This month, the assassination of Charlie Kirk caused a tumultuous debate and reaction from all parts of the political spectrum. The event sparked and continues a debate on free speech and Charlie's legacy.
To be clear, the assassination is tragic. A man was murdered due to the contents of his speech. He was the father of two children around the same age as mine.
To be clear, the contents of his speech were hurtful to many Americans. He targeted specific groups and belittled them. He used caustic speech that was meant to drive wedges between Americans. I did not agree with much of what he said or what he stood for.
Both of the above can equally be true. We must recognize our commonality in condemning political violence, regardless of the target.
One observation I've had during the course of these last few days is how social media is painting and reinforcing the differing narratives. One side has Charlie Kirk being lionized as a hero of free speech and a Godly man. Other newsfeeds play up the hateful rhetoric he supported. Different groups of people are being given different reinforcing narratives. It is no wonder we cannot reach a consensus on what this moment means for America.
This is where I have the most fear for the future. We have already seen a rollback in First Amendment freedoms and targeting of enemies in the name of Charlie Kirk. We see folks who speak out being punished.
We must remain vigilant moving forward to protect the freedoms we hold dear, but we must also seek out the common humanity that should be uniting our people.
BACK-TO-SCHOOL SURVEY: What Does the New School Year Look Like for You?
In last month’s newsletter, I talked about some of the changes that were coming to Iowa’s public schools this year thanks to decisions made at the Capitol. Now that we’re a few weeks into the 2025-26 school year, I want to hear from you.
What’s new at your school? What’s different? What works and what doesn’t? What do you want legislators to fix next session? How can we reposition Iowa as a national leader in education?
Click the button below to take our survey and give us your honest feedback about your experience with Iowa’s schools so far this year.
Invest in Iowa Workers, Not Out-of-State Corporations
Earlier this summer, the Iowa Department of Corrections (IDOC) began exploring a change that, if implemented, could negatively affect hundreds of state employees, the thousands of men and women in their care, and the millions of taxpayers on the hook for increased costs.
IDOC issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) seeking a company to provide “comprehensive medical services” at Iowa’s nine correctional facilities. The RFP, issued on July 9 and closing on September 26, would eliminate the existing state employees overseeing medical care in Iowa’s correctional facilities and replace them with private contractors. In response, the entire Senate Democratic caucus sent a letter to IDOC Director Beth Skinner urging her to provide workers with the critical support they need and cease any effort toward privatization. We believe this move could set Iowa on a slippery slope, disincentivizing public service and further complicating our workforce issues.
In the time since that RFP was released, correctional employees have reached out to legislators urging against this effort. One psychiatric nurse with nearly two decades of service in Iowa’s prisons told us 20% of her coworkers have already left their positions since the RFP was made public. And who could blame them? Why stick around if your job and benefits are under threat? These men and women feel powerless and their service and commitment to the state deserve so much more respect.
This past week, a group organized by the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) protested against this proposal in Fort Madison (home of the Iowa State Penitentiary) and a group of Democratic legislators visited the Iowa Medical and Classification Center at Oakdale to speak directly to medical services personnel in that facility. There is still time to help push back against this effort.
You can reach out to Gov. Reynolds’ office online or at (515) 281-5211 to tell her and Dir. Skinner to stop this threat to Iowa workers, patients, and taxpayers.
Welcome, Senator Drey!
We have officially broken the Senate supermajority!
Catelin Drey, a Democrat from Sioux City, won the special election in Senate District 1 on August 26. Her win means the party split in the Iowa Senate is now 33-17. There is still plenty of work to do to regain the majority, but this is a big win for Democrats to claw back some power at the Capitol. We now have a real voice in the appointment confirmation process, and the extra member makes it one step harder for the majority party’s most contentious bills to pass.
Catelin is a working mom who campaigned on fully funded public education, affordable childcare, accessible housing, and a fair shake for working Iowans all over the state. I’m excited to work with her and to add her voice to the Senate!
Welcome to the team, Senator Drey!
Quick Updates
Supreme Court Roadshow: Last month, the Iowa Supreme Court announced its 2025-2026 adjudicative term. This is the time period during which the Court hears oral arguments and writes the majority of its published opinions. Each term, the Court has special sessions around the state to allow the public a more convenient opportunity to view arguments. I encourage everyone to attend a session at least once to see the judicial branch in action.
National Preparedness Month: September is National Preparedness Month and this year’s theme is Preparedness Starts at Home. Here are a few things you can do this month: know your risk, make a family emergency plan, build an emergency supply kit, and get involved in your community by taking action to prepare for emergencies.
Recovery and Prevention: September is both National Recovery Month and Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Data shows people with substance use disorders are significantly more likely to think seriously about and attempt suicide than the general population. At the same time, youth are experiencing increased rates of anxiety, overdose, and suicidal thoughts and attempts. Check out NAMI Iowa for resources and advocacy to get involved.
Mild Winter is Good for Pheasants: Iowa’s pheasant population is expected to benefit from the mild 2024-25 winter and average spring that much of the state experienced. According to Iowa’s state climatologist, last winter was the fourth least snowy in 138 years, and the spring was normal for rainfall and temperature. The Iowa DNR conducts its annual upland population survey each August, which is the best indicator of what populations will be this fall. Results from the August roadside survey will be available online at Iowa DNR in mid-September.
New Deer Tag for Disabled Veterans: Tags for the 2025-26 deer season went on sale Aug. 15. New this year is a disabled veterans deer tag that was recently signed into law. To qualify for the new tag, hunters must be a resident of Iowa and have served in the armed forces of the United States on federal active duty and were disabled during their military service (service-connected disability). Hunters will be issued one deer tag valid for any established firearm season, if eligible. The fee is $33, and hunters are required to use the method of take for the season hunted. Applicants will need to provide a copy of DD214 or higher, a copy of current letter provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs which indicates they are entitled to a service connected disability rating, and a copy of Hunter Safety Certificate https://www.iowadnr.gov/things-do/hunting-trapping/hunting-licenses.
Enhanced Sex Offender Website: The Iowa Department of Public Safety (DPS) announced the launch of its redesigned Sex Offender Registry (SOR) website. The updated site enhances user experience, improves functionality, and continues to provide Iowans with critical tools and resources to access information on registered sex offenders. The site remains accessible at the same web address: https://www.iowasexoffender.gov/.
September is Workforce Development Month: Established by the National Association of Workforce Professionals, this monthlong celebration brings leading business, labor, and education partners together to showcase the impact workforce development programs have on building the American workforce. Iowa will be celebrating with special events across the state, including the following IowaWORKS locations:
Open House for Business Partners at IowaWORKS Des Moines
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