State Sen. Eric Giddens (D-Cedar Falls)

Greetings friends and neighbors!

Critically important local elections are happening NOW in communities across Iowa. Cast your vote, make your voice heard, and choose the leaders for your community.

Early and absentee voting has begun statewide. Election Day is November 7.

What’s on the ballot?

Elections for city council, school board, and other elected offices as well as bonding questions and other public measures are on the ballot this year.

The elections vary widely among different jurisdictions – be sure to check with your local county.

Local elections like these can have the biggest impact on our daily lives – make your voice heard.

Where can I find voting resources?

The Iowa Secretary of State’s Office and your local county auditor are key sources of information to learn what’s on the ballot and how to cast your ballot.

Iowa Secretary of State’s Office: https://sos.iowa.gov/elections/voterinformation/

Find your local county auditor: https://sos.iowa.gov/elections/auditors/auditorslist.html

Yes, child labor expansion violates federal law

In a recent letter sent to Iowa lawmakers, the U.S. Department of Labor confirmed that the child-labor expansion bill passed by my colleagues across the aisle earlier this year and now written into Iowa Code violates federal law. The expansion puts young Iowans at risk in dangerous jobs and has created confusing, contradictory rules for Iowa businesses to follow. More child labor is not the solution to our workforce crisis.

Honor your favorite ag-ed teacher

Nominations are open for the 2023-24 Golden Owl Award, honoring excellence in agriculture education. Nominations can be submitted by current or former students, parents, fellow educators, school administrators and community members. Seven finalists will receive a $500 prize and the grand prize of $3,000 will be presented to the winner at the Iowa FFA Convention next April. More information: https://www.iowaffafoundation.org/golden-owl-award.aspx

Free Covid tests

With Covid cases rising, every U.S. household may once again order four free COVID-19 rapid tests for home delivery. Before you throw out “expired” tests, though, check the FDA’s website to see if your existing tests’ expiration dates have been extended.

Food for kids

Food assistance cards distributed under the federal P-EBT program should be arriving now in mailboxes at households with children who qualify for free or reduced lunch at school. The cards come pre-loaded with $120 dollars to purchase groceries for each qualifying child. Be sure to check your mail for these cards, and contact Iowa Department of Health and Human Services at 515-420-6048 with any questions or issues.

Scam warning

Iowa State Auditor Rob Sand is warning Iowa school districts and local governments about check scams and email fraud asking them to redirect payments to a new address. Two Iowa school districts recently lost thousands of dollars to this scam. Follow these guidelines for avoiding fraud and theft:

-Monitor financial accounts for irregularities, including unauthorized withdrawals or missing deposits.

-Requests to redirect payments should be independently verified by calling vendor directly.

-Contact information contained in the suspect email or other correspondence should not be used to verify the payment method.

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.