From the Desk of Senator Dotzler
In the many years I’ve served in the Iowa Legislature, governors of both parties have launched reorganizing efforts with the intent of making government more efficient and to cut wasteful spending and bloated departments. That is to be expected.
But the reorganization effort now underway by Kim Reynolds goes far beyond normal restructuring. One of the most glaring examples is the effort to essentially neuter the Auditor of the State. The Office of the Auditor is not political, but the person occupying it is a Democrat. During his first four-year term, I never saw Auditor Sand allow politics to enter into his work (although he didn’t always agree with the Governor).
Nevertheless, these changes would prevent the Auditor from accessing medical, academic or similar information in compiling an audit. Such barriers create a “scope limitation” which, in turn, results in every audit being “conditional.”
Not only does such legislation hinder the ability of an important state office to monitor state (and local government) spending, it also would endanger the state’s ability to receive funds from the federal government, because audits won’t be considered “clean.”
This legislation seems to be more focused on attacking a statewide office holder from another political party for strictly partisan purposes – something that should not be welcomed in state government.
Our Priorities & Theirs: The Contrast Couldn’t be Sharper
Last week, the legislature met a key procedural deadline that helps decide which bills could become law this year, and which won’t receive further consideration.
I wish I could say we had a lot to celebrate, but the fact is we don’t. Republican politicians in Des Moines are advancing mean-spirited and frankly dangerous bills that will make life harder for Iowa families in need, our educators, our LGBTQ youth, and more.
Many of those bad bills are still in play, while a lot of good bills have been cast aside. Here’s a quick rundown on where things stand:
The Statehouse Republican Agenda: All these bad bills could still become law
- Roll back child labor laws, allow minors to serve alcohol (HF 647/SF 542)
- Reduce unemployment benefits for some Iowans with larger families (SF 481)
- Add new red tape and roadblocks to food assistance for hungry families (HF 613/SF 494)
- Dictate a government-mandated price on human life for Iowans injured in trucking accidents (HF 201/SF 228)
- Ban books in public schools (SF 496) (HF 597)
- Ban school instruction on AIDS/HIV and HPV vaccine (SF 496)
- Write LGBTQ+ Iowans and families out of history and public schools (HF 348/SF 496)
- Ban healthcare for LGBTQ+ kids (SF 538/HF 623)
- Allow healthcare providers to discriminate based on religious beliefs (SF 297)
- Consolidate Governor’s power and eliminate workplace, retirement protections for workers (SF 514/HSB 126)
Senate Democrats’ Vision: GOP rejects bills for stronger families and a stronger economy
- Paid family leave (SF 95)
- Expanded postpartum medical care (SF 56)
- Protections and accommodations for pregnant workers and adoptive parents (SF 435)
- Equal pay for equal work (SF 396)
- Protections against wage theft (SF 122)
- Double Iowa’s earned income tax credit (SF 459)
- Affordable, accessible childcare and preschool (SF 62 and SF 310)
- Free school breakfast and lunch (SF 303)
- $267 million investment in public schools to reduce class sizes and increase student mental health services
Quick Updates
- ISU, UI, and UNI are economic engines. Iowa’s three public universities added $15 billion in income to the Iowa economy during fiscal year 2021-2022, according to an economic impact study. Public university activity supports one out of 10 jobs in Iowa, and returns nearly three dollars for every taxpayer dollar spent.
- An Iowa degree pays. Iowa’s public universities also rank 3rd in the nation in the amount a student can expect to gain financially from their degree. Read the full study from the Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity.
- Child labor on the rise. Since 2018, the U.S. Department of Labor has seen a 69% increase in children being employed illegally by companies. Senate File 542, the Republican bill allowing children to work in dangerous and hazardous jobs, will only cause more violations in Iowa. That’s why Senate Democrats in the Senate Workforce committee unanimously opposed the bill.
- Celebrate Women’s History Month: You can learn about groundbreaking women through virtual online exhibits, documents, and video clips offered by organizations such as the National Women’s History Museum. The museum covers a variety of topics related to women’s history, including the women of NASA, women in social justice, women in STEM, women’s involvement in wars, first ladies and more.
- Become an Outdoorswoman. Register now for the Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) workshop at Camp Io-Dis-E-Ca, near Solon April 21-23. In partnership with Johnson County Conservation, the workshop courses include boater education, driving and trailer backing, shotgun shooting, turkey hunting and a mentored turkey hunt, bow fishing, canning and preserving, fly fishing, Dutch oven cooking, kayaking, foraging and basket weaving. The workshop is $280 (shared bunk lodging) before April 3, and $320 (no lodging) beginning April 3 and includes program materials, equipment, lodging and meals. Register at www.iowadnr.gov/bow.
- No restitution to offenders. A bill moving through the legislature this year gives judges discretion when ordering restitution in cases where the victim committed offenses against the defendant. The bill fixes a quirk in Iowa law that made national headlines after it forced a human trafficking victim to pay restitution to her alleged rapist. We can all agree victims shouldn’t have to pay restitution to their abusers – this bill ensures the law says so, too.
- Still time to order seedlings. The Iowa DNR’s State Forest Nursery offers spring delivery in April and May for nearly 40 varieties of hardwood, conifer and shrub seedlings, with options for shipping or pickup at the nursery in Ames. Prices range from $.70 to $1.20 per seedling. Seedlings can be ordered through May 30. For more information visit the online store at http://nursery.iowadnr.gov/ or call 1-800-865-2477.
- Did you move recently? The annual National Change of Address process to update Iowa’s voter registration records is underway. Notices are being mailed to 90,948 registered voters in Iowa who filed a change of address with the U.S. Postal Service during the past 12 months. Voters who receive these cards should follow the instructions on the return postcard to verify or correct their voting address, sign and return it to their county auditor’s office as soon as possible. Postage is prepaid.
This Week in the Capitol
