Jim Kurtenbach

Statement on appointment of new DAS director

June 20, 2019 Senate Staff 0

We have seen numerous problems in recent years – multi-million dollar harassment settlements, hush money payments, understaffing that puts at risk the safety of state workers,  and unfair bargaining tactics, and biased hiring and procurement practices – that need to be addressed, not ignored.

Privatizing IPERS: An Analysis of SF 45 (Updated 10/26/18)

October 26, 2018 Senate Intern 0

Privatizing IPERS: An Analysis of Senate File 45: The bill directs each retirement system to submit a plan to create an alternative defined contribution plan to the public retirement systems committee by October 1, 2018. This is a bad bill – built on a bad idea. While Senate File 45 would get rid of all public defined benefit pensions, this year most discussion is around the IPERS pension system…

Governor: Reveal the numbers behind Medicaid savings claims

May 29, 2018 Senate Intern 0

“We all know for-profit Medicaid has been a disaster for Iowa families and health care providers,” said Jochum. “I believe it has also been a disaster for the state budget.  Governor Reynolds, I look forward to a public review of the hundreds of millions of dollars Iowa has spent on privatized Medicaid and the reforms that will start fixing Iowa’s Medicaid mess.”

Statement on complaint against David Jamison

April 26, 2018 Senate Staff 0

Taxpayers deserve full disclosure of all complaints against David Jamison during his tenure in state government. Governor Reynolds should order an investigation into concerns expressed by the victim that there was a culture at the Iowa Finance Authority where she and other staff feared being retaliated against if they filed complaints.

New Iowa health care disaster approaches: End of hawk-i

December 18, 2017 Senate Staff 0

Iowa’s outstanding health insurance for children is at risk due to the Congressional failure to reauthorize the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Without federal action, the state of Iowa faces millions more in costs even though 44,000 fewer children would be insured.