“Republicans passed a tax giveaway bill today that gives most of the benefits to out-of-state companies and millionaires. It’s a bad deal for most Iowans. It will raise property taxes on families, seniors and small businesses, and it will result in cuts to health care, job creation, education and other critical services.
“Senate Democrats came into the 2018 session promising to support tax reform that would:
Make the tax system fairer for working families and small businesses
Make Iowa businesses more competitive
Take into account our current budget crisis
Tackle corporate tax giveaways, the fastest growing part of the state budget
“By every measure, the tax plan unveiled in the 11th hour of the 2018 session and passed by the Senate today fails every one of those tests. That’s because the bill is filled with giveaways to millionaires, wealthy corporations and people who don’t even live in Iowa.”
“This new law is another dangerous example of politicians dictating health care decisions for Iowa women.
“In the past two years, Governor Reynolds and other the Republican-controlled Legislature have made our state more dangerous for Iowa women. Instead of improving health care access for women, Governor Reynolds and the Republican-controlled Legislature have pushed through policies that put more women at risk, including:
Making it harder for women to prevent pregnancies by gutting Iowa’s highly successful family planning program.
Supporting a privatized Medicaid system — which serves nearly half of all pregnant moms — that isn’t paying bills for providers across our state.
Prohibiting many of the state’s most highly qualified providers from participating in their GOP Family Planning program while the families of Republican legislators could see whomever they chose under their taxpayer funded health insurance program.
Cutting home visits for at-risk newborn babies and their mothers.
“This new law is extreme because it restricts the freedom of Iowa women and girls to care for their bodies, and it forces motherhood on Iowa women.
“This new law is dangerous.
“This new law is unconstitutional.”
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Senate Democratic Leader Janet Petersen spoke against SF 359, the nation’s most extreme anti-woman law during debate on May 2, 2018.
“Thanks to the Iowa Consumer Advocate for speaking up today to defend Iowa’s successful utility energy efficiency programs that have helped create jobs and save consumers money.
“Earlier today, Iowa Consumer Advocate Mark Schuling stated:
“’Energy efficiency has saved millions of dollars in energy savings and benefits all customers with lower rates. It has added thousands of jobs in energy efficiency across Iowa. … As passed by the House, SF2311 is a utility bill good for utilities that will result ultimately in higher rates for customers.’
“Last week, House Democrats fought all night against SF2311, and were joined by five House Republicans in opposing that bill. Senate Republicans should stop and listen to Iowa’s Consumer Advocate.”
Des Moines, IA — The leaders of the Iowa House and Senate Democrats today called on Governor Kim Reynolds to expand the independent investigation of David Jamison and the Iowa Finance Authority.
“The fallout from the firing of David Jamison should be a wakeup call to you. David Jamison’s disgusting behavior and the failure of key staffers in your Administration to address the problem over a period of years highlight the alarming fact that executive branch employees are afraid to report illegal and highly inappropriate behavior,” said Senate Democratic Leader Janet Petersen of Des Moines.
The letter signed by the two lawmakers outlined 12 key points that must be included in the scope of the investigation. Some of the key points include: the victim’s concerns about retaliation; misinformation provided by the Reynolds Administration; the long delay in calling for the independent investigation; an examination of the lease agreement with Hubbell Realty; and a full audit and analysis of expenses and reimbursement to David Jamison including the slush fund used by key executives without oversight.
“The graphic letter sent to you by a victim of Jamison’s alleged misconduct highlights systemic issues that need to be addressed. While the investigation is a step in the right direction, the scope of the review is far too narrow,” said House Democratic Leader Mark Smith of Marshalltown. “Given more information revealed this weekend by a whistleblower who was fired, the investigation must include an audit of IFA’s finances as well. The harassment, retaliation, and financial mismanagement in your Administration have created a culture of corruption that must end.”
Last fall, Iowa taxpayers were forced to foot the bill for a $1.75 million settlement in Kirsten Anderson’s lawsuit against Iowa Senate Republicans and an internal review later found that employees were afraid to report harassment.
“Even after the harassment scandal last fall, the Jamison case proves the culture in your Administration has not changed to protect victims or Iowa taxpayers. It’s not enough to keep saying you have a zero tolerance policy. Your entire Administration needs to take anti-harassment and anti-retaliation policies seriously and to stop protecting friends who you hired to work for Iowa taxpayers,” Petersen added.
“For all her talk about zero tolerance and protecting the victims of workplace harassment, it’s clear that Governor Reynolds has been more interested in protecting her friend David Jamison.
“Taxpayers deserve full disclosure of all complaints against David Jamison during his tenure in state government.
“Governor Reynolds should also immediately order an external investigation into concerns expressed by the victim that there was a culture at the Iowa Finance Authority where she and other staff feared being retaliated against if they filed complaints. This allegation is eerily similar to those raised by Senate employees during an internal investigation last year.
“In addition, Governor Reynolds should release the number of harassment complaints brought by state employees since she took office in 2011. Any public information about those cases should also be released immediately.”
Iowa Senate News Release State Senator Joe Bolkcom: (319) 330-9541
For Immediate Release: April 26, 2018
Statement on action today in Senate Appropriations Committee
by Senator Joe Bolkcom, Senate Budget Committee’s Ranking Member
“The budget package being approved today by Senate Republicans is more bad news for Iowa families, seniors, students and communities.
“The ongoing budget crisis in Iowa is the result of the failure of Governor Reynolds and the Republican-controlled Legislature to keep two campaign promises:
Raising family incomes by 25 percent
Creating 200,000 new Iowa jobs within four years
“As a result of their broken promises, Statehouse Republicans have implemented policies that have pushed down incomes, destroyed jobs, cut critical services and piled up state debt.
“Republicans are downgrading our K12 schools and making higher education and job training less accessible and less affordable for working Iowa.
“They have turned Iowa’s respected, state-run Medicaid safety net into a national disaster, and they continue to shower big corporations with tax cuts and tax credits.
“In the 16 months that Republicans have controlled ALL of state government, they have borrowed more than $140 million and slashed $120 million in spending just to balance their budgets. If Iowa families managed their family budgets like this, they’d be forced to declare bankruptcy.
“Senate Democrats are ready to work with Republicans to restore fiscal stability and pass a budget that reflect Iowa values. That means investing more in job-creation efforts and reining in the fastest growing part of the state budget: tax breaks for big corporations.”
Iowa Senate News Release Senate Democratic Leader Joe Bolkcom: (319) 330-9541 For Immediate Release: April 17, 2018
Statement from Senate Democratic Budget Leader Joe Bolkcom
on legislative Republicans’ budget gridlock and mismanagement
“The gridlock between Senate Republicans, House Republicans and Governor Reynolds is making their budget mess even worse. The budget targets released today by Senate Republicans are more proof that the budget crisis is hurting Iowans.
“In the 15 months that Republicans have controlled ALL of state government, they have borrowed more than $140 million and slashed more than $120 million in spending just to balance their budgets. If Iowa families managed their family budgets like this, they’d be forced to declare bankruptcy.
“Governor Reynolds and the Republican-controlled legislature have created this budget mess by failing to keep their campaign promises to Iowans to raise family incomes by 25 percent and create 200,000 new Iowa jobs within four years.
“Their misplaced priorities and mismanagement of taxpayer money is making life harder and reducing opportunities for Iowa families and their communities.”
Iowa Senate News Release Senator Janet Petersen: (515) 281-3901 For Immediate Release: April 17, 2018
Statement from Senate Democratic Leader Janet Petersen
“After footing the bill for a $1.75 million settlement in Kirsten Anderson’s lawsuit against Senate Republicans, Iowa taxpayers expected more leadership from Senate Republicans on the issue of harassment at the Iowa Capitol. The Iowa Senate received a black eye because of the Kirsten Anderson case, the findings of an ‘internal review’ and related media coverage.
“Senators are finally taking steps today to ensure the Iowa Senate will become a safe and healthy environment. Senate Democrats worked hard on these policy changes because we all have a legal, moral and business imperative to address this serious problem.
“While updated policies are important, we must remember that policies were in place years ago to protect Kirsten Anderson. The problem was that Senate Republican leaders and staff chose to ignore existing policies and procedures. To make matters worse, they fired Kirsten Anderson seven hours after she filed a harassment complaint, and the perpetrators and those who retaliated against her were allowed to stay in the Iowa Senate on the taxpayers’ dime.
“All Senators and staff have a high obligation to support and enforce these new policies, and to continue to strengthen the Senate’s harassment prevention policies and the Code of Ethics. Otherwise, we are doing a disservice to Iowans.”
-end –
Background
Senate Democrats have reached agreement with Senate Republicans on strengthening to the Senate’s Harassment Prevention Policy and the Senate’s Code of Ethics.
Because of these changes, we will move ahead today with reforms that will ensure that:
Victims of harassment will have a clear path to file complaints and have them investigated in a fair, impartial and confidential manner. This includes victims of sexual harassment and other forms of unlawful harassment (e.g., race, ethnicity, age, disability, gender identify, sexual orientation, etc.). Existing Senate policies in this area were inadequate, unclear and needed to be improved.
Victims who step forward to file a complaint about harassment will be protected from retaliation or discrimination by anyone. The same protections will also be available for witnesses and others involved in any investigation. Existing Senate policies in this area were inadequate or non-existent.
There will be a clear process for punishing any Senator, employee or anyone else who takes retaliatory action against someone who has filed a complaint. The same process will also protect witnesses and others involved in any investigation. Existing Senate policies were inadequate or non-existent in this area.
There will be a clear process for disciplining any Senator, lobbyist, media employee or vendor who violates the anti-harassment policies. Existing Senate policies were inadequate or non-existent in this area.
All Senators, staff, lobbyists and media will be required to attend training at least once every General Assembly regarding the Senate’s anti-harassment policies and complaint procedures.
The Senate Majority Leader, Senate President, Senate Minority Leader, Secretary of the Senate and other staff supervisors will be trained at least once every General Assembly on how to properly receive, investigate and, if warranted, to take corrective action. There was previously no requirement for this kind of training.
Iowa State Senator Rita Hart of Clinton asks members of the Senate to sign a letter to President Trump, asking him to protect Iowa farmers, businesses and communities as he makes trade policy changes. Iowa State Senator Rita Hart of Clinton asks members of the Senate to sign a letter to President Trump, asking him to protect Iowa farmers, businesses and communities as he makes trade policy changes. Video of Senator Hart’s Statement to the Senate: https://youtu.be/6ZEUOGoKfnM
IOWA SENATE NEWS For Immediate Release: April 12, 2018
Iowa Senators stand up for Iowa farmers and Iowa’s economy
“…proposed tariffs will have a negative impact on Iowa’s agricultural economy…”
DES MOINES – Twenty-one Iowa State Senators are asking President Donald Trump to protect Iowa farmers, businesses and communities as he makes trade policy changes.
The letter urges the President “to reconsider the economic costs and benefits of your plan to impose new tariffs on imported steel and aluminum. It’s clear to most observers that the inevitable retaliation to proposed tariffs will have a negative impact on Iowa’s agricultural economy by causing other countries to levy burdensome tariffs against Iowa farm products.”
Senator Rita Hart of rural Wheatland wrote the letter and invited all Senators to sign it.
“My husband and I farm near Wheatland. We know firsthand that mistakes in trade policy can have severe consequences on Iowa farmers, small businesses and rural communities,” said Hart, the former chair of the Senate Economic Growth Committee.
The letter noted that “Iowa is the second largest agricultural export state, shipping $14 billion of products abroad last year.” It also drew attention to the fact that proposed U.S. tariffs increasing the cost of imported steel would also hurt Iowa manufacturers. The letter specially mentions Sukup Manufacturing in Sheffield, Iowa. The plant there has 600 Iowa employees and uses 1 million pounds of steel each week to make grain bins and dryers.
The letter was signed by every Democratic member of the Senate and by Independent Senator David Johnson.
-end-
FULL TEXT OF LETTER:
April 12, 2018
Dear President Trump:
Iowa’s prized humanitarian Norman Borlaug said: “Civilization as it is known today could not have evolved, nor can it survive, without an adequate food supply.”
Iowa has a rich history of feeding the world and we need to continue to feed the world without barriers. Iowa is the leading national producer of corn, soybeans, hogs, cattle, and eggs. Iowa is the second largest agricultural export state, shipping $14 billion of products abroad last year. And it’s important to note that 31 percent of farm income comes directly from exports.
For those reasons, we urge you to reconsider the economic costs and benefits of your plan to impose new tariffs on imported steel and aluminum. It’s clear to most observers that the inevitable retaliation to proposed tariffs will have a negative impact on Iowa’s agricultural economy by causing other countries to levy burdensome tariffs against Iowa farm products.
Iowa farmers have already faced several years of low commodity prices.
Any reduction in demand would be devastating, making a bad situation worse.
The potential beef tariff threatens Iowa farmers, who have just gotten back into the Chinese market after a long absence. U.S. beef exports to China totaled more than 3,000 metric tons in the last half of 2017, valued at $31 million.
It’s worth noting that Iowa leads the nation in ethanol production, which results in 42,000 Iowa jobs. In addition, China imports about 60 percent of global soybean trade.
A trade war – even in the short term – creates the potential for a long-term loss of global market share because other countries will move quickly to fill the void if Iowa’s agriculture products become uncompetitive.
Manufacturing is the second largest driver of Iowa’s economy. The state economy is heavily dependent on the 3,000-plus factories across the state, many of whom are dependent on the farm economy. For example, the 600 employees of Sukup Manufacturing make iconic grain bins and dryers in rural Sheffield, Iowa, using 1 million pounds of steel each week.
We urge you, Mr. President, to reconsider this strategy because of the negative consequences on Iowans who farm, those who live in rural communities, and those whose livelihoods depend on products whose markets are threatened by a trade war with China.
Sincerely,
Senator Chaz Allen (D)
Senator Tony Bisignano (D)
Senator Joe Bolkcom (D)
Senator Nate Boulton (D)
Senator Tod R. Bowman (D)
Senator Jeff Danielson (D)
Senator William A. Dotzler Jr. (D)
Senator Robert E. Dvorsky (D)
Senator Rita Hart (D)
Senator Robert Hogg (D)
Senator Wally E. Horn (D)
Senator Pam Jochum (D)
Senator David Johnson (I)
Senator Kevin Kinney (D)
Senator Jim Lykam (D)
Senator Liz Mathis (D)
Senator Matt McCoy (D)
Senator Janet Petersen (D)
Senator Herman C. Quirmbach (D)
Senator Amanda Ragan (D)
Senator Rich Taylor (D)
Iowa Senate Democrats News Release For Immediate Release: March 20, 2018
Senator Pam Jochum named 2018 Uncommon Public Servant
by Hoover Presidential Foundation
Senator Pam Jochum and her daughter, Sarah.
On Tuesday, March 20, State Senator Pam Jochum of Dubuque received one of the highest awards given to an Iowa state legislator: the “Uncommon Public Service Award” from the Hoover Presidential Foundation. Senator Jochum is the 12th State Senator to receive the award.
The award presentation noted that “Senator Jochum has played a leading role in expanding affordable health insurance coverage to thousands of working Iowans and has stood up for citizens with disabilities to protect their health services. Her support for and commitment to education has been unwavering. She has worked to expand early childhood education and ensure affordable higher education, whether at a state university, a private college or a community college.”
Senator Jochum, who has also served as president of the Senate, was joined by her daughter, Sarah, in the Iowa Senate chamber.
REMARKS BY SENATOR DAVID JOHNSON (I)
AT THE PRESENTATION OF THE 12th ANNUAL
HERBERT HOOVER UNCOMMON PUBLIC SERVICE AWARD
It is my privilege to once again to present the Uncommon Public Service Award named in honor of a most “uncommon” American, Herbert Hoover.
The Hoover Presidential Foundation established the Uncommon Public Service Award to be presented annually to one member of the Iowa House and one from the Iowa Senate who exemplify Herbert Hoover’s humanitarian efforts and commitment with uncommon service to the people of Iowa. Moments ago, Representative Dawn Pettengill received the award in the House.
As you may recall, the 2017 Senate recipient was Senator Rob Hogg.
Recipients become honorary members of the Hoover Presidential Foundation for one year and are also honored at the Foundation’s Celebration Banquet in the fall.
President Hoover was an uncommon and extraordinary public servant. His diligent, humanitarian efforts saved the lives of millions of people suffering from the devastations or war, flood and famine, world-wide.
Born in West Branch, in a humble one room cottage in Cedar County, in August of 1874, Hoover raised himself up to accomplish many great things. He won his first bid for elected office: the Presidency of the United States, and in his lifetime, saved the lives of well over a billion people in 57 countries. That certainly made him an “uncommon” person.
Being “uncommon” is a quality of life and of service that we see often in our great state. We find uncommon people in our schools, churches, courts and hospitals, among other places. We even find them in our state government. And, that is why we are here today – to recognize an “uncommon” legislator from the Iowa State Senate.
It’s greatly satisfying to me as a trustee of the Hoover Presidential Foundation, that for the 12th consecutive year, we’ve recognized legislators from the Iowa Senate who have demonstrated uncommon and extraordinary public service to the people of this state.
I know that Mr. Hoover is here in spirit today as we present this award to State Senator Pam Jochum.
Elected to the Iowa House in 1992 and then the Iowa Senate in 2008, Sen. Jochum is respected for her ability to build coalitions that get things done for Dubuque and Iowa. She was nominated by two former Uncommon Public Service Award recipients, Senators Rob Hogg and Amanda Ragan.
They wrote, “We nominate Sen. Jochum… because of her inspirational legislative career, her passion for people and her community, and her commitment to dignity for all people.” The nomination also quoted Teri Goodmann, assistant city manager for the city of Dubuque who said, “Pam is tenacious. She doesn’t give up on people or her passion for the community.”
Among her many accomplishments, in addition to having served as president of this body, Senator Jochum has played a leading role in expanding affordable health insurance coverage to thousands of working Iowans and has stood up for citizens with disabilities to protect their health services. Her support for and commitment to education has been unwavering. She has worked to expand early childhood education and ensure affordable higher education, whether at a state university, a private college or a community college.
Let me conclude with some remarks that Mr. Hoover made on his last visit to West Branch in 1962:
“I have had every honor to which any man could aspire,” he said. “There is no place on the whole earth except here in America where all the sons of man can have this chance in life. Here alone are the open windows through which pour the sunlight of the human spirit. Here alone is human dignity not a dream, but an accomplishment. Perhaps it is not perfect, but it is more full in realization here than any other place in the world.”
Please join me once again in congratulating Senator Pam Jochum, the recipient of the Iowa Senate 2018 Herbert Hoover Uncommon Public Service Award!
