Comments Off on Senator Giddens’ January 20 Newsletter
From the Desk of Senator Giddens
The 2023 legislative session is underway and it’s great to be back to work on behalf of my constituents. This week has been dominated by discussion of Governor Reynolds’ school voucher bill, and I have heard from hundreds of people in Black Hawk County, Tama, and Benton counties who have voiced their thoughts and concerns about the bill. I appreciate hearing from you, so please continue to reach out!
A variety of groups and individuals visited the Capitol this week to share their priorities with legislators. I had the pleasure of meeting with Maureen White of Cedar Falls and Kathie Farris of Indianola who came to advocate against a bill that would eliminate the gender balance requirement on state boards and commissions. I also met with members of the Civil Air Patrol and the Iowa Youth Congress. It’s inspiring to hear the passion and dedication these young people have for their respective causes.
I am committed to listening to the concerns of my constituents and working to represent you as best I can in the Iowa Senate. I will continue to keep you updated on the progress of important issues that are flowing through the legislature. Thank you for the opportunity to serve as your State Senator.
Tell Us What You Think About School Vouchers
This week Senate Republicans continued their push on private school vouchers, passing the bill through committee with no substantial debate or changes, even after an outpouring of opposition from Iowans concerned about the impact on our public schools.
The bill could be debated on the Senate floor as early as next week.
This bill will divert an estimated $900 million in public funds to private schools over the next four years alone, largely handing over taxpayer money to families who have already chosen to send their kids to private school.
I oppose this bill, and I stand with the majority of Iowans who believe public dollars belong with public schools.
This week represents a disappointing start to the 2023 legislative session, but the fight isn’t over yet. I will continue working to defeat this extreme and costly scheme to weaken public education.
Iowa Senate Democrats introduced legislation this week to shore up the Iowa Veterans Trust Fund. The trust fund provides critical support for veterans, including emergency medical care and equipment; home and vehicle repairs; and counseling, but ran out of money after just four months earlier this year. Senate File 82, will boost the fund by $500,000 in the current year and then double trust fund appropriations to $1 million in the fiscal year that begins July 1. It’s the right thing to do for our veterans.
Last week, all 16 Senate Democrats cosponsored and introduced three important bills for helping parents and caregivers with young children:
oSF57, the Post-Partum Extension bill, continues Medicaid coverage for a full year following a pregnancy. This measure ensures that new parents in need have access to essential post-pregnancy care beyond the current 60-day post-pregnancy window.
oSF56expands the post-pregnancy expenses eligible for reimbursement under Medicaid to include counseling, breastfeeding supports, transportation to appointments, and more.
oSF62 expands the Childcare Assistance Program, providing more support to working families struggling to afford childcare.
Iowa Supreme Court Chief Justice Susan Christensen recentlydelivered the annual the Condition of the Judiciary addressto the House and Senate. Christensen described how Iowa’s workforce crisis is leaving our courts with dire shortages of court reporters and court-appointed attorneys. These shortages often result in delays in court proceedings that slow the administration of justice. Senate Democrats are fighting to solve Iowa’s workforce crisis.
Good news: Iowa’s adult literacy program isone of the best in the country, ranking second nationally in the percentage of program participants who go on to earn a degree, enroll in college or get a job. Democrats initiated the Adult Literacy program in 2014, and in 2022, programs across the state served over 12,500 students. Iowa’s adult learning programs include adult basic education, English as a second language and workplace and family literacy instruction, and are provided in cooperation with local community colleges. Click here to find adult basic literacy programs in your area.
