Iowa Senate Democrats

Fighting for a Better Deal for Iowans.

  • Statement on Biden decision to support Iowa farmers

    Statement by Senators Kevin Kinney, Amanda Ragan and Jackie Smith on Biden Administration’s decision to support Iowa farmers

    Background: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has filed a motion to vacate three waivers given by the Trump administration to Sinclair Oil Corporation refineries that exempted them from biofuel blending mandates.

    “This decision by the Biden administration is good news for the renewable fuel industry and Iowa farmers who sell to them. It reverses a terrible decision by the Trump administration to support Big Oil and dampen demand for ethanol, biodiesel and other renewable fuels.

    “We need more policies at the state and federal levels to boost – not threaten – the economic well-being of rural communities. We must boost ethanol demand, help farmers and the biofuel industry, and jump-start the farm economy.”

    Senators Kinney, Ragan and Smith are members of the Iowa Senate’s Agriculture Committee.

    -end-

  • Smith: Making Tyson safe for workers must be first priority

    State Senator Jackie Smith
    For Immediate Release: May 1, 2020

    (Sioux City) State Senator Jackie Smith of Sioux City today said that the Tyson meatpacking plant in Dakota City must be made safe before it reopens.

    Senator Smith believes an independent body must oversee Tyson’s reopening, one with the power to require additional changes, including plant shutdowns, when needed.

    “Tyson created this disaster by failing to protect Tyson workers,” Smith said.  “That’s why independent experts must oversee an intensive, ongoing effort to make the plant a safe place to work.” 

    In conversations with workers, community leaders and public health experts, Smith said several ideas were repeatedly raised.

    “One, we need thorough, repeatedly updated improvements in worker safety. Two, we must have comprehensive, on-going testing of workers, their families and their communities. Three, we need funding for the ongoing treatment and long-term health care needs of Tyson workers, their family and our communities,” said Smith.

    Smith noted that the failure by bad actors in the meatpacking industry is already imposing heavy costs on Northwest Iowa.

    “The meatpacking industry failures have created an unprecedent crisis for farmers across our region.  Tens of thousands of cattle and hogs may be euthanized due to this industry’s reckless disregard for the health and safety of their workers.

    Smith is calling on Iowa’s state and federal leaders to act decisively. 

    “Governor Kim Reynolds has repeatedly told the people of Northwest Iowa that she would fight for us,” Smith said.  “Governor Reynolds, this is your moment.  Help us make sure the Tyson plant does not reopen without fundamental changes, independent monitoring, and comprehensive testing and health care services.”

    Smith also appealed to the area’s Congressional representatives. 

    “Senators Ernst and Grassley, you are our community’s only functional voice in Congress,” Smith said.  “We need you to bring the power and resources of the federal government to help solve these problems.”  

    Smith said the problems exposed by the Tyson outbreak won’t be solved without putting the health and safety of Iowa workers first.

    “Tyson recklessly harmed hardworking Iowa men and women. Tyson’s neglect spread the virus to those workers, their families and our community,” Smith said.  “That’s why independent, ongoing health and safety reforms are essential to recovering from this economic and health care disaster.” 

    END

  • UPDATED: 2019 Iowa Senate Democratic Committee Assignments

    January 13, 2019

    Senate Democrats release updated committee assignments for 2019 session of the Iowa Legislature

    DES MOINES — Senate Democratic Leader Janet Petersen released updated committee assignments today for Democratic State Senators for the 2019 session of the Iowa Legislature.

    A statement from Senate Democratic Leader Janet Petersen on the updated assignments:

    “In early December, I deferred making committee assignments for Senator Boulton until the Senate Ethics Committee completed its investigation into the complaint filed against him.

    “Senator Boulton’s position in the Iowa Senate was preserved by the Senate Ethics Committee ruling.  He is expected to uphold the duties of his office while he remains in the Iowa Senate, including working on new committee assignments.”

    The 88th General Assembly will begin at 10 a.m. Monday, January 14, 2019.

    – end –

    Standing Committees

    Agriculture

    13 members

    1. Kinney –RM
    2. Mathis
    3. Ragan
    4. R. Taylor
    5. Wahls

     

    Appropriations

    21 members

    1. Bolkcom –RM
    2. Celsi
    3. Dotzler
    4. Lykam
    5. Mathis
    6. Ragan
    7. T. Taylor
    8. Wahls

     

    Commerce

    17 members

    1. Lykam – RM
    2. Bisignano
    3. Bolkcom
    4. Mathis
    5. Petersen
    6. Quirmbach

     

    Education

    15 members

    1. Quirmbach –RM
    2. Celsi
    3. Danielson
    4. Smith
    5. Wahls

     

    Ethics

    Statutory, 6 members; 3 each

    1. Jochum -RM
    2. Kinney
    3. Mathis

     

    Government Oversight

    5 members

    1. Bisignano –RM
    2. Celsi

     

    Human Resources

    13 members

    1. Mathis –RM
    2. Bolkcom
    3. Jochum
    4. Quirmbach
    5. Ragan

     

    Judiciary

    15 members

    1. Kinney –RM
    2. Bisignano
    3. Hogg
    4. Petersen
    5. R. Taylor

     

    Labor & Business Relations

    11 members

    1. T. Taylor –RM
    2. Bisignano
    3. Dotzler
    4. R. Taylor

     

    Local Government

    11 members

    1. J. Smith –RM
    2. Boulton
    3. Hogg
    4. Quirmbach

     

    Natural Resources & Env.

    13 members

    1. Hogg –RM
    2. Boulton
    3. Celsi
    4. Lykam
    5. J. Smith

     

    Rules & Administration

    11 members

    1. Petersen –RM
    2. Bolkcom
    3. Jochum
    4. Ragan

     

    State Government

    15 members

    1. Bisignano –RM
    2. Celsi
    3. Danielson
    4. Jochum
    5. T. Taylor

     

    Transportation

    13 members

    1. Danielson – RM
    2. Kinney
    3. Lykam
    4. J. Smith
    5. T. Taylor

     

    Veterans Affairs

    11 members

    1. R. Taylor – RM
    2. Danielson
    3. Dotzler
    4. Ragan

     

    Ways & Means

    17 members

    1. Jochum –RM
    2. Bolkcom
    3. Danielson
    4. Dotzler
    5. Quirmbach
    6. Wahls

     

    Appropriations Subcommittees

    Administration & Regulation

    1. Celsi –RM
    2. R. Taylor

     

    Agriculture & Natural Resources

    1. Mathis –RM
    2. Kinney

     

    Economic Development

    1. Dotzler- RM
    2. J. Smith

     

    Education

    1. Wahls –RM
    2. Quirmbach

     

    Health & Human Services

    1. Ragan –RM
    2. Bolkcom

     

    Justice Systems

    1. Hogg- RM
    2. T. Taylor

     

    Transportation, Capitals

    1. Lykam –RM
    2. Boulton

    —————————————————–

    ARRC

    1. Jochum –RM
    2. Hogg

  • Senator-Elect Smith meets 2019 Intern Shelby Young

    On Monday and Tuesday of this week, Senator-Elect Jackie Smith of Sioux City attended an orientation for new members of the Iowa House and Senate at the Statehouse. Newly elected Democratic and Republican legislators met with veteran legislators, Governor Reynolds and nonpartisan staff members who help draft legislation and provide reports on the budget and state issues.

    In the Statehouse Rotunda, Smith met with legislative intern Shelby Young of Exira. Young is earning community college credit while helping lawmakers communicate with Iowans about state policy issues.

  • 2019 Iowa Senate Democratic Committee Assignments

    December 7, 2018

    2019 Iowa Senate Democratic Committee Assignments

    Senate Democratic Leader Janet Petersen released committee assignments today for Democratic State Senators for the 2019 session of the Iowa Legislature.

    “Democratic Senators are committed to working with the Governor and Republican legislators on issues where we can find common ground over the next two years, especially ensuring Iowans have access to affordable health care and better-paying job opportunities,” Petersen said.

    “However, if Republicans continue pushing an agenda that hurts the health care, education and pocketbooks of working Iowans, we will be fierce in our opposition.”

    The 88th General Assembly will begin on Monday, January 14, 2019.

    —————————————————–

    Standing Committees

    Agriculture
    13 total members
    1. Kinney –RM
    2. Mathis
    3. Ragan
    4. R. Taylor
    5. Wahls

    Appropriations
    21 members
    1. Bolkcom –RM
    2. Celsi
    3. Dotzler
    4. Lykam
    5. Mathis
    6. Ragan
    7. T. Taylor
    8. Wahls

    Commerce
    15 members
    1. Lykam – RM
    2. Bisignano
    3. Bolkcom
    4. Mathis
    5. Petersen
    6. Quirmbach

    Education
    15 members
    1. Quirmbach –RM
    2. Celsi
    3. Danielson
    4. Smith
    5. Wahls

    Ethics
    Statutory, 6 members; 3 each
    1. Jochum -RM
    2. Kinney
    3. Mathis

    Government Oversight
    5 members
    1. Bisignano –RM
    2. Celsi

    Human Resources
    13 members
    1. Mathis –RM
    2. Bolkcom
    3. Jochum
    4. Quirmbach
    5. Ragan

    Judiciary
    15 members
    1. Kinney –RM
    2. Bisignano
    3. Hogg
    4. Petersen
    5. R. Taylor

    Labor & Business Relations
    11 members
    1. T. Taylor –RM
    2. Bisignano
    3. Dotzler
    4. R. Taylor

    Local Government
    11 members
    1. J. Smith –RM
    2. Hogg
    3. Mathis
    4. Quirmbach

    Natural Resources & Env.
    13 members
    1. Hogg –RM
    2. Bolkcom
    3. Celsi
    4. Lykam
    5. J. Smith

    Rules & Administration
    11 members
    1. Petersen –RM
    2. Bolkcom
    3. Jochum
    4. Ragan

    State Government
    15 members
    1. Bisignano –RM
    2. Celsi
    3. Danielson
    4. Jochum
    5. T. Taylor

    Transportation
    13 members
    1. Danielson – RM
    2. Kinney
    3. Lykam
    4. J. Smith
    5. T. Taylor

    Veterans Affairs
    11 members
    1. R. Taylor – RM
    2. Danielson
    3. Dotzler
    4. Ragan

    Ways & Means
    17 members
    1. Jochum –RM
    2. Bolkcom
    3. Danielson
    4. Dotzler
    5. Quirmbach
    6. Wahls

    —————————————————–

    Appropriations Subcommittees

    Administration & Regulation
    1. Celsi –RM
    2. R. Taylor

    Agriculture & Natural Resources
    1. Mathis –RM
    2. Kinney

    Economic Development
    1. Dotzler- RM
    2. J. Smith

    Education
    1. Wahls –RM
    2. Quirmbach

    Health & Human Services
    1. Ragan –RM
    2. Bolkcom

    Justice Systems
    1. Hogg- RM
    2. T. Taylor

    Transportation, Capitals
    1. Lykam –RM
    2. Petersen

    —————————————————–
    ARRC
    1. Jochum –RM
    2. Hogg