From the Desk of Senator Petersen
This year, lawmakers entering the statehouse walked into the “Danger Zone” — literally. It felt like a policy “danger zone” too, with one bill after another causing real damage to our state, its people, and its reputation.
Today is the 110th Day of the 2023 legislative session – the day which marks the “official” last of the legislative session.
Unfortunately, we aren’t done yet, so we’ll be headed into “legislative overtime.” While lawmakers aren’t reimbursed for travel and expenses during “overtime,” it still costs taxpayers to keep the legislative session rolling.
The Senate inched closer to “sine die” adjournment this week, as Senate Republicans finally added numbers to their blank-check budgets just in time to debate the bills on the floor without public input. Even Republican Senators managing the bills weren’t exactly sure what they were approving in their budget bills, including a $500,000 increase to Governor Reynolds for her office.
Yesterday, the Senate debated the Health and Human Services budget which continues to underfund many of the services Iowans depend on – including mental health, childcare, nursing homes.
Republicans unanimously voted down three Democratic Amendments:
1) Provide 12-month postpartum coverage to new moms on Medicaid – Iowa is one of only 6 states in the country that has not extended Medicaid coverage for new moms to a year. Instead, the Reynolds Administration and Statehouse Republicans will continue kicking new moms off of health care coverage 60 days after giving birth – the bare minimum required by federal law.
2) Raise the daily allowance for seniors on Medicaid in care facilities. This allowance hasn’t been raised for more than 20 years. It helps seniors pay for things like soap, toothpaste, incontinence products and other items they may need. As you know, prices today don’t match prices from 2000. This was a small budget ask that would have done a lot of good for thousands of Iowa’s seniors.
3) Improve childcare assistance by raising the income eligibility so more Iowa families can get financial help to care for their kids, and increasing the reimbursement rates for childcare providers so parents have more choices of people who can afford to watch them. As you may recall, Governor Reynolds refused $30 million from the federal government for childcare assistance and the Reynolds Administration and Statehouse Republicans are continuing to sit on millions of federal dollars sent to Iowa to help children and families in Iowa.
There are roughly a dozen budget bills to approve before the Iowa Legislature can wrap up for the year. The Senate has passed nearly half of them. Senate Democrats still remain hopeful that we can expand access to childcare and provide real property-tax relief to middle-class Iowans before we adjourn for the year.
Quick Updates
- 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 wear.
- Wear your lifejacket at all times. Make sure all buckles and zippers work and 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.
