowa’s investment, we get more than $3 million in preventative health services for Iowa women and men throughout the state.

     

    The University of Iowa study shows Iowa taxpayers have saved nearly $3.40 for every dollar they invested in the Iowa Family Planning Network.

     

    Under Senate File 2, Iowa will walk away from all of the federal funds that go to the Iowa Family Planning Network.

     

    The new program devised by 28 men and 1 woman in the Iowa senate, NONE of WHOM have a medical degree, will put the entire cost of the program on the backs of Iowa taxpayers.

     

    It is also important to note, there is no money in Senate File 2 to start this new program.

     

    Yesterday, Rep. Hogg asked Senate President Whitver to send the bill to the budget committee after we received the fiscal note that shows Iowa taxpayers will have to pay $3 million more EVERY YEAR for this Republican concocted program.

     

    The President’s ruling:

     

    Apparently, it doesn’t matter how much Republican-sponsored bills cost Iowa taxpayers anymore.

     

    Just pass the bill and worry about the money later.  We’ve heard that one before.

     

    The current Iowa Family Planning program has reduced unintended pregnancies and abortions.

     

    Senate Republicans want to scrap the successful program and force Iowa taxpayers to spend 10 times the money just to exclude Planned Parenthood from providing care to Iowa women and men.

     

    SENATE FILE 2 does more than DEFUND PLANNED PARENTHOOD.

     

    Under the Republican plan – Senate File 2 completely eliminates the Iowa Family Planning Network and replaces it with a state-run program that doesn’t exist and doesn’t have guaranteed funding to make it happen.

     

    IT IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER, the Iowa Family Planning Network has NEVER funded abortions.

     

    The Iowa Family Planning Network has been successful in preventing abortions and improving Iowa’s birth outcomes.

     

    When you make it harder for Iowans to access family planning services, you increase the number of unintended pregnancies.

     

    Gutting the Iowa Family Planning Network will cause more unintended pregnancies and abortions.

     

    Senate File 2 – puts politicians in charge of women’s health care and THAT IS DANGEROUS.

     

    We’ve been told a new state program will offer more providers and give women more options.  That simply is not true.

     

    On Tuesday, I questioned several bill sponsors about how their new program would “increase access.”  Not one senator could answer the question.

     

    Iowa women aren’t buying your “increased access” talking point.

     

    That is because SF 2 DOES NOT “INCREASE ACCESS” to providers.

     

    Senate File 2 DOES NOT GIVE WOMEN MORE OPTIONS FOR HEALTH CARE.

     

    In fact it will force thousands of Iowa women to leave a provider they chose and go to a provider selected by 29 politicians.

     

    It will disqualify many of Iowa’s most qualified health specialists from serving Iowa women in the program.

     

    Providers aren’t magically going to fall out of the sky for this new program.

     

    The so-called TIER process outlined in the bill and in DHS’s plan is totally confusing.  We just got DHS’s plan yesterday.

    Finding a provider to give you a Pap Smear shouldn’t be rocket science, but thanks to Senate Republicans – it soon could be.

     

    EXAMPLE – if you pick a TIER 3 provider – you’ll have to let them know you would have to travel more than 25 miles to see another provider.

     

    DHS says they can do marketing to explain their new PAP SMEAR TIERS.

     

    Is that really what we want DHS wasting their time doing?

     

    WOULDN’T we rather have DHS spend its time doing child protective investigations, figuring out how to get better mental health care for Iowans, taking care of Iowans with disabilities?

     

    WHY are we getting rid of a program that works?

     

    WHY are we getting rid of a program that prevents abortions and unintended pregnancies and the spread of sexually transmitted infections?

     

    The bill doesn’t even explain how, when and how much providers will get paid to participate in the program.

     

    Let’s remember, the women participating in our current Family Planning Network program are not participating in the program for ABORTIONS.  It is the absolute opposite.

     

    These Iowa women are participating in the Iowa Family Planning Network to take care of their bodies and to prevent unintended pregnancies and abortions.

     

    YET, now a group of 29 politicians (28 of whom have NEVER gotten completely undressed, put on a paper gown, and put their feet in the stirrups for a vaginal exam) are telling women they know what is best for them.

     

    Iowans have every right to be concerned about this legislation.

     

    Iowa taxpayers have every right to be angry that we are giving up millions of dollars in federal funding to start another government program that will be paid for fully on the backs of Iowa taxpayers.

     

    Iowans who worry about the health and safety of our children, people with mental illness and disabilities, should be piping mad that this program will take away funds that should have been going to them.

     

    To the thousands of Iowa women who may lose their health care coverage and family planning coverage when Republican repeal ObamaCare – Senate File 2 is not prepared to add you to the program.  You will be out of luck for your care under the new Republican program.  It will offer first come, first serve birth control.  If we keep our current system that actually works, the program would be able to include you – and at a very small cost to Iowa taxpayers.

     

    God forbid, if we have a ZIKA outbreak or other disaster – the size of the program will not increase to keep up with the demand for Family Planning services as it would under the current Iowa Family Planning Waiver.

     

    The document I received from DHS on Tuesday STATES on PAGE 5 – If spending exceeds the appropriated amount, CLAIMS WILL NOT BE PAID.

     

    Yesterday, I asked a few of the bill sponsors about the letter we received from the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and American College of Nurse-Midwives.

     

    One sponsor said he’s sure he got the letter, but he didn’t read it or remember reading it.

     

    IT WAS A WARNING LETTER ABOUT THE BILL from Iowa’s top health care professionals.

     

    • READ LETTER-

     

    I cannot stress enough how dangerous it is to IGNORE doctors warnings about the dangers of this bill to women, girls and families in our state.

     

    DO NOT TELL ME YOU ARE SUPPORTING THIS BILL BECAUSE YOU ARE PRO-LIFE – because this bill will most certainly lead to TRAGEDY like it has already, affecting our sisters in Texas.

     

    • HIGHLIGHT Texas Disaster examples

     

     

    BOTTOM LINE –

     

    This bill is dangerous and endangers the health of thousands of Iowa women.

     

    This bill will cost Iowa taxpayers more money.

     

    Under this bill Iowa women fewer options for their health care, NOT MORE.   It decreases access.

     

    • 28 Republican men and 1 Republican woman will tell women where they can go and can’t go for their care.

     

    • Let’s remember – 74% of Iowans support public funding to Planned Parenthood for family planning

     

    THIS NEW PROGRAM only offers FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE birth control.

     

    Who wants to come to a state that treats women like that?

     

    Senate Republicans got rid of the economic development committee after taking control of the Iowa Senate.  They said ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT would be part of every committee’s work.

     

    SO, let me say this – Senate File 2 – is a step in the wrong direction.

     

    Gutting the Iowa Family Planning Network is not going to help Iowa improve its ranking from DEAD LAST for women entrepreneurs.

     

    Why would we GUT the Iowa Family Planning Network?

     

    The program works.

     

    It SAVES taxpayers millions of dollars

     

    It has helped reduce abortions and Medicaid costs.

     

    We shouldn’t mess with it.

     

    I urge the body to stand up for Iowans.

     

    Stand up for Iowa women.

     

    Stand up for Iowa girls.

     

    Stand up for Iowa’s future.

     

    REJECT SF 2.

     

    END

     

     

  • Iowa Supreme Court sends clear message to Statehouse on water quality

    It’s time for Governor, Lt. Governor and legislators to ‘get a backbone’

    Statement by State Senator Janet Petersen of Des Moines:

    “The Iowa Supreme Court is sending the Legislature a clear message that it is our job to clean up this mess. Iowans shouldn’t have to wonder if they will have access to clean, affordable drinking water; and they shouldn’t be afraid to let their children and grandchildren swim in our lakes and rivers. More than ever, Iowans are going to demand that Governor Branstad, Lt. Governor Reynolds and all legislators get a backbone and solve Iowa’s water quality problems.”

    – END –

    Read the Supreme Court opinion at: http://www.iowacourts.gov/About_the_Courts/Supreme_Court/Supreme_Court_Opinions/Recent_Opinions/20170127/16-0076.pdf

  • Senator Taylor: ‘It’s time to really make Iowa schools the Legislature’s #1 priority

     

    School consolidation will increase without adequate funding

    Statement by Senator Rich Taylor of Mount Pleasant

    “Today, I filed legislation to increase basic aid to our public schools by 4 percent for the 2017-18 school year and by 4 percent for the 2018-19 school year.

    “Parents, students, administrators and educators tell me this is the minimum amount they need to keep providing quality education for our children and grandchildren.

    “The increases in education funding over the last six years has been the lowest in Iowa’s history.  That’s why more classrooms are overcrowded, there are fewer courses, and more students are stuck using outdated technology and textbooks.

    “If the Legislature approves anything less than 4 percent and 4 percent, more rural schools will be forced to close and consolidate. That would be devastating for the small towns in my district, and for hundreds of school districts in small towns across Iowa.”

    -end-

     

     

     

  • Retired child abuse investigator says DHS cuts would endanger children and vulnerable adults

    Iowa Senate News Release
    For Immediate Release: January 25, 2017

     

    Bill Dickey, retired DHS investigator; Senator Amanda Ragan of Mason City; Sue Vogel, recent retiree from Independence Mental Health Institution; and, Kathy Butler, recent retiree from Woodward Resource Center.

    Statement by Senator Amanda Ragan of Mason City

    “Iowans across the state are worried that Republican budget cuts will endanger vulnerable Iowans, children and dependent adults.

    “Cutting the number of people looking out for children at risk is a mistake. We should not cut services to our most vulnerable Iowans.”

     

    Statement by Bill Dickey, retired DHS investigator

    I’m here to oppose mid-year cuts to Iowa’s human services budget, cuts that will be permanent. Those cuts would endanger children and adults who need our help. I say this based on my experience working for the Iowa Department of Human Services for 34 years. As a social worker at DHS, I was a caseworker, a supervisor of caseworkers, and finally as an investigator on cases involving children and adults, until I retired in 2014.

    The job of a caseworker is to protect people who are at risk of being harmed or abused. The most important thing a caseworker has to offer is their time and attention. That’s why the number of people each caseworker is assigned is so important. The number of cases a worker can handle depends on many factors, including the community, the type of case and other services available.

    The basic job, however, is the same everywhere: When you are the caseworker for a foster child, like I was, your job is to be that child’s advocate. That child needs someone dedicated to keeping them safe and able to thrive. That someone is the caseworker and sometimes it’s the child’s only resource.

    My ability to do right by the children I was responsible for depended, in part, on how many cases I had. When I started for the State of Iowa, my caseload was 15 to 20. After 15 years, the average caseload had grown to more like 35.  Remember, this was for both beginners and experienced caseworkers alike.

    Then two things happened. One, we had several tragic cases that got a lot of media attention, such as the Shelby Duis case. The other was the election of Governor Vilsack. Governor Vilsack took an interest and provided the money; caseloads declined. This allowed for caseworkers like me to spend more time and attention on each case we were given and do what was best for the child.

    And that’s really the most important thing we had to offer at-risk children, our time and our attention. When Governor Branstad returned to office, caseloads increased, which benefited no one.

    I finished my career working as an investigator. During that time, I looked into some very, very sad and tragic cases. Sometimes I saw situations where things could have gone differently. A little more time could have made the outcome easier on the child or senior I was assisting. The toughest cases are complex and difficult and the solutions are never easy. If you’ve got 30 or 35 or even 40 cases, that’s just asking for trouble.

    That’s why I’m opposed to these permanent human services budget cuts. They will put children and adults who need our help in danger.

    I’m telling legislators today: “Don’t do it. Don’t hurt these children and adults who need our help the most.”

    end

     

     

     

  • Democratic Leader: Contact Republican Senators about budget cuts

    Senate Democratic Leader Rob Hogg is urging Iowans to contact Republican Senators this week about their proposals for major mid-year budget cuts and the defunding of Planned Parenthood.

    Their mid-year budget cuts would take away critical funding for education, public safety, and our courts. If enacted it would be a cut of over $26 million from education, with $18 million from our public universities alone. The justice system would face a mid-year budget cut of more than $10 million, undermining the state’s ability to keep our communities as safe as possible.

    In addition to drastic budget cuts, the Senate Republicans want to end federal funding for Planned Parenthood, making it difficult for thousands of Iowa women to get the preventative health care they need.

    Below are the names of Republican Senators to contact. Those on the Judiciary and Appropriations committees are noted, because those committees will initially determine the future of these proposals.

    You can reach them by calling the Senate switchboard at 515-281-3371. If you’re unable to reach them, please leave a message.

    Senator Bill Anderson
    Senator Jerry Behn
    Senator Rick Bertrand (Appropriations)
    Senator Michael Breitbach
    Senator Waylon Brown
    Senator Jake Chapman
    Senator Mark Chelgren (Appropriations)
    Senator Mark Costello (Appropriations)
    Senator Dan Dawson (Vice Chair of Judiciary)
    Senator Bill Dix (Republican Leader)
    Senator Jeff Edler (Judiciary)
    Senator Randy Feenstra
    Senator Julian B. Garrett (Appropriations and Judiciary)
    Senator Thomas A. Greene (Appropriations)
    Senator Dennis Guth (Appropriations)
    Senator Craig Johnson (Appropriations)
    Senator Tim Kapucian
    Senator Tim Kraayenbrink (Vice Chair of Appropriations)
    Senator Mark S. Lofgren (Appropriations)
    Senator Ken Rozenboom (Appropriations)
    Senator Charles Schneider (Chair of Appropriations, Member of Judiciary)
    Senator Jason Schultz (Judiciary)
    Senator Mark Segebart
    Senator Tom Shipley (Appropriations and Judiciary)
    Senator Amy Sinclair (Judiciary)
    Senator Roby Smith
    Senator Jack Whitver
    Senator Brad Zaun (Chair of Judiciary)
    Senator Dan Zumbach (Appropriations)

  • Sharp cuts by legislative Republicans threaten public safety, education and human services 

    ­

    Legislative Democrats alarmed by potential impact of deep, mid-year budget cuts

    DES MOINES – Democratic leaders of the Iowa House and Senate raised concerns about the impact of deep, mid-year budget cuts proposed today by legislative Republicans.

    State Sen. Joe Bolkcom, ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, stated:

    “The deep, mid-year budget cuts endorsed today by Republican legislators are mean-spirited and will harm Iowa college students, working families and seniors. The last thing we should do is cut services that Iowans depend on, including higher education, job training, public safety and human services.

    “Second, this unnecessary budget mess could have been avoided if Governor Branstad, Lt. Governor Reynolds and legislative Republicans had focused more time and energy over the past six years on strengthening our schools,  building the skilled workforce that Iowa employers need and improving quality of life for all Iowans. We need to make the economy work for Iowa families, especially in our small towns and rural areas.

    “The Republican proposal unveiled today sends the wrong message about the future of our state. The budget slashing by Governor Branstad, Lt. Governor Reynolds and Republican legislators leaves the fastest growing part of the state budget off the table: excessive tax credits. It is time to drain the swamp.”

    State Rep. Chris Hall of Sioux City, ranking member of the House Appropriations Committee, stated:

    “The Iowa GOP has lost all credibility on budgeting. After giving away the state’s budget surplus, policies enacted by the Branstad-Reynolds Administration have slowed the state’s economy and left the budget in the red.

    “Republicans’ failed fiscal policies aren’t working for Iowa families or growing the state’s economy. Tax breaks for corporations now top $500 million annually. Iowa would not be making cuts if the GOP had used better judgment in managing the state budget. The unfortunate result is Iowa students and working families are being forced to pay for failed Republican policies again.”

    Mid-year Budget Cuts Spreadsheet

  • 11 bad bills… what Republicans have introduced (so far!)

    Less than two weeks into the 2017 legislative session, here are some of the worst bills introduced by Republican Senators (so far…..)

    • SF 2(Co-sponsored by all 29 Republican Senators) – Defund Planned Parenthood.
    • SF 47 (Zaun) – Requires all voters to present an ID card to cast a ballot.
    • SF 29 (Zaun) – Creates a voucher program (“education savings accounts”) that would provide approximately $4,000 for homeschooled students and students at nonpublic schools; and eliminates the Department of Education and Iowa Public Television.
    • SF 53(Zaun) – Imposes a 20-week ban on abortions.
    • SF 55 (Chelgren) – Sets a lifetime ban from all state parks when a person has been convicted multiple times of various crimes, including public intoxication and OWI.
    • SF 31 (Zaun) — Authorizes school districts to adopt a mandatory uniform policy.
    • SF 45 (Zaun) – Ends the retirement systems currently used by public employees (IPERS, POR & 411) in 2019.
    • SF 60 (Chelgren) – Eliminates the option of straight-party voting.
    • SF 41 (Zaun) – Eliminates the tenure system at Iowa’s three state universities and bans tenure at community colleges.
    • SF 94 (Lofgren) – Turns the clock back 80 years by allowing 16 and 17 year olds to work in the laundry industry with chemicals and heavy machinery.
    • SF 71 (Chelgren) – Discourages Iowans from filing legitimate lawsuits by placing a financial burden on plaintiffs even before the case is heard by a judge or jury.