Iowa Senate Democrats

Fighting for a Better Deal for Iowans.

  • Statement on State Patrol, DPS misuse of tax dollars

    Listen to this news release

    Statement from State Sen. Tony Bisignano on misuse of tax dollars
    by Iowa State Patrol and Department of Public Safety

    “I can’t believe the silence by Governor Reynolds and other state leaders after the State Auditor reported the misuse of $40,000 in taxpayer money by the Iowa State Patrol and Iowa Department of Public Safety.

    “An audit released yesterday determined that there was no legitimate reason to spend $40,000 to help move an Iowa State Patrol supervisor and his family from Adel to West Des Moines.

    “The Governor should take immediate action to require the Iowa State Patrol supervisor to repay that money to the State of Iowa. She should make sure someone is held accountable for this poor judgment call, including officials who approved it.

    “In addition, the Senate’s Government Oversight Committee should meet the first week of the 2020 session to investigate this matter and to recommend legislation that would stop further misuse of taxpayer dollars.”

    ###

    Senator Tony Bisignano of Des Moines is the Ranking Member of the Senate’s Government Oversight Committee.

  • Private management of UI utility system raises concerns

    Statement by Senator Joe Bolkcom on proposed privatized management of University utility system

    This elaborate, 50-year creative borrowing scheme is the result of the failure over the last decade by the Iowa Legislature and Governor Reynolds to adequately fund our public universities.

    The University of Iowa and Iowa Board of Regents are moving at breakneck speed toward approving a proposed University of Iowa’s plan to privatize management of the institution’s electricity and water systems in exchange for a $1 billion-dollar (my guesstimate because it’s still a secret) payment.

    Like a hedge fund, the University of Iowa will invest this borrowed money in the markets, in hopes of realizing large capital gains to both payback the borrowed money to the investors and realize a financial gain to fund the University. Like a home mortgage, every dollar that the University receives in an upfront payment will have to be paid back with interest over the next 50-years.

    Exotic and possibly risky financing with international investors’ money is the latest plan by Governor Reynolds, the Board of Regents and university leaders to support educating our Iowa college students. The plan relies on the performance of the markets to succeed. If for some reason the University can’t pay back the money, Iowa taxpayers will.

    This elaborate, 50-year creative borrowing scheme is the result of the failure over the last decade by the Iowa Legislature and Governor Reynolds to adequately fund our public universities.

    Except for handful of legislative leaders and the Governor’s office, Iowans have been left in the dark about the financial details of this deal. The assets of the University of Iowa belong to Iowa taxpayers not any board or unelected administrator. We have not privatized the University of Iowa yet! Iowans deserve a far more transparent process and a timely sharing of the financial details of such a complicated long-term deal.

    Iowans will have no opportunity to express their views on the final details of borrowing plan. At the Board of Regents meeting next week, they will reveal the successful bidder and the amount of the deal moments before they vote to approve the contract. Their agenda does not allow for any public input.

    Taxpayers deserve some straight answers to basic questions before the Board of Regents rubber-stamps the deal. Some of the questions include:

    • Who is the company and what is their expertise and experience operating both a power plant and drinking water system?
    • Where is the money coming from?
    • How much money will need to be paid back?
    • Who is financially responsible if the plan fails?
    • Why does the University of Iowa continue to pay all the costs of staff, fuel and capital improvements to operate the utility systems?
    • Why have Iowan’s been left in the dark?

    This is no way to run a public university. This is not a long-term solution to fund higher education. Iowa taxpayers and University of Iowa faculty, staff and students deserve better.

  • Oversight Committee should investigate DHS chief allegations, resignation

    Iowa Senate News release
    July 22, 2019

     

    Key Senators: Oversight Committee needs to investigate Foxhoven allegations, resignation

    DES MOINES — Democratic Senators Tony Bisignano and Claire Celsi, members of the Senate Government Oversight Committee, are calling for an interim public meeting of the five-member committee to discuss the departure of Jerry Foxhoven, former Director of the Iowa Department of Human Services.

    “Governor Reynolds has said that she wanted her Administration to be one of the most honest and transparent in history,” said Sen. Tony Bisignano, Ranking Member of the Senate Oversight Committee. “We are calling on her to be transparent, release all relevant information, and to clear up the real reasons for Jerry Foxhoven’s resignation.”

    A 2017 state law requires that the reason for firing (or demanding the resignation of an employee) is made public. Reynolds has declined to explain why Foxhoven was asked to resign and claimed that there has been a group working towards “a new direction” for the Department. When asked to produce documents proving that the group had been meeting, or to produce documents related to Foxhoven’s termination, Reynolds claims that none exists.

    “The need for a public meeting is more important because of recent allegations by Foxhoven that he was asked by Governor Reynolds to do something illegal and he declined,” said Sen. Claire Celsi. “Iowans deserve to know what is going on and we want to get to the bottom of it. We’re asking Senate Republican leaders Charles Schneider and Jack Whitver to authorize Senator Amy Sinclair, chair of the Senate Oversight committee, to convene a meeting so we can question those involved and get some answers.”

    ###

  • Statement on appointment of new DAS director

    IOWA SENATE NEWS
    June 20, 2019

    Statement from Senate Democratic Leader Janet Petersen on new DAS Director appointment

    “The biggest job for Governor Reynolds and Jim Kurtenbach in the coming months is to restore taxpayers’ faith in the Department of Administrative Services.

    “In a May 29 letter, I encouraged Governor Reynolds to appoint a new Director with the experience and proven track record necessary to write a new chapter. The Department must establish higher expectations than what we’ve seen over the past several years.

    “It’s unclear at this time whether she has accomplished that goal with the appointment of Mr. Kurtenbach.

    “The Governor and Mr. Kurtenbach will need to explain to Iowans how his background is suitable for this new job. We have seen numerous problems in recent years – multi-million dollar harassment settlements, hush money payments, understaffing that puts at risk the safety of state workers,  and unfair bargaining tactics, and biased hiring and procurement practices – that need to be addressed, not ignored.

    “Mr. Kurtenbach must explain to Iowans what specific plans he has for addressing those problems and ensuring that all state employees and Iowans are safe and treated with dignity, and that tax dollars are not abused.”

    ###

    The May 29 letter from Sen. Petersen to the Governor outlined problems that previous Directors either created or failed to address:• Denied Iowans access to basic public information about the number of harassment complaints in state government and how much taxpayer dollars have been spent to compensate harassment victims.• Taken a restrictive, punitive approach to negotiating contracts with state employees.

    • Put the health and safety of state employees and Iowans at risk through dangerous staff reductions, overtime policies, and other employment practices that were previously protected under collective bargaining.

    • Mishandled a sweeping scandal at the Iowa Finance Authority (IFA) that included rampant harassment of employees, a failure by IFA staff and DAS staff to address complaints, and pay raises and promotions that were based on cronyism rather than merit.

    • Approved secret settlements – described by some as “hush money” – to outgoing state employees.

    • Endangered the rights of workers by maintaining a “do-not-hire” list without due process for workers to challenge their inclusion on the list.

    • Failed to adequately update and enforce harassment policies in the executive branch.

    • Conducted hirings, firings and promotions across state government that appear to be based on political connections rather than qualifications.

  • Bisignano inquires about inaccessible information on Secretary of State site

    MEDIA ADVISORY
    May 30, 2019

    State Sen. Tony Bisignano, ranking member on the Senate State Government Committee, has sent the letter below to Secretary of State Paul Pate.

    Sen. Bisignano wants to know why certain information is not publicly available to voters and Iowans who want to run for office on the Secretary of State’s website. This information in question is located at https://sos.iowa.gov/elections/schools.html and at https://sos.iowa.gov/elections/cities.html.

    ###

    [pdf-embedder url=”http://www.senate.iowa.gov/democrats/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/190530-bisignano-letter-SOS-locked-voter-resources.pdf”]

  • How to Override the 2019 Iowa Medical Cannabis Veto

    Legislative leaders announce next steps in the fight for
    Iowa medical cannabis reforms

    Legislative advocates for reforming Iowa’s “worst in the nation” medical cannabis program say they will keep fighting for much needed reforms vetoed by Governor Reynolds.

    “Representative Forbes and I called on our colleagues to join us in calling for a special session to overturn Governor Reynold misguided veto of modest improvements to Iowa medical cannabis program,” said Senator Joe Bolkcom of Iowa City.  “We are happy to report that every Democratic member of the Iowa Senate and Iowa House signed the call for a special session. Unfortunately, not a single Republican lawmaker acted to defend their votes.”

    In April, House File 732 passed the Iowa House by a vote of 96 to 3 and the Iowa Senate by a vote of 40 to 7.

    “We gave our Republican colleagues the opportunity to make a wrong by the governor into a right. They ignored us,” said Representative Forbes. “Now it is time to take action to make sure Iowa’s elected officials are advocates for people who are sick and not able to access and afford effective medicines.”

    The two legislators said they would immediately press for a legislative interim committee to prepare legislation for passage early in the next session beginning in January, 2020.

    “An interim committee would include public meetings and public input,” Bolkcom said.  “Secret meetings between the Governor and legislative Republicans failed to get the job done.  The Legislature needs to listen to patients and create a better program that meets their needs.”

    The Legislative Council Committee is scheduled to meet Thursday, July 11, 2019, at 11:30 a.m. in Room 22, at the State Capitol.

    “The July 11th meeting will be very important for Iowans who want to have the same access to effective medicines that most other Americans already have,” said Forbes.  “The goal now must be seeing the necessary medical cannabis reforms signed into law shortly after the January start of the 2020 session.”

    ###

    News Conference: “Next Steps Toward Medical Cannabis Reform”

    Introduction

    You can help convince legislators to override Governor Reynold’s veto of HF 732, legislation to reform Iowa’s “worst in the nation” medical cannabis program.

    Ask your state senator and state representative to defend their vote by requesting a special session to override the Governor’s veto.

    Here’s a spreadsheet on how each legislator voted during the 2019 session, a link to the district they represent, and their email address: http://bit.ly/2019-Iowa-Medical-Cannabis-Vote

    If you aren’t sure who your legislators are, find out here: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/find.

    We need 66 of the 96 House members who voted YES to request a special session and 34 of the 40 Senators who voted YES for HF 732. Encourage them to defend their votes and the people they represent!

    You have until June 28th to convince your legislators to do what’s right.

    Conditions Covered by HF 732

    • MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS (MS)
      Medical cannabis has been found to decrease pain and symptoms of spasticity in people suffering from MS. HF 732 would ensure that their doctors can prescribe adequate amounts of this medication to manage their pain.
    • EPILEPSY
      HF 732 would simplify the process of obtaining medical cannabis, preventing seizures for those who suffer from epilepsy.
    • HIV/AIDS
      HF 732 would make it easier for Iowans to combat HIV with medical cannabis, avoiding the harmful symptoms associated with otherwise required medicines.
    • AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS (ALS)
      HF 732 gives Iowans easier access to medical cannabis, which can help treat symptoms of ALS such as appetite loss, depression, pain, muscular spasticity, drooling, and weakness. It may also prolong cell survival for ALS patients who suffer from the death of motor neuron cells.
    • CANCER
      HF 732 would make it easier and more effective for Iowans with cancer to benefit from medical cannabis. Medical cannabis can help alleviate the side effects of chemotherapy, including pain, neuropathy, nausea, vomiting, and anorexia.
    • PARKINSON’S DISEASE
      HF 732 would help Iowans with Parkinson’s treat tremor, stiffness, insomnia, dystonia, pain, dyskinesia, and weight loss with medical cannabis.
    • AUTISM
      HF 732 would make medical cannabis more accessible to Iowans with autism. One mother described how her son has benefited from medical cannabis: “He is more responsive and verbal, asking more thoughtful questions. He sleeps through the night and doesn’t wake up. He has a good appetite. He is less resistant and more manageable and cooperative.”
    • TERMINAL DISEASES
      HF 732 would make access to medical cannabis, an effective painkiller, significantly easier for terminally ill Iowans. Studies have shown it to be effective in managing pain from both the illness and from treatments such as chemotherapy.
    • SEVERE OR CHRONIC PAIN
      HF 732 changes the definition of a “debilitating medical condition” from “untreatable pain” to “severe or chronic pain.” This would make it easier for Iowans suffering from a variety of conditions to treat their pain with medical cannabis.
    Facebook Live with Senator Bolkcom 

    June 5, 2019

    June 11, 2019

    June 25, 2019

    Press Releases

    Legislative leaders announce next steps in the fight for
    Iowa medical cannabis reforms

    Legislative advocates for reforming Iowa’s “worst in the nation” medical cannabis program say they will keep fighting for much needed reforms vetoed by Governor Reynolds.

    “Representative Forbes and I called on our colleagues to join us in calling for a special session to overturn Governor Reynold misguided veto of modest improvements to Iowa medical cannabis program,” said Senator Joe Bolkcom of Iowa City.  “We are happy to report that every Democratic member of the Iowa Senate and Iowa House signed the call for a special session. Unfortunately, not a single Republican lawmaker acted to defend their votes.”

    In April, House File 732 passed the Iowa House by a vote of 96 to 3 and the Iowa Senate by a vote of 40 to 7.

    “We gave our Republican colleagues the opportunity to make a wrong by the governor into a right. They ignored us,” said Representative Forbes. “Now it is time to take action to make sure Iowa’s elected officials are advocates for people who are sick and not able to access and afford effective medicines.”

    The two legislators said they would immediately press for a legislative interim committee to prepare legislation for passage early in the next session beginning in January, 2020.

    “An interim committee would include public meetings and public input,” Bolkcom said.  “Secret meetings between the Governor and legislative Republicans failed to get the job done.  The Legislature needs to listen to patients and create a better program that meets their needs.”

    The Legislative Council Committee is scheduled to meet Thursday, July 11, 2019, at 11:30 a.m. in Room 22, at the State Capitol.

    “The July 11th meeting will be very important for Iowans who want to have the same access to effective medicines that most other Americans already have,” said Forbes.  “The goal now must be seeing the necessary medical cannabis reforms signed into law shortly after the January start of the 2020 session.”

    ###

    Iowa medical cannabis veto override
    more than halfway there
    —
    Iowans asked to contact legislators who voted for
    reforms but have yet to defend their votes

    Des Moines, Iowa – Iowans pushing to overturn Governor Reynold’s veto of medical cannabis reforms are more than halfway towards their goal of calling for a special session.

    House File 732 would have made substantial improvements to Iowa’s “worst in the nation” medical cannabis law.  It was overwhelmingly approved in April by the Iowa House on a vote of 96 to 3 and by the Iowa Senate on a vote of 40 to 7.

    A special session to override the veto will be held if two-thirds of the members of the House (67) and two-thirds of the Senate (34) each submit a written request.

    As of Monday, June 24, all of Iowa’s 18 Democratic State Senators and 47 Democratic State Representatives have all either submitted or plan to submit a request for a special session.

    It is unclear whether any of the Republicans who voted for the bill–50 in the House and 24 in the Senate–have requested a special session.

    “The voices of ordinary Iowans have gotten us this far.  They need to keep fighting because that is the only way this mean-spirited veto will be overridden,” said Senator Joe Bolkcom.  “I urge every Iowan to encourage Republican legislators to defend their votes for urgently needed Iowa medical cannabis reforms.”

    Below is a list of the members of the Iowa House and Senate who voted FOR Iowa medical cannabis reforms and who have not yet expressed support for a special session to override the veto.

    https://docs.google.com/document/d/1dehqqOujW6dfT-GJur-EwF0jzvZSuK2k969BW-ZN6cM/edit?usp=sharing

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    Articles and More
    Contact Your Senator Today!

  • Senate Dem Leader on search for new DAS Director

    IA SEN NEWS RELEASE
    May 30, 2019

    Statement from Senate Democratic Leader Janet Petersen on search for new DAS Director

    Today is the application deadline for people interested in becoming the new Director of the Iowa Department of Administrative Services (DAS).

    Yesterday, I sent a letter to Governor Reynolds urging her to select a new Director “who can restore taxpayers’ faith in the Department.”

    I also wrote:

    “Taxpayers expect the new DAS Director to write a new chapter for the Department that establishes higher expectations than what we’ve seen over the past several years.

    “Specifically, recent Directors have:

    • “Denied Iowans access to basic, public information about the number of harassment complaints in state government and how much taxpayer dollars have been spent to compensate harassment victims.
    • “Taken a restrictive, punitive approach to negotiating contracts with state employees.
    • “Put the health and safety of state employees and Iowans at risk through dangerous staff reductions, overtime policies, and other employment practices that were previously protected under collective bargaining.
    • “Mishandled a sweeping scandal at the Iowa Finance Authority (IFA) that included rampant harassment of employees, a failure by IFA staff and DAS staff to address complaints, and pay raises and promotions that were based on cronyism rather than merit.
    • “Approved secret settlements – described by some as “hush money” – to outgoing state employees.
    • “Endangered the rights of workers by maintaining a “do-not-hire” list without due process for workers to challenge their inclusion on the list.
    • Failed to adequately update and enforce harassment policies in the executive branch.
    • “Conducted hirings, firings and promotions across state government that appear to be based on political connections rather than qualifications.

    I concluded my letter by encouraging the Governor to hire a new Director with experience and a proven track record:

    “State employees and Iowa taxpayers deserve better.”

    -end –

  • Iowa shouldn’t sell off its courts to the highest bidders

    Feb. 4, 2019

    Senate Democratic Leader on proposal
    by legislative Republicans to politicize Iowa courts

    “There is no reason to change a judicial selection process that is respected throughout the country and is working well. The plan by legislative Republicans to politicize Iowa’s court system is bad news for Iowans.

    “As the Judicial Branch’s website notes: ‘Merit selection is designed to emphasize the professional qualifications of applicants for judicial appointment and minimize partisan politics.’ That’s apparently not good enough for Republican politicians.

    “They are planning to throw out the current, nonpartisan system for selecting judges for no good reason. In its place, they want a new system that will favor their political appointees and donors. Iowa shouldn’t sell off its courts to the highest bidders!

    “Some Republican politicians still haven’t gotten over the unanimous decision of the Iowa Supreme Court in 2009 to legalize same-sex marriage. They were on the wrong side of history in 2009 and they are on the wrong side of history today.”

    – end –

  • Senate Republicans vote to shut out Iowans

    Jan. 15, 2019

    A Statement by Senate Democratic Leader Janet Petersen 

    “For years, many Iowans wondered if legislative Republicans had stopped listening to their concerns.

    “The action today by Senate Republicans demonstrates that they don’t want to listen to Iowans anymore.

    “Every Republican Senator on the Human Resources Committee voted today to:

    • Eliminate the requirement that all subcommittees be open to the public.
    • Eliminate the requirement that the time and place of subcommittee meetings be posted 24 hours in advance.

    “Democratic members of the Committee voted against the changes.

    “Republican leaders have signaled that similar changes are planned for most other Senate committees.

    “These changes are a shameful, deliberate attempt by Senate Republicans to cut more back-room deals and to keep taxpayers in the dark about what they are doing.”

    – end –

  • Partial review of privatized Medicaid disaster doesn’t answer concerns

    Iowa Senate News Release
    For Immediate Release:  November 26, 2018

     

    Statement from Senator Pam Jochum on partial review of Medicaid privatization disaster

    “The partial review of the Medicaid privatization disaster by the departing State Auditor is a big pile of excuses with no good answers for Iowa taxpayers who are being ripped off.

    “State Auditor Mary Mosiman joins a long line of Republican politicians – led by Governor Reynolds and Republican legislative leaders – who still cannot answer these simple questions:

    • What data is there to show that privatized Medicaid is making Iowans healthier?
    • What data is there to show how much the out-of-state corporations still owe Iowa hospitals, doctors and other health care providers for services provided to Medicaid members?

    “We remain concerned that the unexpected $100 million increase in payments to the out-of-state corporations running Medicaid will result in further cuts and delayed payments to Iowa health care providers that provide critical services to hundreds of thousands of Iowans, as well as additional cuts to education, health care and public safety to cover the additional payments to the corporations.

    “We hope that the Governor and legislative leaders of both parties will work with the newly elected State Auditor, Rob Sand, to open up the books and give Iowans an honest assessment of the impact of privatized Medicaid on Iowa taxpayers, Medicaid members and health care providers.

    “Finally, we renew our call 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.”

    -end-