From the Desk of Senator Bennett

Greetings Friends and Neighbors!

Week two at the Capitol was busy, as always. In addition to a few interesting subcommittees, I met with some of you, AND I'm receiving emails on many topics. Thank you to everyone taking the time to read this email, and also to visit and email me about issues that are important to you. Remember that the roots of the word "democracy" mean 'power of the people.' We all need to participate in our Democracy.

One particularly interesting subcommittee was for SF 49, which prohibits the use of bots to scoop up concert and sporting event tickets, resulting in greatly inflated prices. It's a common-sense piece of consumer protection legislation. I supported this bill last year, as well. The Swifties out there may remember my promise that we'll have "bad blood" with those attempting to raise prices on Iowa consumers.

If you've been following me during my time in the legislature, you know that I try to avoid alarming people without cause, and you also know of my commitment to making sure that Iowa is a place where everyone can thrive. A place where everyone has a fair shot.

Sadly, many sources have reported that legislation supported by Governor Reynolds, which would remove Gender Identity from the Iowa Civil Rights Act, will soon move in the State House. This means it would become legal to discriminate against a person based on gender identity in housing, public accommodations, and many other areas of life. Basically, being able to go about daily life and do the things everyone else takes for granted.

Never, in Iowa's history, has the state government acted to *take away* rights from Iowans. I'm very disappointed that Republicans continue to persecute a small number of people in our state, rather than working for the greater good.

Please take action by emailing Rep. Steve Holt, Chair of the House Judiciary Committee at [email protected], Speaker Pat Grassley at [email protected], and calling Gov. Kim Reynolds to oppose this move: 515-281-5211

Meet My Clerk!

Every Iowa State Senator is helped in their legislative efforts by a clerk. Clerks are trusted aids working for a singular senator on all manner of issues. They serve as administrative assistants, communicators, schedulers, sounding boards, and confidants. Clerks help senators manage their legislative portfolios, committee and subcommittee assignments, bill filings, and amendments. They play an indispensable role in the Iowa Senate.

I am lucky to be joined again by Trae Hall, who was my clerk last legislative session. Trae grew up in Chariton, Iowa, and graduated both from DMACC and Drake University with a B.A. in American Politics with minors in History and Environmental Sustainability and Resilience. Outside of the legislature, Trae enjoys antiquing and listening to his vinyl record collection. Trae’s favorite authors include Eric Foner and John Meacham, and in any other extra time, Trae enjoys re-watching The Crown, The Sopranos, and he’s a Philadelphia Eagles fan. Trae is an indispensable part of my ability to serve my constituents during session, and I’m grateful to have him.

Putting Iowa Families First through Paid Leave

This week I signed on to co-sponsor a piece of legislation designed to help provide economic security to Iowa families: the Iowa Family and Medical Leave Act.

We’ve all experienced unexpected emergencies that require our immediate attention. Unfortunately, taking time away from work to deal with those emergencies isn’t possible for many Iowa families due to the potential lost pay. This bill empowers working Iowans to care for their loved ones with one fewer worry during their time away from work. It’s a critical step in creating a better deal for Iowans through increased opportunity and economic security.

The United States is the only industrialized nation without paid family leave for private sector workers. Here at home, 79% of Iowa private sector workers are without access to paid family leave through their employers. That’s about 1,371,000 working Iowans who could be forced to make impossible choices between caring for their loved ones and providing financial stability for their families.

The Iowa Family and Medical Leave Act, SF109, establishes a family and medical leave insurance program to provide paid, job-protected leave for specified family and medical reasons. The bill is an extension and modernization of the unpaid, federal Family and Medical Leave Act and is reflective of present and future workforce needs.

Putting families first means providing real coverage for working Iowans during times of emergency, and I’m proud to join the entire Senate Democratic caucus in supporting SF109.

Private School Vouchers: Where is the Oversight?

We’re now in Year 2 of the taxpayer-funded private school voucher program here in Iowa. As has been the case throughout the program’s short existence, we have had to deal with an appalling lack of transparency from the governor’s office, and we still have many unanswered questions. Here are a few things we know at present.

Vouchers are now, and have always been, a subsidy for families who already sent their children to private schools.

This school year, 79% of voucher recipients already attended private schools. That’s a double-digit increase from Year 1.

In most of the state, Iowa kids do not have increased access to private schools.

51% of school districts have fewer than 10 students utilizing private school vouchers.

The private school voucher program continues to vastly exceed projected costs, ballooning state spending despite shrinking revenues.

In Year 1, vouchers cost the state $129 million -- $22 million over the estimated cost.
In Year 2, vouchers are estimated to cost the state $218 million -- $38 million over the estimated cost.
In Year 3, when the income eligibility cap comes off, the governor’s budget estimates vouchers will cost the state $315 million – but it’s anyone’s guess what the real cost will be.

There is a fundamental imbalance between public and private schools when it comes to transparency and accountability. We expect public schools to submit to oversight and governance from elected school boards, and to hold open, public meetings inviting comments, recommendations, and concerns from the community. To this point, private schools accepting voucher dollars here in Iowa are not subject to the same accountability requirements as our public schools. This lack of transparency creates a series of unanswered questions. Here are some things we still don’t know.

How do private schools determine their admissions standards?
Public schools have a duty to accept and educate any student within their district boundaries. Which children and families are being turned away from Iowa’s private schools, and for what reasons?
Many private schools in Iowa raised tuition rates in response to the voucher program. How are they any more accessible to Iowa families whose kids did not already attend?
How many Iowa children used a voucher to attend a private school, only to return to public school after finding the private school did not meet their needs?
Which private schools in Iowa are not requiring appropriate teacher accreditation or licensure for educators and staff?

I believe public dollars belong in public schools, full stop. But if I can’t get my Republican colleagues to agree on that, we should at least be able to agree that it’s time for some accountability and oversight for the private schools that take taxpayer-funded vouchers.

Quick Updates

Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month: The Iowa Network Against Human Trafficking offers multiple ways for an individual to get involved and combat trafficking this month. If you or someone you know is a business owner, you can also join Iowa Businesses Against Trafficking and get access to resources to educate and take action.
The Healthiest State Annual Awards is an annual recognition that celebrates people and organizations in six categories for implementing best practices to support the physical, social, and mental well-being of Iowans. The deadline is Jan. 29th, 2025 to nominate someone you know!
IDALS warns pet owners to be aware of avian influenza: The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) encourages pet owners to keep their dogs and cats away from sick or deceased wild birds and animals. Pet owners should also prevent indoor/outdoor cats from hunting wildlife due to the threat posed by Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N1 HPAI) occurring in wild and migratory birds. Iowa veterinarians should call IDALS at (515) 281-5305 if they see cats or dogs displaying symptoms such as fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, red eyes, respiratory signs (eye or nose discharge), neurological signs (tremors, seizures, incoordination, blindness), and sudden death.
Frozen pipes season is here: ISU Extension encourages homeowners to prevent a burst pipe crisis by keeping garage doors closed if there are water supply lines in the garage, opening kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing, letting the cold-water drip from the faucet served by exposed pipes during extreme low temperatures, and keeping the thermostat set to the same temperature both during the day and at night. If you will be going away during cold weather, leave the heat on in your home, set to a temperature no lower than 55° For more advice: https://blogs.extension.iastate.edu/answerline/2015/01/19/preventing-and-thawing-frozen-pipes/

Contact Senator Liz Bennett at [email protected] or follow her on social media.
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter
Did you receive this newsletter from a friend? Subscribe here.