The following is a legislative update from State Senator Amanda Ragan, representing portions of Franklin, Butler and Cerro Gordo counties in Iowa Senate District 27:
LET’S MOVE IOWA FORWARD
The 2022 session of the Iowa Legislature got underway this week. The #1 priority for the 2022 session is a workforce crisis that is negatively impacting nearly every aspect of the lives of Iowans.
The workforce crisis is driving up health care costs for all Iowans and making it harder for Iowans to get critical and timely medical care when we need it.
The workforce crisis is hurting our kids’ education. Schools can’t find enough full-time teachers, substitute teachers and even bus drivers. This has resulted in larger class sizes, schools being closed because of staffing shortages, and uncertainty for kids and parents.
Finally, many local small businesses have been hit hard by the workforce crisis. Some have closed, and many others are open shorter hours because they are struggling to find enough workers.
Honest work by Iowans deserves fair pay and it deserves our respect. By increasing wages and valuing hard work, Iowans will finally have a chance to get ahead. We need to invest in working families by:
• Enhancing skills training so that Iowans can fill immediate job openings.
• Expanding access to child care and preschool throughout Iowa so parents can go to work with peace of mind.
• Investing more in Iowa education at all levels—from preschool through career training.
• Making every Iowa community an attractive place to live with quality-of-life improvements.
• Expanding access to high-speed internet in every home, community, business and school in the state.
Contact me this session
It’s an honor to be back in Des Moines working for the people of North Iowa. I’m available to help if you need assistance navigating state government, and I want your input on the direction Iowa is headed. The best way to reach me is by writing to my legislative email: amanda.ragan@legis.iowa.gov.
