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Gov. Reynolds releases statement after signing heartbeat bill
(DES MOINES) – May 4, 2018 - Gov. Kim Reynolds released the following statement Friday after signing the heartbeat bill, Senate File 359:
“I believe that all innocent life is precious and sacred, and as governor, I pledged to do everything in my power to protect it. That is what I am doing today. I understand that not everyone will agree with this decision. But if death is determined when a heart stops beating, then doesn't a beating heart indicate life? For me, it is immoral to stop an innocent beating heart. For me, it is sickening to sell fetal body parts. For me, my faith leads me to protect every Iowan, no matter how small.
“I understand and anticipate that this will likely be challenged in court, and that courts may even put a hold on the law until it reaches the Supreme Court. However, this is bigger than just a law. This is about life. I am not going to back down from who I am or what I believe in.”
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ACLU, Planned Parenthood to sue to block Iowa abortion lawMay 4, 2018 - The following statement can be attributed to Mark Stringer, ACLU of Iowa Executive Director.
“The ACLU of Iowa, along with Planned Parenthood, will not let this dangerous, unconstitutional law stand. Instead, we will protect the fundamental right of Iowa women to control their bodies and their lives. The ACLU of Iowa is proud to be a part of the litigation team that will sue to strike down this clearly unconstitutional law before it goes into effect on July 1.
It’s clear, after decades of legal precedent, that an abortion ban at around six weeks—before many women even know they’re pregnant—is unconstitutional. And supporters of this abortion ban know it is unconstitutional. They have been willing to push it through because their goal is to overturn Roe vs. Wade and ban abortions altogether. Their goal is to take away women’s rights to control their own bodies.
This is a bad way to make legislation. This is a bad way to treat the women of our state. This is bad for Iowa. However you or I feel about abortion, it’s not our place to decide for someone else whether or when they should become a parent. And it’s certainly not the place of Iowa legislators. Decisions about whether to end a pregnancy, choose adoption, or raise a child are best made by the woman herself, in consultation with her doctor.
For nearly 90 years the ACLU and Planned Parenthood have been fighting this fight. And I assure you that we will continue the fight for reproductive rights every step of the way, for as long as it takes, year after year, decade after decade. Our grandchildren should not have to fight the battles our grandparents won. But fight we will. It’s why we are here. It’s what we do.”
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Fred Hubbell Statement On Republican Attacks on Planned Parenthood’s Sexual Health Education Funding
May 4, 2018 - Yesterday, Iowa’s Republican Legislature once again launched a targeted attack on Planned Parenthood. After defunding Planned Parenthood last year, forcing the closure of 4 clinics and 15,000 Iowans to lose their local provider of choice, Republican legislators advanced budget legislation to strip funding for the sexual health programs they administer. A recent Des Moines Register poll showed 77% of Iowans supporting state funding towards these programs. Today, Fred Hubbell, the former Chair of Planned Parenthood of Mid-Iowa, released the following statement:
“After passing the strictest anti-abortion legislation in the country, this latest move from Iowa Republicans is just another example of their political extremism at the expense of Iowa women, men, and LGBTQ individuals,’’ said Fred Hubbell. “After defunding Planned Parenthood last year, there has been a nearly fifty percent drop in Iowa's family planning enrollment, and now, going after the largest provider of sexual health education, our young people will face unnecessary, greater health risks. Reducing family planning and education services, that an overwhelming majority of Iowans support state funding for, is nonsensical and wrong. It's time to put an end to Republican political extremism. As governor, I will put people first in this state again, starting with ensuring every Iowan has access to the quality health care they deserve."
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Gov. Reynolds signs 6 bills into law
(DES MOINES) – May 4, 2018 - Gov. Kim Reynolds signed the following six bills into law on Friday:
House File 2445: an Act relating to the provision and administration of mental health, disability, and homemaker-home health aide services and the responsibility for other health-related services. This bill passed the Iowa Senate on April 3, 48-0 and the Iowa House on April 18, 96-0.
Senate File 359: an Act prohibiting and requiring certain actions relating to a fetus and providing penalties. This bill passed the Iowa House on May 1, 51-46 and the Iowa Senate on May 1, 29-17.
Senate File 2227: an Act relating to the publication of county resolutions. This bill passed the Iowa House on April 17, 98-0 and the Iowa Senate on April 24, 45-0.
Senate File 2303: an Act relating to the inheritance tax by modifying the requirements to qualify for a deferment of tax payment under certain circumstances in the case of estates with a deferred estate or remainder interest, and including applicability provisions. This bill passed the Iowa Senate on March 5, 49-0 and the Iowa House on April 17, 98-0.
Senate File 2311: an Act modifying various provisions relating to public utilities, providing for a study of electric vehicle infrastructure support, and including effective date provisions. This bill passed the Iowa House on April 26, 52-42 and the Iowa Senate on April 30, 28-20.
Senate File 2314: an Act relating to certain corporations doing business in this state, including restrictions and requirements imposed on nonprofit corporations acquiring agricultural land used in farming, and the duties and liabilities of directors of for-profit and nonprofit corporations. This bill passed the Iowa Senate on March 5, 50-0 and the Iowa House on April 17, 98-0.
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Iowa Environmental Council, Environmental Law & Policy Center Statement on Senate File 2311
May 4, 2018 - We are extremely disappointed Governor Kim Reynolds chose to sign Senate File 2311 into law. Completely contradicting her own Iowa Energy Plan, this action is a leap backward for Iowa as it guts energy efficiency programs and allows municipal utilities to discriminate against solar energy customers. It’s an especially troubling last day of small business week as Governor Reynolds takes action to kill 21,000 small business energy jobs.
Iowa has long enjoyed low-energy rates thanks to its bipartisan, innovative energy policies spanning the past three decades. These policies positioned Iowa as a national energy leader and helped attract and retain businesses to the state. Today’s action will erode Iowa’s competitive edge, and our economy will suffer.
This legislation is extremely concerning for businesses and residents alike as energy costs will increase after the state abandons its successful energy policy. In today’s technology-driven world, the demand for energy, particularly from clean sources, will increase. Without an effective effort to make commercial buildings and homes energy efficient, monopoly utilities will build more power plants and energy costs for business and residential energy users will increase. It will be much more difficult for residential and business customers in municipal utility monopoly areas to invest in solar. The end result of SF 2311 will be that utilities will sell more power and Iowans will pay more out of their paycheck for energy. Utilities are the only winner here today – businesses and citizens across Iowa will pay the price of this action.
The Iowa Environmental Council is an alliance of diverse organizations and individuals working together to protect Iowa's natural environment. Founded in 1995, it is the largest and most comprehensive environmental coalition in the state. Through education, advocacy and coalition building, the Council raises awareness, generates action and creates large-scale change that makes Iowa a better place to live, work and explore.
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Fred Hubbell Statement On Governor Reynolds Signing Most Extreme Anti-Abortion Law In The Country
May 4, 2018 - Today, following Governor Reynolds signing the most restrictive anti-abortion law in the country, Fred Hubbell, Democratic candidate for governor and former Chair of Planned Parenthood of Mid-Iowa, released the following statement:
“Governor Reynolds has once again proven that she is willing to put political extremism over the health, wellbeing, and rights of Iowa women," said Fred Hubbell. "This law is unconstitutional, and an extremely dangerous move that will cause fewer doctors to work in Iowa, our medical schools could lose accreditation, taxpayers will now be on the hook paying for this unconstitutional law's defense, and women will have their access to quality health care greatly reduced. As governor, I would work to reverse this extreme law and restore funding to Planned Parenthood, ensuring every Iowa woman gets the access to quality care they deserve.”
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Statement of Vicki Saporta, President and CEO of the National Abortion Federation (NAF), on Governor Reynold's signing Iowa's 6-week abortion ban into law:
May 4, 2018 - "In signing Iowa’s new six-week abortion ban, Governor Reynolds has completely disregarded the U.S. Constitution. Anti-choice politicians have once again demonstrated that they would rather advance their extreme social agenda than ensure the safety and well-being of women."
The National Abortion Federation (NAF) is the professional association of abortion providers. Our members include individuals, private and non-profit clinics, Planned Parenthood affiliates, women’s health centers, physicians’ offices, and hospitals who together care for approximately half the women who choose abortion in the U.S. and Canada each year. Our members also include public hospitals and both public and private clinics in Mexico City and private clinics in Colombia. Our mission is to ensure safe, legal, and accessible abortion care, which promotes health and justice for women.
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Boulton’s Statement on Reynolds Signing the Heartbeat Bill
Des Moines, IA - May 4, 2018 - State Senator Nate Boulton, Democratic candidate for governor, made the following statement in response to Gov. Reynolds signing the heartbeat bill.
“Governor Reynolds and the Republican legislature are wasting Iowans’ time and taxpayer dollars by passing the most restrictive abortion bill in the country,” Sen. Boulton said. “This bill is unconstitutional and will immediately be challenged in court. Iowa women and their doctors ought to be trusted to make their own decisions and do so with the full constitutional expectation of privacy. We need to be doing things in our state to encourage people to come to and stay in Iowa, and this type of extreme legislation will surely make people think twice before moving here.”
“Governor Reynolds said that ‘this is about life,’ but if she truly valued all life, she would fix the Medicaid mess, invest in real mental health improvements, allow each child to reach his or her full potential with the best schools in the nation, and address the declining quality of life in rural Iowa this administration has hastened,” said Boulton.
Boulton’s Statement on the Republican Tax Cut
Des Moines, IA - May 5, 2018 - State Senator Nate Boulton, Democratic candidate for governor, made the following statement in response to the passage of a “historic” Republican tax cut.
“How can our state afford a tax cut for the wealthy when we have already underfunded our schools for eight year, passed dangerous mid-year budget cuts to our corrections and justice systems, and made an emergency transfer from the reserve fund because we couldn’t pay our bills?” said Boulton. “This tax cut is historic all right - historically reckless - and Iowans will feel the effects of this decision long after we’ve left the Statehouse and the headlines have been forgotten. This is pure fiscal irresponsibility. This madness means more unbalanced and shortchanged budgets for years to come.”
“It will mean continued cuts to essential services down the road and higher property taxes,” said Boulton. “Now is not the time to give the wealthiest Iowans a massive tax cut and leave working class Iowans the obligation to continue to pay for the corporate tax credits, exemptions, and giveaways that once again are left to erode our state’s ability to build our economy around safe, secure, healthy, and well-educated Iowa communities.”
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Gov. Reynolds praises Iowa House, Senate on passage of historic tax reform
(DES MOINES) – May 5, 2018 - Gov. Kim Reynolds praised the Iowa House of Representatives and Iowa Senate Saturday following their passage of historic tax reform, Senate File 2417.
"Republicans led on tax reform in 2018," Gov. Reynolds said. "As a result, hardworking, middle class Iowa families, farmers, small business owners and workers get meaningful relief, all while Iowa's budget priorities in future years are protected."
Senate File 2417 modernizes Iowa’s outdated tax code by prioritizing Iowa’s hardworking, middle class families; reducing rates and eliminating federal deductibility, making Iowa’s tax code more competitive and transparent; dramatically simplifying Iowa’s overly complicated tax code; ensuring fairness for Main Street businesses in the modern economy; and protecting budget sustainability in future years.
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Gov. Reynolds, Lt. Gov. Gregg reflect on opportunity-focused legislative session
(DES MOINES) – Gov. Kim Reynolds and Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg released statements Saturday reflecting on an opportunity-focused 2018 legislative session that achieved every objective outlined by the governor in her Condition of the State address in January.
Watch Gov. Reynolds’ statement on the 2018 legislative session here.
Statement from Gov. Reynolds:
“I laid out a bold vision for Iowa in my Condition of the State address back in January. I shared my desire to unleash opportunity across our great state. And I proposed solutions to problems plaguing some of our most vulnerable citizens. Because of sincere, collaborative, bipartisan action, I am proud to say the 2018 legislative session was one marked by major accomplishments - one that put Iowans first.
“We passed historic tax reform that – coupled with tax reform at the federal level – will bring significant relief to middle-class families, small business owners, workers and farmers.
“We created affordable health plans for those priced out of the individual insurance market by Obamacare.
“We reaffirmed our commitment to compassionate mental health care with a new law that identifies and addresses the gaps in our state’s mental health system.
“We intervened with a new law to save lives and combat opioid addiction and the opioid epidemic.
“We protected life from first heartbeat on.
“We passed the Future Ready Iowa Act and are getting Iowans needed skills for rewarding careers.
“And we took a significant step in the right direction as we work to make a positive impact on water quality in our state.
“The majority of these achievements took Republicans and Democrats reaching across the aisle to listen and find common ground. The result? A solid foundation for building a better Iowa.
“Yes, we accomplished a lot. No, we’re not finished. There’s still much work to be done before we can pass on to our children an Iowa that’s even better than the one we inherited.”
Statement from Lt. Gov. Gregg:
“Because of action taken this legislative session, Iowans across the state have access to opportunities that previously didn’t exist.
“Our administration was able to reduce the tax burden on Iowa taxpayers; lower the cost of healthcare for thousands of small business owners, workers and farmers; fix gaps in our mental health system for Iowans with mental illness; combat the opioid epidemic and potentially save the lives of Iowans battling addiction; protect life; train Iowans while fully funding and protecting our schools; and improve water quality. We did this all while maintaining a balanced budget.
“I commend Gov. Reynolds and the Iowa Legislature on a session marked by bipartisan reforms to improve the lives of Iowans today and build a better Iowa of tomorrow.”
2018 Legislative Accomplishments
Tax reform
“Republicans led on tax reform in 2018. As a result, hardworking, middle class Iowa families, farmers, small business owners and workers get meaningful relief, all while Iowa’s budget priorities in future years are protected.”
Senate File 2417 modernizes Iowa’s outdated tax code by:
● prioritizing Iowa’s hardworking, middle class families
● reducing rates and eliminating federal deductibility, making Iowa’s tax code more competitive and transparent
● dramatically simplifying Iowa’s overly complicated tax code
● ensuring fairness for Main Street businesses in the modern economy
● protecting budget sustainability in future years
Health plans
“Obamacare killed Iowa’s previously healthy individual insurance market. It isn’t affordable, it isn’t sustainable and it just doesn’t work. Right before we took office, the last of our nine carriers left the state. That meant no options for Iowa farmers, small business owners and their employees. We are proud of lawmakers for finding an affordable solution to offer health plans to 26,000 Iowans who can’t pay for insurance.”
Senate File 2349 creates affordable health plan options for Iowans who can’t afford to buy health insurance by:
● giving small employers the ability to band together to create affordable health care options
● allowing Farm Bureau to build a self-funded health benefit arrangement
Mental health
“It’s not enough to simply care for Iowans with mental illness. It must be done with compassion. We’re proud of the unanimous, bipartisan effort to pass both a comprehensive mental health bill and a teen suicide prevention bill. Together, they’re a positive step forward in identifying and addressing the gaps in our state’s complex mental health system.”
House File 2456 continues the modernization of Iowa’s mental health system that began in 2013 by:
● creating access centers providing short-term care for those in crisis
● creating assertive community treatment (ACT) teams to provide individualized in-home treatment and support to individuals with mental illness
● providing comprehensive crisis services, including a 24-hour crisis hotline, mobile response and crisis stabilization services
● providing intensive residential service homes to individuals with severe and persistent mental illness
Senate File 2113 begins the process of addressing mental health in Iowa’s schools by:
● requiring training for educators to recognize the signs of a mental health crisis
● requiring protocols for suicide prevention
Executive Order No. 2 creates a Children’s Mental Health Board to take a comprehensive look at current resources and develop a plan and recommendations to implement a children’s mental health system.
Opioids
“We cannot overlook addiction and the havoc it wreaks on Iowans across this state. With bipartisan support from the Legislature, we are working to combat the opioid epidemic by reducing incidents of doctor shopping and overprescribing.”
House File 2377 takes common-sense steps to curb overprescribing by:
● utilizing the prescription monitoring program (PMP), including creating a funding mechanism and requiring registration and usage
● allowing proactive notification to recognize patients at high risk for abuse and addiction
● requiring electronic prescribing to eliminate fraud
● allowing licensing boards to assess penalties for providers who overprescribe
● prohibiting addictive prescriptions from being filled more than six months after the date prescribed and from being refilled
● providing immunity from criminal liability for those who call 911 to seek help for someone who has overdosed on drugs
Protecting life
“I believe that all innocent life is precious and sacred, and as governor, I pledged to do everything in my power to protect it. If death is determined when a heart stops beating, then doesn't a beating heart indicate life? For me, it is immoral to stop an innocent beating heart. For me, it is sickening to sell fetal body parts. For me, my faith leads me to protect every Iowan, no matter how small.”
Senate File 359 bans the selling of fetal body parts and prohibits abortions, with limited exceptions, after a fetal heartbeat is detected.
Senate File 360 extends the age of a newborn infant under the Newborn Safe Haven Act from 14 days to 30 days of age or younger. The bill also allows for a parent to relinquish physical custody through a first responder who responds to a 911 telephone call instead of only at a hospital
Future Ready Iowa
“The careers of tomorrow are being created today, and Iowa needs to be ready. Future Ready Iowa builds a place where high demand jobs link directly to a skilled workforce. It creates opportunities for all Iowans to have a rewarding career, right here in our state. We’re excited the Iowa House and Senate agreed and passed the bill unanimously.”
House File 2458 establishes a series of programs to train skilled workers in Iowa by:
● establishing an apprenticeship program for high-demand jobs
● creating a volunteer mentor program
● creating a summer internship program for at-risk youth
● using an Iowa Employer Innovation Fund to expand educational opportunities
● establishing a skilled workforce grant program
● providing more funds for high school students to take community college classes
K-12 education
“We’re committed to Iowa’s children because Iowa’s children are Iowa’s future. No one can truthfully dispute that Iowa puts its money where its mouth is. This year, we invested a record amount of dollars in our K-12 schools. Only three other states have increased K-12 funding at a faster rate than Iowa.
“But having the best education possible is pointless if our children don’t feel safe at school. That’s why we worked with legislators to create new laws to protect them - in the classroom, in the hallway, on the playground, in the lunchroom.”
Senate File 2364 creates high-quality emergency plans in all Iowa schools.
House File 2467 ends “lunch shaming” for school lunch debt.
Water quality
“Improving Iowa’s water quality is a shared goal of all Iowans. That’s why I was thrilled the first bill I signed as governor focused on water quality. Senate File 512 makes significant and generational investments in science-based programs to improve Iowa’s water quality and scale-up proven practices. This innovative approach prioritizes collaboration between both urban and rural stakeholders, so that together as Iowans, we protect our waterways and conserve our soil.
“Like I said my Condition of the State address, passing Senate File 512 now allows us to ignite further innovation and conversations to improve water quality. To that end, I am pleased the Legislature also passed House File 2440. This bill continues the momentum to scale water quality projects by bringing more partners to the table.”
Senate File 512 provides a long-term, dedicated and growing revenue source to help fund and scale best practices through the already successful Nutrient Reduction Strategy.
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