From the Desk of Senator Jochum
Every week Iowans from across Iowa visit the Capitol to voice their concerns. This week political dignitaries from India, medical staff from Broadlawns, medical students and student government leaders from the University of Iowa, representatives from the Cedar Rapids airport, cattlemen, county attorneys, members of Common Good Iowa as well as Dubuque Mayor Brad Cavanagh and Dubuque Chamber of Commerce government relations director Ryan Sempf were at the Capitol. The Mayor and Mr. Sempf spoke to individual legislators about funding for the Dubuque airport and property taxes.
This week’s newsletter provides information on legislation that passed this week. In the coming weeks, a bill proposed by the Governor to reorganize state government will be working its way through the Committee process. The bill is Senate Study Bill (SSB) 1123. The 1,550-page bill will continue to consolidate power in the Executive Branch of state government.
Former State Senator Bob Carr from Dubuque was intimately involved in the reorganization of State Government in the early 1980s. The second of three scheduled subcommittee meetings scheduled on SSB1123 is this Monday at 11AM. The departments to be discussed Monday from the Governor’s reorganization proposal are: Dept. Of Education, Workforce, Public Employment Relations Board, Veterans Affairs, Economic Development, and Commerce.
Here’s the zoom link if you want to listen and/or voice your opinion.
The Senators on the subcommittee are Jason Schultz (R-Crawford County), Michael Bousselot (R-Polk County), Scott Webster (R-Scott County), Tony Bisignano (D-Polk County), and Nate Boulton (D-Polk County). Here’s the link to the 1550-page bill.
You can follow legislation and the debate schedule of the Iowa House and Senate at the “Iowa Legislature” website
Have a safe and enjoyable week.
Lessons Learned from Our Survey
Over the past couple weeks, so many Iowans have provided thoughtful responses to the survey my colleagues and I shared last month. We received over 600 responses from Iowans all across the state, and your feedback is extremely valuable as the 2023 legislative session continues.
Many of you feel that the biggest challenges facing you and your family are the threats to public education – especially after Republican politicians passed their private school voucher bill and then voted to underfund our public schools. Here’s a sampling of the responses we’ve received.
“We need to stop funding private schools and refocus on bringing our public schools back to a standard of excellence.” – Larry P.
“Attacks on public education, and the GOP culture wars, are making Iowa an inhospitable place to live and raise a child.” – Christine S.
“Adequate funding for children in Iowa’s public schools, especially those in less wealthy urban or rural areas” – Ronald S.
“Stop the GOP from attacking schools, librarians, books, and actual freedoms.” Chelsea S.
Senate Democrats will continue to listen and fight for what Iowans actually want and need. Every day we’re reminded how important it is that we listen to and learn from our constituents. We are thankful for your feedback.
Please take a moment to complete our short survey yourself if you have not already — and please forward this email to your friends, family, community members, or anybody who you think we need to hear from!
Quick Updates
- School funding update. This week, the House passed a Republican plan to boost school funding by 3%, or about $107 million, and Gov. Reynolds signed that increase into law. Senate Democrats fought for an increase of $267 million to help schools meet rising costs, hire more teachers, and expand mental health services for kids. Supporting Iowa families and high-quality public education remains our top priority.
- Justice Denied. Senate Republicans passed House File 161 on Wednesday, placing strict limits on damages in medical malpractice cases. Senate Democrats opposed the bill because it empowers politicians – not juries – to decide the value of a human life. SF 148 will not improve medical care in Iowa, but it will pad insurance company profits while denying justice for injured Iowans.
- Teacher of the Year nominations. Iowa’s Teacher of the Year award provides an opportunity to recognize an Iowa teacher who motivates, challenges, and inspires excellence; who takes teaching beyond textbooks and blackboards; and who is an exceptional teacher. Sound like someone you know? Nominate them today!
- 1,550 pages of government reorganization. We’re keeping a close watch on Gov. Reynolds’ government reorganization proposals, now moving through the legislature as HSB 126 and SSB 1123. We’re all for finding efficiencies and improving service in state government, but we’re concerned these 1,550-page bills may include power grabs that make Gov. Kim Reynolds’ administration less accountable to Iowans. The first of several subcommittees met this week to review changes to the Department of Revenue, the Iowa Lottery, the Alcoholic Beverage Division, and community-based corrections, among many other agencies. We’re going to do our due diligence and ensure these changes are good for Iowa, not just the governor’s office.
- Ending wage theft. I recently joined all my Senate Democratic colleagues in cosponsoring a bill to help stop wage theft. SF 122 ensures that employers who rob workers of earned wages are held accountable. Wage theft affects thousands of Iowans annually, robbing them of hundreds of millions of dollars. Protecting working Iowans is a top priority for Senate Democrats.
- Family Medical Leave anniversary. This past Monday marked the 30th anniversary of President Bill Clinton signing the Family Medical Leave Act into law. This transformative bill allows thousands of Iowa workers every year take time off to welcome newborn family members or care for sick children without risking losing their job. In the Senate, I’ve joined all my Democratic colleagues in cosponsoring SF 95, the Iowa Family Medical Leave Act, to ensure family leave protections secure for every worker in our state.
- Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA). Tax season is fast approaching, Hawkeye Area Community Action Program (HACAP) provides tax preparation to low-to-moderate income families. For more information can found at https://www.hacap.org/taxes, you may also call 563-556-5130, or visit: 220 W. 7th St., Dubuque IA, 52001
- Texts from court. You know how your dentist, your doctor, even your favorite restaurant will text you a reminder of an upcoming appointment? Starting soon, so might your court. The Iowa Judicial branch is launching a pilot program to test free text reminders of court dates and payment plan due dates. This convenient service could save Iowans on inadvertent penalties and break the cycle of fines assessed on top of fines.
This Week in the Capitol
Please keep the children and people of Turkey and Syria in your prayers as the earthquake death toll climbs to more than 20,000 people and the injured to more than 70,000.