From the Desk of Senator Dotzler
Once again, cultural programs in Iowa – art, music, theater – are on the budgeting chopping block from state government. And it’s affecting a lot of people.
The Department of Cultural Affairs is being split and reassigned to other departments that include Administrative Services and the Economic Development Authority. These new homes may save a few dollars, but breaking the incumbent agency apart in such a way affects its ability to implement various programs to various sectors of the state.
Iowa currently ranks 47th in the United States regarding cultural funding and we’re starting to see the painful results in the number of young people choosing to not live in Iowa. Jobs and opportunity are important but when there is a shortage of young people to fulfill those jobs because of a lack of cultural amenities, our state will continue to suffer.
I met with representatives of the Iowa Cultural Coalition (ICC), a group of volunteers with a mission to advocate for public investment in arts and culture. ICC stresses that 67 percent of Americans believe the arts unify our communities and 62 percent believe arts and culture are important to local businesses and the economy. I agree and will continue to work with my colleagues to increase cultural funding in Iowa.
Meet My Clerk
I wanted to take a moment this week to pull back the curtain and introduce you to the secret of my success in the Senate: my clerk Bobby.
This is Bobby’s fifth session working with me after retiring from a career in communications that included writing and producing for Iowa Public Television, writing and producing for two different advertising agencies in Des Moines and serving as the communications director for a couple of state agencies. His main problem is that he’s a political junkie but we’re working on a cure for that!
Clerks are essential to keeping things running in the Iowa Senate. Bobby helps with scheduling meetings, managing the correspondence I get from constituents like you, and generally keeping me organized and on task. Here in Iowa, our part-time legislature runs pretty lean, and the pace can get hectic. It’s safe to say I’d be lost without him.
Bobby personifies public service and the spirit of our citizen legislature. I’m so grateful for the long hours he puts in on my behalf and on yours.
Quick Updates
- Funnel Week is here. This week was Funnel Week in the legislature – a key procedural deadline that helps decide 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 – nearly 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 about which they’re passionate. 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
