Iowa Senate Democrats

Fighting for a Better Deal for Iowans.

  • Senator Donahue’s Dec. 13 Newsletter

    From the Desk of Senator Donahue

    It has been an incredibly busy couple of weeks meeting with community leaders, school leaders, and working on the AEA task force meeting preparation – which I attended on Monday, the 9th of December.

    It resulted in some great conversations that needed to happen to clarify many of the questions people have. We will meet again during session in February, after the data requested by the community members has been collected and analyzed by all, to decide what the next step is.

    In the meantime, I’ve had great conversations with city leaders, as well as school leaders, about their priorities for the upcoming session. There are still many more meetings on the calendar over the next two weeks to gather more information prior to session beginning. We have our work cut out for us. But we’re up for the fight.

    Wishing you and yours a great holiday season filled with time to relax and to enjoy your family and friends.

    Your Legislative Priorities

    Last month, my Senate colleagues and I distributed a survey to our respective constituents seeking input ahead of the 2025 legislative session. We wanted to hear directly from you about your top priorities heading into the new year, and you delivered!

    As you can see, the three issues receiving the greatest share of votes in the survey were public education, reproductive rights, and protecting the environment. Take a look at the graphic below to see a visualization of the top issues you said lawmakers should focus on in the upcoming session.

    And thank you, as always, for your participation in the survey. Our responsibility is to govern on your behalf, so I will always appreciate and value your input.

    Quick Updates

    • The Iowa Department of Education released updated Iowa School Performance Profiles for 2023-24. These profiles assess schools on indicators like English, math, and science proficiencies, student growth, and graduation rates. This year, 35 schools were identified for comprehensive support. Parents and educators can use these profiles to understand their school’s strengths and areas for improvement. Learn more atIowa School Performance Profiles.
    • Engaged families make a big difference in student success at school! Here are a few ways parents can help their children over the holiday breaks from school.
      • Daily Reading: Read with your child for 15-20 minutes daily to build literacy skills.
      • Math Practice: Incorporate math into everyday activities like cooking or shopping.
      • Work–based Learning: Find a project around the house and have your student lead the work over school breaks.
    • Iowa State University is ranked #1 in Iowa, #6 in the Midwest, and #14 nationally in the 2025 Top 50 Entrepreneurship Undergraduate rankings by The Princeton Review and Entrepreneur. Iowa State offers a major and cross-disciplinary minor in entrepreneurship. Students also have access to the Start Something Network, which provides support and resources for students who want to start their own business, market a new product, or collaborate with other students and faculty on an innovative solution.
    • Tori Paga, a senior at Cedar Rapids Kennedy High School is one of only two high school students who have been chosen to represent Iowa at the 63rd annual United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP) in Washington, D.C., in March. Tori will serve as an Iowa delegate and will join over 100 other student leaders for a week-long government and leadership experience in the nation’s capital. Congratulations, Tori!
    • Regional Teachers of the Year: The Iowa Department of Education announced nine teachers, representing all education regions of the state, as the first-ever Iowa Regional Teachers of the Year. Each teacher represents outstanding achievements in K-12 instruction. Each winner was nominated by their fellow Iowans and is a candidate to be Iowa’s next Teacher of the Year. More information about the Regional Teachers of the Year and the award process is available on the Department’s website.
      • Susie Stark, Cedar Rapids Community School District: Stark, a veteran elementary teacher at Viola Gibson Elementary School in Cedar Rapids, has been inspiring young minds for 24 years as a fifth and second grade teacher. She holds a teaching degree and master’s degree in elementary education from the University of Northern Iowa. She also leads after school clubs and community service projects, doing whatever is needed to contribute to student success.
    • ACA Open Enrollment until Jan. 15: The health insurance marketplace available through the Affordable Care Act is now open for individuals who are seeking to enroll in a plan for the first time or change their current plan. The Iowa Insurance Division published some helpful guidance for individuals considering open enrollment, and Iowa has ACA navigators available to help provide direct non-biased counseling for individuals throughout the open enrollment period.
    • IPERS announces highest investment return in three years: IPERS has announced its investment program earned a 9.07% return in FY2024, exceeding its policy benchmark of 8.80%. At the conclusion of FY2024, the value of the IPERS Trust Fund equaled $43.61 billion, a $2.48 billion increase from the same time in FY2023.
    • State Science and Technology Fair of Iowa introduces competition for grade schools: The State Science and Technology Fair of Iowa is launching the Junior State Science and Technology Fair of Iowa, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at fostering a love for science and technology among younger students in grades 3-5. This innovative program is designed to provide early exposure to scientific inquiry and technological exploration, creating a strong foundation for future STEM leaders. Registration for the Junior State Science and Technology Fair of Iowa is now open, and more information can be found on the SSTFI website.
    • Applications Now Open to Boost Tourism, Attract Visitors, and Workforce: Community applications are now open for Iowa State University Extension and Outreach’s First Impressions program. The program is a comprehensive tourism and community assessment partnership between Iowa State University and the Iowa Economic Development Authority/Iowa Tourism Office. Communities with a population of 10,000 or fewer are invited to apply, and five Iowa communities will be selected for the 2025 program year. Visit the First Impressions website for program information, a list of community responsibilities, program fees, and the application form.
    • Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program grants awarded: The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is investing more than $5.2 million in 24 Iowa projects and other supply chain improvement initiatives through the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) grant program. The intent of RFSI is to build resilience in the middle of the food supply chain by developing and expanding markets for Iowa’s small farms and food businesses. The following are local recipients:
      • NewBo City Market, Cedar Rapids: RFSI Infrastructure Grant: $458,767.90; Matching Funding: $783,533.90. NewBo City Market will renovate its building in Cedar Rapids to add a second-floor processing kitchen and aggregation storage. This will increase the quantity of Iowa agricultural products stored, processed and sold. Through programmatic business development services and trainings, NewBo will also cultivate purchasing agreements between farmers and small businesses creating new value-added markets.
    • Manage Winter Home Energy Costs: With rising energy costs, it’s important for homeowners and renters to plan their budget each month to cover their various utility bills. The highest utility cost is typically for heating the home. For more information, contact Iowa Concern at 800-447-1985 and ask for free financial counseling.
    • Check eligibility and request energy assistance: The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program assists households with a portion of the home heating bills, particularly households facing disconnection or who have trouble paying their utility bill. The Iowa Health and Human Services website includes a general overview of LIHEAP, as well as a link to local community action agencies. Individuals may apply for the program at the community action agency in their county.
    • State Law Library receives praise: A recent ranking of American libraries placed the State Law Library of Iowa among the top 20 most stunning in the country. The State Law Library is located at the Iowa State Capitol and is open to the public Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. In-person Capitol tours, including the State Law Library, can be scheduled on the Legislature’s website.
    • Heroic Iowans Honored: On Wednesday, Dec. 11, the recipients of the 2024 Sullivan Brothers’ Award of Valor and Governor’s Lifesaving Awards were announced. Recipients include public safety officers and private citizens representing Oelwein, Adel, Cedar Falls, Spirit Lake, and Spencer. Read their stories here, as well as applications to nominate heroes in your community for 2025.

    Around the District

    Here are some things that have been happening around the district the last couple of weeks:

    Here are the events that are coming up:

  • Senator Donahue’s Nov. 22 Newsletter

    From the Desk of Senator Donahue

    Greetings,

    I hope that everyone will have a pleasant and safe Thanksgiving with your loved ones, whether that be family or friends.

    During this time of year especially, I try to reflect daily about what I am grateful for. I have much to be grateful for in my life, and I do not want to take that for granted.

    It has been a busy few weeks with wrapping up the elections and preparing for the upcoming legislative session.

    There will be many meetings with leaders in the community over the next few weeks prior to session beginning, but one of the most important things that I will participate in, is being on the task force for the AEAs. I look forward to the gathering of information from teachers, students, parents, administrators, as well as the AEA staff, and leaders as to how the first strike at the AEA is affecting students learning in the schools, and the opportunities available to them.

    What is Important to You for 2025?

    The 2025 legislative session is less than two months away. It is important to hear from my constituents on what you would like the Iowa General Assembly to address. Please take a moment to fill out our brief survey to let me know your top priorities for the next year.

    We have a lot of work ahead of us. Your input helps shape that work and helps me to more effectively respond to the needs of our shared community.

    Quick Updates

    • Iowa Student Design License Plate: The Iowa Department of Education is hosting a statewide contest for students in kindergarten through 12th grade to design the next Iowa education license plate. The contest aims to recognize the artistic talents of Iowa students while celebrating education and providing an opportunity to reimagine the state’s license plate design. To participate, art teachers across Iowa can submit up to 10 student plate designs for consideration. See the Department of Education’s website for details.
    • Iowa Ranks in Top 10 States for Computer Science Education: For the second consecutive year, Iowa has earned a place among the top 10 states nationwide for providing students with access to high-quality computer science education. This recognition comes from the 2024 State of Computer Science Education report. The report highlights that, during the 2023-24 school year, 84 percent of Iowa’s public high schools offered foundational computer science courses, reinforcing Iowa’s strong commitment to preparing students for the digital future. Over the past seven years, the state has invested $4M in computer science education.
    • Cybersecurity Awareness Month reminds everyone about the simple, effective ways to keep yourself safe online, how to protect your personal data, and ultimately help secure our world. The Iowa Communications Network (ICN) urges Iowans to focuses on the top four ways to stay safe online:
      • Use strong passwords and a password manager
      • Turn on multi-factor authentication
      • Update your software
      • Recognize and report phishing
    • Congratulations to the Cedar Rapids Community School District for receiving $1.5 million dollars last month from UnitedHealth Group to help pay for an online telehealth portal that students can use to access mental health counseling.
    • Grants available for community tree plantings: Through the USDA Forest Service Inflation Reduction Act, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) received funds for tree planting grants for Iowa communities. The Iowa Tree Planting Grant provides reimbursable grants to purchase trees, mulch, tree staking/protection, and supplemental watering by contractor or city staff. The grant is a two-year program allowing for planting to take place in the spring and fall of 2025 and 2026. To apply, go to the Iowa DNR Urban Forestry website. Iowa Tree Planting applications are due on Mon., Dec. 30, 2024.
    • State Park campgrounds are ready for winter: State parks have been winterizing their facilities by shutting off water in the campgrounds and closing shower houses. Campers can check the status of water availability at iowadnr.gov/parkclosures. RV campers are reminded that dump stations are closed during the winter. While Iowa’s interstate rest areas no longer offer dump stations, the DOT does provide a list of dump station alternatives on their website. While water may be shut off at State Parks, visitors are encouraged to continue camping and enjoying park amenities at lower, off-season rates. To learn more and to make reservations, visit: https://iowastateparks.reserveamerica.com/welcome.do.
    • Health Data Reports for Decision Makers Offer Updates on Substance Abuse, Child Food Insecurity, Asthma, COVID: Community leaders and policymakers can now access updated data to enhance their understanding of public health issues in Iowa. The latest Health Data for Decision Makers reports, released by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, provide insights into community challenges such as substance abuse and food insecurity, emergency room visits for asthma, and lasting impacts of the COVID pandemic.Visit the ISU Extension and Outreach Indicators Program website, where you can also find the newly revised Health Data for Decision Makers User’s Guide for assistance in using the reports.
    • Beware of IPERS scams! IPERS is the ONLY source that can provide confidential details about your retirement account. Third parties may contact you by phone or email seeking an appointment to discuss your IPERS benefits or asking for personal details about your retirement account. Often, these people represent legitimate, private financial planning businesses. Occasionally, however, these are imposters, falsely claiming to represent IPERS. Be aware of official-looking scam emails that attempt to obtain your personal information by directing you to click to a fraudulent website. Visit IPERS’ Fraud Prevention page for additional information about how to ensure the security of your personal information. If you believe you have received communication from a fraudulent sender or caller, report your experience immediately using IPERS’ form for reporting suspicious activity or call 800-622-3849.
    • State Launches Updated Educator Apprenticeship Grant Program: On Nov. 1, the state announced the launch of the Teacher & Paraeducator Registered Apprenticeship Program (TPRA) 2.0, a grant program aimed at addressing teacher shortages and launching careers for aspiring educators. TPRA was first unveiled in Iowa in 2022; since its inception, the program has supported more than 1,000 apprentices and 124 school districts across the state of Iowa. Applications for funding are due Dec. 2, 2024. Click here for more information about program requirements, deadlines, and to apply.

    Around the District

    Here’s what is happening around the district this coming week and beyond.

    Keep an eye on my socials – Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Threads, LinkedIn, and Bluesky – for coffee conversations that are upcoming, as well as future Senate District 37 forums to cover what’s happening at the Capitol during session.

    Upcoming events:

  • Senator Donahue’s Oct. 25 Newsletter

    From the Desk of Senator Donahue

    It has been a very busy fall! Only a week and half left until the election. I hope you have a plan to vote. If you need more information about who is running and what they’re running for, here is the Linn County voter guide of ALL candidates:

    Candidate Profiles | The Gazette 2024 Voter Guide

    Make a Plan to Vote!

    While many of you have already taken advantage of Iowa’s early in-person voting and mail-in absentee ballot options, I want to provide a few resources and options for folks who haven’t voted or returned their ballots yet.

    If you plan to wait and vote in person, Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5. The polls will be open on Election Day from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. CT. You can find your local polling place here. Please keep in mind that polls close an hour earlier than they have in the past, so be sure to leave yourself enough time!

    Absentee ballots were mailed out on Oct. 16. We recommend that you return your ballot as quickly as possible. Your auditor must receive your ballot by 8 p.m. on Election Day. In order to make sure it arrives on time we are suggesting that you get your completed ballot in the mail by Oct. 25. If it is after Oct. 25, you can deliver your completed absentee ballot to your County Auditor in person or bring it with you to your polling place on Election Day (you will surrender that ballot and vote on a regular ballot from the poll workers). You can track your ballot online anytime at bit.ly/trackmyiowaballot. When filling out your absentee ballot, be sure to complete and sign the affidavit. Your vote will not be counted if you skip this step.

    Iowa voters can also vote early in person before Election Day at their County Auditor’s office. You can find your County Auditor’s contact information and location here. Some counties also provide additional, satellite locations for early in-person voting. You can find hours and locations at iwillvote.com. County Auditors are a great source of voting information in general, so if you have any questions or concerns, I encourage you to reach out to them.

    You can check your voter registration status at the Iowa Secretary of State’s website or by visiting iwillvote.com. If you are not registered, you can register on Election Day.

    To register on Election Day, you must bring both a proof of residence and a valid form of ID with an expiration date to your polling place. Acceptable forms of proof of residence include a residential lease, utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, government check, other government document, or a property tax statement.

    Iowa now requires voters to provide identification in order to vote, so be sure to have one of the valid forms of ID with you when you go to the polls. Valid forms of ID include:

    • Iowa Driver’s License (not expired more than 90 days)
    • Iowa Non-Operator ID (not expired more than 90 days)
    • U.S. Passport (not expired)
    • U.S. Military ID or Veteran ID (not expired)
    • Iowa Voter Identification Card (must be signed)
    • Tribal ID Card/Document (must be signed, with photo, not expired)

    Senate Democrats Committed to Fighting for Workers Year Round

    This month, Senate Democrats joined AFSCME Council 61 in demanding action to address the escalating safety crisis in Iowa’s correctional facilities following a recent assault on correctional officers at the Iowa State Penitentiary.

    October also saw Cargill employees in Cedar Rapids begin to strike for fair wages. Several members of the Senate Democrats joined Teamsters Local 238 on the picket line in support.

    We believe all working Iowans have the right to fair pay and safe working conditions, and we will always stand in solidarity with the men and women who fight for those rights.

    Reynolds Administration Leaves Money on the Table

    Earlier this month, we brought to Iowans’ attention the Reynolds Administration’s repeated failure to apply for federal funding opportunities aimed at helping Iowa families.

    In total, the missed funding opportunities could have provided up to $67 million to improve maternal health care, expand early childhood education, and help families participate in the USDA’s summer food program.

    Iowa’s maternal mortality and infant mortality rates are on the rise, our public education funding lags behind our neighbors, and one in six Iowa children are facing hunger. And yet, the Reynolds administration has repeatedly failed to apply for federal funding designed to support Iowa families. Iowans deserve answers.

    Quick Updates

    • Iowa’s Revenues are Declining. The Iowa Revenue Estimating Panel met on Oct. 17 and estimated that Iowa’s revenues will decline this current fiscal year and the next fiscal year. This is very concerning because, despite declining revenues, Gov. Reynolds’ and Statehouse Republicans’ private school voucher program is set to remove its income eligibility cap next year. Iowans will see even more money siphoned away from our public schools with virtually no accountability or transparency on how those dollars are being spent. Their private school voucher scheme is growing, and the state’s revenues are declining. That’s not a winning combination.
    • October is Dyslexia Awareness Month. These four resources can help you become more informed about dyslexia, the most common learning disability. Efforts like the Iowa Dyslexia Task Force brought together educators, parents, and experts to assess the needs of students with dyslexia and made recommendations to improve support, including better screening and teacher training.
    • October is National Bullying Prevention Month. Bullying affects kids everywhere and can lead to long-lasting, negative effects.  While kids are usually the first to see bullying happen and can have the power to stand up against bullying and model acceptable behavior to their peers, parents and adults play an important role as well. To prevent and stop bullying, kids should know what to do when bullying happens and can get involved in a bullying prevention program at their school. Bullying won’t stop overnight but working together we can make positive changes and work to stop bullying!
    • Federal Funding for Broadband Expansion. The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has approved Iowa’s initial proposal for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program. NTIA allocated the State of Iowa over $415 million to fund buildout of broadband infrastructure to all unserved and underserved locations throughout Iowa. This approval enables Iowa to request access to the funding and begin implementation of its BEAD program. For more information and to see a detailed view of the State’s BEAD program, visit the Department of Management’s website here: https://dom.iowa.gov/broadband/bead-program
    • Congratulations to Cedar Rapids Public Schools for expanding opportunities for their students. Cedar Rapids Public Schools were awarded nearly $15 million in federal grant funds to enhance college and career readiness programs. The district is one of only 12 nationwide, and the sole recipient in Iowa, to receive this funding from the U.S. Department of Education’s Magnet Schools Assistance Program. Approximately $6.5 million of the total will be available immediately, enabling the launch of the Future Ready College & Career Academies at Washington and Jefferson High Schools next fall. The Cedar Rapids district already has several magnet programs at the elementary and middle school levels, focusing on themes like sustainability, STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math), and leadership.
    • Medicare Open Enrollment. From Oct. 15 to Dec. 7, Medicare enrollees have the ability to consider different plans for Medicare coverage. There are several changes coming to Medicare coverage following federal action, including a cap on out-of-pocket prescription drug costs at $2,000/member. Check out these tips from the AARP on open enrollment, and consider contacting our Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) for free counseling on available plans at 1-800-351-4664.
    • Check with your doctors on measles vaccination. The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services has issued guidance to Iowa providers after dozens of cases of measles have been confirmed in Minnesota. There have been no confirmed cases in Iowa, but the best way to prevent cases is to ensure proper vaccination.
    • Autumnal activities! Start planning your autumn excursions today with these great resources:
      • Travel Iowa haslists of apple orchards, pumpkin patches, must-visit fall attractions, fall festivals, scenic drives, and more.
      • MyCountyParks.com: Attend a fun fall program for the whole family at a local county park.
      • Iowa State Park Passport: Discover your new favorite parks, check in to track your outdoor adventures and earn prizes.
    • Fall Foliage alert!Sign up to get fall color reports emailed to you weekly. Get details on where to see the best fall colors in Iowa.
    • Stay safe this harvest season. As fall harvest continues across Iowa, the risk of wildfires in crop fields increases. Iowa is seeing dry conditions for this fall with potential for wildfires in the fields. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) encourages farmers and others to get reacquainted with fire prevention practices.

    This Week Around the District

    For more about what’s been going on in the district, see the social media posts below:

    Upcoming Events:

  • Senator Donahue’s Sept. 27 Newsletter

    From the Desk of Senator Donahue

    As a public school educator when I am not in Des Moines, I am seeing and hearing first-hand how the governor’s voucher law, AEA law, attendance law, as well as the book banning law have affected the students, their families, and the schools adversely.

    There are also unintended consequences like doctors’ offices being swamped by parents needing notes to excuse their children who are ill. Or the county attorney’s office not having the workforce to attend all of the parent hearings for chronic absenteeism for students who have legitimate reasons for being gone.

    I get it, attendance is important. I know that first-hand from my experience as an educator. But not all parents are bad parents. We need better ways to deal with families who are chronic abusers, and not do harm to all the others.

    The same with books being removed from school shelves. Parents do their jobs well for the most part—they monitor what their kids are doing, reading, watching, saying, etc. That’s their job. Removing literary classics from the shelves also harms the learning opportunities and the critical thinking that has been taught alongside these books for decades. Again, for the few who disagree—they should not dictate for the many.

    And again, I get it. Parents have rights, but they’ve always been able to have a different assignment or different opportunities for their kids if they didn’t agree. We should not do harm to all, for the few.

    Take the gutting of the AEAs, for example. These were positions and systems in place to make sure that all school districts had equal opportunities for the students regardless of their district size or their funding. Through the “infinite wisdom” of the governor, she has eroded the system built to balance the field, and now urban areas who have more options available to them have better opportunities than those who are in the rural districts, and more personnel to provide those services and programs.

    And last but not least, because there are more, but these are the main issues that I’m going to discuss this week—the voucher program.

    The governor can play with semantics and call them ESAs (educational savings accounts), but they are vouchers, giving public funding to private schools. This is not how our public taxes were meant to be spent. And they are costing us nearly four times as much as the governor suggested they would—and we haven’t even hit year three yet.

    All while she has undercut the funding for public schools for her entire tenure as governor—never meeting the cost-of-living increases or inflation rates. This decision, and others like it, is hurting our rural school districts. From harmful school laws to taxes not being spent on the things they were meant to be spent on, like infrastructure, fire, police, roads, bridges, water quality, conservation, broadband…the list goes on. But instead, she has stockpiled a surplus to utilize as tax giveaways to rich CEOs.

    Just remember nearly 500,000 kids are in the public school system being cheated by the governor and the GOP—and 36,000 in private. Who is the GOP working for? Certainly not the majority of the people. And without the funding from President Biden, we would not be able to be fixing the roads and bridges or putting in broadband in rural areas. These are necessities in our communities, and they create jobs for the people.

    Iowa deserves far better, and you have an opportunity to make those needed changes in November. I hope that you do!

    It’s been an incredibly busy fall, and I expect it to stay that way through the first week in November, and then maybe things will slow down a little bit.

    Enjoy this week’s newsletter, and I hope to see you around the district!

    A New School Year Brings New Challenges

    I recently posted a public survey that asked, “How are policies enacted by Iowa Republican legislators affecting your public schools?” I combed through your survey responses to discover what changes you and your kids are experiencing this school year. Here’s what you said:

    By far the biggest change you said was affecting your public schools this year was private school vouchers. Respondents said vouchers are taking money away from public schools, creating an unfair imbalance that favors private schools and larger, urban districts. In rural districts, vouchers are leading to budget cuts, which in turn lead to overburdened teachers, unfilled vacancies, a lack of resources, and teacher burnout.

    Over a dozen respondents worried that the state was becoming unwelcoming and unsupportive of teachers and paraeducators. A lack of professional development resources, growing class sizes, and reduced services are leading to teachers leaving Iowa altogether.

    Cuts to Iowa’s AEAs were another primary concern. You worried that AEA employees are being stretched too thin and that funding cuts are causing school districts to do more with less.

    I hear you.

    Iowa’s public schools, especially those in smaller, rural districts, are facing unprecedented challenges this school year. Where we should be eliminating barriers to a child’s success, lawmakers have instead erected new ones.

    Not so long ago, Iowa was a national leader in public education. We can get there again. Next session, I will work with my colleagues to strengthen public education that supports students, families, and teachers.

    Iowa’s Public School Funding Gap

    Iowa’s public education funding lags well behind inflation and our public school kids have been severely shortchanged over the past seven years. This is according to data from Iowa Senator Herman Quirmbach (D-Ames). Sen. Quirmbach, who has a Ph.D. in Economics, worked with the nonpartisan Legislative Services Agency to dig deeper into the state’s K-12 funding history since Kim Reynolds became governor. Iowa’s K-12 funding is down $440 million for the 2024-2025 school year when taking into account inflation-adjusted dollars.

    An average student entering eighth grade this year has seen their individual education funding shortened by $3,663 since starting first grade. The total shortfall since 2017, under the Reynolds administration, when compared to inflation comes to $2.1 billion.

    This chronic underfunding of our public schools must change, our kids deserve better.

    Quick Updates

    • Nursing Homes: The Iowa State Auditor released a report last week that found that the gap between inspections of nursing facilities are 17 months on average, which does not meet federal requirements. The audit report also shows that staffing levels remain low in Iowa, while staff turnover remains high. It’s clear that the nursing home legislative package I co-sponsored with other Senate Democrats needs to be a priority next session.
    • National Voter Registration Day is a voter registration drive that took place on September 17, 2024. As many as one in four eligible Americans are not registered to vote. Each year, millions of Americans are walled off from the democratic process due to easily solvable issues such as missing a registration deadline or failing to update their registration after moving. If you aren’t sure if your voter registration is up-to-date for November’s election, you can check your registration status here or fill out an online voter registration.
    • Make a Plan to Vote! Whether you vote absentee by mail, vote early in-person, or vote at the polls on Election Day, make a plan for how and when you are going to vote. You can find voting resources at https://voterready.iowa.gov/.
    • National Farm to School Month: Iowa Local Food Day, September 25, 2024 is designated as Iowa Local Food Day to kick-off a month-long celebration of bringing locally-grown food to school cafeterias. Local schools are encouraged to serve Iowa-grown or produced items as features in meals. Ask your kids if they noticed locally-grown products for school lunch or continue use Iowa-focused foods at home with some of these suggested Iowa Gold Star Menus.
    • Walk and Bike to School Day on October 2nd: The Annual Walk is an opportunity to join thousands of other Iowans biking or walking for 30 minutes. Workplaces, schools, organizations, and cities are all encouraged to register a walk for free at Iowa’s Annual Healthiest State Walk.
    • Business Builder Grants Available for Farm and Food Businesses: Small farms and food entrepreneurs can apply for grants from the United States Department of Agriculture to help reimburse costs related to growth and expansion. Known as the Business Builder Grants, the $3.7 million in funding is made available through the Heartland Regional Food Business Center. Grants are intended to promote business expansion, job creation, business capacity building, and increase local products in the marketplace. ISU Extension and Outreach is one of 34 Heartland Center partners working to fill gaps in resources available to local food and farm businesses that are looking to start and grow. The Heartland Center is accepting applications for its first-round funding through Oct. 15, 2024. Grant proposals will be accepted semi-annually for competitive subawards of $5,000 to $50,000 each. For more information, including a checklist of required application materials, visit the Business Builder Grant program online. Christa Hartsook can be reached at hartc@iastate.edu or 515-294-4430.
    • Local Schools awarded grants to purchase local fresh food: Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship will provide $2,000 grants to 137 participating school districts or schools to purchase meat, eggs, produce, dairy, and other local foods from area farmers. Launched in 2022, Local Food for Schools (LFS) pairs school lunch programs with a local food hub to connect to area farmers. Through strategic partnerships and collaborative efforts, the program facilitates direct relationships between schools, food hubs, and farmers. To find out more information about LFS or how to participate as a vendor, visit the Farm to School and Early Care Network website.
      • St. Joseph Catholic School (Marion)
    • Free Mental Health Counseling: The University of Iowa’s Telepsychology Training Clinic (TPTC) offers free, short-term (5-10 sessions) counseling to Iowans who may have limited access to mental health care. The TPTC is currently accepting referrals for new clients. Please contact scheduling@uitptc.com or 319-535-0437 to inquire about services. Iowans who’d like to use the free service can find more information at the clinic’s website.
    • Learn More about Work-Based Learning Opportunities: With work-based learning (WBL) programs growing in popularity, Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) has launched a new website with resources for employers, businesses, and schools across Iowa looking to learn more about WBL programs. The website marks the first time Iowans can access all IWD resources related to work-based learning in one place. The website will be a critical entry point for employers looking to start or expand work-based learning programs, schools seeking business partners, and students and adults wanting to learn more about WBL options.  Resources, including examples of WBL programs, funding opportunities, and ways to connect or start a new WBL program can be found at https://workforce.iowa.gov/wbl. This resource hub follows the announcement of a new webinar series that will guide a statewide discussion on how to build new WBL programs across industries. The series begins Oct. 1. For more details, visit https://workforce.iowa.gov/wbl-series.
    • September is National Preparedness Month: Be sure to check out ready.gov and ready.iowa.gov for information on emergency plans and kits. I’m especially a fan of the section for kids that can teach them preparedness through games.

    This Week on Social Media