Democrats attack Reynolds and Upmeyer for perceived assault on IPERS

DES MOINES – Democrats this week unleashed an attack Governor on Kim Reynolds and Rep. Linda Upmeyer for a perceived assault on IPERS, the cushy retirement plan public workers feast upon.

According to a social media post that many liberals found tasty, House Democratic Leader Mark Smith gives “THE FACTS” (emphasis from Dem’s) on why Iowans should be concerned about IPERS:

1. When Kim Reynolds was preparing to take over as Governor, she said making changes to IPERS was one of her top priorities.

2. Republican lawmakers introduced a bill last year to end IPERS and do what the Governor suggested.

3. Iowa House Speaker Linda Upmeyer has VOTED FOR a bill to create a 401(k)-style plan that would divert money from IPERS.

Democratic Senator Pam Jochum of Des Moines backed up the claim, saying, “I served on the House State Government Committee with Rep. Upmeyer when she VOTED FOR a bill to create a 401(k)-style plan that would divert money from #IPERS. I voted ‘no.’ Read the bill for yourself: www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ga=81&ba=HSB512”

Reynolds tweeted on October 22, “I am a strong supporter of IPERS.”

She told the Des Moines Register, “To those state and local government employees who care deeply about this issue, let me be crystal clear: Under my watch, your IPERS is safe. It will not change; it will be protected; and you will have the retirement you were promised. Period. “I understand that these Iowans are basing their retirement on this. I am one of those individuals. I spent 19 years as a local government official; I spent two years in the Iowa Senate; my daughter is a public school teacher. We’re all counting on IPERS.”

Just prior to Reynolds’ statements, Linda Upmeyer said in a column, “Democrats are crisscrossing the state, holding meetings and panicking IPERS members that their pensions will be cut or eliminated altogether. This is absurd and the worst kind of politics. I would like to set the record straight… there are no planned changes to IPERS or any other public pension system. We will continue to keep our promise to IPERS members. IPERS members are in no danger of losing their pensions. The rumors and fear mongering being spread by Democrats are 100% false. Unfortunately, we’ve seen them use this playbook before. It’s the same strategy that they used before the last legislative session, yet IPERS remained unchanged. Democrats should be honest with Iowans and stop with the election year scare tactics.”