News releases | Iowa Senate Democrats

Three-point plan to end string of Iowa child deaths

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

A three-point reform plan to prevent another Iowa child from being injured or killed by abuse has been put forth by two members of the Iowa Senate Government Oversight Committee. Senators Petersen and McCoy released the plan to prevent another death like that of Sabrina Ray. The Iowa teen had been adopted out of foster care and was being home-schooled when her body was found last Friday in a Perry home.

Senate Democrats respond to legislative GOP budget plan

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

The budget plan released today by legislative Republicans is terrible news for Iowans. Republicans are once again balancing the budget on the backs of working Iowans. Senate Democrats will not support drastic cuts that threaten public safety, the quality of education, and the safety net for seniors, children and vulnerable Iowans.

Mathis, Ragan respond to Branstad/Reynolds release on Medicaid privatization

8 years ago by ContentAdmin · Blog, Health care, Issues, News releases, Official

“Everything the Governor lists can be refuted by patients, providers and advocates. Don’t believe this blather,” said Senator Liz Mathis of Robins. “We still have big issues with pre-authorization, physicians dropping hundreds of Medicaid patients and millions of dollars of claims left unpaid to providers. That is far from a ...

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 ...

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.

UI right to reverse scholarship cuts

8 years ago by ContentAdmin · Blog, News releases, Official

The University of Iowa’s response to these Republican takebacks was to renege on scholarships already awarded to Iowa students. I reached out to UI officials and asked them to reconsider. I’m glad they have reversed that decision.

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.

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.

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