Iowa Senate Democrats

Fighting for a Better Deal for Iowans.

  • Republican Senators reject proposal to ensure students don’t pay price for harassment judgment

    Iowa Senate News Release
    For Immediate Release:  February 8, 2018


    DES MOINES – All 29 Republican State Senators today rejected a proposal to ensure that community college students aren’t on the hook for a sexual harassment judgment against Republican Senators and staff.

    Senator Herman Quirmbach of Ames offered an amendment today to a budget bill (Senate File 2117) that would have reduced the size of mid-year budget cuts proposed by Senate Republicans and restored $1.75 million to the state’s community colleges.

    The $1.75 million mirrors the amount of a settlement reached last year between Iowa Senate Republican leaders and Kirsten Anderson, a former Senate Republican staffer who was sexually harassed over a period of years at the Capitol. Instead of taking her seriously, Senate Republican Leader Bill Dix of Shell Rock fired Anderson seven hours after she filed a harassment complaint with Republican leaders.

    “We’ve heard from many Iowans who are not happy about paying the $1.75 million settlement,” Quirmbach said. “Today, I gave Republican Senators a choice. If they believed that that Iowa community college students should NOT pay for the bad behavior of the Senate Republican caucus, they could have voted YES! Instead, all 29 Republican Senators voted to keep community college students on the hook for the $1.75 million settlement against Senate Republicans.

    “Community college students and other taxpayers expect more from their leaders.”

    – end –

  • Restoring rights to working Iowans

    Iowa Senate News Release
    For immediate release: February 7, 2018

     

    (Des Moines) State Senator Nate Boulton, the ranking member of the Senate Labor and Business Committee, is sponsoring two bills to restore rights to working Iowans.

    “A year ago, Iowa Republicans took away rights and benefits from many Iowan workers,” Boulton said.  “As a result, Iowa is now a less attractive state to work compared to other states. Hardworking people have choices. By passing this legislation, Iowa can show workers that Iowa is a state where we respect workers and that we are the right place to build a good future for their families.”

    Senator Nate Boulton has proposed two bills, Senate File 2185 and Senate File 2186, to restore and improve the rights of Iowa workers.

    “Iowa’s shortage of skilled workers is the number one reason our state doesn’t produce enough good paying jobs,” Boulton said.  “We need to convince skilled Iowans to stay in Iowa and to attract skilled workers from other states.  To do that, we must show working people that their voices will be heard, their needs will be considered, and that they will be respected in the workplace.”

    Senate File 2185 would allow injured Iowa employees to choose their own doctors.

    “Under current law, an injured Iowa worker receiving workers compensation must be treated by a doctor chosen by their employer,” Boulton said.  “This is an obvious conflict of interest.”

    Senate File 2186 restores the collective bargaining rights abruptly taken away from several hundred thousand Iowa workers last year.  These rights were first approved in the early 1970s by Republican Governor Robert Ray and a Republican-controlled state legislature. Since that legislation is more than 40 years old, Boulton’s legislation expands those rights so teachers can bargain issues such as class size, so police and firefighters can negotiate on issues like safety equipment and so all workers can negotiate on health insurance.

    “We need teachers, nurses, firefighters, corrections officers and other Iowa workers to have a say in the workplace,” Boulton said.  “They should be able to point out problems and advocate for improvements.”

    Boulton said approving his proposed legislation would be the first two steps towards improving Iowa’s national image in a way that would help grow the state’s economy.

    For more information, contact Senator Boulton at 515-669-4259.

     

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  • Livestream on Wednesday – More changes to Iowa Medicaid

    At 3 PM tomorrow, Wednesday, February 7, Michael Randol, director of the state’s Iowa Medicaid Enterprise, will answer questions from members of the Senate Human Resources Committee. Director Randol previously was the state Medicaid Director for Kansas.

    If you are able to attend, the meeting will take place in Room 22 of the Iowa Statehouse. Otherwise, you can tune in to our livestream on the Iowa Senate Democrats Facebook page.

     

    MORE CHANGES TO IOWANS’ MEDICAID COVERAGE

    Amerigroup Iowa, one of the two private companies that run Iowa Medicaid, says it will begin accepting new Medicaid members.

    That means the 10,000 members who chose Amerigroup Iowa before November 16, 2017, but were temporarily transitioned to fee-for-service coverage under the state, will be moved to Amerigroup Iowa on March 1. They will receive more information from Amerigroup in the mail.

    New Medicaid members whose coverage begins on or after May 1 can choose Amerigroup Iowa or United Healthcare. They will receive enrollment packets in the mail with details on how to select their Managed Care Organization.

    About one-third of Medicaid members will not be able to change MCOs anytime soon. About 200,000 members assigned to United Healthcare without choice last fall must remain with United until their next annual change period. To switch before then, they must show “good cause,” such as:

    • Their health care provider is not in their MCO network.
    • Necessary services are not available within the MCO network.
    • The MCO has provided poor-quality care.
    • They haven’t been able to get services that are supposed to be covered.

    To request a change for good cause, contact United Healthcare Member Services at 800-464-9484 or Amerigroup Member Services at 800-600-4441. You must go through the MCO grievance process, which can take 30 to 45 days.

    If your grievance is not resolved to your satisfaction, you may call Iowa Medicaid Member Services at 800-338-8366 for additional assistance. The final decision on your MCO assignment will be made by the Iowa Department of Human Services.

    Look for additional information in the coming weeks and months. For the latest updates, go to www.IAHealthLink.gov.

  • Comprehensive water solutions bill

    State Senator Rob Hogg of Cedar Rapids has introduced comprehensive water solutions legislation that would, if enacted, provide a 15-year framework to clean up Iowa’s water and safeguard against flood and drought damage across the state. Key elements of Senate File 2161 include:

    • Establish an Iowa Water Commission (comparable to the Iowa Transportation Commission) to lead Iowa’s water protection efforts.
    • Adopt state-wide nutrient reduction goals and timetables including 20% reduction by 2024, 32% by 2028, and 45% by 2033.
    • Comprehensive statewide water and drought monitoring program.
    • Annual water quality reporting and annual water plan updates.
    • Support Watershed Management Authorities implementing a watershed approach.
    • Commission may identify additional priority watersheds for water action.
    • Fund the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture and expand its research role.
    • Fund for the first time the Iowa Flood Mitigation Program established in 2012.
    • Fully fund the Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund.
    • Update the master matrix to better protect Iowa’s water resources.

    In addition to fully funding the Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund, this bill would provide an additional $10 million appropriation for the flood mitigation program, watershed management authorities, comprehensive water and drought monitoring program, and the Leopold Center and Iowa Flood Center.

    Sen. Hogg is calling upon Governor Reynolds and legislative leaders to take up this proposal so that together we can protect our health, clean up our waters, and safeguard our people and our property from future flood and drought damage.

    END

  • Boulton: Here’s how to provide all working Iowans with paid family leave

    IA SEN NEWS
    For Immediate Release:  January 31, 2018

     

    State Senator Nate Boulton of Des Moines has introduced legislation to provide 12 weeks of paid family leave for working Iowa families.  The leave would be available when Iowans must care for a family member with a serious health condition or to bond with a newborn, adopted, or foster child. The bill also provides for paid medical leave for a personal serious health condition.

    “This is the first bill of its kind in the Iowa Senate,” said Boulton. “This paid family leave benefit would be funded by employee and employer contributions to an insurance account managed by the State Treasurer.”

    Based off the federal Family Medical Leave Act of 1993, Senate File 2133 would offer Iowans the flexibility to plan for their futures. After up to 12-weeks of paid time off for family issues, Iowa workers would be able to come back to return to a stable job with the same pay and benefits as before.

    “Improving the lives of working Iowans will help our state attract and keep skilled workers,” said Boulton.  “That would do much more to grow Iowa’s economy than throwing millions of dollars in tax credits, exemptions and giveaways to wealthy corporations.”

    A video of Senator Boulton’s comments during today’s session of the Iowa Senate can be found on the Iowa Senate Democrats Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/IowaSenateDemocrats/?hc_ref=ARTjmp-z4FB2dvm2MnEN_oKcNRQldI54cWoExrkuYZEXsxIHBykdq-h7o-FAEbZQAeM

    -end-

     

     

  • Lawmakers Unveil “Putting Iowans First” Plan

    IOWA LEGISLATURE NEWS
    Thursday, January 25, 2018

     

    Focus On Improving Lives for Everyday Iowans

    DES MOINES – Democratic lawmakers outlined their new plan today called Putting Iowans First.  The plan was developed by lawmakers to keep the 2018 session focused on improving the lives of everyday Iowans.

    “Iowans don’t ask for much. They just want a decent paying job and the chance to lead a happy, healthy life. But we know today that too many Iowans who are working hard are just struggling to get by. Stagnant wages, rising health care costs, and fewer dollars going to job training and public education are hurting Iowa families,” said House Democratic Leader Mark Smith.

    “Democrats believe it’s time to get back to the basics—to help improve Iowans’ everyday lives and give each of us opportunities to get ahead. Our Putting Iowans First plan focuses on better paying jobs, a great education, and affordable health care. Democrats believe that Iowa values include investing in Iowans. It’s a mistake to believe that the state can cut its way to prosperity,” said Senate Democratic Leader Janet Petersen.

    The Putting Iowans First plan has four parts:

    1. Better-Paying Jobs
    2. A Revitalization of Small Towns and Rural Areas
    3. The Best Education in the Country
    4. A Quality of Life that Makes Iowa the #1 Best Place to Live

    “It’s time to say goodbye to the back room deals and corporate tax giveaways. Our Putting Iowans First plan will bring the focus of our government back to improving the lives of everyday Iowans,” added Smith. “That means affordable job training and new recreational opportunities in rural areas. It means increasing the use of renewable fuels and investing in our public schools again to produce a highly skilled workforce. It also means expanding access to affordable health care.”

    The full plan can be found at http://iowansfirst.com.

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  • Two ideas to help more Iowans save for retirement

    Iowa Senate News Release
    For Immediate Release:  January 24, 2018

     

    Statement and background from State Senator Nate Boulton

    (Press conference video)

    “Last year, and again this year, the Republican agenda continues to focus on stripping away benefits and weakening retirement security from public employees. That’s the wrong approach. Instead, Iowa should focus on helping more employees across Iowa, public and private, improve their quality of life and their standard of living.

    “That’s exactly what these two bills would do. My remarks will focus on SF 2087. It instructs the Department of Workforce Development to look into a portable benefits program for nontraditional workers and independent contractors. These workers are usually ineligible for health care and other employment-related benefits.

    “This legislation helps fix what Iowa business leaders say is the number one problem preventing them from expanding in Iowa: our state’s shortage of skilled workers. Taken together, these two bills will help Iowa attract and retain the quality workforce we need to make Iowa’s economic future as bright as possible.”

     

    SF 2087, www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ga=87&ba=SF2087

    SF 2088, www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ga=87&ba=SF%202088

    -End Statement-

     

    BACKGROUND – SF 2087: Portable Benefits Study Bill

    Problem

    Our economy and workforce is changing. Increasingly we have a workforce that are nontraditional workers, who are not classified as “employees” but as independent contractors. This new economy is an on-demand economy, a gig economy. Gig economy workers could work in the technology field or maybe they are drivers for companies like Lyft and Uber.

    These workers do not have access to benefits to help when they get hurt on the job, or healthcare, or even retirement savings. All workers deserve economic security.

    What if there was  way to provide a safety net to these employees?

    What if a fund was set up that would provide healthcare, or benefits if they get hurt, or even retirement security?

     

    Bill Summary

    Requires the Department of Workforce Development in consultation with the Iowa Insurance Commissioner to conduct a study assessing the feasibility of establishing a portable benefits program for workers not classified as employees by their employers. These workers are generally ineligible for health care, workers’ compensation, and pension related benefits that are otherwise provided to employees.

    The study shall consider who should administer a portable benefits program, what type of benefits, what level of benefits, and a method of financing the benefits. Iowa Workforce Development shall report back to the General Assembly by November of 2018.

    There are major problems with employers misclassifying workers as independent contractors when they should be employees. This bill is not about addressing that problem, there are still legal avenues to correct that major issue. This bill is about giving a safety net to our workers in the state.

     

    A Senator Just Introduced The First Ever National Gig Economy Bill
    https://www.buzzfeed.com/carolineodonovan/a-senator-just-introduced-the-first-ever-national-gig?utm_term=.naEB3VrRA#.foqjgvM74

    Portable Benefits Bill Could Hit Before End of March, Warner Says
    https://www.bna.com/portable-benefits-bill-n57982085587/

  • Perpetrators must pay for bad behavior – not Iowa taxpayers

    Iowa Senate News Release
    For Immediate Release: January 24, 2018

     

    DES MOINES — A group of Senators introduced legislation today to ensure that state employees – not all Iowa taxpayers – would be financially responsible for egregious and illegal workplace behavior.

    “Iowans are disgusted by the harassment, discrimination and retaliation against Kirsten Anderson and other legislative staff by some Republican Senators and staff members,” said Senator Tod Bowman of Maquoketa, the legislation’s main sponsor. “Most Iowans can’t believe they’re on the hook for $1.75 million because of the misconduct and mismanagement of some Republican Senators. Especially in a tight budget year, this money should be put towards our kids’ education, job training programs or mental health care. Taxpayers expect more from their leaders.”

    The legislation is proposed in the wake of a jury decision last year to award $2.25 million to former Senate Republican staffer Kirsten Anderson in a sexual harassment lawsuit she brought against Iowa Senate Republicans. Anderson was fired in May 2013, just seven hours after filing a complaint alleging a sexually hostile work environment. Subsequently, Anderson agreed to a reduced award of $1.75 million to avoid a lengthy appeal process.

    Under current law, Iowa taxpayers must pay for such awards, and there’s no recourse for state officials to recoup that money from offending state employees.

    The legislation introduced today – which is sponsored by all 20 Democratic State Senators and independent Senator David Johnson – would allow the plaintiff to receive an award from the state but would require the Iowa Attorney General to recover the amount of the award from offending state employees.

    The legislation applies to state employment cases, which includes hostile work environment cases involving sexual harassment, race, religion, age or disability.

    “This proposed legislation is part of the national conversation about preventing sexual harassment in the workplace,” Bowman said. “We must send a message to legislators and other state employees who harass their co-workers or subordinates that their conduct will not be tolerated and that they will be held responsible for their illegal behavior.”

    “This legislation is another important step in our efforts to improve the workplace culture in the Iowa Senate and our commitment to making sure the Statehouse is a safe and healthy environment.”

    – end –

     

  • Water quality deserves a REAL solution

    Iowa Senate News Release
    For Immediate Release: January 23, 2018

     

    Statement on House passage of SF 512
    from Senator Bob Dvorsky of Coralville,
    Ranking Member of the Natural Resources and Environment Committee

    “Water quality is a real problem that deserves a real solution. Senate File 512 is not a real solution.

    “This bill fails to ensure accountability through monitoring to measure whether the state is achieving the goal of cleaner water and healthier soils.

    “This bill falls also short because Republicans failed to work in a bipartisan manner and failed to seek input from farmers, environmentalist and other concerned Iowans. A bipartisan approach would have produced a better bill that would have been effective at addressing this serious issue.”

    -End-

  • Senators introduce bill to end privatized Medicaid

    All 20 Democrats and the one Independent in the Iowa Senate have introduced SF 2058, a bill to end privatized Medicaid and put Iowans back in control of a state-run system that provides affordable health care to more than 560,000 citizens.

    Since April 2016, when Iowa Medicaid was turned over to out-of-state companies, constituents have complained about the obstacles they face getting care and services.

    Hospitals, nursing homes and other health care providers – especially in Iowa’s small towns and rural areas – agree that the privatized system is not working. They aren’t being properly reimbursed for the care they provide. They face red tape and bureaucratic nightmares. Many are in financial jeopardy, and some have even been forced to close their doors.

    The state keeps giving private, out-of-state companies more of your tax dollars to run Medicaid. In fact, Governor Reynolds just agreed to give them another $130 million. Yet things continue to get worse.

    This is not how health care for sick, injured and disabled Iowans is supposed to work. Privatized Medicaid is not saving taxpayer dollars. Iowans are not getting healthier. The entire system is in shambles.

    For the health and safety of our citizens, let’s put Iowans back in control of Medicaid.