State Sen. Eric Giddens (D-Cedar Falls)

Greetings neighbors and friends! Week 11 of the 2024 legislative session is now in the books. We debated dozens of bills in the Senate, including a lot of good bipartisan bills, and unfortunately a few controversial ones like the proposal to reform the Area Education Agencies. With only a little more than three weeks until the 100th day of the legislative session, we’re hoping to set the state budget soon so the session won’t need to go into overtime.

Also, it’s National Agriculture Week! I’ve enjoyed attending events this week to celebrate Iowa’s agricultural heritage and the modern ag industry that dominates Iowa’s economy today. On Monday, I went to the Future Farmers Forum hosted by Power Up Iowa which was held at the beautiful World Food Prize Foundation. Tuesday, I visited with Benton County Farm Bureau members at the Capitol and then attended the Iowa Ag Leaders Dinner at DMACC’s FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny that evening. And Wednesday, the Iowa Pork Producers Association held a delicious breakfast at the Capitol. I want to express my deep appreciation to all of our ag sector workers across the state!

In local news, the Waterloo Postal Service Processing and Distribution Center is under review by USPS, and changes could be made that would route more mail through Des Moines. Postal Union workers are concerned that this change could reduce delivery times by one to two days.

To share your thoughts or get answers to questions you may have, the Postal Service will hold a public meeting to allow the local community to provide their feedback and perspectives on the Initial Findings of the review a 2 p.m. on Tuesday, March 26 at the Cedar Falls Public Library, 524 Main Street. While the Iowa Postal Services union is attempting to change the meeting time to be more accessible, they have not been successful yet. If you cannot make the meeting, you can leave your thoughts through the following link for up to 15 days after the meeting: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/mpfr-waterloo-ia

AEAs on the Brink

This week saw a whirlwind of activity around the future of Iowa’s Area Education Agencies – the regional organizations that provide special education and many other critical services to Iowa’s public and private schools.

On Monday, the Senate’s Republican majority passed legislation eliminating most direct funding for AEAs – including existing mental health support, library, textbook and curriculum-development services. Then, on Thursday, the House passed yet another version of the bill, purporting to unite House and Senate Republicans and Gov. Kim Reynolds. Whether Republicans can actually agree on that bill remains to be seen – and in any case, it still threatens to destabilize the system and undermine services for Iowa kids.

Senate Democrats remain opposed to this bill. No one is asking for these changes, and they pose a real risk to essential education services – particularly in rural Iowa. Still, it’s likely this final version could be debated in the Senate early next week.

Telegraph note: Since this newsletter went to press, both chambers passed the AEA legislation and it was subsequently signed into law by Gov. Kim Reynolds on Wednesday, March 27.

The Hockensons say NO to AEA changes

Former Iowa Hawkeyes standout tight end (and now Minnesota Vikings star) T.J. Hockenson joined the call for lawmakers to leave Iowa’s AEAs alone and drop the legislation now under consideration. Turns out his mom, Teri, is a special education consultant in Southeast Iowa. Her op-ed about saving the AEAs is a must-read – check it out here: https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2024/03/18/rural-iowa-needs-aeas-now-is-the-time-to-speak-up-and-save-them

Time to work on the state budget

Last week, the Revenue Estimating Conference (REC) forecast revenues for the state’s current and upcoming fiscal years. The panel lowered estimates for the current fiscal year, projecting state income $219 million below the previous year. The estimate for the upcoming year, meanwhile, is only $71 million higher than the current year. With the REC’s projections in place, it’s time for lawmakers to get to work. We owe it to our constituents to fund our public schools, pass a balanced and responsible state budget, and adjourn for the year.

Schools are still waiting

The majority party chose not to pass a school funding bill again this week, preventing local school districts from meeting budget deadlines and setting realistic spending plans for the upcoming school year. The majority’s refusal to act has already broken state law, which requires the legislature to set school funding law by February 6. It’s way past time for the legislature to get this done!

Trout stocking underway

The Iowa DNR is stocking trout in lakes across Iowa this month. Lake of the Hills in Davenport, East Lake Park Pond in Mount Pleasant, and Wilson Lake in Fort Madison were all stocked on March 20, followed by stockings in Cedar Rapids and North Liberty on March 21, and Ottumwa on March 23.

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.