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:
Better-Paying Jobs
A Revitalization of Small Towns and Rural Areas
The Best Education in the Country
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.”
“Last year, and again this year, the Republican agenda continues to focus on stripping away benefits and weakening retirement security from public employees. That’s the wrong approach. Instead, Iowa should focus on helping more employees across Iowa, public and private, improve their quality of life and their standard of living.
“That’s exactly what these two bills would do. My remarks will focus on SF 2087. It instructs the Department of Workforce Development to look into a portable benefits program for nontraditional workers and independent contractors. These workers are usually ineligible for health care and other employment-related benefits.
“This legislation helps fix what Iowa business leaders say is the number one problem preventing them from expanding in Iowa: our state’s shortage of skilled workers. Taken together, these two bills will help Iowa attract and retain the quality workforce we need to make Iowa’s economic future as bright as possible.”
BACKGROUND – SF 2087: Portable Benefits Study Bill
Problem
Our economy and workforce is changing. Increasingly we have a workforce that are nontraditional workers, who are not classified as “employees” but as independent contractors. This new economy is an on-demand economy, a gig economy. Gig economy workers could work in the technology field or maybe they are drivers for companies like Lyft and Uber.
These workers do not have access to benefits to help when they get hurt on the job, or healthcare, or even retirement savings. All workers deserve economic security.
What if there was way to provide a safety net to these employees?
What if a fund was set up that would provide healthcare, or benefits if they get hurt, or even retirement security?
Bill Summary
Requires the Department of Workforce Development in consultation with the Iowa Insurance Commissioner to conduct a study assessing the feasibility of establishing a portable benefits program for workers not classified as employees by their employers. These workers are generally ineligible for health care, workers’ compensation, and pension related benefits that are otherwise provided to employees.
The study shall consider who should administer a portable benefits program, what type of benefits, what level of benefits, and a method of financing the benefits. Iowa Workforce Development shall report back to the General Assembly by November of 2018.
There are major problems with employers misclassifying workers as independent contractors when they should be employees. This bill is not about addressing that problem, there are still legal avenues to correct that major issue. This bill is about giving a safety net to our workers in the state.
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.”
(Des Moines) Today, two Iowa Statehouse leaders expressed concern that the 2018 legislative session could bring sudden, unnecessary changes to Iowa’s pension system. The two said the changes would harm Iowa public employees and the communities where they live.
“IPERS and Iowa’s other public pension plans are secure, strong, and sustainable. Some current legislative proposals to change IPERS could break the promise we have made to hard working Iowans since 1953,” said Treasurer Michael Fitzgerald. “The retirement contributions Iowa workers have made to these funds have been invested well and the benefits are reasonable. There is no need to make the type of changes Governor Reynolds and Senate Republicans are talking about.”
“Last year, Iowa made national news when state Republicans tore up long established collective bargaining laws in a little over a week,” said Senator Matt McCoy of Des Moines, a member of the Iowa Legislature’s Public Retirement Systems Committee and a nonvoting member of the IPERS Investment Board. “Legislation to blow up IPERS, Senate File 45, was introduced last year. It could be voted on during the 2018 session. Just last July, the Senate’s second ranking Republican, Senator Charles Schneider, brought in a right-wing think tank to tell Iowans to replace our successful, stable retirement systems like IPERS with more risky Wall Street-based schemes.”
Senate File 45 would begin to dismantle IPERS and other Iowa public retirement programs by preventing new Iowa workers from joining the programs on or after July 1, 2019. The existing retirement programs would be replaced by more risky defined contribution plans run by Wall Street traders instead of Iowa’s current non-profit managers.
In 2017, Governor Reynolds said several times that she supported a task force to propose changes to IPERS. She later dropped that idea but continued to express support for privatizing IPERS, including supporting the July meeting sponsored by Senator Schneider and the Reason Foundation
“Families, neighbors, and communities see the impact when money from IPERS is reinvested all throughout Iowa. These proposed changes, from the same legislators who earlier this year gutted collective bargaining rights for hardworking Iowans, could destabilize IPERS and negatively impact every community in Iowa,” said Treasurer Fitzgerald.
“Given how Republicans have been governing, every Iowan affected directly or indirectly by IPERS will be holding their breath until the 2018 session adjourns,” McCoy said.
On December 18, the Iowa Legislature’s “Public Retirement Systems Committee” will evaluates Iowa’s public retirement systems, including Iowa Public Employees’ Retirement System (IPERS), the Municipal Fire and Police Retirement System of Iowa (Iowa Code chapter 411), the Department of Public Safety Peace Officers’ Retirement System (PORS), and the Judicial Retirement System.
-end-
Links to news reports on Governor Reynolds’ support for changing Iowa’s public retirement systems
Branstad calls IPERS’ changes ‘prudent’ to shore up statewide pension fund
Des Moines Register, 3/27/17 www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2017/03/27/branstad-calls-ipers-changes-prudent-shore-up-statewide-pension-fund/99686464/
Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds, who are both Republicans, have said that commitments already made to state and local government workers will be honored, but a state task force will review possible long-term changes to Iowa public employees’ pension programs. Among key changes that will be studied will be whether to offer a 401(k)-style plan.
Reynolds backs IPERS study, but task force is dropped
Des Moines Register, July 18, 2017 www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/2017/07/18/reynolds-backs-ipers-study-but-task-force-dropped/487913001/
Reynolds noted that Sen. Charles Schneider, R-West Des Moines, is currently heading an interim committee’s study of Iowa’s public employees’ pension funds. The work is being conducted in cooperation with the Reason Foundation, a Los Angeles-based libertarian think tank.
“I support his efforts in doing that,” Reynolds said.
Democratic State Senators Rob Hogg of Cedar Rapids and Pam Jochum of Dubuque will be touring job training programs and meeting with students at Northeast Iowa Community College from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, November 1, at the Peosta campus. They will be available to the press at 2:00 p.m. at the Main Bridge entrance to the Main Building from the southwest parking lot.
“The Republican-majority Legislature made major mid-year budget cuts to our community colleges in 2017, and failed to restore that funding going forward,” Hogg said. “We are visiting Northeast Iowa Community College to see what impact those budget cuts have had on students and job training programs and to understand better what opportunities are available through our community colleges for students if we provide the needed support.”
Earlier this year, Hogg toured industrial training facilities at Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids and met with students and toured facilities at Western Iowa Tech in Sioux City.
For more information, contact Senator Rob Hogg, (319) 538-2247.
IOWA SENATE NEWS For immediate release: October 17, 2017
Statement by State Senator Bill Dotzler,
lead Democrat on the Senate Economic Development Budget,
on today’s Future Ready Iowa Alliance recommendations
“Senate Democrats have focused on initiatives to help Iowans get the right kind of education and training. That’s what they need to qualify for increasingly technical jobs, especially in our small towns and rural areas.
“Iowa business leaders continually tell us that the #1 problem facing our economy is a shortage of skilled workers.
“Unfortunately, the 2017 Republican budget cut many of the very efforts needed to accomplish the Alliance’s goals. If they continue making such cuts, the state of Iowa will continue moving in the wrong direction.
“The Alliance’s work reaffirms that we must put MORE resources toward ensuring Iowans get the education and training they need.
“By boosting our competitiveness in this way, Iowa workers and businesses will grow and prosper. All Iowa will benefit.”
Iowa Senate News Release For Immediate Release: October 13, 2017
News Conference: 12:40 PM, Monday, October 16
Advanced Manufacturing Lab, Western Iowa Tech Community College
Members of the Iowa House and Senate will hold a news conference at 12:40 PM on Monday, October 16 in the Advanced Manufacturing Lab at Western Iowa Tech Community College in Sioux City.
The event will be held at the conclusion of a campus tour by the legislators. Participants will include Senator Rob Hogg of Cedar Rapids, the Democratic Leader of the Iowa Senate and State Representative Chris Hall.
“The opportunities at Western Iowa Tech are key to building a stronger Iowa economy, one with more higher skilled, higher paying jobs,” said Senator Hogg. “Iowa’s shortage of skilled workers can be fixed by making Western Iowa Tech’s opportunities more available and more affordable for more Iowans.”
Western Iowa Tech Community College is a publicly supported comprehensive community college serving the Iowa counties of Cherokee, Crawford, Ida, Monona, Plymouth, and Woodbury, which have a combined population of about 180,000.
The visit’s tentative agenda is as follows:
A brief overview of college operations and a meeting with students
A discussion of the “Gateway to College” program for high school students who are behind on high school credits. If accepted into the program, students attend Western Iowa Tech without being charged for tuition or books while earning credits toward both a regular high school diploma and a college certificate or degree.
A classroom tour that will include police science, culinary, HVAC, auto body repair, Emergency Medical Services, cybercrime investigation, Emergency operations center, and Audio & Video Engineering.
A short news conference will take place at the final stop on the tour, the Advanced Manufacturing Lab of the Advanced Sciences Building at approximately 12:40 PM.
Members of the press should park in Lot 3 and then go to Entrance 11, under the sign that says “Advanced Sciences Building. The lab entrance is straight ahead after you enter Entrance 11. A photo of Senator Hogg can be found here: http://bit.ly/2gzQmDt.
State Senator Herman Quirmbach of Ames, the Ranking Member of the Senate Education Committee, released a statement in response to today’s meeting of Tuition Task Force with the Iowa Board of Regents:
“In a series of meetings, Iowans overwhelmingly urged the Board of Regents not to impose years of sharp tuition increases on Iowa students and their families.
“Let’s be clear. During the 2017 session, Republicans balanced the state budget by cutting university funding, forcing a tuition increase this year of more than twice what the Board of Regents had proposed. Now, instead of ending huge giveaways to out-of-state corporations, Governor Reynolds and legislative Republicans hope a steep, multi-year ‘tuition tax’ on Iowa students will balance Iowa’s busted state budget.
“However, making college much more costly for Iowa students will only make things worse. Iowa is in a downward spiral. Our state’s lack of skilled workers prevents strong economic growth. The lack of economic growth creates a budget deficit. Republicans cut education to balance the budget. Those cuts worsen our skilled worker shortage.
“The Republican plan to balance the budget through a ‘tuition tax’ on Iowa families will hurt Iowa’s economy and should be rejected.”
Iowa Senate News Release For Immediate Release: Aug. 2, 2017
State Senator Rita Hart of Wheatland highlighted several bipartisan ways to reinvest in rural Iowa and small towns in a letter to Governor Kim Reynolds on August 1. Hart, former chair of the Iowa Senate’s Economic Growth Committee, offered ways to revitalize rural Iowa and indicated her strong desire to focus on workforce training.
“Extraordinary, bipartisan efforts need to be taken during the 2018 session to support efforts that will result in enough highly skilled workers in our small towns and rural communities to meet existing business demands throughout the state as well as create new business opportunity,” Hart wrote in her letter to Reynolds.
Hart’s suggestions for reinvesting in rural Iowa and small towns include:
Ensuring safe, affordable housing for Iowa families.
Enhancing cultural and community attractions.
Access to reliable high-speed Internet.
Encouraging a regional approach to economic development that supports rural revitalization.
Hart also expressed a willingness to work with Governor Reynolds on workforce training initiatives. She noted that in previous sessions, they had worked together to craft bipartisan solutions, such as keeping tuition affordable at Iowa’s universities and community colleges and funding an adult literacy program.
“Like many Iowans, Senate Democrats remain concerned about funding cuts to Iowa universities and community colleges that were approved during the 2017 session,” Hart wrote. “Those cuts have a negative impact at a time when we need to invest more in Iowa’s current and future workforce training.”
