Missed opportunities will get another chance in 2016
The 2015 session was the first year of the 86th General Assembly. Bills approved this year by only one chamber are still eligible for debate next year. That’s good news since the Senate approved...
View ArticleGood news for Iowans looking to build their skills
To build a skilled workforce and strong economy, the state must be a good partner to Iowa’s 15 community colleges and local businesses. That’s why we’re continuing our investment this year in...
View ArticleQuality child care for working families, growing economy
Most young children in Iowa grow up in homes with working parents. In fact, Iowa has the highest percentage of households with children under age six who have all available parents in the labor force–...
View ArticleMore can be done for working Iowans
With Labor Day here, it’s disappointing that all the good steps the Iowa Senate took for working families this year did not become law. The Republican-controlled House did not take up many key...
View ArticleKey Senators ask feds to stop or slow down Branstad’s rush to privatize...
September 17, 2015 DES MOINES — The state Senators responsible for health care policy and funding have asked Obama Administration officials to stop or significantly slow down Governor Branstad’s...
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Senate Oversight Chair Hogg asks Governor to detail facts behind claimed...
Senator Rob HoggState Senator Rob Hogg of Cedar Rapids, chair of the Senate Oversight Committee, has requested that Governor Branstad provide for any facts which support the Governor’s claims that...
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Five Questions Governor Branstad Needs to Answer Before Medicaid Privatization
November 22, 2015 Statement by Senator Joe Bolkcom, member of the Legislature’s Health Policy Oversight Committee NUMBER ONE: Governor Branstad, you have consistently claimed that using private...
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Public comment at the 12/07/15 Medicaid hearing
Below is the list of speakers at the December 7, 2015, meeting of the Iowa Legislature’s Health Care Oversight Committee. There are additional written comments and a video of the morning session of...
View ArticleIowa needs a bigger, stronger middle class
On Monday, we gaveled in at the Statehouse to begin the 2016 legislative session. Over the next few months, we’ll be working to improve Iowa’s economic growth, education, health care and public safety....
View ArticleIowans should receive equal pay for equal work
It has been seven years since the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act was signed into law by the President and Iowa approved its own Fair Pay Act. Yet nationally and in Iowa, a pay gap remains between men and...
View ArticleEnsuring the best-possible child care for Iowa families
In November 2014, Congress reauthorized the Child Care & Development Block Grant for the first time since 1996. New requirements will bring much-needed improvements that are child-focused, family...
View ArticleManaging debt & student success at community colleges
Community colleges are among the most affordable options for students seeking to further their education and training, yet tuition and living costs remain out of reach for many Iowa families. These...
View ArticleCorporate spending must be limited in campaigns
This week, we took the first step to call for a Convention to amend the U.S. Constitution to limit or prohibit corporate spending for political speech, when the Senate Rules & Administration...
View ArticleMaking progress on priorities of Iowa’s working families
As the 2016 session continues, we’re making progress on several initiatives for working families, including: Supporting local schools – Great local schools are key to expanding job opportunities and...
View ArticleIowa Medicaid Managed Care Improvement and Oversight Bill–Sf 2213
Intent: Medicaid managed care should be implemented and administered in a manner that safeguards the interests of Medicaid members, encourages the participation of Medicaid providers and protects the...
View ArticlePregnant workers deserve reasonable accommodations
A woman shouldn’t have to choose between a paycheck and a healthy pregnancy. Many women want and need to work throughout pregnancy to provide for their families. Since 1978, federal law has...
View ArticleTax cut for thousands of Iowans heads to governor
A bipartisan initiative passed the Legislature on March 15, providing a tax cut to thousands of Iowans. House File 2433, which aligns Iowa’s tax code with many federal tax changes for 2015, includes...
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2016 Session Highlights
Senate Democrats’ 2016 Session Highlights (PDF) Maintaining our commitments in tight budget times During this tight budget year, Senate Democrats fought to maintain economic security for Iowa families...
View ArticleMissed opportunities disappoint Iowans
While the 2016 session made progress on a number of fronts, there were disappointments for working families, crime victims, and sick and disabled Iowans. Some initiatives never got off the ground....
View ArticleVeterans can fill skilled job openings
Iowa needs skilled workers to fill immediate openings and anticipated retirements over the next five years. Our state has an average of 34,718 daily job vacancies and more than 100,000 workers are...
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