The legislature is required to address Supplemental State Aid Funding (SSA) for our Public Schools 30 days after the governor made her condition of the state address, in the middle of January. The House just passed the SSA and they agreed with the Senate version, to pass a 2% increase. That is very short of what is needed to fund our schools in Iowa.
We didn’t do much at the Capital this week because the House Republicans and the Senate Republicans are not agreeing to work on the State Budgets together.
In the newsletter, you will find topics that are important to Iowans. Please share your comments
Emerging Challenges for Iowa’s Economy.
Now is the Time to Lower Costs for Iowans.
Hands-Free Driving Signed into Law
Support for Pregnant College Students
Going forward, I will be listening and working closely with local leaders and community members to ensure the state is partnering with those in our community who need help and assistance. I’m available by email, phone, and social media, to answer questions and listen to your concerns. You can always reach me by email or call me at home at 319-266-9021. We can also stay connected through social media, including Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. I appreciate hearing from you and I thank you for your continued support.
Thank you for taking the time to read the Statehouse News. Please keep in touch.
Community Events:
April 10 Rocky Peter
Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center, Thu 7pm, gbpac.com
As the session nears its end, lawmakers are hearing increasing frustration from Iowans over stalled progress. At a time when Iowans are looking for relief from rising costs, instead, all they’re getting is more uncertainty, culture wars, and economic warning signs.
New data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis shows that Iowa’s economy shrank in 2024—making it the second worst-performing state in the country, while 47 other states grew. According to State Policy Reports, Iowa now ranks 49th in the nation for personal income growth. Iowa’s economy is simply not keeping pace with our neighbors or the rest of the country.
Other warning signs in Iowa came last week when Whirlpool laid off 651 workers in Amana, Sodexo cut 130 jobs in Decorah, and another 44 workers lost their jobs at Corteva in Johnston.
With over 146,000 Iowa jobs and $17 billion in Iowa exports on the line, Iowans are deeply concerned about the tariff war which could lead to rising costs and a downturn in the economy. Farmers and agriculture-related manufacturers are particularly vulnerable to the tariff war since Iowa exported $8.3 billion in corn, pork, and soybeans last year.
On top of that, last month, Republican lawmakers proposed freezing all economic development-related funding to the four largest populated counties despite representing 42% of the state’s total real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of $200 billion.
Now is the Time to Lower Costs for Iowans
Addressing household budget pressures should be the top priority at the Capitol. Iowans are asking for stability and the assurance that brighter days are ahead.
Iowa lawmakers should be coming together with a bipartisan plan to address our growing workforce crisis. There are clear steps we can take right now to ease the burden on Iowans and help them stay afloat. Here are some bills that Iowa House Democrats have introduced that the Legislature should pass before we adjourn:
Lower the Cost of Housing
Create more affordable housing units & make it easier to buy a first home (HF 659)
Neighborhood grants to help current homeowner improve and stay in their home (HF 659)
Restore unemployment for laid-off workers (HF 455)
Lower the Cost of Childcare
Expand the Childcare Tax Credit and Childcare Assistance program to provide immediate relief to families (HF 611)
Raise wages & expand benefits for childcare workers (HF 661)
Tax credits for small businesses that provide childcare employee benefits (HF 661)
Lower health care costs by capping the price of insulin to $25 per month (HF 658)
Capitol and Community Updates
HANDS-FREE DRIVING SIGNED INTO LAW: To cut down on roadway accidents and fatalities, a bill that would make it illegal to use a phone while driving unless it is hands-free has been signed into law and will go into effect on July 1st. Iowa’s current distracted driving law only prohibits texting while driving.
PROPERTY TAX BREAK FOR COMMERCIAL CHILDCARE CENTERS ADVANCES: A bill that will lower the property tax rate on commercial child care centers has passed the House Ways and Means Committee. According to recent estimates, this could save the average commercial childcare center approximately $7,500 annually.
NEW TEXT PHISHING SCAM IMPACTING IOWANS: The Iowa DOT has warned customers of a new scam of fraudulent text messages stating there are unpaid tolls or registration fees.
VOTE FOR THE NEXT EDUCATION LICENSE PLATE: The search is underway for a new design for Iowa’s Education license plate. A committee of art teachers from across the state reviewed over 100 qualified submissions from K-12 art classes and selected 16 semifinalists. Iowans can access the online voting form to select their top three overall favorite designs Based on the public vote, three or four finalists will move forward for final consideration. The winning design will be revealed at the end of the school year.
BECOME A POLL WORKER: Poll workers are critical in Iowa’s elections process. Sign up to serve your community as a poll worker.
SUPPORT FOR PREGNANT COLLEGE STUDENTS: There’s a bill moving through the legislature aiming to strengthen protections for pregnant students attending public colleges and universities in Iowa. Key provisions include allowing up to 12 months of leave to make up exams, with extensions permitted if medically necessary, prohibiting institutions from requiring pregnant students to take a leave of absence and requiring each institution to designate a staff member responsible for ensuring compliance with Title IX protections.
Addressing household budget pressures should be the top priority at the Capitol. Iowans are asking for stability and the assurance that brighter days are ahead.