Statement by Sen. Todd Taylor, Ranking Member of the Justice System Appropriations Subcommittee
“The death of two prison employees at the Anamosa State Penitentiary is a horrible tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families, neighbors and co-workers. In addition to ensuring that justice is served, we must also ensure that state leaders address chronic understaffing and other systemic problems at our prisons before we have more deaths.”
– end –
DES MOINES – On a party-line vote tonight, the Republican members of the Iowa Senate voted for legislation that will eliminate existing requirements for background checks for Iowa gun sales.
The legislation, HF 756, does away with Iowa’s law requiring a background check in order to purchase a handgun.
If Governor Reynolds signs HF 756, Iowans will be able to purchase a firearm from a private seller without a background check and then carry it anywhere in public without any firearms training proficiency.
Senate Democratic Leader Zach Wahls offered an amendment to require background checks. It was defeated by Senate Republicans.
Video of his floor comments are available on Youtube at: https://youtu.be/8nBIPFUDc6A .
Transcript of Senator Wahl’s remarks on Senate Amendment 3092 to House File 756:
I am offering this amendment today because Iowans support background checks.
Iowans know that we are safer in our homes and communities because of background checks.
My amendment would require background checks on all gun sales.
There’s data to show that Iowa’s current system of background checks is working: 14,921 illegal sales have been blocked by the system in Iowa from 1998 to 2019.
Let me repeat that: Because of Iowa’s current system requiring background checks, 14,921 illegal sales have been blocked between 1998 and 2019.
If the system in Iowa isn’t broken, what are we doing here?
We know from other states that what legislative Republicans are proposing today does NOT work.
In Missouri, Republicans repealed their law in 2007. When Missouri repealed its purchase permit law requiring background checks, the state experienced an up to 27 percent increase in its firearm homicide rate and a 16 percent increase in its firearm suicide rate.
Senate Amendment 3092 attempts to fix some of the biggest problems with this bill.
If signed into law, there would be NO background checks whatsoever required for private sales.
If signed into law, there would be NO requirement for a permit to carry a weapon in public.
If signed into law, people without any type of firearms training will be allowed to carry in public. So, a person can purchase a firearm from a private seller without a background check and then carry it anywhere in public without any firearms training or proficiency if this bill is adopted.
If you support background checks, vote “yes.” If you oppose background checks, vote “no.”
-end-
DES MOINES — Working in a bipartisan manner, State Senator Sarah Trone Garriott today supported legislation to crack down on reproductive fraud against Iowa families.
Trone Garriott of Windsor Heights, a Democrat, worked with Senator Annette Sweeney of Alden, a Republican, to pass Senate File 529, which is known as the “Fraud in Assisted Reproduction Act.”
WATCH: Video from Senate Debate
The legislation addresses cases where those seeking fertility assistance are instead victims of fraud, specifically cases where the physician misrepresents the sperm donor’s identity. Through popular DNA testing, individuals in states across the nation have been shocked and horrified to discover that the physician is actually their father. Existing law provided the children born of reproductive fraud with no opportunity to seek criminal or civil action after their discovery. Iowans who have been affected shared their stories at the subcommittee meeting.
Senator Sweeney, the bill’s floor manager, credited Trone Garriott for working to clarify the legislation to better connect with existing Iowa Code. The legislation classifies this offense as sex abuse in the third degree, which is a level included on the sex offender registry.
The legislation was approved by the Senate on a 47-0 vote. Key provisions of the bill:
A person who is found guilty of violating the Fraud in Assisted Reproduction Act would be guilty of a Class “C” felony.
In addition, the legislation ensures that any health care provider or facility may have its license revoked for violating the law; a patient or family member could sue anyone who violates the law for compensatory and punitive damages; and any physicians who use their own human reproductive material in the assisted reproduction procedure would be guilty of sexual abuse in the third degree when the physician uses their own human reproductive material in the assisted reproduction procedure.
The legislation now moves to the Iowa House.
— end —
Iowans have been through a lot over the last year, particularly with the pandemic. It’s not over yet, but it is time for the Legislature to do all it can to help Iowa build back better, bigger and stronger than ever.
My focus this session is on a four-part plan to help Iowa rebound from the ravages of the last year. Senate Democrats’ COVID Recovery Plan aims to:
1. Defeat COVID-19 by rolling out vaccines to all Iowans as efficiently as possible. Our country has surpassed 400,000 deaths and is expected to hit the 500,000-fatality mark in February. With no time to waste, we should use some of the state’s budget surplus to get emergency funding to county health departments to speed up distribution of COVID-19 vaccinations and contact tracing.
2. Help hurting Iowans. The pandemic has sickened Iowa workers and shuttered businesses throughout the state. The good news is that we have ample resources to:
3. Build back better by focusing on critical needs. This includes:
4. Ensure accountability. An independent, blue-ribbon COVID Commission with representatives from all sectors of our economy should be given broad subpoena and investigative powers. Iowans deserve to know where their hard-earned tax dollars are going as we recover from this pandemic. The knowledge we gain will help us better prepare for future emergencies.
Senate Democrats are currently putting together the bills that will help achieve the goals of this four-part plan.
Vaccinating Iowans
Helping hurting Iowans
Building Back Better
Blue-Ribbon COVID Commission
Monday, two harmful bills are being rushed through the Senate Education Committee before Iowans have time to respond. SSB 1065 would divert taxes for public schools to private schools and SSB 1064 would make Iowa schools unsafe during the pandemic.
Both pieces of legislation were written and filed without any input from the IA Department of Education.
“If these bills pass it will be a disaster for Iowa public schools.” Senate Education Committee member Sarah Trone Garriott of Windsor Heights said. “Our public school educators have gone above and beyond for months, giving everything they have to keep educating our students through a public health disaster. They’ve done all this with no additional support from the state, after years of underfunding. Instead of thanking them, the majority party is rushing through bills that will defund public schools, undermine local decision making, and disregard health and safety.”
On Monday, Senate Republicans have scheduled subcommittees for both pieces of legislation. By 3 PMthat same day, the Senate Education Committee is expected to approve this legislation, clearing the way for votes by the entire Senate before the end of the week.
“Public schools are the heart of our Iowa communities and a great source of pride. When I speak to business owners, they share about the importance of high quality public education for recruiting and retaining talent,” said Trone-Garriott. “Strong public schools improve the quality of life for the entire community. It’s a shame that these pieces of legislation will be passed out of committee tomorrow before the school day is even over.”
“Disaster Week for Iowa Public Education” (Schedule)
MONDAY, 10:30 AM: “SHIFTING TAX DOLLARS FROM PUBLIC TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS” SSB 1065
Subcommittee meeting on SSB 1065 with testimony from members of the public
Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/97398620607?pwd=bFhpbFY4WStzRGdITjd4QlpzVExhZz09
Read written comments from the public: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/committees/meetingPublicComment?meetingID=32363&action=viewCommitteePublicComments
MONDAY, 2:00 PM: “THE UNSAFE SCHOOLS ACT” SSB 1064
Subcommittee meeting on SSB 1064 with testimony from members of the public
Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/92644975939?pwd=d3ZtcHJtV1FHR084c2Q1eS9SMENiQT09
Read written comments from the public:
MONDAY, 3 PM: SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE
Senate Education Committee discusses both SSB 1065 and SSB 1064
Committee meetings in the Senate chamber can be watched live at https://www.legis.iowa.gov/dashboard?view=videoLive&chamber=S and are also available to watch on demand.
TUESDAY 7 PM: STATEWIDE ZOOM TOWN HALL TO SAVE IOWA’S PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Iowa Senate Democrats will host a “Iowa Virtual Town Hall to Save Iowa’s Public Schools.”
Senators, education leaders, health care experts, and ordinary Iowans will discuss both bills and how to help stop them. Zoom: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJUlcuyurjovGtF7LFAyvK-HWPIcQkCS6anZ and also on the Iowa Senate Democrats’ Facebook page
IOWA SENATE DEBATES SSB 1065 AND SSB 1064:
Expected before the Senate adjourns on Thursday, January 28
Senate debate takes place in the Senate Chamber and video can be watched live and on demand at: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/dashboard?view=videoLive&chamber=S
–end–
“Governor Reynolds seems shocked that her failed COVID strategy has resulted in thousands of deaths, overcrowded hospitals, unsafe schools, and some of the highest coronavirus infection rates in the country over the past nine months.
“Her half-measured attempt at a mask mandate will not be enough to make Iowans safer, especially heading into the holiday season. Her actions today are simply too little, too late. Half-measures will only prolong this pandemic and the suffering of Iowans.
“The Governor’s latest plan:
“The deadly results of her inaction has turned this pandemic into a public health crisis that has devastated our economy. Here is what the Governor should have announced tonight that include the specific recommendations of the White House Coronavirus Task Force:
###
Statement from Senate Democratic Leader Janet Petersen
“Governor Reynolds’ latest steps to fight COVID are like buying a smoke detector after your house is blazing out of control.
“Iowa has one of the highest positivity rates in the nation, making more schools unsafe to hold in-person classes. Hospitals are above capacity for COVID and non-COVID patients. Iowans are finding it difficult to impossible to get tested for COVID. And the death count is spiking.
“For eight months, Governor Reynolds has unilaterally led a COVID strategy, damaging the Iowa economy and leaving business owners and workers at her mercy. If the Governor had listened from day one to health care experts – including the White House Coronavirus Task Force – more Iowans would be alive today and the Iowa economy would be rebounding.”
-end-
Iowa is officially the worst place in the country—and one of the worst places in the world—for spread of the coronavirus.
Six months into the pandemic, when many of us thought we might be in the clear, Iowa is in the thick of it with record-high infection rates and mounting deaths.
In response, the Governor on August 27 closed bars in six counties, including Black Hawk, Johnson, Linn, Polk and Story. This is another half-hearted move that is preventing Iowa from getting the coronavirus under control.
Governor Reynolds opened the state too fast, failed to follow the advice of public health experts, and continues to tie the hands of local leaders. Because of unreliable and inconsistent data from the state, we’re in a seemingly endless cycle that is hindering efforts to safely and sustainably open our economy and schools.
To fill the void, organizations are stepping in to share the information they are collecting.
For example, the Iowa State Education Association, in partnership with Iowa Covid-19 Tracker, has released a statewide tracking system for Iowa’s K-12 schools. Parents, teachers and school administrators can report COVID-19 cases, and families and community members can track what’s happening. To report information or see where cases have been confirmed, go to iowacovid19tracker.org/covid-19-in-our-schools.
The Iowa Board of Medicine has also become more vocal in advocating for stronger measures to prevent spread of the coronavirus. In line with recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), they’re pushing for masks in public areas and all situations where it’s difficult to maintain distance.
Let’s all do our part:
The Department of Inspections and Appeals (DIA) has published FAQs to answer questions about bar closures in six counties (Black Hawk, Dallas, Johnson, Linn, Polk and Story) under the Governor’s August 27 proclamation. The order is in effect through September 20.
To file a COVID-related complaint about a bar or restaurant, go to stateofiowa.seamlessdocs.com/f/abd_complaint.
For more information, visit the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division website, email education@iowaabd.com or call 515-281-7400.
Through federal CARES Act funding, grants are available to impacted businesses. Applications will be accepted September 10-24 for one-time $10,000 grants to assist with short-term cash flow. Eligible businesses must be in good standing with the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division, the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals, and the Iowa Department of Revenue.
For complete details and to apply, go to iowaeconomicdevelopment.com/Business/business-disruption.
State Senator Herman Quirmbach
News Release: August 27, 2020
“Governor Reynolds’ proclamation today closed bars in six counties, including Story County. Her action is an appropriate response, in part, to the irresponsible mass student parties of the last several weeks.
“However, it is also in part an admission of the failure of her earlier response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Reynolds’ refusal to listen to medical experts has contributed to the spread of COVID-19, leading to increasing death and disease and making it harder to restart both Iowa’s economy and Iowa’s schools on a sustainable basis.
“Governor Reynolds opened the state too fast, failed to set a good example, and continues to prevent good decision-making by local authorities.
“I call on Governor Reynolds to step up and meet the challenge of this moment. If we are to avoid further backward steps that will revisit the economic damage of this spring, she must at minimum immediately issue a statewide order for the use of masks in public.
“If she lacks the courage to do so, then she should allow local authorities to make the tough decisions for their own communities and schools.
“The time for half-hearted public relations gestures is over.”
-end-
New reports based on information from the Iowa Department of Public Health suggest that current COVID-19 conditions may be worse than we’ve been led to believe. It appears some new cases and deaths have been backdated, making it difficult to know how current circumstances are playing out.
Let’s all continue to practice preventive health measures, including:
These defenses against the spread of COVID-19 are our best chance of getting life back to normal as soon as possible.
It’s back-to school time, and most parents would love for kids to return to their classroom – when it is safe.
School boards, educators and families continue to deliberate the safest approach with the information available. After all, their health and safety and that of their communities is at stake.
The Iowa State Education Association recommends a three-point checklist for safely reopening schools:
Our neighbors to the north are taking these steps and more, showing us a safe way to ease children back into classrooms.
Minnesota is ensuring high-quality remote education until it is safe for students and educators to return to school. The Minnesota plan:
No amount of seat time in a classroom will make up for jeopardizing the health of our kids. Let’s put their safety first as we continue to assess our return-to-learn plans.
