April 16th is the scheduled end of the session as we reach day 100, but we have yet to approve budgets. Budgets are the last required action that needs to be done before we adjourn for the year. There’s disagreement between the Senate and the House which will lengthen session until something is agreed upon.
It has been a busy past couple of weeks with so many incredible University of Iowa students coming and speaking to me on a variety of issues. One of the main ones is mental health access within Iowa colleges. It was in collaboration with Iowa State, the University of Iowa, and the University of Northern Iowa. They explained their allocation request which would help to fund some important changes such as an app to help meet with mental health professionals, mental health staff retention strategies, and so much more! These services are vital to Iowa youth and young adults! I hope we can see some of these changes take place soon! Thank you all for coming!
Last week, my fellow Representatives and I had the pleasure to pass a resolution in honor of University of Northern Iowa wrestler Parker Keckeisen for his incredible achievements! He won the National Collegiate Athletic Association individual wrestling championship! He was able to close out the season with 14 straight bonus-point victories and take home the win! I am so proud of this fellow Panther and his victory! Congratulations Parker, and I look forward to what you do next!
I have had a great session this year! I was able to work with and speak to so many amazing individuals! I am so proud to be a Black Hawk County Representative and continue to work hard to support my constituents! Since this is my last newsletter for the session, I want to give a quick shoutout to my amazing clerk, Campbell Stepan. She has helped me these past two years working at the Capitol! She has been a helping hand with my calendar, social media posts, and newsletters like this one! Thank you Campbell, and I can’t wait to work with you again!
Finally, thank you all for supporting me and giving me the strength to continue to do this job! It is so fulfilling to speak to so many unique and wonderful Iowans! Thank you all for another great session!
Going forward, I will be listening and working closely with local leaders and community members, to make sure 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!
In Iowa, we take our responsibility to protect and support kids seriously. It is simply the right thing to do.
At the end of last year, Governor Kim Reynolds announced her decision not to participate in the food assistance program to feed low-income children during the summer.
Even after a public outcry and other Republican governors joined the program, the Governor doubled down on her decision to reject the $29 million in federal funds to expand assistance to feed kids in the summer.
Instead of ensuring every child in need receives $40 monthly for food provided by federally funded SNAP-EBT, the Governor announced a new $900,000 competitive grant program that will feed fewer kids and force local communities to compete against each other to get funding to feed kids.
House Democrats have asked Governor Reynolds to re-evaluate this decision, advocating for the immediate adoption of the Federal Summer EBT Program to ensure that no child in Iowa goes hungry this summer.
Putting Working Families First
When the session began, Iowa House Democrats laid out a plan to put working families ahead of large corporations. Too many Iowans still struggle to make ends meet today and their wages aren’t keeping up with the rising costs of healthcare, food, childcare, and utility bills.
Iowans wonder how more than $8 billion of their tax dollars will be spent as we close the session. Right now, the Governor and GOP leaders in the House and Senate are too busy focusing on culture wars and playing politics with Iowans’ lives than creating a balanced budget that works for all Iowans.
Over the last decade, special interests and the wealthy have received billions in tax breaks from the Governor while everyday Iowans received pennies. The last income tax bill passed left out 500,000 Iowans who also have bills to pay and families to feed. Another tax change pushed through last year has city and county officials furious this year because it slashes scarce resources for local police, fire, and parks.
As the budget process moves forward, House Democrats are committed to ensuring working Iowans are put first. We should take action to help lower costs and raise wages. Here are a few things we proposed this session that Republicans still have time to consider:
Raising the minimum wage
Freeze tuition at Iowa’s public universities
Lower costs of prescription drugs for Iowans
Prevent employers from refusing to pay promised wages
Expand Iowa’s sales tax-free holiday to two weeks
Clear the waiting list for services for Iowans with disabilities
Offer affordable childcare for childcare workers
As the end of the session draws near, Iowa Democrats will be watching closely for big tax or budget changes that make life even more difficult for the Iowans struggling to make ends meet.
Capitol and Community Updates
GOP ABORTION BAN IN IOWA SUPREME COURT: Oral arguments were held for Iowa’s 6-week abortion ban. Sign the petition to tell lawmakers you think reproductive freedom should be the law of the land.
DISCRIMINATION LEGISLATION SIGNED BY GOVERNOR: Governor Reynolds signed a bill that weaponizes religion to justify discrimination, which will open the door for a business to deny services to marginalized Iowans.
MEDICAID EXPANSION FOR POSTPARTUM COVERAGE: For years, House Democrats have supported expanding postpartum Medicaid coverage for expecting moms and babies. However, the Republican version limited the amount of individuals covered – kicking off 1,300 expecting mothers and 400 babies from receiving the medical coverage.
GOVERNOR SIGNS HEMP LEGISLATION: The new law allows registered retailers to sell hemp-derived THC products at 10 mg per container in Iowa with additional consumer protections.
DEADLINE TO HELP BOY SCOUT VICTIMS LOOMS: Lawmakers face the April 19 deadline to change the law to allow those sexually abused as a child while in Boy Scouts to receive settlement compensation. However, Republican Iowa House Speaker Pat Grassley said he does not plan to advance the bill.
MENTAL HEALTH REDESIGN PASSES HOUSE: A new redesign of Iowa’s mental health system has passed the House.
REGULATION OF TRAFFIC CAMERAS MOVES FORWARD: A bill mandating the DOT regulate traffic cameras has passed the House and is up for consideration in the Senate.
BECOME A POLL WORKER: Poll workers are critical in Iowa’s elections process. Sign up to serve your community as a poll worker.
PROTECTING BICYCLISTS MOVES FORWARD: A bill mandating cars yield to bicycles in crosswalks is on the Governor’s desk.
NEW REGULATIONS ON VAPE SHOPS: New regulations on the sale of vapor products must be on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved vapor products directory or submitted for approval to the directory.
CHOOSE IOWA CALENDAR CONTEST: Iowa students can submit drawn artwork featuring Iowa agriculture for the Choose Iowa calendar.