Comments Off on Senator Wahls’ January 20 Newsletter
From the Desk of Senator Wahls
The Iowa Senate is off to a fast and furious start.
Senate Democrats have been united in our strong opposition to the private school vouchers plan being pushed by Governor Reynolds. We know that public money is for public schools. Her legislation is being fast tracked by Senate Republicans, and we expect to debate the bill on the floor next week. We know that there will be bipartisan opposition.
Our main concerns about this legislation are both its reckless price tag (hundreds of millions of dollars) and the reality that its implementation would hurt Iowa’s public schools. So many of you have already reached out to register your opposition – thank you. If you are willing, please consider sharing your views on the subject below.
On a more positive note, several folks from back home visited the Iowa Legislature this week, including Johnson County Sheriff Brad Kunkel, and Brandon Pflanzer and Salvatore Aleto from the Iowa City Firefighters. Thank you for all you do to keep our communities safe!
Tell Us What You Think About School Vouchers
As discussed above, 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.
Senate Democrats are united in opposition to this bill, and we 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. Senate Democrats will continue working to defeat this extreme and costly scheme to weaken public education.
Iowa Senate Democrats introduced legislation this week toshore 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.
oSF62expands 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 is one 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.
