Iowa House Democrats Newsroom
House Democrats Urge Increased Investments in Public Education
After listening to Iowa school leaders, teachers and parents, House Democrats voted to keep schools open and prevent higher class sizes next year by boosting the state’s investment to public schools by $133 million. Over the last ten years, students have received an increase of just 32 cents per day and 126 schools have closed. School [...]
Sarah Smith Announces Run for Iowa House
Grinnell, Iowa -- Sarah Smith announced today she will run for the Iowa House in District 76 in 2020. House District 76 includes all of Poweshiek County and most of Iowa County. “I believe it’s time for a new voice for our district. One that will listen to the concerns of all people, and work to [...]
2020 Weekly Bill Tracking, Thurs. February 6 – Wed. February 12
WEEKLY BILL TRACKING Thurs. Feb. 6 – Wed. Feb. 12, 2020 HOUSE DEMOCRATIC RESEARCH STAFF Agriculture HSB 530 Farm Chauffeur License. The bill exempts certain farmers from needing a chauffer license to transport their goods (passed committee 17-6) to House Calendar Appropriations SF 2144 Supplemental Appropriations. This makes a supplemental appropriation to Homeland Security for flood [...]
Rep. McConkey Helps Get Additional Flood Dollars for Council Bluffs
State Representative Charlie McConkey of Council Bluffs was pleased to announce today that lawmakers have allocated additional flood relief investments to Council Bluffs and Western Iowa. “As we know, the flooding from last season created a tremendous amount of damage in our community and many others in Southwest Iowa. The flooding has been a nearly $2 billion [...]
Four Big Ideas to Make Child Care More Affordable and Accessible
Iowa House Democrats released a four-point plan to make child care more affordable and accessible to Iowa families. The four-point plan includes: Grants to expand or open a new licensed child care facility to end child care deserts and give families more options for child care. The new Child Care Center and Child Development Home Grant [...]
2020 Weekly Bill Tracking, Thurs. January 30 – Wed. February 5
WEEKLY BILL TRACKING Thurs. Jan. 30 – Wed. Feb. 5, 2020 HOUSE DEMOCRATIC RESEARCH STAFF Appropriations HF 2244 Supplemental Appropriations. This makes a supplemental appropriation to Homeland Security for flood mitigation efforts of $20,000,000 and $330,000 to Department of Human Services for Glenwood. (passed Committee 24-0) to House Appropriations Calendar HF 2455 Transportation Equity. This is [...]
McKean To Seek Re-election to the Iowa House
State Representative Andy McKean of Anamosa announced today that he will seek re-election in House District 58, which includes all of Jackson County and most of Jones County, as well as the city of Cascade and Whitewater Township in southern Dubuque County. “It’s a great honor to serve in the Iowa House and I’m proud of [...]
2020 Weekly Bill Tracking, Thurs. January 23 – Wed. January 29
WEEKLY BILL TRACKING Thurs. Jan. 23 – Wed. Jan. 29, 2020 HOUSE DEMOCRATIC RESEARCH STAFF Commerce HSB 515 Hedging Transactions. Modifies Iowa Code definition of highly effective hedging transactions to National Association of Insurance Commissioners accounting guidance. (passed Committee 21-0) to House Calendar HSB 516 Iowa Cell Siting Act Sunset. Extends the “Iowa Cell Siting Act” [...]
Steve Hansen Announces Candidacy for Iowa House, District 14
Steve Hansen Announces Candidacy for Iowa House Former Iowa Legislator Steve Hansen has announced his plan to file papers to pursue the candidacy of the Iowa House of Representatives, House District 14. As part of his announcement Hansen extended his appreciation to Rep. Timothy Kacena for his years of public service and for representing the residents [...]
Rep. Tim Kacena Announces Retirement from Iowa House
State Representative Tim Kacena of Sioux City announced today that he will not seek re-election to the Iowa House in 2020. Kacena has served for four years in the Iowa House in District 14 “I would like to take this opportunity to thank the citizens of the 14th House District for allowing me to be your [...]
Democratic Leader Todd Prichard | Inside the Iowa House: 2020 Session Opens
The Iowa Legislature convened this week on a new journey that will take us into a new session, a new year and a new decade. Where this journey takes us, what we do, and where we will end up, is entirely up to those elected to lead this state forward. As the leaders of Iowa, [...]
McConkey Selected as Assistant Minority Leader
State Representative Charlie McConkey of Council Bluffs has been selected by his colleagues to serve as an Assistant Minority Leader in the Iowa House of Representatives for the 2020 legislative session. “I’m honored to be selected by my colleagues to this leadership post. My goal this session is to keep the House focused on the issues [...]
House Democrats Start 2020 Legislative Session with focus on Iowans
The 2020 legislative session opened on Monday, January 13 at the State Capitol and House Democrats said the session can be a success if lawmakers work together and keep focused on Iowans. House Democrats intends to focus the 2020 Legislative Session on bringing better jobs to the community through increased job training and affordable childcare; improving [...]
Opening Day Remarks by House Democratic Leader Todd Prichard
2020 Legislative Session: Opening Day Comments Iowa House Democratic Leader Todd Prichard Good morning, Mr. Speaker, and congratulations on your new position. My colleagues and I look forward to working with you this year in your new role. Good morning ladies and gentleman of the Iowa House, and greetings to any special visitors who are with us [...]
House Democrats Announce Committees for 2020 Legislative Session
Today, House Democratic Leader Todd Prichard announced Ranking Members and committee assignments for the 2020 Legislative Session. View by Committee View by Member
Now Hiring Communications Interns for 2020 Session
Communications Internship Democratic Caucus – Iowa House of Representatives Description: Interns will work directly with Democratic members of the Iowa House of Representatives at the State Capitol in Des Moines during the legislative session. See full brochure here! They will assist the communications director and deputy director in a variety of activities including: -Press release production [...]
Statement from Senate Democratic Leader Janet Petersen and House Democratic Leader Todd Prichard:
Statement from Senate Democratic Leader Janet Petersen and House Democratic Leader Todd Prichard: “It was a privilege to know and work with Justice Cady. He was a strong advocate for fair, impartial courts and a great leader for civil and human rights in our state. We’re saddened by the news of his passing and heartbroken for [...]
2020 Session Must Fix Iowa’s “worst in the nation” Medical Cannabis Program
2020 Session Must Fix Iowa’s “worst in the nation” Medical Cannabis Program (Des Moines) Improved health care for tens of thousands of Iowans depends on passing major reforms of Iowa’s medical cannabis program during the 2020 session according to two legislative leaders on this issue. At a statehouse news conference today, Senator Joe Bolkcom of Iowa [...]
Gaskill Announces Re-Election to the Iowa House
State Representative Mary Gaskill announced today she will seek re-election to the Iowa House in District 81, which includes Ottumwa, Agency, Eldon, and the townships of Center, Competine, Dahlonega, Green, Keokuk, Pleasant, and Washington. “It’s a great honor to serve in the Iowa House and I’ll keep working hard to improve the lives of families in [...]
Statement From House Democrats on Tax Credit Review Committee
Rep. Dave Jacoby, Ranking Member of the House Ways and Means Committee “The legislature needs to do a serious review of Iowa’s corporate tax credit giveaways, especially those costing the state the most money. Iowans deserve to know how their taxpayer dollars are being spent and a full review must be completed before any new tax [...]