The following is a legislative update from GOP Rep. Linda Upmeyer of Clear Lake, Speaker of the Iowa House:
International Women’s Day is observed across the world on March 8th.
Every year March is designated Women’s History Month by Presidential proclamation. The month is set aside to honor and celebrate women’s contributions in American history, culture, and society.
On February 28, 1980, President Jimmy Carter wrote:
“From the first settlers who came to our shores, from the first American Indian families who befriended them, men and women have worked together to build this Nation. Too often, the women were unsung and sometimes their contributions went unnoticed.”
These words, part of his message establishing the first Women’s History Week in 1980, marked the beginning of a new chapter in American history; one in which recognition of women and their work, and the promotion of their rights became a more explicit concern. That initial effort was expanded in 1987, when March was designated as Women’s History Month and has been observed annually since.
The year 2020 marks the 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment, guaranteeing women the right to vote. These brave and fearless ladies had worked for 72 years and three generations to achieve women’s suffrage. This historic centennial offers an unparalleled opportunity to commemorate a milestone of democracy and to explore its relevance to the issues of equal rights today.
From teachers to executives, filmmakers to attorneys, women continue to inspire us every single day. We welcome opportunities to celebrate women and share their stories of courage, dignity, and grace. By hearing these tales of valor, we are inspired to do more for women and girls in our communities and around the world.
House Passes Legislation for Accessible and Affordable Child Care
Iowa faces a workforce shortage and over the last several sessions, House Republicans have made it a priority to address this challenge. Over the years, legislators have worked in a bipartisan way to pass the Future Ready Iowa Act and Last Dollar Scholarship program to help Iowans access career training programs and advance in their careers. The next step to ease Iowa’s worker shortage is addressing the issue of child care. House Republicans have introduced a robust package of legislation this session to improve access to child care for Iowa families.
Affordability for Families
The high cost of child care is often a major problem for many families struggling to get by. Oftentimes, when both parents choose to be in the workforce they find the cost of child care unaffordable. During the 2019 session, House Republicans worked to reduce these high costs by doubling the income eligibility limit and expanding the Child Care Tax Credit to more families. This tax credit is targeted towards middle class families to lower their tax burden and provide more opportunity for Iowans to join the workforce and grow our economy. In her Condition of the State address, Governor Reynolds endorsed this plan and called on the Legislature to pass this expansion during the 2020 session.
Greater Access to Providers
Another barrier that parents often face is finding available child care in their area. Between 2018 and 2019, Iowa saw a reduction of 18 licensed child care centers, 140 child development homes, and 99 unregistered homes that accept children in our Child Care Assistance program. When providers don’t have enough open slots, parents are forced to put their children on a wait list. To address this problem, House Republicans have passed legislation that will increase rates to encourage providers to participate in this program, create additional slots for children, and increase access to affordable child care.
Engaging the Business Community
Iowa’s unemployment rate is at record lows, and while that news is welcome, it has created challenges for employers. Iowa faces a workforce shortage like many other states. Iowa’s job creators recognize that a lack of affordable child care is an issue that hurts families’ pocketbooks and holds back our economy. In several communities around the state, local leaders and businesses have worked together to form public-private-partnerships to offer day care to employees and families in the community. Several pieces of legislation build on these efforts and incentivize local businesses and communities to offer child care to employees and their communities.
Address the Cliff Effect
A final piece of the House Republican child care package supports an Iowan’s ability to be successful by addressing the “cliff effect” that many families face. The cliff effect occurs when an individual is limited in their ability to take a pay raise or promotion for fear of losing their benefits. House Republicans passed a plan that helps reduce the impact of the cliff effect by providing Iowans with a tiered system so benefits aren’t removed all at once. This plan will allow Iowans to advance in their careers and move towards self-sufficiency.
I would once again like to thank all of my constituents who have allowed me the privilege and honor to serve as their voice in the Iowa House.
