John,

Last night in the Iowa State Capitol, I watched and listened as Governor Kim Reynolds gave her Condition of the State. Let's just say, her vision and my vision of what needs to happen in this state are not aligned.

Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words. Here's the moment when Governor Reynolds bragged about bringing in 8 charter schools, 7 of which are out of state, that is the next step of the voucher program and continues to funnel public money to private education. While the Republicans in the room stood up and cheered, CSPAN caught my reaction (note: I also have been dealing with bronchitis and sinusitis).

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I came to the Capitol to get work done for Iowans — to grow opportunities for hard-working families and build a better future for all of us. So, when Governor Reynolds says she will be working on increasing teacher pay, lengthening postpartum care, and banning foreign ownership of farm land, I am ready to get started on moving these priorities forward. I believe we need to work together if we want to change Iowa for the better.

But here's the problem: These are just words, what Iowans need is action.

While the governor expressed a desire to give teachers a raise, she and Republican leadership have only attacked teachers and spent public money on voucher programs (the most fiscally irresponsible piece of legislation in Iowa history). We will see if she follows through on this proposal.

Reynolds also stated that she wants to expand Postpartum care from two months to twelve months. A great idea — also an idea that Democrats have been offering for years and that Republicans have balked at.

During her speech, Reynolds painted a rosy picture, but the change she described is, at best, an incomplete; at worst, it signaled her latest attacks on the state.

She pointed at Area Education Agencies — AEA's provide special education across Iowa — and called for cuts and realignment. And don't forget, she also wants another round of applause for her promise to cut taxes for corporations and the wealthy, again.

But what is most telling, is what she left out: There was no discussion of expanding nursing home care — our state is growing older and folks are feeling the pinch of necessary medical care.

But what I see as the biggest failure of the night was Governor Reynolds lack of leadership on gun violence.

Less than a week after the shooting at Perry High School — when many of our community members are still reeling — Governor Reynolds did not offer anything to prevent violence like this in the future. As governor, it is her responsibility to lead our state. But she and Republican leaders in Des Moines have failed to lead our state and left Iowans out in the cold.

We heard a lot last night, but today we are back to work and I am fighting for the hard-working Iowan families who depend on our movement for change. We have countless opportunities to improve our state, and I will fight for each one. As we ruminate on the priorities of the extremism of Republicans who control our state government, let's remember what we are fighting for:

Better public education;

Respecting the dignity of work;

Reproductive freedom; and

So much more.

Our movement is standing up for Iowans and fighting for change. Thank you for being a part of it.

Stand Tall for All,

J.D.

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