Iowa Senate Democrats

Fighting for a Better Deal for Iowans.

  • 2020 Session Wrap-up

  • Wahls: Addressing Iowa’s stresses before session ends

    By State Senator Zach Wahls

    The Iowa Legislature resumed yesterday at 9 a.m. We suspended the session in March in response to the coronavirus outbreak. Needless to say, a lot has happened since then.

    Since then, nearly every aspect of our lives—at home, work, school, worship and play—has changed dramatically. More than 20,000 Iowans have been infected with the virus, and more than 550 Iowans have lost their lives. A record number of Iowans have filed for unemployment, and thousands have had their paychecks reduced.

    In addition, like so many of you, I have watched the protests that are rolling through the country and through Iowa following the killing of George Floyd by officers of the Minneapolis Police Department. If you’re white and you have not yet watched the video of the encounter, I implore you to do so. The New York Times has put together a video explanation. And it’s not just George Floyd—Ahmad Arbury, Breonna Taylor, Michael Brown, Trayvon Martin, Sandra Bland, Philando Castile, Eric Garner, Tamir Rice, Laquan McDonald, Freddie Gray, Walter Scott, and so, so many more.  

    Yesterday, during a debate on a firearms bill being advanced by Republicans, I proposed an amendment that should have been the easiest, most basic step forward: require that Iowa law enforcement officers receive at least as much de-escalation training as they receive firearms training. Republicans challenged my amendment and ruled it non-germane before even allowing debate on its merits. We will keep fighting as long as the Legislature is in session, and we’ll keep you up to date.

    The list of stressors Iowans face right now is lengthy. We need honest leadership, clear communication, and a commitment to each other to safely guide us through these trying times.

    State leaders must be focused on solutions that address Iowans’ concerns; use available resources to protect education, health care and employment security; and press our federal delegation to provide continued assistance that meets Iowa’s unique needs.

    Over the next two weeks, our top priorities are:

    • Passing a balanced budget based on the latest revenue estimates.
    • Fighting for the short-term and long-term needs of Iowans, businesses and communities impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.
    • Pushing for laws to address racial inequities in Iowa. Many bills have been proposed. I’m hopeful that recent events will motivate all legislators to act. 

    I encourage you to follow what’s happening at the Statehouse and offer your input:

    • Get information on each day’s schedule and the bills to be taken up, as well as a live stream of Senate action, at legis.iowa.gov.
    • At facebook.com/iowasenatedemocrats, we will provide updates on the session, and share videos, photos, news and additional resources.
    • Our caucus website, senate.iowa.gov/democrats, will have bill summaries, news releases and relevant analysis.

  • New budget estimates mean we must focus on real solutions

    Iowa Senate News Release
    May 29, 2020

    Statement from Sen. Joe Bolkcom, Ranking Member of Senate Appropriations Committee

    “Iowans have sacrificed a lot during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Businesses have closed, workers have been laid off, and too many Iowans have been sickened or killed by this horrible disease.

    “Because of their sacrifices, Iowans deserve to have their state leaders focus on solutions and maintaining key priorities when the Legislature reconvenes next week. This is a health care crisis and an economic crisis.

    “Based on the updated revenue estimates, the Governor and legislators must strategically use available resources– including federal funds and the state’s rainy-day fund – to protect key priorities: education, health care and employment security.

    “We also need to press our federal delegation to provide continued assistance to Iowans who are hurting.

    “Let’s get to work!”

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  • Oversight meeting needed on state use of cloud-based software

  • Tax-hike proposal violates Iowans’ trust

    Iowans made clear their support for our natural resources and recreational opportunities at the ballot box, but Governor Reynolds is now threatening to shortchange them (SSB 3116/HSB 657).

    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.

    Iowans intended for at least $200 million a year in new money to go to natural resources and recreation, but the Governor’s sleight of hand will provide only $82 million in new funding, according to the Iowa Fiscal Partnership.

    Prior to the 2010 election, state legislators established how money would be generated and distributed so that Iowans knew in advance exactly what they were committing to when they voted for a constitutional amendment creating the trust fund.

    Although the idea was to beef up spending with new funding where it was sorely needed, the Governor’s plan ignores voters’ intent, and instead moves around money in existing programs. The result? Our land and water will get only about two-fifths of what was promised from the sales-tax increase.

    We will continue to listen to Iowans and push for changes to the Governor’s proposal as it makes its way through the legislative process.

    Learn more about what voters approved at iowaswaterandlandlegacy.org.

    Read the Iowa Fiscal Partnership’s analysis at iowafiscal.org/breaking-trust-with-the-trust.

  • Don’t hurt Iowans with another tax shift

    Iowans deserve a tax system that works for all of us. Unfortunately, many Iowans believe the current system is rigged against them. The proposed tax changes Governor Reynolds floated in her Condition of the State Address are a good example of why.

    The Governor’s plan is a tax shift that will have a big impact on the pocketbooks of Iowa families. Three in four Iowans likely will see a tax increase. Low-income Iowans and those on a fixed income will be hardest hit.

    Iowa’s current tax system already places a higher burden on lower-income Iowans than on the wealthiest. The Governor’s proposal makes the situation worse.

    Senate Democrats will assess any tax bill on four key principles:

    • Tax reform must be fair. According to the Iowa Policy Project, when all state and local taxes are accounted for, Iowa’s lowest income earners pay the largest portion of their income in taxes. Changes to Iowa’s tax system should address this situation, not make the problem worse.

    • Tax reform must simplify Iowa’s tax code to highlight our state’s true competitiveness. Iowa’s tax code is a confusing collection of credits, deductions and exemptions that do not accurately reflect the cost of living and doing business in Iowa. Our tax rates appear to be among the highest in the nation, but according to the Tax Foundation, taxes paid by Iowans rank our state in the middle of the pack.

    • Tax reform must fit our budget situation. Iowa, under Republican control, has not approved enough funding for state government to meet the needs of Iowans. Let’s not repeat the mistakes of states such as Kansas, which passed massive tax cuts that have resulted in an ongoing budget crisis and cuts to essential services.

    Tax reform must examine corporate tax credits. Under Republican control, the state has slashed funding for vital programs that serve some of our most vulnerable Iowans, while corporate tax credits have been exempt from cuts. We must determine if corporate tax credits offer a good return on investment and benefit Iowans, not just the few businesses that receive them.

  • Statement on State Patrol, DPS misuse of tax dollars

    Listen to this news release

    Statement from State Sen. Tony Bisignano on misuse of tax dollars
    by Iowa State Patrol and Department of Public Safety

    “I can’t believe the silence by Governor Reynolds and other state leaders after the State Auditor reported the misuse of $40,000 in taxpayer money by the Iowa State Patrol and Iowa Department of Public Safety.

    “An audit released yesterday determined that there was no legitimate reason to spend $40,000 to help move an Iowa State Patrol supervisor and his family from Adel to West Des Moines.

    “The Governor should take immediate action to require the Iowa State Patrol supervisor to repay that money to the State of Iowa. She should make sure someone is held accountable for this poor judgment call, including officials who approved it.

    “In addition, the Senate’s Government Oversight Committee should meet the first week of the 2020 session to investigate this matter and to recommend legislation that would stop further misuse of taxpayer dollars.”

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    Senator Tony Bisignano of Des Moines is the Ranking Member of the Senate’s Government Oversight Committee.

  • Private management of UI utility system raises concerns

    Statement by Senator Joe Bolkcom on proposed privatized management of University utility system

    This elaborate, 50-year creative borrowing scheme is the result of the failure over the last decade by the Iowa Legislature and Governor Reynolds to adequately fund our public universities.

    The University of Iowa and Iowa Board of Regents are moving at breakneck speed toward approving a proposed University of Iowa’s plan to privatize management of the institution’s electricity and water systems in exchange for a $1 billion-dollar (my guesstimate because it’s still a secret) payment.

    Like a hedge fund, the University of Iowa will invest this borrowed money in the markets, in hopes of realizing large capital gains to both payback the borrowed money to the investors and realize a financial gain to fund the University. Like a home mortgage, every dollar that the University receives in an upfront payment will have to be paid back with interest over the next 50-years.

    Exotic and possibly risky financing with international investors’ money is the latest plan by Governor Reynolds, the Board of Regents and university leaders to support educating our Iowa college students. The plan relies on the performance of the markets to succeed. If for some reason the University can’t pay back the money, Iowa taxpayers will.

    This elaborate, 50-year creative borrowing scheme is the result of the failure over the last decade by the Iowa Legislature and Governor Reynolds to adequately fund our public universities.

    Except for handful of legislative leaders and the Governor’s office, Iowans have been left in the dark about the financial details of this deal. The assets of the University of Iowa belong to Iowa taxpayers not any board or unelected administrator. We have not privatized the University of Iowa yet! Iowans deserve a far more transparent process and a timely sharing of the financial details of such a complicated long-term deal.

    Iowans will have no opportunity to express their views on the final details of borrowing plan. At the Board of Regents meeting next week, they will reveal the successful bidder and the amount of the deal moments before they vote to approve the contract. Their agenda does not allow for any public input.

    Taxpayers deserve some straight answers to basic questions before the Board of Regents rubber-stamps the deal. Some of the questions include:

    • Who is the company and what is their expertise and experience operating both a power plant and drinking water system?
    • Where is the money coming from?
    • How much money will need to be paid back?
    • Who is financially responsible if the plan fails?
    • Why does the University of Iowa continue to pay all the costs of staff, fuel and capital improvements to operate the utility systems?
    • Why have Iowan’s been left in the dark?

    This is no way to run a public university. This is not a long-term solution to fund higher education. Iowa taxpayers and University of Iowa faculty, staff and students deserve better.

  • Statement on appointment of new DAS director

    IOWA SENATE NEWS
    June 20, 2019

    Statement from Senate Democratic Leader Janet Petersen on new DAS Director appointment

    “The biggest job for Governor Reynolds and Jim Kurtenbach in the coming months is to restore taxpayers’ faith in the Department of Administrative Services.

    “In a May 29 letter, I encouraged Governor Reynolds to appoint a new Director with the experience and proven track record necessary to write a new chapter. The Department must establish higher expectations than what we’ve seen over the past several years.

    “It’s unclear at this time whether she has accomplished that goal with the appointment of Mr. Kurtenbach.

    “The Governor and Mr. Kurtenbach will need to explain to Iowans how his background is suitable for this new job. We have seen numerous problems in recent years – multi-million dollar harassment settlements, hush money payments, understaffing that puts at risk the safety of state workers,  and unfair bargaining tactics, and biased hiring and procurement practices – that need to be addressed, not ignored.

    “Mr. Kurtenbach must explain to Iowans what specific plans he has for addressing those problems and ensuring that all state employees and Iowans are safe and treated with dignity, and that tax dollars are not abused.”

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    The May 29 letter from Sen. Petersen to the Governor outlined problems that previous Directors either created or failed to address:• Denied Iowans access to basic public information about the number of harassment complaints in state government and how much taxpayer dollars have been spent to compensate harassment victims.• Taken a restrictive, punitive approach to negotiating contracts with state employees.

    • Put the health and safety of state employees and Iowans at risk through dangerous staff reductions, overtime policies, and other employment practices that were previously protected under collective bargaining.

    • Mishandled a sweeping scandal at the Iowa Finance Authority (IFA) that included rampant harassment of employees, a failure by IFA staff and DAS staff to address complaints, and pay raises and promotions that were based on cronyism rather than merit.

    • Approved secret settlements – described by some as “hush money” – to outgoing state employees.

    • Endangered the rights of workers by maintaining a “do-not-hire” list without due process for workers to challenge their inclusion on the list.

    • Failed to adequately update and enforce harassment policies in the executive branch.

    • Conducted hirings, firings and promotions across state government that appear to be based on political connections rather than qualifications.

  • Lackluster state revenue projections are bad news for Iowans

    December 13, 2018

    Statement from Sen. Joe Bolkcom, Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Committee,
    on latest revenue estimates

    “These lackluster figures are more evidence that the Governor Reynolds and legislative Republicans are putting the interests of Wall Street corporations, special
    interests and millionaires ahead of what’s best for working Iowans.

    “The result is that the Governor and the Republican-controlled Legislature will continue to make job training and higher education unaffordable for thousands of Iowans, to reduce protections for seniors and other vulnerable Iowans, and to make health care less accessible for thousands of Iowans for the next two years.”

    END