State Sen. Eric Giddens (D-Cedar Falls)

Greetings friends and neighbors! We’re working our way into the final stages of the legislative session now at the Capitol. One of the tasks we worked on this week in our committees in the Senate was to consider the confirmation of the governor’s appointments to state boards and commissions and to head state agencies. The process for considering each appointment is the same as consideration of bills. First, three senators are assigned to a subcommittee which votes on whether to advance the appointment to the full committee for consideration. Then, the appointment moves to the department, board, or commission’s corresponding committee for a vote, and lastly, to the full Senate for a final vote.

Thank you for speaking up

The AEA debate concluded this week. The majority party passed a final version of the bill, and Gov. Reynolds signed it into law on Wednesday, March 27.

I’m disappointed that the bill passed and am concerned for the future of education in our state. But I’m also incredibly thankful – for you. Over the last three months, Iowans rallied to defend our Area Education Agencies, and organized an unprecedented grassroots outreach effort.

Many people – maybe you were one of them! – contacted their legislators for the very first time to defend the AEAs and speak up for those without a voice at the Capitol. I owe these Iowans my gratitude. They put Iowa’s children first, and showed the state what was at stake.

It may not feel like it right now, but those efforts made a difference. The thousands of Iowans who spoke up changed the course of this legislation through the House and Senate. Because of their work, my friends across the aisle were unable to simply fast-track a bill and rubber-stamp the governor’s demands. Because of their work, this was not merely a party-line vote. And because of their work, Iowans saw their governor’s misplaced priorities.

So, what comes next? Over the coming months, Gov. Reynolds’ Department of Education will implement the law they’ve passed – and we need your help to hold them accountable. Please stay in touch. Email me and let me know how things are going in your community. We expect a lot of corrections and cleanup as this ill-advised law is implemented across Iowa. You can be our eyes and ears to make sure we address its very worst effects.

Measles on the rise

While Iowa has yet to see a confirmed case, several of our bordering states have had outbreaks. Luckily, vaccinations for measles are widely available – contact your primary health care provider to check whether you or your children are eligible for the vaccine. Health care providers would like to see higher measles vaccination rates in Iowa to provide better protection against the measles virus.

Let’s expand access to birth control

It’s the right thing to do for Iowans, which is why I support a bill to allow pharmacists to prescribe over the counter birth control as part of our reproductive freedom agenda. Some in the Capitol have blocked this policy from moving forward, despite its clear value to Iowans.

Wildflower updates in your inbox

Discover the renewal of spring with the Iowa DNR’s weekly woodland wildflower bloom report. Get an up-to-date list of woodland wildflowers in bloom each week until mid-May. Early spring wildflowers are commonly called ephemerals, which means “short-lived.” Learn more here: https://www.iowadnr.gov/Conservation/Forestry/Woodland-Wildflower

Spring turkey season is coming

Iowa’s spring turkey hunt is spread over four seasons, allowing hunters to have a unique experience. Season one is April 8 through 11; season two is April 12 through 16; season three is April 17 through 23; and season four is April 24 through May 12. Hunters may purchase up to two tags, with at least one being in season four. Last spring, hunters reported a record harvest of nearly 14,850 turkeys, with birds harvested in all 99 counties. Nonresident hunting is limited to 2,148 tags annually.

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.