The following is a legislative update from Democratic Rep. Sharon Steckman, serving her sixth term in the Iowa House, representing District 53 – the middle-third of Cerro Gordo county – in the Iowa Legislature:
Two really important bills, HF 171 and HF 161, were passed by the House this week: HF171 is the annual public school funding bill and HF 161 is referred to as the Medical Malpractice bill.
You will not be surprised to learn that, while the Democrats were advocating for an increase in school funding that would reflect the rising costs being experienced by school districts across the state, the majority party insisted on a 3% increase which does not come close to meeting increased needs. The amount of money that 3% will generate is approximately $107 million which will be spread across half a million public school kids. Amazingly, that is also approximately the same amount of money that the Voucher bill will provide for 14,000 private school kids.
HF 161 places a hard cap of $1 million on non-economic damages in medical malpractice cases unless a hospital is involved, in which case the cap is increased to $2 million. Opponents say that the Legislature should not put a price tag on the value of a human life. The right to have a case decided by a citizen jury is protected by both the Constitution of the United States and the Iowa Constitution. An amendment was proposed to raise the cap to $5 million; however, it failed.
I had the honor of being interviewed on Iowa Public Radio’s River to River show this past Monday. The subject of the interview was HF 9 that would require teachers and counselors to report to the parents if their child shares gender or sexual orientation issues with them. Forcibly outing a student can lead to adverse mental health outcomes for them, as well as homelessness and suicide. Kids have 1st Amendment rights also. Two years ago, we passed a bill requiring school personnel to “protect students’ 1st Amendment rights! Unfortunately, this bill passed out of committee and is eligible for floor debate.
While on my personal soapbox, I also raised a Point of Personal Privilege on Monday. (This is in accordance with a House rule that any member who feels the need to speak out on something not currently on the agenda can do so at the time of adjournment of that day’s session.) I had been appalled by a video I had seen of an event held by “Mothers for Liberty” during which the topic was the need for book banning and other issues concerning out public schools. Many false statements were made about our public schools and teachers, so I felt a need to correct the record by making the following statements:
- Teachers do NOT “coerce” students; nor do they seek to “indoctrinate” them.
- There are NO litter boxes in schools for students.
- Teachers do NOT teach students to “hate America”.
- Teachers do NOT “teach Critical Race Theory”. (Course taught in law school)
- Teachers do NOT teach WOKE curriculum.
- Teachers are NOT teaching that ”patriotism is racist”.
My main point was that teachers are not abusing our children in any way. Their job is to create an educated citizenry and workforce for Iowa…and they are doing the very best that they can with the resources that they have. Let’s celebrate them, not attack them. Watch here!
https://fb.watch/iDI4H6f-yT/
Please take the time to read below about HSB 134 concerning child employment. The protections we are taking away from our children with this bill, I find very concerning.
As always, please contact me with any concerns or comments.
Keep combating the false and divisive rhetoric from the right, Rep Steckman! You are doing good.