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GOP FOCUSED ON CULTURE WARS & DIVISIVENESS
This week we saw divisiveness and the GOP’s obsession with culture wars on full display with the passage of these proposals in the Iowa House:
Weaponizing religious beliefs passes House: A state version of a Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) passed the House this week on a party-line vote. The bill could be used by individuals and businesses to deny services or business to people because of conflicting religious beliefs. In other states, similar laws have been used to deny services to LGBTQ+ individuals, prohibit reproductive coverage under employer-offered health care plans, or protect faith-based foster care agencies that were turning away members of other faiths.
Anti-abortion propaganda required in schools: Iowa schools will now be required to show a computer-generated video detailing pregnancy, such as the anti-abortion propaganda video known as “Baby Olivia”, despite its many inaccuracies.
Mandated history curriculum: For the first time, a mandated history curriculum will be set in the Iowa code. Instead of trusting teachers, a curriculum was written by a conservative out-of-state company to control what Iowa students learn.
Arming Teachers and allowing guns in schools: Instead of common sense gun safety solutions, GOP lawmakers advanced a bill that would allow public and private educational staff to apply for a professional weapons permit and carry firearms anywhere on school property.
GOP PASSES CUTS TO IOWA’S AEAS
Despite outcry from thousands of Iowans who have spoken out against changes to Iowa’s Area Education Agencies (AEAs), Republican lawmakers still passed changes that cut mental health, disability, behavioral, and reading recovery services to kids in public, private, and home schools.
Currently, school districts are partnered with the AEAs and provide their federal and state special education funds to the agencies. While there are differences between the Governor’s proposals, the changes in the House version are significant enough to make it more difficult to provide services to Iowa kids.
There was growing concern throughout the last two months about the AEAs being put under the control of the Governor in Des Moines. Beginning July 1, 2024, the Governor’s Department of Education (DE) will oversee offering recommendations to the AEAs, set their budget, and make any services or personal changes.
House Democrats listened to Iowans and spoke out against the cuts to special education and mental health resources.
JOB & RETIREMENT SECURITY FOR WORKING IOWANS PROPOSALS
Now more than ever, Iowans are frustrated with politics and the deep divisions in our country, state, and neighborhoods. Too many Iowans still struggle to make ends meet today. Their paychecks simply aren’t keeping up with the rising costs of healthcare, food, childcare, and utility bills.
All the while the wealthy and corporations just keep getting richer and corporate profits are at record highs. Big corporations continue to raise prices, while in turn failing to raise pay for workers. In 1989, the CEO-to-worker pay ratio was 59-1 and today it is 399-1.
Introduced by Democratic lawmakers, here are five things we can do to help Iowans pay their bills and provide some economic stability:
Puts the right to collectively bargain into the Iowa Constitution (HJR 2003)
Creates more retirement security for more Iowans by establishing a public option retirement account for employers that do not offer a retirement plan (HF 2632)
Raises the minimum wage to $15 an hour over the next three years (HF 2293)
Extends Iowa’s tax-free holiday to two full weeks at the beginning of August and expand it so more Iowans can participate (HF 2300)
Makes childcare more affordable for childcare workers who need childcare for their kids so they can afford to stay on the job (HF 2338, HF 695)
BLUE STATEHOUSE ALERT LIVE ON MARCH 5
House Democratic Leader Rep. Jennifer Konfrst will outline the 5 things Iowa lawmakers can do to help Iowans pay their bills and provide some economic stability. We will also have an update for you on the AEA bill. Join us live on Facebook on Tuesday, March 5 at 7pm.
Blog For Iowa 