Bob Kressig Newsletter September 22, 2022

Bob Kressig Newsletter

Greetings to everyone,
 
Autumn is here and we will be seeing cooler weather and also some of the beautiful colors that Fall brings with it. Enjoy the outdoors!
 
The Black Hawk County Elections has a new website. You can make a request for an absentee ballot for the 2022 Elections on the website. Click on the red bar at the top of the website for the absentee ballot request form.
https://blackhawkcountyelections.iowa.gov/
 

In the Statehouse Newsletter, you will find information about:

  • Lowering costs for Iowans.
  • Requesting to vote early by mail in November.
  • Information regarding the Student Loan Forgiveness Program.
  • Labor Union Appreciation Month.
  • Iowa Supreme Court announces schedule for the next term.

 Please share your comments with me.
 
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!
 

Upcoming Community Events

Sep 21 – 25 National Cattle Congress Fair
National Cattle Congress, 319-234-7515
 
Sep 21 UNI Softball vs Mount Mercy
Robinson Dresser Sports Complex, 5pm
 
Sep 22 – 25 Always…Patsy Cline
Waterloo Community Playhouse, Thu – Sat 7pm & Sun 2pm, 319-291-4494
 
Sep 24 Walk to End Alzheimer’s
Peet Junior High School, 8am
 
Sep 24 The Pear Fair
Mohair Pear, 11am, 319-266-6077
 
Sep 24 Ronald McDonald House Charities Bubble Day
Island Park, 1pm
 
Sep 24 UNI Softball vs Indian Hills Community College
Robinson Dresser Sports Complex, 2pm
 
Sep 25 UNI Soccer vs Missouri State
UNI Soccer Field, 1pm
 
Sep 28 UNI Softball vs Kirkwood
Robinson Dresser Sports Complex, 2pm
 
Sep 30, Oct 1 – 2 & 7 – 9 Dracula
Oster Regent Theatre, Fri & Sat 7:30pm, Sun 2pm, 319-277-5283
 
Sep 30 “Hypodermic” Short Film Screening
Marcus College Square Cinema, 7pm
 
Oct 1 16th Annual Pink Ribbon Run
River Place Plaza, 8am
 
Oct 1 UNI Football vs Indiana State
UNI-Dome, 4pm, 319-273-4849
 
Oct 1 wcfsymphony: La Mer and Rachmaninoff
GBPAC, 7pm, 319-273-7469
 
Oct 1, 15 Jazz at the Black Hawk: Alex Pershounin & Mike Conrad
Bar Winslow, 7:30pm, 319-260-4020


People Over Politics

We are all proud of our state’s long history of strong public schools and vibrant communities where neighbors look out for one another. Iowans are accustomed to using common sense to get things done, and they want their elected leaders to listen and focus on the issues important to them.

We couldn’t agree more. That’s why we’re putting forth a policy agenda that puts people over politics.

The agenda has four main components, all of which are supported by a strong majority of Iowans, aimed at improving the lives of everyday people: lowering costs for Iowans, protecting reproductive freedom, investing in public schools, and legalizing marijuana.

Lowering costs for Iowans

Too many Iowans are still struggling to make ends meet today. Their wages simply aren’t keeping up with the rising costs of healthcare, food, child care, and utility bills. We need to make housing and child care affordable, raise wages, and lower taxes for working families instead of more handouts to big corporations.

Protecting reproductive freedom

Everyone deserves the right to make their own health care decisions, especially when it comes to reproductive care and abortion. We will guarantee reproductive freedom by adding it to Iowa’s Constitution.

Investing in public schools

For generations, Iowans have counted on our great public schools to educate our kids and be the heart of our communities large and small. But we’ve lost ground and our public school kids are losing out and teachers are leaving the classroom. We must fully fund public schools to keep up with rising costs and make sure every kid, in every zip code gets a great education. We also need to raise pay for educators and give them a seat at the table, and stop the Governor’s private school voucher plan to ensure public money is used to help public schools.

Legalizing marijuana

A majority of adult Iowans support legalizing marijuana for recreational use. Legalizing marijuana for adult use will keep Iowans safe, stop our tax dollars from going to neighboring states, improve the quality of life for Iowans suffering from chronic illnesses, and stop wasting state resources to unfairly punish Iowans.
 
It won’t be easy and the problems we face today won’t be fixed overnight. Iowans have every right to be skeptical and we may not agree every time, but we’re committed to listening and fighting for the Iowa values we all share.
 


Iowans Encouraged to Vote in November

With the General Election right around the corner and despite Iowa Republican lawmakers making it more complicated for Iowans to cast their vote, Iowans should be confident their vote will count on election day.

A new bipartisan group of election officials wants Iowans to know elections here are safe and secure. Since the 2020 election, certain media outlets and politicians have been questioning and attempting to undermine the legitimacy of the election here in Iowa. Local county auditors are seeing the consequences with an influx of challenges to voter registrations around the state.

Election officials explain that there are many steps to ensuring a safe election including: requiring all Iowans vote on paper ballots and implementing post-election audits to ensure accurate vote counts.

Despite new challenges, Iowans are encouraged to vote on November 8th, or request to vote from home. To learn more, go to: voterready.iowa.gov.
 


September is College Savings Month

September is College Savings Month and serves as a reminder of how impactful investing in a 529 plan like Iowa’s College Savings Iowa can be. According to educational researchers, children are six times more likely to attend an institute of higher education or training if they have a savings account in their name.

College Savings Iowa was created in 1998 as a tax-advantaged way to save for the costs of education on behalf of a child. This essentially ensured qualified withdrawals such as tuition, room and board, supplies, and technology.
 
In 2022, an Iowa taxpayer with a College Savings Iowa (or IAdvisor 529 Plan account owner), can deduct the first $3,522 they contribute per beneficiary account from their state taxable income. Married participants who contribute to separate accounts on behalf of their two children can deduct up to $14,088 on their 2022 Iowa taxes.
 
Iowa Treasurer Mike Fitzgerald is encouraging more people to open a dedicated savings account for education. Learn more at: collegesavingsiowa.com.

Iowa Universities Request Increase in Budget

In July, Iowans learned that tuition at Iowa’s state universities would go up 4.25 percent for the fall. To prevent another tuition, increase for the 2023-2024 school year, the Iowa Board of Regents have requested an increase for next year’s budget of over $35 million. It includes a $12 million increase to both the University of Iowa (U of I) and Iowa State University (ISU); and $8 million to the University of Northern Iowa (UNI).
 


Time to Get Your Flu Shot and COVID-19 Booster

Flu season has officially begun in Iowa and the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) is recommending Iowans get the flu vaccination soon, especially with COVID-19 cases still popping up across the state. You can receive both your flu shot and the COVID-19 booster at the same time.

The flu vaccination can take up to two weeks to become effective. IDPH recommends that every Iowan over six months of age receive the flu vaccine. It is especially important for certain people to be vaccinated against influenza because they are at higher risk of developing serious complications, like pneumonia, if they get sick with the flu. These groups include:

  • Pregnant women (by getting vaccinated when pregnant, the woman not only protects herself during this vulnerable time, but she will pass on protection to her newborn who is too young to receive a vaccine).
  • Children, especially those younger than two years of age.
  • Older adults, especially those aged 65 years and over.
  • People who have certain medical conditions like asthma, diabetes and chronic lung disease.

Iowans can now receive the new COVID-19 booster targeting Omicron variants, which are the current strains circulating the state. This new booster can be given at the same time as your flu shot.

For more information on how to find a COVID-19 booster near you, please visit: vaccines.gov/search.
 


Other Iowa News

STATE PARK VOLUNTEER DAY SEPT. 24: Several state parks and forests are hosting volunteer events with a variety of projects such as litter pick-up, staining or painting buildings, planting trees, clearing trails and more. Fifteen parks across the state will have projects ready for volunteers on September 24th. People of all ages are encouraged to participate. To find a park near you to volunteer at, visit: iowadnr.gov/volunteer.

IOWA COURTS PROVIDE RESOURCES TO STUDY CONSTITUTION: The Iowa Judicial Branch, in working with the Iowa State Bar Association, has released resources for students and social studies teachers in the state to better understand the state and federal Constitutions. The educational options include links to a case the Iowa Supreme Court is currently deciding that involves both the state and federal constitution. There are also links to the Judicial Branch podcast, In the Balance, that include episodes comparing the state and federal constitution, how the constitutions’ impact the courts, and how the supreme court decides cases. The resources were released as part of Constitution Day on September 15th. Constitution Day recognizes the ratification of the federal United States Constitution on September 17, 1787. Iowa was the first state to celebrate Constitution Day in 1911. Additional information on the Iowa Judicial Branch resources celebrating Constitution Day can be found at: iowacourts.gov/iowa-courts/supreme-court/constitution-day-2022/.  

STATE FOOD INSPECTION CHANGES: A new change is allowing for food inspections to happen less frequently. Proposed by the Department of Inspections and Appeals (DIA), it would change inspections from once every three years to once every five years. They would still respond to complaints of an establishment prior to the five-years as needed. The change was prompted by the passage of House File 2431, which made changes to the home baked goods or cottage food industry in Iowa. That law did not change the food inspection schedule, however due to the increased staff that will be needed to address those changes, DIA felt it needed to relax the regulations on food inspections. DIA needs increased funding to move the inspections back to once every three years, but they indicated that they are not planning to seek that additional funding at this time. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), foodborne illness affects 48 million Americans, causes 128,000 hospitalizations, and 3,000 deaths annually. Anyone who suspects that they may be a victim of food poisoning, should call the helpline at 844-IowaSic.