Video: Iowa focus on working families seen as national progressive model

Senators Hatch, Bolkcom, Courtney and Dotzler listen as Nathan Newman, Executive Director of the Progressive States Network, praises Iowa Legislators for supporting paid sick leave and other progressive legislation designed to ensure a safe, productive workforce.

The state of Iowa is often a model for how a progressive state should act, according to the Executive Director of the Progressive States Network, who spoke at a press conference on February 15 at the Statehouse.

“In Iowa, legislators have kept the focus on helping families, especially middle class, working families who are struggling,” said Nathan Newman, Executive Director of the Progressive States Network. “Iowa is leading the way on expanding health care coverage to all children, raising the minimum wage and giving working families a significant tax break.”

The Progressive States Network is a network of state legislators and allied community, labor, and other non-profit organizations in all fifty states working to promote effective, progressive change state-by-state. The group serves as a clearinghouse for progressive legislation and ideas to encourage the rapid adoption of best practices across the nation.

Last week a new statewide poll was released which found that 42 percent of Iowans identify themselves as progressive.

“I’m not surprised that so many Iowans identify themselves as ‘progressive’ because Iowa has become known for focusing on effective, innovative approaches to bread-and-butter issues that help the majority of working families,” Newman said. “This year’s push in Iowa for increased transparency and accountability on corporate tax cuts is another innovation that we encourage other states and Congress to follow.”

Newman also cited proposed legislation to require paid sick days and tougher wage enforcement laws as measures which benefit working families stressed by the national recession. And he cited Iowa’s continued leadership on renewable energy and other measures to promote a greener economy.

“These are tough times for state legislatures. Most states are both in much worse financial shape and at the same time saddled with political leaders mired in partisan political divisions,” Newman said. “Despite the financial challenges everyone faces, Iowa’s legislators have kept their focus on measures that will help workers and their families.”

Newman was joined by State Senators Joe Bolkcom of Iowa City, Bill Dotzler of Waterloo, Tom Courtney of Burlington and Jack Hatch of Des Moines.

Watch a video of the press conference here:

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