Do you subscribe to your Democratic statehouse representative’s newsletter?   It’s a good way to get information local to you without searching through the vast wasteland we call the internet.

Check out this legislative update/newsletter from my state Rep. Elinor Levin.

Fewer than 40 days until Election Day, and the energy and power around House District 89 is fantastic. Early voting will start on October 16, and I recommend you get to the Auditor’s Office or to one of the Satellite Voting locations around Johnson County to ensure your voice is heard. If you prefer to vote on election day, know that some polling places in our District have changed due to construction (my own in Precinct 27 is one!), so check your location at https://gis.johnsoncountyiowa.gov/pollingplaces/ and then click to view your sample ballot! We have contested races for President, Congress, Soil and Water Conservation District Commissioners, and County Agricultural Extension Council. AND, on the back, we have judicial retention, two proposed constitutional amendments, and a public conservation measure to consider.

In between knocking doors and registering voters, I’m heading to the National Renewable Energy Lab in Denver to better understand the kind of resilient, sustainable grid Iowa can create for our future.

Locally, we have just wrapped up a fantastic Welcoming Week, we’re in the middle of Climate Fest activities, and there is so much more to enjoy this fall, whether you’re into sports, arts, food, or SPOOKY season! I hope you enjoy some of the cooler weather and take the opportunity to gather, learn, celebrate, and engage!

Putting 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 expect their elected leaders to put politics aside, listen, and work together to make progress on the issues important to them.

We couldn’t agree more. That’s why we’ve developed 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 and raising wages for Iowans, protecting reproductive freedom, investing in public schools, and legalizing marijuana.

Lowering costs for Iowans

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

Protecting reproductive freedom

Everyone deserves the right to make their own healthcare decisions, especially when it comes to reproductive care and abortion. We will guarantee reproductive freedom by adding it to Iowa’s Constitution and fighting for Iowans to have access to abortion care, IVF, and birth control.

Investing in public schools

Iowans have always 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 all educators to give them a seat at the table, end vouchers and keep public money in public schools, empower local schools and AEAs to do what’s best for students, and end book bans passed for the special interests.

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 punish Iowans unfairly.

House Democrats will use this People Over Politics agenda to guide their work during the 2025 legislative session. Iowans have every right to be frustrated with politics today. While we may disagree, we’re committed to listening and fighting for the Iowa values we all share.

Overwhelming Majority of Iowans Want Reproductive Freedom

64% of Iowans say that abortion should be legal in all or most cases, according to a new poll released by the Des Moines Register. An even larger share of women, 71%, believe they should be able to make their own reproductive healthcare decisions without interference from politicians.

After the six-week abortion ban went into effect in Iowa this summer, Iowans could soon be seeing the dangerous effects of the ban that have already been seen in other states with similar legislation.

Recently a woman died in Georgia, a state that has a six-week abortion ban like Iowa, due to not getting the emergency care she needed. Because of the law, she was denied necessary life-saving care. She was the mother of a 6-year-old child. Another woman died in Georgia because she was scared to go to the doctor due to the ban. She was the mother of three young children.

The Republican lawmakers’ 6-week ban has real-life, deadly consequences for the citizens of Iowa. Time and time again, these restrictive bans have cost women their lives, and have led to fewer options for people in emergencies.

Iowans know that personal decisions should be respected and valued. All Iowans deserve the right to reproductive freedom, and access to quality medical care.

Do You Have a Plan to Vote? Vote Early from Home!

As Election Day gets closer it is important to have a plan to vote, ensuring your voice is heard on November 5th.

Iowa voters have a few options when deciding how to cast their ballot, including having the option to vote from home. Iowans can either request to vote from home or vote early in person at their local County Auditor’s Office. Absentee ballots must be returned to the County Auditor’s Office by 8 pm on Election Day.

On November 5th polls will be open from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm, for voters to cast their vote at their local polling place. Those voting in person on Election Day must show a form of identification, the most common being a driver’s license or non-operator ID. Iowans can register to vote now through Oct. 21st or on Election Day.

Capitol and Community Updates

PUBLIC EMPLOYEE RECERTIFICATION ELECTIONS: Public employee union recertification elections start at 7:00 am on October 8th and run through 9:00 am on October 22nd.

GOVERNOR REYNOLDS USES FEDERAL COVID RECOVERY DOLLARS TO FUND CHARTER SCHOOLS: Governor Reynolds has once more redirected funds designated for COVID recovery to finance her favored initiatives. This includes over $4 million in assistance allocated as grants to 11 charter schools.

SEPTEMBER IS COLLEGE SAVINGS MONTH: When Investing in a 529 plan like College Savings Iowa, children are six times more likely to attend an institute of higher education or training if they have a savings account in their name according to educational researchers.

STATE PARK VOLUNTEER DAY SEPT. 28: Several state parks and forests are hosting volunteer events with a variety of projects. Find a park near you to volunteer to help!

ALLIANT ENERGY RATE INCREASES: The Iowa Utilities Commission approved Alliant Energy’s request to increase the average residential monthly charge for electric customers from $13 to $15.50 and a revenue increase of $14 million for natural gas rates.

URBAN WATER GRANTS AVAILABLE: The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is accepting pre-applications for urban water quality improvement projects. Over the last decade, the state has supported nearly $15 million in these cost-share urban conservation projects.