State Sen. Eric Giddens (D-Cedar Falls)

It’s been an eventful week here at the Senate. This year I am proud to serve on the Agriculture Committee for the first time, and I’ve been sure to take every opportunity to support our ag producers. Last weekend, I met with the Black Hawk County Farm Bureau in Hudson. It was an engaging discussion, and I am looking forward to meeting with them again this coming Saturday in Cedar Falls.

On Tuesday morning, I met with members of the Iowa State Dairy Association, and with members of the Iowa Pork Leadership Academy that evening. These meetings were incredibly insightful, and I learned a great deal about these groups’ priorities and the ways in which I can help support them.

Agriculture is the heart of Iowa’s economy, and I am committed to working closely with farmers to support the critical work that they do. Thank you for the opportunity to serve you, and I look forward to keeping you updated as we move further into the second half of the legislative session.

Visit Your State Capitol

One of the best things about being a senator is meeting constituents who visit the Capitol and stop by the Senate to say hi. Every day that we’re in session, the Capitol is full of visitors: organizations holding lobby days, school groups on class trips, sightseeing families, and tourists just passing through. All are welcome, and every one is a welcome reminder of the people and places we represent. I’d love to see you at the Capitol!

Here are a few tips if you’re planning a trip to the Golden Dome:

-When to come: The Iowa State Capitol is open year-round 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays. But if you want to meet your legislators and see the Legislature in action, you’ll need to plan ahead. The House and Senate are typically in session Monday through Thursday from January through late April or early May – that’s when the action is happening, and the best chance you have to see your government up close.

-Take a tour: Our Capitol is a beautiful place, brimming with art and history. The Capitol’s wonderful guides lead tours multiple times a day (always on the half-hour), and provide numerous options for self-guided audio and video tours. Call (515)281-5591 for more information or to schedule a tour Monday through Saturday.

-Watch a debate: If you happen to visit on a day the Senate is debating legislation, you can watch the discussion and tally the votes live and in person from the third-floor galleries overlooking the chamber.

-Meet me in the rotunda: Come say hi! You can always ask to meet a senator while we’re in session. Outside the Senate chamber in the second-floor rotunda, you’ll find a pad of “pink slips” where you can write a message and provide your contact information. Hand your pink slip to the Sergeant at Arms or a page at the Senate door and he’ll hand-deliver it to the senator on the floor. When there’s a break in the action, we’ll come out to say hello, hear your concerns and pose for a photo.

-Let’s make a plan: If you’re going on a visit to the Capitol – especially with a group – please reach out and let me know in advance. If we know you’re coming, we can set aside time to meet and even formally recognize you from the Senate floor.

New numbers for Iowa’s next budget

Last week, a state panel met to set revenue estimates for the current and upcoming budget years. The panel is projecting lackluster growth, with projected revenues for 2023 and 2024 falling below previous years. Our top responsibility as legislators is to pass a balanced budget that serves the needs of Iowans. It’s time to put aside the nationally-driven, culture-war agenda and get to work on a budget.

Bipartisan win for vulnerable Iowans

One of the few bipartisan bright spots of the legislative session so far passed the Senate floor last week. Senate File 295 increases protections for Iowans with a guardian or conservatorship. Iowa’s most vulnerable citizens deserve accountability and transparency when they entrust their entire lives to another person.

Bipartisan progress for new moms and babies

Two months after I cosponsored Senate File 57 to increase postpartum Medicaid coverage for pregnant Iowans, I’m glad to see that House Republicans have introduced a similar bill, House Study Bill 226. I hope to see more bipartisan support for this common-sense legislation that would better support pregnancies and newborns in Iowa.

State Senator Eric Giddens represents Iowa Senate District 38 including Cedar Falls, Hudson, Traer, Dysart, Evansdale, Elk Run Heights, Gilbertville, Washburn, LaPorte City and Mount Auburn. Contact Sen. Giddens at 319-230-0578 or eric.giddens@legis.iowa.gov.