Meet My Clerk
This week, I am taking
the opportunity to introduce you to the most important of my ability to read
through and organize, and to the best we can respond to, all the emails,
letters, messages, invitations, and meetings we have during the legislative
session: my clerk Judith.
Judith has been with me each year of my legislative career, starting
after I was first elected in 2016. She clerked for Senate Majority Leader Mike
Gronstal before joining me in January of 2017. Judith has invested herself in
public and community service for years. Not only in her work as a clerk in the
legislature, but also her prior involvement in the Polk County Election Office.
Her dedicated service and quick wit are truly invaluable as part of my role in
the Iowa Senate. From scheduling meetings, managing the
correspondence I get from constituents like you, and generally keeping me
organized and on task, Judith is a big part of making sure our work here gets
done and done well. In short, Judith personifies public service and the
spirit of our citizen legislature.
Quick Updates
- Funnel Week is here. This week was Funnel Week in the legislature – a key procedural deadline that helps decides which bills will advance and which are no longer eligible for debate. The funnel is always a hectic time in the Capitol, as lawmakers scramble to consider bills and protect their priorities. We’ll have more to say about the Funnel next week.
- Equal pay for equal work. All Senate Democrats signed on as co-sponsors to SF 396, a bill to address wage discrimination under the Iowa Civil Rights Act of 1965 and establish an equal pay taskforce. Making our state fairer for working women and their families is a top priority.
- Supporting pregnant workers. No pregnant mom should have to worry that she will be forced off the job or face workplace discrimination or retaliation. SF 435, cosponsored by several Senate Democrats, requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to employees based on pregnancy or childbirth.
- Repealing health. Here’s one important but overlooked piece of the Governor’s massive government reorganization bill: one line on page 911 repeals the State Board of Health. The board has operated since 1880 – early 150 years in which it has promoted high-quality public health across our state. Gov. Reynolds proposes folding the Board of Health’s duties into a new Health and Human Services Council, with one big catch: only one member of that new board must be a knowledgeable health professional. The Board of Health requires seven. This is part of the Reynolds’ attempt to centralize power with political appointees rather than professionals and community members.
- Relief for tenants. A bill allowing tenants to seal records concerning unfounded eviction actions and evictions that took place more than five years ago appears to be advancing in the Senate. Half of all eviction actions are withdrawn or unfounded, but they haunt people for years, making it much harder to access stable housing. I’m hopeful this bill will quickly become law.
- Slapping down SLAPPs. Iowa is inching closer to passing Anti-SLAPP legislation, an important tool for protecting whistleblowers and critics from retaliation by powerful corporations and billionaire ideologues. If you need a refresher on SLAPP suits, watch John Oliver’s colorful explanation. (Be beware his language can be a little salty.)
- Be a History Day judge. The State Historical Society of Iowa is looking for people to serve as District Contest judges. The National History Day in Iowa contest is part of a program that challenges junior high and high school students to become historians as they investigate primary sources, craft historical arguments, and create projects about historical topics they’re passionate about. If you’re interested in serving as a judge, simply select a contest near you and sign up. More information is available here.
This Week in the Capitol
