From the Desk of Senator Dotzler
We are in the closing days of the legislative session and the only ‘must do’ is the passing of the state budgets of the divisions of the Executive Branch.
On Thursday, Senate Republicans passed the Human Services budget which includes programs related to human services, public health, aging and veterans for fiscal year 2024 (which begins July 1 of this year). It appropriates $2.12 billion from the General Fund and, shockingly, was passed with no budget subcommittee meetings!
Republicans have excluded Democratic legislators, the public and all providers out of the process of formulating this budget. Normally, over the history of the legislature, joint budget meetings are held with members of the House and Senate with the directors of the departments to review the value of funded programs related to the budget. These meetings are open to the public and the media.
The majority party always proposes the budget and is supposed to bring the proposal to a subcommittee where the public and legislators can ask questions and provide comments. NOT THIS YEAR!
The subcommittee budget on Human Services proposed and presented to the full committee contained no numbers. I asked the chairman of the committee if, when they had actual proposed budget numbers, would they hold another subcommittee meeting so that the public could comment on the bill and his answer was, “No.”
I saw this $2.12 billion budget for the first time on the morning of the vote. It is a sad day when majority Republicans operate and put together the state’s budget with no input from the people directly affected.
110 Days Down…
Today is the 110th Day of the 2023 legislative session – the day each spring we aim to finish our work and adjourn for the year.
But, alas, we aren’t done yet.
The Senate inched closer to “sine die” adjournment this week, as Senate Republicans finally added numbers to their blank-check budgets and began wrapping up work on high-priority policy bills. But more work remains to be done – particularly on increasing access to affordable childcare and negotiating property tax relief for Iowans.
We remain hopeful that we can expand access to childcare and provide real property-tax relief to middle-class Iowans – and soon.
After the 110th day of the session, our routines change just a little bit under the golden dome. The student pages who staff the Senate each year and our own clerks will not return next week.
So, when do you think we’ll get done? Click here to vote on your best guess for sine die adjournment. Personally, I think it’ll be Thursday (or Friday), but your guess is as good as mine.
Quick Updates
- Local Apprenticeship Award. North Star Community Services in Waterloo recently received a $102,870 grant from the Iowa Health Careers Registered Apprenticeship program to serve 300 apprenticeships. The University plans to create a new registered apprenticeship program with a focus on behavioral health and direct support occupations. Grant funding is from the American Rescue Plan Act.
- More safe havens. The Senate expanded Iowa’s Safe Haven Act last week to include adoption service providers. This ensures that parents who themselves were traumatized in the adoption or foster care system are able to safely surrender at a nonprofit at which they feel most comfortable.
- Needed: Healthcare workers. Iowa faces a critical workforce shortage in healthcare. Careers in the health sciences are expected to continue to expand, due to an aging population and related health care needs. In addition to doctors and nurses, Iowa will need additional workers in diagnostic testing, biotech research, and health informatics – all high-paying careers using advanced technology. To learn more about available jobs and career pathways, check out the state of Iowa’s Health Science Careers Snapshot.
- Improving access to care. Earlier this month, President Biden announced a historic set of executive orders to improve the accessibility and affordability of childcare and long-term care across the country. As working families continue to face rising costs and fewer options for quality care, this will provide relief and help address the growing childcare crisis in our state.
- Easier probate operations. The Senate passed a bill this week helping Iowans sign and witness wills using videoconferencing, and retroactively validating wills signed under pandemic disaster proclamations. These common-sense fixes could help families avoid years of probate litigation, saving money and providing peace of mind. Speaking of estate-planning, we also passed HF111, granting a tax exemption for trust estate plans that already exists for will estate plans.
- Stay safe paddling. Tempted to get out on the water? The DNR recommends that paddlers wait for warmer weather to allow the water temperatures to rise slowly. Stay away from strainers and sweepers — wood or branch piles — which can pull a paddler under or pin them underwater. These are usually found on outside river bends where currents are strongest. Some tips:
- Check your canoe or kayak for any needed repairs/maintenance. Look for holes and leaks, and check your paddle blades for signs of wear.
- Wear your lifejacket at all times. Make sure all buckles and zippers work and are free of holes.
- Dress for the water temperature, not air temperature. A wet suit or dry suit is encouraged. Dress in layers to adjust to temperatures.
- Always bring along a dry bag with a set of extra clothes if you get wet, a first-aid kit and a protected cell phone or weather radio. Pack plenty of water to stay hydrated.
- Let others know where you are going and when you are expected to return.
- Boating safety. The Iowa DNR always offers boating education courses in person and online. Courses are made to fit every schedule and lifestyle. Click here for boater education information.
- Learn to Bow Hunt. The DNR is offering a six-month workshop teaching key archery hunting skills for beginners. Skills taught include hunting with a bow, and field dressing and cooking white-tailed deer. The workshop includes archery practices in the summer and lessons in fall, with hunting opportunities throughout the archery season. All sessions are led by experienced instructors. The course will be hosted in Adel, Ames, Council Bluffs, Davenport and Iowa City. Applications open April 15 for all locations – apply here.
- Walleye Challenge. The DNR is partnering again with MyCatch by Angler’s Atlas to conduct a statewide walleye fishing challenge May 1 through June 30. Participating anglers are encouraged to report all the walleye they catch in May and June through the MyCatch mobile app. DNR fisheries biologists will use the catch data to assess and manage walleye populations across Iowa. Anglers will have the chance to win numerous local and statewide prizes. Register here.
- LCAN Grants Available. Iowa College Aid is accepting new grant applications to develop Local College Access Networks (LCANs) across Iowa. LCANs help communities across the state address workforce needs and increase educational attainment through the LCAN grant series. Applications will be accepted through Iowagrants.gov from April 15 – May 15, 2023. Find more information here.
- Workers’ Memorial Day Around Iowa. More than 50 years ago today, 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. Together on this Workers’ Memorial Day, we raise our collective voices to win stronger safety and health protections in our workplaces. Join us today at 5:30 p.m. at the Labor Temple: 1695 Ave, Waterloo.
