From the Desk of Senator Boulton
The world is coming closer together. Information can be shared across continents in an instant, and it’s easier than ever to engage in business and trade opportunities across borders, enjoy international tourism, and build meaningful relationships between communities despite being physically speared by thousands of miles.
You may not think of the Iowa Legislature as having much of a role in international relations, but the reality is that our state’s economy relies heavily upon our ability to do business not just with other states, but also with other nations. As a member of the International Relations committee, part of my work as a state senator involves developing and strengthening our partnerships with key trading partners around the world.
I’ve personally met with representatives of Taiwan, India, Ukraine, and other nations, and currently serve as one of our bipartisan cochairs of the Iowa Legislative Taiwan Caucus. In 2022, Iowa succeeded in reaching a trade deal in which Taiwan agreed to buy U.S. corn and soybeans worth $2.6 billion dollars.
In short, the work we do to build these relationships across the world can lead to major impacts on Iowa’s economy. I’m honored to be part of our work to continue to find new opportunities for Iowans and Iowa companies through the work we do on the International Relations Committee, and hope to be able to share more success stories from our shared bipartisan efforts on that committee.
Visit Your State Capitol!
One of the best things about being a senator is meeting constituents who visit the Capitol and stop by the Senate to say hi.
Every day that we’re in session, the Capitol is full of visitors: organizations holding lobby days, school groups on class trips, sightseeing families, and tourists just passing through. All are welcome, and every one is a welcome reminder of the people and places we represent.
I’d love to see you at the Capitol! Here are a few tips if you’re planning a trip to the Golden Dome.
When to come: The Iowa State Capitol is open year-round 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays. But if you want to meet your legislators and see the Legislature in action, you’ll need to plan ahead. The House and Senate are typically in session Monday through Thursday from January through late April or early May – that’s when the action is happening, and the best chance you have to see your government up close.
Take a tour: Our Capitol is a beautiful place, brimming with art and history. The Capitol’s wonderful guides lead tours multiple times a day (always on the half-hour), and provide numerous options for self-guided audio and video tours. More information is available here. To schedule a tour for 10 or more people, click here.
Watch a debate: If you happen to visit on a day the Senate is debating legislation, you can watch the discussion and tally the votes live and in person from the third-floor galleries overlooking the chamber.
Meet me in the rotunda: Come say hi! You can always ask to meet a senator while we’re in session. Outside the Senate chamber in the second-floor rotunda, you’ll find a pad of “pink slips” where you can write a message and provide your contact information. Hand your pink slip to the Sergeant at Arms or a page at the Senate door and he’ll hand-deliver it to the senator on the floor. When there’s a break in the action, we’ll come out to say hello, hear your concerns and pose for a photo.
Let’s make a plan: If you’re going on a visit to the Capitol – especially with a group – please reach out and let me know in advance. If we know you’re coming, we can set aside time to meet and even formally recognize you from the Senate floor.
Quick Updates
- Local Business Grant Award. Several local organizations recently received Choose Iowa grants from the Iowa Department of Agriculture for expanding and diversifying the availability of Iowa grown, raised, and processed products:
- Jasper Winery of Des Moines received $25,000 to add cider production capacity using Iowa grown apples.
- Central Iowa Shelter Services of Des Moines received $25,000 to add capabilities for online sales of tilapia and hydroponic lettuce.
- Lutheran Services in Iowa of Des Moines received $4,402 to increase produce processing capacity and enhance equipment for incubator farm produce raised by non-American born farmers.
- New investments in Des Moines. The state announced a new round of federal aid for quality-of-life projects, including $3.28 million for major upgrades at Blank Park Zoo. The American Rescue Plan Act grant will contribute to a new big cat and seal and sea lion exhibits.
- Equal Pay Day. This past Tuesday was Equal Pay Day, the day marking how far into the year a woman must work before her pay catches up with the annual earnings of men doing the same job. Senate Democrats used this symbolic day to raise awareness of the gender pay gap. We’ve introduced legislation to address wage discrimination, because we know equal work deserves equal pay.
- New numbers for Iowa’s next budget. Last week, a state panel met to set revenue estimates for the current and upcoming budget years. The panel is projecting lackluster growth, with projected revenues for 2023 and 2024 falling below previous years. Our top responsibility as legislators is to pass a balanced budget that serves the needs of Iowans. It’s time for statehouse Republicans to put aside their nationally-driven, culture-war agenda and get to work on a budget.
- Bipartisan win for vulnerable Iowans. One of the few bipartisan bright spots of the legislative session so far passed the Senate floor last week. Senate File 295 increases protections for Iowans with a guardian or conservatorship. Iowa’s most vulnerable citizens deserve accountability and transparency when they entrust their entire lives to another person.
- Bipartisan progress for new moms and babies: Two months after all Senate Democrats cosponsored Senate File 57 to increase postpartum Medicaid coverage for pregnant Iowans, we’re glad to see that House Republicans have introduced a similar bill, House Study Bill 226. Senate Democrats hope to see more bipartisan support for this common-sense legislation that would better support pregnancies and newborns in Iowa.
- Iowa Drought Plan announced. The state has finalized a comprehensive drought plan for use by local, county, state agencies and governments. The plan designates five drought regions in the state and provides an approach to prepare for, identify, respond to and recover from a drought. Read the full plan here.
- Read Across Iowa: Celebrated throughout the month of March, Read Across Iowa helps motivate kids to read. Join Abby Brown from Iowa PBS on Facebook as she reads “Our School Garden!” by Rick Swann on at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 18.
- Spring break at the library. Visiting your local library can help keep kids entertained during spring break. Community libraries have free resources and offer children’s programs that support reading. In addition to books, you can also get access to technology and learning games.
- Help is here if you need it. Are you or someone you know searching for mental health or substance use counseling? The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services maintains this tracker of providers, so you can quickly enter your zip code and find a provider near you. Senate Democrats continue to seek improvements to our mental health support system in Iowa.
This Week in the Capitol
