With Senator Dix’s resignation, Republican Senators have an opportunity to finally get it right and change a culture at the Iowa Capitol that puts lobbyists, special interests, and political arrogance ahead of the interests of Iowa families.
The video posted on Iowa Starting Line is a serious matter for Senate Republican Leader Bill Dix to discuss with his family, his fellow Senate Republicans and Governor Reynolds. Because this involves Senator Dix and a lobbyist, there will be questions about the impact of this relationship on legislation.
Sen. Petersen: “This is another partisan response to the serious problem of sexual harassment in the Iowa Capitol. Senator Dix, Senator Whitver and other Senate Republicans still have not apologized to Kirsten Anderson for the sexual harassment she experienced and they refuse to acknowledge that she was fired for being a whistleblower.”
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.
On January 13, 2017, the Associated Press organized a pre-session news conference with with the leaders of the Iowa Legislature and Governor Branstad. The meetings were livestreamed on the Iowa Senate Democrats’ Facebook Page.