The following is a legislative update from Democratic Rep. Sharon Steckman, representing District 59 – the eastern half of Cerro Gordo county – in the Iowa Legislature:
From the Capitol to You:
The good news is that many Iowans have been paying close attention to legislation that has been proposed during this session of the Iowa legislature. The bad news is that a large number of the bills propose to do damage to institutions and groups of Iowans, including children.
I have been heartened by the overwhelming numbers of emails, phone calls and in-person lobbying by which citizens have made their protests against much of this legislation known. Thank you!
Last week my party brought forward several bills that would work to the benefit of many Iowans by lowering their costs and raising their wages.
Currently, 231,000 Iowans make less than $15 an hour. The minimum wage has been stuck at $7.25 since 2007, much lower than surrounding states. Proposed legislation would raise the minimum wage to $15 over three years.
500,000 Iowans received no benefit from recent income tax changes; we are proposing expanding the two day tax-free holiday to two full weeks, putting more money in the pockets of Iowa families, enabling them to purchase necessities like school supplies, clothing and work uniforms.
We proposed reducing the waiting list so that Iowans with disabilities do not spend an average of five years waiting for necessary services. Many are forced to go without care or are sent to an expensive care facility.
We have a childcare worker shortage. Those who would do that work can’t afford to because childcare for their own kids is cost prohibitive. We proposed the state partner with providers to make childcare affordable for those essential workers.
Making college affordable. The state currently supports the Regent universities with fewer resources than in the year 2000.
Last week ended on a positive note with the State Government committee passing HF 2183 which would allow insurance to cover all cancers for firefighters (who filled the room), police and anyone in the protected classes in IPERS; also a bill to establish a pilot project to help the disabled have an easier time voting…both of them are pieces of legislation I was proud to vote for!
Putting people over politics!
FORUM
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 17
10:00 – 11:30
MASON CITY LIBRARY
