Iowa Senate Democrats

Fighting for a Better Deal for Iowans.

  • Senate Dem Leader on Governor’s Condition of the State address

    Senate Democratic Leader Janet Petersen shares her reaction to the Governor’s Condition of the State address with Sabrina Ahmed of WOI-TV News 5.

    Iowa Senate News Release
    For immediate release: January 15, 2019

     

    Statement from Senate Democratic Leader Janet Petersen on Condition of the State address

    “We are concerned that for the past two years, the Governor and legislative Republicans have pushed everyday Iowans – students, seniors, workers and women – to the back of the line. At the same time, Republicans allowed millionaires, big corporations and out-of-state MCOs to cut to the front of the line.

    “We agree with the Governor when she says it’s time for her and others to deliver on their promises to fully fund mental health, rural revitalization and job training initiatives.

    “When we can work with Republicans, we will. Our goal this session is to keep focused on improving the lives of everyday Iowans.  Our message to Iowans is this: ‘We work for you!’”

    – end –

  • Is rationing health care the Iowa GOP’s secret plan to “fix” Medicaid mess?

    IA SEN NEWS
    Oct. 30, 2018

    In the final days of the 2018 campaign, a Northwest Iowa State Senator may have mistakenly released the Republican Party of Iowa’s secret plan to “fix” the Medicaid privatization mess.

    During a forum last week sponsored by the Sioux City Rotary Club, State Senator Jim Carlin of Sioux City proposed rationing health care for Medicaid recipients.

    Carlin specifically said lawmakers should “look into limiting the number of doctor visits” by people on Medicaid.

    Senate Democratic Leader Janet Petersen called Carlin’s proposal “mean-spirited and dangerous.”

    “This is another example of a politician playing doctor,” Petersen said. “The last thing that Iowa parents need is to be worried about politicians placing arbitrary caps on the number of times their children can visit the family doctor for an ear infection, a broken arm or diabetes. And how could the Legislature and Governor limit the number of doctor visits for disabled Iowans or those with chronic illnesses? That’s mean-spirited and dangerous.”

    Throughout 2017 and 2018, Governor Reynolds and other Republican leaders acknowledged “mistakes were made” with Medicaid privatization, but they have offered no solutions for reversing course on a change that has turned over health care management for hundreds of thousands of Iowans to out-of-state corporations.

    As a result, the Reynolds Administration, Senator Carlin and others in the Republican-controlled Legislature have led an effort that has:

    1. Cut and delayed payments to Iowa health care providers that provide critical services to hundreds of thousands of Iowans.
    2. Made health care services even less accessible to Medicaid members.
    3. Shifted more than $100 million away from education, health care and public safety to cover the additional payments to out-of-state corporations.

    “Make no mistake about it, Senator Carlin’s plan would cost Iowa taxpayers more money in the long run and would further endanger the health and safety of Iowans,” Petersen said.

    Read the full Sioux City Journal article: https://tinyurl.com/yd4oouq2

    – end –

  • Privatizing IPERS: An Analysis of SF 45 (Updated 10/26/18)

    SENATE FILE 45 was introduced by Senator Brad Zaun (R) on the first day of the 2017 legislative session.  (PDF of this document)

    Senator Zaun is the Chair of the Judiciary Committee, Vice Chair of the Labor and Business Relations Committee, and a member of the State Government and Commerce Committees

    The bill mandates employees newly hired on or after July 1, 2019, who would otherwise be members of the public safety peace officers’ retirement (PORS), accident/disability system, the Iowa public employees’ retirement system (IPERS), the statewide fire and police retirement system (411), or the judicial retirement system, SHALL NOT become members of their respective retirement systems.  These are all state defined benefit pension plans.

    Instead, Senator Zaun’s bill directs each retirement system to develop an alternative defined contribution plan for employees newly hired on or after July 1, 2019. This would repeal the current pension systems in Iowa and replace them with a private market/401(k) type plan.

    The bill directs each retirement system to submit a plan to create an alternative defined contribution plan to the public retirement systems committee by October 1, 2018.

    This is a bad bill – built on a bad idea.

    While Senate File 45 would get rid of all public defined benefit pensions,  this year most discussion is on the IPERS pension system.

    IPERS is 82.4 percent funded, which rating agencies say is like being an “A” student.  While some public worker pension systems in other states are in bad shape, Iowa’s system was ranked as the 10th best-positioned pension system in the country.  Iowa also has the 4th lowest debt, including pension liability, in the country.

    • One in 10 Iowans is a member of IPERS.  Most of IPERS members are teachers and school staff, followed by law enforcement, social workers, prison staff, transportation workers, and other public employees.
    • The average IPERS retiree leaves public employment after 22 years of service.
    • The average IPERS retiree receives an annual benefit of $16,000. Benefits are calculated based on a formula of years of service and highest average salary, with a maximum benefit of 65 percent for 35 years or more of service.  No one makes more in IPERS retirement than they did while they were working.
    • This benefit is secure and paid for a lifetime, but does not include a cost-of-living adjustment.  Every year spent in retirement means the IPERS monthly benefit has less buying power. That’s why IPERS is only one part of retirement planning and is designed to be combined with Social Security and other personal savings and investments.

     

    October 2018 Update

    While SENATE FILE 45 did not advance in the 2017 – 2018 session, leading Iowa Republicans continue to back the ideas contained in the bill.

    On April 24 of 2017, shortly after the 2017 session adjourned, Governor Reynolds told reporters that her priorities for the next session included “Water quality, tax reform and a study of the Iowa Public Employees’ Retirement System,” according to reports in the Cedar Rapids Gazette and the Quad City Times.

    On August 28 of 2017, then Senator, now Senate President ,Charles Schneider (R) invited the Los Angeles-based Reason Foundation to give a presentation to members of the IPERS Benefits Advisory Committee.  The Reason Foundation is an advocate for private market/401(k) type retirement plans.   The IPERS response to the Reason Foundation’s presentation can be found here: https://www.ipers.org/newsroom/2017/reason-foundation-presentation-bac

    On December 18 of 2017, the Legislature’s Public Retirement Systems Committee met for a contentious meeting, headlined by one newspaper as: “Iowa lawmakers grill IPERS officials about public pension funding.”  The committee adjourned without making recommendations for legislation in 2018.

    On June 22 of 2018, Governor Kim Reynolds was interviewed on Iowa Press (http://www.iptv.org/iowapress/story/30878/governor-kim-reynolds).  The Governor repeatedly talked of making changes to IPERS while “maintaining the commitments that have been made.”  IPERS managers have consistently warned that changing to a 401(k) plan for new members would threaten benefits to current members.

    On October 23 of 2018, individual editorials from Governor Reynolds and Iowa House Republican Speaker Linda Upmeyer appeared in major papers.  Both claimed there are no plans to change IPERS.

    On October 25 of 2018, House Democratic Leader Mark Smith revealed that Speaker Upmeyer had previously voted for “a 401(k)-style plan that would divert money from IPERS.” (HSB 512, House State Government Committee Vote, March 2, 2006)

     – END –

     

     

     

    Produced by the Iowa Senate Democratic Research Staff: 515-281-5804

  • HWY 20 shows the promise of rural Iowa investments

    IOWA SENATE NEWS
    October 18, 2018

    Statement on the completed expansion of Highway 20 by State Senator Tod Bowman of Maquoketa, current Ranking Member and former Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee

    “It’s been decades in the making, but we finally have a four-lane highway across northern Iowa between Dubuque and Sioux City.

    “There will be a ribbon cutting in western Iowa for the completion of Highway 20 on Friday. I’ll be teaching in Maquoketa at that time, but I will still be celebrating this important investment in rural Iowa.

    “Safe, efficient roads for Iowans, travelers and commerce have been top priorities over my last eight years on the Senate Transportation Committee. We’ve accomplished a lot in that time through bipartisan efforts focused on making Iowa the best place to live, work and do business.

    “Expanding Highway 20 already has brought more traffic to the communities it passes through and has helped relieve congestion on I-80 by providing another convenient route across the state for people and freight.

    “It will continue to create opportunities for manufacturing, agriculture, services, recreation and tourism—all of which create jobs, boost our economy and improve our quality of life.

    “This and other infrastructure investments—like high-speed Internet—are critical to get Iowa’s economy going again, especially in our small towns and rural areas.”

     

    – end –

  • How can we stop the increase in Iowa suicides?

    The U.S. has seen a jump in suicides in recent years, with rural states being hardest hit. Iowa’s suicide rate increased more than 35 percent between 1999 and 2016.

    Mental illness, economic hardship, relationship problems, substance abuse, poor health and other crises increase a person’s risk of suicide.

    September’s National Suicide Prevention Month reminds us that we all can do our part to help. One simple way is by sharing the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 or SuicidePreventionLifeline.org. The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, as well as other prevention and crisis resources.

    Even state government and our local communities have a role to play in ending suicide. Senate Democrats will continue to push for policies and strategies that the Centers for Disease Control says reduce the risk of suicide, including:

    • Connecting patients with mental health care, covering mental health services under insurance plans and increasing the number of mental health care providers.
    • Strengthening economic stability by providing unemployment benefits and other temporary assistance, while also stimulating the economy and job growth so that Iowans can get ahead.

  • Petersen: Medicaid increase is GOP’s ‘gut punch’ to Iowa taxpayers

    Statement from Senate Democratic Leader Janet Petersen on GOP’s ‘gut punch’ to Iowa taxpayers 

    “Iowa families, health care providers and taxpayers received a gut punch today because of the mismanagement of privatized Medicaid by Governor Reynolds, Senate Republicans and House Republicans.

    Iowa Senate Democratic Leader Janet Petersen

    “Taxpayers are being hurt because they must now pay an additional $342.2 million to out-of-state corporations that are running Medicaid and Iowa’s heath care system into the ground.

    “In order to balance the state budget, Governor Reynolds and Republican legislators are unfortunately likely to

    1. Cut and further delay payments to Iowa health care providers that provide critical services to hundreds of thousands of Iowans.
    2. Make health care services even less accessible to Medicaid members.
    3. Take more than $100 million away from education, health care and public safety to cover the additional payments to out-of-state corporations.

    “The best option would be for Governor Reynolds and legislative Republicans to finally reverse course and join legislative Democrats in supporting a return to a more efficient, publicly managed system.

    “We all know for-profit Medicaid has been a disaster for Iowa families and health care providers. Now we know that it is a bigger disaster for the state budget and Iowa taxpayers.”

    -end –

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • 2018 End-of-Session Report

    The Democratic plan for 2018 calls for Putting Iowans First

    • Investing in public schools & preventing more school closures
    • Keeping job training & college affordable for all Iowans
    • Making child care more affordable for working parents & those training for better jobs
    • Raising wages for Iowans
    • Increasing use of renewable energy & fuels
    • Revitalizing rural Iowa with good jobs & a great quality of life
    • Examining tax breaks for big, out-of-state corporations that put the state budget in the red & don’t create Iowa jobs
    • Requiring the Senate GOP to pay for their $1.75 million sexual harassment suit instead of taxpayers
    • Ending privatized Medicaid, especially for our most vulnerable Iowans
    • Keeping health care affordable & accessible for all Iowans
    • Fixing & investing in Iowa’s mental health system
    • Cleaning up the corruption & cronyism in state government


     Gov. Reynolds & Republican lawmakers: Misplaced priorities & mismanagement

    • Instituting the most restrictive abortion ban in the country (SF 359)
    • Slashing investment in skilled worker initiatives (SF 2117, HF 2493)
    • Making record-low investments in public schools (HF 2230)
    • Sending more money to out‐of‐state, for‐profit online schools (SF 475)
    • Raising tuition & reducing opportunities with millions in mid‐year cuts to community colleges & state universities (SF 2117)
    • Allowing unregulated health care plans that can deny people based on pre‐existing conditions (SF 2349)
    • Reducing services at county courthouses with mid‐year cuts (SF 2117)
    • Cutting $4.3 million from an already strapped Department of Human Services (SF 2117)
    • Eliminating protections in current gun ownership laws (HJR 2009)
    • Banning sanctuary cities even though Iowa doesn’t have any (SF 481)
    • Putting Iowans’ safety at risk with lower inspection standards (HF 2297)
    • Cutting energy efficiency programs & discriminating against renewable energy options (SF 2311)
    • Passing a huge tax giveaway that overwhelmingly benefits corporations & the wealthy (SF 2417)
    • Failing to extend funding for school infrastructure & providing more than $100 million in property tax relief with SAVE (HF 2481)
    • Failing to take advantage of industrial help as a promising agricultural commodity (SF 2398)
    • Allowing doctors to give incomplete information to pregnant women (SF 2418)

     

    Several bipartisan bills were approved

    • Requiring ignition interlocks & no temporary license restrictions for OWIs (HF 2338)
    • Ensuring health care coverage for telemedicine services (HF 2305)
    • Expanding mental health services for complex needs (HF 2456)
    • Expanding Move Over law to make the roads safer (HF 2304)
    • Expanding consumer security freezes to protect credit (SF 2177)
    • Expanding Safe Haven laws (SF 360)
    • Helping more veterans by expanding the Veterans Trust Fund (SF 2366)
    • Creating security plans for all Iowa schools (SF 2364)
    • Prohibiting shaming of students who can’t pay for their lunch (HF 2467)
    • Protecting student athletes with new concussion protocols (HF 2442)
    • Requiring suicide prevention training for school employees (SF 2113)
    • Cracking down on electronic forms of identity theft (HF 2199)
    • Licensing for genetic counselors (SF 2228) & autism counselors (SF 192)
    • Enhancing funding for EMS transportation (HF 2285) & 911 HF 2254)
    • Establishing Future Ready plan to train more skilled workers (HF 2458)
    • Expanding work background checks for those with access to personal info (HF 2321, HF 637)
    • Cracking down on electronic eavesdropping (HF 2392)
    • Expanding help through Crime Victims Compensation Fund (SF 2165)
    • Giving schools (HF 2441) & communities (SF 2258) flexibility with certain funding to meet local needs
    • Improving teaching for those with dyslexia (SF 2360)
    • Approving a plan to start combatting Iowa’s opioid crisis (HF 2377)
    • Providing sharing incentives for schools to improve efficiency & save money (HF 633)
    • Protecting the privacy of student data (HF 2354)
    • Taking a first step toward fairer funding for rural schools with high transportation costs (SF 455)

     

    Good news: These GOP bills failed

    • Raising property taxes & reducing local services by ending the state’s property tax backfill for local governments & school districts (SF 2420)
    • Shifting $200 million from public schools to private & home schools through vouchers (SF 2091)
    • Eliminating the Iowa Department of Public Health (HF 2017)
    • Reinstating the death penalty (SF 335)
    • Instituting political discrimination for university faculty (SF 288)
    • Intimidating abortion providers to limit health care choices for women (SF 26)
    • Ending retirement security for public employees, including teachers, fire fighter, & police officers (IPERS, PORS & 411) (SF 45)
    • Defining abortion as murder, even in cases of rape or incest (SF 54)
    • Putting Bible literacy classes in public schools (HF 2031)
    • Removing gender identity protections from Iowa Civil Rights Code (HF 2164)
    • Making Iowa Supreme Court Justices part‐time & paying them like lawmakers (HF 2036)
    • Giving Iowans a “license to discriminate” against fellow citizens who are different from them (SF 2338)
    • Creating new requirements & drug testing for recipients of Medicaid, FIP & SNAP, while limiting food items (SF 2370)
    • Requiring a super‐majority vote for Iowa Supreme Court decisions (SF 2282)
    • Ending state accreditation for community colleges (SF 2272)
    • Extending school bus riding times for K-12 students (SF 2137)

  • Statement on deferred confirmation vote for DHS Director

    Iowa Senate News Release
    For Immediate Release:  March 7, 2018

    Senate Democratic Leader Janet Petersen on deferred confirmation vote for DHS Director

    “We made a reasonable request today to delay the confirmation vote on Jerry Foxhoven until we can fully assess his leadership at the Iowa Department of Human Services.

    “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. This is particularly concerning because Governor Reynolds promised in her Condition of the State address this year that Jerry Foxhoven and other new members of her team would:

    • Resolve issues for caregivers ‘in a timely manner and ensure on-time payments.’
    • Reach patients in ‘new and innovative ways to individualize their care.’
    • ‘Make it right.’

    “There’s no evidence today that she has kept those promises or has a plan for addressing the concerns of Medicaid recipients, health care providers and Iowa taxpayers.

    “In addition, Senate Democrats have concerns related to:

    • Plans to turn the Iowa State Training School for Boys in Eldora into a correctional facility.
    • Foxhoven failing to raise red flags about the impact of mid-year budget cuts on critical services provided by the Department of Human Services.
    • Doubts about the state’s ability to ensure the health and safety of vulnerable Iowa children.”

    -end-

     

  • Senator Petersen’s prepared remarks on SF 2281

    Iowa Senate News Release
    For Immediate Release:  February 28, 2018

     

    Senator Petersen’s prepared remarks on SF 2281,
    extreme abortion restrictions

    I believe every Iowa woman in our state should have the FREEDOM to care for her body without government intervening.

    I believe every Iowa woman should have the FREEDOM to decide if and when she wants to be a parent.

    Unfortunately, that is becoming nearly impossible with Republicans in control of the Iowa Senate.

    It has been a rough two years for Iowa women with Republicans in power.

    Last year, every Republican in the Iowa Senate sponsored and voted for a bill that nearly destroyed Iowa’s Family Planning Network.

    Republicans forced Iowa women to find new health care providers.

    Republicans banned many of the state’s most highly qualified providers from participating in their GOP Family Planning program.

    Republican senators banned Iowa women from seeking medical care from doctors, clinics and hospitals while they continue to go to them or send their own family members to them as part of their health insurance plan that Iowa taxpayer’s cover.

    Republican Senators and staff were found guilty of creating a toxic work environment for former communications director Kirsten Anderson, which resulted in a $1.75 million settlement innocent taxpayers paid.

    On top of that – Republican senators charged taxpayers millions of dollars more for their GOP Family Planning bill that provides less care to fewer women.

    So now, Senate Republicans are back for more – forcing motherhood on Iowa women.

    This bill is dangerous.

    This bill is unconstitutional.

    This bill devalues Iowa women.

    This bill impacts every girl and every woman in our state from the time they get their period to the time they take their last breath.

    This bill puts a 6-week ban on abortion.

    The only exception to this medical ban is if a woman’s life is at stake.

    THE ONLY EXCEPTION IS TO PREVENT DEATH.

    There are no other provisions in IOWA CODE that say an Iowan cannot access medical care UNLESS it is to prevent death –

    Iowans in prison have more medical rights than Iowa women and girls would have under this bill.

    Even a corpse in Iowa would have more rights than women and girls are given under this legislation.

    Even livestock in Iowa have more health care rights than this bill gives to Iowa women and girls.

    It is hard to believe we are even having this debate on a piece of legislation that devalues the bodies and decision-making skills of Iowa women and girls.

    Imagine if we included men in the Republican’s new definition of MEDICAL EMERGENCY, saying the fate of male reproductive organs didn’t matter unless you were dying.

    This bill tells Iowa women and girls that forced pregnancy is more important than their health and well-being.

    This bill puts forced pregnancy ahead of helping women and girls take care of their bodies.

    This bill doesn’t just impact women, it impacts girls.

    There are no age restrictions in this legislation.

    There is no exception for a 9-year-old Iowa girl who is the victim of rape.

    Under the Republican bill – you would force a child rape victim to have a baby no matter how young she is.

    That is unfathomable.

    Senate Republicans refused to take up legislation to give victims of child sexual abuse more time to go after their perpetrators for civil damages – a bill that could have prevented serial perpetrators from raping more children.

    Yet, in this bill Senate Republicans have no problem going after Iowa doctors – by threatening to put them in prison – for terminating a pregnancy if they believe is in the best interest of the child.

    Why do Senate Republicans have it out for Iowa doctors?

    Apparently the only doctors Senate Republicans trust are COMPANY DOCTORS that keep workers from accessing decent workers compensation for injuries on the job.

    Going after doctors who provide women’s health care is shameful.

    What doctor would want to practice in a state that threatens to put them in prison for doing what is in the best interest of her patient????

    This bill is a direct attack on women’s health care across our state.

    If this bill were to become law, our state may lose its only residency program for OB/GYNs at the University of Iowa – a highly successful program where one-third of the OBG residency graduates remain in Iowa to practice.

    Even if it is able to keep its residency program, it will be a logistical nightmare to ensure our future doctors get the training they need to graduate.

    If there are no places to train future doctors in Iowa on how to safely do an abortion procedure – where will the UI send its residents?

    They will have to go out of state.

    That brings extra costs, extra time and extra headaches for residents.

    What will that equate to for our state?

    It will mean fewer OB/GYN students choosing University of Iowa as a place where they would like to attend medical school.

    It will mean fewer OB/GYNs choosing to practice in Iowa.

    Iowa is already ranked next to last in the nation for OBG physicians per capita with 2/3 of Iowa counties not having a single OBG physician.

    (Iowa is only ahead of Arkansas)

    When you lose doctors in rural Iowa, maternal health care outcomes suffer.

    Iowa is already dangerously low in our number of OB/GYNs.

    I don’t think any of us want our state to be known as a place with poor birth outcomes, more high-risk pregnancies and unhealthy births that result in long-term health issues.

    Our state should be the safest place in the country to have a baby – not the most dangerous place to have a baby.

    A study published last September in the journal of Health Affairs found that 1 in 10 rural counties had lost their OB-GYN wards in the past 10 years.

    Iowa women and girls deserve access to the best medical care possible.

    Iowa woman and girls deserve the ability to take care of their bodies without politicians interfering with their decisions.

    We are already seeing dangerous results of the GOP Family Planning bill that is costing taxpayers millions of dollars more – and resulting in less care for women and less access to family planning.

    This bill – which is unconstitutional – will once again charge Iowa taxpayers with a huge bill.  You’ve already charged them more than $3 million with last year’s GOP Family Planning Bill and $1.75 million to cover the costs of the Senate Republican sexual harassment lawsuit.  And now you are at it again with this bill, which will tie up our underfunded and understaffed court system and cost Iowa taxpayers millions of dollars.

    This bill will not make our state a safe place to have a baby.  In fact, it will do the opposite.

    This bill won’t just impact the Iowa women and girls who are forced into motherhood – it will affect all women and girls needing access to OB/GYNs and safe, accessible reproductive health care services in Iowa.

    This bill is dangerous.  This bill is unconstitutional.

    Tell Iowa women and girls that you believe in them.

    Tell Iowa women and girls you care about their ability to take care of their own bodies.

    Tell Iowa women and girls you don’t believe it is right to inject your power into the most private decision-making moments of their lives.

    Please VOTE NO.

    Your political power doesn’t belong inside an Iowa girl’s uterus or the uterus any Iowa woman.

    – end –

  • Lawmakers Unveil “Putting Iowans First” Plan

    IOWA LEGISLATURE NEWS
    Thursday, January 25, 2018

     

    Focus On Improving Lives for Everyday Iowans

    DES MOINES – Democratic lawmakers outlined their new plan today called Putting Iowans First.  The plan was developed by lawmakers to keep the 2018 session focused on improving the lives of everyday Iowans.

    “Iowans don’t ask for much. They just want a decent paying job and the chance to lead a happy, healthy life. But we know today that too many Iowans who are working hard are just struggling to get by. Stagnant wages, rising health care costs, and fewer dollars going to job training and public education are hurting Iowa families,” said House Democratic Leader Mark Smith.

    “Democrats believe it’s time to get back to the basics—to help improve Iowans’ everyday lives and give each of us opportunities to get ahead. Our Putting Iowans First plan focuses on better paying jobs, a great education, and affordable health care. Democrats believe that Iowa values include investing in Iowans. It’s a mistake to believe that the state can cut its way to prosperity,” said Senate Democratic Leader Janet Petersen.

    The Putting Iowans First plan has four parts:

    1. Better-Paying Jobs
    2. A Revitalization of Small Towns and Rural Areas
    3. The Best Education in the Country
    4. A Quality of Life that Makes Iowa the #1 Best Place to Live

    “It’s time to say goodbye to the back room deals and corporate tax giveaways. Our Putting Iowans First plan will bring the focus of our government back to improving the lives of everyday Iowans,” added Smith. “That means affordable job training and new recreational opportunities in rural areas. It means increasing the use of renewable fuels and investing in our public schools again to produce a highly skilled workforce. It also means expanding access to affordable health care.”

    The full plan can be found at http://iowansfirst.com.

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