Senator Petersen’s February 17 Newsletter

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From the Desk of Senator Petersen

This year is the first time in my tenure I have been assigned to seven committees in the Iowa Senate. Fewer Democratic senators means each of us have more committees and subcommittees to cover. Bills are moving fast (many too fast, including some that would be better placed in the dumpster). Here are just a few bills we’ve been working on this week:

1)   Governor Reynolds’ 1500+ Page “Government Reorganization” Bill – This massive bill is moving through both chambers as HSB 126 and SF 1123. It gives Governor Reynolds even more unchecked power. I favor making state government more accessible and easy to navigate, but this bill doesn’t do that. I also believe in checks and balances. This bill eliminates many of them in several important areas. A few examples:

a.   Many gubernatorial appointees will no longer need Senate confirmation

b.   Administrative Law Judges lose merit status – so they could be fired if someone in power doesn’t care for their ruling

c.     Iowans’ Consumer Advocate loses its independence, giving the Governor power to fire them at any time for any reason

d.   It makes the state librarian an employee of the Department of Administrative Services (DAS). As Governor Reynolds continues pushing her national culture war agenda, this move would give her the ability to push book bans throughout Iowa’s entire library system.

e.   It eliminates the Board of Health and dumps other programs into unrelated departments where they will most likely not get the resources or support needed to effectively serve Iowans.

The first of several subcommittees met on the bill this week. The next one is on Monday at 11 a.m. If you’d like to tune in, attend and testify, directions are in the next article on how to make your voice heard in the Iowa Senate.

2)   Expanding access to medical cannabis. I served on the subcommittee that advanced a bill to expand access to medical marijuana in Iowa. SSB 1113 would add additional vaporizable options for patients, while also doubling the number of licensed dispensaries in Iowa. Iowans participating in this program face higher costs, fewer product options, and longer travel times to reach one of our existing licensed dispensaries than people who live in bordering states with better marijuana policies. I filed a bill to regulate marijuana for adult use in Iowa, but our current Republican leaders show no interest in getting rid of Iowa’s outdated drug policies that criminalize Iowans for a product now legal in more than half of the U.S.

3)   Iowa’s losing Labor & Delivery Departments across the state in record numbers, but instead of improving access to health care, Gov. Reynolds’ maternal health package gives $2 million in taxpayer money to a new faith-based anti-abortion program that has been riddled with fraud in other states. A proposal from Senate Democrats to expand post-partum health coverage to 12 months was not included in her legislation. The bill passed out of committee on a party-line vote and will be eligible for floor debate soon.

How to Make Your Voice Heard in the Iowa Senate

We need your voice now more than ever. I hope you’ll consider taking part in the legislative process this year on an issue that matters to you. When a bill is being considered in the Senate, it typically passes through three key stages of review and discussion. Below is a quick guide to understanding that process and making your voice heard.

Step 1: Subcommittee

Subcommittees are where we hear from you.

  • The first step for most bills under consideration in the Senate is a subcommittee. This is where a small panel of lawmakers review the bill and take public comment. If you want to make your voice heard on the pros or cons of a bill, this is the place to do it!
  • Subcommittees take place in person at the Capitol, but are usually streamed online as well, with time set aside for public comment.
  • What do to: If you want to speak on a bill in subcommittee, you can attend in person or participate online. You can also leave written comments for lawmakers to read and consider.
  • Find scheduled subcommittees here. Click “Agenda” for meeting details and the Zoom link. Click “Comments” to leave a comment.

Step 2: Committee

Committees are where we iron out the details.

  • If a bill passes out of subcommittee (many don’t!) it’s heard by a full committee of senators. In the Senate, we have 17 standing committees focusing on various policy areas. Each committee has between 6 and 20 members, often with specific expertise in that issue area.
  • In committee, senators discuss a bill and ask questions of the bill manager.
  • Senators can also amend the bill in committee — that is, offer changes and additions to it based on what they’ve heard from constituents and experts.
  • Committees take place in person at the Capitol but are also streamed online.
  • What to do: Attend in person to show public interest on the issue. Contact senators on the committee to let them know what you think and how you want them to vote. Find committee schedules here. Click here to find senators’ contact information.

Step 3: The Floor

Floor debate is where we make our stand.

  • A bill that passes committee is eligible for floor debate (although the floor leader decides when and if a bill actually comes up).
  • If a bill is brought up for debate, the sponsor introduces it and then all 50 senators have a chance to speak and offer amendments to change it. At the end of debate, senators vote on YEA or NAY on passage.
  • Floor debate is held in the Senate chamber and streamed online. Watch live here. Click here for archived floor debates.
  • What to do: The Senate chamber galleries are open to the public. Attend in person or watch online. Contact your senator to make your voice heard.

Step 4: What Happens Next

  • What happens after the Senate passes a bill depends on whether the bill has also been considered by the House.
  • If the bill started in the Senate, it moves over to the House for further consideration.
  • If it’s already passed the House, it moves on to the governor. The governor gets the final say on all legislation, choosing whether to sign it into law or veto it.

Quick Updates

  1. 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!
  2. 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.
  3. Tax season is here. The Iowa Department of Revenue began processing tax returns on January 23, and Iowa income tax returns are due on May 1. The Department website is a good starting point to find tax forms and answers to all kinds of tax questions. The Tax Guidance section has been improved to allow taxpayers and tax professionals the ability to easily search for tax guidance. The Expanded Instructions section provides line by line details to help complete the IA 1040. And for tax year 2022, the What’s New? page addresses some of the most common filing questions about individual income tax changes.
  4. Request a ballot. Special elections will take place for some local jurisdictions in approximately 60 counties on March 7. Iowans wishing to vote absentee by mail can request a ballot now at VoterReady.Iowa.gov. For more information on elections in your area, including information on your polling place, visit your county auditor’s website.
  5. Be a poll worker. Speaking of upcoming elections, county auditors are always looking for poll workers to help check in voters, answer questions, and ensure elections run smoothly. In addition to those local elections on March 7, city-school elections will be held statewide this November. Being a poll worker is a great way to serve your state and nation, and you get paid! To learn more, visit Pollworker.Iowa.gov.

I’m Grateful for Visitors!

Monday was Immunization Advocacy Day at the statehouse. Rep. John Forbes joined by Dr. John Rovers, Pharmacist and Professor of Pharmacy Practice at Drake University, Megan Myers, Pharmacist at Medicap Pharmacy and I talked about the importance of vaccines to keep Iowans healthy. Dr. Rovers (who lives in our Senate District) gave me a flu shot and Covid booster shot too.

Love For Red

Students who are part of Love For Red were at the statehouse pushing for the passage of one of my bills this week – SF 74 to make period products available for free in schools and public buildings. Periods impact school attendance, especially for students who cannot afford period products. I hope you’ll check out their website to learn more about their great work.