Hello from RAGBRAI! I hope everyone is staying cool and enjoying their summer.
In the Statehouse Newsletter, you will find information about:
Abortion Once Again Legal in Iowa
Governor Unveils New Branding Campaign
Court Seeks Input for the Use of Remote Proceedings
Kids Count Report Shows Iowa Lacking in Several Areas
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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!
A Polk County District Court Judge issued a temporary injunction last week to block a bill passed by GOP lawmakers earlier this month that bans abortion before most people even know they are pregnant. This injunction means the new Republican abortion ban is on hold, and abortion is once again legal in Iowa up to 20 weeks, until a final ruling has been made.
While a strong majority of Iowans support reproductive freedom and voiced their concerns over the legislation, Republican lawmakers refused to listen, and rammed the bill through in one night. The Governor then signed the abortion ban at a private fundraising event for a far-right special interest group.It is unclear how quickly the courts will move to resolve the case. On Friday, the Governor appealed the injunction to the Iowa Supreme Court, but no timeline has been set for the hearing.
Iowa Democrats are continuing to fight to ensure all Iowans have access to reproductive care in this state. We stand with a majority of Iowans in their belief that Iowans have access to safe and legal abortion.
Governor Unveils New Branding Campaign
Using taxpayer funds targeted to help Iowans recover from the pandemic, Governor Kim Reynolds launched a new branding campaign for the State of Iowa last week. The new motto “A Freedom to Flourish” will be on road signs and official state websites and publications. It replaces “Fields of Opportunity,” which has been in place since 1999.
The Governor spent over $300,000 to come up with the new branding. The new motto also includes a new logo for the state. The unveiling of the logo and motto has met criticism from many Iowans who note her efforts last session to ban books, shift money from public schools to private schools, and take away health care decisions from Iowans.
Court Seek Input for the Use of Remote Proceedings
The Iowa Supreme Court is seeking input on new policies to standardize the use of remote proceedings in judicial proceedings. This includes judicial proceedings in criminal, civil, family law, and juvenile cases. These rules will impact both fully remote proceedings and hybrid proceedings. Before taking final action, the Judicial Branch is now seeking public comment on the proposed changes.
Chief Justice Christensen established a task force to review remote proceedings in March. Work groups were then established to work on specific recommendations for criminal, civil, family law, and juvenile cases. The Supreme Court has now received reports from each of the work groups and proposed rules on remote proceedings and are ready for public comments.
Any interested organization, agency, or person is encouraged to submit comments on the proposed Iowa Rules of Remote Proceedings. Comments may be sent via email, delivered in person, or mailed. The deadline for comments is August 3, 2023. Additional information on the comments can be found here. Additional information on the rules and order, including the task force reports, can be found here.
Kids Count Report Shows Iowa Lacking in Several Areas
Annually, the Annie E. Casey Foundation produces a report that analyzes how children and families are doing and ranks the data by state called “Kids Count.” This year, the report showed that Iowa was lacking in several areas.
The report pointed to the lack of affordable and accessible child care in Iowa which causes parents to frequently miss work or even quit their jobs, while those who can find child care pay dearly for it.
In 2020–21, 14% of Iowa children ages birth to five had a family member who quit, changed or refused a job because of problems with child care which is higher than the national average.
Iowa’s poorest rankings were teen birth rate (23rd), share of 3- and 4-year-olds attending preschool (25th), and share of 10- to 17-year-olds who are overweight or obese (29th). Iowa has considered itself a leader in education, but the report ranked Iowa 9th in Education
More Iowa News
CALL BEFORE YOU DIG: If you are planning a project that involves digging, trenching, drilling, or grading, you must call or click 811 before you dig, it’s the law. Call 811 or 1-800-292-8989 or go online at, www.iowaonecall.com to file a request at last 48 hours before you plan to dig. Iowa One Call will visit the property and mark all underground utility lines. Avoid digging within 18 inches on both sides of marked utility lines.
IOWA TO PARTICIPATE IN SPEED AWARENESS DAY: Iowa’s 2023 daily traffic fatality count is over 20% higher than the 5-year average. During 2021 alone, speeding-related crashes killed 84 people, accounting for almost one-quarter of all crash fatalities. As a result, the Traffic Safety Bureau is coordinating with law enforcement to keep drivers and passengers safe by urging drivers to obey speed limits.
This summer, Iowa will join Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, and Arkansas for a Speed Awareness campaign. Law enforcement in local communities will be on heightened alert for speeding vehicles and motorcycles with additional public safety officers on Iowa’s roads. If drivers choose to exceed the posted limit, a citation will be issued.
nty District Court Judge issued a temporary injunction last week to block a bill passed by GOP lawmakers earlier this month that bans abortion before most people even know they are pregnant. This injunction means the new Republican abortion ban is on hold, and abortion is once again legal in Iowa up to 20 weeks, until a final ruling has been made.
dig, it’s the law. Call 811 or 1-800-292-8989 or go online at,