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.
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.
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.
Iowa taxpayers’ dollars should have never been used as a slush fund to cover the cost of sexual harassment by Senate Republicans. Senators Whitver and Schneider should turn over all campaign funds raised by Senator Dix to begin to cover the costs of the illegal behavior by their caucus.
With Senator Dix’s resignation, Republican Senators have an opportunity to finally get it right and change a culture at the Iowa Capitol that puts lobbyists, special interests, and political arrogance ahead of the interests of Iowa families.
The video posted on Iowa Starting Line is a serious matter for Senate Republican Leader Bill Dix to discuss with his family, his fellow Senate Republicans and Governor Reynolds. Because this involves Senator Dix and a lobbyist, there will be questions about the impact of this relationship on legislation.
What’s to blame? A Republican agenda that grossly underfunds our local schools; turns Iowa’s respected, state-run Medicaid safety net into a national disaster; weakens rights of workers and drives down wages; and showers out-of-state corporations with an all-you-can-eat buffet of tax cuts and tax credits.
We made a reasonable request today to delay the confirmation vote on Jerry Foxhoven until we can fully assess his leadership at DHS. First, there’s no need to rush this important decision. The deadline to deal with confirmations isn’t until April 15. Second, there are too many unresolved problems with the privatization of Medicaid services by the Reynolds Administration.
Contrary to the claims of Senate Republicans, their tax plan is NOT fair to many Iowans, it does NOT make Iowa more competitive with other states, and it certainly does NOT take into account the ongoing budget crisis.