Issues | Iowa Senate Democrats

Bolkcom: Republican policies are train wreck for working families

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

Branstad and Reynolds were elected based on two promises: Raise family incomes by 25% and create 200,000 new Iowa jobs within four years. They failed and made life worse for Iowa families and their communities.

“Keep Iowa Beautiful” recognizes Allen for community improvement efforts

8 years ago by ContentAdmin · Blog, Energy & Enviroment, Issues, News releases, Official

Iowa Senate News Release For Immediate Release: March 13, 2017 On Monday, March 13, Governor Terry Branstad presented Senator Chaz Allen with a special award from Keep Iowa Beautiful. The organization helps communities and organizations with cleanup and beautification projects while promoting anti-littering education programs. Senator Chaz Allen was recognized ...

Workers deserve protections for on-the-job injuries

8 years ago by ContentAdmin · Blog, Health care, Issues, Official, Safer communities, Working families

Iowa’s workers’ compensation has delicately balanced the interests of employers against the need to provide reasonable medical care and fair benefits for workers who suffer disabling on-the-job injuries.

Action Alert: Help stop bad bills today

8 years ago by ContentAdmin · Blog, Issues, Jobs & Economy, Official, Working families

Two bad bills on today’s debate schedule are SF184/HF203, which would circumvent federal “Buy American” requirements on state and local road projects, and SF435/HF518, which would gut Iowa’s workers compensation system for work-related injuries and disabilities (see more below). You can help by e-mailing Republican Senators today and by calling ...

McCoy requests Oversight Committee review of “root causes” of the abuse of Glenwood residents

8 years ago by ContentAdmin · Blog, Health care, Issues, News releases, Official, Quality of life, Safer communities

It’s imperative that the Legislature closely review a new report on Glenwood to ensure residents are safe. The Iowa Department of Human Services runs the facility and disclosed in January that seven residents were physically abused and 13 residents were subjected to verbal abuse or neglect.

McCoy: Oversight needed to address failures at Iowa DHS & shortcomings in Iowa law

8 years ago by ContentAdmin · Blog, Issues, News releases, Official, Post includes video, Safer communities

Iowa children are falling through the cracks and government policies may be part of the problem, according to members of the House and Senate Government Oversight Committee. Natalie Finn is a 16-year old Des Moines girl who died after she was tortured and starved by her parents. Malayia Knapp, another Des Moines resident, was beaten, starved, and imprisoned by her adoptive parents.

Negative Consequences for Iowans from the New Public Sector Employment Law

8 years ago by ContentAdmin · Blog, Issues, Official, Working families

A new law, exclusively drafted and implemented by Republican legislators and the Branstad-Reynolds administration, strips away a wide range of rights from public workers in Iowa. Some comments in debate and since enactment have led to misunderstandings, but it is important that the true impact of the law is understood.

Seven weeks into legislative session, Republicans still breaking promises to create jobs, grow incomes

8 years ago by ContentAdmin · Blog, Issues, Jobs & Economy, News releases, Official, Working families

“In 2009, Governor Branstad and Lt. Governor Reynolds promised to create 200,000 jobs in five years,” said Senate Democratic Leader Rob Hogg of Cedar Rapids. “After more than 6 years, Iowa has gained less than 126,000 jobs, slower than the rate of job growth in the country as a whole. Instead of working on legislation to create jobs, Republicans are pursuing a partisan agenda that ignores the best interests of hard-working Iowans.”

Senate Leader: Anti-worker legislation hurts working Iowans and their families

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

An overwhelming majority of Iowans who packed the Capitol, attended rallies and overflowing local meetings, and filled legislative voicemail and email inboxes were in opposition to Senate File 213/House File 291. “Their message was clear: This bill hurts working Iowans and their families,” he said.

SF213 – Prepared remarks by Sen. Joe Bolkcom of Iowa City

8 years ago by ContentAdmin · Blog, Issues, Official, Working families

Iowa’s collective bargaining law has worked to foster good worker-management relations across Iowa for the past 40 years. This bill will disrupt that balance and undermine the morale and productivity of every public employee in the state.

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