Issues | Iowa Senate Democrats

Iowa workers vote for strong unions

6 years ago by ContentAdmin · Blog, Issues, News releases, Official, Working families

Our friends and neighbors across the state who work every day to teach our kids, keep our families and communities safe, and protect the most vulnerable Iowans need to have a voice in the workplace. Iowans depend on their voices being heard.

Privatizing IPERS: An Analysis of SF 45 (Updated 10/26/18)

6 years ago by ContentAdmin · Blog, Issues, Official, Quality of life, Transparency & accountability, Working families

Privatizing IPERS: An Analysis of Senate File 45: The bill directs each retirement system to submit a plan to create an alternative defined contribution plan to the public retirement systems committee by October 1, 2018. This is a bad bill – built on a bad idea. While Senate File 45 would get rid of all public defined benefit pensions, this year most discussion is around the IPERS pension system…

HWY 20 shows the promise of rural Iowa investments

6 years ago by ContentAdmin · Ag & Farming, Blog, Issues, Jobs & Economy, News releases, Official, Quality of life, Safer communities

“Safe, efficient roads for Iowans, travelers and commerce have been top priorities over my last eight years on the Senate Transportation Committee. We’ve accomplished a lot in that time through bipartisan efforts focused on making Iowa the best place to live, work and do business.”

Statement on latest revenue estimates

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

The fiscal mismanagement by Governor Reynolds and legislative Republicans is like a slow train wreck for everyday Iowans. It’s no wonder that Iowans are clamoring for new leadership that will put their needs ahead of the self-interest of Wall Street corporations, special interests and millionaires.

Appropriations Ranking Member on year-end balance

6 years ago by ContentAdmin · Blog, Fiscal responsibility, Issues, News releases, Official

The Governor is cheering today because there’s still money in the state’s bank account. That would be great news if she and the Republican-controlled Legislature hadn’t slashed funding for job training and higher education, reduced protections for seniors and other vulnerable Iowans, and made health care less accessible for thousand of Iowans.

How can we stop the increase in Iowa suicides?

6 years ago by ContentAdmin · Blog, Health care, Issues, Jobs & Economy, Official, Quality of life

The U.S. has seen a jump in suicides in recent years, with rural states being hardest hit. Iowa’s suicide rate increased more than 35 percent between 1999 and 2016. Mental illness, economic hardship, relationship problems, substance abuse, poor health and other crises increase a person’s risk of suicide. September’s National ...

What happens when you privatize Medicaid?

6 years ago by ContentAdmin · Blog, Health care, Issues, Official

In a video released Sunday, AJ+ looks at “what happens when a state puts a crucial social safety net in the hands of for-profit companies.” It’s a devastating report on Iowa’s Medicaid privatization that features Senator Pam Jochum of Dubuque, as well as Iowans who are suffering under the #MedicaidMess.

Petersen: Medicaid increase is GOP’s ‘gut punch’ to Iowa taxpayers

6 years ago by ContentAdmin · Blog, Consumer protections, Fiscal responsibility, Health care, Issues, Official, Quality of life

Statement from Senate Democratic Leader Janet Petersen on GOP’s ‘gut punch’ to Iowa taxpayers “Iowa families, health care providers and taxpayers received a gut punch today because of the mismanagement of privatized Medicaid by Governor Reynolds, Senate Republicans and House Republicans. “Taxpayers are being hurt because they must now pay ...

Two new laws will help protect your credit

6 years ago by ContentAdmin · Blog, Consumer protections, Issues, Official, Safer communities, Working families

Credit reporting agencies can no longer charge fees when you freeze checks on your credit reports, and tougher penalties are now in place for criminals who use technology to steal your credit card.

Proposal to close UI Labor Center is “latest gut punch” to Iowa workers

6 years ago by ContentAdmin · Blog, Fiscal responsibility, Issues, News releases, Official, Working families

I am deeply disappointed at the proposed closure the UI Labor Center. This proposal is the latest gut punch to Iowa workers and their families. This is a terrible time to even consider closing the UI Labor Center.

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