Video

(Video) Why put small business first?

February 16, 2012

Senator Joe Bolkcom discussing the Senate’s property tax proposal with the Des Moines Register’s editorial board.

(VIDEO) Leadership Press Conference, Feb. 9

February 9, 2012

Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal hosted the weekly statehouse leadership press conference on February 9, 2012

WHO TV on bipartisanship at the Statehouse

Clip from WHO TV discussing bipartisanship among legislators.

(VIDEO) Working mom helps tax cut pass Senate Ways and Means

February 8, 2012

Last Thursday, Senate Democrats invited Julie Heck of Pleasantville — a single mother of three — to speak at a statehouse news conference to tout the tax break that’s geared toward low-income Iowans.

Video from Senate debate on increasing support for local schools

On February 7, the Iowa Senate approved a four percent increase in basic state aid to Iowa’s K12 school districts across Iowa. These dollars help pay salaries, buy textbooks, fuel school buses, and help avoid large class sizes.

(VIDEO) Senate Democrats address corrections staff shortages

February 1, 2012

The Iowa Senate has approved 8.5 million dollars in additional funding for the Department of Correction (SF 2071). The money will address urgent needs at prisons and community-based corrections facilities across the state. At issue are staff shortages that could threaten public safety.

(VIDEO) Pass working family tax cuts FIRST

January 31, 2012

“This year I’m confident that no tax cut will pass the Senate Ways and Means Committee before the working families tax cut is passed for the third time by the Senate, is passed for the third time by the House, and finally signed into law by Governor Branstad.”

TIF UPDATE: Fixing TIF so Iowa cities can keep growing

January 23, 2012

An update on Tax Increment Financing (TIF) discussions, including a statement from Senator Joe Bolkcom, Chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, video from Coralville discussion, and recent news clips.

Iowa lawmakers defend the benefits to Iowans of health care reform

January 12, 2012

At a statehouse news conference, Iowa legislators discussed why they are among more than 500 state legislators from all 50 states who have filed a brief with the U.S. Supreme Court supporting the constitutionality of the health law, arguing that “the minimum coverage provision of the Affordable Care Act is a valid exercise of Congress’s Commerce Clause and Necessary and Proper Clause powers.”

Fiscal year ends with big surplus (Video)

July 21, 2011

We take fiscal responsibility seriously in the Iowa Senate, and we’re proud to say that once again this year, the Legislature balanced the state budget without raising taxes. In fact, the 2011 fiscal year ended with the biggest surplus in Iowa’s history.

You don’t have to take our word for it. Check out the video by the nonpartisan Legislative Services Agency detailing Iowa’s strong finish for fiscal year 2011.