Iowa Senate Democrats

Fighting for a Better Deal for Iowans.

  • We agree ‘urgent action’ needed to stop ‘additional inappropriate behavior’

    Iowa Senate News Release
    Senate Democratic Leader Janet Petersen: (515) 281-3901
    For Immediate Release:  January 12, 2018

     

    Statement from Senate Democratic Leader Janet Petersen regarding recommendations from Ambassador Mary Kramer

    “Today, we received recommendations from Ambassador Mary Kramer for improving the workplace culture in the Iowa Senate. We thank Mary for her commitment to making sure the Iowa Senate will become a safe and healthy environment.

    “We agree with her assessment that the Kirsten Anderson case against Senate Republicans ‘shined the light on some disturbing issues present in the work culture of the Iowa Legislature.’

    “More important, we agree with Ambassador Kramer’s conclusion that little has changed in the Iowa Senate more than four years after Kirsten Anderson was fired shortly after filing a complaint about the toxic work environment in the Iowa Senate Republican Caucus. As Ambassador Kramer wrote in her report: ‘As of now, there is nothing that has changed to prevent additional inappropriate behavior and ensuing problems.’

    “That’s why it is critical for Senators Dix and Whitver to move quickly to adopt these recommendations and to involve more staff, legislators, lobbyists and others at the Capitol in making additional suggestions that will improve workplace culture.

    “There are several constructive recommendations by Ambassador Kramer, including changes to the policies and procedures that would ensure that:

    • Victims of harassment have a clear path to file complaints and have them investigated in a fair, impartial and confidential manner. Current Senate policies in this area are inadequate, unclear and need to be improved.
    • Victims who step forward to file a complaint about harassment will be protected from retaliation or discrimination by anyone. The same protections must also be available for witnesses and others involved in any investigation. Current Senate policies in this area are inadequate or non-existent.
    • There will be a clear process for punishing any Senator, employee or anyone else who takes retaliatory action against someone who has filed a complaint. The same process also needs to protect witnesses and others involved in any investigation. Current Senate policies are inadequate or non-existent in this area.
    • There will be a clear process for disciplining any Senator, lobbyist, media employee or vendor who violates the anti-harassment policies. Current Senate policies are inadequate or non-existent in this area.
    • All Senators, staff, lobbyists and media will be required to attend annual training regarding the Senate’s anti-harassment policies and complaint procedures. Training currently provided to Senators and staff is viewed by most as inadequate or ineffective.
    • The Senate Majority Leader, Senate President, Senate Minority Leader, Secretary of the Senate and other staff supervisors will be trained at least once every General Assembly on how to properly receive, investigate and, if warranted, take corrective action. There are currently no requirements for this kind of training.
    • A person would have the option of filing a complaint with an outside firm if they are not comfortable going to designated leaders or supervisors.  There is  no such option in current policies and procedures.

    “In addition, we suggest that Senators Dix and Whitver:

    • Ensure that all Senators, staff and others in the Capitol are provided with information about the duties and responsibility of the new human resources director, including what specific role she will play in improving the workplace culture at the Capitol and enforcing anti-harassment policies and procedures.

    “Because of the national conversation about sexual harassment in the workplace, we call on Senators Dix and Whitver – from this point forward – to adopt a more bipartisan, transparent and open process to solving this serious problem. Otherwise, they are doing a disservice to Iowans, including our staff and our constituents.”

     

    • end –

  • Senate Dem Leader to top Senate Republicans: “Release sex harassment findings”

    Senate Democratic Leader Petersen’s request for the public release of the Iowa Senate Republican sexual harassment investigation.

    In the wake of  a $1.75 million settlement, Senate Democratic Leader Janet Petersen today called on the top two Senate Republicans leaders —  Senate President Jack Whitver and Senate Majority Leader Bill Dix — to release to the public the findings of their internal investigation of sexual harassment.

    Here is the text of Senator Petersen’s letter to Senator Dix:

    Dear Senator Dix:

    I am writing to request that the findings of the internal investigation by the Senate Republicans of sexual harassment be released to the public.

    As you know, the Legislature received a black eye this summer and fall after a Polk County jury delivered a $2.2 million verdict against Senate Republicans stemming from a sexual harassment lawsuit filed by former staffer Kirsten Anderson. (Subsequently, the Iowa Appeals Board approved a $1.75 million settlement.)

    Since the taxpayers are on the hook for this $1.75 million settlement, the findings of this investigation should not be kept secret. Releasing the findings of your internal investigation would be a first step in making sure the Legislature is a safe and welcoming environment for all employees, protecting Iowa taxpayers, and protecting the rights of those who raise concerns about harassment.

    Sincerely,
    Sen. Janet Petersen

    Senate Democratic Leader

     

    PDFs of each letter are below.

    Petersen request to Senate Republican Leader Dix for the public release of sexual harassment investigation findings

    Petersen request to Senate President Whitver for the public release of sexual harassment investigation findings

  • Will broken promises increase your property taxes?

    The table below is based on information from the Iowa Department of Management. Next to each city is the amount that city would lose if the State of Iowa fails to fund the property tax backfill.

    Senate Democrats encourage you to tell Governor Reynolds and Iowa’s Republican legislators to keep their promises. If they don’t, property tax increases and cuts in local services are sure to follow.

    This is an alphabetical list of counties, school districts and cities. Use the search box at the top of the table to filter your results.

    Here are some news stories on the issue.

    [table id=18 /]

     

    Related News

    CR Gazette: The state should backfill its promises

    Waterloo Courier: Local governments may lose property tax ‘backfill’ money

    Daily Gate City: Keokuk out $1M if ‘backfill’ removed

    DM Register: Reynolds won’t commit to maintaining $152.1 million ‘backfill’ payments to local governments

    Carlisle Mayor Randleman: Property-tax backfill helps communities of all sizes

  • Latest revenue estimates show Republican policies continue to damage job growth and economic opportunities

    October 19, 2017 

    Statement on the updated revenue estimates by Senator Joe Bolkcom,
    Senate Budget Committee Ranking Member

    “Since 2010, Statehouse Republicans and then-Governor Terry Branstad have made two big promises to Iowans: Raise family incomes by 25% and create 200,000 new Iowa jobs.

    “Today’s updated revenue estimates are more evidence that Governor Reynolds and legislative Republicans are continuing to break those promises to Iowans. That’s bad, bad news for Iowa families and their communities, especially those living in smaller towns and rural ares.

    “The bottom line is that economic prosperity and fiscal responsibility will only return if Governor Reynolds and Republican legislators start working in a bipartisan way to make smart investments in Iowa workers and their families.”

    –    end –

  • Latest state deficit figures show GOP budget is ‘out of whack’ and hurting Iowa families

    A statement from Senator Joe Bolkcom, ranking Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee:

    “Iowa is not in a recession. Iowa is experiencing slow revenue growth because the policies of Governor Reynolds and legislative Republicans are out of whack. Delaying tax refunds for Iowa families and other gimmicks will not solve this budget mess.

    “Republicans must stop showering tens of millions on large tax giveaways to out-of-state corporations.  These tax giveaways now top $500 million annually and are the fastest growing part of the state spending.
    “The really bad news is that Governor Reynolds and legislative Republicans are balancing the budget on the backs of working Iowans. Senate Democrats will continue to oppose Republican-sponsored cuts to the services that Iowans depend on.  These cuts threaten public safety, the quality of education, and the safety net for seniors, children and vulnerable Iowans.
    “These cuts to services could have been avoided if Republican legislators and Governor Reynolds had delivered on their promises to increase family income by 25% and create more than 200,000 new jobs in Iowa.
    “So far, working Iowans have seen nothing but broken promises and horrible cuts to state services from Governor Reynolds and legislative Republicans.”
    – end –

  • Top Senate Democrat on tax committee invites Governor to support bipartisan tax reform

    Senator Pam Jochum

    For Immediate Release:  June 5, 2017

    DES MOINES — Senator Pam Jochum of Dubuque, the lead Democrat in the Iowa Senate on tax issues, has written a letter in response to Governor Kim Reynolds’s call for comprehensive tax reform.

    “Iowans deserve a tax system that is fair to everyone, not just the special interests,” Jochum said. “Because of the state’s cobbled together tax policies, many Iowans believe the system is rigged against them. Iowans deserve a tax system that works for all of us and increases prosperity for more Iowans.”

    Jochum wrote that she welcomes the Governor’s promise to support bipartisan legislation and then outlined four essential principles of truly bipartisan tax reform.

    In her letter, Jochum noted that:

    • “Tax reform must be fair…Iowa’s lowest income earners pay the largest portion of their income in taxes. Changes to Iowa’s tax system should address this situation and not make this problem worse.”
    • “Tax reform must make Iowa’s tax code more transparent so Iowa can show its true competitiveness to the nation…Our tax rates appear to be among the highest in the nation — but according to the Tax Foundation, the amount paid by Iowans through our tax system ranks Iowa in the middle of the pack.”
    • “Tax reform needs to take into account our current budget situation…We must not repeat the mistakes of Kansas, which passed massive tax cuts that have resulted in a continual budget crisis where schools are underfunded…”
    • “Tax reform needs to examine corporate tax credits…We must determine if these corporate tax credits a good return on the investment and benefit Iowans, not just those few businesses.”

    “True tax reform would be fair, transparent, affordable, and include reforms of corporate tax credits,” said Jochum.  “There is strong Democratic support for true tax reform.  If that’s Governor Reynolds’ goal, I say: ‘Bring it on!’”

     

    June 2 letter on bipartisan tax reform from Senator Jochum to Governor Reynolds

  • Senators respond to DHS Director Palmer retirement

    Senators Liz Mathis and Amanda Ragan at a Medicaid Oversight Committee Meeting.

    Senator Amanda Ragan of Mason City, ranking member of the Health and Human Services Budget Committee:

    “I wish retiring Director Palmer well. He’s done his best under difficult circumstances.

    “However, the real problems of a disastrous budget, less staff, higher caseloads, and lack of oversight need to be addressed.  The rollout, implementation, and proven problems with Medicaid privatization can no longer be overlooked.  We need an open, honest assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of DHS and what it needs to succeed, including funding and staffing levels.”

     

    Senator Liz Mathis of Robins, ranking member of the Senate Human Services Committee:

    “With Director Palmer’s retirement comes the opportunity to address some of the problematic issues around casework and managed care. I hope Governor Reynolds will consider someone who is willing to work with both sides of the aisle to accomplish more accessibility to critical services like mental health.

    “I have worked with Director Palmer in a number of ways, from strategic planning on children’s mental health to Medicaid and managed care.  He had a difficult job but Director Palmer was professional and accessible to me as a legislator. I wish him well.”

    -end-

  • Statement from Senate State Government Chair on “election integrity” proposals by Iowa Secretary of State

    Iowa Senate News Release
    For immediate release: January 5, 2017

     

    Statement from Senate State Government Chair Jeff Danielson of Cedar Falls
    in response to “election integrity” proposals by the Iowa Secretary of State

     

    “Less than two months after praising the integrity of elections in Iowa, Secretary of State Paul Pate has released a partisan proposal that will suppress voter turnout across Iowa. Voter ID and other changes outlined today will disenfranchise older Iowans, younger Iowans and people of color.

    “Senate Democrats have worked with Republican legislators and county auditors over the years to increase voter participation and election integrity in our state. The proposals today from Secretary Pate turn back the clock by making election policy a partisan issue.

    “As the first-in-the-nation caucus state, Iowa should have the best-in-the-nation election laws. Democrats believe that means Iowa’s elections must be the most accurate, secure and efficient in the country, without disenfranchising a single Iowan. Those values will guide our decisions to support or oppose proposed Republican changes to Iowa’s election laws.”

     

     

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  • Iowa Legislative Leaders, Governor Branstad Pre-Session Interviews with Iowa Reporters (Video)

    On January 13, 2017, the Associated Press organized a pre-session news conference with with the leaders of the Iowa Legislature.  From left to right: Senate Democratic Leader Rob Hogg, House Democratic Leader Mark Smith, Republican House Speaker Linda Upmeyer and Senate Republican Leader Bill Dix.

    After their meeting, Governor Branstad also met with reporters.

    The meetings were livestreamed on the Iowa Senate Democrats’ Facebook Page.  The links below will take you to the videos.  News coverage is below the videos.

     

     

    https://www.facebook.com/IowaSenateDemocrats/videos/10154180349601778/

     

    https://www.facebook.com/IowaSenateDemocrats/videos/10154180479871778/

     

    Des Moines Register:

    http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2017/01/04/gop-exercise-muscle-2017-iowa-legislature/96160734/

    http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2017/01/04/branstad-wont-recommend-tax-cuts-lieu-budget-woes/96160506/

     

     

    CR Gazette:

    http://www.thegazette.com/subject/news/government/budget-constraints-may-limit-iowa-lawmakers-water-quality-actions-20170104

    http://www.thegazette.com/subject/news/government/k-12-schools-medicaid-should-be-spared-from-budget-cuts-branstad-says-20170104

     

    Radio Iowa:

    http://www.radioiowa.com/2017/01/05/first-four-priorities-for-action-in-gop-led-iowa-senate/

    https://www.radioiowa.com/2017/01/04/branstad-state-isnt-in-a-position-to-cut-income-taxes-now/