Iowa Senate Democrats

Fighting for a Better Deal for Iowans.

  • Gov. Reynolds: Convince Pres. Trump to stop Iowa health care disaster

    June 21, 2017

    (Open letter from Senator Joe Bolkcom to Governor Kim Reynolds)

    Dear Governor Reynolds:

    Today, you will have an opportunity to speak one-on-one with President Trump in Cedar Rapids.

    I support your announced plan to raise the issue of Iowa’s failing individual insurance market.  However, that issue is only one part of Iowa’s health care problems.

    Governor Reynolds, you must be aware that the Republican-controlled U.S. Congress is rushing to send President Trump health care legislation.  This legislation will devastate Iowa families, Iowa health care providers, the State of Iowa’s budget, and the Iowa economy.

    That’s why Iowans are counting on you to convince President Trump to oppose this impending disaster.  Here are some of the reasons why the Republican health care bills are so bad for all Iowans:

    1. Proposed cuts to Medicaid expansion threaten health care for 150,000 Iowans.
    2. More Iowans will be living without health insurance. There will be more uninsured charity care, care that is less effective, more costly, and will increase everyone’s health care costs.
    3. Older Iowans, who make up an increasingly large share of Iowa’s population, will be hit especially hard by these changes.
    4. Cuts, caps or block granting federal Medicaid spending will cost the state of Iowa hundreds of millions of dollars.
    5. Health care providers will be paid less. It will be harder to recruit and keep qualified doctors, nurses and other caregivers, especially in Iowa’s small towns and rural communities.
    6. Health care is a large part of Iowa’s economy. Health care layoffs and wage cuts will hurt all sorts of Iowa businesses and weaken our economy.

    Iowa’s response must be bipartisan. That’s why at tomorrow’s meeting of the Legislative Council, I will propose that we create a special legislative interim committee to examine Iowa’s health care crisis and offer solutions.

    This committee would look at proposed Medicaid cuts, the collapse of the individual market, the repeal of the Affordable Care Act, and the impact on the state budget.

    Governor Reynolds, please use your influence with President Trump to make sure Iowans can keep their health insurance, to protect rural hospitals and health care providers, and to prevent a devastating blow to Iowa’s economy.

    I hope you will return to Des Moines with some good news.  We need some right now.

     

    Signed,

    Joe Bolkcom

    State Senator

    PDF of letter to Gov Reynolds

     

  • Action Alert: Help stop bad bills today

    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 the Senate switchboard (515-281-3371) to leave messages for specific individual Senators this afternoon.

     

    Workers Compensation

    Let me be more specific about how SF435/HF518 would gut our workers compensation system for work-related injuries and disabilities. Provisions that would create new barriers to compensation or arbitrarily reduce compensation include:

    • New and unrealistic deadlines for asserting a claim.
    • Discriminatory age limitations against people age 67 or older.
    • A new “predominant factor” test that will take away compensation from injured workers because of pre-existing conditions such as age, weight and prior work injuries.
    • Additional barriers due to alcohol or drug use, even if unrelated to employment.
    • Reduction of compensation for all shoulder injuries.
    • Reduction of compensation for all second work injuries.
    • New “light duty” requirements that could reduce or bar compensation.
    • New provisions that allow or encourage employers and their insurers to delay paying compensation.

    If you speak up today, we may be able to get 4-5 Senate Republicans to help us stop or amend this legislation. Please e-mail and call today to save Iowa’s injured and disabled workers.

     

    Speak Up For Iowans to Stop the Rest of the “Dirty Dozen”

    We expect other damaging and dangerous bills to come up, perhaps as early as this week, in the Iowa House and the Iowa Senate.

    Here are 10 other bills where we need your help:

    1. Prohibit Local “Pre-Qualification” for Bidding (SF438) – passed Iowa Senate, now in Iowa House
    2. Lower Local Minimum Wages (HF295) – passed Iowa House, now in Iowa Senate
    3. New Government Barriers to Voting (HF516) – passed Iowa House, now in Iowa Senate
    4. Make Planned Parenthood Ineligible for Medicaid Reimbursement (SF2) – passed Iowa Senate, now in Iowa House
    5. Create Religious Exemptions for Boarding School Regulations (SF443) – still in Iowa Senate
    6. Eliminate Permits to Acquire Firearms, Other Firearm Changes (HF517) – passed Iowa House, now in Iowa Senate
    7. Unfunded Mandate on Local Officials to Enforce Immigration Laws (SF481) – still in Iowa Senate
    8. End Bottle and Can Deposit Law (HF575) – still in Iowa House
    9. Take Away Local Control of Water Supply (HF484/SF456) – Has not passed either chamber
    10. Restrict Right to Bring Nuisance Lawsuit (HF468/SF447) – Has not passed either chamber

    If you keep speaking up, we will be able to stop some or all of these bills.

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

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 23, 2017
    CONTACT:
    Senate Democratic Leader Rob Hogg: (515)  281-4610
    House Democratic Leader Mark Smith: (515) 281-0817

     

    (Des Moines) Today House and Senate Democratic Leaders pointed out that the Republicans in charge of state government continue to break promises to create jobs and increase family incomes.

    “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 six years, Iowa has gained fewer than 126,000 jobs, which is 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.”

    “Instead of increasing wages and incomes for Iowa families like they promised, Republicans are planning to pass a bill that actually lowers wages for 65,000 Iowans. Far from increasing Iowa incomes, Republicans are casting vote after vote that will lead to job losses and lower incomes for Iowa families,” said House Democratic Leader Mark Smith.  “Democrats believe we should work together to raise wages and increase incomes for Iowa families, not lower them.”

    Republicans have:

    • Refused to help small businesses and farmers who would benefit from coupling with federal tax code changes.
    • Rushed through a collective bargaining bill (SF 213) that directly hurts 185,000 family budgets and will undermine the economies of the communities where they live and shop.
    • Approved a miserly 1.11% increase in aid to local schools (SF 166), even though 61% of superintendents warn this will cause teacher layoffs.
    • Approved deep mid-year budget cuts to community colleges and public services (SF 130) that has resulted in job losses, higher tuition at community colleges, and the loss of 2,440 scholarships for Iowa students.
    • Continue to support the Medicaid privatization mess that has already forced businesses to close and will drive others out of business due to late and non-existent payments by the MCOs.
    • Instead of increasing the minimum wage, Republican lawmakers are working on legislation that will directly cut the wages of 65,000 Iowans.
    • Republican lawmakers are pushing legislation (SF 184) that will drive down construction wages in rural areas, bring in out-of-state workers to do Iowa jobs, and open the door to building Iowa roads and bridges with materials imported from China and other countries.
    • Republican lawmakers are pushing legislation (SSB 1145) that will stop local governments from voluntarily entering into agreements with local contractors—agreements that ensure good-paying jobs, quality work, and cost-effective projects.

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  • 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-

     

     

     

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

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    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

  • Iowa Legislative Leaders, Governor Branstad Pre-Session Interviews with Iowa Reporters (Video)

    On January 13, 2017, the Associated Press organized a pre-session news conference with with the leaders of the Iowa Legislature.  From left to right: Senate Democratic Leader Rob Hogg, House Democratic Leader Mark Smith, Republican House Speaker Linda Upmeyer and Senate Republican Leader Bill Dix.

    After their meeting, Governor Branstad also met with reporters.

    The meetings were livestreamed on the Iowa Senate Democrats’ Facebook Page.  The links below will take you to the videos.  News coverage is below the videos.

     

     

    https://www.facebook.com/IowaSenateDemocrats/videos/10154180349601778/

     

    https://www.facebook.com/IowaSenateDemocrats/videos/10154180479871778/

     

    Des Moines Register:

    http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2017/01/04/gop-exercise-muscle-2017-iowa-legislature/96160734/

    http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2017/01/04/branstad-wont-recommend-tax-cuts-lieu-budget-woes/96160506/

     

     

    CR Gazette:

    http://www.thegazette.com/subject/news/government/budget-constraints-may-limit-iowa-lawmakers-water-quality-actions-20170104

    http://www.thegazette.com/subject/news/government/k-12-schools-medicaid-should-be-spared-from-budget-cuts-branstad-says-20170104

     

    Radio Iowa:

    http://www.radioiowa.com/2017/01/05/first-four-priorities-for-action-in-gop-led-iowa-senate/

    https://www.radioiowa.com/2017/01/04/branstad-state-isnt-in-a-position-to-cut-income-taxes-now/

     

     

     

  • Senate Democratic Leader Rob Hogg on the release of the new Iowa Energy Plan

    “As we review the proposed Iowa Energy Plan, the new Legislature and Governor’s office should focus on developing our state’s renewable energy and energy efficiency resources, generating wealth throughout the state and making Iowa even more energy independent.

    “Democratic leadership led the way in developing Iowa’s statewide renewable energy industry. That’s because Iowa renewable energy is good for the environment and good for Iowa jobs across our state.

    “Iowa is the number one state in the production of biofuels and a national leader in wind energy.  In addition, Iowa homeowners, farmers, and businesses are using solar systems to save money, and our utilities are investing in large scale solar installations.

    “Many good Iowa jobs now involve manufacturing, installing and servicing of wind, solar, biofuels and energy efficiency systems. Iowa-made energy is a job creator that is expanding Iowa’s economy, especially in our rural areas and small towns.

    “We hope legislative Republicans will continue bipartisan support for clean, renewable energy. This is especially important because the incoming President and his nominees for key positions have expressed opposition to clean energy solutions.”

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  • First change by Senate Republicans guts oversight of economic development

    Iowa Senate News Release
    For immediate release: December 5, 2016

     

    First change by Iowa Senate Republicans guts oversight of economic development projects  

    Senate Democratic Leader Rob Hogg

    Senate Democratic Leader Rob Hogg

    [Des Moines] The first decision by the new Republican majority in the Iowa Senate was to eliminate the Senate Economic Growth Committee.  The committee oversees hundreds of millions of dollars in state economic development efforts by multiple state agencies.  The Senate Republicans’ decision runs counter to that of the Republican-controlled Iowa House, which today announced that the House Economic Growth Committee will continue.

     

    “Senate Republicans should reconsider their decision to gut legislative oversight of Iowa’s job creation efforts,” said Senate Democratic Leader Rob Hogg (D-Cedar Rapids).  “The Senate Economic Growth Committee has helped Iowans create jobs with innovative programs in infrastructure, community development, and emerging technologies.  The committee’s job is to improve these efforts and provide a safeguard against crony capitalism.”

     

    Legislation developed by the Senate Economic Growth Committee was supported by bipartisan majorities in the Iowa House and Senate and signed into law by both Democratic and Republican Governors, including Governor Branstad.  A 2016 example is Senate File 2300, legislation that will help make Iowa a key player in the next generation of renewable chemical production.

     

     

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  • Expanding skilled workforce is key to growth

    Iowa’s shortage of skilled workers has been our biggest obstacle to economic growth. Investing in education and job training can change that.

    Good education and worker training lead to better-paying, high-quality jobs, and a skilled, well-educated workforce in turn draws good businesses to Iowa.

    While Iowa has the highest high school graduation rate in the country — with almost 92 percent of students earning their diploma on time– only 27 percent of Iowa adults have a bachelor’s degree or higher.

    Senator Rich Taylor learning from a student during a STEM Day at the State Capitol. STEM education programs are vital in expanding the skilled workforce in Iowa.
    Senator Rich Taylor learning from a student during a STEM Day at the State Capitol. STEM education programs are vital in expanding the skilled workforce in Iowa.

    By 2025, 68 percent of jobs in Iowa will require some education or training beyond high school, but not a bachelor’s degree. That’s where we’re targeting Iowa’s worker training efforts.

    Over the last several years, we’ve worked to expand Iowa’s skilled workforce by:

    • Investing in apprenticeship training and job retraining at our community colleges.
    • Increasing the number of skilled workers with affordable tuition and other community college investments.
    • Ensuring high-quality workforce training by boosting opportunities for Career Technical Education (CTE) in Iowa high schools.
    • Improving the classroom experience for our K-12 students with a Teacher Leadership initiative. This program allows Iowa’s most effective educators to work with new teachers and to mentor those looking to improve.
    • Ensuring access to initiatives and internships for students studying science, technology, engineering and math.

    A recent evaluation of Iowa’s STEM efforts shows that students in high-quality STEM education programs score higher on Iowa Assessments in mathematics, science and reading, and that 90 percent of Iowans think STEM education should be a priority.

    By making STEM a priority, Iowa now has more students taking Advanced Placement STEM courses, more teachers earning STEM endorsements and more students hoping to earn a STEM degree compared to five years ago.

  • Boosting Iowans’ income & employment

    The Iowa economy is steadily moving in the right direction, and I’m working to ensure that continues. Iowans deserve good jobs and fair pay that reward their hard work.

    It’s also good news that we are making strides toward decreasing economic inequality. When median income outpaces economic growth, we know the gains are benefiting more than just the wealthy few at the top.

    The economic inequality that has grown since the 1970s may finally be turning around. An analysis of census and economic data from Pew Trusts shows a big gain nationwide in median household income last year, which could mean earnings are starting to catch up to overall economic growth.

    When it comes to employment, things also look good. Iowa employment is up 2 percent—that’s 31,200 jobs—over this time last year, and our unemployment rate remains low compared to most other states and to the nation as a whole.

    According to the most recent employment update from Iowa Workforce Development:

    • The number of working Iowans increased by 1,700 between July and August.
    • The number of working Iowans is 3,600 higher than a year ago.
    • For the third consecutive month, Iowa businesses expanded their payrolls, raising the total number of working Iowans.

    If you want to learn more about what jobs are in demand in Iowa, as well as what they pay and the training they require, check out Iowa’s occupational forecast at www.iowaworkforcedevelopment.gov/occupational-projections.