First funnel week has come to an end, and debate has begun! For those who may not know, funnel week represents the last week that most bills can pass through full committee and therefore make it to debate and get passed. If a bill, outside of those that are tax related or brought up by leadership, has not made it past the committee, then it has died. This is meant to help lawmakers, such as myself, prioritize the bills that they’re constituents and themselves are passionate about. We have now officially shifted into debate! Watch out for bills that are important to you and whether or not they are alive or dead!
Along with all of these bills, a lot of important groups have made their way over to the Capitol. Starting off strong, Monday was UNI Day on the Hill! I was able to learn about all of the incredible programs, new and old. Students came together to show their pride for UNI and the programs each are a part of it.
The photos below show the key individuals who make UNI the fantastic school that it is. I am proud to say that I attended UNI and I believe in this school and the students who are a part of it! They all have bright futures, and I can’t wait to see them succeed!
Thank you, UNI, for joining us for an exciting day!
Tuesday was even busier with a ton of groups showing up to the Capitol! The Episcopalians came from far and wide, including St. Luke’s, my church, and my Pastor Elizabeth Popplewell. They were excited to hear from their legislators about what they can do as constituents! I was grateful for the opportunity to speak to them about my own personal experiences and advise them on some of the things they can do to appeal to legislators across both aisles. To those who came, I hope you learned a lot about not only the legislative process but also the beautiful building it happens in.
Another exciting group came to see me Tuesday! The Iowa Speech and Language Hearing Association (ISHA) came to speak to me about some of the worries they have regarding funding and the demand for more ISHA professionals.
ISHA represents more than 300 licensed professionals and is dedicated to promoting speech-language and hearing as a science and a service profession. Right now, Iowa is ranked 47th in the country for the number of Speech Language Pathologists (SLPs) and it is incredibly difficult to recruit and retain in rural areas. Iowan children are at a high risk for hearing loss, especially in rural areas making these professionals even more necessary. They hope to add SLPs to the list of individuals in Iowa who get loan repayment and recruitment assistance for Iowa colleges/programs to those who commit to working in rural areas. This would be helpful to keep more SLPs in Iowa and in practice in those rural locations!
In addition to that high demand, they also lack certain benefits of Medicaid for their patients. Medicaid does not cover some pretty important exams and services. ISHA hopes that there can be an increase of Medicaid Reimbursement Rates because right now they are incredibly low. This would help to retain and recruit individuals, provide financial stability, and ensure long-term state cost savings.
They taught me a lot, and I hope that we can take a step in the right direction and improve funding and recruitment and retention rates for ISHA! Thanks for stopping by!
The rest of the week will look similar as we continue to debate bills and speak to constituents. We are moving closer and closer to the end of session, and I hope that we will be able to end on a good note.
In the newsletter, you will find topics that are important to Iowans. Please share your comments
– First Legislative Deadline: It’s Time to Put People Over Politics
– Improve Access to Affordable Childcare
– Capitol and Community Updates
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!
First Legislative Deadline: It’s Time to Put People Over Politics
Last week, the Iowa Legislature reached the halfway point of the 2025 session, marking the first legislative deadline known as the “funnel.” This process helps streamline the number of bills eligible for debate as lawmakers work toward adjournment in May.
Democratic lawmakers remain committed to listening to Iowans and working hard to improve lives. That means putting aside politics, leading with Iowa values, and listening through our disagreements to do what’s best for Iowans.
Here are just a few priorities from the People Over Politics agenda that Iowa House Democrats will be working on as we approach the midway point of the session:
Lowering costs for Iowans, including bills to make childcare and housing more affordable, lowering the cost of prescription drugs, and raising wages.
Supporting public education by increasing support and expanding preschool.
Restoring reproductive freedom and expanding reproductive health care.
A common theme we’ve heard in the first half of session: Iowans are fed up with all the politics and lawmakers controlling their lives. So far, Majority Party lawmakers and Gov. Reynolds have largely focused on divisive bills opposed by most Iowans, including restricting access to vaccines, credit, healthcare, books, housing, food, and jobs.
There is still a lot left on the table — bills to watch, debates to follow, and decisions that will impact our communities. To find out more about what made it through the first deadline, go to: iowahouse.org.
Improve Access to Affordable Childcare
House Democrats introduced another legislative package to make childcare more affordable and accessible. With so many families struggling to find quality childcare and monthly costs topping $800 per month or more for families, it’s a crisis we can’t afford to ignore any longer. Here’s what we can do to help families afford childcare:
Lower Childcare Costs – Expand the state’s Child & Dependent Care Tax Credit to 100% of the federal credit
Support Childcare Workers – Create a Childcare Workforce Matching Grant program to raise wages and expand benefits for workers while also improving the quality of the working environment
Expand Childcare Options – Childcare tax credits for small businesses that provide childcare employee benefits
Broaden State Assistance – Makes more families eligible for the state’s Childcare Assistance program and increase provider rates which includes more childcare workers
Improving access to affordable childcare is essential for supporting working families, strengthening our economy, and ensuring every child has the opportunity to thrive. Investing in affordable childcare isn’t just a benefit for individual families—it’s a commitment to a stronger, more equitable future for all Iowans.
Capitol and Community Updates
INCREASED OPPORTUNTIES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES: Iowans with disabilities will be able to work without jeopardizing their health insurance benefits under the “Work Without Worry” bill.
BILL TO PROHIBIT WEATHER CONTROLLING TECHNOLOGIES ADVANCES: This week, the Environmental Protection Committee passed a bill that would prohibit spraying the atmosphere to impact temperature, weather, or the intensity of sunlight. No other bills proposed by the House advanced through the Environmental Protection Committee.
SAME PAY FOR SAME WORK BENEFITS IOWA FAMILIES: Fair pay for hard work should not be dependent on the sex or gender of the worker. This year, March 25th is Equal Pay Day, which symbolizes how far into the year women must work to earn what men earned in the previous year.
HOUSE DEMOCRATS TAKE LEAD TO PROTECT PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICIALS: To show support for our public safety officers, the State Government Committee adopted two plans that have been top priorities for House Democrats in recent years. First, a bill will expand the number of cancers presumed to be a part of the job for firefighters, providing better health care coverage for those in the profession. Another piece of legislation will expand retirement benefits for correctional officers and other public safety positions in public employment.
UPDATE ON CARBON PIPELINE: South Dakota’s Governor signed a bill last week banning the use of eminent domain for building carbon dioxide pipelines, which leaves Summit Carbon Solution’s path for Iowa’s pipeline project unclear.
RELIGION TO EXPAND TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS: A host of bills passed the House Education committee that would expand teaching or recognizing the Christian faith in public schools: requires schools to allow a two minute moment of silence time at the start of the day for a student that requests it (HF 166); authorizes a social studies elective on religious scripture, new testament and old testament (HF 845); permits students to attend religious classes for credit during the school day (HF 879); and allows schools to employ chaplains (HF 884).
TAX SEASON IS UNDERWAY: State income tax returns are due on April 30th, but Iowa taxpayers must also provide their federal return with their state return. Visit the Iowa Department of Revenue for information to get you started.
NOMINATE AN IOWAN FOR THE JOHN LEWIS YOUTH LEADERSHIP AWARD:Recognize an Iowan who has made a meaningful commitment to addressing civil rights issues and bringing about change in their communities.
House Democrats introduced another