From the Desk of Senator Giddens
The first funnel week is behind us and we’ve been busy in the Senate with late-night debates and important decisions being made. Unfortunately, some of those decisions were not in line with the highest priority concerns I’ve heard from constituents in my district.
Late at night on Tuesday, multiple anti-LGBTQ+ bills as well as the 1500-page state government reorganization bill passed out of the Senate. I voted against these bills and I am very sorry to those who have been hurt by this legislation, and for the pain and trauma these bills will cause whether or not they become law.
I’m doing all I can to fight for the issues that matter most to my constituents and focus on getting things done for our district and our state. Your voice is important, and I appreciate each and every one of you who has reached out to share your questions and concerns. Together we can still make a positive difference in the lives of Iowans despite the legislative shenanigans that distract us from the issues that more directly impact our families and communities.
It’s an honor to serve you. Take care and have a great weekend!
Competing Priorities: 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. My colleagues across the aisle 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:
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)
My Vision: Bills I’ve Co-sponsored
- 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
- Poets of the Cedar Valley. Congratulations to Lydia Newsome of Waterloo West High and Ella Hertz of Cedar Falls High School, who won top awards at the 2023 Poetry Out Loud in Iowa state finals this week. Newsome took first place with recitations of “I, Too” by Langston Hughes, “I Am Trying To Break Your Heart” by Kevin Young and “When You Are Old” by William Butler Yeats. Hertz took third place in the statewide competition.
- UNI, ISU, and UI are economic engines. Iowa’s three public universities added $15 billion in income to the state of 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 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 bill allowing children to work in dangerous and hazardous jobs, will only cause more violations in Iowa. That’s why I oppose this 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, 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
