Iowa Democratic Party

DES MOINES – College and Young Democrats of Iowa President Austin Frerick, a senior at Grinnell College, released the following statement today calling on all students to take a serious look at restrictive voter ID bills:

“Voter ID bills are costly and they increase barriers to voting. All in an effort to stop voter fraud, which Secretary of State Schultz freely admits is not a problem in this state. This bill is so restrictive that nearly every student ID would not be valid at the polls, and even state-issued photo IDs given to lawmakers at the capitol do not meet these strict requirements. All students should take the time to really understand how this bill will impact them and countless Iowans.”

Two weeks ago a group of College and Young Democrats held a lobby day at the Capitol, where they discussed the voter ID bill with legislators and arranged a meeting with Secretary of State Schultz.

Even state-issued, Capitol IDs aren’t accepted 

DES MOINES – This afternoon the Iowa Federation of College Republicans is handing out cupcakes to those who show valid photo IDs. In one of the clearest examples of how restrictive this bill is, even the state-issued photo IDs given to lawmakers fail to meet the requirements in the bill.

“Voter ID is an issue that should be taken seriously and all Iowans should take the time to fully understand its impact,” said Iowa Democratic Party Chairwoman Sue Dvorsky. “It’s great to see the College Republicans join this discussion, but their event highlights how restrictive this bill is. This law places so many restrictions on what constitutes a valid ID that the photo ID cards given to legislators are not being accepted. These cards grant lawmakers access to the State Capitol, but aren’t enough to allow them to vote, or receive a cupcake at this event. Not only are capitol IDs not valid, nearly all Iowa student IDs fail to meet the requirements.”

“This is a bill that places a clear barrier between Iowans and their ability to exercise a constitutional right and will likely cost millions to implement. Even Secretary Schultz admits that voter fraud does not exist, there’s really no reason to make voting more difficult and stick taxpayers with the bill,” added Dvorsky.

On Tuesday, February 7, the College and Young Democrats of Iowa came to the State Capitol to ask some tough questions about the proposed voter ID bill. They emailed all 150 legislators that they were coming and respectfully asked for a bit of their time; got the signatures of a Senator and a Representative on their paper invitations; went through legislative staff to make sure those invitations were put into each legislator’s mailbox; called the Secretary of State, asked for, and were given, a meeting. When they got to the Capitol, they began the tough work of making their case, and not just to legislators who agreed with them already. They had a respectful meeting with the Secretary, who told them personally that there is no record of voter fraud in Iowa. In short, they made a serious case on a serious issue.

Putting up obstacles to voting is not what a healthy democracy does. It should not be in the brief of the Secretary of State. This bill is a bad solution looking for a non-existent problem. This isn’t about gimmicks, or bake sales. I was proud of our CYDI leaders last week. This is the next generation of Iowans involved in their citizen legislature, asking tough questions, and engaging in civil and civic conversation. I’m glad we’ve got them on our team!

There is a surprise among the three people announced as the chairmen and chairwomen for the Christie Vilsack congressional campaign. Democrat Vilsack is a former Iowa first lady, and Irving Jensen Jr., a notable Sioux City businessman, has agreed to be a campaign chairman. Jensen is a Republican.

The Republican candidate for the 2012 Iowa 4th District congressional race is five-term U.S. Rep. Steve King.

“The new 4th District deserves a representative who puts Iowa jobs first. I am supporting Vilsack because she will go to Washington to fight everyday to ensure the best policies, not politics, are put in place so future generations can work and raise a family in North Central and Northwest Iowa,” Jensen said in a press release.

Politically Speaking: Republican Sioux City businessman among Democrat Vilsack’s congressional campaign team.

GOP lawmaker introduces bill designed to ban abortion.

Budgets show priorities. Unfortunately, the House Republicans have made their priorities very clear. Here are some of their most dangerous cuts, courtesy of the Senate Democrats:

• Eliminate $25 million for business incentives through the Economic Development Authority.
• Eliminates proposed $20 million increase for our Regent universities (more than $250 per student).
• Cuts University of Iowa funding by an additional $18 million (or nearly $600 per student).
• Eliminates economic development funding ($209,000) through the University of Iowa.
• Decreases economic development programs at Iowa State University by $1.5 million.
• Cuts University of Northern Iowa funding by an additional $3 million (more than $225 per student).
• Reduces community college by $4 million (approximately $40 per student).
• Reduces investment in STEM by $3 million.
• Reduces student financial aid through the Iowa Tuition Grant and other programs by $4.9 million.
• Cuts Iowa State University funding by an additional $10.1 million (more than $300 per student)
• Decreases workforce development field office funding by $4.3 million, a 50% general fund cut.
• Decreases general economic development by $965,000, slashing tourism and Main Street initiative.

Responding to proposed abortion ban, Iowa Democrats accuse Republicans of losing focus on jobs and the economy | Des Moines Register Staff Blogs.

Latest GOP bill is an attack on women’s rights 

DES MOINES – House Republicans continue to abandon their pledge to focus on jobs and the economy this session, instead returning to a divisive social agenda. This morning Rep. Kim Pearson introduced a bill designed to outlaw abortion in Iowa, even cases of rape or incest, or to save the life of a mother.

“Republicans have failed to focus on ways to make Iowa stronger,” said Iowa Democratic Party Chairwoman Sue Dvorsky. “House Republicans and their colleagues in the Senate would rather put the lives of women in danger than have a real discussion about how we create jobs and move Iowa forward.”

Pearson’s bill, House File 2298, breaks the promise made by House Majority Leader Kraig Paulsen to focus on strengthening Iowa’s economy. Paulsen told the Associated Press in November that he was “not interested in squandering Iowans’ time” with divisive social issues. This session House Republicans have advocated for an unnecessary voter ID bill and supported bills that endanger public safety by making guns easier to obtain and carry, even for convicted criminals.

“While Democrats propose real ideas to create jobs and strengthen the middle class, their counterparts on the other side of the aisle are busy protecting big business and introducing dangerous bills like this. Iowans deserve better,” added Dvorsky.

Check out this post over on our microsite, NotWorkingForIowa.com, about how Steve King left little for Iowans to be proud of during his visit to CPAC yesterday. If comparing Capitol janitors to Stasi troops and defending a white nationalist wasn’t enough, he did this all while the rest of the delegation was off trying to save 500 Iowa jobs.

Read the full post here, and watch his outrageous CPAC speech below.

Attorney general announces $25 billion settlement 

DES MOINES – Iowa Democratic Party Chairwoman Sue Dvorsky thanked Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller for his leadership in holding lenders accountable for the unfair and irresponsible practices that contributed to the mortgage crisis:

“Attorney General Tom Miller took the lead on this, and brought back results. His leadership means Iowa borrowers will finally have the relief they deserve and lenders will be prevented from repeating the behavior that led to the mortgage crisis. Because of this historic settlement, more Iowans will be able to keep their homes and a new generation of homebuyers will not be taken advantage of by unfair lenders. In a polarized political environment, the wide bipartisan support for this settlement shows that both parties can come together and do the right thing.

“This settlement would not have been possible without Attorney General Miller’s leadership and refusal to let lenders off the hook.”

The $25 billion settlement was supported by 49 states and does not grant immunity to lenders from criminal offenses. More information on the settlement is available on the Iowa Attorney General’s website.

Since announcing her candidacy Christie Vilsack has traveled across the new 4th District, building grassroots support along the way. Now, you have a chance to vote for her as the 2012 Democracy For America (DFA) Grassroots All-Star.

DFA is letting supporters like you decide who they will endorse and which candidate will receive a $20,000 contribution. That would go a long way towards contacting voters and building an organization that would finally get Steve King out of office.

Click here to vote in the contest, and take a minute to share this opportunity with your friends.

Voice opposition to restrictive and unnecessary voter ID bill 

DES MOINES – The College and Young Democrats of Iowa (CYDI) will lobby state lawmakers today and voice their opposition to Secretary of State Matt Schultz’s restrictive voter ID bill.

“What happens at the Capitol has a direct impact on students across Iowa. Whether it’s funding for higher education, or an unnecessary voter ID bill, College and Young Democrats of Iowa need to make sure lawmakers know where we stand,” said CYDI President Austin Frerick.

With renewed efforts by Iowa Republicans to implement a voter ID requirement in the state, a move that would make it particularly difficult for students to vote, students across Iowa are speaking out against it. The requirements placed on IDs by this bill would prevent nearly all Iowa student IDs from being accepted at the polls, placing an unnecessary hurdle to students’ democratic rights.

“By attempting to stop something that doesn’t even happen in Iowa, this voter ID bill will make it more difficult for students to take part in the democratic process. Instead of finding ways to restrict participation, our elected officials should be encouraging the next generation to be active in these debates,” added Frerick.

The College and Young Democrats of Iowa have 17 chapters across the state, representing both public and private institutions. More information about the organization is available online at www.IowaCollegeDems.com.

Vander Plaats’ group again attacks anti-bullying conference

DES MOINES – Iowa Democratic Party Chairwoman Sue Dvorsky released the following statement in response to Bob Vander Plaats’ Family Leader’s outrageous comments, in which the organization called an anti-bullying conference “dangerous” and “radical.”

“Bob Vander Plaats’ regressive attacks on equality in this state are shameful. To say that a conference, which encourages an accepting environment, in which all Iowa students, can safely learn, is utterly outrageous. Governor Branstad’s support for this event highlights the fact that Iowa is moving forward and that, regardless of party, we can support efforts to make our schools safe for LGBTQ youth.

“Once again, the Family Leader is more interested in fostering division than building an Iowa where all families are accepted and treated with the dignity they deserve. We hope Republicans will stand up to Vander Plaats’ bullying and continue to support efforts to improve safety and acceptance in Iowa schools.”

State Treasurer Fitzgerald, State Senator Jack Hatch hold press conference in Des Moines 

DES MOINES – This morning Secretary of State Mike Fitzgerald and State Senator Jack Hatch (Des Moines) highlighted how the 23rd straight month of private sector job creation shows our economy is on the right track, and how critical it is for us to continue moving forward on this foundation.

The Labor Department today announced that the economy added 243,000 jobs in January. America’s businesses have now added jobs for 23 straight months. In that time, the private sector has added more than 3.7 million jobs.

This data, and job growth over the past months, shows an economy that is growing and much stronger than when President Obama took office and the nation was losing 700,000 jobs each month.

Watch a video of today’s press conference and download a high quality graphic showing job creation since 2007 by clicking here.

State Treasurer Mike Fitzgerald:

“From day one, the President took swift action to address the immediate jobs crisis.  He stopped the bleeding and invested in America.  He saved the American auto industry.  And he cut taxes for every working family and for small businesses, which create the vast majority of new jobs in this country.

“You can see what happened next.  Under his leadership, the private sector reversed its free-fall.  America’s businesses have now added jobs for 23 straight months.

“The President didn’t just address the immediate crisis and stop there.  He’s laying the foundation for long-term middle-class job growth.  To help the middle class reclaim the security its lost over the last few decades, he’s restoring the basic values that made our country great.

“He’s creating an economy that’s built to last – one where hard work once again pays off and responsibility, not recklessness, is rewarded.

“The President is restoring an economy where everyone, from Main Street to Wall Street, gets a fair shot, does their fair share and plays by the same rules.”

State Senator Jack Hatch (Des Moines):

“The President also knows we won’t recover by outsourcing to other countries, but by out-hustling them: by out-innovating, out-educating and out-building the world.

“This is a make-or-break moment for the middle class, and we’ve got a lot more to do if we’re going to continue the trend you see here.

“That’s why the President has outlined a vision for an America built to last.  It’s a blueprint based on American manufacturing, American energy, skills for American workers and a renewal of the American values that made the middle class the envy of the world – values like fairness and opportunity.

“Mitt Romney and the Republicans aren’t optimistic about this recovery continuing — for this chart to keep climbing.

“Romney criticized President Obama for talking up America.

“He’s made outrageous, false claims about jobs and our economy because he think it will help him in November.

“We were going down, now we’re going up.  We were bleeding jobs, now we’re creating them.  Our economy was collapsing, now it’s recovering.

“We have much more work to do, but as this chart undeniably shows, we’re moving in the right direction.”

Numbers don’t lie, check out this chart of President Obama’s progress towards creating an America built to last:

Download a high quality PDF of this chart.

This graph shows that the Obama administrations swift action to avoid another depression is paying off. For 23 months we’ve been adding jobs to our economy and giving opportunities to workers right here in America. During these months our economy has added 3.7 million jobs, and for the first time since the 1990s American manufacturing is growing.

To highlight this success, State Treasurer Michael Fitzgerald and State Senator Jack Hatch (Des Moines) held a press conference this morning in Des Moines:

DES MOINES – Following the release of the January jobs report this morning, showing the 23rd consecutive month of private sector job growth, Iowa Democratic Party Chairwoman Sue Dvorsky highlighted this success and credited the leadership of Democrats across the country:

“Today’s jobs report showing 243,000 jobs added in January is the latest confirmation that President Obama’s leadership and immediate action to address the economic crisis is working. The past 23 months of consecutive private sector job growth represent a sharp contract to what President Obama was facing when he took office: an economy that was losing 700,000 jobs a month and spiraling towards a depression that would eliminate the economic security for millions of Americans.

“23 straight months of job growth proves that American businesses are hiring again. We’ve watched 3.1 million jobs created over those months; we’ve witnessed the comeback of the American auto industry, which began with swift action to save 1.4 million jobs. Today, for the first time since the 1990s, American manufacturing is adding jobs to the economy.

“While these numbers are a positive sign, this remains a make-or-break moment for the middle class. President Obama has laid a solid foundation for a stronger economy, and has presented his vision for an America built to last. He believes that we can create an economy that will lead the world by strengthening American manufacturing and American energy, ensuring American workers have the skills to compete, and returning to the values that middle class Americans have followed for years – values like fairness and opportunity.

“Mitt Romney and Washington Republicans don’t share that vision for America. They don’t agree that we should support American industry or invest in American workers. They don’t believe we should reward companies who bring jobs back to America instead of sending them overseas. They are so set to stonewall this administration, that Romney and the Republican Party won’t even admit that a recovery is happening.

“However, these numbers cannot be denied. When President Obama took office we were bleeding jobs, today we’re creating them. We have more work ahead of us, but this jobs report undeniably shows that we’re heading in the right direction and have the leadership to continue growing the American economy.”

The White House Blog has outlined the historic leap forward that the Affordable Care Act representing for health care in America, in particular, it’s impact on women’s health. By making preventative services more accessible and affordable, women across the country are benefitting:

Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, most health insurance plans will cover women’s preventive services, including contraception, without charging a co-pay or deductible beginning in August, 2012.  This new law will save money for millions of Americans. But more importantly, it will ensure Americans nationwide get the high-quality care they need to stay healthy. Under this policy, women who want contraception will have access to it through their insurance without paying a co-pay or deductible.  But no one will be forced to buy or use contraception.

Last week the administration made the decision to allow some religious groups, such as churches, to be exempt from the requirement that contraceptives be covered under health insurance plans. In balancing religious freedom and the freedom of women, the Department of Health and Human Services has also given religiously affiliated non-proifts, like hospitals and universities, the opportunity to receive a one-year waiver from this requirement.

Read the full White House blog post about what this decision means and how it affects these organizations.

This morning the Iowa House passed Senate File 93, a bill to increase the penalty for strangulation in cases of domestic violence. Here’s background on the the bill from the Cedar Rapids Gazette:

“[SF 93] would make it an aggravated misdemeanor to strangle someone during an incident of domestic abuse. Current law treats strangulation in domestic abuse as a simple misdemeanor. The bill, Senate File 93, also provides for a Class D felony if there is bodily harm incurred by the victim. An aggravated misdemeanor is punishable by confinement for no more than two years and a fine of at least $625 but not more than $6,250.”

Not only did the bill pass the Iowa Senate with unanimous support from both Republicans and Democrats, it had the support of law enforcement and victim’s rights organizations. Only one member of the legislature felt tougher penalties for strangulation was unnecessary, Republican State Representative Glen Massie of Warren County.

As the lone vote against SF 93, Massie once again failed to do the right thing for his constituents. While his vote didn’t stop the bill from passing, it shows priorities that are dangerously out of line with the values of our state.

DES MOINES – Each year Iowans have a chance to become involved in the Iowa Democratic Party, just by checking a box on their Iowa income tax form. This program is a vital resource to Democrats, especially in an election year where all signs indicate that Iowa will be a battleground state.

“The income tax check off program is a great opportunity that too many Iowans aren’t aware of,” said Iowa Democratic Party Chairwoman Sue Dvorsky. “This program doesn’t increase your taxes and it doesn’t decrease your refund. It simply earmarks $1.50 that we can use to engage Iowans in the critical election ahead.”

The Iowa Democratic Party has made an informational video and other material available at IowaDemocrats.org/CheckOff to increase awareness and participation in this important program.

“In 2012 we will reelect President Obama, send four outstanding Democrats to Congress, and elect Democrats to the State House and State Senate. This program is the easiest way for Iowans to be a part of that victory by checking the box, and earmarking $1.50 that we can put to work across the state,” added Dvorsky.

Voter ID bill to be officially introduced this week 

DES MOINES – College and Young Democrats of Iowa President Austin Frerick released the following statement today, as Secretary of State Matt Schultz’s irresponsible voter ID bill is expected to be officially introduced in the Legislature this week:

“Restrictive voter ID bills are bad for Iowa students. By attempting to fix a problem that doesn’t exist in Iowa, Republicans like Secretary of State Matt Schultz are willing to waste millions of taxpayer dollars while making it harder for college students to exercise their democratic right to vote.

“While Secretary Schultz attempts to pay lip service to college students, saying college and university IDs are acceptable, he’s ignoring the reality that hardly any institutions in the state have ID cards that meet his requirements. If this bill were allowed to pass, students across the state would undoubtedly have a harder time making their voices heard at the polls.

“If Secretary Schultz really wants to spend millions of taxpayer dollars, we suggest he look into ways to increase voter registration and awareness among college students, not ways to add barriers to voting.”

Background on Secretary Schultz’s Voter ID Bill:

- The Secretary of State’s bill requires valid IDs to have an expiration date, a practice not followed by some of Iowa’s largest institutions.

- Similar laws have cost neighboring states nearly $6 million dollars to implement. Unfortunately, Schultz has ignored those costs and claims only a “nominal” amount will be required to print flyers – the only education program he has planned. Other states, like Wisconsin, have seen millions spent to hire additional staff to process provisional ballots, print ID cards, and even more on outreach programs to notify voters of the change.

- While the law would make state issued IDs available for free, Iowans would still need to provide identification like a birth certificate or passport before receiving the free ID. For many Iowans who do not have those pieces of identification, the added hassle and cost for those documents may prevent them from voting.

- Even Secretary of State Schultz admits he has no idea how many Iowans do not have appropriate ID under his bill, showing how little thought has been given.