From the Desk of Senator Boulton
Working together, we can do big things for our communities.
Over the past two weeks, I’ve addressed City Council meetings in Altoona and Pleasant Hill as well as visited with multiple city council members from Des Moines.
Across party lines, and across city limits, the message was the same: stripping away local control, shifting tax burdens to local governments, and unpredictable state budget decisions are causing major problems as local governments try to plan for the future. And it doesn’t have to be that way.
Open and transparent budget processes, along with cooperative efforts to coordinate state and local policy and budget decisions, can and should allow our state to succeed by helping our local communities thrive. Strong community-based economic development, public safety planning, and natural resource protection is not just good for our individual local communities — it is essential for the success of our state.
I’ll continue do my part at the state level to get us back to working with city, county, and federal officials to take advantage of every opportunity to collaborate and dedicate ourselves to build a better future for Iowa.
Altoona Constituent Coffee April 22
Please join me for a casual Saturday morning coffee hour in Altoona, where we’ll be able to discuss community concerns, updates from the legislative session, and my work in the Iowa Senate. There’s no program, just a chance for direct conversations with constituents. Join me from 9 to 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 22 at the Meadows Cafe at Prairie Meadows.
Stories of Hope, shared by Iowans
A few weeks ago, we asked Iowans to share what gives you hope for a brighter future. We’ve received so many responses from folks all across the state, and your inspiring messages are important and
timely as we approach the end of the legislative session.
For many of you, the answer is simple: the kids give you hope.
Many of you described your awe and admiration for the young people of Iowa, who continue to stand up for their rights despite Republican politicians passing bills to restrict the books they can read or the conversations they can have in school.
We asked what gives you hope. Here’s a sampling of the answers you sent back:
“The awareness and activism of our young people to effect the change they want to
see in the world.” – Josephine O.
“The dedication and commitment of classroom teachers. They work so hard no matter what
mountains they are forced to climb, all with the well-being of their students firmly in their
hearts and minds.” – Nancy G.
“More than anything else, it’s the young people standing up not just for their own rights, but for the rights of all, that gives me hope.” – Liz O.
“The next election.” – Brian M.
I know how easy it can be to lose hope, but hearing from constituents inspires me to keep fighting. Iowans
know that we can do better, and this sentiment unites us even through these challenges. Thank you for believing in our state and our democracy.
If you haven’t already, please take a moment to tell us what gives you hope for Iowa — and please forward this
email to your friends, family, community members, or anybody who you think has a story of hope to share!
Reproductive Freedom on the Docket
The Iowa Supreme Court heard arguments on Tuesday about the future of reproductive freedom in Iowa.
At issue is the 2018 statute banning abortion after six weeks of pregnancy – a radical change to state law that would prohibit 98 percent of abortions performed in Iowa. That law was initially found to be unconstitutional, and has never been enforced. The court is reconsidering it now, however, after the U.S. Supreme Court and the Iowa Supreme Court struck down constitutional protections on abortion.
Tuesday’s hearing represents the latest attack from anti-choice Republican politicians despite years of legal precedent and wide public support across political affiliations for reproductive freedom in Iowa.
The tactics change, but the goals remain the same: Republican politicians want a total ban on abortion in Iowa. They’re obsessed with denying essential healthcare and stripping away fundamental freedoms for Iowans.
Senate Democrats trust Iowans to make their own choices about their own bodies and their own futures. Politicians have no business in the doctor’s office interfering with private medical decisions.
Quick Updates
- Less support for survivors. Iowa’s new Attorney General, Brenna Bird, is suspending a program covering emergency contraception for sexual assault victims. This follows a pattern of quietly but consistently reducing access to care. It’s never been clearer that Iowa’s Republican politicians will put their ideology before women’s autonomy, safety, and health.
- Stay Active on the voter rolls. The Iowa Secretary of State’s office is sending out “No Activity” notices to registered voters who did not participate in the 2022 general election. If you receive one of these, respond quickly to return your voter status to “Active.” If you get the notice, check the appropriate box, sign your name, and return the pre-paid postcard in the mail. You can always check your voter registration status at VoterReady.Iowa.gov.
- LGBTQ Legal Help. Drake Law School will hold a free LGBTQ+ Legal Clinic at 10 a.m. on April 22. Register here for help with legal name changes, sex designation changes on Iowa birth certificates, powers of attorney, healthcare declarations. The clinic is open to adults and minors (with a guardian present).
- IowaWorks for veterans. Iowa Workforce Development has announced the launch of a new online portal making it easier for Veterans and their families to find a new career in Iowa. The portal connects veterans with one-on-one job search assistance and helps employers locate and hire people with experience in the armed forces.
- April is World Autism Month. Increasing understanding of autism helps everyone gain a better perspective on how people with autism learn, interact, and communicate. Click here for ideas on how to help celebrate Autism Awareness Month.
- Get smart with your money. Money Smart Week is a national public education program coordinated by the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago to empower people to make better-informed personal financial decisions. Money Smart Week events for 2023 include webinars about family budgeting, debt relief, and employer retirement benefits.
- Don’t miss the Dutchman’s Breeches. Spring is here, and you can make the most of it with the DNR’s weekly woodland wildflower bloom report. This updated list tracks wildflowers in bloom by region – northern, central and southern. (Dutchman’s Breeches are one of the many already blooming across the state.) Peeping wildflowers can be a fun spring activity for kids and is a great way to spend time outdoors as a family. Wildflowers can be found by simply walking, or biking along trails, on a hike through a local or Iowa state park or by just driving slowly along a county road.
