DES MOINES, Iowa (Gray Media Iowa Capitol Bureau) – Election day is 40 days away. Iowa House Democrats say they want voters to know what they stand for before they head to the polls.
Thursday, they released four areas of policy they say they’re going to focus on when the legislative session begins in January.
Iowa House Minority Leader Jennifer Konfrst says the policies they’re working on are supported by more than 50% of Iowans.
“Republicans are about to learn what happens when they don’t listen to Iowans. Many of the things that they’ve passed – AEA cuts, voucher bill, and a ban on abortion in this state are all incredibly unpopular and they’re about to be held accountable for that,” she said.
They’re focusing on four key areas.
First up – education. Konfrst says public schools are being underfunded and she wants to end the private school voucher program.
“Take the money that’s going to vouchers and give it to public schools instead because that’s where it’s coming from. So we believe the solution to school funding in this state is to stop giving public money to private schools,” she said.
Konfrst says House Democrats think they can work on changing Iowa’s abortion law despite a Republican governor and majority in both chambers of the legislature.
“We feel like we could really make some protections roll back some of those exemptions, make them a little more accessible for people while also starting the process of codifying in our constitution. And finally protecting IVF and birth control,” she said.
Konfrst says they want to lower costs for families and raise wages.
“We know we’ll be addressing things like wage theft. We know we’ll be looking at affordable housing options to make people’s housing, either helping them repair their home or helping them get into a home for the first time. We’ll be looking at those things. We’re also going to looking at things like making sure the minimum wage is raised,” she said.
Konfrst also says they want to legalize recreational marijuana.
We reached out to House Republicans to see what their priorities are.
Melissa Saitz, Communications Director for House Republicans said their agenda has been successful and that’s reflected in their majority.
House Republicans say they’re not ready to release their agenda as they don’t know what their caucus will look like until after the election.
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Conner Hendricks covers state government and politics for Gray Media-owned stations in Iowa. Email him at conner.hendricks@gray.tv; and follow him on Facebook at Conner Hendricks TV or on X/Twitter @ConnerReports.
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