Iowa Senate Democrats

Fighting for a Better Deal for Iowans.

  • Today At 5:00 – Worker’s Rights Rally And Press Conference Before Public Hearing

    PROGRESS IOWA NEWS RELEASE
    For Immediate Release:     February 13, 2017
    Contact: Matt Sinovic, (515) 423-0530

    Public Workers To Address Media
    Before Public Hearing On Collective Bargaining Bill In The House

    DES MOINES – Iowans will gather in support of worker’s rights for a rally and press conference before the House public hearing on HF291 Monday evening. Several of the public employees who plan to speak to the Iowa House will address the media beforehand. They’ll voice their frustration with the all-out, Republican-led attack on worker’s rights that has been fast-tracked through the Legislature despite no discussion of such sweeping changes in the previous election.

    WHO: Iowans standing with public workers
    WHAT: Workers Rally/Press Conference Before Iowa House Public Hearing
    WHEN: Today, Monday, February 13, 5:00 PM
    WHERE: Iowa State Capitol Rotunda, 1st Floor, 1007 East Grand Ave, Des Moines, Iowa

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  • Tax break for farmers, small businesses, teachers & families

    Senate Democrats have introduced legislation to help Iowa taxpayers by “coupling” Iowa’s tax code with recent federal changes for 2016, the taxes Iowans must pay this April. Thousands of Iowans want to use these provisions, which have been available to them in previous years, to lower their state taxes.

    Senate File 428 will benefit nearly 24,000 farmers and small business owners by allowing them to take advantage of a provision called Section 179 expensing. Federal law allows these taxpayers to take a larger deduction on equipment they have purchased as an investment in their operations. If Iowa “couples” with the federal tax code, these folks also get to take a similar deduction on their state tax returns.

    The Republican chair of the Senate’s tax-writing committee says he does not intend to support the legislation this year, but I am not giving up. Thousands of Iowans want to use these provisions, which have been available to them in previous years, to lower their state taxes.

    Last year, tax coupling legislation helped:

    • More than 39,000 Iowa teachers who purchase supplies for their classrooms with their own money.
    • More than 43,000 Iowans who own their homes, by allowing them to deduct mortgage insurance premiums from their state taxes.
    • More than 18,000 Iowans who are going to college or getting training to improve their skills and better their lives.
    • More than 45,000 working Iowans who are married with three or more children, by expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit.

  • The Basics: Collective Bargaining & Chapter 20

    Download PDF: The Basics of Collective Bargaining

    The Iowa Public Employment Relations Act (often called Chapter 20 or Iowa’s collective bargaining law) was passed with bipartisan support and signed into law by Republican Governor Bob Ray in 1974. The law lays out the rules by which public workers and state/local government employers sit down and solve problems.

     

    KEY FACT: Iowa’s collective bargaining law also prevents public workers from striking, which is one of the reasons the law was passed.

    The bargaining topics between employees and employer are divided into three areas:

    1. Mandatory: listed in the law, including wages, insurance, overtime, health/safety
    2. Permissive. Both sides have to agree to negotiate on the topic.
    3. Management Rights and illegal topics to bargain, including retirement (IPERS)

    There is a long list of public employer rights listed in the law, which includes hiring, promotion, demotion or transfer of employees; suspension or discharge of public employees for proper cause; and maintaining the efficiency of governmental operations.

    In most cases, the two sides are able to sit down and negotiate on mutually agreed upon contract terms. In the rare instance (less than 3% last year) when the two sides cannot reach agreement, they can pursue mediation and/or arbitration.

     

    KEY FACT: The vast majority of public sectors contracts are resolved voluntarily. During the last bargaining cycle (FY 2016), 97.9% of contracts were resolved voluntarily.

    During mediation, an impartial neutral party helps facilitate dialogue between the employees and employer. This helps the two parties reach a resolution.

    During arbitration, the two parties have reached an impasse and submit their differences to a third party arbitrator. When making a decision, the law lays out the factors the arbitrator must consider, including: past contracts; comparisons with other public workers doing the same work; interests and welfare of the public (taxpayers); power of the public employer to levy taxes and appropriate funds. The arbitrator then determines which offer is the most reasonable and the decision is final and binding. This process forces both sides to have reasonable offers, not the extreme.

     

    KEY FACT:  Just last year, the Governor’s Public Employment Relations Board, which facilities our collective bargaining contracts, said “Few cases go to arbitration and the results are evenly balanced.” (Governor’s budget hearings, November 22, 2016)

  • Senator Taylor: ‘It’s time to really make Iowa schools the Legislature’s #1 priority

     

    School consolidation will increase without adequate funding

    Statement by Senator Rich Taylor of Mount Pleasant

    “Today, I filed legislation to increase basic aid to our public schools by 4 percent for the 2017-18 school year and by 4 percent for the 2018-19 school year.

    “Parents, students, administrators and educators tell me this is the minimum amount they need to keep providing quality education for our children and grandchildren.

    “The increases in education funding over the last six years has been the lowest in Iowa’s history.  That’s why more classrooms are overcrowded, there are fewer courses, and more students are stuck using outdated technology and textbooks.

    “If the Legislature approves anything less than 4 percent and 4 percent, more rural schools will be forced to close and consolidate. That would be devastating for the small towns in my district, and for hundreds of school districts in small towns across Iowa.”

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  • Sharp cuts by legislative Republicans threaten public safety, education and human services 

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    Legislative Democrats alarmed by potential impact of deep, mid-year budget cuts

    DES MOINES – Democratic leaders of the Iowa House and Senate raised concerns about the impact of deep, mid-year budget cuts proposed today by legislative Republicans.

    State Sen. Joe Bolkcom, ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, stated:

    “The deep, mid-year budget cuts endorsed today by Republican legislators are mean-spirited and will harm Iowa college students, working families and seniors. The last thing we should do is cut services that Iowans depend on, including higher education, job training, public safety and human services.

    “Second, this unnecessary budget mess could have been avoided if Governor Branstad, Lt. Governor Reynolds and legislative Republicans had focused more time and energy over the past six years on strengthening our schools,  building the skilled workforce that Iowa employers need and improving quality of life for all Iowans. We need to make the economy work for Iowa families, especially in our small towns and rural areas.

    “The Republican proposal unveiled today sends the wrong message about the future of our state. The budget slashing by Governor Branstad, Lt. Governor Reynolds and Republican legislators leaves the fastest growing part of the state budget off the table: excessive tax credits. It is time to drain the swamp.”

    State Rep. Chris Hall of Sioux City, ranking member of the House Appropriations Committee, stated:

    “The Iowa GOP has lost all credibility on budgeting. After giving away the state’s budget surplus, policies enacted by the Branstad-Reynolds Administration have slowed the state’s economy and left the budget in the red.

    “Republicans’ failed fiscal policies aren’t working for Iowa families or growing the state’s economy. Tax breaks for corporations now top $500 million annually. Iowa would not be making cuts if the GOP had used better judgment in managing the state budget. The unfortunate result is Iowa students and working families are being forced to pay for failed Republican policies again.”

    Mid-year Budget Cuts Spreadsheet

  • Senate Democratic Leader Rob Hogg on the release of the new Iowa Energy Plan

    “As we review the proposed Iowa Energy Plan, the new Legislature and Governor’s office should focus on developing our state’s renewable energy and energy efficiency resources, generating wealth throughout the state and making Iowa even more energy independent.

    “Democratic leadership led the way in developing Iowa’s statewide renewable energy industry. That’s because Iowa renewable energy is good for the environment and good for Iowa jobs across our state.

    “Iowa is the number one state in the production of biofuels and a national leader in wind energy.  In addition, Iowa homeowners, farmers, and businesses are using solar systems to save money, and our utilities are investing in large scale solar installations.

    “Many good Iowa jobs now involve manufacturing, installing and servicing of wind, solar, biofuels and energy efficiency systems. Iowa-made energy is a job creator that is expanding Iowa’s economy, especially in our rural areas and small towns.

    “We hope legislative Republicans will continue bipartisan support for clean, renewable energy. This is especially important because the incoming President and his nominees for key positions have expressed opposition to clean energy solutions.”

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  • Boosting Iowans’ income & employment

    The Iowa economy is steadily moving in the right direction, and I’m working to ensure that continues. Iowans deserve good jobs and fair pay that reward their hard work.

    It’s also good news that we are making strides toward decreasing economic inequality. When median income outpaces economic growth, we know the gains are benefiting more than just the wealthy few at the top.

    The economic inequality that has grown since the 1970s may finally be turning around. An analysis of census and economic data from Pew Trusts shows a big gain nationwide in median household income last year, which could mean earnings are starting to catch up to overall economic growth.

    When it comes to employment, things also look good. Iowa employment is up 2 percent—that’s 31,200 jobs—over this time last year, and our unemployment rate remains low compared to most other states and to the nation as a whole.

    According to the most recent employment update from Iowa Workforce Development:

    • The number of working Iowans increased by 1,700 between July and August.
    • The number of working Iowans is 3,600 higher than a year ago.
    • For the third consecutive month, Iowa businesses expanded their payrolls, raising the total number of working Iowans.

    If you want to learn more about what jobs are in demand in Iowa, as well as what they pay and the training they require, check out Iowa’s occupational forecast at www.iowaworkforcedevelopment.gov/occupational-projections.

  • Iowa is good for business

    Senate Democrats are working to expand Iowa’s middle class and build a stable economy for all. We’re spurring long-range growth and prosperity across Iowa by:

    • Ensuring Iowans have opportunities for job training
    • Offering incentives to Iowa businesses
    • Boosting quality of life in our communities

    These efforts are producing good results. Iowa is again one of the top 10 states for business, according to CNBC. The latest analysis spotlights Iowa’s low cost of doing business, low cost of living and great quality of life. We also have the best possible credit rating and have shown steady growth.

    Tax credits are given for industries that converting biomass into sustainable energy. Senator Rita Hart is shown above learning about this technology that has helped Iowa achieve economic success.
    Tax credits are given for industries that convert biomass into sustainable energy. Senator Rita Hart is shown above learning about this technology that has helped Iowa achieve economic success.

    A few of the initiatives we’ve championed in recent years that have helped Iowa achieve this success include:

    • Improving Iowa’s roads and bridges to move goods and provide services more efficiently.
    • Phasing in the largest property tax cut in the state history by providing tax relief to owners of commercial and industrial property.
    • Providing a tax cut to thousands of Iowa small businesses and farmers by aligning Iowa’s tax code with many federal tax changes.
    • Offering incentives to businesses that locate and expand in Iowa, particularly when they commit to making a strong contribution to the local economy and creating good jobs for residents.
    • Investing in innovative programs at our state universities that spur economic growth when they work with communities and businesses to improve technology, marketing and entrepreneurship.
    • Establishing tax credits for industries that turn byproducts from biomass feedstock into higher-value chemicals.
    • Exempting from sales tax supplies and replacement parts used in manufacturing, research and development, data processing and recycling. These are known as “consumables.”

    For a complete review of our bipartisan business initiatives over the last couple of years, go to http://wp.me/a6hw7R-5Oy.