Iowa Senate

Senator Pam Jochum rejects flawed GOP childcare solution

Title: Senator Pam Jochum rejects flawed GOP childcare solution
Runtime: 1:53
Date posted: 4 years ago
Description: One solution to the #ReynoldsWorkforceCrisis is better childcare options for Iowa families.

That's NOT what Iowa Senate Republicans did Monday, April 18. They voted to INCREASE the number of kids each employee is responsible; lower the age of some unsupervised employees from 18 to 16-years-old; and, approved LESS one-on-one attention to help Iowa kids grow and develop.

Senator Kevin Kinney on expecting too much from young childcare providers

Title: Senator Kevin Kinney on expecting too much from young childcare providers
Runtime: 1:25
Date posted: 4 years ago
Description: Senator Kevin Kinney tells the Senate what could go wrong from expecting too much from young childcare providers as made possible in HF 2198.

One solution to the #ReynoldsWorkforceCrisis is better childcare options for Iowa families.

That's NOT what Iowa Senate Republicans did Monday, April 18. They voted to INCREASE the number of kids each employee is responsible; lower the age of some unsupervised employees from 18 to 16-years-old; and, approved LESS one-on-one attention to help Iowa kids grow and develop.

Senator Sarah Trone Garriott rejects flawed GOP childcare solution

Title: Senator Sarah Trone Garriott rejects flawed GOP childcare solution
Runtime: 2:28
Date posted: 4 years ago
Description: One solution to the #ReynoldsWorkforceCrisis is better childcare options for Iowa families.

That's NOT what Iowa Senate Republicans did Monday, April 18. They voted to INCREASE the number of kids each employee is responsible; lower the age of some unsupervised employees from 18 to 16-years-old; and, approved LESS one-on-one attention to help Iowa kids grow and develop.

Fix Iowa's "worst in the nation" child sex abuse laws before session ends

Title: Fix Iowa's "worst in the nation" child sex abuse laws before session ends
Runtime: 3:34
Date posted: 5 years ago
Description: There's always time and a way to do the right thing. We can fix Iowa's worst in the nation child sex abuse laws before the 2022 session ends.
Contact your legislators. https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/find

Fix Iowa's Failing Child Sex Abuse Laws before 2022 Session Ends

Title: Fix Iowa's Failing Child Sex Abuse Laws before 2022 Session Ends
Runtime: 28:45
Date posted: 5 years ago
Description: 00:00 Senator Janet Petersen

02:56 Kylie DeWees, Iowa native who knows first-hand how Iowa abusers and institutions that fail to protect children escape justice

07:43 Presentation by Kathryn Robb, Esq., Executive Director of ChildUSAdvocacy

Iowa has a failing grade in protecting children from sexual abuse and sex trafficking

Statement by Kathryn Robb, Esq., Executive Director of ChildUSAdvocacy
“Sadly, the Legislative and executive leaders in Iowa choose to focus on a non-existent threat to girls relative to trans kids, and completely ignore the overwhelming evidence of child sexual abuse.
“The real threat is to children, all children – girls and boys – at schools, churches, homes, and on the field. 1 in 5 girls and 1 in 13 boys will be sexually assaulted before their 18th birthday. The epidemic reaches across the political spectrum and is found in every sector of society.
“27 states have passed revival leg...

2022: Senator Joe Bolkcom Retirement Resolution

Title: 2022: Senator Joe Bolkcom Retirement Resolution
Runtime: 1:13:50
Date posted: 5 years ago
Description: The Iowa Senate recognizes the contributions of Senator Joe Bolkcom who served from 1999 to 2022.

Speakers:
00:00:00 Senator Ragan
00:02:35 Senator Mathis
00:04:28 Senator Petersen
00:07:34 Senator Kraayenbrink
00:08:49 Senator Hogg
00:21:33 Senator Nunn
00:23:39 Senator Zumbach
00:26:40 Senator Jochum
00:30:40 Senator Trone-Garriott
00:31:46 Senator Wahls
00:34:08 Senator Kinney
00:36:47 Senator Carlin
00:39:04 Senator Dotzler
00:50:43 Senator Edler
00:51:50 Senator T. Taylor
00:54:00 Senator Bolkcom
01:08:49 Senator Ragan
01:09:09 Secretary of the Senate Smithson

School Vouchers Bill? It's really the School Closure Act

Title: School Vouchers Bill? It's really the School Closure Act
Runtime: 7:24
Date posted: 5 years ago
Description: Iowa State Senator Zach Wahls exposes the effort to divert tens of millions of public dollars from our state's public schools to exclusive private schools.

The biggest losers? Rural public schools across Iowa.

Let's get this Straight: Unemployment Benefits are EARNED.

Title: Let's get this Straight: Unemployment Benefits are EARNED.
Runtime: 3:19
Date posted: 5 years ago
Description: Governor Reynolds and too many Iowa Republican politicians must not understand how unemployment works.
Senator Nate Boulton spells it out during Senate debate (1) Iowa workers EARN their unemployment benefits, and, (2), taking away benefits would shower corporations with millions of dollars, money that laid off workers and their communities need.
This bad bill is back in the House. Contact members of the Iowa House and tell them to vote against changes to Iowa unemployment. Find your house member here: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/find

The Iowa Senate remembers Lorena Schulte and Robert McFarland

Title: The Iowa Senate remembers Lorena Schulte and Robert McFarland
Runtime: 1:56
Date posted: 5 years ago
Description: At the end of the session today, Senator Todd Taylor and the Iowa Senate remembered Nurse Lorena Schulte and Correctional Officer Robert McFarland on the anniversary of their deaths while serving the State of Iowa at the Anamosa State Penitentiary.

Complete Committee Discussion on Vaccines and Health Care (3/17/22)

Title: Complete Committee Discussion on Vaccines and Health Care (3/17/22)
Runtime: 15:34
Date posted: 5 years ago
Description: 00:00 Opening comments by Senator Schultz
00:27 Comments by Senator Bolkcom
04:28 Comments by Senator Bisignano
07:04 Comments by Senator J. Taylor
10:26 Comments by Senator Bolkcom
12:23 Closing comments by Senator Schultz

From the CR Gazette:
"We need to put to rest that COVID-19 is an effective and safe vaccine,” Sen. Jason Schultz, R-Schleswig, said during a Senate Judiciary Committee meeting. “They keep trying to do things (vaccine shots and booster shots). It doesn’t work. These things are not effective.”

Schultz went on to accuse advocates for the vaccines of having a “hive mindset.”

“We have to move past this, and we have to get past the semi-quasi-science clergy who have turned what used to be a respected industry, the science industry, into a club to beat people over the head,” Schultz said.

More at the CR Gazette: https://www.thegazette.com/state-government/iowa-state-sen...

Title: Equal Pay Day in the Iowa Senate
Runtime: 2:01
Date posted: 5 years ago
Description: Iowa is 36th in terms of the wage gap between what women and men are paid, with 50th being the worst.

Since 2016, Iowa’s gender wage gap has gotten larger. Sen Boulton spoke today on how to make Iowa fairer for working women and their families.

More: https://www.census.gov/newsroom/stories/equal-pay-day.html

Statehouse politicians want to shower private schools with tax dollars

Title: Statehouse politicians want to shower private schools with tax dollars
Runtime: 0:25
Date posted: 5 years ago
Description: Statehouse politicians refused to invest one additional state dollar in 81 of Iowa's public school districts. NOW, they want to shower public dollars on private schools. Senate Democratic Leader Zach Wahls explains.

Title: Iowa and the American Rescue Plan
Runtime: 0:12
Date posted: 5 years ago
Description: Some of what the American Rescue Plan did for Iowa in the first year. Information from @progressiowa

Iowa Senate Stands for a Moment of Silence in Response to the East High School Shootings

Title: Iowa Senate Stands for a Moment of Silence in Response to the East High School Shootings
Runtime: 1:39
Date posted: 5 years ago
Description: Senator Nate Boulton of Des Moines responds to yesterday's East High School shootings and asks the Senate to stand for a moment of silence in honor of the victims.

Senator Boulton opposes banning some Iowa children from school sports.

Title: Senator Boulton opposes banning some Iowa children from school sports.
Runtime: 8:33
Date posted: 5 years ago
Description: Senator Nate Boulton speaks against a proposal by Iowa Statehouse politicians to ban some Iowa children from school sports.

Senator Giddens opposes banning some Iowa children from school sports.

Title: Senator Giddens opposes banning some Iowa children from school sports.
Runtime: 7:52
Date posted: 5 years ago
Description: Senator Eric Giddens speaks against a proposal by Iowa Statehouse politicians to ban some Iowa children from school sports.

Senator Jochum opposes banning some Iowa children from school sports

Title: Senator Jochum opposes banning some Iowa children from school sports
Runtime: 7:42
Date posted: 5 years ago
Description: Senator Pam Jochum speaks against a proposal by Iowa Statehouse politicians to ban some Iowa children from school sports.

Senator Celsi opposes banning some Iowa children from school sports.

Title: Senator Celsi opposes banning some Iowa children from school sports.
Runtime: 12:58
Date posted: 5 years ago
Description: Senator Claire Celsi speaks against a proposal by Iowa Statehouse politicians to ban some Iowa children from school sports.

Senator Wahls opposes banning some Iowa children from school sports.

Title: Senator Wahls opposes banning some Iowa children from school sports.
Runtime: 9:36
Date posted: 5 years ago
Description: Senator Zach Wahls speaks against a proposal by Iowa Statehouse politicians to ban some Iowa children from school sports.

Transgender kids, like any other students, deserve the same changes

Title: Transgender kids, like any other students, deserve the same changes
Runtime: 7:41
Date posted: 5 years ago
Description: Senator Pam Jochum during the March 2, 2022 debate regarding the attack by Statehouse politicians on Iowa children who want to play sports with their friends.

Title: Sen Bolkcom: Trans girls are girls.
Runtime: 6:08
Date posted: 5 years ago
Description: Senator Joe Bolkcom during the March 2, 2022 debate regarding the attack by Statehouse politicans on Iowa children who want to play sports with their friends.

Top 15 Things Gov ReynoldsWILL NOT Tell Americans in her response to the State of the Union

Title: Top 15 Things Gov ReynoldsWILL NOT Tell Americans in her response to the State of the Union
Runtime: 3:00
Date posted: 5 years ago
Description: “The Top 15 Things Gov Kim Reynolds will NOT Tell Americans" after the State of the Union according to Senator Joe Bolkcom of Johnson County. (2/28/22)

On Tuesday night, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds will deliver the national Republican Party’s official response to President Biden’s State of the Union address.
This afternoon, Iowa State Senator Joe Bolkcom delivered a speech at the Iowa Capitol outlining “The Top 15 Things Governor Kim Reynolds will NOT Tell Americans On Tuesday Night”:
#15 --The Reynolds workforce crisis is only getting worse.
#14 -- She just signed a massive tax cut for her wealthy political donors.
#13 -- Rural Iowa continues to decline: 68 Iowa counties lost population over the last ten years.
#12 -- More than 9,000 Iowans have died unnecessarily from her cavalier, science-free handling of the pandemic.
#11 -- State support for local schools is so low that 81 school districts won’t get even one addition...

Expand the child care tax credit: Senator Sarah Trone Garriott

Title: Expand the child care tax credit: Senator Sarah Trone Garriott
Runtime: 2:15
Date posted: 5 years ago
Description

GOP politicians "fix" the Iowa childcare shortage by boosting the maximum # of kids per worker.

Title: GOP politicians "fix" the Iowa childcare shortage by boosting the maximum # of kids per worker.
Runtime: 6:44
Date posted: 5 years ago
Description: Senate Republican politicians just passed a bill to "fix" the shortage of childcare spots in Iowa, especially rural Iowa: Increase the maximum number of kids each worker is responsible for.

Senator Sarah Trone Garriott offers measure to boost preschool funding

Title: Senator Sarah Trone Garriott offers measure to boost preschool funding
Runtime: 1:50
Date posted: 5 years ago
Description

Instead of targeting librarians, fix Iowa's worst in the nation child sex abuse laws

Title: Instead of targeting librarians, fix Iowa's worst in the nation child sex abuse laws
Runtime: 1:11
Date posted: 5 years ago
Description: While Chairman Zaun was tough on books, teachers and librarians, he opted not to advance any of the bills to give survivors of child sex abuse a chance at justice, including Iowa children as young as 9 years old who have no legal rights to seek civil damages in Iowa courtrooms under current Iowa laws that protect predators.

REMEMBER: Nationally, Iowa is one of the worst states in terms of stopping child sex abuse. And Iowa Republican politicians in Des Moines are why.

What should Iowa do? Watch or read this presentation by the nation’s most successful advocate against child sex abusers. Learn how most other states successfully protect children by going after abusers and the institutions that protect abusers. https://www.senate.iowa.gov/democrats/2020/01/fix-iowas-worst-in-the-nation-child-sex-abuse-laws/

At first legislative funnel, GOP politicians are failing to fix Reynolds Workforce Crisis

Title: At first legislative funnel, GOP politicians are failing to fix Reynolds Workforce Crisis
Runtime: 1:43
Date posted: 5 years ago
Description: 2/17/2022 statehouse news conference opening statement.

Title: Public dollars for public schools
Runtime: 0:52
Date posted: 5 years ago
Description: Democratic leader Zach Wahls addresses private schools vouchers over public school funding and the consequences of neglecting public education in Iowa.

Full interview can be found at iptv.org:
https://www.iowapbs.org/iowapress/story/40012/iowa-senate-minority-leader-zach-wahls

Iowa Senate Labor Committee on Cutting Earned Unemployment Benefits

Title: Iowa Senate Labor Committee on Cutting Earned Unemployment Benefits
Runtime: 19:59
Date posted: 5 years ago
Description

Leader Zach Wahls on Iowa Press: keeping Iowa teachers teaching

Title: Leader Zach Wahls on Iowa Press: keeping Iowa teachers teaching
Runtime: 0:58
Date posted: 5 years ago
Description: Senator Wahls: “I think the number one thing that we have to do is to stop pouring gasoline on these culture war fights and start getting back to respecting our educators who are in the classroom.

The fact that half of our teachers are thinking about leaving the profession is something that should scare frankly every Iowan.

We know that public schools are an important part of what makes Iowa great and the fact that we're seeing expanding class sizes because of teacher shortages, kids in Davenport can't get to school because there aren't enough bus drivers, it's a huge challenge for our state…”

Title: Senator Smith Education Debate 2/14
Runtime: 4:15
Date posted: 5 years ago
Description

Jackie Smith of Sioux City urges Republican politicians to invest in Iowa's public schools.

Title: Jackie Smith of Sioux City urges Republican politicians to invest in Iowa's public schools.
Runtime: 4:15
Date posted: 5 years ago
Description: Iowa Senator Jackie Smith of Sioux City urges Republican politicians to invest in Iowa's public schools.

Senator Smith knows how important strong local schools are to Iowa's hometowns. For 34 years she worked for the Northwest AEA, traveling from school to school, helping families as a speech-language pathologist.

In the end, Statehouse Republicans voted against the schools and the families in their districts. The funding level was set so low that 81 schools--mostly in rural Iowa--will not see any increase next year.

Wahls' Iowa Press school funding response

Title: Wahls' Iowa Press school funding response
Runtime: 0:45
Date posted: 5 years ago
Description: As Iowa Senate Republicans moved to to set Iowa public school funding at an amount LOWER than even Gov Reynolds and House, Sen Wahls' comment from Iowa Press interview. Watch it all at .
Sen @ZachWahls discussed this issue on Iowa Press. Watch the entire show at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUMO_83kU4Q

Opening comments: Feb 10 Statehouse News Conference

Title: Opening comments: Feb 10 Statehouse News Conference
Runtime: 2:49
Date posted: 5 years ago
Description: Opening comments from Senator Zach Wahls at today's news conference at the Iowa Statehouse.

Senator Jackie Smith opposes legislation that would endanger Iowa Law Enforcement

Title: Senator Jackie Smith opposes legislation that would endanger Iowa Law Enforcement
Runtime: 1:48
Date posted: 5 years ago
Description: Senator Jackie Smith of Sioux City is working with her local law enforcement to defeat legislation that would make their jobs more dangerous. She spoke to the Senate on Wednesday stating,

"One of the most dangerous things for a police officer or law enforcement officer, is to walk up to a car that they have pulled over.
"I think we can all agree on that.
"The driver may be suspected of speeding or drunk driving. It may even be that the car was just involved in a bank robbery.
"At a recent subcommittee, Colonel Nathan Fulk of the Iowa State Patrol told us about facing exactly that situation. It was made worse because the car’s windows were heavily tinted.
"How many people were inside?
"Were any of them armed?
"Colonel Fulk couldn’t tell. In fact, he said he had to do a pit maneuver to finally get the car to stop.
"That was because this car was registered in Oklahoma. And Oklahoma allows car windows to be much darker t...

Iowa Senate GOP Ed Priority: Prosecute teachers and librarians

Title: Iowa Senate GOP Ed Priority: Prosecute teachers and librarians
Runtime: 1:15:47
Date posted: 5 years ago
Description: Subcommittee on Senate File 2198, jailing Iowa teachers and school librarians. (2/10/22) with Senators Janet Petersen (D), Brad Zaun (R), Jason Schultz (R) and Jake Chapman (R).

Link to bill https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ba=SF2198&ga=89

Sen Giddens helps kick off STEM Day at the Iowa Capitol

Title: Sen Giddens helps kick off STEM Day at the Iowa Capitol
Runtime: 3:11
Date posted: 5 years ago
Description: It was an honor to help kick off “STEM Day at the Iowa Capitol” yesterday.
STEM skills are linked to 21% of Iowa jobs and that number is growing. We should invest in Iowa’s local schools, definitely take full advantage of the STEM resources at UNI.

That’s the way to recover from the Iowa workforce crisis and restore our state’s rural and urban communities.

Senator Jackie Smith's comments on the Senate GOP's school funding proposal

Title: Senator Jackie Smith's comments on the Senate GOP's school funding proposal
Runtime: 2:30
Date posted: 5 years ago
Description: "High quality, strongly supported local schools attract talent, and talent attracts businesses and helps make communities great places to live.
Insufficient State Supplemental Aid (SSA) is the main reason that school district leaders have been forced to cut millions of dollars from their budgets every year.
It’s also one of the biggest reasons we have a workforce crisis in Iowa public schools.
School districts across Iowa have thousands of open positions including paraeducators, substitute teachers, bus drivers, front office staff, nurses, librarians, nutrition staff, maintenance, and many other jobs.
Districts need more money to attract, hire and retain more staff and pay more attractive wages.
• Iowa ranks 40th in the increase in per pupil expenditures from 2014 to 2019.
• 30th in per pupil expenditures in 2019, which is $1,280 below the national average.
• A staggering 55 percent of educators are thinking about leaving the profes...

Democratic Tax Plan from the 2/3/22 News Conference

Title: Democratic Tax Plan from the 2/3/22 News Conference
Runtime: 1:47
Date posted: 5 years ago
Description: The tax plan that we are unveiling this morning is just one piece of our overall plan to help Iowans recover from the Reynolds workforce crisis.

Iowans are hardworking people who take pride in our work. But fewer Iowans are working today than when Governor Reynolds took office. Because Republicans are driving workers out of our state and are unable to keep Iowans in the workforce, we don’t have enough workers to keep schools, hospitals, and small businesses.

Our plan rewards work, not wealth. We believe that we need to support Iowa workers, who are the backbone of our economy, with lower costs and tax cuts, rather than what Republicans want to do, which is supporting the super-rich and corporations who continue to get richer while working Iowans get left behind.

Iowa Republicans like Governor Reynolds, Sen. Jack Whitver, Sen. Jake Chapman and others are doubling down on a bad plan with more tax cuts for millionaires and corporations, throwing m...

Title: "You can't learn if you're hungry"
Runtime: 1:28
Date posted: 5 years ago
Description: Kim Belstene, Belmond-Klemme Community Schools' Food Service Director, shares some truth about hungry Iowa kids and learning with State Senator Amanda Ragan.

Sen Celsi on the GOP push to take from public schools and give to private schools

Title: Sen Celsi on the GOP push to take from public schools and give to private schools
Runtime: 2:36
Date posted: 5 years ago
Description: Senator Claire Celsi's fiery closing comments Wednesday night on Republican legislation to shift Iowa tax dollars from public schools to private schools. (2/2/22)

Investments in Public Schools & Kids, Not Tax Breaks for Big Corporations

Title: Investments in Public Schools & Kids, Not Tax Breaks for Big Corporations
Runtime: 2:02
Date posted: 5 years ago
Description: Senator Wahls at today's news conference at the Statehouse.

Title: Senate Democrats' Public Safety Agenda
Runtime: 4:40
Date posted: 5 years ago
Description: January 27, 2022 news conference comments by State Senator Kevin Kinney. Kinney is the ranking Democrat on the Senate Justice Committee, is a former Lieutenant in the Investigations Division of the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, and served his community for 28 years in law enforcement.

Transcript:
One of the primary responsibilities of the Legislature is to keep Iowans safe in their homes and communities.

Law enforcement officers – whether they be small-town police officers or members of the Iowa State Patrol – play an important role in keeping Iowans safe. The same goes for employees in our state prisons, who help keep dangerous people off the streets.

That’s why I’m concerned about the Governor’s proposed budget, which includes a status quo budget for the Department of Corrections and a $399,370 cut for the Iowa State Patrol.

This does nothing to increase public safety in Iowa.

We know from firs...

How to fix the Reynolds Workforce Crisis,

Title: How to fix the Reynolds Workforce Crisis,
Runtime: 1:44
Date posted: 5 years ago
Description: January 20 statement by Senator Zach Wahls.

Sen Giddens addresses Veterans Day on the Hill

Title: Sen Giddens addresses Veterans Day on the Hill
Runtime: 2:39
Date posted: 5 years ago
Description: Sen Giddens of the Cedar Valley addresses Veterans Day on the Hill. Senator Giddens honored members of his family who have served and outlined the Senate Democratic agenda he will work for as the ranking member on the Senate Veterans Committee.

Title: Opening Prayer - January 12, 2022
Runtime: 1:56
Date posted: 5 years ago
Description

Opening Day Address by Iowa Senate President Jake Chapman (R)

Title: Opening Day Address by Iowa Senate President Jake Chapman (R)
Runtime: 5:26
Date posted: 5 years ago
Description: Transcript:
It is now my opportunity and privilege to give some opening remarks. Friends, family, colleagues, and to our newly elected Senator, it is my honor to welcome you to the 2022 legislative session. I’ve always enjoyed the first day of session. It’s a time in which friends and colleagues are reunited, hope and excitement flourishes, and optimism for the future resonates.

Colleagues, the time has come to take a stand. It has become increasingly evident that we live in a world in which many, including our media, wish to confuse, misguide, and deceive us. Calling good evil and evil good. One doesn’t have to look far to see the sinister agenda occurring right before our eyes.

The attack on our children is no longer hidden. Those who wish to normalize sexually deviant behavior against our children, including pedophilia and incest, are pushing this movement more than ever before. Our children should be safe and free from this atrocious assault....

Bolkcom: An Iowa racist attack and the Iowa Senate GOP's press ban

Title: Bolkcom: An Iowa racist attack and the Iowa Senate GOP's press ban
Runtime: 7:31
Date posted: 5 years ago
Description: Senator Joe Bolkcom addresses a recent racist attack on Iowans and (2:30) the decisions by Iowa Senate Republicans to ban Iowa reporters from the floor of the Iowa Senate.