The University of Iowa’s response to these Republican takebacks was to renege on scholarships already awarded to Iowa students. I reached out to UI officials and asked them to reconsider. I’m glad they have reversed that decision.
Iowa children are falling through the cracks and government policies may be part of the problem, according to members of the House and Senate Government Oversight Committee. Natalie Finn is a 16-year old Des Moines girl who died after she was tortured and starved by her parents. Malayia Knapp, another Des Moines resident, was beaten, starved, and imprisoned by her adoptive parents.
“In 2009, Governor Branstad and Lt. Governor Reynolds promised to create 200,000 jobs in five years,” said Senate Democratic Leader Rob Hogg of Cedar Rapids. “After more than 6 years, Iowa has gained less than 126,000 jobs, slower than the rate of job growth in the country as a whole. Instead of working on legislation to create jobs, Republicans are pursuing a partisan agenda that ignores the best interests of hard-working Iowans.”
An overwhelming majority of Iowans who packed the Capitol, attended rallies and overflowing local meetings, and filled legislative voicemail and email inboxes were in opposition to Senate File 213/House File 291. “Their message was clear: This bill hurts working Iowans and their families,” he said.
Many Iowans are familiar with Newton’s transformation from a company town dominated by Maytag to the diverse economy it is today. The people of Newton bounced back because they sat across the table from their neighbor, and they all had the chance to say: “How can we be worthier together, to make our community great again?”
Since this bill was introduced, I have received and answered hundreds of emails from my constituents; talked with hundreds of constituents on the street and on the phone; even met last week with a group of six school superintendents. I have also read the bill and talked with my Senate colleagues about the details of the legislation. The bottom line is this: I can’t find a single reason why this bill would be good for the people of Iowa.
This bill has nothing to do with making working conditions better for public employees; nothing to do with preserving the quality of services we enjoy; nothing to do with preserving a pathway to the middle class for others.
Responding to record turnout at legislative forums over the weekends and an outpouring of opposition to legislation that would significantly reduce workers’ rights across Iowa, Democratic leaders today called on Republican legislative leaders to “slow down” and to listen to the concerns of Iowans.
State Senator Nate Boulton will join Iowans gathering in support of workers’ rights for a rally and news conference before the House public hearing on HF291 today. Public employees who will speak to the Iowa House will address the media beforehand. They’ll voice their frustration about the Republican-led attack on workers’ rights that has been fast-tracked through the Legislature.
State Senator Janet Petersen’s opening remarks on SF2: Thank you Mr. President. This bill is bad for Iowa women and families. It will create more unintended pregnancies, more high risk pregnancies, and cost […]
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