Statehouse News

                     LINN COUNTY LEGISLATIVE FORUM

Nonpartisan Public Legislative Forum
          sponsored by
Linn County League of Women Voters

Saturday, March 18 @ 10:30 am – 11:30 am

Mercy Medical’s Hallagan Center,
701 10th St SE, Cedar Rapids
Entrance on 10th Street

Iowa Economy Needs Help as Budget Goes into the Red

Iowa’s Revenue Estimating Conference, a panel of nonpartisan budget experts, met this week to assess state revenues and expenses. They reported that Iowa has a shortfall of $131 million this fiscal year, which ends June 30; and less growth than expected for …

Statehouse News

Public hearings scheduled for Monday, March 6.

Des Moines Water Works (HF 316)
10 – 11 AM in Supreme Court Chamber
Sign up here: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/committees/publicHearings?meetingID=25070&action=viewOnlineSignup

Pre-emption & Lower Wages for 65,000 Iowans (HF 295)
5 – 6:30 pm in Supreme Court Chamber
Sign Up here: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/committees/publicHearings?meetingID=25097&action=viewOnlineSignup

Voter Suppression & Photo ID (HSB 93)
7-8:30 pm in Supreme Court Chamber
Sign Up Here: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/committees/publicHearings?meetingID=25098&action=viewOnlineSignup

Lower Wages on the Way for 65,000 Iowans

Lower wages are likely on the way for 65,000 Iowans as Republican leaders in the House are pushing a host of bills that strip …

Informal Listening Post

Come and join me for a cup of coffee and conversation!

I will be at Karma Coffee Café, 1725 Boyson Road, in Hiawatha
Saturday, February 25th from 7:30 a. m. to 10:30 a.m.

Note:  Karma is 3 blocks west of I-380 on Boyson Road – across the street from the Kirkwood Regional Center of Linn County

Republican Plan to Cut Wages for 65,000 Iowans

Instead of increasing the minimum wage, Republican lawmakers are working on a bill this year, House Study Bill 92, that will actually lower wages …

Statehouse News

Saturday Forum

The League of Women voters will be hosting their second public forum this Saturday, February 18, at Mercy Medical Center, 701 10th Street SE, Cedar Rapids, from 10:30-11:45 A.M. in the Hallagan Education room.  Please come and join us!

Republicans Fast Track Bill to Take Away Bargaining Rights from Teachers, Law Enforcement & Nurses

Over 4,500 Iowans packed the State Capitol on Monday night to speak out against a Republican bill that would deny teachers, firefighters, law enforcement, nurses, and other workers a voice in …

Teachers, Law Enforcement & Nurses Targeted by Republicans

Hundreds of teachers, law enforcement, nurses, and other working families packed the State Capitol this week in an effort to stop a Republican bill that would deny workers a voice in their own workplace. The bill is expected to move quickly next week with debate and a public hearing.

Originally passed to stop strikes, Iowa’s bi-partisan collective bargaining law gives workers a say in their own workplace and has served Iowans well for more than 40 years. It simply …

Republican School Plan Lowest in Six Years; Public Hearing Set

Republican leaders in the House and Senate are fast tracking their plan for another historic low increase in basic funding for public schools.  The level of funding proposed at 1.11% next year is the lowest amount in six years.  In fact, seven of the last eight years have been the lowest funding levels in the history of the school aid formula.

Public Hearing Scheduled

To get additional feedback for this crucial decision before the Iowa House votes, Democratic …

Warning to Legislators

A survey released last week found that 75% of Iowa’s local school leaders will again be forced to raise class sizes, cut teachers, and reduce opportunities for students – if Republican lawmakers follow through with plans for a 2% or lower increase in basic school funding for next year.

In addition to raising class size, school leaders said underfunding schools again would force them to delay purchases for books and classroom materials (65%); delay new technology (24%); and cut back on literacy programs (27%).

70% …

Statehouse News

Saturday Forum

The first League of Women Voters public forum for the 2017 legislative session is this Saturday, January 21, at Mercy Medical Center, 701 10th Street SE, Cedar Rapids, from 10:30-11:45 A.M. in the Hallagan Education room.  Please come and join us!

2017 Legislative Survey Results: Education and Working Families Top Priority

The legislative survey that was initiated last week and included in my newsletter revealed that education and working Iowa families are top priorities.  The survey was conducted to gather feedback on constituent priorities for …

2017 Session Begins, Eduation, Jobs & Working Families Top Priorities

The 2017 Legislative Session opened Monday with lawmakers pledging to work together and focus on policies that will help Iowa working families and grow our economy – while keeping the state budget balanced.

Priorities voiced by lawmakers include making K-12 schools the top priority in Iowa again; revitalizing rural Iowa; expanding job training opportunities; raising the minimum wage; improving water quality; expanding early childhood education; and encouraging additional production and use of renewable energy resources.

2017 Legislative Survey

In …