From the Desk of Senator Boulton
As the session draws nearer to adjournment, I’m continuing to have conversations with people across the districts about their priorities, concerns, and hopes for the remaining days of this session as well as the future.
One of the best opportunities to hear from the individuals I represent is through community coffees. It was great to talk with constituents in east Des Moines a couple of weeks ago, and I’m looking forward to more of those conversations in Altoona at 9 a.m. this Saturday at the Meadows Cafe and in Pleasant Hill at 10:30 a.m. on May 13 at The Hills.
Please make plans to join me there!
As Iowa Senate Republicans passed a dangerous expansion of child labor in the early morning hours on Tuesday, they also broke with long-standing traditions of free and open debate on the Senate floor.
This may sound like a matter of politeness – or maybe just politics – but it does really matter to the way our Senate serves the people of Iowa.
It happened when Sen. Bill Dotzler asked a Republican senator to “yield” to a question about how the bill might affect younger workers in bars and restaurants. It was a fair question, meant to help senators and all Iowans understand how the bill will affect teenage workers.
But the Republican senator refused to yield. And then he refused again. And then the Senate’s Republican leader refused to yield, too.
Turns out, this is a new strategy from Senate Republicans. They’re simply refusing to take questions on the Senate floor. Why? They say they don’t want Iowa courts to review their comments when deciding whether Iowa’s laws are constitutional.
Again, this may sound like politics, but it goes far beyond mere parliamentary maneuvers. If senators refuse to answer questions, all of us are left in the dark on what their bills actually do. If they refuse to answer questions, real problems and unintended consequences could get written into law because no one called them out.
This also continues a pattern from Senate Republicans of ignoring transparency and leaving Iowans out of their legislative process. Already this session, Republican leaders have kicked Iowa reporters out of the legislative chamber, refused to hold hearings for the public to weigh in on the state budget, advanced budget bills without dollar amounts, and refused to answer basic questions about high-profile legislation.
That’s no way to govern. Iowa Senate Democrats believe in free and open debate. We’re committed to informing Iowans on how the laws we write affect their lives and livelihoods.
Bills Passed on the Floor
- Senate Democrats and Republicans came together on Wednesday to pass a property tax reform package that will lower tax bills for Iowa property owners. The House and Senate continue to discuss differing approaches to property tax relief, but Senate File 569 represents a great step forward and we’re hopeful it means bipartisan, meaningful reform is possible this year.
- Senate Republicans also passed bills lowering educational standards, banning books, forcing educators to violate their professional ethics, and requiring “Don’t Say Gay” restrictions on school curriculum. These bills are the direct result of Republican politicians’ refusal to adequately fund public education, and their obsession with culture-war issues rather than policies that will make our state stronger and more successful.
- In the dead of the night on Tuesday, Senate Republicans approved an expansion of child labor in Iowa. Senate File 542 expands work hours for teenagers and allows them to serve alcohol and work in potentially dangerous fields like roofing, excavation, demolition and in industrial freezers. Senate Democrats were united against this dangerous legislation.
- Senate Republicans also passed a bill, Senate File 228, capping damage awards for Iowans injured or killed in accidents involving commercial trucks. The $5 million cap effectively puts a price on human life, and makes our roads less safe. The bill has also passed the House and now goes to the governor.
Quick Updates
- Workers’ Memorial Day. More than 50 years ago on April 28, the Occupational Safety and Health Act went into effect, promising every worker the right to a safe job – a fundamental right that Senate Democrats will always fight to protect. Still, each year thousands of workers are killed and millions suffer injuries because of dangerous working conditions that are preventable. Together on this Workers’ Memorial Day, we will continue organizing and fighting for this fundamental right until that promise is fulfilled. Join us on April 28th at 11:00 a.m. at the Iowa Capitol, West Terrace.
- Fighting back against ransomware. This week I supported HF 143, creating new penalties for using ransomware to interrupt or impact the functioning of various entities including state government, utilities, hospitals and healthcare facilities, public schools, and more. If convicted, violators could face up to 10 years in prison, depending on the severity of the attack. This bill is now awaiting the Governor’s signature.
- Hurting, not helping, hungry Iowans. Last week, House Republicans joined Senate Republicans to pass SF 494 to restrict access to SNAP food assistance and Medicaid for Iowans in need. This extreme legislation makes Iowa stand out for all the wrong reasons, as covered by the Washington Post. At a time when food pantries are reporting all time high demands, Iowa Republicans are turning Iowans away. The contrast couldn’t be clearer, as Republicans rejected every Democratic amendment that would have better protected our most vulnerable neighbors.
- Take Me Out to the Outdoors. Show your support for the outdoors next weekend while enjoying a day at the ballpark. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is hosting Outdoors Day with the Iowa Cubs on April 29. The first 500 youth through the gates will receive a voucher to claim a youth fishing pole as they leave the park. Kids activities will be available near the indoor playground, and you can visit state conservation officers at the Turn in Poachers trailer. All attendees may enter a drawing for the chance to win a lifejacket. $10 tickets – with $4 from each ticket supporting the Iowa Hunter Education Association – are available here.
- Earth Day is April 22. The Earth Day 2023 theme “Invest in Our Planet,” highlighting the importance of dedicating time, resources, and energy to solving climate change and other environmental issues. Visit earthday.org to learn more.
- Celebrate your local library. April 23 to 29 is National Library Week – a time for all of us to visit our local library and explore all they have to offer. Libraries play a critical role in communities by providing internet and technology access, literacy skills, and support for job seekers, and small businesses. If you haven’t checked out your local library lately, you’re missing the full story.
- Decreasing school librarian qualifications: This past week, Senate Republicans sent SF 391 to the Governor for her signature. This package contains several harmful changes for students and schools – including watered-down requirements to be a school librarian. Under the bill, teacher-librarians no longer must be licensed teachers – an important qualification especially as Republican legislators push book bans and new demands on school libraries.
- You have a Right to Read. Next Monday, April 24, is Right to Read Day. On Monday, the State of America’s Libraries Report will be released, including the Top 10 Frequently Challenged Books of 2022.
- Iowa’s Own Liberty Bell. In 1950, to promote the sale of Liberty Bonds, the U.S. Treasury commissioned replicas of the original Liberty Bell from the Paccard Bell Foundry in Annecy-le-Vieux, France for each state. The size and tone of the replicas are identical with originals created in 1776. Iowa Governor William S. Beardsley officially accepted and rang Iowa’s Liberty Bell at a ceremony at the Capitol on July 4, 1950. The Iowa version of the Liberty Bell is currently accessible to the public and located on the east side of the Capitol grounds.
- Disaster assistance grants available. The Iowa Individual Disaster Assistance Program offers grants of up $5,000 per household for low income storm victims. Grants are available for home or car repairs, replacement of clothing or food, and temporary housing expenses. More information is available here, or by calling 1-877-347-5678.
This Week in the Capitol
